Corroding Canter

~Corroded Canter: Chapter 1~

A not so Silent Night

A fairly large stallion made his way through the rather gloomy expanses of a forest thick with darkness and the eerie sounds its inhabitants made as they stalked this lone equestrian through the gloom and doom know only as, The Everfree Forest.

Majestic coat-tails of Charcoal bordered by crimson, drug across the soggy ground as the large stallion looked behind him, not to identify the sounds of something obviously following him, but exactly how he had gotten into the thickness of this vast forest to begin with, the last thing he recalled was clearly being in a deep cave, on a mission to personally inspect a bizarre finding of a small group of Unicorns and Earth equestrians had discovered while digging for treasures below the Drackenridge mountains. It appeared to have been an arch of sorts with many differing arcane runes around its figure. Quite possibly a gate or doorway of some kind, though there seemed to be no "door" to speak of and the entire structure seemed to be composed of a dark, glass-like material.

- - -

"Obsidian" he spoke simply as he pressed a hoof to its surface, swearing he could feel a faint, yet raw and immense power flow through him as he did so.

"It appears to be a doorway powered by some sort of arcane magic sir" spoke one of the nearby Unicorns whom had discovered it.

The large stallion removed what appeared to be a cane made of wood as white as pure Ivory as he placed the silver tip of his white cane to the doorway itself and tapped it gently, small sparks emitting from the precious metal tip of his cane as he nodded.

"A doorway powered by ancient arcane magic that is most certainly still active to this day as well." he spoke

Another stallion of smaller size approached the large stallion with the cane of ivory and spoke.

"Sir Duke of Pranceslyvania, how can you be certain that this is a doorway to anything, and that it is still active for certain sir?"

With that being said, the large stallion traced one of the arcane runes with his cane tip, speaking an ancient language under his breath that had been long forgotten by most tongues, a soft light began to permeate through what seemed like solid stone as the tip of his cane crackled with raw energy as he ceased his silent incantation and looked back to the smaller stallion as the inside of the archway seemed... different, as if light had a difficult time passing through it.

"Let's just consider it a hunch of mine Breezerider, but my cane tells me there's no doubt that this doorway is much alive, and I will return soon." he spoke, only turning back to one of the guards cloaked in heavy black armor that shone like the surface of a moonlit lake at night before stepping into the doorway.

"Captain, please inform the rest of the royal court that I have... Excused myself to take a short journey of my own accord and shall return with a full report within 48 hours." The armor clad stallion softly nodded his head and made his way out of the labyrinth of caves to the royal castle.

With that, The Duke stepped into the doorway and inch by inch, disappeared without so much as a sound, he just vanished as his form walked into the arch's interior.

"Keep guard here until his majesty returns" spoke one of the researchers as they left to return to Pranceslyvania with their findings.

- - -

The Duke now looked around himself as he realized he seemed to still be on the same planet, as the plant life that grew around him in abundance was all native to his homeland of Equestria. Hearing the disturbance behind him once more caused the duke to pause for a moment and take in his surroundings carefully. Before he could react, a seemingly invisible force tackled him to the ground, feeling his left side instantly pierced by a vicious stinger as the manticore pinned him to the ground with it's strength. Though his side now coursed with fresh ruby-red blood, the duke stared the manticore directly in the eyes and spoke as he grinned.

"Bad kitty dun bit the hound of Tartarus himself"

With that, the forest flashed with immense light as a life was snuffled out like a fickle candle's dying flame, and just as easily...

- - -

Twilight Sparkle dug through a large pile of books on the floor of her library home feverishly as she seemed unable to locate the tomb of writing that she was desiring, levitating book after book before her until her desperation got the best of her and she flung the books every which way and yelled in frustration "Gah ! SPIKE!!!" the young dragon hurried out of the kitchen as he addressed the reason for his owner's burst of frustration.

"What is it Twi? Can't find another book? Is it "Supernaturals" or perhaps "Elements of Harmony" I think that's over here next to..." Twilight rolled her eyes as the dragon rambled on.

"Spike! I'm not looking or those; I need to find a book about anything to do with..." Twilight seemed to hesitate before finishing her sentence. "About... The unicorn's life cycle... I need to know if there's a spell to help these magic-induced headaches of mine" Spike gave his friend and owner a curious and questioning look before shrugging his shoulders and ran off to fetch a book that fit her request.

"Sheesh Twilight, why on Equestria would you, a wise unicorn of all things, need a book about unicorns?" spoke Spike questioningly as Twilight choose to ignore him and return his question with a silent glare that spoke "Just fine the damn book". Spike moved one of the ladders and quickly climbed to one of the higher rows before questioning.

"There's a book "Unicorns: All you need to know" and here's another "Unicorns: A magical ailment cure all for young and middle-aged unicorns" Spike looked to Twilight for a preference of which book before she levitated both out of his hands and placed them both on a nearby table.

"The first one sounds just fine Spike, though i'll give the latter one a quick look too, just for good measure." she spoke, knowing the latter was the book she really needed, but would wait until after Spike had left or went to bed to read that one and see if there was a cure for her rather normal "Ailment".

