For Whom The Bell Tolls

Chapter 2: Getting Off on the Wrong Foot. .  Or Hoof?

The bell’s choir rang with the same intensity it has always had, and the emotion had not died down at all. In the streets, the people cheered. Like a second festival of fools, merriment was anywhere that one laid their eyes. Even talk about making today an official holiday was being spread like wildfire. Up above, though, where the intimate celebration was held, a small dilemma arose.

“Psst, Quasimodo.” a small voice whispered close behind the hunchback, but just loud enough to be heard over the bells.

“Ack!” Quasi jumped in surprise.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shock you boy.” the old man gave Quasi a smile, still close to the young man.

“Archdeacon? What are you doing up here? And why are we whispering next to the bell?”

“Heh, well I didn’t want to interrupt the. . moment. But the matter I wanted to address requires your assistance.”

“What would that be?”

“We’ve still been repairing from the attack a couple of months ago, and we needed help lifting some materials. Would you be so kind as to lend a hand?”

“O-Of course, I can come right now.”

“What about your friends?”

Quasi and the Archdeacon both quickly glanced at Phoebus and Esmeralda.

“I think they’ll be okay.”

With modest haste, the two men descended down the one flight of stairs, then proceeded out the door of the bell tower. Unbeknownst to the loving couple, they were now alone. Separating from each other, they looked in one another's eyes, both their minds and hearts reveling in the beauty of their situation. Until the finally did notice the lack of persons in the tower.

“‘Where did Quasi go?” Esmeralda asked.

“Went back out on his walk, other bell ringer duties, help with church repair, saw something that caught his eye--” Phoebus stopped when saw his fiancees displeased look. “Look, he’s his own man and probably had other things he had to attend to. But if I were to guess, he would want us to enjoy the gift he gave us.

“--sigh-- I guess you’re right. He probably wouldn’t want us to miss out on this view either,” the gypsy slowly strolled over to the large window, followed closely by Phoebus.

“It looks like we aren’t the only ones to get something out of Quasi's gift,” the captain pointed down at the eccentric townspeople below. Esmeralda laughed, the contagious joy infecting her, then her husband. They settled down for a moment, and at that time a strange noise pulsated behind them. Turning around a bright light of pink and white radiated brilliantly in front of them.

Slowly two black silhouettes formed in the light. They were smaller than an average sized person but bigger than most animals. The most noticeable feature was a large triangular shape that was becoming more and more profound. Until the light finally died away and revealed two. . equine's.

“Phoebus.”

“Yes?”

“You see the two horses in front of us, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good, I was just checking to see if I was still sane,” Esmeralda said, approaching the royal couple.

“Do you really think that that’s a good idea?” Phoebus gripped Esmeralda just enough to stop her.

“I don’t know. . That’s why I’m going,” she broke the grip of the captain and started again. Her lover tripping over his own words, failing to explain his opinion on the situation.

Esmeralda’s smile was normally able to brighten any situation, her smile now would be able to reflect candlelight from a mile away. She extended her arm to Princess Cadence, who had a similar conversation with her husband. It went unheard by the human couple, do to their own shock by the royal couples reveal.

The gypsy's hand was a fascinating spectacle to the crystal princess. With focused eyes, she made mental notes about every groove, appendage, scar and scratched that donned the creatures’ hand. It was a subtle movement, but Cadence approached the gypsy with tiny steps.  She then shifted her gaze to Esmeralda’s kind and unassuming emerald eyes. Esmeralda looked at Cadence’s deep purple orbs, feeling nothing but kindness radiating from the creature.

Just as the two were about to make contact, Shining Armor jumped between them both. His horn threatened a blue colored death. The enraged knight spooked the gypsy off her feet, demonstrating his dominance over her.

“Get back!” Phoebus drew the attention of the other male, his sword not two inches away from the equines face. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll back up,” his voice uncharacteristically serious.

Shining growled in response until his wife grew tired of his antics.

“What in the name of all that is good do you are doing?!?”

“I'm stopping you from making a bad decision.”

“You have no right--”

“I have all the right to defend you from any danger, even if you don’t see it!”

“You’re acting insane!”

“You’re not hurt, right? Then I must be doing something correct then!”

“I wasn’t danger, and you attacked a civilian!”

The couple continued to bicker back and forth. Esmeralda and Phoebus, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed. There were talking ponies. In front of them. Talking, to each other. In a language, they could understand. Phoebus looked on in horror, Esmeralda with glee, both with their own summation of the scene.

“Terrifying.”

“Awesome.”

“I can’t believe you! Not even ten seconds and you're attacking the first thing that moves.” Cadence rubbed her temples, her brain failing to figure out the motives of her husband.

“What if that thing took you, hm? What would happen then?”

“I think you're forgetting who’s the alicorn here dear.” Cadence’s deadpan expression made her husband stop for just a second, enough for an interjection.

“Now this is a touching conversation, it really is, but if I may so bold as to ask WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU!” Phoebus's shouts reverberated in the surrounding bells.

