The Bone Diaries(New)

Over in the Ponyville library, Twilight Sparkle is sitting at her desk, writing on a long, long list of questions. Spike walks over to her, placing a glass of water on the desk. “Uh, Twilight?”

“Hmm?”

“You sure you’re not over doing it a bit? I mean, that is a lot of questions after all.”

Twilight puts her pen down and turns her head towards Spike and says, “Yeah, I know it’s a lot of questions. But think about it; this is an entirely new species. I’ve read almost every single book in the Canterlot library and I don’t remember ever reading about a creature that resembles Asteroth. So this is exciting. Not to mention, he can talk! So I can ask him pretty much anything.”

“Well, yeah, but who’s to say that he’ll answer most of them?”

“Well, he does owe us anyways. We did save him by helping take care of those creatures.”

“Before or after he saved us?”

This makes Twilight silent for a moment. “Yeah, you got a point there. Still, I hope that he answers my questions.”

Before Twilight could continue talking, a voice calls out her name. “Twilight Sparkle. You wished to see me?”

“And judging by the accent, I’d have to say that’s him.” Twilight trots over to the door and opens it. “Ah, Asteroth, I see that Rarity ran into you?”

Asteroth raises one of his eyelids before responding, “No, she did not run into me. We had met up at zhe spa.”

“It’s a figure of speech.”

“A what now?”

“Never mind. Come on it.” Asteroth groans at having to go through a small opening once again but manages to squeeze through. As Twilight is gathering up her notes and questions, Asteroth takes a moment to look around. It does, indeed look like a tree from the outside, but on the inside, it is completely different. He walks over to the book self and sniffs the books there, reeling back at the smell of dust before sneezing. “Bless you.” Twilight says, eyes still on her notes. Once she organizes everything, she walks over to Asteroth and shuffles her notes. “So, would you mind if I ask you a series of questions?”

Asteroth tilts his head at the question and says, “Forgive me for answering your question with another question, but what kind of questions? And for why?”

“You’re a new species.”

“We are not.”

“Well, you are to Equestria. I've never seen a creature like you before so I’d like to write a lot of notes about your kind, maybe even turn it into a book.”

“Book?”

“Later. Anyways, may I continue with the questions?” Asteroth nods. “Excellent. Now, what can you tell me about your culture, your beliefs, that kind of stuff?”

“Hmm, well, we have four main Gods: Umbra Somnium, whoze name means ‘The Shadow of a Dream’ in our language and iz zhe Chief God of Shadows and Dreams. Lumen, whose name means ‘Light’ and iz zhe younger brother and zhe God of Time and Light. Mortem, ze God of Life, Death, and zhe Underworld. And finally, Maris Domina, who iz zhe Mistress of the Sea. They are our four Gods. And zhen zhere are zhe Twins, our two moons who forever chase each other until they are both whole once again. And zhen…”

“Wait, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but… two moons?”

“Yes, zhat iz what I said.”

“But, there aren’t two moons.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah, we only have one moon. And Princess Luna raises it every night.”

“Funny, because I distinctly remember having two moons. And zheir names are Luana and Salena. Iz zhis ‘Princess Luna’ one of your Goddesses?”

“No, she isn’t. Not exactly. Anyways, on to the next question. Do your kind have any laws or anything?”

“Hmm, well, in a way, yes.”

“And?”

“Well, zit iz hard to explain. You would have to witness zhem to understand.”

“Uhh, okay then. Next. Hmm. Eh, let’s save the questions for later. Let’s just do the physical examinations.”

“’Physical examinations’?”

“Yes. You know, see how long you are, how much you weigh, that sort of things.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Now then, if you do not mind, can you stand with your tail and head pointed straight out?”

“Uhh…”

“It’s to measure the length of your body.”

“Oh, right.”

Asteroth does as he’s asked and stands up while stretching out his tail and pointing his nose straight ahead. Twilight magically pulls a tape measure out of her desk and extends it. “Hmm, it would seem that you are about 15 feet long and 3 inches long. Stand straight up please. Uh huh, and about 4 feet at the shoulders. Alright, let’s write that down. Now then, open your jaws and lower your head please if you don’t mind. And please don’t bite me.” Asteroth does as he is told and opens his jaws. “Um, Asteroth?”

“Ehh?”

“Where are your teeth? All I see are your gums.”

“Oh, my apologies.” Then, in a flash, he extends his teeth, making Twilight jump a bit. “Zhere you go.”

Twilight puts her whole head inside of Asteroth’s mouth and begins examining his teeth. “Amazing. Retractable teeth. Every one of your teeth seems to be retractable. And you have so many. I’ve counted, at the very least, 50 teeth! And despite all these sharp teeth, you say that you’re an omnivore?”

“Uh huh.”