- - -

It wasn't too long before Spike reclused to the upstairs bedroom to get some shuteye. If there was one thing Twilight could rely on about Spike, it was that Spike was always one to take the chance to nap whenever possible. Twilight was just getting to a part of "Unicorns: A magical ailment cure all for young and middle-aged unicorns" when Twilight's front door practically flew off its hinges as Rainbow Dash barged through her front door and right into Twilight as they both crashed into the wall in a crumpled heap, the book Twilight was reading landing right on Dash's head as she reeled from the sudden "arrival" of her multi-colored Pegasus friend.

"Oh geeze, sorry about that Twilight, I just had to know if you saw it too, man it was SOOO AWESOME!" she squealed. Twilight looked around for her book before she realized it was perched upon her friend's head. Rainbow Dash helped Twilight up as she took the book off her head and tossed it a short distance away.

"So... Did you see it Twilight?" she asked again in amazement. Twilight sighed, thankful that her friend had not seemed to notice the nature of her reading material.

"All I noticed was my door fly open and then personally witness what the inside of my house looks like when turned upside down Dash" she grunted, annoyed by her headache and her friend's manner of entering her house.

"You're kidding right? Geeze Twilight, it was only the brightest light coming from the Everfree Forest in like...ever!" Rainbow exclaimed as Twilight cringed at the noise of Dash's excited, nearly screaming with joy, voice.

"Please Dash, I've got a headache and no I'm afraid I didn't see your "Awesome" ...Whatever it was, besides, the Everfree Forest is all about dark and scary things anyways, so why would there be a bright light coming from there? Did you ever think it was of Zecora's doing?"

"The light of which you speak, that caused your meek friend Fluttershy much fright this night, in spite of my might, I cannot take the pride of forming this bright light." Zecora spoke from just outside what was left of Twilight Sparkle's front door, a light colored figure seeming to quiver in sheer terror behind her as Dash and Twilight both looked toward her in surprise.

"Zecora, what are you doing here tonight?" spoke Twilight as she was truly shocked to see the zebra shaman on her front door at an hour like this. "On a walk to Ponyville I was, when a yell quite shrill broke the night once still, when I sought from where this great scare came, I knew it was clear that said sound had to be near."

Twilight raised a brow as Fluttershy timidly stuck her head from behind Zecora's figure. "She uhm... heard me yell... I...w..was scared w...when I s..saw it..." Rainbow did a back flip and shrieked with joy as Twilight grimaced.

"So you're telling me you saw it too Fluttershy, please tell you did!" Dash spoke as she flew over to the terrified Pegasus, awaiting her response. Fluttershy only nodded quietly.

"She spends her nights quite near to where this light did appear, fear is nothing new from this poor dear, yet have we spoke of how this light is no joke." spoke Zecora as she entered Twilight’s house with Fluttershy following close behind.

"So, What do you think it was that caused this so called light Zecora, and why didn't I see it? asked Twilight as the topic was beginning to get her attention as more ponies admitted to seeing the same light, proving something was not right tonight. Twilight shook her head as she realized her thoughts were already beginning to work in rhyme from being around Zecora.

"Of this I do not know, but go us all must to see what filled the trees with such a sight of blinding light" spoke Zecora as they all agreed and went to gather their friends and seek the source of this light from the Everfree Forest.

- - -

The Duke looked around him as he licked the last bit of blood off of his lips before he picked his cane back up and made his way to a clearing where what appeared to be a great tree stood. From this tree he could sense a great deal of positive magical energies and carefully approached it, his cane in mouth and at the ready to discourage any possible attackers. The duke could smell the scent of many herbs and spices growing around him, coupled with the presence of positive magical energies, he realized this had to be the home of a shaman and paused briefly, scanning his surroundings before approaching the tree turned into a home and knocking upon the door, seeking to discover just where exactly he was from the dwelling's owner.

Having awaited an answer from multiple knocks and many minutes, he placed his ear to the door and listened...

The rustle of the tree leaves above... Soft clinking of glass bottles brushing against each other... A colony of tiny ants climbing up the other side of the tree...

The duke removed his ear from the door and walked away from the dwelling, confident that whomever called it home, was not there at the moment, for if they were, he would have heard their heartbeat as clearly as they could hear his solid hoof, knocking upon the wooden door loudly. He continued on down a beaten dirt path, knowing at some point it would lead him to others whom would know of where he was, and so he could absorb a bit of information from them... and perhaps something else too while he was at it. The duke looked before him as he noticed it was deep in the night and before too terribly long, it would be day once again and the odds of meeting another sentient creature would increase greatly. His mind was as hungry for knowledge as his body was for nourishment, with a bit of luck, he might satisfy both hungers before the night was over.

Many minutes passed as the Stallion made his way through the forest, finding it rather humorous that ever since his last scrape with that manticore, the forest had grown dead with silence, nothing followed him closely anymore, and through their fear, the monsters of the Everfree Forest kept their distance from him, knowing their lives would be at stake if they made another attack upon him, they merely kept their distance and watched him in silence. As if analyzing him for weaknesses or purpose for being there. The duke just grinned evilly, somewhat disappointed at their lack of bravery as he made his way across an old rope bridge that spanned across a deep chasm, unphased as it creaked and snapped loudly under his girth as ropes frayed around him and boards cracked below him. Having made it to the other side, he gave the creatures still hidden in the deep forest on the other side of the chasm a confident smirk before continuing on. He could see the dim lights of another dwelling far away, this caused him to smirk all the more as he continued toward the dim lights of Ponyville in the distance.

