"Twilight, what do you know of monsters?" Asked Princess Celestia, who fiddled with an ancient tome. Her page marked by a silk tassel.
"Monsters? Are we talking about the creatures of the Everfree? Because I've been studying their habits-"
"No Twilight I mean real monsters. The kind that leave ponies to tremble for hundreds of years after they're locked away." Celestia gave a light chuckle over Twilight's quest for learning. But her soft smile drooped as she looked back at her tassel.
"Like when Nightmare Moon possessed Princess Luna?"
"Yes just like that."
"Well I do know that some creatures are considered monstrous for their attacks on ponies, such as the early exploration of the Badlands with the Sand Drakes. Or maybe even the examples of infamous tyrants who exploited their subjects." Twilight listed from what she learned from her many books that resided in her collection.
"What about monsters that have no remorse in their actions but take a sadistic pleasure in the suffering of others? Can you name a few?" Celestia's demeanor changed softly, none but the most observant could notice the change.
"Discord before he was reformed would count, King Sombra would also be one the list, and possibly Queen Chrysalis except she was only trying to feed her subjects. Only they were defeated." The young princess stated as if she were talking more to herself than her fellow princess.
"Yes they were, thank goodness. But Twilight I can tell you definitely that there are monsters hidden in the world. One I have faced with deadly consequences... I know very little of it but what I do know is terrible. This thing isn't of our world but can enter whenever somepony is willing to spend their soul for the price of vengeance. Twilight make no mistake not all broken hearts can be mended with friendship or love, and they tread down the damned path to vengeance." A tear rolled down the cheek of Celestia falling onto the tassel's braid. "There's even a poem about this beast, I remember very little of it."
Twilight listened quietly as Celestia retold the poem. " There was more though as I have said I can't recall it."
"Twilight have I told you about the tragedy of the Grey Alicorn Inn? It's not a famous tale because it hasn't been told after I scorched the entire area to try and rid the fields of the tainted land. You may not have heard of the area and I would like to keep it that way." The solar deity shook her head trying to clear the horrible memories.
"I can't say I have Princess, but I can tell it left something very wrong inside you." Twilight snuggled closer to her former mentor showing the elder Alicorn comfort. Smiles graced both their muzzles at the show of affection, along with a large white wing being draped over the smaller of the two.
"Alright let me get this off my chest. Two hundred years ago-"
Washoe valley wasn't a place touched by the chaotic reign of Discord before the Royal Sisters stamped out the anarchist rule. Here many would call a peaceful living, no harm had ever fallen upon the small community that called this valley home.
A small business owner stepped out of his lovely cottage, he takes in the morning air and sighs at the beautiful sight. His horn lighting in a familiar glow to him, but a small yawn brings him back to reality.
"Green leaf? What are you doing out this early?" Came a very soft and caring voice. His wife, Heart's desire, stood beside him. "The sun has just rose and your out, anxious to get to work?"
"Not at all, I want the day to be over to back with you my love." Green leaf smiled, Heart's desire leaned closer into him and enjoyed the sunrise. Together they sat down in silence not needing to say a word about the beauty of the scene. The sun rose over the peaks, shinning brightly upon the valley. "Beautiful as always my love, but I must be off before Helping Hooves gets to the store. You knows how pushy she is."
The pair shared a light chuckle about Green leaf's coworker ironic behavior. Today was starting off like a well established day, Green leaf's wife was showing the world her award winning smile. Princess Celestia gave this day her best.
Once Heart's desire went back inside the cottage Green leaf trotted towards the rest of the township with a skip in his step, joy filled his heart as tomorrow would his day off. An entire day with Heart's desire, Green leaf wouldn't miss it for the world.
"Good morning Green leaf."
"Morning to you as well!" Green leaf replied to each pony who greeted him as he continued to his workplace. Nothing could bring him down.
( Canterlot, present day)
"Excuse me Princess Celestia, but Lord Fancy Pants is here to see you." Came the voice a young maid.
