The mad pony in a trench coatby Dragonhoof91ChaptersThe mad pony in a trench coatA mad pony in CanterlotA mad pony in jailA mad pony in battleA mad pony faces a friendThe mad pony in a trench coatChapter 1. The autumn was here. And while ponies celebrated, worked and played in the amazing display of colours, there was still shorter time in the daylight. Ponies needed something to do with their increased evenings, and that something was often stories told and listened too. Old pony Oakjuice, a former farmer if you asked him, was happy to oblige. Spending his elder days with a pen in his hoof and a freshly printed, blank book in his lap, the old coot did little but write stories of tales unknown and adventures unheard. "Gather around now, wee ones. I got a fresh book that needs ears to approve!" He smiled as the many children of the school gathered. It was still an hour left before their parents were to come pick them up, and both the teacher and he himself preferred it when they were calmly listening instead of playing wildly indoors. "Today you shall hear the tale of Alonso Alons-y... the last of the Templars!" Our story begins in a time not too long ago from our own. But a time more simple by far. Books were still an expensive thing, technology had just begun to blossom with electricity in both tools and machinery, and magic was restricted to be taught in the halls of Canterlot. Though the history begins in an era so long past that nopony remembers it, this specific tale does not... Crisp Scope, an unicorn with greater promise for his studies of the stars and their alignments, than for magic and strong spells, was up late one night as usual. It came with the job after all, his life was the burning globes in the sky and the lines of cosmic dust that drifted past. Due to his working hours, he was not known for being very social. Living alone, well paid and fed for his work, but without many who knew him deeper than the dark-blue coat and snowy mane. On his hind there was the mark of an old star-measuring tool, used by sailors and travellers alike in the old days to locate themselves via the stars. A tool who's name this old pony has forgotten, but it matters little. Crisp had excellent eyes, and was told to be able of spotting a housefly on Celestia's walls all the way from what we know as Manehattan today. But he could not live there himself, as the magically lit town made it hard for him to see his stars at night. Thus, he had since long moved to a very small village where he worked undisturbed. Alas... my dear fillies, what story would be grand and adventurous if we spoke only of ponies who's life was but work? Therefor we shall focus on the day things started to go wrong... A red flash that seemed to originate from a specific constellation. Crisp saw it, for he usually had an eye aimed for those very stars. He had seen it before, several times in his young adult life. It always seemed to flash at a specific time of the year, and he had no explanation for this anomaly. Was it solar flares? Was it some kind of cosmic energy unknown? Was it magic slipped from Celestia's spell on their own sun that got reflected? His theories were many, and all without solid evidence. It was not his job to observe these events, as much as to just map out the stars at all times of year to report changes in their locations and effect on magic, but he could not resist the unknown of these red flashes... Tonight was such a night, that specific time of year. He had been sitting in his comfortable chair and waited for it. A plate of plain sandwiches, a cup of tea and four different clocks was prepared on a plate next to him. He was going to catch the time of the flashes this year as well, to see if there was an exact pattern compared to the last. He waited, listening to the synchronized tic's of the clocks, in his mind counting down the seconds. And, of course, on the second as the last year, the red flashes appeared! It looked as if the flashes connected the stars, made them form a new pattern compared to the natural. He quickly duel-wielded simple magic, stopping all the clocks and burning a mental image of the pattern that flashed for a brief moment on his floor. He could repair the floor later, it had taken many a punishing notations during the years, it had become a poor habit of his. Upon inspecting the pattern, now that he had it more clearly, he felt that he recognized it from his studies at Canterlot... An hour, two, three, four and nearly five of searching through his books, he finally found it. It was a book about ancient, primitive magic. Used by ponies in desperate times, long before the sisters appeared and created order. It was a symbol used for something that the book would not speak of, but there was images of it, and he was told they came from caves and ancient papyrus... That. Is when he felt his spine shiver. Why was this in the sky? Was it just an anomaly that had always happened, but no-one in modern days had cared about? Why would they not, if it was an cosmic event bound to ancient magic? The questions began to swirl, and he felt uneasy. He did not like the thought, but could not help it. He cursed loudly his own curiosity. "Damned be my own wit and will for the unknown!" There was a silence after that. A silence that sent cold shivers through his entire body. It was usually silent at this time of night. But this silence was... strange. It felt like if the air had grown thicker. Harder to breathe in, heavier to move in, and too dense to let any vibrations of vocals or sound through it.. and there was a strange smell. Worried that his burning mark in the wooden floor had set a spark that first now had managed to grow, he rushed back to his telescope and chair. The mark was not burning... but did he imagine things or... had it grown? Touching it with a hoof, he felt a sting of magic from it. Reaching out with his own magic to scan it, he found his horn not responding. Something like that had never happened before, why could he not use his magic? He tried again. And again. A third, fourth and fifth time in his panic! But not even a spark. That is when he saw the eyes. In the middle of the mark on his floor, there were four crystal clear eyes glaring at him. They actually looked very beautiful. Inviting, in a way. Charming... alluring... calling for him... His bright mind snapped him out of it, as he found himself nearly kissing the burned mark on the floor, realizing how close the eyes had brought him without being aware! He stumbled back, and watched in horror as the eyes rose from the mark, the black, coal-like lines that formed the pattern he had made followed them. Like a silky cloth laid upon a pony that arose. They swayed at first, like a summer dress or a loose cape, before snapping around the invisible body like a tight suit! The markings, now twisted and bent, made long lines for the four legs, circles beneath the hooves, three dots representing stars across the spine, and several others making the swaying tail and female head, on which the four eyes rested. The astral pony, built up by magical marks as an exoskeleton, began to fill up with fire-like energies. Not flames of heat, but red, pulsing swirls of built up power. The creature generated an aura of dominance as it walked closer to the frightened star-reader. Who helplessly could only crawl backwards in the lack of his magic. Trapped, between the corner of bookshelves with maps and astronomy books, and the magical creature that looked at him with tempting eyes and now a devilish grin made out of the black marks! Crisp was certain that whatever happened, it was his end. He had gone beyond the fear-levels to fuel his escape, and into the fear of acceptance of his fate. He closed his eyes, feeling the aura of the creature grow more intense, the temptation to loose himself into those eyes nearly too great. If it breathed, he would have felt it's breath. But all he did was feel it's presence, sensed it's glare and approach, heard the soft taps of it's near weightless hooves on his old floor, and the angels singing to welcome him.. They sounded so beautiful, it was comforting. An chorus of angelic voices in perfect harmony, speaking in the ancient language of promised lands and the glory of the princesses. The victory of loyalty over those that seeks domination. The chorus grew higher, and he felt himself at ease. Relaxing, and welcoming his untimely death. His relaxation prevented him to notice that the creature was backing away. And it was not until Crisp heard something strange in the chorus that he opened his eyes to see it. Not only was the astral, multi-eyed creature backing away with a snarl, but there were rapid hoof-steps in the psalm... And both the steps and the music grew louder! The door to his study was shattered, turned in an instant to splinters and sawdust, as a giant pony shouldered through it as if it was but magical glass! Crisp could see little of the pony, as what he could only assume was a male, carried a long, brown and ragged trench coat. An equally ragged hat in matching fashion, and several belts across his chest and torso beneath it, carrying a bunch of military pockets and small items! Around his neck, the giant had one of those modern music-players, an electric device that allowed one to play music while on the go! And it was the source of the angelic chorus! The giant pony kicked his front legs and staggered, but remained standing on his hinds, aiming one of his front hooves to the creature while screaming at it in an strange language. The creature now seemed to burst into flames on it's own choice, hissing and spitting small sparks as it tried to intimidate this new foe, who did not back down. If anything, he confidently walked closer to the creature, reaching whatever was in his hoof towards it and screaming more words in the gibberish language... Crisp had only vague memories of what happened afterwards, but he explained it as if the creature turned into a stream of magical energies, burst through his window and towards the night sky... He had than collapsed into unconsciousness... The giant was standing like a firm statue in the doorway to Crisp's bedroom when he woke up. He needed several minutes to understand and remember it all, and he realized that his body felt like it had been ran over by a stampede of cows. "Good morning, mister Scope. Sorry for the intrusion last night, but considering the alternative, I think we both gained from it." The giant smiled, walking closer to the resting blue pony. The large pony introduced himself as Alonso, and from his accent and built, not to mention the very hairy hooves, it was clear that he was from the far, mountain-littered north. A old people called 'norse-horse' for their large size, though still ponies by breed. "What happened..?" asked the sky-reader in his poor state. Alonso smiled and removed his hat. He had a walnut brown coat with a chestnut brown mane and tail, both tied up in braids with traces of lighter colours here and there. He was muscular, but not as bulky as he looked with the trench coat. He sat down on his plot and began to explain. Alonso presented himself as an Dark-Hunter. An ancient order of ponies from mostly the north who tracks down and prevents the summoning of demonys. A demony being an evil soul of a dead pony, corrupted and thirsty for magical energies, any energies, so it can manifest in our world to gather more and cause mischief. And every year for the past five, he had been tracking a cult rumoured to summon them. He explained that it was the reason to the red flashes in the sky, as that constellation was bound to the summoning ritual. He had been on his way to a nearby forest when he felt the presence. Clearly, the demony must had picked Crisp's house for it's summon when he burned in the pattern to allow the passage, as normally a lone pony would cause less attention then an entire mob of summoners. "What... what was it you played? And what did you threaten it with?" Alonso grinned, pulling out a necklace from his thick coat that hid it. It was a small, delicate cross in front of a sun, carved from some kind of black material.. "Brimstone. Works twice as effective. Demonys can't stand the symbol, Angelus's can't stand the material. Protection from both in one trinket." he explained proudly. He then showed the small music-device. It was square and made from some light-weight material, and could hold one music-gem at the time. Music was recorded magically, but the electric waves in the machine made the crystal vibrate to resonate the recorded message, more then so Alonso could not explain, at least not in details. He showed two crystals that he always carried. "See, demonys really can't stand holy music, makes them sick to the core! Angelus's? Now that is a different story. They are lovers of all music, since music is harmony. It took me a while, but I managed to cook something up! Bethoofen's forth symphony played only with didgeridoo's, electric guitar, pan flutes, cowbells and improvised lyrics by Maponna!" Poor Crisp felt his guts cringe at the very thought. He was no lover of music, but he could imagine the horror of listening to such an perversion of musical perfection... He than asked why this strange, mad pony would need to arm himself against the holy pegasi of the afterlife. Why would he need protection against angelus? To this, the hunter only grinned with old, weathered eyes. "No coin has only two sides... ain't all black and white." And with that, having explained what he did, and just barely why he did it, the strange pony took a singe bit-coin and placed it standing on the desk by Crisp's bed, before leaving the building. Crisp himself thought long of what he had meant. Not only had Alonso introduced him to that fictional creatures like demony's and angelus's were real, but he had then gone and confused him by saying that no coin has only two sides. The blue pony thought of this for several days, while his window was being repaired and his floor remade. And it was not until he realized that a coin, flat as it may be with it's two large sides, can still stand on the third given care and precision. A third side between both the large ones, connecting them. Did Alonso consider himself that side? Was that what he meant? Was it just ramblings from a mad pony? Was it just gibberish, or was it wisdom as the norse pony did seem to know what he spoke of...? "Well, my children... I may just let you know in the next chapter... if you want me to write it that is?" The old pony smiled to the crowd of fillies, and while several started to point out small flaws and stuff they did not understand, being whiny children tired from the long day of school, many still seemed to have enjoyed it. And with that appreciation, the author returned to his knackered home to start writing a second chapter... A mad pony in CanterlotChapter 2. A mad pony in Canterlot. A few days passed, and with each day the light grew shorter. The first snowflakes had begun to fall as the pegasi altered the weather to slowly turn winter. And while the fillies loved to play in the piles of leaves and jump in the puddles left by the near-daily rain, they were still gathered inside in the early afternoon as the darkness settled. And while there was little to do inside the lone school room but doodle and chase each other, today the old author had returned with yet another tale! The fillies gathered more quickly this time, for after hearing the last story they were curious. Their teacher had been forced to deal with question the past few days about demonys and angelus's, the creatures of hell and hayven, and while she was not found of it, she did enjoy the extra hour break she got as the writer took over before the parents would pick up their young ones. The old coot sat down comfortably behind the teachers counter and placed the large, mostly unwritten book on it. "Now then, children... As you recall, Alonso saved an astronomer in the last chapter while he was on his way to a larger summoning. How many would like to hear about what happened when he DID get there?" He smirked, the satisfaction and joy of seeing the eagerness in the many fillies faces and excited nods, this is why he did what he did. The appreciation of an audience. And with that, he began to read... Crisp Scope, the astronomer, had recovered nicely. While having his magic sucked out of him by a demony, it was nothing fatal or even dangerous. It was like getting low blood sugar on a higher scale. And during the past days of having his house restored from the battle, he was still thinking a lot about the strange pony that had saved him. Again, not only did it introduce him to the reality that was the existence of hell and hayven and their representing creatures, but also to that his stars that he loved and gave his life to study were more deeply involved than he would ever have guessed. Due to this, he packed up his most recent research, and especially the research of the alignment he now called the "Demony Dance", and ordered a carrier to Canterlot. He did not only need to tell his old teacher about this, but he needed to inform the princess. This could be dire if ponies for years had been summoning those things. Canterlot has not changed much over the past few hundred years. The most recent feature of luxury was the electrical streetlamps, which many still considered a wonder of technology. Electricity had exploded on the market, being an none-magical resource of energy, it was far more trustworthy. Magical items or enchanted this and that's had a tendency to not only react differently from different unicorns, due to their own magical levels, but ponies without horns of their own had trouble using them, cutting the market off from pegasi and earthern ponies. Electricity, on the other hand, could be controlled with the press of a button and featured nothing more complicated then switching the electrically charged crystals once in a while. There was even rechargeable crystals that came attached to a rubber band, when they grew weary you attached them to your tail and mane, and their natural ability to gather and contain electricity made them recharge by your natural static! Crisp himself thought this to be some kind of magic, there was no way that such little natural electricity could power devices, but he would never be curious enough to research it deeper, he just accepted it and moved on with his life as another modern piece of items he did not care for. There were more pressing matters at hand! As he stepped off the carrier and payed the burly earth-pony that pulled it, one who had probably done little else in his life but run with heavy loads tied to him, he turned to the city. It had been a few years... he wondered if her majesty would remember him from that day he graduated. It was something he doubted, and while he was one of the very few astronomers in all of Equestria at this era, how could she remember every single graduation she attended out of royal duty? He pondered what to say. How could he tell the princess about this without any solid proof? How could he just present to her that demonys and angelus's were real, and that the first of the two had apparently been summoned? "You could always bring her proof?" said a voice to him, and he nodded. Wondering where he would get it. "What about that other pony? That Alonso fellow?" the voice said to him again. He shook his head and grunted, where would he find that coat-wearing nord now? "Gee, I dunno mate. Have you tried asking for me?" said the voice. Crisp blinked and froze in his steps, looking to his side where the voice originated. " 'ello there! How's the stars?" The giant pony smiled at the astronomer, who looked sillily on him with open mouth. " You! What are you doing here?! And how did you read my mind?!" He said, a bit scared now of the tall one. He had demonstrated knowledge on the occult and the mystical, could he also penetrate the mentality of others?! "You mutter beneath y'breath when you think hard, mate. Ain't take a mind-reader for that." The walnut-coloured pony smirked beneath his ragged hat, making poor Crisp feel a bit silly. He had forgotten about that. Years of solitude had made him talk to himself more and more often to replace his none-existent social life. They both walked down the main road, towards the shiny marvel castle. Alonso explained that he was here to investigate the summoning, as he believed it to take place where no-one would suspect it. In the most peaceful place in pony-land. And that he would happily stand by Crisp's side if he was to confront the royalty about his issue. A few hours passed. It took about one to reach the castle by hoof, another to legitimate themselves, for one of them it was harder then the smaller one... not to mention the visitation of his near endless belt-pockets