- - -

Applejack was in a deep slumber as in her dreams, she was in the process of making her family a small fortune off of a new apple pie recipe she had invented and was about to have their aging barn roof replaced with a brand new one when there came a rough tapping upon her bedroom window, rousing her from her deep sleep.

"Not sunrise yet... let em' chickens sleep consarnit" she muttered in a half-awake, half-asleep grog. Another series of raps on her window caused her to snort and roll over in her sleep as she grumbled and prepared to give somepony a slobber knocker for waking her up on a day she normally would have slept in on.

"Tarnation ! I'ma give somepony a right whuppin' fer wakin me up a dagblam hour like..." Applejack's gaze met Twilight's annoyed stare through the window and Applejack sighed and trotted over to the window and opened it.

"Tarnation Twi, Wha's the big idea comin' around here bangin' on mah window so late at night?" she questioned as she realized Twilight was not alone.

"Oh... w..we're oh soo sorry to have woke you up Applejack but...uhm... We've got a... problem... unless you want to go back to sleep that is..." muttered Fluttershy, being more quiet then the surrounding crickets.

"What she's trying to say is there was a big flash of light that came from the Everfree Forest and we're concerned something may be wrong." spoke Twilight.

"Ah see... Well seein' how i'm already up n' all, I might as well go take a gander at this here light ya'll be speakin' of, Gotta say it sounds awful strange tah me, seeing how only "dark" things happen there N' all." finished Applejack as she closed the window, put her Stetson hat on and made her way outside quietly. She raised a brow in surprise when she realized Zecora was with Twilight, Dash and Fluttershy as well.

"Landsakes, must be some big mount'ta ruckus ta have ya'll up and about round' these early hours of the morn'." Zecora just nodded in agreement.

"Some are often up before the sun, but this sight for us few some has become quite the pain in the bum"

Applejack did a quick headcount and chuckled.

"Not as much of a pain as it's gonna be to get Rarity up at an hour like this, I swear that gal takes a whole 3 hours just to brush her mane." Everyone nodded in agreement as they knew Rarity would not take kindly to being woken from her beauty sleep at such an hour, and worst of all, totally unprepared for the day ahead.

- - -

As the group began heading back toward Ponyville Applejack cocked a brow and scratched her forehead. "Say gals, Jus' why was it that ya'll came all the way out here first, ain't Rarity's a whole lot closer than Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight cleared her throat and glared up into the sky at a certain apple consuming, sky blue Pegasus. Noticing that she was being stared at, Dash grinned and swallowed the bit of apple she'd just bit off.

"What? I was hungry and there's nothing to eat at Rarity’s and all the shops in town are closed till sunrise, An awesome Pegasus can't start her day without food." Applejack gave her airborne friend a sigh and shook her head.

"I should'a known it was something to do with a certain air-headed pegasus, no offense Shy" The meek pegasus at her side simply nodded "Oh..none taken"

- - -

The small group of guards and researches made their way back into Prancesylvania as they approached the royal castle, intent on delivering their findings on the unknown object found below the Drackenridge mountains, As well as informing the royal family of the Duke's decision to travel though the doorway that the unknown finding had turned out to be, and that he spoke of returning within 48 hours to report his findings.

The guards led the researchers into the castle as they parted ways, only the head researcher made his way to the royal quarters while the rest of the researchers went their own ways to do research on the mountains themselves, history of the arcane ruins and many other topics possibly pertaining to the magical doorway in any way.

The head researcher, a fair sized Pegasus named Breezerider, approached the heavy doors that lead to the royal quarters, the guards at each side of the door stood at attention as each opened a door, allowing Breezerider to enter, making his way into the royal quarters as he spoke. "Sir Magnus Van Thanatos, I have returned to inform you that the discovery below the Drackenridge Mountains was in fact, An archaic doorway to another world, Sir Kayne took it upon himself to activate the doorway and proceed to travel through it."

Magnus set before a large desk that rest at the foot of 3 massive windows that towered over the room, bathing it in soft moonlight, facing away from Breezerider as he visibly nodded. A hoof adorned with a deathly sharp silver talon tapped upon the top of the desk softly. "Did he speak of when exactly we would be expecting his return?" responded Magnus with a voice as soft and caring as the grim's scythe.

"He spoke of returning within 48 hours of his departure my lord." replied Breezerider as Magnus seemed to close a book he had been reading and nodded his head.

"Very well then, you may leave now, I expect your full reports upon the Drackenridge finding before he returns" waving his taloned hoof to motion for Breezerider to leave.

Magnus returned his attention to the now closed book before him upon the desk, its faded text was written in the old language with some red substance that strongly resembled blood.

Crimson lacrimi de abanos Dragon

"It would seem Kayne has found something of great interest... I do look forward to what he returns with, I expect it to be most interesting, for his sake... It had better be..."

- - -

It took the collection of ponies almost a full half hour just to get Rarity to show her face in public without primping herself till sunrise had come. "I simply do not get why we have to be in such a hurry dears, why, it's not even day yet and the morning dew is simply going to ruin my beautiful mane." complained Rarity as Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"That's coming from a pony who pays to have another pony spread mud all over her face twice a week." Rarity huffed as they made their way to Sugarcube Corner.

"Now Rainbow dear, that's a different story altogether, that mud is imported from overseas and is simply dirt free, it does wonders for the completion and eyes." Applejack raised a brow at her unicorn friend's remark as they stopped before Sugarcube Corner.