“Oh yes, right. Excuse me, my name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. This charming stallion here is my husband, Shining Armor.” Cadence bowed, her tone mostly mirthful, until the description of Shining.

“Uh huh, Esmeralda you still hear them talking right?” Phoebus asked to his still prone wife.

“Yes dear.”

“Ok, good, I’m still relatively sane.” Phoebus sighed brushing sweat from his brow. Esmeralda took her feet.

“And my name is Esmeralda and this is my husband to be, Phoebus.” the gypsy copied the bow from Cadence, her husband awkwardly following suit.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, right Shining Armor?” Cadence started expectantly.

“Um, yeah sure.” the stallion grunted quietly.

“Pfft Shining Armor.” the other captain laughed to himself quietly, returning to a vertical base.

“What was that!?!”

“Your name, Shining Armor, it’s hilarious.”

“Oh and yours is so much better, Phoebus. It sounds like the name of a fish!”

“I’ll have you know that it means sun god!”

Cadence and Esmeralda buried their heads in the hands (and hooves). It took them second but they willfully began ignoring the two hotheads. They joined each other for a small tour around the bell tower. During the stroll the two began swapping stories about their respective lives. The princess told about how she and her husband met while in school and had been in love ever since. She also told about a shape shifting queen that wanted to use her power to drain the love from Shining to take over Equestria. Esmeralda said that she met Phoebus as a result of a sex crazed judge that threatened to burn down the entire city unless she slept with him.

“. .Really?”

“Yep.”

“Wow, so Phoebus saved you. Must of been romantic.”

“Well, it wasn’t just him, to be fair.”

“There was someone else?”

“Yes, in fact he’s the one that rings all these bells.” Esmeralda motioned around her.

Cadence widened her eyes.

“That’s the reason why we’re here. We heard a lovely bell, and just wanted to know what it was.”

“You heard a bell, from where?”

“The Crystal Empire.”

“I. . see, well, there was a bell Phoebus and I rang just before you got here.”

“Oh please you must ring it again. It was so very gorgeous.”

“I don’t see why not. Come, we’ll collect the guys and both of you can give it a test pull.

Cadence squeed in delight. The two began their return to their significant others when they noticed the sound of bickering had disappeared from the air. They arose from the staircase to the sight of two males exchanging stories of their own.

“Yeah, if you spend any extended time around here, you’ll see the kind of monsters that dwell here. But it makes me just that more determined to keep the citizens here safe.” Phoebus's words rung clear to the unicorn who nodded his head.

“I know, right? And it doesn’t matter how many times you throw somepony away in jail, three more criminals pop up to take their place.” Shining sighed, a comforting hand falling on his shoulder.

“It’s good to see you two boys are getting along.” Cadence commented.

“Yeah, it’s amazing what happens when you start talking instead of fighting. It works wonders.” Esmeralda stung the two men with her words.

After quick small talk, the ladies revealed their plans for Aime Ton. No one seemed to have any qualms with the plan, until Quasimodo came back to the mind of Cadence.

“Esmeralda, didn’t you say there was a bell ringer that helped save you? Would it be okay if Shining and I meet him. He sounds like a real great guy.”

“Ohhh, yes! We must get Quasi, I want to see his face when we show him this. I guarantee he’s going to faint.” Phoebus had enough trouble trying to say his part through his laughter, but walking added to the difficulty.

“We’ll be right back with him, then we can all get a ring on Aime Ton.” Esmeralda called out to Cadence, trying to balance the blonde captain in his laughing daze.

“Okay, we’ll be waiting right here for you!” Cadence waved at the departing couple. “So what did you guys talk about while I had girl talk?”

“Nothing much I just figured out we both have been captains of a military force. It was actually really nice to relate like that to another pony. . thing.”

“I’m glad you found a friend and loosened up somewhat. . So I wonder what the rest of these bells sound like?”

“Thanks Quasi, we never would of been able to fix those doors without lifting them up first.” the Archdeacon gave a small head nod to the bell ringer.

“It’s-no-problem. My- pleasure.” Quasi said in between breaths.

While getting pats on the back from various church goers, a jumbled tune began to play. Everyone looked in the general direction of the bell tower with utter confusion by the music. Quasi, being the most worried, quickly said his goodbyes and climbed up the front of Notre Dame. Each chipped block and ornate design that made up the church served as stepping stones and ledges for the climb. The travel was nothing new so it took a relatively short amount of time. Finally he reached the top, and strolled into a windowless opening, just above the bells.

Quasimodo was questioning if the sudden altitude was giving him hallucinations. A white horse with a horn and a pink horse who also had a horn but with the addition of wings played in his tower. They’re smiles told so much about their emotions. Maneuvering in between various bells and architecture with beautiful precision and grace. Quasi couldn’t help but smile at the scene himself, and when really looked at the situations, his closest friends for most of his life was talking stone, this wasn’t really that weird.  Although the noises they were making with the bells would probably make some trouble for the confused townspeople. So reluctantly Quasi dropped down to confront the ponies.