"Well Twilight, I will continue the story once I get back." With that Celestia left, leaving behind a very curious Princess.
Alone in a room with a very large book, Twilight looked over it with careful detail outlined in her mind. The tassel was very peculiar, a soft blue silk with a bright yellow braid. Twilight slowly pulled out the tassel to find gold lettering on it's face. It read "Life has smiled upon you, Star gleam".
"Who is Star gleam?" Twilight asked to no one in peculiar.
"She was a very beautiful child, and she held so much promise. I met her only once. If fate been kinder to, we might have had one more princess ruling along side us. But that come later in the story my dear, let us continue." Celestia spoke, giving Twilight a fright at first.
(Washoe valley, two hundred years ago)
"Hello Helping Hooves, I didn't keep you too long did I?" Green leaf smiled as he opened the door. "I'm sorry if I did, but my wife and I were making plans for tomorrow night."
"It wasn't that long of a wait, but five minutes later then we would have some words." Helping Hooves replied as she prepared for the day, moving a large barrel of apple cider to it's sell position. "Cats haven't been keeping their worth here, I can see mice holes. Tell me Green leaf, what you and the misses going to do tomorrow?"
"We haven't made much plans yet, but we are going to the lake. That much we did decided on." Green leaf chuckled. "So how's the church?"
"Oh the church is doing wonderfully, we praise the sun goddess in hopes of the crops growing. We also just got a new pony in the church. When are you and Heart's desire gonna join?"
"We haven't given it much consideration, you know trying for a family and whatnot. But we may join later on once we have a child." Green leaf stated with his hoof to his chin. "Oh well no one can see the future."
(Canterlot, present day)
"You had a religion based on you?! I've known you were revered but to be praised as a deity, what was that like?" The ever inquesitive Twilight asked politely.
"It wasn't a horrible experience, to be held in such a way is wonderful for a time. But I never made claims to being a goddess, but in the many rural areas I'm still worshipped." Sighed Celestia as she gave her answer. "Funny to see myself so high on a social ladder when I just kept Equestria running."
(Washoe valley, two hundred years ago)
"Yeah damned path down over to the deep woods, I still will never understand why that witch lives out there." Helping Hooves commented to restart the conversation with Green leaf, who had stayed quiet. "Heard she was only a little filly when she was caught in a fire. Can't say if it's true or not, never met her."
"What I don't understand is why she's a witch when we unicorns in town that can do things some witch hasn't. I mean I was such a little guy back then when she first moved here, but she couldn't even lift a rock with her magic. It seems odd to call her a witch, all I'm saying is how do we even know she can spook half the town without stepping a single hoof in it?" Green leaf countered.
"Hey there is one way to find out isn't there?" Helping Hooves grinned, Green leaf's mind could put the pieces together.
"We're going to visit the witch? Wow I've heard some stupid things but that takes the cake."
"You're scared, it's alright. Surely you never wanted to know why she's out there in the first place huh? But hey, I understand." Helping Hooves goaded Green leaf.
"That's not what I said! I'm not scared of anything! I got married so put that in your pipe and smoke it!" Green leaf shouted back to the now laughing Helping Hooves.
"Alright, prove it. Tonight we head out that way, we see the witch."
"Fine, after work we go. I know that you won't have the gall to go the whole way."
(Evening, four hours till midnight)
"Come on, keep up Green leaf! We're not stopping until we find her cabin!"
"I *huff* I *huff* haven't run *huff* in a long time." Green leaf panted trying to keep up with Helping Hooves, who had a good fifteen feet lead. Green leaf struggled to keep up with the younger mare as she bolted down the barely visible path. "W- *huff* wait *huff* for me."
"Fine!" Helping Hooves stopped, waiting for her friend as he slowly caught up. Slowly but surely he stood next to her, his head low and his chest heaving for air. "Wow you need some exercise my friend. We are going to start running before the week is out."