"Goodness Rarity, you're not even past 25 and you're concerned about your completion, landsakes gal, you look more gussied up than aunt Rubygala from Manehatten on her weddin' day."

It only took Twilight calling for Pinkie Pie twice before the bouncing pony had appeared at the front door, wide eyed and bushytailed. "Correct me if i'm mistaken darling, but you were sleeping right?" asked Rarity, amazed how "awake" Pinkie Pie seemed.

"Well duh! Of course I was asleep you silly filly, what kinda crazy pony would be up this early in the morning?" Pinkie Pie tilted her head and was about to correct herself when Twilight spoke up.

"So, did you happen to notice anything...I dunno... strange about an hour ago Pinkie?" asked Twilight as Pinkie Pie nodded her head with the speed of a woodpecker.

"You betcha I did Twi! I think somepony is having a party outside Ponyville, Cause I saw this big flash of light, and I mean... What else would cause such a pretty flash than pretty lil' party lights?" replied Pinkie Pie.

"Darling, I don't believe "party lights" could produce a light like..." began to speak Rarity before Dash cut her off.

"Guys! We're supposed to be discovering just what caused this light, not fussing over how much our hair needs done or what might have made that flash, Now come on, I wanna see first hoof what started this whole ruckus already!" interrupted Dash as she flew into the air, making impatient spirals and loops to defuse her boredom.

"Dash has a point girls, we'll fuss about other matters later, for now, let's get going to the Everfree Forest and see what made that light." spoke Twilight as she rubbed her forehead with a hoof. "Ooooh, I can't wait to get back home and take care of this headache." she groaned as the small group made their way out of Ponyville and toward the Everfree Forest.

- - -

Just as the group of Equestrian friends were nearing the borders of the Everfree Forest, Zecora stopped where she was and glanced into the forest's depths, her eyes narrowing as she gave the collection of trees and darkness a sour frown. "Beware all you friendly folk, something lies within there that it is certainly not a joke" she spoke as her expression had yet to change.

"Well Duh, We kinda KNOW there's bad stuff in there Zecora, Every pony in Ponyville knows that." spoke Dash in an annoyed tone.

"The words you say so very keen, You speak of only what you have seen, this thing I deem, is far more then just mean." Zecora warned. Fluttershy cowered behind Applejack as the tan earth pony shook her head.

"What I think she's tryin' to say Dash, is that there's somethin' lurkin in these here woods that's much nasty'er than anything we've seen b'fore." Zecora nodded as her gaze remained upon the woods, where there were clearly a set of shining eyes looking right back into her own.

"Wat het jy hier kom?" Spoke Zecora in her native tongue as the eyes failed to do so much as blink as the figure they belonged to, stepped from the forest and presented itself.

"My business here is only to gather information" spoke the large Stallion plainly as he looked toward Zecora as her expression was somewhat shocked.

"You... know my home's native language?" she spoke, for once not in rhyme. Pinkie Pie took the opportunity to bounce around Zecora wildly.

"See? I knew somepony would eventually understand your funny words Zecora !" she giggled. The large stallion barely noticeably nodded his head.

"Ek is vlot in meer tale as wat jy kan selfs dink van Zebra" spoke the stallion once more, seeming to smirk with his last sentence. "If you do not mind, I came seeking information and while I do have....Endless amounts of time to waste chatting idly, I'm afraid my patience takes second place, please inform me what town that distant light belongs to." Spoke the large stallion, making his point clear as Pinkie Pie's eyes grew wide as she bounded over to the stallion's side without concern for her own safety and gazed at his side.

"What's the big idea talkin' about how much time ya got on your side when your side's all hurt like that?" Pinkie questioned as the stallion's gaze turned to her to shoo her away.

“Oh my... you are hurt... that does look like it really hurts...” spoke Fluttershy softly as she looked at his gnarled right hoof from behind the safety of Applejack. Twilight stepped forward as she noticed Zecora was still wearing the same frown as she looked at this mysterious stallion.

“The town behind us is called Ponyville.” Answered Twilight as she continued on “Now, might I ask where you came from and what you were doing in the Everfree Forest?” The stallion’s attention seemed more fixed on the small group as he was informed that the nearby light was indeed from a settlement nearby.

“My name is Kayne Thanatos, and I reign from the lands of Prancesylvania, I have journeyed far and wish to learn of your town and equestrians here.” finished Kayne as the group before him exchanged glances and gasps at his unusual name.

Zecora bent low and spoke into Twilight's ear so only she could hear what the shaman had to say. “Before you choose of what you do, may I warn you of your dues should this pony abuse your kindness grooves” Twilight nodded understandingly, neither aware that Kayne had heard every word Zecora spoke, but their elevated heartbeats had already indicated to him their fear and concern from the moment he emerged from the now un-natrually quiet forest. Twilight looked at the large stallion and spoke clearly

“You spoke of wanting to know our kind and home, what we need to know is how can we trust your intentions are true, The Everfree Forest is a very dangerous place and no pony in their right mind, young or old, ventures through it alone, Understand that we’ve only seen one good pony come from this forest...” Kayne nodded.

“You see that I am obviously wounded from the dangers that you speak of, and yet you have reason to doubt me still? I am aware it is only to protect your home and friends, but do be careful of how you welcome future newcomers to these lands, not judging them from where they come” Kayne’s words struck Twilight deeply as she watched Kayne turn to make his way back into the Everfree Forest, she recalled how she had misjudged Zecora before truly knowing her.

