The Other Side of Nirn

Chapter 12

“Slice, just calm down, Slip’ll come back safe and sound.”

“That’s not what I’m worried bout Phoenix. I’m worried Jordan’ll try to tempt her somehow and cause everything to tumble down on us. Besides, he already nearly succeeded with Mace. Who’s to say he won’t fully achieve his goal?”

“Just stay here and enjoy tonight’s festivities. We might not get the chance to enjoy Nightmare Night again.”

“And leave Mace’s life on the line that depends on Slip’s resistance of greed? Are you crazy?”

“Trust Slip. She won’t let us down.”

“I won’t risk it Phoenix. I already risked too much!”

“Like what? Leaving when Mace’s rage overcame her sense? That isn’t a risk. It’s a precaution.”

“So is going with Slip.”

“That is an unnesacary precaution. If Slip is taken, she can easily pick the lock. She’ll be fine.”

“Fine. I’ll go on and stay Phoenix. But I won’t waste my time celebrating.”

“You’d better Slice. I won’t let you hear the end of it if you don’t.”

“End of what?”

“That you came here before. That you knew this,” Yuna said as she waved her hoof between Dylan and herself “would happen.”

Dylan thought, and at last decided to give in. “Fine. I’ll celebrate, but I won’t enjoy it.”

“Are you sure they’d be here?” asked Samiel.

“I’m not sure, but I know how we’ll find them.”

“And how is that supposed to be?”

“Tonight’s Nightmare Night, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Black’s literal at certain things, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Sooo… we’ll narrow our search tonight, and find out where they’re at by those wearing a vampire outfit, or werewolf outfit.”

“You do know this would be considered as a gamble, right Pounce?”

“Don’t remind me. This is the last thing I can think of though Silver. What else is there for us to do?”

“I just remembered! I listened to conversations on the train while you ‘cat napped’. Some of them said that Luna at one time was Nightmare Moon, a greatly feared pony. Others claimed that she may kill them, because she is basically like an omen teller. If she passes by and ignores them, they’ll be safe. If she doesn’t… well, you get the idea.”

“So your saying that those that aren’t afraid of Luna, may be Dylan and the rest?”

“Bingo! And if we combine that information with what everypony’s wearing, then we’ll find them in a snap!”

“It’s still a gamble, but it’s worth it!”

“A mage outfit? Really Widow?”

“A powerful mage. Much like yourself!”

“Who is it even supposed to be for one?”

“Don’t remember. Said something like Swirlybeard I think.”

“You expect me to wear an outfit that I know nothing of?”

“Yeah!”

“Well I’m sorry to disappoint you. Besides, I spoke to Rarity a few weeks ago and she managed to make an outfit that I personally think looks great! And she even agreed! Want to see it?”

“Sure. I wanna see how ridiculous you look in it!” Widow’s hopes, however, were quickly smashed when she saw just how Sadie looked in the outfit. “You… look surprising?”

“What’s the matter? Kajiit got your tongue?” Sadie said through the mask. What he didn’t tell Widow was that he had made the armor himself, and the mask was the only thing Rarity made.

“No… it’s just not everyday you see a pony with an outfit appearing as a dremora.”

Sadie laughed. “It’s not really everyday we’re ponies.”

“How’d Rarity make the armor? I thought she was just a dressmaker.”

“I made the armor. And it’s really just shaped and painted iron. Add a bit of magic and it’s as heavy as your run of the mill outfit.”

“By run of the mill, does that mean in normal society or between our little group?”

“Haha, very funny Widow. So, what’re you wearing?”

“I found an outfit that, from what I hear, comes from a legend of an archer.”

“What’s it look like?”

“I honestly made sure it was made into black, and here it is!” Widow said as she pulled out her outfit.

“Wow Widow! You look great in it. Does it come with a bow?”

“No, but that didn’t stop me from making one!” she said as she pulled a small wooden bow out of her bags.

“I won’t let Jordan get away with this Mace,” Naranel said.

“No, do not let your anger take over Shock. You know what will happen.”

“Look at yourself, Mace! He needs to pay for this!”

“And he will. He always has. How will this be any different?”

“If Slip doesn’t succeed, think of what could happen! He needs to pay for it!”

“No, Shock. He will not succeed, and he will pay for this in time. When the deities deem it time for our revenge, then we will have it.”

“You know I don’t-”

“Believe in the Nine. I know. But if they are not real, then something had to have made this world and its inhabitants. That is why I say deities.”

“You speak as if you know everything.”

“Everything? None know everything but the deities. I know much, but I also use reason. And when neither are in play, then I assume. Not all is known by mortals, that is why we work with eachother.”

“Not all know how to reason and work together, Mace. Jordan for instance, he kills those who do not agree with him.”

“Were you not the same, before the war? You learnt, and… he can… as well,” Bonde said as sleeping pills began to overtake her.

“Good night, Mace.”

“Are you sure about this, Slip?” Lulu asked.

“Not really, but it’s our best chance. Besides, I’m the greatest thief after all.”

“In Tamriel, but here they might be greater at defending.”

“If so, I’ll step up my game. Besides, all I’m after is a common flower.”

“Where we’re from. Here it’s rare Slip.”