and trench coat. At last, the guards considered the strangely large and strong pony to be more of a weird mystic then a threat, and allowed both to pass into the waiting chamber. Where fresh fruit and drinks were offered for the comfort of her majesty's guests. At long last, they were called in. Alonso had almost drained one of three huge bowls of fresh fruit, and Crisp wondered when the nord last ate, or what Nordic ponies usually eat.. but put it aside. They both entered the awe-striking throne room, with the virgin-white princess sitting in the end, welcoming Crisp by name. He blushed as she did recognize him, and spoke of how glad she was during that graduation to finally have a new astronomer, there were so few in the world. Crisp bowed deeply for his princess once he reached a bit closer, explaining that it was an honour for him that her majesty cared so for a humble subject. Alonso, on the other hoof, did not bow. He removed his ragged hat and nodded with a pleasant smile to the princess. "Pleasure t'meet you, y'highness." And while both Crisp and the many guards in the room looked frustratingly at the giant pony, the princess smiled back and giggled slightly. It was not that she found it amusing that someone did not bow and crawl in front of her like most did, but that someone was so casual near her. It was rare. Crisp wasted little time, although he did excuse his large friend several times and stumbled on his words. He began explaining that he for years now had noticed the anomaly in his research, he told her about the yearly occurrence of the "demony dance" stars, their flashing lights he had noticed out of random and what they apparently caused. He magically handed her the old book, the page of the same symbol the stars formed when the flashing red lines bound them and where history spoke of their ancient purpose. It was not until Crisp explained that had it not been for Alonso he would not have lived to tell the tale, that the giant took a few steps closer to the throne and began to speak himself. "Y'highness... I am not one of your subject, I hail from the frozen mountains far north of your kingdoms... yet I know m'place, and wish not to cause a stir in your capital without permission. My kind has chased, hunted and prevented the summoning of demony and angelus's alike for as long as we can remember, but that was in our own lands. But our kind are not as adapt in magic, we very rarely get a mystic born, our version of unicorns, so we can control the few that attempt summoning.... but if our ancient knowledge in the subject has reached... well, your subjects, in a town like this...?" He let his words linger in the air. His voice was booming and his accent as heavy as his leathery trench coat, and the princess nodded with closed eyes and a serious face. She softly began to speak. "I know well of your kind, mountain pony. I know that magic is rare and your sturdiness and creativity is your strength. It was your kind that introduced the concept of electricity to our kind a generation ago. And if what you fear is true, that the art of summoning the forces of the afterlife, be they demony or angelus, has come to Canterlot... then I do see your reason to venture this far from your home land..." The princess grew silent for a moment, before she stood up, and gracefully walked down the steps of her throne. Crisp found himself for the first time to realize just how imposing the beautiful princess could be. She was the timeless ruler and arguably the most powerful spell-weaver ever recorded... controlling both the sun and moon nearly subconsciously after all these years. She stood and looked at her two visitors on very close distance. And while Crisp nearly vanished in her shadow, Alonso was near the same height as her. The giant nord stood firmly on his thick, fuzzy hooves and looked the princess calmly in the eyes as hers looked into his. There was a murdering silence. "... Your eyes shows me no lies, norse-horse. I can tell that you are experienced in the subject. And you have your fears for my land confirmed by a pony who is most likely the most skilled in his expertise in generations. I shall inform my guards to let you pass if you need access, and to have them investigate houses on your command. Do not abuse this." Her voice was solid and serious, the normally smiling and warm princess showed the side that had allowed her to rule and grow a country wisely and safely for generations. Crisp found himself blushing again over the compliment his ruler had bestowed him. "You have ventured far for the safety of my people, sir Alons-y. For that you have my respect. You have already saved one of my treasured subjects, for that you have my aid. And even if this threat is just suspicion and theories, I will not have my children in torment due to an supernatural attack I could not prevent... I wish you both luck, and hope that if there is something to find, that you do. Now go. I am personally going to investigate the subject myself." She smiled at them both, somewhat longer and with grateful eyes to the nord, who smiled back as calmly as always and bowed his head. "I am most thankful, m'lady. Your trust and wisdom is as true as legends tell, and may have saved the life of many small ponies today." With that, the giant nord put his hat back on and turned hoof, marching towards the double doors to begin his work. Crisp, not really knowing what else to do, bowed deeply to his ruler one more time, stumbled a nervous farewell and followed the giant. "A-Alonso! How could you behave like that infront of the princess?! Have you no shame or sense?!" He looked at the walnut pony with both awe and worry, as to him it was unheard of such an performance in the presence of the majesty. "That was the princess, THE princess! Ruler of the biggest and most sophisticated land in the world!" The giant pony had stopped outside castle, looking around at the town from this higher point of view, barely showing any signs of listening to his smaller friend as he pulled out a package of tiny paper-rolls. He put one in his mouth and used a small device to lit the end. Crisp, like most ponies, did not know what a cigarette was as it was not part of their culture. "... Well, I removed my hat, didn't I?" Alonso grinned as he took a deep savouring of his smoke. The roll was made out pine-paper, pressed pine-needles. Inside was a dry mix of herbs and flower-petals, and once lit the combination caused a very strong, if adult flavour. Nothing for the likes of small ponies who had never had to spend a winter or ten eating pine-cones, bark and bitter roots. "Now then... Tall towers, plenty houses, most ponies are unicorns..." Alonso puffed his cigarette and smirked at the city. "A challenge. What'ya say, Crispy? Up to save Canterlot?" He smiled at the night-coloured pony and held up his giant hoof towards him. Crisp looked surprised, to say the least... but what would he do? Deny his duties and be a lousy patriot? He nodded softly, feeling that he would come to regret this decision some way or another, but put his hoof against the giants. They were a team for the time being. The old pony clapped his book shut, smiling at the audience. Not a doubt in his mind that they would pester their teacher in the morning about what a cigarette was, but he cared little. Children should be curious. "Now then... that is all for now. But if it glads anypony here, I am working on the third chapter. Would anyone like to hear it in a few days?" There was plenty of nods and several Yes's heard, and with that, he packed up his book into his saddle bag, and began answering some questions they had. He did so until the parents came to pick up their young ones, and smiled over the many creative questions and curious childish observations he had listened too. It filled him with desire to keep writing. A mad pony in jailChapter 3. A mad pony in jail. When the old author returned, he did so early this time. The children were just about to be brought inside as the darkness fell, and the teacher has happy to see him, as they more eagerly went inside now that they knew he was here! Scarfs, hats, muffs and whatever other chill-shielding clothing their wore was tossed off in a hurry as the fillies rushed to their seats in the classroom. "Such anticipation... Well then, better not dilly-dally too much than." The old one chuckled, and brought his book up on the desk, flipping the pages to the third chapter. He gave all the fillies a warning look. "Be ware though, this chapter can be scary to those of poor nerves." He said to tease them, and chuckled over the many stern looks of young ones considering themselves more adult than they were given credit for. Aah the wisdom of toddlers.... He coughed a few times, and set his tone as the story began where it left of... Hours passed. Alonso had never been in such a big city before, only heard the tales of it from wanderers and seen images on paintings. But in reality, it was far more wast then he had hoped. Realizing that the metaphorical apple he was taking a bite of was maybe too big even for him, he lit another cigarette. They had walked the town all day just looking. And every time Crisp asked, Alonso responded with that he was looking for something, something he did not know what it was yet. But that he would know it once he saw it, he said to encourage the tired star-gazer, who was really not used to being this active. They were an odd pair as they walked down the roads of Canterlot, ponies stared at the giant who was near to rival the size of even the princess, with giant hooves and thick, long fur. And walking next to him was a unicorn who looked all but fit. Deep sacks beneath his eyes from a lifetime of long nights and twisted hours, and the complete lack of any physical activities left him scrawny and thin... Alonso finally stopped and bought the two of them something refreshing to drink. Hot cocoa for Crisp, who gratefully accepted some quick energy and heat, as he was poorly equipped for the dropping temperature, while Alonso himself just got a mug of warm milk. As they sat down on the cold benches in the autumn weather, the giant sprinkled strange herbs into his milk, before fishing out a small metallic flask from his many pockets and spilled a few drops of a very strong-smelling liqueur... Crisp decided it was best not to ask what it was, but it seemed to renew the nord. "We're looking for a sign, mate. Since it was a demony-summon, I bet'cha my hat they are someplace underground. Summons like that requires contact to the element o'wich they pull the creatures. demonys from the ground, angelus's from the sky. But we've walked the town'round and I've felt nothing..." The giant took a swig of his strange blend, and sighed happily after. Just the smell of his breath indicated that there was something alcoholic in the flask.. "Well... sir Alons-y, where do you suggest then? I am certain that there are hundreds of basements to these many houses, and searching through them all... how much time do we even have?" Crisp looked a bit concerned at the giant, noticing how a faint blush started to appear on his face from whatever he was drinking... "Time? T'was four days since the summoning. And with ONE here, feeding on wha'ever mystic or unicorn the summoners gave it, it can summon more of it's kind without us noticing... every hour that passed since the yearly summon could mean another demony. Do the math." Alonso looked surprisingly calm and cocky over this presentation, but Crisp felt panic rising as by this information, there could be nearly one hundred of those things summoned already! In worst case scenario! Alonso suddenly got to his hooves again, yelling something in a strange language, but he sounded happy! "I know where we can find'em! Follo'!" And with that he started dashing down the road, his trench coat looking more like a cape for the shocking speed the giant quickly built! Crisp never got to finish his cocoa as he tried to follow... Gasping for breath, legs shivering and the misty air that escaped his mouth like a pillar, Crisp finally caught up to Alonso. Unable to speak his question, too exhausted to do more then just pant and look at the hunter with eyes of confusion. "Reckon I could be wrong... but didn't the castle in early pony-era serve assa prison? With crime not existing here for decades, who cares for the ancient catacombs and cells?" He grinned, and began walking up the stairs to the castle. Crisp looked at the stairs and whimpered, had they really reached that high and been so many steps the last time...? The guards recognized the mad pony this time, and with the authority of their princess, they let him enter without much fuzz. Though they did glare at him. Not only because of his towering size that made the armoured stallions feel insecure, but for his odd attire and wheezing company as well... Once inside however, Alonso asked the first staff-member of the royal building he could locate for directions. And though the young maid jumped at first over the strange accent and booming voice, Crisp was quickly there to ease the communication... though she looked at the astronomer as if he was sick, the way he was breathing heavily and sweating, poor pony must have the flu.. They soon reached the older, more unused passages in the castle, through an old and rusty wooden door that had not been used for years, something that for some reason made Alonso all the more certain that it was the right track. "Sir Alons-y.. you can see for yourself that this door has not been used since the early eras... why would-" He was interrupted as the giant took a short dash and pressed a shoulder against the door with all his weight, causing even this thick, prison-designed wood and metal to creak and crack as the door flew off it's hinges! Splinters and flakes of rust flew everywhere as the large door bounced down the dusty stairs, causing it to stir. "Logic, Crispy. This place hasn't been used in forever, so who'd go here on a daily basis? No doubt in my mane that there is some old passage they found, leaving the door rusted and shut to keep suspicion out." Alonso slimmed his eyes and dug in one of his many belt-pockets, fishing out two small, yellow crystals that he quickly stuffed in his mouth and moved them around with his tongue. He then spat one out to Crisp after muffling "catch". The unicorn caught it with his magic, if more out of disgust than actually wanting it, and was about to question why the larger pony did that, when he noticed that the gem started to glow all the more brightly by the second! "Lamp-lake-lures. Crystal that grows onna special Nordic fish. It keeps it dry inna special skin, but when it pulls th'skin back the crystal glows. It reacts to water and recharges in the dark." With that the giant grinned, holding his own crystal in the very same manner he held his cigarette earlier, and he entered with Crisp following. Crisp Scope was a scientist, a pony of studies and research, not an Daring Doo... He was growing weary of this, the darkness around him, the aura of long-gone imprisoned murderers and criminals, the possibility of a summoned horde of demonys, the company of this strange giant and his mad arsenal of... Celestia knows what! And what annoyed him the most was that the giant just expected him to tag along! He had not been questioned once! Not asked or thanked! Crisp took a second to make sure he was not thinking out loud again, with the echo in these halls it would be quite embarrassing. He then continued his inner rant about all of this. This strange outlander just kept pulling things from beneath his trench coat, who knows how dangerous he is? His strength alone would- "Wait... we got compony.." Alonso had stopped, staring into the darkness ahead of them. These tunnels with cells on the sides were had to see into, even with the glowing gems. The giant pulled the stargazer closer, before flipping his own head some and spitting at the same time, sending his own glowing gem several yards ahead of them. "Welcome... We have been expecting you.." an old voice chuckled from the direction of the glowing gem. And into it's light stepped an old, knackered pony. It took Crisp several seconds to see it in the dim glow, but there was no doubt, the elder pony was a norse-horse like Alonso! And he kept talking. "My son... have you yet to see the real light? How long must you seek to destroy the work of your-" "Father, yer surrounded. You're inna castle full of guards an' the most magical creature in the land! How hard y'think it was to figure out you summoned them here, to have them then feast and grow on the biggest source of magic in history?!" Crisp blinked over the booming voice of his giant friend. So that is how he figured out it had to be here... it made sense. The elder pony smirked, the dim light made his greyish brown fur coat seem ghost-like compared to the darkness. "Child... No-one but you would seek me here. These ponies, these small ones, they know nothing of worth about our history in magic. I have found many hungry students here... many who were rejected Celestia's blessing to seek the limit of their abilities. She is afraid, you know? To allow anyone to grow too powerful, too strong for her to easily control with a smile and honeyed words." "She's a greater leader than y'ever was, father... she rules with wisdom, power makes ponies go mad, like yerself." Alonso let out an angry grunt through his nostrils, and pillars of smoke rose from them in the chill of the catacombs. Crisp was shaking, he felt the power that built an aura around the elder pony. He felt the same energies that he had when the demony had been summoned in his house! His every instinct told him to run, but Alonso put a hoof behind him. "Don't, they'll kill you. We've been surrounded since the moment we entered. Here, 'ave some gum. Calms the nerves." He smiled warmly at his small sidekick, offering him a crude paper-wrapped something, while taking one himself and chewing. Turned out to be some kind of dried sap. "Oh? You noticed them? Well, I suppose I have yet to train them fully, they are just city-ponies after all... sneaking is not their ace... but their magic? Ooh, son... the things we can do here, them and I... their natural gift for spells combined with my knowledge and bond to the netherworld? Come now... surely you would rather see your mother again? Why would you stop me from bringing my... my sweet, sweet Aumar back..? Do you not miss her as well..?" The elder pony looked almost pleading, desperate for a moment, his eyes moist with held-back tears, aimed for Alonso. "Galning! Moder dog i en olycka, men hon dog kämpande mot de samma krafter du nu omger dig med! Hon ville alldrig detta!" Alonso snapped, his booming voice sounding like a raging bear as he spoke in his native, throat-gurgling tongue! The elder pony regained his dark eyes at this, and shouted something back in the same tongue, it was impossible to make out what it was, but soon Crisp felt nothing anyway... He awoke with a headache. His eyes needed a while to adapt to the darkness around him. It was cold, and he pulled his blanket a bit tighter around himself. He laid there for a few minutes, just cursing the cold and trying to remember. He sat up with a gasp, as his memories came rushing back! In the darkness he now realized that he had no blanket, it was Alonso's giant trench coat. "Ah, yer awake. Grand! How's yer head?" Alonso's voice sounded cheery in the dark, he was standing by the old metal bars that separated the cell from the long path they had been in earlier. "A-Alonso...? What happened?" Crisp held his head, not to eager to give up the trench coat either, it shielded him well from the dropping temperature. The nord explained that they got jumped by his father's students. They dazed Alonso with a hit to the head, but Crisp got knocked out. They got imprisoned here to be kept out of the way. Had Alonso not been the son of the elder pony, who's name apparently was Cliff Climber, they had probably been killed. He continued with explaining shortly the story and reason. Long ago both his mother and father had been hunters like himself, tracking down mystics and summoners and other criminals. His mother had sadly been gravely wounded in a fight, and they just barely managed to transport her home in her poor condition so both Alonso and Cliff could say their farewell to her. His father, Cliff, took this very hard. Too hard. He refused to accept that his beloved wife and companion from decades back had been killed, that there had not been anyone good with magic around able to heal or save her.. He turned to the arts he had spent his life fighting. And due to him fighting it, he knew just about as much of it as any summoner. And as a hunter, he had contacts... Imprisoned summoners, access to countless confiscated books