“Wait!” yelled Twilight as she broke from the group and ran after the large Stallion’s form. Twilight caught up to the stallion as he paused in place, still looking ahead of him as she cantered up to his side. “Wait... I’m sorry for not trusting you sir, it’s just in our nature to fear anything that comes from that forest.” spoke Twilight as she looked into it’s dark depths.

“It is not your fault, you seek to collect all knowledge possible, yet you so easily accuse other’s of doing wrong without any proof of such... While I understand why you do so, I cannot understand your motive.” spoke Kayne as he looked before him. “Without light there is only darkness, you see light as a force that cuts through darkness, evil itself... Nopony is ever born with an evil heart, evil does not exist, it is merely created in the lack of love and happiness.” finished Kayne as Twilight looked at his blank expression, then back to her friends, seeming to seek their thoughts.

Zecora was the next pony to approach Kayne. “In your eyes, I see them filled with despise, yet do as I try, I am yet to know why” Kayne opened his mouth to speak before Zecora raised a hoof. “As far as being near, you’ve yet to give us reason for fear, but your intentions remain unclear” she added. Kayne breathed in deeply and winced at such as he did so.

“The tale that is my life is far from short, as my intention is to gain knowledge of other places, I’ve become quite adapt at sharing my own heritage and experiences with others, yet just as you, I only speak openly with those I feel I can trust, I mean no offense to you all, we are both merely doing what is right for everypony.” Twilight gave Zecora a questioning glance as the shaman's words repeated in her head, Zecora only nodded her head as she made her way back to her home in the Everfree Forest, swallowing deeply as Twilight looked back toward Kayne and hoped she was doing the right thing.

“If you truly came all this way only in search of knowledge, then it would be unkind of us to turn you away, we would be glad to share our ways with you if you only promise that you will not do anypony any harm and share with us your own knowledge and history.” spoke Twilight as she looked to his side. “Besides, the nearest town is a long ways away and your side does need attention.” Kayne gave his side a glance, realizing that his wound was rather nasty, it could take a long time to heal on it’s own.

“If you are sure you feel that you can trust me, and not just my words, then I would be very grateful if you were to allow me to heal and learn at this Ponyville you speak of.” Kayne spoke as he looked toward the nearby group behind them, turning to face them as Twilight lead him back toward them.

“This stranger comes speaking that he only seeks to learn of our ways and history, I believe him and I hope we all can welcome him with good Equestrian hospitality.” The group nodded in unison as Pinkie Pie bounced about happily

“Oh Goodie! I get to make a new friend, Oh I’ve just got to throw him a big welcome party with balloons, and streamers and...” Rainbow Dash put a sky blue hoof in her hyperactive friend’s muzzle.

“Perhaps you could give the dude a chance to get to know everypony else before you go throwing him a party Pinkie?” Dash spoke as Pinkie’s eyes lit up.

“You’re right Dash, I’m so silly, I gotta introduce him to everypony first before I can throw him a party, Silly Pinkie... Duh!” she laughed to herself as the rest of her friends just rolled their eyes, the entire group making their way back toward Ponyville.

“I see I have a lot to learn about your friends.” Kayne spoke. “Twilight smiled and nodded

“Especially Pinkie Pie, I’m still trying to figure her out myself.” she laughed as another walked up beside Kayne.

“Uhm...If you don’t mind Twilight, I’d uhm... like to tend to his wounds... if he wants me to that is...” spoke a timid voice to his right as Kayne’s eyes met the pony whom was talking to Twilight,

“Well, his wounds do need tended to, it’s up to you and him I guess.” Twilight spoke as Rarity followed from behind.

“I simply must attend to his garments while she’s tending to his wounds, goodness, the last time I saw silks this fine was on royalty.” spoke Rarity as she gave Kayne a hopeful stare.

“I’d be in your debt if you’d tend to my wounds little pony” spoke Kayne as he addressed the little pegasus. “I hate to disappoint you, but I am not any kind of royalty.” finished Kayne as he made his lie undetectable.

Twilight nodded and called out for Rainbow Dash to talk to her, making sure they were out of earshot as she spoke. “Please fly over to Sweet Apple Acres and get Big Macintosh to head over to Fluttershy’s, I’d feel a lot more at ease if he was there when we left this stranger there with her.” spoke Twilight quietly as Dash nodded in agreement and flew off without another word. Twilight then returned to Kayne’s side and asked a question.

“So, Did you happen to see a bright light by any chance while you were walking through the forest?” Kayne nodded his head

“Were it not for that bright flash of light, I fear my life would have become a lot shorter from that manticore’s attack.” Twilight tilted her head

“So, you’re saying that you saw that light, and it scared the manticore away as well?” questioned Twilight as she looked to the wound on his side.

“Indeed, Whatever created such a thing, it was that bright flash that certainly saved my life” Kayne spoke, his words honest by all means, though not wishing to explain to them about certain “Abilities” of his, most found them...Un-natural and fled, not that he minded however, it DID make the hunt that much more fun... When they fled...

- - -

As the group made their way to Fluttershy's cottage, Kayne couldn't help but speak up. "So, tell me about that Zebra we spoke with earlier, How is it that she knows a language from so far away?" Twilight was first to respond to his question.

