Libellus De Monstrum
Written By: Fluttashift
Trotting along the dew-ridden, grass, Fluttershy hummed her favorite Ponytones song within the confines of her mind. Clenched in her jaws was a rather colossal, ivory, book bound with gold lace. She couldn’t help but notice Seabreeze was acting quite odd before she left, almost as if he had forgotten something. The light yellow mare was so content with having helped her newest companions, that she didn’t think much of it. As she approached the gate, Fluttershy nudged it open, placing the book on the grass as the gate door closed behind her.
“Hello, my friends,” Fluttershy greeted her animals as she snatched the book back up in her maw, and happily gallivanted into her humble abode.
A snowy white rabbit hopped up to her, folding his paws, as he thumped his foot on the ground in eager anticipation. The look on his face was one the mare knew all too well, and that meant it was feeding time. Walking into the kitchen, she set the book down on the wooden kitchen table. That’s when she noticed the front of the book, which in turn caused her to let out a surprised gasp.
On the front cover, was vine like gray structures which zig zagged their way from the four corners of it, to the center, where a picture of a monstrous, vaguely demonic head, with long, devilish horns and blood red eyes lay. It had two rows of shark-like teeth and a sinister grin plastered upon it’s intimidating mug.
W-why would Seabreeze give me this? It’s not his fault, of course, he doesn’t know how scared I am of these kinds of stories. Fluttershy shrugged it off, still deciding to take a peek within the book after feeding time. M-M-Mine as well… He did go to all this trouble to give it to me before we left… the least I could do is read it for him… for all of them… I miss them… She sighed as she snatched a porcelain blue bowl from the cupboard, placing it next to the book.
Hopping into the kitchen, Angel Bunny leapt onto the table as Fluttershy placed his favorite vegetables and fruits in the bowl. The pony smiled warmly as the rabbit dug into his food. “Enjoy,” She said softly as she went off to finish feeding the rest of her animal friends.
By the time she had finished, an hour had passed, the sun setting, readying for Luna’s raising of the moon and for the night time to settle in. Fluttershy trotted into the kitchen and gazed down at the book, her eyes widening as she laid them upon the horrific figure once more. Meeping, the mare jumped back, unprepared for the sight. Angel rolled his eyes and thumped his foot in her back hoof. Fluttershy nodded as if she understood his gesture and nervously shifted over to the hell spawn of literature.
The timid mare cautiously opened the book, her legs quaking in fear. Oh, I hope this story isn’t too scary… What if it has scary pictures?! I can’t handle another story like Ponies Lick Too! She shuddered at the thought of the traumatizing memory of the horrific old mare’s tale. Gulping, she glanced down ever so slowly, laying her eyes upon the first page. Printed in dark red was the title: Libellus De Monstrum.
Blinking, Fluttershy used her unique ability to understand the language of many creatures to read the words that would seem foreign to most. Book Of Monsters? She let out a small meep. Definitely sounds scary… Oh, well, I have to do this… for them…if I learned anything it’s that some things just have to be done whether I like it or not. Swallowing nervously, the mare began flipping through the book.
Suddenly, something caught her eye, and she stopped mid-way through the humongous book. Fluttershy blinked a few times, lowering her head a little to get a better look at the image on the right page. Depicted was a black and white sketch of monstrous creature even ponies thought were myth. The creature had the body half the body of a ferocious lion and the other a deformed, beast-like goat. It stood on four legs, the back were hooves, and in the front were a pair of lion paws, claws unsheathed. Baring a set of fangs on both heads, it was standing in grass. The beast had a long, serpentine tail, which turned out to actually be a snake’s head and body acting as a tail.
Is that a… C-C-Chimera?! I’ve heard scary stories about them when I was just a filly. They’re believed to be myth or possibly extinct, however could Seabreeze know about these creatures. Then, her eyes widened as she gulped. Could they exist in their world. Oh my, what if it hurts my little Breezie friends? I can't even think about that! I just couldn't!
Glancing to the left page, she noticed what looked like a poem in this strange language. It read:
Body of lion, body of goat
hissing tail of venomous snake
blood dripping from it’s golden coat
A feast of souls, the worlds it will forsake
Locked away, never contained
A plague of written ink
Devouring behemoth, power remain
bridging realms, destinies interlink
Oh, Chimera, rise
Enter this realm, this other place
A holocaust, everyponies demise
For this is surely what we face
Is this some kind of horror poetry book? Fluttershy was trembling. I didn’t even know they made horror poetry books… Oh my… The mare hurriedly closed the book. She exited the kitchen, Angel Bunny hopping beside her. I think one story will do it for tonight. I am kind of tired. The timid pegasus yawned.