“Fascinating.” She takes a look at Asteroth’s canines and remembers another one of her questions. “Um, Asteroth?”

“Hmm?”

Twilight measures Asteroth’s canines, writes the length in a notebook, and says, “I keep wondering; how exactly do you talk? I mean, you don’t have any lips so saying O sounds should be impossible.”

“Ah, well, you see, my kind are capable of mimicking any sound we hear.”

“Any sound?”

Asteroth replies, “Any sound.” But instead of sounding normal, he sounds exactly like Twilight, pitch and all, earning a look from the young alicorn.

“Haha, very funny.” Twilight grins as she rolls her eyes and rolls her tape measure back up. She clears her throat and says, “Alright, that’s it for measuring your length and teeth. I don’t have the proper scales for measuring your weight so we’ll have to do that some other time.” Twilight then puts a hoof to her mouth as she lets out a loud yawn and shakes her head. “Ugh, I haven’t been able to sleep recently. Not to mention I’m a little hungry.”

Asteroth follows up her yawn with a yawn of his own. “Yes, and I am hungry az well.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure where Applejack is. She’s supposed to be gathering up food for you.” A knock is then heard on the door. “Spike! Can you get that for me please?”

“Sure thing Twilight!” Spike calls down. “Right after I get done with this comic!”

“Now Spike!”

“Ugh!” Spike folds a corner in his comic and sets it down. He then comes running down the stairs and opens the door. “Oh, hey Applejack.”

“’Ey there Spike. Twilight ‘ere?”

“Yup. Her and Asteroth both.”

“Oh, finally! I’ve been lookin’ fer them all day! Mind if I come in?”

“You can come in Applejack!” Twilight calls out.

Spike steps to the side and allows the cowpony to come in, who is carrying a rather large bag full of something in her teeth before setting it down in the middle of the room. She looks at the two and asks, “And where in tarnations have ya’ll been? I’ve been lookin’ fer ya all day long.”

Twilight chuckles nervously and answers, “Well, Asteroth went to the spa to help his wounds heal and then came here so that I can ask him questions. And what’s in the bag?”

“Food, for Mr. Hungry ‘ere. Plenty o’ fruit and veggies in this ‘ere bag from my farm, so eat up.” Applejack then grabs the bottom of the bag with her teeth and pulls it up, dumping the bag’s contents out. Apples, carrots, beans, tomatoes, a watermelon, and a few other items. Twilight gives Applejack an annoyed look for dumping food all over her floor but Applejack pretends not to notice. “It is so much fun, messin’ wit her.” She thinks to herself.

Asteroth slowly walks over to the pile of food and sniffs it. He then opens his jaws, and his tongue slinks out. But his tongue is unlike any other tongue they’ve seen before. It’s burgundy in color, 2 feet long, and is split into three 6 inch prehensile tips that vaguely looks like a hand and the three split ends are covered in tiny bards designed to hold slippery prey or hard to reach fruit. He wraps the three ends around an apple and pulls it into his mouth, closes his jaws, and crushes it, letting the juices settle in his mouth before swallowing everything. “Mmmm, zhis fruit iz rather tasty. What iz it called?”

“It’s, uh, called an apple.”

“An ‘apple’? Zit is amazing!” Asteroth then begins sniffing and tasting all the other food in the pile.

As Asteroth is gorging himself, Applejack turns Twilight around and whispers in her ear, “Did ya know that he had a tongue like that?”

Twilight whispers back, “No, I didn’t. I even examined his mouth. It looked like a normal tongue to me. It’s rather fascinating, how he uses it like a hand of some sort.”

“But he already has hands.” A chocking sound suddenly distracts them from their conversation. They turn around and see Asteroth shaking his head while coughing and gagging. “Uh, Asteroth. You alright?”

Rainbow Dash and Rarity both exit the spa, stretching their legs and, in Rainbow’s case, wings in the afternoon sun. Rarity is the first to speak up, stating, “We were in there for quite some time now. I do hope that Sweetie Bell is alright.”

Rainbow Dash rears on her back hooves and stretches a leg around the back of her head before falling back on all fours. “Oh, I’m sure she’s alright. Probably hanging out with Applebloom and Scootaloo all day, trying to earn their Cutie Marks. Same ol’ same ol’.”

“Hmm, yes, I suppose you are quite right. Still, some of the things they do are… undignified.”

“Heh, yeah, I think I know what ‘crusade’ you’re talking about. The one with the dirty prank calls.”

Rarity groans from the memory as they begin walking. “Yes, that. I still don’t know where they learned those obscene jokes.” The silence from her pegasus friend answers her question. “Rainbow Dash, you didn’t.”

“I only told Scoots a few jokes, I never expected her to actually tell the others and think that’s how to get their Cutie Marks.”