"Well, she arrived here in Ponyville about 2 years ago from her homeland, at first her odd ways scared us, but we soon learned that while she was indeed different in how she did things compared to our own ways, she was truly a good pony at heart and a genuine friend." Kayne nodded as Rarity spoke up.

"You simply must tell us how you learned to understand that Zecora-talk dear, I've yet to understand a single word of it myself." Kayne just smiled for the first time.

"As I told you before, my life has been all about travel, and through those many years of travels I have absorbed a vast wealth of knowledge." As the group stopped at a fork in the road, one way heading right, into Ponyville, the other left, to the bridge that lead to Fluttershy's cottage. Kayne noticed their apparent concern for parting, searching his mind for a way to relieve their concerns as he spoke.

"I would be glad to explain today's travels to you all at miss Fluttershy's, if that is alright with you." spoke Kayne as his attention turned toward the shy pegasus.

"Oh... I suppose that would be...uhm... a good idea." she spoke, glad that her friends would be with her longer." Applejack gave the large stallion a soft smile of approval from behind him as Twilight nodded, her dilemma vanquished.

"Great, then let's all hear his story over a warm cup of tea gals." spoke Twilight as the group headed left, all seeming interested in hearing the stallion's story and perhaps a bit more about him as they traversed the bridge toward a new story over some tea. Twilight seemed to feel her concerns of this strange stallion lifting ever so slightly as he suggested they stay together for a spell longer, laughing at her own thoughts as the rhythmic sound of her hooves clopping upon the boards of the bridge seemed to relax her ever more as she looked up into the night sky, knowing very well that Luna was watching over them, just in case.

The ponies walked through the door and collected as a "thump" from behind them caused them to all look back, realizing Kayne had not ducked and had run into the top of the door frame, lost in his own thoughts. Reeling a bit as he ducked and made a small effort to fit through the doorway.

"Terribly sorry about that, I was just thinking to myself and well... Seems your doorways are a tad, smaller the the ones in Prancesylvania." he spoke in genuine embarrassment. Kayne found a suitable place near the front door and set down as the group looked toward him questioningly as Fluttershy got to making some fresh tea. "Did I do something?" he asked, wondering why 4 ponies looked at him so curiously.

"Well gee silly, first it was us scared of you and now look who's the scaredy pony hiding in a corner over there." spoke Pinkie Pie with a giggle. Fluttershy's voice came from the kitchen softly.

"Please make yourself at home sir...if you like that is... I'd be...uhm... disappointed if you felt unwelcome in my home." Kayne was shocked by their sudden trust, but made it a point to not seem withdrawn himself and trotted closer to the center of the room, resting on his good side to keep from getting any blood on the floor.

"I expect you are all wishing to hear my story I promised to you all and tell you so I shall if you wish." spoke Kayne as he gave them all a soft smile. "By all means dah'ling, please do, judging from your apparel you MUST have quite a tale to tell indeed." spoke Rarity and Kayne nodded in approval.

"I ventured from my home of Prancesylvania, into the Drackenridge mountains not long ago, in search of civilizations there to hopefully learn from." began Kayne as he realized nopony seemed to know either of the lands he spoke of, continuing his story after Fluttershy had returned with a small plate of cups on her back and a pipping hot kettle of tea in her mouth.

"Upon my arrival to the Drackenridge caverns, I discovered there were no living creatures that I dared bring up civilized conversation with, therefore, I began to head toward the next hopeful source of knowledge as I had no intention on returning home empty scrolled, so to speak." he mentioned as he revealed a small satchel from below his silken robes, withdrawing a fair sized gem from it and holding it up to give show his next sentence. "I withdrew the stone that had guided me that far and called upon the night sky to shine a light toward the next place of interest for a traveling scribe, and it was toward your Everfree Forest that it guided me." he finished, taking a sip of the tea made for him as his expression changed, looking back to the cup he had drank from and then to the pony whom had prepared it for him.

"Oh dear... Do you not like it? I'm ever so sorry." Fluttershy began as she trotted toward him to take his cup, Kayne shook his head softly and raised a hoof as he spoke, drinking from the cup once more.

"With all do respect, Might I trouble you for another cup of such? That was truly the best tea i've ever had in all my life."

- - -

Back in Prancesylvania, Breezerider was pouring over his extensive reports upon the arch doorway within the Drackenridge mountains when he felt the sensation of something staring at him from behind. Breezerider turned from his paperwork to discover if his suspicions were indeed true, all his gaze rested upon however, was an empty doorway. A door that had been originally shut at one point. Breezerider took it upon himself to quickly collect all of his paperwork and make haste to vacate the room. Upon heading toward the door, it shut rather violently as a shadowy figure revealed itself from behind the previously open door, making it's way over to Breezerider as the figure did not have legs and merely hovered in the air like a ghost might do so as he wrapped Breezerider in his dark cloaks, preventing him from escaping as it spoke in it's hollow voice.

"Hello Breezerider, tell me dear boy, why are you ever so suddenly in such a hurry to leave this particular room now? A mere second ago you were deeper in your studies than a rock at the bottom of a long forgotten well."

"Not now Cyril, I'm busy with other matters that do not pertain to you at all." Spoke Breezerider as he pulled himself from the phantom's cloaks, a sudden sensation hit him as if an ice-cold whip had just wrapped around his neck with the massive strength of a full-grown boa.

"I THINK DIFFERENT!" hissed Cyril as Breezerider was literally being choked to death.