Ahead of the pair stood a darker section of woods with thick gnarled roots jutting from the ground, low hanging branches aiming to swipe at a face or two should they be close enough. The trees were parted just enough for the path to be seen, it twisted to the left just beyond sight. The two stopped at this opening, eyeing the hard packed dirt with suspension. With nothing more than a nod they continued.
The sounds were no longer lingering in the air, nothing but silence surrounded the duo. A light fog rolled around their hooves as they drew closer to their objective, they could hear a fire crackling just beyond sight.
"Okay let's go back Helping Hooves, we made it this far."
"Why'd you come into my home?" A gravely voice answered back.
Green leaf leaped a few good feet off the ground at the sound of the new voice. His heart rate skyrocketing in seconds.
"Why are in my woods?" The witch spoke with no pity to the colt before her. Her clouded eyes piercing his soul without even gazing directly at him.
"Uh... we.. my friend and I were curious about you, so we came out here to see if you were alright ma'am." Green leaf quickly lied, hoping she would buy it.
"Yes, we thought you could use some company." Helping Hooves added to help her friend's story.
"I wasn't talking to you." The witch snapped at the younger mare. "I'm talking to the colt."
The way the witch snapped surprised Helping Hooves greatly, not much was known about her.
"Like I said before we came to see if you were alright-"
"That's a lie and you know it."
Green leaf was stunned by how perceptive she was, not only was she quick to answer also she cut through lies just as fast. Green leaf struggled to come up with an answer for the witch as she circled him, Helping Hooves standing a few feet away like a lost puppy. "Well we... uh... wanted to... see you?"
"See me? Why? What's to gain seeing me, what was your goal to get?" The witch replied, glaring down upon the smaller stallion. "Has your legends of me become so famous that now ponies from all around to peek into my life?"
"No ma'am-"
"Tell your friend to get, I have no reason to be speaking with her. You on the other hoof intrigue me." From the tone of voice Green leaf could tell she wouldn't allow him to leave.
With nothing more than a meek nod to acknowledge the request, Green leaf looked towards Helping Hooves with a sad smile.
"No I'm not going anywhere while he's here!"
"Then I will not warn your friend of his danger. It’s your choice." The witch spoke with cryptic words that chilled the air around the two. "He will be back before morning, his fate will dictate him back home."
"How can I be sure he will be safe?" The question was asked without any hesitation.
"In the many years I've lived here, how many ponies disappeared from your comfy little village? How many does your myth about me say I've taken? Do they come back? I've never harmed anypony, I've only kept to myself." The witch started to smile, this smile wasn't one of malicious intent or devious in anyway. It lacked the sneer many would associate with her. Of course not many ever coming to see the witch would know that.
"Alright, if he doesn't come back then I'll be back for you." Helping Hooves glared daggers to the taller mare before turning back to the dirt path, leaving a ever shrinking stallion from the grim determination of the witch.
"Sit I ain't gonna boil you in a stew, you have a very special fate."
"What do you mean by that? I'm destined to become famous or something?" Green leaf chuckled nervously.
"No, I mean one day your blood will make its way back to me. I know the feeling all to well, a deep rage will form for a heinous act. One that will go punished by powers that be." The witch replied in her calm demeanor.
"Rage? I never felt angry about much, except for that time in school when the bullies used to throw me in the muddy fields." Green leaf started before the witch silenced him.
"Oh you won't understand for a long time, eleven years time your blood will be back here. During that wait you'll meet the sun goddess herself, the legends of this significant moment will be wiped away."
"Wiped away? What do you mean?"
"I mean what I say." The witch snapped at the colt with deathly serious eyes glaring down at him. "I say what I mean."
Green leaf frowned at the mysterious answer he received from the mare, finally he work up his courage to ask one last question.
"What's your name?"
"Most ponies don't have the courage to ask that, but my name is Plagued Ink." She answered the less nervous stallion. "But it's now time for you to go home, so go."