and items. It did not take him long to build his own cult with the reclaimed items and riches from generations of hunting. He sought to with the aid of the other side bring his love back... but with time he went mad back and forth. Alonso sighed and patted Crisp on the head. "Sorry t'drag you into this. But hey, can't say I forced you. Promise to make it up for you when we get out of here." This made Crisp snap. "WHEN we get out of here?! We are trapped! Locked in a cell in the endless dark of an dungeon no-pony has bothered to visit in hundreds of years! How would we ever get out of here?!" Alonso grunted at the loud screaming, and casually walked over to the door to the cell. Which he pushed open with minimal effort. Crisp looked at him with huge eyes. "H-how... how did..." The giant interrupted him. "Gum. I spat it into the lock-hole when they pushed me in here. What, you thought I didn't havva plan?" He grinned widely, and began walking out. "Oh, feel free t'keep wearing it for the cold, but bring me coat, would ya?" "Jävlar!" Alonso swore as they reached the table with his many belts and items. Included the large saddle-bag that Crisp had not noticed before, and he guessed it must have been hidden beneath the coat. "What is the matter? We finally found your stuff!" He said, still wrapped in the way-too-big coat. "Aye. But it seems father took every crystal I had... I got no power for my items..." Alonso grunted and began strapping his belts and his bag back on. He explained again that amongst his people magic-users is extremely rare, so they mostly use natural resources. Their most used and powerful resource are their gems. Gems that can store vibrations for sound, gems that can store electricity, magic, you name it. But without any of them, he did not have power to fuel his trinkets and gizmo's. And he admitted that there was just so much he COULD do with brute force and cunning alone against the forces of the nether world. Crisp looked at him, feeling a bit unsure now. "So... what can we do..?" Alonso did not answer right away, but looked at his companion. And slowly, slowly a smirk formed on his face... Then and there, he slowly put the book shut, and heard the moans and groans of the class in front of him. They wanted to know what happened next! They were cursing him to ending it in the midst of the exciting part! There were begs and pleas to know just a few spoilers of what happened next, but the old pony would not fall for it. "Tell you what, young ones... I may or may not have nearly written the next chapter to completion... If you are all inside and silent tomorrow, and obey your teacher like little angelus's... I may just have the FINAL chapter ready for you!" He said in that naturally mysterious voice that came with age and wisdom. There were gasps and glee's escaping the young ones, and they all started promising in a discorded chorus how they would behave tomorrow! The old pony left the school chuckling happily to himself. Such anticipation. Such eagerness... he had a long night ahead of himself if he wanted to meet this promise to the young ones. But age higher than most local tree's or not, body frail and old from a lifetime of hard work... there was by Celestia fire in the old pony's eyes! A mad pony in battleChapter 4. A mad pony in battle. Today when the old pony entered the classroom, he found that all of the fillies were sitting silently and looking at him with eager eyes. He smiled, and wasted no time getting to the counter. "... anyone in here who wants to hear the final chapter?" He teased them, and a blurry ocean of multi-coloured nods filled his vision. Smilingly, he brought the candle on the desk closer to his book so he could see the fresh ink better, and began to read... Canterlot seemed, to anyone outside the castle, to be fully normal. The evening was turning towards night, and most personal and staff of the castle had returned to their homes. The only ones left was the princess herself, her night-shift guards and the chef that was preparing their midnight meals. Along with a smaller army of about 80 demonys. The process had been quick and devastating. The demonic ponies, having fed upon captured students from the academy or willing cult-member's magic for the past days, were slithering in the shadows and hiding in every spot of darkness. They were silent, and eternally hungry. Every guard in the royal palace was a unicorn, to be able to wield their polearms and spears properly with their magic. And during the night there was far less of them than during daytime. Easy prey. One by one they were picked out and knocked out by the shadowy beasts, before they had their well-trained magic drained from them until they lost consciousness. Unaware of all this, Celestia sat on her throne and wrote the last letters for the day. Normal stuff, but she had to catch up with her piling work. She had spent several hours that day in the royal library, where only a hooffull few had access, to study about these demonys she had been warned about. And while she had been unable to find much more about them than that they are creatures of norse mythology and theorised to be more ancient than even the ponies, there was little to read. She felt tired though. Writing these letters was a dull pastime, it was the same kind of letters every day, every week of every year for hundreds of them. She yawned gracefully, a soft and hidden gesture, though she felt that she wanted little but to slack back in her throne and let loose a proper Canterlot-voice yawn. She blinked. She never used to get this tired. This was abnormally boring and energy-wasting even for this kind of work. Her mind was foggy, she was so tired... but why? What was... and who was that? Walking across the long, red carpet of her throne room was a giant pony, he reminded her of Alonso, but was far older... "Pardon the intrusion, Celestia... but my children hunger so, I could not hold them back from sampling the frosting of their sought-for royal cupcake." He smirked. His accent was there, like Alonso's, but it was not as heavy. This pony had spent time with her own ones, adapted... And even though her body was begging for a rest, Celestia, in all the mental fog, put the pieces together and stood up, forcing her numb body to obey her! "You are the one Alonso spoke of! The nord who's spread his ill magic amongst my children!" She attempted to sound more intimidating than she felt. Why was she this tired? What had he done to her? "What is your business here?! And what have you done to me?!" She demanded, calling for her magic to make a shield from whatever spell the old pony was using... but she found her horn fizzling, like a poor fuse... "Me? Celestia, I would have thought your royal library would give your more information than this? Did it not tell you of what demonys do?" He chuckled. It turned out he had been pushing his plan with a lot of stress for nothing, he feared the wisdom of the library, but it turned out he had little to worry about. "They feed on magic, Celestia... They are creatures of markings and text, held together with the marks that binds their ritual... and you are sitting in a pile of them." He casually gestured for the many scrolls and parchments surrounding the throne. Had they been hiding in her own mail? As if to answer her inner question, several of the scrolls she had received during the day began to twist and turn, the very letters and marks on them bending into forms of tiny, tiny ponies, before leaping out of the paper-like materials and growing, as if they had leapt from a huge distant and came closer! At the same time as the hidden ones broke free, the remaining ones that had been hiding in the shadows leapt forth as well! The guards that was by Celestia's side fell over, apparently having been knocked out secretly for a while and held up by these creatures... Celestia felt fear rise inside her, these creatures were unlike anything she had faced before, and that said quite a lot considering how long she had protected her country... She was taken down, held down by the large number of text-bound energy-ponies. Their design was alien to her. The forms of ponies, but it was as if their skeleton was on the outside, made out of occult markings and texts, and their bodies of manifested magical energies... they all had four, and she had to admit, very beautiful eyes, all digging into her own... Her magic was not responding, and she realized that they had not only drained her over a longer period of time, but also sucked magic out of the very air! Spells were useless against them, since they fed on it! Had she had the energy to call for a physical weapon, her skills with a blade could maybe have saved her, but in her current state...? "Do not look so down, my dear. I wish no harm for your people. I only wish for a single thing... your magic." The old norse-horse walked closer to Celestia, smiling calmly at her. "You see, I made a pact. If I can supply a smaller army of demonys with the energy they need to bring their master back, she will return my beloved to me... my wife, who died defending YOUR kingdom from these very creatures, but neither you nor your people knew of it. Thanked her. Felt my sorrow when she passed... So... In return for the life she gave to save all of you, is it not fitting that you give yours to return her to me?" He spoke with a broken, raspy voice. As if he was close to crying. Celestia was fighting to remain conscious, the creatures were draining her of everything, and only her rage kept her eyes open... and her ears... Hooves. Heavy hooves against marvel. Running by the sound of it, and louder... The giant doors of the throne-room was blocking the sound, but suddenly it stopped. There was a heavy slam, and the doors vibrated. The many demonys and the elder pony turned to look at it, surprised. There was another slam, a heavier one, and one could hear the gigantic and solid doors give a faint creak... than there was silence. "ALONS-Y!!!" Roared through the castle, the voice of an dragon carried the battle-shout with ear-deafening might! The doors shattered! A giant pony burst through the ancient doors of solid marvel, shoulder first and with enough force to fly through the giant hole he had created! "Faaaatheeeer!!!" He roared in the air, before landing, glaring at the elder. "DO you never give up, boy?! There is just so much your strength alone can do!!" The grey pony snarled, seemingly more annoyed over his son's never-ending spirit and attempts. Celestia felt a spark of hope, but her tired mind and the weight of the many demonic creatures made her realize the situation. Alonso must be aware of their magic-feeding... "Tell me, son... what do you plan to do? Beat up a minor army of energy-sucking demony? Why are you here?!" The trench-coat wearing giant smirked, panting some from his long run and the heavy beating on the door. His shoulder ached, threatening to pop loose from the abuse he had put on it. In front of him stood an army of well-fed foes, powered by the very magic of a goddess and ready to fight on the elder pony's command... "Father... You ask me why...?" He straightened his back. "As a wise woman once told me... Because I love and care." Cliff grit his flat teeth at his son. "Fool... your mother died with those words... do not DARE spit them in my face for your foolish errands! This alicorn is the key to her resurrection!" "And when have they ever held their word?! What do you think'll happened?! They wish to summon their MASTER this this plane! She will not rest until she's destroyed all of Equestria and fed on every stallion, mare and filly!" Alonso roared back, glaring at his father. "What would I care for that?! By that time your mother and I will be far away, in lands the dark one is not concerned with! Had it not been for your mother they would have been dead anyway, so it is just fair! Them for her!" Cliff snarled, his eyes watering up and his body shaking... He was so close... yet he felt worry... "So tell me! What is the great champion, the grand hero of the mountains, the one and only Alonso Alons-y... What is he going to do than?!" He was worried. His son had stopped him before, never against odds like these... but still... Alonso sighed.. "I can not cast magic. Not that it would save me. You robbed me of every crystal I had, so I can not power my trinkets or gadgets... I personally, have nothing in my arsenal that can best you. But you forget one thing... one pony.." The giant smirked, and Cliff felt a shiver. He hated that look on his son's face. What pony? The whimpy unicorn? "Oh what? That one unicorn who the demonys ignored because of his lousy magical resources? Are you going to bring a nerd to fight magic-eaters with MAGIC?! Have you gone completely mad?!" He felt more insulted than anything. His son was taunting him to the end, he had no plan, he had no item or machine to aid him this time! Empty threats! Alonso made a movement with one of his hooves, throwing the long trench-coat to the side. On his back, cramped against him, was the smaller pony! The night-sky-coloured astronomer! Clinging to the fuzzy giant for all he was worth! "Father, my trumph-card!" Crisp fell off and landed on the floor, the fear in his eyes could be seen for miles. Cliff laughed. And behind him, the army of demonys had gathered, ready to attack on their summoners command, now that Celestia had little more to offer them but her very life-force. She was conscious, she heard and saw, but was unable to even formulate her own thoughts anymore. She could just observe and witness... feeling helpless. Alonso stuffed a hoof into his saddlebags, pulling out a strange device that looked almost like a metallic bottle... "Father... you robbed me of m'crystals... leaving me without our native power for our machines... but forgot something. THEIR energies are very small, yet can fuel and run our machines with their natural magical energies..." The giant kicked himself up to his hind-legs, standing tall like a monster and in the same movement lifting up the smaller Crisp, who could do little but give out a eep as he was elevated! With the other hand, Alonso held the bottle-like apparatus's bigger end to his father, showing the hole in it intended for crystals to power it. Cliff looked at his son with confusion, but then a thought struck him. Then panic. He looked at the deep, crystal-shaped hole in the machine, and to the unicorn his son was holding. Unicorn... Horn! Their source of magic! "Kill them!!" Cliff shouted, and the army of demony's rushed! The tidal-wave of red-bound, arcane creatures swarmed towards the giant and his side-kick, and he grinned. Just as planned. He jammed the device onto the horn of Crisp, who felt the inner machines cramp around it. Standing on his hind legs, he held his companion with both front legs and hooves like a giant gun. And grinned. "Fillies and gentlecolts... THIS, IS, MY, HEAD-CANNON!" He roared with a devilish grin, and aimed. The second after, a blinding blast filled the throne-room! Several of the marvellous windows flew into shards, the many flags waves ferociously and ripped in places, as the magic-powered lightning-blast shot through the giant room! The charging waves of demony's were all too close to eachother, and the electrical power spread through them all! Making them all cry in agony as the lightning made it impossible for them to control their gathered energies in the pain! Shots of red beams of pure energies explored into an impossible firework! Striking everything in sight, and what was not alive was pulverized by the concentrated magical resources! Celestia was struck by several, and felt as if her heart had been stopped this entire time, but now kicked into life! Some of her energies had been restored! Alonso took a few blasts as well, and felt his muscles cramp in his body due to the energies that filled him. Crisp was hit once as well, which caused his own magic to explode as it was all already being sucked out of him! The bottle-like device gave out a last blast from the red-hot tip, a blast powerful enough to fully vaporise the demonic creatures bindings, making it impossible for them to remain in this realm. The overload had broke the device, that now was smoking hot and fell off Crisp's horn, falling to the floor were it fizzled and began to burn in some places. The throne-room was destroyed, utterly so. The demonys was little more then ink-stains here and there, and fizzling orbs of manifested arcane that was slowly consuming themselves into nothingness. Celestia managed to force herself up on her legs with the little energy she had been given back, and look at the devastation of her once so beautiful throne room... Crisp slowly opened his eyes. He felt sore all over, like if he had been training like mad for days and then fallen asleep, now his body was paying the price. He was laying in the most comfortable bed he had ever tried, and everything was virgin-white. The room was large and luxurious, fresh fruit and fine pastries on the table next to him along with bottles of the finest wine and spring water. He heard a strange noise though, and found that Alonso was resting in a awkward pose in a seemingly comfortable, if far too small couch. "I am glad to see that you have awoken, my dear astronomer." Celestia's silken voice filled the room as she entered, looking tired, but otherwise no worse for the weather. She walked up to Crisp and bowed her head, making his near panic as he tried to bow, but his body would not allow him. "Please, Crisp, do rest. You have done more for this kingdom than anyone could ask for a mortal pony. Had it not been for you, I dare not think what would have happened. You were nearly completely drained of your magic, before the boost of stolen magic overflowed you... Being both drained and then overcharged in such a short time took it's toll on your body, but you are not in any danger. Just extreme exhaustion. Please, any comfort my castle can offer is at your leisure." Celestia bowed again, and smiled at him. "And once you have recovered, I will reward the two of you most gratefully." An hour or so later, Alonso awoke. He was quite cheery to see his new-found friend awake and alive. Explaining that he felt so bad for the accidental overflow he had not planned for Crisp to get exposed too, that he had not left the room since the accident. Crisp could not help but feel humbled. Both the princess and this mad hunter were both caring so for him.. They both talked for a while, Alonso shared what he knew about the rebuilding of the throne room, that there was nothing to worry about. Unicorns were working to restore it to tip-top shape. He also explained the troublesome news that in the explosion of demony energies, his father had vanished. No-one had seen him, but soldiers were searching for him both on the ground and from the sky, he could not have gotten far without the help of his students, who all had been found unconscious in the prison. He had apparently turned on them and had the demonys suck them dry of magic... And while the escape of Cliff was troublesome for Crisp, he felt at ease knowing that the kingdom was safe. Alonso also informed him that there would not be any more summoning's for at least another year, as the alignment of the stars only give that effect that one time. That gave Crisp enough comfort to slide back to sleep with a smile. A couple of days later, Crisp Scope was back on his hooves. He felt more energized than ever, in fact. Alonso joked about that it was possibly because he had never slept during the nights, but seriously explained that the extreme exposure to both magic drain and overcharge might have empowered the poor stargazer. Crisp did not mind though, he felt great! The throne room looked as if nothing had happened. It was filled with ponies in fancy clothes and hairstyles from all over the kingdom. Barons, Ambassadors and those sharing royal blood, along with ponies from more casual positions and scholars. The celebration was about to start, and the cheering was making Crisp blush as he and the giant walked down the long, red carpet. Crisp himself was clad in a very traditional Equestrian suit, white with golden ropes and buttons keeping the attire together. His mane and tail had been cared for by the princess's private servants, while Alonso wore the same ragged trench coat as ever... Crisp had at least managed to make him NOT wear the hat while they entered. They both reached the area in front of the stairs, and the cheering died now as Celestia was to speak. "Ponies of Equestria... I wish to tell you all a tale. A short, a strange, but a true one nonetheless. A few days ago, this pony who's physical size is rivalled only by his courage, Alonso Alonsy, saved a subject of mine. Saved him from a threat unheard of in our lands. This pony, a wise