"You've not been around long enough yet to know that you NEVER dismiss Cyril Bloodrayne before he is finished speaking with you mortal!" it hissed as the pegasus could feel his windpipe being crushed, unable to do anything more than dig at his neck with hooves that found nothing there to free his neck from.

"You are doing research upon the doorway that Duke Kayne went to examine, I heard everything in the royal chamber you fool, you know it's a doorway and I want to know where it leads to!" hissed Cyril as his grip tightened upon the flailing pegasus. "I may be far from living myself, but I assure you that the rapid beating of your heart is soon to slow if you do not answer me NOW!" shrieked Cyril as Breezerider's vision began to cloud as his head swam as he began to lose consciousness.

"Cyril! That is quite enough now, cease your actions at once, that is my head researcher that you're prying the life from." spoke Magnus's voice from the doorway as the towering stallion's glare held no second warnings for the specter.

"As you wish Magnus, I seek to learn the secrets of this find for myself." answered Cyril as he released the dying pegasus, allowing it to fall onto the floor with a thud.

Magnus glared at Cyril's form as it spoke it's intentions. "You float right there and tell this mortal that it is unwise to question you, yet you speak before the Lord of Prancesylvania and openly declare to act against my kingdom?!" Magnus hissed as Cyril's cloaks approached the Lord of Prancesylvania.

"This is MY kingdom Magnus, my lack of mortal body does NOT strip me of my right to rule this land." Cyril spat.

"What good would the lands and beings of Prancesylvania gain from a king that could not even exist outside the castle walls? Until you can defend her soil, Prancesylvania is mine." spoke Magnus as his taloned hoof swung through the air, cleaving away part of Cyril's cloaks.

"Let that be a lesson to you, for the next time you lay so much as an ectoplasmic limb upon one of my servants again, it'll be your head." Magnus intoned.

Cyril laughed an evil cackle as he ripped his own head off and threw it at Lord Magnus with a sneer.

"Take the bloody thing if you want it so bad, ever since I died, your threats of death have fallen on "death" ears dear brother!" laughed Cyril as he vanished into thin air.

Magnus glared at the spot where his spectral brother had been hovering just a moment ago, and then to the body of his head researcher's pegasus form. "Indeed, this mortal will do well to remember you dear brother, for it was your thirst for blood and power that costed you your exsistance in the end." spoke Magnus as he checked that his head researcher was still alive, and proceeded to leave the room without another word.

- - -

"Well, I must say that was certainly an interesting tale darling, I can't imagine what it must have been like going through the entire length of the Everfree Forest like that, My stars, it's a miracle you're even alive dear." spoke Rarity as she rested her cup of tea on the table before her.

"I say it was totally wicked the way you explained that fight with the Manticore, those things are mean as buck" laughed Dash as she hovered in the air briefly. Big Mac nodded his head, having only heard part of the story as he'd only recently arrived.

"It's quite a tale to tell indeed, but being there in person was truly beyond anything I could ever hope to explain." spoke Kayne as the others exchanged glances and nodded, understanding how they could never explain the vast emotions of all the travels they had been on themselves.

Spike's snoring nearby reminded Kayne that it had been a good while since he last had some rest and all that he had been through in the last few hours had certainly taken their toll on him. "If you do not mind, I would like to get some sleep if that is alright with all of you." Kayne spoke, trying to not let his true intentions show through.

"Only if you promise to tell us more about you tomorrow silly." laughed Pinkie Pie as she gave his nose a poke with her hoof.

"If it will get you to remove your hoof from my face, I wear a dress for all that matters." spoke Kayne plainly as he noticed everypony else's expressions to hush before he gave her any ideas.

"Okie dokie lokie" she chirped as she hopped up and bounced toward the door. "See everyone real sooneywoony!" she giggled as she bounded off down the path and into the light of the rising sun.

Everypony bid Kayne farewell as they left the cottage and returned to their own homes. It was only then that Kayne noticed that the large red stallion in the corner had yet to leave. "Might I ask why you are watching me like a crow watches the worm?" spoke Kayne as Big Mac set and chewed upon a stalk of wheat idily.

"Miss shy over thar' is got sum werk fer me ta do out back in a sec." he lied, not allowing his eyes to leave the other stallion's figure.

Kayne shook his head and laughed to himself. "I know why you're here stallion, I heard Twilight tell Dash to fetch you... You all worry that I would harm somepony." spoke Kayne as Big Mac ceased chewing on his wheat and stood up from the wall.

"First thing, name's Big Macintosh stranger, Secondly, the pony of who's house yer in right now just happens to be quite sensitive and easily upset, and lastly, No, we don't right trust you Mr and I do hope you and I aren't gonna have us a problem." Spoke Big Mac as his eyes seemed to speak levels of seriousness with his last sentence.

Fluttershy emerged from the kitchen with a number of assorted medical items as she hummed to herself softly, approaching Kayne carefully as she asked him to lay down on his good side on the couch so she could tend to his wounds. Kayne glanced back toward the red stallion as he gave Kayne a nod of his muzzle, informing him to do what the pegasus had asked him. Kayne stood as his wounds ached a bit at doing so as he trotted over to the small couch and laid upon his good side carefully as he was welcomed by a surprisingly comfortable cushion.

Fluttershy smiled softly and nodded her head approvingly as she tended to his hoof first, her eyes barely meting his as she spoke. "Now this is gonna hurt for just a second." she spoke softly as she spread a small amount of her own herbal remedy upon his gnarled hoof as he felt the sting she had indicated, but much worse pain had he felt in his life before. Just watching quietly as she wrapped his hoof up tightly.

