A Second Chanceby Blitz StratusChaptersChapter 1 Downward sprialChapter 2 AwakeningChapter 3 The JourneyChapter 4 The KeeperChapter 5 A SecretChapter 6 Bloody FunChapter 7 A Way OutChapter 8 Fog of ShadowsChapter 10 Spiders and VomitChapter 9 Chatting with a SkullChapter 1 Downward sprial"How did The Great And Powerful Trixe end up in such a dispairing place? Cruse you Twilight Sprakle! How dare you humiliate Trixie! Trixie does not belong in such a awful place. Trixie will find her way out of here and take her revenge on you and your friends! Splush. Yuck. First find a way out of this mud hole Trixie." Time seem to drag on at a snails pace.Trixie not being able to make heads or hooves of where she was. As she unknowingly wondered deeper into the everfree forest she did not know that her every move was being watched. A shadowy creature was stocking her every move. Waiting for its prey to let its guard down or to make a careless mistake and it would have her in its blood stained jaws. It began to move in closer readying itself for a strike. "Trixie is starting to believe she is lost" she said with a sigh. Snap! "Huh? Who dares to try to sneak up and startle The Great And Powerful Trixie"! Grrr. The creature having blowen its cover decide to attack its prey head on. "Does a lowly Saber Wolf think its a match for The Great And Powerful Trixie! If you are wise you will leave Trixie while you still can!" The Saber Wolf not being able to understand what the blue mare had spoken hurled its self at her with deadly intent. The mares horn glowed brifly and the Saber Wolf was blinded by stars. Lossing its bearings its skull connected with a tree instead of the mares body. A loud crunch resounded through the forest as the wolf slid down to the ground. "Did you think such a feeble attack would be able to hit Trixie!" "Trixie warned you now you will suffer for your folly!" The Saber Wolf rose from the ground and turned to face its prey again. "Does thou wish to try your luck again against The Great And Powerful Trixie!" The Saber Wolf hurled its self at the blue mare again this time determined to strike down its prey. The mares horn started to glow again sending a beam of blinding light shooting towards the Saber Wolf. The creature lept over this attack and coreared toward the mares abdomen. Slice!" AHHH!" Trixie yelled in pain as the wolfs claws tore into her side. The wolf spun around and slashed open the mares other flank. Trixie began to stagger as she began to lose blood. "Do you think such weak attacks will slow Trixie!" The wolf readied its self for another attack deciding were to land its next strike. As it charged the mare her horn glowed again and the wolf ran into a cloud of smoke instead of its prey. The wolf confused began to search through the smoke it didn't notice Trixie sneaking away from her attacker. "Trixie can outwit this oaf". Thud! She had run into a tree and the noise had alerted the wolf of where its prey was located. The wolf shot out of the smoke and charged the wounded mare. Trixie throw herself to the ground the wolfs jaws missing her by inchs. The wolf landed and turned to find its prey running away into the under growth. The wolf let out a mighty howl. The chase was on. Trixie weaved her way through the underbrush with the wolf hot on her tail. With every step she could feel it closing the distance between them. "Trixie must lose this beast while she still can" She said to her-self through heavy breaths. She veared hard to the right charging into a patch of briers hoping the wolf wouldn't follow her in. The wolf slide to a stop its muzzle at the begining of the briers it growled in anger. It would have to find a way around. Trixie not knowing if the wolf was still chasing her continued to run through the briers too afraid to look back behind her. "Trixie thinks shes lost him" she pant as she exited the briers. Her body now covered in cuts and stracths ached from the shear effort of the persuit. Trixie with her vision fading floped to the ground. Her now shearded cloak offered little protection from the cold ground. A chill began to creep down Trixies back. She turned around to see her coat drenched with blood from the wounds on her flanks. "Trixie must find something to stop the bleeding". She tried to raise but her muscles had no more to give. She collapsed back onto the ground cold began to spread over her body. "Trixie must..". Trixie didn't get to finish her thought as the Saber wolf brust out of the darkness. Trixie tried to cast a spell to buy her-self some time but shear exhaustion made this act impossible. Trixies vision was becoming blured as the wolf grew nearer. "Stay back!" She wheezed slowly losing her grasp on the world around her. The wolf sensed its victory as it now stood over the badly wounded mare. Its paw decend apon her throat its padded fingers gripping tightly around it. The wolf raise her tired body up into the air leaving her hooves useless. The wolfs mouth twisted into a evil grin. It had won. "This looks like the end for Trixie". She close her eyes there was nothing more she could do to stop her death from coming. The wolfs mouth began to water, this would be a tastie meal. The wolf raised its right arm above its head its claws flashed in the moon light. All of Trixies muscle relaxed as the wolfs claws decended quickly on the mare the wolf determined to end this game. Trixie felt the wolfs claws touch her forehead then suddenly felt her body jerk toward the ground. "Huh?" Trixie manage to open her eyes to see the wolf knock to the ground anger surged in its eyes. "Try picking on somepony your own size wolfy". Trixies sight was blured but through the haze she saw the out-line of somepony standing over her. The wolf roared in anger at this inturder for stealing its meal. Trixies vision darkend as the wolf launched itself at this new enemy. The last thing she heard was a scream before she decended into unconsciousness. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ "Where am I?" Trixie found her-self floating somewhere one thing she was sure of. She was not in her body. She felt her self being pulled along by some force toward some noise in the distance. Trixie strained her eyes to see where she was going. What she saw turned her mind insideout. She was right to think she was not in her body when she looked down all she saw were the ghostly shadows of her legs beneath her. " Whats happened to me?" Trixie looked to her surrounding's for answers. What she saw filled her with dread. All around her was nothing but endless darkness only broken by specks of light and wisps of purple fog. "Where in the Tartarus am I?!" No answer came her voice only ecohed through the emptyness. The noise had become louder now as Trixie continued to be pulled by some unseem force toward a shimmer of light. "What is that?" As Trixie floated closer to the light in grew blindingly bright. Whats happening? The light grew brighter Trixie was forced to close her eyes as the light burned her eyes. Then the light faded Trixie opened her eyes to find herself standing in a meadow covered in thick fog. "Where am I now?" "Trixie the show mare?" "Huh?" "Thats your name right Trixie?" Trixie spun around to see where this mysterious voice came from. Behind her emerging from the fog was a colt with a old tatered brown cloaked over its body. "Is it?" The colt asked again ".......Yes". "Well then Trixie welcome to Purgatory." Chapter 2 Awakening"Well then Trixie welcome to purgatory." The colt said in a monotone voice. "What? Trixies is dead!" "Why else would you be here in my domain." "There has to be some sort of mistake Trixie has done nothing to be be deceased." "Oh really?" The colts hood glowed briefly as a clip bored appered in front of his face. "Trixie the show mare lets see. Yes right here. Charges while in the land of the living are as follows." "One causing distemperment in several towns in Equestria. Two causing near destruction of ponyville by a ursa minor. Three endangering entire population of ponyville by said ursa minor. And four being a well lets just say a witch to everypony you ever met. Yes Trixie it looks like you're supposed to be here." The colt said as the clip bored winked out of existences. "Trixie can't be...." "They always act the same way every time they end up here." Trixie was dumfounded. "How can this be? Cruse you Twilight Sprakle! Trixie will destory you and your friends! " "Ah revenge thats the end for many ponys here." "You! Trixie commands you to end this foolishness and return her to her body!" "Sorry thats not going to happen." "Stop this act Trixie is not dead you just have her imprisoned! Release me from this spell!" "There is no spell. You are dead." 'Trixie has had enough of this! Release me or you will suffer for your foolishness!' The colt had grown tired of this annoying mare unable to except her faith. "Your denail will end eventually enjoy your stay for you will be here forever." The colt having nolonger a need to inform the mare of her faith returned to his journey through the fog. "Trixie has warned you now suffer the consequences of your incompliances!" The mares horn began to glow faithly at first the intensified to a massive glob of fire. "Now suffer!" Trixie let go of the ball of fire. The ball having nothing to hold it back rocketed towards the colt. He turned his head back just as he was impacted by the attack. KABOOM!! A dark mushroom cloud billowed up from the impact. "Trixie warned you now you have died for your foolish..." Trixie's statement was cut short as gaint black hand shot out of the fire. Trixie tried to move but the ghostly image that was now her body refused. The hands massive figures wraped around her body and began to crush her. "Trixie can't..." "Trixie won't move if she wishs her soul not to be through into the deepest hole in Tartarus!" Trixies eyes failed her. What was raising toward her filled entire soul with terror. What was raising toward her was only something from hell itself. "You have made a great error in attacking me!" A voice rang out in her head. "Now do you know this is not a spell!" The creature was no longer a pony as before but something that only existed in nightmares. Its cloak now gone showed what its true from was. It had no flesh only bones beneath a swirlling black form that made up its body. "Now do you wish to listen!" Trixie could only nod her voice failing her. "You are dead! There is no error! Only on your part is there error! You are dead because of your arrogance, inferior capacity to understand that no pony cares for you, and that your tricks only cause more trouble then your worth!" "I do not know why that pegasi tried to save you from that Saber wolf almost being killed in the process! If it had only known who you were it would have not intervend!" "Trixie would." "SLIENCE! You will not interrupt me! Its demonic voice crackled from its fanged jaws. Now listen and listen well you will walk forever in the fields of purgatory never to see the land of the living again! Whats left of you will rot away because wickedness holds your heart! May your suffering be your only company! Begone from me before I decide to punish you more harshly." With this final word the creature drew its arm back and hurled Trixie into the fog. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ A long time passed before Trixie began to think about what had just happened. "Trixie does not understand why this is happening to her. That thing does not know what Trixie has been through. Trixe is not in the wrong you vile creature! Trixie will just find her way out of this place and hopefully never see that beast again." "But a thought drifted into her head as she spoke. But what if its true? She shoke her head violently. No! No! No! Everything that creature said was a lie! Trixie is not the one who is at fault!" With this thought burning in her head she began to look for a way to escape her prison. She wonder for a long time trying to find her way out not thinking of what the creature had said. But no matter how hard she tried the creatures words continued to resound in her head. "Your tricks cause more trouble then your worth. You are dead because of your arrogance. Wickedness holds you heart. You will never see the land of the living again." "Trixie must continue to look. Trixie will not let that thing win!" But the words of the creature kept resounding no matter how hard she tried she really was going nowhere. Finaly near exhaustion she came upon a lone lake in the sea of fog. Trixies hope began to raise. "Maybe this will lead Trixie to the way out of here." She quickend her step trying to reach the lake. But as she neared it she began to slow. Her lake was not a lake only a depression filled with mist. "Everything that...that...thing said....was true. Trixies heart shattered. Trixie will never see her home again. Tears began to stream down her face. I will never get to thank that pegasi for saving me." Trixie put her hooves on her face to try to stop from crying. But she could not stop her tears as they poured out in waves. She slumped to the ground in front of the lake of the mist as tears continued to cascade from her tired eyes. "Why...do...I...have...to...suffer...so...much." Trixie choked through heavy sobs. "Because suffering gives way to renewal." "W-Whos there? Trixies head bolted up to the sound of this new voice. Are you that monster here to finish Trixie off?" "No im not. Im here to help you." Trixie quickly stood up eyes still hot with tears scaned the fog looking for the origin of the voice. "Where are you?" "Look towards where your tears have fallen my dear." Trixie was confused by this."Look where my tears have fallen?" "Down sweety." Trixie felt a tear fall off her face. She followed its path as it fell towards the mist. Her tear descend toward the mist. But instead of passing through the mist it came to a stop just above it and began to glow. Trixie steped back as more of her tears copied the first. Chapter 3 The JourneyThe mist started to hum as the brightness began to spread from where her tears had fallen. Slow at first then quickening as tendrils of light spread over the mist. Only when the light had spread to the size of a small pond did the glow start to dim. But what was mist was now a soild surface of silver now shimmering before Trixie. "What in the name of Equestria?" She thought as a puzzled look fell apon her face. "What kind of magic is this?" "My own." The voice said with a snicker at the expression on Trixies face. "Please come closer sweety we need to talk." Trixie did as she was asked and approached the shimmering silver. She was in awe at what she saw in the silver. Instead of her reflection looking back at her she saw a beautiful alicorn with a obsidian black mane looking back. "Thank you sweety, its nice to see you to." "You can hear my thoughts?" "Only the ones you what me to dear." The alicorn said with a smile. A million questions started to run through Trixies head she didn't know where start. "Take your time, go with the simplest one sweety." "Ok how can you hear my thoughts?" "Its just something I was born being able to do. A special talent you would call it." "Am I really dead?" The alicorn paused for a moment. "I think you already know the answer to that dear." Tears began to fill Trixies eyes again. "So I really won't get to see Equestria again?" Trixie felt the waves of tears coming on again. "Trixie." "Yeah?" "Can you do something for me?" "What?" Trixie managed to say through a sob. "Please, stop crying." "Why? Im stuck here forever never to see the sun or the night sky again! I'll never get to feel a summer breeze or watch the flowers bloom!" Trixie began to cry. "I just what to go home!" Trixie felt a foreleg wrap around her. To her suprise she found the alicorn was now sitting next to her. "Trixie I know its hard for you but will you listen to me?" Trixie just noded she didn't what to think anymore. The alicorn didn't speak as she waited for Trixie to recompose herself. "Trixie do you still want revenge on Twilight Sparkle and her friends?" "No I just what to go home Trixie sobed. But that vile thing said I would never leave, only to wonder here forever." "Trixie I know what Azreal said was harsh but he was right you won't be able to leave here not as long as you hold on to these feelings of hate." "But Trixie has everyright to...." The alicorn put her hoof to Trixies mouth. "Trixie? Do you still want to thank that pegasi that saved you?" Trixie noded. "Yes but I'm stuck here." Trixie felt the alicorn's foreleg lift off her shoulders. "Trixie what would you be willing to give for that chance?" The alicorns tone was no longer sweet but one of seriousness as it possed Trixie her question. "Trixie doesn't have anything left for her to give." "Trixie there is always something left to give." The alicorn said as she rose from the ground. Trixie looked up at the pearl colored ailcorn her eyes still holding tears yet to be shed. "Trixie you have gone through a lot so far, but if your willing to go a little more there might be a chance for you to get home. *Pluck.* Trixie this will guided you where you need to go." The alicorn pulled one of her feathers from her wings and let it absorb some of her magic. "But promise me that you won't give up before you reach your goal." "I won't." She replied as the alicorn pinned the feather in Trixies mane. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ Trixie felt alone as she walked through the fog. "I wish she would have come with me there's something unsettling about this place." "I'm sorry Trixie but I wish I could do more but you must take this tasks on alone. "The alicorns last words resounded in her head. "But what if Trixie mmHHFF." The alicorn lifted her hoof from Trixies mouth when she knew Trixie would be quiet. "You will figure it out after all your The Great And Powerful Trixie." the alicorn said with chuckle. A smile crepted across Trixies face. "If I was I wouldn't be here." Trixies said as her head sank. The memory of being chased out of ponyville still fresh in her mind. "Don't be so hard on yourself Trixie. You still have a ways to go before you know your limits." The alicorn said to herself. The alicorn gave Trixie a farewell hug before she began to walk back toward the sliver pond. "Can I ask you something before you go?" "Yes?" "You've done so much to help me but I only just met you." The alicorn touched the sliver her body began to turn into mist. "I don't even know your name." The alicorn started to laugh. "You know Trixie for all the time I've been here your the only one to ask." The mist was now making its way up her neck as she continued to laugh. "Please tell me before you go." Trixie was worried that this would be the only friendly face she would meet in this place. She wanted to remember her. "It's Spirt Messenger Trixie and don't worry this won't be your last time seeing each other." "When will I see you again?" "Now that would ruin the surprise Trixie." The mist was now at the alicorns neck making her voice seem far away."Oh and Trixie mind the Keeper he has his moods." "Thank you Sage I will." The alicorn laughed again. "Sage I like that." The sliver vanished as the last wisp of the alicorn turned to vapor. Trixie just stood there not really wanting to go on and leave where she had met Sage. She felt a tiny tug in her mane and Trixie snaped back to reality. Sages feather was guiding her through what seemed like endless fog. "Stop day dreaming Trixie we have to get back to your world." She wandered for what seemed like hours Sages feather tuging when she started to go off course. Finally seesaw what the feather was leading her to. In the distance the outline of a tower came into view. "That must be where im suppose to be heading. I hope the keeper is in there." Trixie said as she past the stone gates leading toward to the tower. I just hope the Keeper is in a good mood Trixie said to herself as she grew nearer to the tower. Chapter 4 The KeeperTrixie walked up the stone stairs leading to the Towers entrance. It seemed to grow ever larger as she neared. The tower was constructed of large gray blocks much wider then Trixie at its base and blocks the size of her head as the tower went up into the fog. After many more stairs Trixie finally reached the towers enterance way. Trixie was nervous, after what she had experienced so far she really didn't know what would be beyond the doorway. "Well here goes nothing." Trixie muttered as she pushed open the heavy door. What she saw inside was not what she had been expecting. Instead of being dank and dirty as she had expected the hall she was now standing in was clean and lined with shelves holding what seemed like an infinite number of scrolls. Trixie paused for a moment absorbing her new surroundings. "Theres so many of them." She was filled with a sudden urge to pull one down and read it. Then she felt the feather tug reminding her that she was here for a reason. "I don't have time to read these I must find The Keeper." Trixie backed away from the shelf and began to look towards the end of the hall. As she walked down the hallway passing more scrolls she started to hear faith chatter. Trixie couldn't figure out what they were saying but she could tell there were two voices. "I hope there friendly." Trixie said with a gulp. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Trixie reach the end of the hall she was left speechless. The room she was now in seem to hold an infinite number of books and scrolls. Shelves covered all the walls.They seemed to go all the way to the top of the tower. "Oh look we have a guest" A piercing voice called out. "Yes it appeares we do" A second lower voice agreed. Trixied turned her head away from the books toward the massive counter that lay in the middle of the room on top of a gaint set of marble steps. "Are you The Keeper?" Trixie asked as she made her way up to the desk. "Well now that we share one body the answer would be yes." Both voices said in unison. "Wait what do you mean?" She said as she peeked over the counter. "Pretty much as we stated." The piercing voice replied as it poped up from behind the counter scaring Trixie. Trixie was not sure what to make of the pony that stood before her. It was like it had been split in half and put back togther with part of another pony. The right side of The Keeper was jet black, his short blood colored mane standing out brightly with blood red eyes. But the left sea foam green, with her long faygo blue mane covering her kaleidoscope eyes. "So what can we help you with." They said in unison. "Uhm you see I came here cause Sa..."She stopped when the feather tugged. "I mean I need help finding a book for a certain spell." Trixie lied. "Oh we have alot of those." The mare half answered. "I'll show you were they are." She said tearing herself off of her right side colt half. Trixie was about to throw up but the mare half poped into smoke and reformed as a whole mare. "Hurry up we still have alot of work to still do." "Oh bite me you stupid Keeps." The mare retorted. "The first guest we get and you have to be rude." The mare troted off and Trixie quickly followed for some reason she felt safer with her then staying with the colt. They reached a elevator and the mare hopped in Trixie stood there, hesitant to get in a confined space with her. "Oh don't worry I might be crazy but I don't bite, thats Keeps." "Oh ok." Trixie mumbled as she stepped into the elevator. The door click shut and they began to raise as the elevater music started to play. "Im crrrrryyyyying,... yellow mound of custard.... dripping from a dead dogs eye." The