stallion who's sharp mind noticed the signs years before any of us, is with us today. A star-gazer who's loyalty to his country is only rivalled by his self-sacrifice, Crisp Scope." The audience cheered wildly for the both, and in the crowd Crisp could see his parents as well! His mother crying rivers of pride and his father holding a handkerchief beneath his giant moustache. He blushed brightly, and Celestia went on. "These two ponies took it upon themselves to seek me out to warn us about an upcoming threat, a danger not heard of in our lands, as it originated in the distant north. A few of you may have heard of the legends of Demony and Angelus. They are real." There was a gasp in the audience. "So real, in fact, that had these two heroes been but a few hours too late, Canterlot as we know it today would have fallen. Only hours after their warning, the enemy struck. Using powers even my wisest scholars and most ancient tomes were unaware of, and took the entire castle off guard due to this." The was a murmur amongst the ponies, they had all seen the explosion in the throne-room, the glass shattering and heard the tales from either friends or family that worked as guards in the castle of what had happened. "But the foe has been defeated. The threat, has not. The master of these demonic creatures has eluded our scouts and searches. Master Alons-y has informed me that it is not impossible that he will try again in Equestria, as we are a country rich on magic-users... Therefor I wish to warn you all about this. But, for now the enemy has been defeated! Heroes rose to face the challenge where I could not. Heroes that no-pony asked, but did so out of free will. For this, I bow." Celestia stood up, and lowered her head and body to the two on the carpet. The entire audience bowed as well, and Crisp felt as if he REALLY could use some of that nerv-calming gum right now. The only thing that helped him stay in reality was that he now heard his mother crying loudly out of pride... oh mother.. "Please... master Alonso Alons-y. Would you step forth?" Celestia asked, and the giant obliged with a soft nod and his ever-calm smile. Stepping closer to the stairs, Celestia walked down them until she stood just in front of him. "For your courage and actions, for saving Equestria though you share no duties or bounds to this land, I hereby grant you the title of Guardian. You have my full support at any time, should you need the air of my soldiers, scholars or library for your selfless work and unique abilities." With that she lifted a beautiful medal in solid gold from a nearby pillow with her magic, but when attempting to attach it to his trench coat, Alonso moved it slightly and brought forth the inside of it. "All due respect, m'lady, but I ain't one to show off or flash such things." He smiled humbly, and Celestia giggled softy. She attached it to the softer inside-cloth, and took another step closer, placing a thankful kiss on the nearly same-sized pony's forehead. A tradition that was still used in this time of Equestria. "Now, would Crisp Scope please step forward?" She turned to the normal-sized pony with the white mane, who nodded nervously and walked with stiff legs to his princess. Alonso took a few steps back out of respect for his friend. In the audience, the mother of the astronomer could be heard crying loudly again. "Sir Crisp Scope. For your endless and hard work for both me and my academy in the subject of astronomy and it's effect on magic, and for your heroic patriotism to Equestria, for rising to warn us all and than joined into a fight against a foe and impossible odds... I grant you the title of Arch-scholar. I offer you the full support of my academy and private library for your studies in your field, and shall have a proper astronomy tower and telescope built in the town of where you resign." Crisp nearly fainted then and there. A real astronomy tower? The thoughts in his mind swirled with the possibilities that opened up! How much further would he not be able to see with such resources? How many more galaxy's could he not explore with such a powerful scope?! He blinked as he realized that his mind had frozen him, and only the fact that Celestia was placing a beautiful medal on a golden chain around his neck snapped him out of it. Celestia then bowed down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead as well, causing his dark-blue fur to turn more purple and red on his face. And in the audience he could hear his father yelling proudly: "That's my boy! Haha!" The princess stepped back, as did Crisp to stand next to Alonso again. "Guardian Alonso Alons-y. Arch-scholar Crisp Scope. Equestria as a whole is in your dept. Your have both my personal blessing, and gratefulness. And before I will give everyone in here a break from my speeches and let you enjoy the feasts... I would ask of you all to join me in a final cheer for these two heroes!" And the cheers echoed. They say that even the ponies of Alonso's homeland to the north could hear it, and that the norse-horses stomped their large hooves against the mountains in pride over their son. It is said that the stars themselves sparked even brighter that night, so that they too would be able to cheer for their beloved gazer. And while this ends the tale for now about Alonso Alons-y, and the friend he made in Equestria, the story has yet to go on... The old pony closed the book, smiling at the children. He had not noticed that it had been far longer then the established hour, and most of the fillies parents had arrived, but stood silently in the background. Enjoying the sight of their children enchanted and in amaze over the story. As well as listening in to it themselves. There was quite a bit of clapping and cheering, and the old pony chuckled humbly. He sat in by the window, making some final touches to his book by signing it and writing a thank to every single filly of the school for listening to it, and watched them walk home with their parents along the lit roads in the darkness. It warmed his heard to see them play, interact scenes from his story, shouting "Alons-y!", and even some parents joining into the fun. Lifting their small ones up to have them act as the "head-cannon" to their shining glee. He wiped a few tears. This was an authors joy. To see his work loved and adored. And he intended to keep the promise of writing more for these wonderful fillies. A mad pony faces a friendChapter 5. A mad pony faces a friend. The snow laid thick on every spot imaginable. Every branch, roof, wagon or fence had a hoof-tall pile of it. The roads were kept shovelled by both hired ponies and volunteers, because even if the snow was not so deep for most adults, it certainly was for the fillies on their way to school. The hours were mostly dark these days, but the snow made it a lot easier to see as it reflected what little light buildings or lamps emitted, and the young ones rejoiced! Snow was wonderful to play in! Even if you could not yet make good snowballs out of the tiny crystals, it was fun to just roll around in the chilly fluff or spaz out in it. There was another group of ponies who also appreciated the cleaned and shovelled roads, the elders. While they were tall enough to walk the snow, their age cost them a lot of strength. And one particular elder of this town was indeed walking the prematurely dark afternoon towards the school building. The old pony had been there more times then he could remember, and this time he had brought his large book! The same one he always wrote in, and was to read the next chapter to an expecting and hungry audience. When he arrived the fillies where still out playing in the snow, and who could blame them? But upon seeing the old storyteller, they swarmed him for a few moments before hastily making their way inside, where their teacher had prepared hot cocoa for them all to regain some heat. She and the old pony exchanged smiles and a few phrases, before the fillies began to push and pull the old one towards the classroom. "Now then... Do you remember where our story left us?" The old pony said as he made himself comfortable behind the counter in the large room, sipping his refreshing hot drink. An all-over-pink pony waved a hoof with eagerness. "Oh! Oh! I know! Alonso and Crisp had gotten thanked and medallio-... medalled by the princess for saving her!" The old one chuckled with a nod. "Indeed. So shall we begin a new story?" He needed not ask again, for the classroom became a blur of mixed colours in a wave of nodding, and with a smirk he began. Crisp Scope, the blue-maned and night-sky-coloured astronomer, was relaxing in his favourite chair in his observatory. The building had been constructed on the order of Celestia herself, and was everything he had dreamt of and more! A giant telescope, a smaller library of both his own books and from the academy, scrolls upon scrolls with charts of the stars that he had mapped out over the years... and best of all, a hideously green chair that he loved for the comfort! His parents had never been so proud of him, his mother bailing her eyes out during the ceremony and his father's chest could not have pouted out more of pride. They had forced him to stay in their home in Canterlot to make up for the past years of which they had not seen him much. At least for a few days, then he went home to pack. The construction of the observatory had not taken long. When the princess herself orders for something to be build, you bet your bits on that it will be quickly! The best unicorns in construction and the strongest eartherns pulled and placed everything, and I do mean everything, into place in just two month's time! Crisp had his own house on the first floor of the tower-like building, the second was the study with his books, maps, scrolls and whatnot, and the third was the observatory itself. A dome-shaped room with a roof that did not only hold the giant scope attached, but could also spin around with the press of a pedal! Crisp could not escape glee'ing every time. It had been a year since the construction was finished, and Crisp felt as if he had lived his whole life here by now. A year and two months since the incident that triggered the event that lead to his new home, and he could not help but think of what happened to Alonso after that. The giant "norse-horse" had just vanished. Crisp had several times tried to mail the pony, having hired the best mail carriers and given them an accurate description of the giant and his full name, but he never got a response. So instead, he just kept doing his work as best as possible, knowing he had the princess's personal appreciation to meet and please! His family visited him from time to time, something he had learned to appreciate once more, now that he was not just the nerd and bookworm of the family, but a rewarded and titled scholar! And while we could focus on any day of the time mentioned that has passed, we are going to focus on the day when things once again became more interesting... Crisp awoke with a gasp. He knew that faint sound that echoed through his home! That was the sound of the telescope-roof turning! Someone was tinkering with his beloved machine! He grabbed the bat he always kept above his bed, a lesson learned from the night of the demony-summon, and charged up the stairs! It was dark, but his eyes was used too it after all the years of gazing into the black space! He saw somepony sitting in his green chair, operating the whole thing, and he charged with his bat held above his head with his magic! Smack! The sound of the hard impact rang and echoed through the dome with enhanced ambiance! The pony in the chair tilted to the side, and turned to Crisp, who had tripped over something on the floor and fallen face-first into the floor, causing the sound. He accidentally dropped the bat on impact with his own floor, and it rolled over it. The pony in the chair walked over to the astronomer, who was starting to recover. "Never the nimble one, ey?" A booming voice said with a hint of friendly sarcasm, and the dizzy stargazer felt himself being lift up from the floor. He noticed the height of which he was elevated, and knew this height and voice belonged to only one pony. He sighed, his face hurting. "Why would you break into my home after have been gone like a ghost for over a year?" He grunted and turned to his friend. His friend was not his friend. Crisp's eyes grew wide and his blood began to rush. It was not Alonso. It was the cultist father of his giant comrade, the same one who tried to overthrow Celestia! "Cliff?!" "Indeed... Now, why do you not have a -seat-." Said the elder giant, and tossed Crisp like a ragdoll into his own green chair, where he landed surprisingly uncomfortably. "Look into your device, young one. And tell me what you see. And if you oppose me, I will snap your neck." Cliff said with a calm, superior and self-sure voice. Crisp himself was scared near senseless. He had nearly forgotten that the guards and scouts never DID find the cult-leader, and never in his wildest fantasies would he expect the father of Alonso to turn up HERE! Out of fear for his life, as he knew what the elder one was capable of, he did as he was told. "... I... I see the Lauren Constellations, what about them?" He said nervously as it took him a few seconds to recognise the stars without charts or maps, just memory. He looked to where Cliff had stood a second ago, and realized he was gone! His voice however, spoke, now from the other side of the room. How had he gotten there soundlessly so fast? "Indeed. Now tell me, do you know what is so special about said constellations? Of course you do not. Those stars can only be seen from Equestria. Named after the very mother of Celestia and Luna, who's fate and whereabouts are a mystery to this day. A spell was cast upon those stars to only be visible from her daughters lands..." Crisp blanked, he was indeed not aware of this, and was starting to get worried. The cultist leader had over a year ago summoned demony's with the help of stars, but when a year had passed and the 'demony dance' stars had glowed red like before, but neither Alonso or anything else supernatural had appeared. "Now you see, I noticed that the sky here looked different during my last... shall we call it a visit?" He chuckled. "And I did some digging around. Tell me, do you know WHY unicorns are mostly born in Equestria? Why not other countries have the same connection to magic?" He turned to Crisp with a nasty smirk, who shook his head. "It is not only the blood of the princesses that courses through you all, it is because of the blessing of Lauren. As you very well know, stars effect magic. That is your job to study after all... But did you know that they effect how many even can be born with magical abilities? Equestria is placed so that it is always in the centre of the most powerful stars and constellations, all of them always shining their energies here... So tell me, why hide one of them?" Crisp did not like where this was going. He had never heard of that a constellation could be hidden, even though he knew that different stars were only visible from some parts of the world, and that different countries had completely different stars in the sky! "I... I do not know..." "Good." Cliff said, and walked over to a pile of star charts. "My visit here had several reasons. To take a closer look at my suspicion, to obtain a few accurate charts of them, thank you for that by the way." He bowed as he stuffed a few freshly made maps and charts into his saddlebag. "And to make sure of your ignorance." The elder pony began to walk closer to the Crisp again, with a demonic smirk on his face. "You see, if the most educated and dedicated star-studier in Equestria does NOT know the secret of the Lauren Constellation, then I doubt many others does, and that many others would be able to detect me in time, this time..." There was something strange about Cliff. Something was new about him. The elder pony seemed more energized then the last time, he moved silently for his massive body, and his eyes felt... familiar... It was then that Crisp saw it. When the elder stepped into the stream of moonlight that entered through the roof, he saw what he could not before. On the forehead of the elder pony was a horn. Not a physical one, it looked as if it was made entirely out of magic. Like the bodies of the demonys! And not only that, but it looked as if it had a magical shape of a crystal shard, and through the swirling energies it was made of, he could see that it was a hole straight into Cliff's head. As if a crystal had penetrated his head and turned partly invisible! Cliff chuckled as he noticed the fright in Crisp's eyes. "Do you like it? I must say that it took me a while to learn how to control or even live with it... suddenly becoming an unicorn when not designed for it from birth is... bothersome. But it matters not to you. Dead ponies does not speak." Crisp felt his body locked. Something was restraining him with magic, and he could see the 'horn' on Cliff's head glowing as it channelled arcane energies... he had really been turned into an unicorn! But that is impossible! He felt himself starting to cry, he did not want to die at the hooves of this... this monster of a pony! "No!! Somepony help! Please! Anypony!!! Alonso!!" He began to scream in terror as he felt the magic cramp around his entire body, threatening to crush him! The air was filled with the sadistic laughter of Cliff as he enjoyed the pathetic begging and whimpering of his victim, a perverted pleasure of his. "ALONS-Y!!" The laughter was drowned in the battle-shout! As the dome-shaped roof cracked and opened a hole, from which a second giant pony fell through! He landed with a heavy crunch, as small bits of rock and hardened clay from the roof was crushed beneath his massive hooves! "Let'im go!" The booming voice commanded! Crisp could barely react, as something shot out from Alonso the second he shouted, and struck the elder pony on the side of the head, causing him to roar in pain as whatever it was sparked of electricity! The hold Cliff had on Crisp dropped, and the astronomer quickly crawled out of his chair and stumbled over to Alonso. "Why must you always get in the way?!" The elder one roared at his son, and his horn glowed brightly with energies as he built up a spell! But Alonso would not move, he stood still and glared at his father, allowing Crisp to hide behind him. There was a crack in the air as the older of the two giants fired his spell, a large beam of violent arcane energies! Alonso did not move, but Crisp screamed as he witnessed the destructive force move against them! But nothing happened. The pony in the trench coat remained still, and the beam simply disappeared upon reaching a few inches from his fur... As if it got sucked into him, as if he drained it, absorbed it! Once it was fully gone, only Alonso and Crisp remained in the room. Torn maps and bits of rubble all over the floor with small fragments of paper and dust swirling in the air. The blast of the arcane beam had caused a lot of destruction to whatever fragile paper or maps there was in the room. "... Y'alright Crisp?" Alonso said after a few long, silent seconds. And a soft whimper indicated that his friend indeed was. "Sorry I'm late, mate. Th' bastard tied me up good." He said with a soft voice and his always-relaxed smile. Crisp got to his hooves and looked around at his observatory. It had a hole in the delicate roof, the paperwork he kept here was destroyed, and the beam that Cliff had fired had burned half of his favourite chair straight off in the force. "... I am really going to miss that chair... " He said with a sigh, before motioning for Alonso to follow him down the kitchen to make some tea for the both... There was ALOT of explaining to do... The old pony smirked and looked out at the class of fillies, who all was looking at him with expecting eyes, and they all moaned as he closed the book, signalizing it was the end of the chapter. There was plenty of questions to be answered, and several parents had already arrived to pick their young ones up, but allowed them to stay and ask. Of course, the old writer answered very little as always, keeping not only the mystery of the story going, but planting seeds of fantasy in the children's minds. Letting them come up with their own theories, about how the norse-horse became a unicorn, what the Lauren constellation had to do with anything, how Alonso knew where Cliff was, how and why he had been tied up, and more. Enjoying a second cup of cocoa with the lovely teacher of the class, the both watched the fillies walk home with their parents, chatting eagerly with them and asking questions about the stars, expecting their parents to be able to point out the glowing dots from the story. The two chuckled, and returned to the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.