"There we go, that should be good as new in a few weeks." she smiled, turning her attention to his side as she inspected his wound carefully. "Uhm... it would make it much easier to bandage you up if you removed your robes." she nearly squeaked. Kayne was somewhat expecting her to mention such and carefully stood again as he went about painfully attempting to remove his robes. Fluttershy gave Big Mac a pleading frown as the big red stallion nodded and trotted over to Kayne's side.

"Here, lemme help ya with tha.." began Big Mac before a powerful kick landed upon the side of his face, sending him backwards and whinnying in shock at the attack.

Big Mac rose to his hoofs again and looked back at Kayne as a single line of crimson ran from the corner of Big Mac's mouth.

"That really hurt Mr, why'd you do that?" Big Mac spoke softly.

Kayne shook his head as he realized that he had just given the red stallion a hard kick in the face, and now said stallion was approaching him, Fluttershy on the other hoof, had ducked down on the floor and was staring at Kayne with tears already in her eyes as she whimpered.

"I...I apologize... The last time I heard those words were from a past friend of mine, one whom said exactly that...as he held a knife to my throat." spoke Kayne as he continued to remove his robes on his own. Expecting an attack from the red stallion at any moment, from which the stallion would never live to regret...

Big Mac stood next to Kayne and looked him straight in the eye before lowering to pick up Kayne's robes. "Miss Rarity wanted me to take these to her later so she could fix em' up." he spoke plainly as he returned to where he had been standing before hoof and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"I'm sorry... both of you..." spoke Kayne as he stood still for a moment before a teary eyed pegasus's voice whispered. "Please...on the couch sir..."

- - -

With a throbbing headache, Breezerider awoke upon the cold floor of the room he had last recalled doing his studies in, before he was disturbed by one of the castle's more "eccentric" spirits. Seeing how the castle had seen days as far back as the dark ages, it was no surprise that more than a few spirits found unfinished business here. Breezerider picked himself up off the floor and checked his surroundings carefully, judging that he must have been unconscious for no more than few hours as it the surrounding windows still cast the light of the midnight moon, he couldn't have gone unnoticed for much longer than such.

When Breezerider collected his papers, which seemed to have been searched by someone, he noticed something bizarre among his scattered paperwork, a sheet of parchment that was yellowed with what appeared to be the ravages of many decades or even centuries gone by since it had been written upon. The strikingly elegant and wispy handwriting was not of his own nor anyone's whom he recognized.

...

"My spoken name is not written here, nor anywhere else in this world. My time here is eternal and my eyes never blink, The land is consumed by fanning flames of war and power, soon to become the rolling tide of evil to be known as the unavoidable future. It is here that I leave my last will of testament to my only son, Magnus Van Thanatos, Duke of Pranceslyvania. My arm of rule and the blood of my kingdom to him I leave. In due time let the curse of future fire lick at our walls, only then will the black dragon breathe, and the kingdom die."

Breezerider took a moment to read over the piece of ancient parchment a second and third time VERY carefully, This seemed to be none other than the very last will and testament of the Lord before their ruler, Magnus. How this parchment found it's way into his paperwork was beyond him, but nevertheless, this belonged to Lord Magnus and Breezerider did not take another moment before making his way toward the royal quarters with great haste, making sure his report was full and complete before presenting it to Magnus.

It seemed there was a connection between an alternate reality of Equestria and this newly discovered doorway. What land of Equestria laid beyond it was a mystery, yet a few tombs mentioned that it was not to be tampered with, a land not like our own. Diverse, Peaceful, and Independent... Any outside interference to the world from another reality would be like dropping an anvil upon a rabbit... This "other" realm beyond the door would not know the dangers posed to them from all other realms, and any outside interference would slowly but surely rip their world apart by the seams. Breezerider felt it was important Magnus knew this before Kayne's time was too long spent in this other world and caused it irreparable damage.

Making his way through the halls toward Magnus's quarters, two solid silver halberd's blocked his path as two royal guards lowered their deathly sharp weapons just a fraction of an inch from his face, denying him entry, making it clear his life was next to be denied if he made a further attempt to pass them.

"Please, It is imperative that you allow me to pass, I must speak with Lord Magnus about Kayne's travel to another realm." spoke Breezerider as the guards remained with their weapons lowered.

"Lord Magnus is away and upon leaving left us with orders to deny entry to all until his return." spoke one of the guards sternly as he raised his halberd to it's original standing position.

"Did our lord speak of where he intended to travel to?" questioned Breezerider as he imagined to receive no answer. The eyes of the same guard whom had addressed him, met Breezerider's as his expression narrowed.

"You have reason to ask of the Lord's personal business?" the guard questioned with a icy, piercing stare.

Breezerider shook his head in response as the second guard now stared the researcher down as well. "I have urgent news to inform Lord Magnus of about this other realm, Duke Kayne's exsistance in this other realm is not good, he must leave it at once!" exclaimed Breezerider as the guards returned to their previous stance.

"Lord Magnus has left to see this doorway firsthoof, he spoke of traveling through it himself at a later date." announced the more outspoken of the two guards as Breezerider was gone before the guard had even finished speaking, papers littering the halls as the two guards exchanged glances and shrugged.

- - -