sea foam mare sung along. "Uuumm." "Oh by the way my names Sky Diamond nice to meet you." She said spining her head one-hundred eighty degrees so she could see Trixie standing behind her. "Uuummmm." Trixie mumble as she tried to hold her stmoach. "Oh im sorry." She said as she spun the rest of her body around. "And by the way I know the real reason your here." She said as she point toward the feather. "So you saw that." Trixie nervously shuffled her hooves. "Don't worry I already got Sages message." Sky said with a smile. "You did!" Trixie said louder then she ment to. "Sshhhh. Keeps doesn't know and we need to keep it that way." She said pulling her hooves away from Trixies mouth. "Sorry but your only the second pony here who seems to want to help me." "Yeah Azreal and Keeps can be pretty mean." Sky said as her face turned a little red."Its sometimes makes me wonder why I work here." "But if you know why I'm here then what are we going and getting?" "The magic book you wanted or rather you'll be needing." Sky said as a twisted smile came across her face. "And I need this book why?" Trixie asked as she backed up a little. "Oh I'll tell you when we get to where the book is." The elevator stopped and Trixie stepped out. "Well lets get looking." Sky said as she lock the elevator an ate the key. "What we don't won't keeps following us." Sky said innocently. "Ok, but why did you have to eat the key?" "Cause it tasted good of course." "Great she is crazy, what have you gotten your self into Trixie." She thought to herself. "Anyway lets began looking for that book." Sky said as she bounced down the lines of shelves. After what seemed like several hours of looking Trixie was about to give up when a thin blue book perked her attention. "Hey you found it." Sky said rather loudly causing Trixie to jump. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She said as she watch Trixie climb down from a shelf. "Yeah I just I did, so what will this let us do?" "Oh nothing really just help us convice Keeps to help you." Sky said as the twisted smile returned to her face. "And it will do that how?" "Oh by leting us puting his heart back in his chest." "Wait it well let us do what?" Chapter 5 A Secret"Like I said it will let us put his bloody heart back into his empty chest." Sky said with a shrug. Trixie staggered back. "Your joking right." She said with a nervous laugh. "Trixie im not joking. If you want to get out of here your going to have to trust me." "But to kill somepony thats...thats." "Wrong? Yes but since he's already a vampony were actually doing him a favor." Sky said as she trotted to the end of the isle. "Are you coming or what." She yelled back to Trixie. "Y...yeah be right there." Trixie whispered as she moved to catch up with the sea foam mare. They walked in silence for a long time, passing many rows of books and scrolls Sky ever humming to herself. "You said he was a vampony. What is that?" Trixie finally breaking her silence. "Oh it's the name I gave for what he is. A vampire pony." Sky said tilting her head so Trixie could hear her. "Those really exist." "Well they use to." Sky said as her eyes seemed to darken. "Long, long ago they existed." "Umm so where are we heading to Sky?" "Oh to the vaults where he keeps his heart locked up." She said becoming cheery again. "He keeps it locked in a safe?" "Well wouldn't you?" "Umm its still in my body so no." "Oh yeah, your still alive. Sorry I'm use to dealing with dead ponys or things that don't have hearts or souls." Sky said with eerie grin. "Ok I'm just going to say it." Trixie said a she stopped walking. "Sky your scaring the hay out of me." The sea foam mare just stared at her then started laughing. "Is that all." She said wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh Trixe thats probably the nicest thing anypony has said to me." "Your not insulted?" Trixie asked dumfounded by Sky reaction. "Trixie I'll let you in on a little secret. Just like that pegasus wanted to save you, I chose to be insane." "But why would you choose something like that?" "Because it made me happy." Sky said with a smile. "It's that the reason you performed, because it made you happy." "Did Sage tell you that?" "No it was in one of these scrolls I read about you." "Wait theres a scroll here about me?" "Yep theres a scroll and or book about everthing that has, is, and will exist." Sky said waving her hoof over the vast expance of the tower. "Umm how do you find your scroll?" "Oh you don't want to read your own." "Whys that?" "Because your only allowed to read it when your going to be passing on. It will set out an energy field drawing you to it and if you read it you can never return to the land of the living." "Oh so It probably wasn't a good idea to place my scroll at the entrance of this tower." Trixie said realizing if it wasn't for sages feather she would really had been stuck here forever. "Sorry I was reading it before you got here." Sky mumbled as her muzzle turned red. "Yeah put that somewhere safe will you." "Can do Trixie but first we need to get Keeps heart." "Yeah where is this vault anyway?" "Oh about forty odd yards from here." Sky said with a shrug. "Well what are we waiting for?" Trixie said picking up her pace. "Yay a race I say." Sky gleefully shouted as she tried to catch up to Trixie. "Ok I know vaults are big but a entire wall!" Trixie said as she craned her neck to see the whole vault. It hadn't taken long to reach it, heck you couldn't miss it but to take up a entire wall. Trixie struggled to find the reason why it had to be so large. "Hey I just work slash live here ok. I didn't build the thing." "So how do we get in?" "Umm actually Trixie you me how do you get in." Sky said looking at the floor. "Wait your not going to go in there with me?" "Trixie im sorry I can't." "Why can't you!" "Trixie didn't you wonder why me and keeps were bound together when you first entered the