Rarity performs a facehoof and responds, “They’re only fillies, Rainbow, they don’t need to know jokes like that. Especially not young fillies.” She looks over and sees Rainbow Dash mouthing her last few words.

Rainbow then sheepishly grins at the annoyed Rarity and then says, “Eh, they’re gonna find out anyways.”

“Perhaps, but not yet. I would prefer to keep my dear Sweetie Bell’s innocence until she gets older, perhaps after she gets married.”

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes. “Rarity, you know you can’t keep shadowing her all of her life.”

Rarity simply sighs as she closes her eyes and lowers her head. She opens her eyes back up and replies, “Yes yes, I know. It’s just, you know my issue with my parents.”

“Ohhh yeah, they’re something.”

“Yes, and I hardly even talk to any of my other family members, especially the ones in Manehatten. Really, Sweetie Bell is the only family I truly love and talk to. I just don’t want to lose her so soon. Is that selfish of me?”

Rainbow Dash looks up into the sky and ponders as stars begin to come out. “Well, not really. I mean, it sort of is but I understand what you’re talking about. I don’t have any siblings myself but Scoots is kind of like a little sister to me. And while it is important to try to be in her life, I just don’t think that it’s a good idea to try to take over.”

“Hmm, perhaps you’re right.” Rarity smirks as she looks at her friend. “That’s surprisingly astute of you Rainbow Dash. I never would have expected such wisdom.”

Rainbow rolls her eyes and replies, “Yeah, well, when you hang around Princess Egghead herself, you tend to learn a lot of stuff.”

Rarity giggles. “Yes, Twilight most certainly is a good influence.”

“Yeah, ain’t no denying that. Just don’t tell her I’m actually taking her lectures to heart.”

“Your secret is safe with me my dear.” They both begin laughing as they continue walking side by side, ignorant of the rather large shadow in the ground slowly following them before part of it rises up and light blue eyes appear near the top, staring at them intently before dissolving back into the ground and continuing to follow them.

Twilight and Applejack approach Asteroth continues hacking. “Are you alright Asteroth?” Applejack repeats as he shakes his head, though in response or trying to dislodge whatever’s in his throat is unknown. Asteroth’s eyes then glow with a golden aura as he gives one final cough and a carrot surrounded by the same gold aura comes out of his jaws. After the carrot hits the ground, the golden aura disappears.

Asteroth makes a sound of disgust and relief as he says, “No, I waz not alright! But I am now. Bleh!” Asteroth glares at the carrot and swats it away. “What iz zhat disgusting thing?”

Applejack slowly walks over to him and says, “Uh, that was a carrot, which is a vegetable.And it’s good fer ya."

Asteroth’s rolls his tongue out and shakes his head, trying to get the taste out of his mouth. “I cannot eat zhose ‘vegetables’. Zhey have no juices in zhem. Nasty.”

Applejack scoffs and jerks her head back. “Well now, ex-cuse me fer not knowin’ yer favorite foods.”

Before an argument could break out, Twilight steps between the two and asks Asteroth, “What was with your eyes glowing a minute ago?”

Asteroth tilts his head and asks, “Excuse me?”

“Yeah, your eyes were glowing when you pulled that carrot out of your throat. And the carrot was glowing as well, like you were using magic.”

Asteroth opens one eye and narrows the other. “Uh, yes, I waz using magic. I am a spell-hound.”

“A what now?”

“A Spell-Hound. I am one of many among my kind zhat can uze magic.”

“Fascinating. Can you use your magic again please?”

“Of course. What would you like me to do?”

“Hmm.” Twilight looks around and notices a pile of her books. “How about you try to pick up that pile of books please?”

“Most certainly.” Asteroth looks at the pile of books Twilight pointed at. He concentrates on it and his eyes begin to glow a feint golden color and the same color surrounds the books as he magically picks them up moves them a few feet and gently sets them down. He then looks back over towards Twilight and asks, “Satisfied?”

“Satisfied? Satisfied?! This is amazing! Not only have we found a species that is intelligent, but capable of using magic as well! I can imagine that with your strength, speed, and magic, you’d be a formidable species to fight.”

Even if Asteroth couldn’t smile, it is fairly obvious from his posture that he was definitely taking pride in his species strengths. “Heh, yes, we are a formidable species, though, I have yet to reach my full strength.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, I am not full grown yet.”

Twilight and Applejack both share a look. They then look back at Asteroth and Applejack asks, “So, how old are ya?”

Asteroth tilts his head up, trying to think of how to answer that, before looking back at the two and answering, “Well, I would have to say zhat I am around 73 years old.”

Both Twilight’s and Applejack’s jaws almost hit the ground and Spike drops a stack of books he was carrying. Twilight is the first to speak up. “Y-you’re around… 73 years old?”