“It looks like you guys are having a lot of fun, but could you be a little bit more careful. Don’t want the townspeople to think I’ve gone insane now do we?” Quasi laughed a little bit. Cadence and Shining armor looked over at who said that.

It looked like something out of a nightmare.

It’s freakish shape and face was enough to turn the stomach of the staunchest manticore. It’s flesh wouldn’t even slightly appeal the most starved and vicious griffon. There is no doubt that if this thing was brought to the Crystal Empire, every crystal capable of reflecting an image, would shatter as soon as this beast comes close.

Acting purely on self preservation both magic wielders aimed their horns at the monster. .

And fired.

A blast of blue and pink light ran across the platform like violent wind blowing down a prairie. In a second the attack landed dead on Quasi’s chest, sending him against the wall, and back to the ground. The ragdoll effect coupled with the magical release created a loud noise, especially for anyone in Notre Dame.

“I guess what Phoebus said was true, monsters will pop out of nowhere around here, if you wait long enough.” Shining’s chest moved up and down, his horn with a single smoke signal lifting off of it.

“That was a little close for comfort.” Cadence shakily whispered.

“Wait right here, I’m going to see if it’s still conscious.”

Shining began to walk over to the down Quasi, his wife's weak protests answered by a quick smile shot back occasionally. His strides longer than normal he was by the hunchbacks side in a moment. He lied face down, on his wound. Shining flipped Quasi to see what the combined attack had done. The limp body went over easily. On the mans chest was a large bluish pink pulsating wound. It’s presence just slightly etched into his skin. His face growing more pale than his normal state. His breathe very weak.

“He’s not getting back up.” Shining stated, to the relief of his wife.

“Phew. I got to say that I have a newfound respect for Phoebus and Esmeralda, if these creatures walk around daily.” Cadence visibly relaxed.

“Hey is everything okay up there? We heard a loud crash!” The voice of a worried Esmeralda yelled from the entrance of the bell tower.

“A monster snuck in here, but it's not a problem anymore. Shining and I dealt with it.” Cadence shouted back, to the confusion of Phoebus  and the horror of Esmeralda.

“What do they mean by monster?” Phoebus asked.

“I don’t know, but I think we should go see.” Esmeralda said already in full sprint, fearing the worst. ‘We didn’t see anything pass on our way down, and the only thing that can get up the outside of the church that isn’t a bird. . Please, don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him!’

It wasn’t a minute later than a terrible scream rang throughout the bell tower.

“Esmeralda! ESMERALDA!” Phoebus shouted trying to get a response but getting none.

His armor weighed him down, but now was not the time to be stopped by something as petty as that. He put every ounce of power he could into his legs, trying to cut through the air like a sword. Phoebus pounded up the stairs, each step with the ferocity of a thousand soldiers. He bounded up the remaining steps. Phoebus stopped.

Esmeralda was cradling a lifeless Quasimodo in her arms.

“Everythings going to be alright, you’re going to be okay Quasi.” she choked passed tears to say.

“What happened!?!” Phoebus slid into the scene, his hands helplessly floating in front of him.

“He’s-He’s-He. .” Esmeralda couldn’t bring herself to say it. Phoebus turned to the ponies.

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO!?!”

“I-It came at us, we thought it was a monst--” Cadence tried but was cut off.

“You idiot! You attacked an innocent man, my best man. . my best friend."  Phoebus was gritting his teeth, his shaking hand embracing the hilt of his sword.

“Don’t you call my wife an id--” Shining was also cut off.

“I’ll call either of you whatever the hell I want! You took his life!” the sword was know fully unsheathed as the man couldn’t hold back his tears.

“I don’t want to do this Phoebus.” Shining said dangerously as he prepared his horn, Phoebus didn’t reply, he just charged, his sword ready and thirsting to take a life.

“Stop! We can still save it!”

Both men stopped and Esmeralda looked with a slight glimmer of hope in her teary eyes.

“We have doctors in the Crystal Empire that specialize in magic related injuries if we hurry we can save it!” Cadence shouted with every last bit of air in her lungs, leaving her breathless.

“Bring them to the Crystal Empire, Cadence are you sure?”

“It’s our fault this happened, now we need to fix it. So, are you coming?”

Phoebus looked at his sword then at his wife, wordlessly they agreed on an option. Esmeralda started the lift up the hunchback, fully being able to do so when her husband dashed over to her and rested Quasimodo on his back.

“Let me help carry him.” Esmeralda pleaded tearfully.

“Not in your condition, I couldn’t stand losing our child too.” Phoebus said quietly. “Now how do we get to this Crystal Empire?”

Shining Armor gave his wife one more look questioning her decision. She replied with a face constant of her last one. With a deep breath she began to cast a teleportation spell. Similar to the last long distance spell she used. Only this time she didn’t need a source of love to follow. She already knew the destination.

With the pink ball of magic growing from her horn, Cadence executed her teleportation spell. The spell soon expanded and engulfed every living being in the room. The only ones left were three gargoyles, frozen in a state of fear, anger, and despair.