tower?" "You mean you lack something too don't you." Sky didn't answer she only noded her head. Trixe was going to ask what but she already knew when she saw as tears began to fall from Sky eyes. "What do I have to do?" Trixie asked in a soft tone. "In the back there's a couple glass boxs. Each has something in it, and one have those boxs has Keeps heart. Bring it here I'll do the rest." "Ok wish me luck." Trixie said as she stood in front of the vault door. "Oh and Trixie." "Yeah Sky?" "You can only bring back one box." she said as she opened the door and pushed Trixie in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trixie felt like she was in a gaint freezer as she walk through the massive vault. The white marble that it was built of gave it the feel of a gaint asylum. "I really am HATING this place." Trixie mumbled. She had been having to climb her way up stairs, over gaps in the floor, and even a river full of snakes, and really hungry sharks. But then In the distance Trixie saw a eerie glow. "Well those must be the boxs." Trixie said holding her breath as she crossed another spiked pit. "If I ever get out of here." She said jumping a small gap. "Im going punch Keeps so hard in the bucking face." Trixie wiped the sweat from her brow. She after having to go up one final set of stairs, had made it to the boxs but something didn't feel right. Each of the eight glass boxs was set on top pedestal with a velvet cloth covering the top of the green pedestals kept the to surfaces apart. "This is so Daring Doo." Trixie said shaking her head. "I can only pick one cause there's a spell that will cause something to crush me if I take more then one box." Trixie went to grab the case with Keeps's heart in it but what was in next case next to it made her stop. The box was labeled SD's soul. And when she looked at it she could see a cloud floating in it. "I'm missing something too." Skys words resonated in her head. "Only one box." Trixie mumbled. She took a deep breath then her horn started to glow. "I'm sorry Sky." She sighed as she lifted one of the boxs off its pedestal. The room started to shake and Trixie took off spriting as the floor began to rubble and crack beneath her hooves. Chapter 6 Bloody FunSky felt the ground shake as she waited for Trixie to return from the vault. It felt like she had been sitting there for ages, her wings had gone complety numb in the process. "Well looks like she chose." She said with a sad sigh. Her ears perked up to the sound of hooves clicking against stone. She quickly moved to the door and threw it open as Trixie came into view. "SKY I GOT IT!" Trixie screamed as the floor continued to fall away from behind her. "Hurry Trixie!" "WHAT DO YOU THINK TRIXIE IS DOING!" She yelled as she made a head long dive for the door. Trixie hurteled through the air as the vault collapsed around her, landing just outside of the door as the last blocks tumble into the empty blackness. Sky closed the door as the vacuum of the vault began to pull strongly against her and Trixie. "Are you ok Trixie?" "Murph." Trixie mumble from under a pile of scrolls. Sky rushed over and began pulling off the massive amount of scrolls that had fallen onto Trixie from the shelf above. After pulling off a few dozen thick scrolls Trixie's head shoot up out from the pile gasping for breath. "Why...didn't you....tell me....about that part." Trixie panted. "Trixie I swear I didn't know it would collapse." Sky swore as she pulled Trixie out of the heap. "Ok but why did it?" "Its probably a safety feature is my best guess." Sky answered as her horn began to glow as the scrolls floated back onto the shelf. "Has that ever happened to you and Keeps?" "No. Of course we always fly so we've never had that probelm." Sky said with a shrug. "Well I don't have wings." "Do you what some?" Sky asked as she trotted back over to Trixie. "You can do that?" Trixie said dumfounded. "No, but there's probably a spell in here that would give you wings." Sky said shruging again. "I think I would like to get out of here before I'll take the wings." Trixie sighed. "Oh yeah, did you get the box?" "Yeah, here." Trixie said floating Sky the glass box she had been carrying. "Good now we can get Keeps to....help us. Trixie this is.." Sky stammered "I know, it seemed more important that you have it back." "SD soul." Sky mumbled as tears began to fall from here eyes. "Trixie you gave up leaving purgatory to...to....to." "Help you? Yeah." "Why?" "Sky so far if I'm honest you and Sage have been my only friends in a long time." Trixie said, her muzzle turning sightly red. "But to give up your chance to leave this place?" "It's worth it." Trixie said as her horn lit up. "Especially when you can have your cake and eat it to." She hummed as she float a wirthing bag from around her neck. Sky's gaze shifted from Trixie, to the bag, then back to Trixie. Sky felt her jaw unhinge and fall to the floor causing Trixie to giggle. "How...did...you." "I am The Great and Powerful Trixie after all Sky." Trixie said with a little grin. "So not only do you have your soul back you get to cut open Keeps chest." "Trixie if there's a ring in that bag of tricks of your's the answer is I do." Sky said in disbelief as she shook her head. "Well arn't you going to open the box Sky?" "Oh of course." She said as she began to swing the box up and down. "Ok, one, two, THREE." Sky said as she smashed the glass against her head causing the box to shatter. "Why did you open it like that!" "Cause I though it would be fun." Sky said with a grin as blood trickeled down her face. Trixie just sighed as the mist that was Sky's soul rapped around the mares frame. At first it just hung there glowing softly then it collapsed into her. Sky's body began to shake violently as if she was experiencing a earthquake nopony else could feel. The green sea washed away from her coat as toffe seem to float over her fur, staining it a