The mad pony in a trench coatChapter 1. The autumn was here. And while ponies celebrated, worked and played in the amazing display of colours, there was still shorter time in the daylight. Ponies needed something to do with their increased evenings, and that something was often stories told and listened too. Old pony Oakjuice, a former farmer if you asked him, was happy to oblige. Spending his elder days with a pen in his hoof and a freshly printed, blank book in his lap, the old coot did little but write stories of tales unknown and adventures unheard. "Gather around now, wee ones. I got a fresh book that needs ears to approve!" He smiled as the many children of the school gathered. It was still an hour left before their parents were to come pick them up, and both the teacher and he himself preferred it when they were calmly listening instead of playing wildly indoors. "Today you shall hear the tale of Alonso Alons-y... the last of the Templars!" Our story begins in a time not too long ago from our own. But a time more simple by far. Books were still an expensive thing, technology had just begun to blossom with electricity in both tools and machinery, and magic was restricted to be taught in the halls of Canterlot. Though the history begins in an era so long past that nopony remembers it, this specific tale does not... Crisp Scope, an unicorn with greater promise for his studies of the stars and their alignments, than for magic and strong spells, was up late one night as usual. It came with the job after all, his life was the burning globes in the sky and the lines of cosmic dust that drifted past. Due to his working hours, he was not known for being very social. Living alone, well paid and fed for his work, but without many who knew him deeper than the dark-blue coat and snowy mane. On his hind there was the mark of an old star-measuring tool, used by sailors and travellers alike in the old days to locate themselves via the stars. A tool who's name this old pony has forgotten, but it matters little. Crisp had excellent eyes, and was told to be able of spotting a housefly on Celestia's walls all the way from what we know as Manehattan today. But he could not live there himself, as the magically lit town made it hard for him to see his stars at night. Thus, he had since long moved to a very small village where he worked undisturbed. Alas... my dear fillies, what story would be grand and adventurous if we spoke only of ponies who's life was but work? Therefor we shall focus on the day things started to go wrong... A red flash that seemed to originate from a specific constellation. Crisp saw it, for he usually had an eye aimed for those very stars. He had seen it before, several times in his young adult life. It always seemed to flash at a specific time of the year, and he had no explanation for this anomaly. Was it solar flares? Was it some kind of cosmic energy unknown? Was it magic slipped from Celestia's spell on their own sun that got reflected? His theories were many, and all without solid evidence. It was not his job to observe these events, as much as to just map out the stars at all times of year to report changes in their locations and effect on magic, but he could not resist the unknown of these red flashes... Tonight was such a night, that specific time of year. He had been sitting in his comfortable chair and waited for it. A plate of plain sandwiches, a cup of tea and four different clocks was prepared on a plate next to him. He was going to catch the time of the flashes this year as well, to see if there was an exact pattern compared to the last. He waited, listening to the synchronized tic's of the clocks, in his mind counting down the seconds. And, of course, on the second as the last year, the red flashes appeared! It looked as if the flashes connected the stars, made them form a new pattern compared to the natural. He quickly duel-wielded simple magic, stopping all the clocks and burning a mental image of the pattern that flashed for a brief moment on his floor. He could repair the floor later, it had taken many a punishing notations during the years, it had become a poor habit of his. Upon inspecting the pattern, now that he had it more clearly, he felt that he recognized it from his studies at Canterlot... An hour, two, three, four and nearly five of searching through his books, he finally found it. It was a book about ancient, primitive magic. Used by ponies in desperate times, long before the sisters appeared and created order. It was a symbol used for something that the book would not speak of, but there was images of it, and he was told they came from caves and ancient papyrus... That. Is when he felt his spine shiver. Why was this in the sky? Was it just an anomaly that had always happened, but no-one in modern days had cared about? Why would they not, if it was an cosmic event bound to ancient magic? The questions began to swirl, and he felt uneasy. He did not like the thought, but could not help it. He cursed loudly his own curiosity. "Damned be my own wit and will for the unknown!" There was a silence after that. A silence that sent cold shivers through his entire body. It was usually silent at this time of night. But this silence was... strange. It felt like if the air had grown thicker. Harder to breathe in, heavier to move in, and too dense to let any vibrations of vocals or sound through it.. and there was a strange smell. Worried that his burning mark in the wooden floor had set a spark that first now had managed to grow, he rushed back to his telescope and chair. The mark was not burning... but did he imagine things or... had it grown? Touching it with a hoof, he felt a sting of magic from it. Reaching out with his own magic to scan it, he found his horn not responding. Something like that had never happened before, why could he not use his magic? He tried again. And again. A third, fourth and fifth time in his panic! But not even a spark. That is when he saw the eyes. In the middle of the mark on his floor, there were four crystal clear eyes glaring at him. They actually looked very beautiful. Inviting, in a way. Charming... alluring... calling for him... His bright mind snapped him out of it, as he found himself nearly kissing the burned mark on the floor, realizing how close the eyes had brought him without being aware! He stumbled back, and watched in horror as the eyes rose from the mark, the black, coal-like lines that formed the pattern he had made followed them. Like a silky cloth laid upon a pony that arose. They swayed at first, like a summer dress or a loose cape, before snapping around the invisible body like a tight suit! The markings, now twisted and bent, made long lines for the four legs, circles beneath the hooves, three dots representing stars across the spine, and several others making the swaying tail and female head, on which the four eyes rested. The astral pony, built up by magical marks as an exoskeleton, began to fill up with fire-like energies. Not flames of heat, but red, pulsing swirls of built up power. The creature generated an aura of dominance as it walked closer to the frightened star-reader. Who helplessly could only crawl backwards in the lack of his magic. Trapped, between the corner of bookshelves with maps and astronomy books, and the magical creature that looked at him with tempting eyes and now a devilish grin made out of the black marks! Crisp was certain that whatever happened, it was his end. He had gone beyond the fear-levels to fuel his escape, and into the fear of acceptance of his fate. He closed his eyes, feeling the aura of the creature grow more intense, the temptation to loose himself into those eyes nearly too great. If it breathed, he would have felt it's breath. But all he did was feel it's presence, sensed it's glare and approach, heard the soft taps of it's near weightless hooves on his old floor, and the angels singing to welcome him.. They sounded so beautiful, it was comforting. An chorus of angelic voices in perfect harmony, speaking in the ancient language of promised lands and the glory of the princesses. The victory of loyalty over those that seeks domination. The chorus grew higher, and he felt himself at ease. Relaxing, and welcoming his untimely death. His relaxation prevented him to notice that the creature was backing away. And it was not until Crisp heard something strange in the chorus that he opened his eyes to see it. Not only was the astral, multi-eyed creature backing away with a snarl, but there were rapid hoof-steps in the psalm... And both the steps and the music grew louder! The door to his study was shattered, turned in an instant to splinters and sawdust, as a giant pony shouldered through it as if it was but magical glass! Crisp could see little of the pony, as what he could only assume was a male, carried a long, brown and ragged trench coat. An equally ragged hat in matching fashion, and several belts across his chest and torso beneath it, carrying a bunch of military pockets and small items! Around his neck, the giant had one of those modern music-players, an electric device that allowed one to play music while on the go! And it was the source of the angelic chorus! The giant pony kicked his front legs and staggered, but remained standing on his hinds, aiming one of his front hooves to the creature while screaming at it in an strange language. The creature now seemed to burst into flames on it's own choice, hissing and spitting small sparks as it tried to intimidate this new foe, who did not back down. If anything, he confidently walked closer to the creature, reaching whatever was in his hoof towards it and screaming more words in the gibberish language... Crisp had only vague memories of what happened afterwards, but he explained it as if the creature turned into a stream of magical energies, burst through his window and towards the night sky... He had than collapsed into unconsciousness... The giant was standing like a firm statue in the doorway to Crisp's bedroom when he woke up. He needed several minutes to understand and remember it all, and he realized that his body felt like it had been ran over by a stampede of cows. "Good morning, mister Scope. Sorry for the intrusion last night, but considering the alternative, I think we both gained from it." The giant smiled, walking closer to the resting blue pony. The large pony introduced himself as Alonso, and from his accent and built, not to mention the very hairy hooves, it was clear that he was from the far, mountain-littered north. A old people called 'norse-horse' for their large size, though still ponies by breed. "What happened..?" asked the sky-reader in his poor state. Alonso smiled and removed his hat. He had a walnut brown coat with a chestnut brown mane and tail, both tied up in braids with traces of lighter colours here and there. He was muscular, but not as bulky as he looked with the trench coat. He sat down on his plot and began to explain. Alonso presented himself as an Dark-Hunter. An ancient order of ponies from mostly the north who tracks down and prevents the summoning of demonys. A demony being an evil soul of a dead pony, corrupted and thirsty for magical energies, any energies, so it can manifest in our world to gather more and cause mischief. And every year for the past five, he had been tracking a cult rumoured to summon them. He explained that it was the reason to the red flashes in the sky, as that constellation was bound to the summoning ritual. He had been on his way to a nearby forest when he felt the presence. Clearly, the demony must had picked Crisp's house for it's summon when he burned in the pattern to allow the passage, as normally a lone pony would cause less attention then an entire mob of summoners. "What... what was it you played? And what did you threaten it with?" Alonso grinned, pulling out a necklace from his thick coat that hid it. It was a small, delicate cross in front of a sun, carved from some kind of black material.. "Brimstone. Works twice as effective. Demonys can't stand the symbol, Angelus's can't stand the material. Protection from both in one trinket." he explained proudly. He then showed the small music-device. It was square and made from some light-weight material, and could hold one music-gem at the time. Music was recorded magically, but the electric waves in the machine made the crystal vibrate to resonate the recorded message, more then so Alonso could not explain, at least not in details. He showed two crystals that he always carried. "See, demonys really can't stand holy music, makes them sick to the core! Angelus's? Now that is a different story. They are lovers of all music, since music is harmony. It took me a while, but I managed to cook something up! Bethoofen's forth symphony played only with didgeridoo's, electric guitar, pan flutes, cowbells and improvised lyrics by Maponna!" Poor Crisp felt his guts cringe at the very thought. He was no lover of music, but he could imagine the horror of listening to such an perversion of musical perfection... He than asked why this strange, mad pony would need to arm himself against the holy pegasi of the afterlife. Why would he need protection against angelus? To this, the hunter only grinned with old, weathered eyes. "No coin has only two sides... ain't all black and white." And with that, having explained what he did, and just barely why he did it, the strange pony took a singe bit-coin and placed it standing on the desk by Crisp's bed, before leaving the building. Crisp himself thought long of what he had meant. Not only had Alonso introduced him to that fictional creatures like demony's and angelus's were real, but he had then gone and confused him by saying that no coin has only two sides. The blue pony thought of this for several days, while his window was being repaired and his floor remade. And it was not until he realized that a coin, flat as it may be with it's two large sides, can still stand on the third given care and precision. A third side between both the large ones, connecting them. Did Alonso consider himself that side? Was that what he meant? Was it just ramblings from a mad pony? Was it just gibberish, or was it wisdom as the norse pony did seem to know what he spoke of...? "Well, my children... I may just let you know in the next chapter... if you want me to write it that is?" The old pony smiled to the crowd of fillies, and while several started to point out small flaws and stuff they did not understand, being whiny children tired from the long day of school, many still seemed to have enjoyed it. And with that appreciation, the author returned to his knackered home to start writing a second chapter...
A mad pony in CanterlotChapter 2. A mad pony in Canterlot. A few days passed, and with each day the light grew shorter. The first snowflakes had begun to fall as the pegasi altered the weather to slowly turn winter. And while the fillies loved to play in the piles of leaves and jump in the puddles left by the near-daily rain, they were still gathered inside in the early afternoon as the darkness settled. And while there was little to do inside the lone school room but doodle and chase each other, today the old author had returned with yet another tale! The fillies gathered more quickly this time, for after hearing the last story they were curious. Their teacher had been forced to deal with question the past few days about demonys and angelus's, the creatures of hell and hayven, and while she was not found of it, she did enjoy the extra hour break she got as the writer took over before the parents would pick up their young ones. The old coot sat down comfortably behind the teachers counter and placed the large, mostly unwritten book on it. "Now then, children... As you recall, Alonso saved an astronomer in the last chapter while he was on his way to a larger summoning. How many would like to hear about what happened when he DID get there?" He smirked, the satisfaction and joy of seeing the eagerness in the many fillies faces and excited nods, this is why he did what he did. The appreciation of an audience. And with that, he began to read... Crisp Scope, the astronomer, had recovered nicely. While having his magic sucked out of him by a demony, it was nothing fatal or even dangerous. It was like getting low blood sugar on a higher scale. And during the past days of having his house restored from the battle, he was still thinking a lot about the strange pony that had saved him. Again, not only did it introduce him to the reality that was the existence of hell and hayven and their representing creatures, but also to that his stars that he loved and gave his life to study were more deeply involved than he would ever have guessed. Due to this, he packed up his most recent research, and especially the research of the alignment he now called the "Demony Dance", and ordered a carrier to Canterlot. He did not only need to tell his old teacher about this, but he needed to inform the princess. This could be dire if ponies for years had been summoning those things. Canterlot has not changed much over the past few hundred years. The most recent feature of luxury was the electrical streetlamps, which many still considered a wonder of technology. Electricity had exploded on the market, being an none-magical resource of energy, it was far more trustworthy. Magical items or enchanted this and that's had a tendency to not only react differently from different unicorns, due to their own magical levels, but ponies without horns of their own had trouble using them, cutting the market off from pegasi and earthern ponies. Electricity, on the other hand, could be controlled with the press of a button and featured nothing more complicated then switching the electrically charged crystals once in a while. There was even rechargeable crystals that came attached to a rubber band, when they grew weary you attached them to your tail and mane, and their natural ability to gather and contain electricity made them recharge by your natural static! Crisp himself thought this to be some kind of magic, there was no way that such little natural electricity could power devices, but he would never be curious enough to research it deeper, he just accepted it and moved on with his life as another modern piece of items he did not care for. There were more pressing matters at hand! As he stepped off the carrier and payed the burly earth-pony that pulled it, one who had probably done little else in his life but run with heavy loads tied to him, he turned to the city. It had been a few years... he wondered if her majesty would remember him from that day he graduated. It was something he doubted, and while he was one of the very few astronomers in all of Equestria at this era, how could she remember every single graduation she attended out of royal duty? He pondered what to say. How could he tell the princess about this without any solid proof? How could he just present to her that demonys and angelus's were real, and that the first of the two had apparently been summoned? "You could always bring her proof?" said a voice to him, and he nodded. Wondering where he would get it. "What about that other pony? That Alonso fellow?" the voice said to him again. He shook his head and grunted, where would he find that coat-wearing nord now? "Gee, I dunno mate. Have you tried asking for me?" said the voice. Crisp blinked and froze in his steps, looking to his side where the voice originated. " 'ello there! How's the stars?" The giant pony smiled at the astronomer, who looked sillily on him with open mouth. " You! What are you doing here?! And how did you read my mind?!" He said, a bit scared now of the tall one. He had demonstrated knowledge on the occult and the mystical, could he also penetrate the mentality of others?! "You mutter beneath y'breath when you think hard, mate. Ain't take a mind-reader for that." The walnut-coloured pony smirked beneath his ragged hat, making poor Crisp feel a bit silly. He had forgotten about that. Years of solitude had made him talk to himself more and more often to replace his none-existent social life. They both walked down the main road, towards the shiny marvel castle. Alonso explained that he was here to investigate the summoning, as he believed it to take place where no-one would suspect it. In the most peaceful place in pony-land. And that he would happily stand by Crisp's side if he was to confront the royalty about his issue. A few hours passed. It took about one to reach the castle by hoof, another to legitimate themselves, for one of them it was harder then the smaller one... not to mention the visitation of his near endless belt-pockets and trench coat. At last, the guards considered the strangely large and strong