“Yes, I am.”

“And you say you’re still growing?”

“Uh, yes.”

“But, you’re huge! And powerful. How much bigger are you going to get?”

“Uhh, I do not know. My father is larger zhan other bone-hounds, but zhey probably get just a little bigger zhan I am right now.”

“Amazing, simply amazing.” Twilight thinks for a few seconds before stamping her hoof, startling everypony and Bone-Hound in the room. “Drat, then that means that I’ll have to somehow find a full grown Bone-Hound and measure them. How long do members of your species tend to live?”

“Well, zhe oldest bone-hound in zhe Bone Valley iz Loki, who is more or less ageless. Zhe second oldest, however, iz Old Caiman, who iz, I think, around 868 years old.”

“E-eight hundred… and sixty-eight years old? T-that’s amazing! And what do you mean by ‘Loki is more or less ageless’?”

“It iz difficult to explain. You’d have to meet him yourselves.”

“Well then, why not take me to the Bone-Valley then?”

Asteroth and Applejack both shout “What?!” at the same time, and Asteroth continues, “No, zhat iz not a possibility.”

“And why not? It seems like you’re able to come and go as you please.”

“Zhat iz because it iz far more dangerous in my homeland zhan it iz here. Zhose Speeders zhat attacked zhis town? Zhose are just one of many dangerous creatures zhere. And most of zhem are immune to magic. Besides, zhe Alpha would more zhan likely not allow it.”

“The ‘Alpha’?”

“Yes, zhe Alpha iz zhe leader of zhe bone-hounds in zhe Bone Valley. He is far larger zhan any other bone-Hound, with silver fur. All bone-hounds obey him, and, with him being a Bane-Hound, he iz more dangerous zhan any other bone-hound.”

“Let me guess, bane-hounds are more about strength?”

“Yes and no. bane-hounds are incapable of using magic but zhey are also immune to magic az well. No magic will effect zhem, with zhe exceptions of, say, portals and zhe like. But anyways, zhe Alpha, he doez not trust outsiders, regardless of zheir intelligence.”

“Well, perhaps they might be up to a discussion. After all, he allows you to come here.” That statement causes Asteroth to rub the back of his neck with his left paw while looking away. “Wait, don’t tell me…”

“Zhe Alpha, nor any other members of zhe Bone Valley, know zhat I am here. I actually discovered a cave zhat led to here weeks ago and explored zhe forest every now and zhen. Zhe others do not even know about zhe cave.”

“So, what do you think would happen if more bone-hounds discover the cave?”

Asteroth looks back at Twilight. “Honestly? I do not know. No Bone-Hound knows what zhe Alpha might do. He might forbid any bone-hound, including myself, from going into zhe cave. Or, he might send a group of Bone-Hounds through to explore with zhe possibility of expanding our territory. Again, I do not know. But tell me, if he were to send a large group of bone-hounds through and you Princesses discover zhis, what would they do?”

Twilight puts her hoof to her chin, pondering this question. “Well, knowing Princess Celestia, she would probably send a group of ponies to meet with the group of bone-hounds with the intention of diplomacy. How would they react?”

“Zhey might attack zhe ponies.”

This throws Twilight and Applejack off. “Wait, why?”

“Many bone-hounds are, to be blunt, paranoid of large groups. Not to mention, zhe cannot speak zhis language.”

“What language?”

“Your language. Zhe language we are speaking right now.”

“I was wondering how we could possibly speak the same language. But, how do you know our language?”

“My mother taught me zhis language, though, how she knew it, I do not know. I never understood why she taught me zhis language, for I never spoke in it but when I first heard you in zhe forest, I recognized zhe language. It waz… strange.”

“Indeed. I’m curious as to how she knew our language. And no other bone-hounds know our language?”

“Other than two of my friends, a bone-hound, Shivara, and a dragon, Yama.”

“A dragon? You’re friends with a dragon?”

“Of course. One of my oldest friends, thoze two are.”

“And what are the dragons from your homeland like?”

“Well, zhey are large scaly creatures, capable of flight, fire, and magic. Powerful beings zhat even us bone-hounds wouldn’t dare anger. And each dragon possess a certain element, like fire, water, earth, lightning, and others.”

“What element is Yama then?”

“Well, Yama iz…” But before Asteroth could answer, two screams are heard from outside. “What in Umbra Ragni?”

“That sounded like Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.” The screams are shortly followed by a very loud roar that rattles the library. “And what was that?”

Applejack is already at the door when she turns to Twilight and says, “C’mon, we hafta help Rarity and Rainbow Dash!”

Twilight puts on a determined look. “Right away. You coming Asteroth?”

Asteroth nods and the three go outside to face the newcomer.