sweet tan color. Her mane seem to loss some of its neon but still hold its light as it dimed to a royal blue, Her eyes still spining ever changing patterns of color and shape, sparkling at every touch of light. "OOOoooo what a wonderful feeling to be whole again." Sky plesently moaned as she cracked her neck. "So are you ready Sky?" Trixie asked looking at the new and whole Sky. "Why yes of course." Sky said as she pulled out a bowe knife from thin air. "Let's go get my Keeps back." She said with a twisted grin of joy. o~o~O~O~o~o "So you know the plan then?" Sky whispered to Trixie. "Yes you do the bloody bit while I cast the spell so he can't escape." "Good and Trixie." "Yeah?" "I don't know how I'll ever pay you back for this." Sky whispered as a tear streamed down her cheek. "First let's get me out of here then will decuss that. Agreed?" "Agreed." Sky whispered noding. They made there way to the counter, staying as quite as they could. Trixe reached the counter first and and began to go over the spell one more time. Sky followed suit and slowly peeked her head over the counter making sure she could get to Keeps quickly. They both nodded and put there plan in motion. Trixie rose from behind the counter, book in hoof and shouted. "Ligaveris super terram manducat. Rapiunt in manibus tenent nolunt dimittere eos." Her horned glowed brightly and energy arched toward Keeps rapping around his body. "Relase me!" He shouted as Sky's knife decended apon his chest. The was a loud crack as the blade pirced his sterum causing Keeps to shout out in pain. But there was nothing he could do as Sky's hooves pulled his rib cage apart. Keeps cold blood spurted all over Sky's body but this didn't stop her, it only fueled her lust for more. With a wicked grin she pulled Keeps heart from the burlap bag and plunged it deep into his chest. Keeps eyes shout open, darkness shooting out of them as Sky jolted his heart back into life. Then he stopped struggling as his muscles slackened and as his chest began to magical seal shut. "Did it work?" Trixie asked from behind the counter. "Eeyup." Sky said as she poked her head up so Trixie could she her. "Uuh Sky, could you get off my chest please?" A voice mumbled. "Oh sorry Keeps." She said as she sheaved her now extremely bloody knife Trixie peeked over the counter and watched as Sky got off of Keeps and watched him stand. He looked pretty much the same as before but his features seemed to have soften. His eyes nolonger cast a eerie light but had a loving warmth about them. "Sky your covered in blood! What happened?" He asked, concern filled his voice. "Oh nothing, just was playing around that's all." She said nuzzling him. "Oh is that all you've been doing?" He asked rolling his eyes. "Eeyup." Sky replied with a small grin. Chapter 7 A Way Out"Well that is a predicament." Keeps said scratching his chin. "Trixie I don't know if I can help but I will certainly try." He said with a bow. Trixie let out a sigh. She was relieved, she didn't know what Keep's answer would have been as she told him how she got to be in purgatory. He had remained quiet well she had talked. "Thank you Keeps." "See I told you he's a lot different when he has a heart." Sky whispered. "But Trixie what concern's me is about how long do you think you've been here in this land?" "About a day, I think." "Then we might what to check on your body." He said rising out of his chair. "Why?" Trixie asked worry began to fill her tone. "Because time functions differently here or should I say lack of time here." "Lack of time?" "Yes, you see here in purgatory a day here would equal several days if not a week back in the land of the living." He answered as he trotted over to the counter tapping an it lightly. There was rumble as the granite slab split and slide aside. A poduim rose and began to glow a blue light. "Ooooo, we get to use the search." Sky said claping her hooves together. "The what?" Trixie asked. "Well thats not its name, but right now that's not important. What is Trixie is that it will let us find out where your body is." Keeps said as he searched through the many jumbled letters. "Ah here we are Trixie." He said as the letters cleared away showing a blurry image at first then it began to sharpen. "Where is that?" Trixie asked as she drew closer to the screen. "Somewhere outside of Ponyville." Keeps answered as the imaged continued the sharpen. Everpony was silent as the image finally cleared showing Trixie lying in a what appeared to be a hospital bed, and in the shadows they could just make out somepony sitting. "Aw Trixie you look so cute when you sleep." Sky giggled. "Shush. Quiet Sky." Keeps said putting a hoof over her muzzle. "How is she?" A mare's voice could be heard over Sky's mumbles. "She's stablized but she's still unconscious." A colts voice said with a tired sigh. "Why don't you get some rest? Your wounds arn't going to heal if you don't." "Not till I know she's alright." The tired colt retorted. "Ok, but promise me you'll get some sleep." The mare replied with a huff as the image faded to static. Keeps started pushing buttons but he couldn't get the image back as the jumble of letters returned. "Well Trixie as least we know your body is safe." Keeps huffed. "How can we be sure of that Keeps? He could be a murder and is just waiting for her to wake up so he can kill her." "Well one I don't think that colt is you Sky. And two, why would he go through all the effort to make sure she's not critcal condition?" Trixie didn't hear Sky and Keeps ramblings, only the mares and colts words resounding in her head."Somepony is putting my safety and health over their own? Trixie after all that you've done you don't deserve that amount of kindness." Trixie thought to herself. "Woohoo, Sky to Trixie do you copy." Sky said waving her hoof in front of Trixie's muzzle. "Huh? Oh sorry Sky I must have got lost in my train of thought." Trixie said