pony to be more of a weird mystic then a threat, and allowed both to pass into the waiting chamber. Where fresh fruit and drinks were offered for the comfort of her majesty's guests. At long last, they were called in. Alonso had almost drained one of three huge bowls of fresh fruit, and Crisp wondered when the nord last ate, or what Nordic ponies usually eat.. but put it aside. They both entered the awe-striking throne room, with the virgin-white princess sitting in the end, welcoming Crisp by name. He blushed as she did recognize him, and spoke of how glad she was during that graduation to finally have a new astronomer, there were so few in the world. Crisp bowed deeply for his princess once he reached a bit closer, explaining that it was an honour for him that her majesty cared so for a humble subject. Alonso, on the other hoof, did not bow. He removed his ragged hat and nodded with a pleasant smile to the princess. "Pleasure t'meet you, y'highness." And while both Crisp and the many guards in the room looked frustratingly at the giant pony, the princess smiled back and giggled slightly. It was not that she found it amusing that someone did not bow and crawl in front of her like most did, but that someone was so casual near her. It was rare. Crisp wasted little time, although he did excuse his large friend several times and stumbled on his words. He began explaining that he for years now had noticed the anomaly in his research, he told her about the yearly occurrence of the "demony dance" stars, their flashing lights he had noticed out of random and what they apparently caused. He magically handed her the old book, the page of the same symbol the stars formed when the flashing red lines bound them and where history spoke of their ancient purpose. It was not until Crisp explained that had it not been for Alonso he would not have lived to tell the tale, that the giant took a few steps closer to the throne and began to speak himself. "Y'highness... I am not one of your subject, I hail from the frozen mountains far north of your kingdoms... yet I know m'place, and wish not to cause a stir in your capital without permission. My kind has chased, hunted and prevented the summoning of demony and angelus's alike for as long as we can remember, but that was in our own lands. But our kind are not as adapt in magic, we very rarely get a mystic born, our version of unicorns, so we can control the few that attempt summoning.... but if our ancient knowledge in the subject has reached... well, your subjects, in a town like this...?" He let his words linger in the air. His voice was booming and his accent as heavy as his leathery trench coat, and the princess nodded with closed eyes and a serious face. She softly began to speak. "I know well of your kind, mountain pony. I know that magic is rare and your sturdiness and creativity is your strength. It was your kind that introduced the concept of electricity to our kind a generation ago. And if what you fear is true, that the art of summoning the forces of the afterlife, be they demony or angelus, has come to Canterlot... then I do see your reason to venture this far from your home land..." The princess grew silent for a moment, before she stood up, and gracefully walked down the steps of her throne. Crisp found himself for the first time to realize just how imposing the beautiful princess could be. She was the timeless ruler and arguably the most powerful spell-weaver ever recorded... controlling both the sun and moon nearly subconsciously after all these years. She stood and looked at her two visitors on very close distance. And while Crisp nearly vanished in her shadow, Alonso was near the same height as her. The giant nord stood firmly on his thick, fuzzy hooves and looked the princess calmly in the eyes as hers looked into his. There was a murdering silence. "... Your eyes shows me no lies, norse-horse. I can tell that you are experienced in the subject. And you have your fears for my land confirmed by a pony who is most likely the most skilled in his expertise in generations. I shall inform my guards to let you pass if you need access, and to have them investigate houses on your command. Do not abuse this." Her voice was solid and serious, the normally smiling and warm princess showed the side that had allowed her to rule and grow a country wisely and safely for generations. Crisp found himself blushing again over the compliment his ruler had bestowed him. "You have ventured far for the safety of my people, sir Alons-y. For that you have my respect. You have already saved one of my treasured subjects, for that you have my aid. And even if this threat is just suspicion and theories, I will not have my children in torment due to an supernatural attack I could not prevent... I wish you both luck, and hope that if there is something to find, that you do. Now go. I am personally going to investigate the subject myself." She smiled at them both, somewhat longer and with grateful eyes to the nord, who smiled back as calmly as always and bowed his head. "I am most thankful, m'lady. Your trust and wisdom is as true as legends tell, and may have saved the life of many small ponies today." With that, the giant nord put his hat back on and turned hoof, marching towards the double doors to begin his work. Crisp, not really knowing what else to do, bowed deeply to his ruler one more time, stumbled a nervous farewell and followed the giant. "A-Alonso! How could you behave like that infront of the princess?! Have you no shame or sense?!" He looked at the walnut pony with both awe and worry, as to him it was unheard of such an performance in the presence of the majesty. "That was the princess, THE princess! Ruler of the biggest and most sophisticated land in the world!" The giant pony had stopped outside castle, looking around at the town from this higher point of view, barely showing any signs of listening to his smaller friend as he pulled out a package of tiny paper-rolls. He put one in his mouth and used a small device to lit the end. Crisp, like most ponies, did not know what a cigarette was as it was not part of their culture. "... Well, I removed my hat, didn't I?" Alonso grinned as he took a deep savouring of his smoke. The roll was made out pine-paper, pressed pine-needles. Inside was a dry mix of herbs and flower-petals, and once lit the combination caused a very strong, if adult flavour. Nothing for the likes of small ponies who had never had to spend a winter or ten eating pine-cones, bark and bitter roots. "Now then... Tall towers, plenty houses, most ponies are unicorns..." Alonso puffed his cigarette and smirked at the city. "A challenge. What'ya say, Crispy? Up to save Canterlot?" He smiled at the night-coloured pony and held up his giant hoof towards him. Crisp looked surprised, to say the least... but what would he do? Deny his duties and be a lousy patriot? He nodded softly, feeling that he would come to regret this decision some way or another, but put his hoof against the giants. They were a team for the time being. The old pony clapped his book shut, smiling at the audience. Not a doubt in his mind that they would pester their teacher in the morning about what a cigarette was, but he cared little. Children should be curious. "Now then... that is all for now. But if it glads anypony here, I am working on the third chapter. Would anyone like to hear it in a few days?" There was plenty of nods and several Yes's heard, and with that, he packed up his book into his saddle bag, and began answering some questions they had. He did so until the parents came to pick up their young ones, and smiled over the many creative questions and curious childish observations he had listened too. It filled him with desire to keep writing.
A mad pony in jailChapter 3. A mad pony in jail. When the old author returned, he did so early this time. The children were just about to be brought inside as the darkness fell, and the teacher has happy to see him, as they more eagerly went inside now that they knew he was here! Scarfs, hats, muffs and whatever other chill-shielding clothing their wore was tossed off in a hurry as the fillies rushed to their seats in the classroom. "Such anticipation... Well then, better not dilly-dally too much than." The old one chuckled, and brought his book up on the desk, flipping the pages to the third chapter. He gave all the fillies a warning look. "Be ware though, this chapter can be scary to those of poor nerves." He said to tease them, and chuckled over the many stern looks of young ones considering themselves more adult than they were given credit for. Aah the wisdom of toddlers.... He coughed a few times, and set his tone as the story began where it left of... Hours passed. Alonso had never been in such a big city before, only heard the tales of it from wanderers and seen images on paintings. But in reality, it was far more wast then he had hoped. Realizing that the metaphorical apple he was taking a bite of was maybe too big even for him, he lit another cigarette. They had walked the town all day just looking. And every time Crisp asked, Alonso responded with that he was looking for something, something he did not know what it was yet. But that he would know it once he saw it, he said to encourage the tired star-gazer, who was really not used to being this active. They were an odd pair as they walked down the roads of Canterlot, ponies stared at the giant who was near to rival the size of even the princess, with giant hooves and thick, long fur. And walking next to him was a unicorn who looked all but fit. Deep sacks beneath his eyes from a lifetime of long nights and twisted hours, and the complete lack of any physical activities left him scrawny and thin... Alonso finally stopped and bought the two of them something refreshing to drink. Hot cocoa for Crisp, who gratefully accepted some quick energy and heat, as he was poorly equipped for the dropping temperature, while Alonso himself just got a mug of warm milk. As they sat down on the cold benches in the autumn weather, the giant sprinkled strange herbs into his milk, before fishing out a small metallic flask from his many pockets and spilled a few drops of a very strong-smelling liqueur... Crisp decided it was best not to ask what it was, but it seemed to renew the nord. "We're looking for a sign, mate. Since it was a demony-summon, I bet'cha my hat they are someplace underground. Summons like that requires contact to the element o'wich they pull the creatures. demonys from the ground, angelus's from the sky. But we've walked the town'round and I've felt nothing..." The giant took a swig of his strange blend, and sighed happily after. Just the smell of his breath indicated that there was something alcoholic in the flask.. "Well... sir Alons-y, where do you suggest then? I am certain that there are hundreds of basements to these many houses, and searching through them all... how much time do we even have?" Crisp looked a bit concerned at the giant, noticing how a faint blush started to appear on his face from whatever he was drinking... "Time? T'was four days since the summoning. And with ONE here, feeding on wha'ever mystic or unicorn the summoners gave it, it can summon more of it's kind without us noticing... every hour that passed since the yearly summon could mean another demony. Do the math." Alonso looked surprisingly calm and cocky over this presentation, but Crisp felt panic rising as by this information, there could be nearly one hundred of those things summoned already! In worst case scenario! Alonso suddenly got to his hooves again, yelling something in a strange language, but he sounded happy! "I know where we can find'em! Follo'!" And with that he started dashing down the road, his trench coat looking more like a cape for the shocking speed the giant quickly built! Crisp never got to finish his cocoa as he tried to follow... Gasping for breath, legs shivering and the misty air that escaped his mouth like a pillar, Crisp finally caught up to Alonso. Unable to speak his question, too exhausted to do more then just pant and look at the hunter with eyes of confusion. "Reckon I could be wrong... but didn't the castle in early pony-era serve assa prison? With crime not existing here for decades, who cares for the ancient catacombs and cells?" He grinned, and began walking up the stairs to the castle. Crisp looked at the stairs and whimpered, had they really reached that high and been so many steps the last time...? The guards recognized the mad pony this time, and with the authority of their princess, they let him enter without much fuzz. Though they did glare at him. Not only because of his towering size that made the armoured stallions feel insecure, but for his odd attire and wheezing company as well... Once inside however, Alonso asked the first staff-member of the royal building he could locate for directions. And though the young maid jumped at first over the strange accent and booming voice, Crisp was quickly there to ease the communication... though she looked at the astronomer as if he was sick, the way he was breathing heavily and sweating, poor pony must have the flu.. They soon reached the older, more unused passages in the castle, through an old and rusty wooden door that had not been used for years, something that for some reason made Alonso all the more certain that it was the right track. "Sir Alons-y.. you can see for yourself that this door has not been used since the early eras... why would-" He was interrupted as the giant took a short dash and pressed a shoulder against the door with all his weight, causing even this thick, prison-designed wood and metal to creak and crack as the door flew off it's hinges! Splinters and flakes of rust flew everywhere as the large door bounced down the dusty stairs, causing it to stir. "Logic, Crispy. This place hasn't been used in forever, so who'd go here on a daily basis? No doubt in my mane that there is some old passage they found, leaving the door rusted and shut to keep suspicion out." Alonso slimmed his eyes and dug in one of his many belt-pockets, fishing out two small, yellow crystals that he quickly stuffed in his mouth and moved them around with his tongue. He then spat one out to Crisp after muffling "catch". The unicorn caught it with his magic, if more out of disgust than actually wanting it, and was about to question why the larger pony did that, when he noticed that the gem started to glow all the more brightly by the second! "Lamp-lake-lures. Crystal that grows onna special Nordic fish. It keeps it dry inna special skin, but when it pulls th'skin back the crystal glows. It reacts to water and recharges in the dark." With that the giant grinned, holding his own crystal in the very same manner he held his cigarette earlier, and he entered with Crisp following. Crisp Scope was a scientist, a pony of studies and research, not an Daring Doo... He was growing weary of this, the darkness around him, the aura of long-gone imprisoned murderers and criminals, the possibility of a summoned horde of demonys, the company of this strange giant and his mad arsenal of... Celestia knows what! And what annoyed him the most was that the giant just expected him to tag along! He had not been questioned once! Not asked or thanked! Crisp took a second to make sure he was not thinking out loud again, with the echo in these halls it would be quite embarrassing. He then continued his inner rant about all of this. This strange outlander just kept pulling things from beneath his trench coat, who knows how dangerous he is? His strength alone would- "Wait... we got compony.." Alonso had stopped, staring into the darkness ahead of them. These tunnels with cells on the sides were had to see into, even with the glowing gems. The giant pulled the stargazer closer, before flipping his own head some and spitting at the same time, sending his own glowing gem several yards ahead of them. "Welcome... We have been expecting you.." an old voice chuckled from the direction of the glowing gem. And into it's light stepped an old, knackered pony. It took Crisp several seconds to see it in the dim glow, but there was no doubt, the elder pony was a norse-horse like Alonso! And he kept talking. "My son... have you yet to see the real light? How long must you seek to destroy the work of your-" "Father, yer surrounded. You're inna castle full of guards an' the most magical creature in the land! How hard y'think it was to figure out you summoned them here, to have them then feast and grow on the biggest source of magic in history?!" Crisp blinked over the booming voice of his giant friend. So that is how he figured out it had to be here... it made sense. The elder pony smirked, the dim light made his greyish brown fur coat seem ghost-like compared to the darkness. "Child... No-one but you would seek me here. These ponies, these small ones, they know nothing of worth about our history in magic. I have found many hungry students here... many who were rejected Celestia's blessing to seek the limit of their abilities. She is afraid, you know? To allow anyone to grow too powerful, too strong for her to easily control with a smile and honeyed words." "She's a greater leader than y'ever was, father... she rules with wisdom, power makes ponies go mad, like yerself." Alonso let out an angry grunt through his nostrils, and pillars of smoke rose from them in the chill of the catacombs. Crisp was shaking, he felt the power that built an aura around the elder pony. He felt the same energies that he had when the demony had been summoned in his house! His every instinct told him to run, but Alonso put a hoof behind him. "Don't, they'll kill you. We've been surrounded since the moment we entered. Here, 'ave some gum. Calms the nerves." He smiled warmly at his small sidekick, offering him a crude paper-wrapped something, while taking one himself and chewing. Turned out to be some kind of dried sap. "Oh? You noticed them? Well, I suppose I have yet to train them fully, they are just city-ponies after all... sneaking is not their ace... but their magic? Ooh, son... the things we can do here, them and I... their natural gift for spells combined with my knowledge and bond to the netherworld? Come now... surely you would rather see your mother again? Why would you stop me from bringing my... my sweet, sweet Aumar back..? Do you not miss her as well..?" The elder pony looked almost pleading, desperate for a moment, his eyes moist with held-back tears, aimed for Alonso. "Galning! Moder dog i en olycka, men hon dog kämpande mot de samma krafter du nu omger dig med! Hon ville alldrig detta!" Alonso snapped, his booming voice sounding like a raging bear as he spoke in his native, throat-gurgling tongue! The elder pony regained his dark eyes at this, and shouted something back in the same tongue, it was impossible to make out what it was, but soon Crisp felt nothing anyway... He awoke with a headache. His eyes needed a while to adapt to the darkness around him. It was cold, and he pulled his blanket a bit tighter around himself. He laid there for a few minutes, just cursing the cold and trying to remember. He sat up with a gasp, as his memories came rushing back! In the darkness he now realized that he had no blanket, it was Alonso's giant trench coat. "Ah, yer awake. Grand! How's yer head?" Alonso's voice sounded cheery in the dark, he was standing by the old metal bars that separated the cell from the long path they had been in earlier. "A-Alonso...? What happened?" Crisp held his head, not to eager to give up the trench coat either, it shielded him well from the dropping temperature. The nord explained that they got jumped by his father's students. They dazed Alonso with a hit to the head, but Crisp got knocked out. They got imprisoned here to be kept out of the way. Had Alonso not been the son of the elder pony, who's name apparently was Cliff Climber, they had probably been killed. He continued with explaining shortly the story and reason. Long ago both his mother and father had been hunters like himself, tracking down mystics and summoners and other criminals. His mother had sadly been gravely wounded in a fight, and they just barely managed to transport her home in her poor condition so both Alonso and Cliff could say their farewell to her. His father, Cliff, took this very hard. Too hard. He refused to accept that his beloved wife and companion from decades back had been killed, that there had not been anyone good with magic around able to heal or save her.. He turned to the arts he had spent his life fighting. And due to him fighting it, he knew just about as much of it as any summoner. And as a hunter, he had contacts... Imprisoned summoners, access to countless confiscated books and items. It did not take him long to build his own cult with the reclaimed items