As she began to ascend up her staircase, she heard the sound of a shattering bowl. Her eyes went wide and she ran toward the kitchen, but upon entering, was frozen in a stand still state. Fear had struck the mare at lightning quick speed, as her ears were splayed, eyes widened in utter horror. Staring upward, she gasped at the sight. On the floor was three shattered pieces of porcelain, but the book was opened to the page Fluttershy read the poem from. A small circle had formed in the center of the book, glowing an eerie green, yellow mist billowing from the strange hole.
Slowly emerging out of the hole was a lion’s paw, a deep growling coming from seemingly within the book itself. Soon, the next paw, then slowly rising out of the book, was the beast depicted in the picture, a Chimera. It’s snake tail hissed, opening it’s jaws, baring it’s fangs at Fluttershy. The mist dissipated, the portal slowly closing, as the beast let out an earth-shattering growl.
“U-U-Ummm, nice Chimera… oh you’re s-s-such a g-good boy… “ The mare said, trying to see if the creature was in fact a heartless killing machine with a taste for blood.
The beast roared in her face, spit flying from it’s maw, landing on her face, her hair blown back. “I-I-I’m gonna go…” She said at an almost inaudible volume.
Without hesitation, her wings began flapping and she flew out of the kitchen. Bursting down her front door, she flew out into the night sky, the monster bursting through the front of her house, debris crumbling outward. Animals flew helplessly away, as Fluttershy sped faster and faster forward. She flew as fast as her wings could take her, panting in fear, straining her wings. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she heard the thunderous shuffling of the pursuing abnormality of nature.
Coming into view was the large tree home of Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy soared into the home, bucking the door open, as she closed it. With her back pressed against the wooden door, she panted heavily, her heart thudding in her chest. Spike stood there, a look of shock and confusion plastered on his face. Twilight had been writing at her desk, near the window, but she had reared her head around at the noise.
“Fluttershy?!” She gasped as she saw her friend in a panicked state, “Are you okay?” The Alicorn trotted over to her friend, concern in her voice. “WHat’s wrong and why are you so shooken up?” Twilight cocked a brow, stopping in front of her the terrified mare.
“Umm...well...if you're not too busy...I...umm,” Fluttershy started not quite sure how to explain the situation, but soon a shrieking could be heard outside. Fluttershy meeped, leaping behind Twilight and cowering behind her. “There’s a monster outside… and I need your help to stop it… if you're not too busy… of course, “Fluttershy shook as she spoke ever so softly in a rather terrified tone of voice.
“A monster?” Twilight asked, sounding unconvinced, “Fluttershy, why would there be a monster outside?”
“Well, remember that book the adorable little Seabreeze gave me?” Fluttershy responded, relaxed as she stood up.
Twilight simply nodded, her left eyebrow still raise in a questioning manner.
“Oh, Twilight, I’m so, so sorry, I didn’t mean it. I read a poem from the book and the next thing I know, there’s a big, scary Chimera in my kitchen!” Fluttershy meeped at her own story.
Twilight’s questioning expression hurriedly turned to one of shock, jaw unhinged, as she asked, “A-A… Chimera?! That’s just an old mare’s tale!” Twilight shook her head, “There’s no way Seabreeze would have given you such a dangerous book. I’m sure you're just overreacting Fluttershy.”
Twilight turned and began trotting back to her desk. Then, a another loud shrieking and crashing sounds came from outside. Stopping dead in her tracks, her eyes widened as she gulped, “Maybe… we should check it out just to be safe,” She said.
The alicorn opened the door, having to force Fluttershy out the door. The door shut on the pegasus’s tail causing her to let out a meep. Twilight apologised as they looked over to the right. A small house near Twilight’s had been destroyed, now just a pile of wood, dust, and hay. A pool of blood lay on the ground near the rubble.
Fluttershy let out a scream. Twilight spun around and shoved a hoof in her mouth. “Shhhh!” She whispered. In turn, Fluttershy nodded and Twilight removed her hoof.
Cautiously trotting forward, the two headed further into town, passing more demolished structures. Limbs littered the grass while pools of blood stained it red. Fear filled both the mare’s stomachs, their hearts racing as they gazed at the bloodshed. From ahead, there was yet another screech and Twilight ran forward.
“It sounds like it came from Sweet Apple Acres, come on, Fluttershy!” Twilight sounded rather worried as Fluttershy gulped and followed her friend.
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“Ah told ya, get away from my family and off my darn farm!” Applejack shouted, lowering herself, narrowing her eyes in determination.
Leaping forward, she turned around in the air and bucked the Chimera in his face, causing the beast to yelp in pain. It flew up into the air, landing with a ground shaking thud. The mare landed on her hooves, panting. The Chimera quickly got to up, roaring an ear-splitting roar. Applejack was scared, but she wouldn’t let this monster hurt her family, her town, or her business.
The titan ran forward, swiping a paw. Applejack leapt over the beast, landing behind it. Spinning around, it leapt up into the air, coming down with it’s hooves pointed downward. The cowmare grabbed the lasso tied to her in her muzzle and twirled it in the air.