“Don’t you remember how easy it was for me to steal a flawless diamond from the White-Gold tower? It’ll be a piece ‘a cake!”

“You were almost caught though Slip! Are you really this insane!?”

“Sometimes insanity helps, for sanity only brings fear.”

“Listen Slip, don’t take your mind off the Nightshade. That’s all your after. Understand?”

“You worry too much Fire! I won’t let my mind wander from the flower,” Quickslip said as Dark Fire began to teleport her.

“I’ll only be able to send you to the Canterlot square, after that, you’re on your own.”

“Excuse me, but could you by any chance tell me where the inn is? I’ve been flying for hours now and I need some rest,” Debra asked a white unicorn stallion.

“Why of course my dear, just follow me and I’ll take you there.”

“Directions are good enough.”

“You don’t understand ma’am, but I’m afraid travelling alone would be a grave mistake. You see, there have been reports of unknown assaults recently and rumors floating around that the assailant is a cannibal.”

“If the rumors are true, I’ll handle myself. All I’m asking for are directions.”

“Very well. I’ll tell you the fastest route possible, unlikely for anything to be there. Down this here alley is a ladder at the end of it. Go up that ladder, turn right, and continue that direction to the end of the building. There you will find another ladder. Go down it, and turn left. At the exit of the alley, you’ll see the inn’s back door. All you need to do then is walk around the building to the front since the back is usually locked.”

“Thank you…”

“Frostbite, my lady. My name is Frostbite.”

So, following his advice, Debra went up the ladder at the back of the alley and down the other. However, when she was about to leave the back alley, she noticed a pony at the exit.

“Who are you!” she shouted to the figure as it began to walk towards her.

“You should not have followed his advice,” said the figure as it walked closer.

“I’m warning you! I’m adept in all magic’s!”

“Not a pony I presume. Either way, your about to lose enough blood to kill a minotaur.”

“Get back!” Suddenly, the figure lunged, biting into Debra’s neck. And before she knew, she was on the ground, unable to see or hear anything but her beating heart and ragged breaths.

As Jordan attempted to leave the alley, however, he was quickly stopped in his sights as he heard the annoyingly familiar voice. “Just where do you think you’re going Jordan.”

“Please my dear, must I ask politely to know who you are?” he asked the figure portrayed as ‘Mare-Do-Well.

“You don’t deserve to even hear my voice you blasted son of a bitch! You’ll regret ever coming to Equestria, even if my magics are unavailable.”

Suddenly, Jordan understood just who the ‘pony’ was. “I thought you were long dead. Either way, it’ll mean a lot to know just how you died. This very night, I will finally know you have been killed by MY hand, and not by the bite of a mindless animal.”

“You greatly overestimate your chances, monster,” said Tigger as she lunged towards Jordan.

Jordan quickly dodged the predictable attack as he began to envelope himself in a set of bound armor, changing necessary details to make it fit his current situation. “I believe you are quite overconfident in yourself my dear. You will not stop me from succeeding my dark lord’s wish,” he said as he felt his hooves become enveloped by the familiar metal.

“You’ll have to go through me first,” she said as they charged toward each other.

Rikku snuck through the silent allies of Canterlot, ears and eyes alert for any source of movement. When she saw a guard slowly approaching, she dipped the tip of her blade into the green liquid strapped to her left front hoof and waited for the right moment to strike. As he neared, she cut him just enough to send the sleep poison into his blood system, and ran to the scent of flowers. However, she cursed at her luck and novice ways when just evading an arrow.

“Intruder in the Gardens!” shouted an ominous voice.

“Stop her!” Rikku quickly ran as she avoided getting shot by arrows. When she saw a tree trunk with a hole big enough to hide in, she quickly snuck into it with hopes of not being seen.

“Where’d she go!?” shouted a voice that came from a figure atop the garden walls.

“We’re looking for her captain!” shouted a voice that rushed past the tree. Suddenly she heard the flap of pegasus wings land near the tree.

“Where’s the intruder Captain?”

“My men are looking for her as hard as they can. She couldn’t have gone far.”

Rikku’s face cringed in fear as she felt a tickle enter her nose. ‘NO! Not now!’ Rikku thought as she fought the sneeze that was about to overtake her.

“If she escaped-”

“Ach-oo!” Knowing she had been discovered, she quickly got out of the tree and flew for the flowers known as Nightshade. Just as the flowers were in reach, she felt a pain enter her back right leg. She quickly grabbed them in her hoof and flew to the North, just as she felt something cut her left wing. Knowing it was useless to battle for control, she angled herself towards the tops of trees in the distance, in hopes of escaping the barrage of arrows. But alas, wounded wings could only fly so far before they collapsed under the fight against gravity. In fear of failing her friends, she prayed to the Nine to forgive her for the many sins of thievery she had committed, and asked for only a cure to be taken to her dying friend.

Jordan kneeled on his front legs, the battle beginning to take its toll. He had wounded Tigger to where there were only shreds left of the clothes, and to where her face was shown. Blood was trickling from her legs and mouth, only her eyes were not tainted by the violence. However, she had given many wounds as well, nearly maiming his throat. Unwilling to find who the better of the two were, Jordan took his chance, and fled from the alley, leaving a crippled pegasus to tend to the dying pony.