and riches from generations of hunting. He sought to with the aid of the other side bring his love back... but with time he went mad back and forth. Alonso sighed and patted Crisp on the head. "Sorry t'drag you into this. But hey, can't say I forced you. Promise to make it up for you when we get out of here." This made Crisp snap. "WHEN we get out of here?! We are trapped! Locked in a cell in the endless dark of an dungeon no-pony has bothered to visit in hundreds of years! How would we ever get out of here?!" Alonso grunted at the loud screaming, and casually walked over to the door to the cell. Which he pushed open with minimal effort. Crisp looked at him with huge eyes. "H-how... how did..." The giant interrupted him. "Gum. I spat it into the lock-hole when they pushed me in here. What, you thought I didn't havva plan?" He grinned widely, and began walking out. "Oh, feel free t'keep wearing it for the cold, but bring me coat, would ya?" "Jävlar!" Alonso swore as they reached the table with his many belts and items. Included the large saddle-bag that Crisp had not noticed before, and he guessed it must have been hidden beneath the coat. "What is the matter? We finally found your stuff!" He said, still wrapped in the way-too-big coat. "Aye. But it seems father took every crystal I had... I got no power for my items..." Alonso grunted and began strapping his belts and his bag back on. He explained again that amongst his people magic-users is extremely rare, so they mostly use natural resources. Their most used and powerful resource are their gems. Gems that can store vibrations for sound, gems that can store electricity, magic, you name it. But without any of them, he did not have power to fuel his trinkets and gizmo's. And he admitted that there was just so much he COULD do with brute force and cunning alone against the forces of the nether world. Crisp looked at him, feeling a bit unsure now. "So... what can we do..?" Alonso did not answer right away, but looked at his companion. And slowly, slowly a smirk formed on his face... Then and there, he slowly put the book shut, and heard the moans and groans of the class in front of him. They wanted to know what happened next! They were cursing him to ending it in the midst of the exciting part! There were begs and pleas to know just a few spoilers of what happened next, but the old pony would not fall for it. "Tell you what, young ones... I may or may not have nearly written the next chapter to completion... If you are all inside and silent tomorrow, and obey your teacher like little angelus's... I may just have the FINAL chapter ready for you!" He said in that naturally mysterious voice that came with age and wisdom. There were gasps and glee's escaping the young ones, and they all started promising in a discorded chorus how they would behave tomorrow! The old pony left the school chuckling happily to himself. Such anticipation. Such eagerness... he had a long night ahead of himself if he wanted to meet this promise to the young ones. But age higher than most local tree's or not, body frail and old from a lifetime of hard work... there was by Celestia fire in the old pony's eyes!
A mad pony in battleChapter 4. A mad pony in battle. Today when the old pony entered the classroom, he found that all of the fillies were sitting silently and looking at him with eager eyes. He smiled, and wasted no time getting to the counter. "... anyone in here who wants to hear the final chapter?" He teased them, and a blurry ocean of multi-coloured nods filled his vision. Smilingly, he brought the candle on the desk closer to his book so he could see the fresh ink better, and began to read... Canterlot seemed, to anyone outside the castle, to be fully normal. The evening was turning towards night, and most personal and staff of the castle had returned to their homes. The only ones left was the princess herself, her night-shift guards and the chef that was preparing their midnight meals. Along with a smaller army of about 80 demonys. The process had been quick and devastating. The demonic ponies, having fed upon captured students from the academy or willing cult-member's magic for the past days, were slithering in the shadows and hiding in every spot of darkness. They were silent, and eternally hungry. Every guard in the royal palace was a unicorn, to be able to wield their polearms and spears properly with their magic. And during the night there was far less of them than during daytime. Easy prey. One by one they were picked out and knocked out by the shadowy beasts, before they had their well-trained magic drained from them until they lost consciousness. Unaware of all this, Celestia sat on her throne and wrote the last letters for the day. Normal stuff, but she had to catch up with her piling work. She had spent several hours that day in the royal library, where only a hooffull few had access, to study about these demonys she had been warned about. And while she had been unable to find much more about them than that they are creatures of norse mythology and theorised to be more ancient than even the ponies, there was little to read. She felt tired though. Writing these letters was a dull pastime, it was the same kind of letters every day, every week of every year for hundreds of them. She yawned gracefully, a soft and hidden gesture, though she felt that she wanted little but to slack back in her throne and let loose a proper Canterlot-voice yawn. She blinked. She never used to get this tired. This was abnormally boring and energy-wasting even for this kind of work. Her mind was foggy, she was so tired... but why? What was... and who was that? Walking across the long, red carpet of her throne room was a giant pony, he reminded her of Alonso, but was far older... "Pardon the intrusion, Celestia... but my children hunger so, I could not hold them back from sampling the frosting of their sought-for royal cupcake." He smirked. His accent was there, like Alonso's, but it was not as heavy. This pony had spent time with her own ones, adapted... And even though her body was begging for a rest, Celestia, in all the mental fog, put the pieces together and stood up, forcing her numb body to obey her! "You are the one Alonso spoke of! The nord who's spread his ill magic amongst my children!" She attempted to sound more intimidating than she felt. Why was she this tired? What had he done to her? "What is your business here?! And what have you done to me?!" She demanded, calling for her magic to make a shield from whatever spell the old pony was using... but she found her horn fizzling, like a poor fuse... "Me? Celestia, I would have thought your royal library would give your more information than this? Did it not tell you of what demonys do?" He chuckled. It turned out he had been pushing his plan with a lot of stress for nothing, he feared the wisdom of the library, but it turned out he had little to worry about. "They feed on magic, Celestia... They are creatures of markings and text, held together with the marks that binds their ritual... and you are sitting in a pile of them." He casually gestured for the many scrolls and parchments surrounding the throne. Had they been hiding in her own mail? As if to answer her inner question, several of the scrolls she had received during the day began to twist and turn, the very letters and marks on them bending into forms of tiny, tiny ponies, before leaping out of the paper-like materials and growing, as if they had leapt from a huge distant and came closer! At the same time as the hidden ones broke free, the remaining ones that had been hiding in the shadows leapt forth as well! The guards that was by Celestia's side fell over, apparently having been knocked out secretly for a while and held up by these creatures... Celestia felt fear rise inside her, these creatures were unlike anything she had faced before, and that said quite a lot considering how long she had protected her country... She was taken down, held down by the large number of text-bound energy-ponies. Their design was alien to her. The forms of ponies, but it was as if their skeleton was on the outside, made out of occult markings and texts, and their bodies of manifested magical energies... they all had four, and she had to admit, very beautiful eyes, all digging into her own... Her magic was not responding, and she realized that they had not only drained her over a longer period of time, but also sucked magic out of the very air! Spells were useless against them, since they fed on it! Had she had the energy to call for a physical weapon, her skills with a blade could maybe have saved her, but in her current state...? "Do not look so down, my dear. I wish no harm for your people. I only wish for a single thing... your magic." The old norse-horse walked closer to Celestia, smiling calmly at her. "You see, I made a pact. If I can supply a smaller army of demonys with the energy they need to bring their master back, she will return my beloved to me... my wife, who died defending YOUR kingdom from these very creatures, but neither you nor your people knew of it. Thanked her. Felt my sorrow when she passed... So... In return for the life she gave to save all of you, is it not fitting that you give yours to return her to me?" He spoke with a broken, raspy voice. As if he was close to crying. Celestia was fighting to remain conscious, the creatures were draining her of everything, and only her rage kept her eyes open... and her ears... Hooves. Heavy hooves against marvel. Running by the sound of it, and louder... The giant doors of the throne-room was blocking the sound, but suddenly it stopped. There was a heavy slam, and the doors vibrated. The many demonys and the elder pony turned to look at it, surprised. There was another slam, a heavier one, and one could hear the gigantic and solid doors give a faint creak... than there was silence. "ALONS-Y!!!" Roared through the castle, the voice of an dragon carried the battle-shout with ear-deafening might! The doors shattered! A giant pony burst through the ancient doors of solid marvel, shoulder first and with enough force to fly through the giant hole he had created! "Faaaatheeeer!!!" He roared in the air, before landing, glaring at the elder. "DO you never give up, boy?! There is just so much your strength alone can do!!" The grey pony snarled, seemingly more annoyed over his son's never-ending spirit and attempts. Celestia felt a spark of hope, but her tired mind and the weight of the many demonic creatures made her realize the situation. Alonso must be aware of their magic-feeding... "Tell me, son... what do you plan to do? Beat up a minor army of energy-sucking demony? Why are you here?!" The trench-coat wearing giant smirked, panting some from his long run and the heavy beating on the door. His shoulder ached, threatening to pop loose from the abuse he had put on it. In front of him stood an army of well-fed foes, powered by the very magic of a goddess and ready to fight on the elder pony's command... "Father... You ask me why...?" He straightened his back. "As a wise woman once told me... Because I love and care." Cliff grit his flat teeth at his son. "Fool... your mother died with those words... do not DARE spit them in my face for your foolish errands! This alicorn is the key to her resurrection!" "And when have they ever held their word?! What do you think'll happened?! They wish to summon their MASTER this this plane! She will not rest until she's destroyed all of Equestria and fed on every stallion, mare and filly!" Alonso roared back, glaring at his father. "What would I care for that?! By that time your mother and I will be far away, in lands the dark one is not concerned with! Had it not been for your mother they would have been dead anyway, so it is just fair! Them for her!" Cliff snarled, his eyes watering up and his body shaking... He was so close... yet he felt worry... "So tell me! What is the great champion, the grand hero of the mountains, the one and only Alonso Alons-y... What is he going to do than?!" He was worried. His son had stopped him before, never against odds like these... but still... Alonso sighed.. "I can not cast magic. Not that it would save me. You robbed me of every crystal I had, so I can not power my trinkets or gadgets... I personally, have nothing in my arsenal that can best you. But you forget one thing... one pony.." The giant smirked, and Cliff felt a shiver. He hated that look on his son's face. What pony? The whimpy unicorn? "Oh what? That one unicorn who the demonys ignored because of his lousy magical resources? Are you going to bring a nerd to fight magic-eaters with MAGIC?! Have you gone completely mad?!" He felt more insulted than anything. His son was taunting him to the end, he had no plan, he had no item or machine to aid him this time! Empty threats! Alonso made a movement with one of his hooves, throwing the long trench-coat to the side. On his back, cramped against him, was the smaller pony! The night-sky-coloured astronomer! Clinging to the fuzzy giant for all he was worth! "Father, my trumph-card!" Crisp fell off and landed on the floor, the fear in his eyes could be seen for miles. Cliff laughed. And behind him, the army of demonys had gathered, ready to attack on their summoners command, now that Celestia had little more to offer them but her very life-force. She was conscious, she heard and saw, but was unable to even formulate her own thoughts anymore. She could just observe and witness... feeling helpless. Alonso stuffed a hoof into his saddlebags, pulling out a strange device that looked almost like a metallic bottle... "Father... you robbed me of m'crystals... leaving me without our native power for our machines... but forgot something. THEIR energies are very small, yet can fuel and run our machines with their natural magical energies..." The giant kicked himself up to his hind-legs, standing tall like a monster and in the same movement lifting up the smaller Crisp, who could do little but give out a eep as he was elevated! With the other hand, Alonso held the bottle-like apparatus's bigger end to his father, showing the hole in it intended for crystals to power it. Cliff looked at his son with confusion, but then a thought struck him. Then panic. He looked at the deep, crystal-shaped hole in the machine, and to the unicorn his son was holding. Unicorn... Horn! Their source of magic! "Kill them!!" Cliff shouted, and the army of demony's rushed! The tidal-wave of red-bound, arcane creatures swarmed towards the giant and his side-kick, and he grinned. Just as planned. He jammed the device onto the horn of Crisp, who felt the inner machines cramp around it. Standing on his hind legs, he held his companion with both front legs and hooves like a giant gun. And grinned. "Fillies and gentlecolts... THIS, IS, MY, HEAD-CANNON!" He roared with a devilish grin, and aimed. The second after, a blinding blast filled the throne-room! Several of the marvellous windows flew into shards, the many flags waves ferociously and ripped in places, as the magic-powered lightning-blast shot through the giant room! The charging waves of demony's were all too close to eachother, and the electrical power spread through them all! Making them all cry in agony as the lightning made it impossible for them to control their gathered energies in the pain! Shots of red beams of pure energies explored into an impossible firework! Striking everything in sight, and what was not alive was pulverized by the concentrated magical resources! Celestia was struck by several, and felt as if her heart had been stopped this entire time, but now kicked into life! Some of her energies had been restored! Alonso took a few blasts as well, and felt his muscles cramp in his body due to the energies that filled him. Crisp was hit once as well, which caused his own magic to explode as it was all already being sucked out of him! The bottle-like device gave out a last blast from the red-hot tip, a blast powerful enough to fully vaporise the demonic creatures bindings, making it impossible for them to remain in this realm. The overload had broke the device, that now was smoking hot and fell off Crisp's horn, falling to the floor were it fizzled and began to burn in some places. The throne-room was destroyed, utterly so. The demonys was little more then ink-stains here and there, and fizzling orbs of manifested arcane that was slowly consuming themselves into nothingness. Celestia managed to force herself up on her legs with the little energy she had been given back, and look at the devastation of her once so beautiful throne room... Crisp slowly opened his eyes. He felt sore all over, like if he had been training like mad for days and then fallen asleep, now his body was paying the price. He was laying in the most comfortable bed he had ever tried, and everything was virgin-white. The room was large and luxurious, fresh fruit and fine pastries on the table next to him along with bottles of the finest wine and spring water. He heard a strange noise though, and found that Alonso was resting in a awkward pose in a seemingly comfortable, if far too small couch. "I am glad to see that you have awoken, my dear astronomer." Celestia's silken voice filled the room as she entered, looking tired, but otherwise no worse for the weather. She walked up to Crisp and bowed her head, making his near panic as he tried to bow, but his body would not allow him. "Please, Crisp, do rest. You have done more for this kingdom than anyone could ask for a mortal pony. Had it not been for you, I dare not think what would have happened. You were nearly completely drained of your magic, before the boost of stolen magic overflowed you... Being both drained and then overcharged in such a short time took it's toll on your body, but you are not in any danger. Just extreme exhaustion. Please, any comfort my castle can offer is at your leisure." Celestia bowed again, and smiled at him. "And once you have recovered, I will reward the two of you most gratefully." An hour or so later, Alonso awoke. He was quite cheery to see his new-found friend awake and alive. Explaining that he felt so bad for the accidental overflow he had not planned for Crisp to get exposed too, that he had not left the room since the accident. Crisp could not help but feel humbled. Both the princess and this mad hunter were both caring so for him.. They both talked for a while, Alonso shared what he knew about the rebuilding of the throne room, that there was nothing to worry about. Unicorns were working to restore it to tip-top shape. He also explained the troublesome news that in the explosion of demony energies, his father had vanished. No-one had seen him, but soldiers were searching for him both on the ground and from the sky, he could not have gotten far without the help of his students, who all had been found unconscious in the prison. He had apparently turned on them and had the demonys suck them dry of magic... And while the escape of Cliff was troublesome for Crisp, he felt at ease knowing that the kingdom was safe. Alonso also informed him that there would not be any more summoning's for at least another year, as the alignment of the stars only give that effect that one time. That gave Crisp enough comfort to slide back to sleep with a smile. A couple of days later, Crisp Scope was back on his hooves. He felt more energized than ever, in fact. Alonso joked about that it was possibly because he had never slept during the nights, but seriously explained that the extreme exposure to both magic drain and overcharge might have empowered the poor stargazer. Crisp did not mind though, he felt great! The throne room looked as if nothing had happened. It was filled with ponies in fancy clothes and hairstyles from all over the kingdom. Barons, Ambassadors and those sharing royal blood, along with ponies from more casual positions and scholars. The celebration was about to start, and the cheering was making Crisp blush as he and the giant walked down the long, red carpet. Crisp himself was clad in a very traditional Equestrian suit, white with golden ropes and buttons keeping the attire together. His mane and tail had been cared for by the princess's private servants, while Alonso wore the same ragged trench coat as ever... Crisp had at least managed to make him NOT wear the hat while they entered. They both reached the area in front of the stairs, and the cheering died now as Celestia was to speak. "Ponies of Equestria... I wish to tell you all a tale. A short, a strange, but a true one nonetheless. A few days ago, this pony who's physical size is rivalled only by his courage, Alonso Alonsy, saved a subject of mine. Saved him from a threat unheard of in our lands. This pony, a wise stallion who's sharp mind noticed the signs years before any of us, is with us today. A