Green leaf stood up and turned to the path, casting one last glance back to Plagued Ink. How different she was to everypony he ever met, yet still was just a pony. His hooves carrying away his body as he left.
"Boy you're not going to be enjoying your life, but your blood will come back." Plagued spoke once Green leaf was far from the deep woods.
(Washoe valley, two hours after midnight)
Helping Hooves stood out from the foliage, waiting for her friend's safe return. She waited hours for him.
"Come on, where are you?" Helping Hooves said to try and ease the tension. "Tartarus with this, I'm going in there to drag you out."
Just as she was marching in Green leaf rushed out resulting in a head on collision. The pair groaned as they began to stand.
"Ow ow ow, Green leaf anypony tell you that you've got a hard head?" Helping Hooves stated as she prepared for the headache that was soon to come. "I'm glad you made it back alright but ow man easy though with the head."
The pair began to laugh as they trotted back to town's border.
(Canterlot, present day)
Twilight soaked in every detail of the story she was listening to, her mind sorting out the witch and her significance to what would happen.
"Princess, I know that something about this topic has left an extreme mark on you... but why not send it to Tartarus? I mean you can do nearly anything, so why is this thing so terrifying?"
"Twilight... I don't expect you to understand why it scares me, but I will say I have never before or after that time will anything else can hold so much sadistic joy in it's actions. It very well could have been the end of my life." The elder Alicorn spoke solemnly, her eyes closed to block the visions from sight. Slowly she stood up, her body language speaking clearly. The story for now was over.
Twilight quickly joined her, their steps echoing through the empty halls. They walked in silence, not one word needed to be said as they made their way towards the bedroom. Both dwelling in thoughts of their own as the arrived.
The heavy doors open ominously to a darkened room, but with a dash of magic the room came to life with color. The depressing mood lifted from the pair as they took off their golden shoes and crowns. The sheets bent to the flow of the magical arua of Celestia as she gave Twilight the all clear to the bed.
"Princess, I mean Celestia, if you could save the lives lost would you?" The innocent question hit Celestia like a ton of bricks.
"Sometimes, you can't save them all."
(Washoe valley, two hundred years ago)
"So what the witch have to say?" Helping Hooves questioned as her and Green leaf trekked back into town, Green leaf already could see his wife's face in anger at his tardiness.
"She told me her name, it's Plagued Ink by the way, and she told me that my blood would make it's way back to her... I have no clue what that means though. It won't matter, Heart's desire is gonna kill me when I get home..." He trailed off as he saw his wife glaring down at him from the steps of his home.
"You'd be lucky if even I let you off that easy." Heart's desire leaned on the railing of the front porch, her eyes narrow and aimed right through Green leaf's soul. "Where have you been?! Do you even know what time it is!? Or how long I've been up worrying over your safety!"
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you-"
"Don't even play the working late card... wait. You're sorry?" Heart's desire slowed her "don't ever do that again" speech. "Alright, so where were you all that time?"
"Helping Hooves and I went down to the deep woods to see the witch who lives put there." Green leaf started off. "And as I told Helping Hooves, her name is Plagued Ink."
"Really? You went to see the witch?! That doesn't give me a great deal of confidence! Why would you even do that?!" Heart's desire began to shout again, her eyes wide with fear and anger. "Just don't scare me like that."
"I'm sorry my love I didn't know that you would be so worried, I'm sorry." Green leaf quickly added so his punishment wouldn't be as severe. "Had I know how long it would kept me I wouldn't have gone at all."
"Alright, get inside. Helping Hooves have a good night." Heart's desire coldly regarded the other mare. Helping Hooves left without a word. Heart's desire one the other hoof shot Green leaf a very skeptical look. "Went to visit the witch? Or was it something more?"
"Sweetie the witch told Helping Hooves to leave, that's the only way she would even speak to me. Plagued Ink said in my blood would come back to her, eleven years to be precise." Green leaf recalled. "She told me that a rage will lead the blood back... weird right?"
"Very weird, just don't do that again."