“Yeeha!” She cheered as she roped the hooves in the lasso. Squealing, the beast was slammed onto it’s back, rumbling the earth once more.
Spreading it’s legs apart, a loud ‘snap’ could be heard as the rope broke in two. Jumping to it’s paws and hooves, the creature roared, spit flying from it’s maw, colliding with Applejack’s face. It pounced onto AJ, knocking her to the ground. She let out a ‘hmph’. Staring up horror, the beast roared once again in her face, the smell of it’s breath rancid. The earth pony closed her eyes, preparing for the worst, being devoured by this monster.
Suddenly, she heard a loud bucking as the creature flew off of her, releasing the pressure on her stomach. Applejack gasped for breath as she climbed to her hooves. Glancing to her side, she saw her brother, which made her smile.
“Big Mac?” She asked in surprise.
“Eeyup,” He nodded, smiling.
“Applejack! Big Mac!” Came a familiar mare’s voice as Apple jack turned to see Twilight and Fluttershy rushing up the hill, toward them.
“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked, “Is the Chimera here?”
Applejack and Big Mac nodded, as a blood-curdling roar came from behind them. Suddenly, they heard what sounded like chuckling. Twilight and Fluttershy stopped beside AJ, who turned to see what the noise was. It was shockingly the Chimera who was indeed cackling.
“You ponies are mine to devour! It is the will of the spoken words!” Growled the Chimera, in a deep voice, sounding demonic. It’s eyes glowed red, as it slowly walked forward, it’s gaze not leaving the scared ponies.
“It can talk?” Applejack asked in a shocked manner.
Twilight shrugged, still shocked at the entire situation unfolding in front of her very eyes. Something sparked within the mare’s brilliant mind, from all her studying, she recalled something. Turning to Fluttershy, she asked, “Was the book in Trotin? L-libellus… d-e… M-monstrum? My Trotins a little rusty.”
Fluttershy nodded, “That was what it was called. It also had a very scary cover,” She turned to her friend, seeking comfort, “Why would Seabreeze give ,e this?”
Twilight smiled, “I think I know what happened though I’m still not sure why. I do however, have a plan,” She said confidently.
“Mind sharin’?” AJ asked, “We’re kinda gonna be eatin, ya know, Twi.”
Twilight closed her eyes, her horn lighting aglow, surrounded in a purple aura. Straining herself, she dug deep into her heart, pulling the magic from within herself. Blasting a ray of purple energy, the beast had leapt into the air, claws unsheathed, ready to kill and eat it’s next pony victims with joy. The Chimera was frozen in mid-air, the same purple aura slowly surrounding him. Suddenly, Twilight started to chant something,
“Hear my cry, hear my song
A being of destruction unleashed
A world of right, a nature of wrong
Heed my words and banish this beast!”
Her eyes shot open, the beast let out a roar, “Nooooo!” It was morphed into a beam of purple light, shooting into the sky and heading north, toward Fluttershy’s cottage home. The beam burst through the ceiling of the house, debris tumbling inward as animals ran to and fro in panic. It headed for the kitchen, the book blowing open as if a strong wind had done it. The beam was sucked into the book, swirling like a vortex as one last roar could be heard throughout the town. It dissipated into the book, the cover slamming shut.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch, Twilight panted. Applejack turned to the mare and asked, “Ya reckon it’s over, Twi?”
Twilight nodded, “Fluttershy, the book was lost centuries ago. It must have ended up in the Breezie world somehow. Seabreeze didn’t know it was dangerous,” Twilight explained, her breathing returning to normal.
“Yes,” Came a familiar, motherly mare’s voice from behind them as they all spun around in shock.
“Princess Celestia?!” They all exclaimed.
“Greetings, my little ponies. I sensed the book had returned to Equestria, but it seems I was a little too late. Twilight,” She said, gazing at her former pupil, “I’m proud of you for stopping that creature. How did you know the enchantment?”
Twilight smiled, “It was in one of my books,” She replied simply.
“Course,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes as the group laughed.
Now, Fluttershy, Im going to need that book to keep safe in Canterlot Castle,” The princess explained.
Fluttershy was still frozen in place, eyes wide with fear as she nodded and said, “You can have it…”
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When Fluttershy had returned home, the book was gone, nowhere to be found. The Princesses sent guards after it, but there was something nopony knew about the book. After a summoning, well, let’s just say, the book finds a new owner and a new world to terrorize.
Opening her locker, Sunset Shimmer reached in to grab the supplies she would need for the school day. A few notebooks, binders, books, pens, and an eraser, but as she pulled her supplies out, something dropped to the floor. She cursed in her head, bending down to grab the item. Shimmer gasped as she saw the book.
What’s this? Never seen this weird thing before. Might be a good horror story…
Grabbing it, she stood straight up and walked, her friends gathering beside her. Conversing, the girl didn’t notice the glowing red eyes on the front cover, nor did she hear the cackling laugh coming from it.
Libellus De Monstrum
Fin