star-gazer who's loyalty to his country is only rivalled by his self-sacrifice, Crisp Scope." The audience cheered wildly for the both, and in the crowd Crisp could see his parents as well! His mother crying rivers of pride and his father holding a handkerchief beneath his giant moustache. He blushed brightly, and Celestia went on. "These two ponies took it upon themselves to seek me out to warn us about an upcoming threat, a danger not heard of in our lands, as it originated in the distant north. A few of you may have heard of the legends of Demony and Angelus. They are real." There was a gasp in the audience. "So real, in fact, that had these two heroes been but a few hours too late, Canterlot as we know it today would have fallen. Only hours after their warning, the enemy struck. Using powers even my wisest scholars and most ancient tomes were unaware of, and took the entire castle off guard due to this." The was a murmur amongst the ponies, they had all seen the explosion in the throne-room, the glass shattering and heard the tales from either friends or family that worked as guards in the castle of what had happened. "But the foe has been defeated. The threat, has not. The master of these demonic creatures has eluded our scouts and searches. Master Alons-y has informed me that it is not impossible that he will try again in Equestria, as we are a country rich on magic-users... Therefor I wish to warn you all about this. But, for now the enemy has been defeated! Heroes rose to face the challenge where I could not. Heroes that no-pony asked, but did so out of free will. For this, I bow." Celestia stood up, and lowered her head and body to the two on the carpet. The entire audience bowed as well, and Crisp felt as if he REALLY could use some of that nerv-calming gum right now. The only thing that helped him stay in reality was that he now heard his mother crying loudly out of pride... oh mother.. "Please... master Alonso Alons-y. Would you step forth?" Celestia asked, and the giant obliged with a soft nod and his ever-calm smile. Stepping closer to the stairs, Celestia walked down them until she stood just in front of him. "For your courage and actions, for saving Equestria though you share no duties or bounds to this land, I hereby grant you the title of Guardian. You have my full support at any time, should you need the air of my soldiers, scholars or library for your selfless work and unique abilities." With that she lifted a beautiful medal in solid gold from a nearby pillow with her magic, but when attempting to attach it to his trench coat, Alonso moved it slightly and brought forth the inside of it. "All due respect, m'lady, but I ain't one to show off or flash such things." He smiled humbly, and Celestia giggled softy. She attached it to the softer inside-cloth, and took another step closer, placing a thankful kiss on the nearly same-sized pony's forehead. A tradition that was still used in this time of Equestria. "Now, would Crisp Scope please step forward?" She turned to the normal-sized pony with the white mane, who nodded nervously and walked with stiff legs to his princess. Alonso took a few steps back out of respect for his friend. In the audience, the mother of the astronomer could be heard crying loudly again. "Sir Crisp Scope. For your endless and hard work for both me and my academy in the subject of astronomy and it's effect on magic, and for your heroic patriotism to Equestria, for rising to warn us all and than joined into a fight against a foe and impossible odds... I grant you the title of Arch-scholar. I offer you the full support of my academy and private library for your studies in your field, and shall have a proper astronomy tower and telescope built in the town of where you resign." Crisp nearly fainted then and there. A real astronomy tower? The thoughts in his mind swirled with the possibilities that opened up! How much further would he not be able to see with such resources? How many more galaxy's could he not explore with such a powerful scope?! He blinked as he realized that his mind had frozen him, and only the fact that Celestia was placing a beautiful medal on a golden chain around his neck snapped him out of it. Celestia then bowed down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead as well, causing his dark-blue fur to turn more purple and red on his face. And in the audience he could hear his father yelling proudly: "That's my boy! Haha!" The princess stepped back, as did Crisp to stand next to Alonso again. "Guardian Alonso Alons-y. Arch-scholar Crisp Scope. Equestria as a whole is in your dept. Your have both my personal blessing, and gratefulness. And before I will give everyone in here a break from my speeches and let you enjoy the feasts... I would ask of you all to join me in a final cheer for these two heroes!" And the cheers echoed. They say that even the ponies of Alonso's homeland to the north could hear it, and that the norse-horses stomped their large hooves against the mountains in pride over their son. It is said that the stars themselves sparked even brighter that night, so that they too would be able to cheer for their beloved gazer. And while this ends the tale for now about Alonso Alons-y, and the friend he made in Equestria, the story has yet to go on... The old pony closed the book, smiling at the children. He had not noticed that it had been far longer then the established hour, and most of the fillies parents had arrived, but stood silently in the background. Enjoying the sight of their children enchanted and in amaze over the story. As well as listening in to it themselves. There was quite a bit of clapping and cheering, and the old pony chuckled humbly. He sat in by the window, making some final touches to his book by signing it and writing a thank to every single filly of the school for listening to it, and watched them walk home with their parents along the lit roads in the darkness. It warmed his heard to see them play, interact scenes from his story, shouting "Alons-y!", and even some parents joining into the fun. Lifting their small ones up to have them act as the "head-cannon" to their shining glee. He wiped a few tears. This was an authors joy. To see his work loved and adored. And he intended to keep the promise of writing more for these wonderful fillies.
A mad pony faces a friendChapter 5. A mad pony faces a friend. The snow laid thick on every spot imaginable. Every branch, roof, wagon or fence had a hoof-tall pile of it. The roads were kept shovelled by both hired ponies and volunteers, because even if the snow was not so deep for most adults, it certainly was for the fillies on their way to school. The hours were mostly dark these days, but the snow made it a lot easier to see as it reflected what little light buildings or lamps emitted, and the young ones rejoiced! Snow was wonderful to play in! Even if you could not yet make good snowballs out of the tiny crystals, it was fun to just roll around in the chilly fluff or spaz out in it. There was another group of ponies who also appreciated the cleaned and shovelled roads, the elders. While they were tall enough to walk the snow, their age cost them a lot of strength. And one particular elder of this town was indeed walking the prematurely dark afternoon towards the school building. The old pony had been there more times then he could remember, and this time he had brought his large book! The same one he always wrote in, and was to read the next chapter to an expecting and hungry audience. When he arrived the fillies where still out playing in the snow, and who could blame them? But upon seeing the old storyteller, they swarmed him for a few moments before hastily making their way inside, where their teacher had prepared hot cocoa for them all to regain some heat. She and the old pony exchanged smiles and a few phrases, before the fillies began to push and pull the old one towards the classroom. "Now then... Do you remember where our story left us?" The old pony said as he made himself comfortable behind the counter in the large room, sipping his refreshing hot drink. An all-over-pink pony waved a hoof with eagerness. "Oh! Oh! I know! Alonso and Crisp had gotten thanked and medallio-... medalled by the princess for saving her!" The old one chuckled with a nod. "Indeed. So shall we begin a new story?" He needed not ask again, for the classroom became a blur of mixed colours in a wave of nodding, and with a smirk he began. Crisp Scope, the blue-maned and night-sky-coloured astronomer, was relaxing in his favourite chair in his observatory. The building had been constructed on the order of Celestia herself, and was everything he had dreamt of and more! A giant telescope, a smaller library of both his own books and from the academy, scrolls upon scrolls with charts of the stars that he had mapped out over the years... and best of all, a hideously green chair that he loved for the comfort! His parents had never been so proud of him, his mother bailing her eyes out during the ceremony and his father's chest could not have pouted out more of pride. They had forced him to stay in their home in Canterlot to make up for the past years of which they had not seen him much. At least for a few days, then he went home to pack. The construction of the observatory had not taken long. When the princess herself orders for something to be build, you bet your bits on that it will be quickly! The best unicorns in construction and the strongest eartherns pulled and placed everything, and I do mean everything, into place in just two month's time! Crisp had his own house on the first floor of the tower-like building, the second was the study with his books, maps, scrolls and whatnot, and the third was the observatory itself. A dome-shaped room with a roof that did not only hold the giant scope attached, but could also spin around with the press of a pedal! Crisp could not escape glee'ing every time. It had been a year since the construction was finished, and Crisp felt as if he had lived his whole life here by now. A year and two months since the incident that triggered the event that lead to his new home, and he could not help but think of what happened to Alonso after that. The giant "norse-horse" had just vanished. Crisp had several times tried to mail the pony, having hired the best mail carriers and given them an accurate description of the giant and his full name, but he never got a response. So instead, he just kept doing his work as best as possible, knowing he had the princess's personal appreciation to meet and please! His family visited him from time to time, something he had learned to appreciate once more, now that he was not just the nerd and bookworm of the family, but a rewarded and titled scholar! And while we could focus on any day of the time mentioned that has passed, we are going to focus on the day when things once again became more interesting... Crisp awoke with a gasp. He knew that faint sound that echoed through his home! That was the sound of the telescope-roof turning! Someone was tinkering with his beloved machine! He grabbed the bat he always kept above his bed, a lesson learned from the night of the demony-summon, and charged up the stairs! It was dark, but his eyes was used too it after all the years of gazing into the black space! He saw somepony sitting in his green chair, operating the whole thing, and he charged with his bat held above his head with his magic! Smack! The sound of the hard impact rang and echoed through the dome with enhanced ambiance! The pony in the chair tilted to the side, and turned to Crisp, who had tripped over something on the floor and fallen face-first into the floor, causing the sound. He accidentally dropped the bat on impact with his own floor, and it rolled over it. The pony in the chair walked over to the astronomer, who was starting to recover. "Never the nimble one, ey?" A booming voice said with a hint of friendly sarcasm, and the dizzy stargazer felt himself being lift up from the floor. He noticed the height of which he was elevated, and knew this height and voice belonged to only one pony. He sighed, his face hurting. "Why would you break into my home after have been gone like a ghost for over a year?" He grunted and turned to his friend. His friend was not his friend. Crisp's eyes grew wide and his blood began to rush. It was not Alonso. It was the cultist father of his giant comrade, the same one who tried to overthrow Celestia! "Cliff?!" "Indeed... Now, why do you not have a -seat-." Said the elder giant, and tossed Crisp like a ragdoll into his own green chair, where he landed surprisingly uncomfortably. "Look into your device, young one. And tell me what you see. And if you oppose me, I will snap your neck." Cliff said with a calm, superior and self-sure voice. Crisp himself was scared near senseless. He had nearly forgotten that the guards and scouts never DID find the cult-leader, and never in his wildest fantasies would he expect the father of Alonso to turn up HERE! Out of fear for his life, as he knew what the elder one was capable of, he did as he was told. "... I... I see the Lauren Constellations, what about them?" He said nervously as it took him a few seconds to recognise the stars without charts or maps, just memory. He looked to where Cliff had stood a second ago, and realized he was gone! His voice however, spoke, now from the other side of the room. How had he gotten there soundlessly so fast? "Indeed. Now tell me, do you know what is so special about said constellations? Of course you do not. Those stars can only be seen from Equestria. Named after the very mother of Celestia and Luna, who's fate and whereabouts are a mystery to this day. A spell was cast upon those stars to only be visible from her daughters lands..." Crisp blanked, he was indeed not aware of this, and was starting to get worried. The cultist leader had over a year ago summoned demony's with the help of stars, but when a year had passed and the 'demony dance' stars had glowed red like before, but neither Alonso or anything else supernatural had appeared. "Now you see, I noticed that the sky here looked different during my last... shall we call it a visit?" He chuckled. "And I did some digging around. Tell me, do you know WHY unicorns are mostly born in Equestria? Why not other countries have the same connection to magic?" He turned to Crisp with a nasty smirk, who shook his head. "It is not only the blood of the princesses that courses through you all, it is because of the blessing of Lauren. As you very well know, stars effect magic. That is your job to study after all... But did you know that they effect how many even can be born with magical abilities? Equestria is placed so that it is always in the centre of the most powerful stars and constellations, all of them always shining their energies here... So tell me, why hide one of them?" Crisp did not like where this was going. He had never heard of that a constellation could be hidden, even though he knew that different stars were only visible from some parts of the world, and that different countries had completely different stars in the sky! "I... I do not know..." "Good." Cliff said, and walked over to a pile of star charts. "My visit here had several reasons. To take a closer look at my suspicion, to obtain a few accurate charts of them, thank you for that by the way." He bowed as he stuffed a few freshly made maps and charts into his saddlebag. "And to make sure of your ignorance." The elder pony began to walk closer to the Crisp again, with a demonic smirk on his face. "You see, if the most educated and dedicated star-studier in Equestria does NOT know the secret of the Lauren Constellation, then I doubt many others does, and that many others would be able to detect me in time, this time..." There was something strange about Cliff. Something was new about him. The elder pony seemed more energized then the last time, he moved silently for his massive body, and his eyes felt... familiar... It was then that Crisp saw it. When the elder stepped into the stream of moonlight that entered through the roof, he saw what he could not before. On the forehead of the elder pony was a horn. Not a physical one, it looked as if it was made entirely out of magic. Like the bodies of the demonys! And not only that, but it looked as if it had a magical shape of a crystal shard, and through the swirling energies it was made of, he could see that it was a hole straight into Cliff's head. As if a crystal had penetrated his head and turned partly invisible! Cliff chuckled as he noticed the fright in Crisp's eyes. "Do you like it? I must say that it took me a while to learn how to control or even live with it... suddenly becoming an unicorn when not designed for it from birth is... bothersome. But it matters not to you. Dead ponies does not speak." Crisp felt his body locked. Something was restraining him with magic, and he could see the 'horn' on Cliff's head glowing as it channelled arcane energies... he had really been turned into an unicorn! But that is impossible! He felt himself starting to cry, he did not want to die at the hooves of this... this monster of a pony! "No!! Somepony help! Please! Anypony!!! Alonso!!" He began to scream in terror as he felt the magic cramp around his entire body, threatening to crush him! The air was filled with the sadistic laughter of Cliff as he enjoyed the pathetic begging and whimpering of his victim, a perverted pleasure of his. "ALONS-Y!!" The laughter was drowned in the battle-shout! As the dome-shaped roof cracked and opened a hole, from which a second giant pony fell through! He landed with a heavy crunch, as small bits of rock and hardened clay from the roof was crushed beneath his massive hooves! "Let'im go!" The booming voice commanded! Crisp could barely react, as something shot out from Alonso the second he shouted, and struck the elder pony on the side of the head, causing him to roar in pain as whatever it was sparked of electricity! The hold Cliff had on Crisp dropped, and the astronomer quickly crawled out of his chair and stumbled over to Alonso. "Why must you always get in the way?!" The elder one roared at his son, and his horn glowed brightly with energies as he built up a spell! But Alonso would not move, he stood still and glared at his father, allowing Crisp to hide behind him. There was a crack in the air as the older of the two giants fired his spell, a large beam of violent arcane energies! Alonso did not move, but Crisp screamed as he witnessed the destructive force move against them! But nothing happened. The pony in the trench coat remained still, and the beam simply disappeared upon reaching a few inches from his fur... As if it got sucked into him, as if he drained it, absorbed it! Once it was fully gone, only Alonso and Crisp remained in the room. Torn maps and bits of rubble all over the floor with small fragments of paper and dust swirling in the air. The blast of the arcane beam had caused a lot of destruction to whatever fragile paper or maps there was in the room. "... Y'alright Crisp?" Alonso said after a few long, silent seconds. And a soft whimper indicated that his friend indeed was. "Sorry I'm late, mate. Th' bastard tied me up good." He said with a soft voice and his always-relaxed smile. Crisp got to his hooves and looked around at his observatory. It had a hole in the delicate roof, the paperwork he kept here was destroyed, and the beam that Cliff had fired had burned half of his favourite chair straight off in the force. "... I am really going to miss that chair... " He said with a sigh, before motioning for Alonso to follow him down the kitchen to make some tea for the both... There was ALOT of explaining to do... The old pony smirked and looked out at the class of fillies, who all was looking at him with expecting eyes, and they all moaned as he closed the book, signalizing it was the end of the chapter. There was plenty of questions to be answered, and several parents had already arrived to pick their young ones up, but allowed them to stay and ask. Of course, the old writer answered very little as always, keeping not only the mystery of the story going, but planting seeds of fantasy in the children's minds. Letting them come up with their own theories, about how the norse-horse became a unicorn, what the Lauren constellation had to do with anything, how Alonso knew where Cliff was, how and why he had been tied up, and more. Enjoying a second cup of cocoa with the lovely teacher of the class, the both watched the fillies walk home with their parents, chatting eagerly with them and asking questions about the stars, expecting their parents to be able to point out the glowing dots from the story. The two chuckled, and returned to the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.