rubbing the back of her head as her muzzle turned slightly crimson. "Oooo Trixie what where you thinking about?" Sky asked with a sly smile. "Sky would you go to floor three for me?" Keeps said as he still tried to regain the image signal. "What? Why?" "I'll tell you when you find a red and gold bound book in row five." He said turning his head as his hooves shuffled across the table, moving as a blur of motion. "Oh fine, I guess its the least I can do now that you have a heart." Sky said with a huff as she took off. There was a long silence between Trixie and Keeps as he kepted fiddling with the Search. "So Trixie what is your reason for getting back to the land of the living?" Keeps asked out of the blue. "Do I have to be honest?" Trixie asked as her muzzle turned crimson. Keeps only sighed through a smile as he gaveup on trying to find the signal. "If it's what I think it is then no you don't have to Trixie but I'll ask you this what if it doesn't end the way you want?" "I won't know if I don't try." She said staring at the ground kicking at the floor with her front hoof. "Hey Keeps! I found it!" Sky shouted as she circled above them. "Good, now come down here." Keeps shouted up. "What will this book do anyway?" Sky asked as her hooves clicked against the floor as she touched down. "Well in simple terms it will let us help Trixie get home." Kepps said as he began to filpped through the tattered pages of the book. "Oooo really?" Sky asked as she peered over Keeps shoulder. "Sky." "Yes?" "Please back off." "Oh sorry." "Anyway to answer your question Sky yes it will let Trixie get back to the land of the living but it might be problematic." Keeps said as he continued to look through the long yellowed pages of the book. "Uh why?" Trixe asked. "Well for it to work well need Azreal's help." Keeps said flatly. "W...WHAT?" "He runs the cycle of death, to beat death you either have to trick him or get somepony as equally as powerful." Keeps said as he closed the book with a thud. "Um is thier somepony as powerful as him, I kind of angered Azreal and I don't think he'll be really all that eager to help me." Trixie said as a cold feeling sweaped over her. "Well you could always find Slendermane." Sky chimmed in. "Sky don't fool around this is serious." Keeps retorted, anger filled his tone. "What he would help." "Yeah by getting Trixie killed." "Wait a minute!" Trixie shouted, getting the two immortal ponys to go silent. "Slendermane. The creature that kills little foals and tortures those who he sees fit Slendermane." Trixie repeated looking from Sky to Keeps. "Yes Trixie she means that Slendermane." Keeps grunted in disaproval. "He's just jealous because a couple thousand years ago me and Slender use to be dating." Sky said with a little grin. "He was so loving, leting me help impail ponys on tree limbs then removing their organs with your bare hooves." Sky said with a happy sigh. Chapter 8 Fog of Shadows"So your telling me to go Celestia knows where to find this Slendermane a creature most likely more bucked up in the head then you and try to get him to help me?" Trixie questioned in disbelief. "Yeah but hey you'll be fine." Sky said with a happy grin. "He doesn't impale anypony now a days. He just follows you and makes you go crazy and destorys your mind." "And thats better how?" Trixie asked, taking a step back from Sky. Keeps only sighed and placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "Don't worry Trixie I won't allow that freak to harm you and I'll make for sure that you get home." He said sternly. "And how are you going to do that huh Keeps?" Sky questioned. "By any means nesscary you sick bucken mare." Keeps shouted at sky. "And you wonder why I had my heart cut out in the first place, It's the only way I can put up with your twisted arse." "You don't have to so mean Keeps." Sky taunted. Trixie just stood there as she watched as Keeps finally snapped. One of his forelegs morphed into a lance as he charged Sky, nailing a direct hit to her chest. Sky just looked at him in shock as he lifted her off the ground and sent her flying across the room. Her body impacted hard against the ground with a thud as her body skidded to a stop on the cold marble floor. "Keeps! What was that about!" Trixie shouted as she hurried over to Sky. "She knows I dispize that creature and yet she pokes and prodes me every time about it." He panted as his foreleg shifted back to normal. "But you just impailed, then threw her across the room!" "No he has a point." Sky wheezed. "I know how he feels but I still taunt him about it." She coughed, as she shakily stood up. "Yes, because you just find it sooo amusing when I get angery." Keeps said with a snort. "No, thats not why I do it." Sky coughed again. "Then pray tell why?" Keeps asked as he went back to the search, not really caring what Sky had to say but the next thing he knew Sky was standing right next to him, muzzle ablaze in crimson. He only sighed, messing up her blue mane causing her to giggle. "Umm I'm still here you two." Trixie chimed. "Yes and Sky if you please I believe you have something Trixie is going to be needing." "Oh of course." Sky coughed as she smacked the back of her head causing her left eye to fall into her other hoof. A tinge of green came across Trixies muzzle as she watched Sky begin to dig into her empty eye socket, it making loud squishing noise's in the process. "Now lets see I know its in here somewhere." Sky said as she continued to push flesh out of the way of her hoof. "Oh here it is." Sky said a her face lit up. There was a loud pop as Sky quickly withdrew her hoof from her eye socket, grasping something coated in slime. "And what is that?" Trixie questioned, trying to regain control the contents of her stomach. "Oh it's just a bracelet Slender gave me about three thousand years ago." Sky answered as she placed her eye back into its socket. "Ok so where am I heading?" Trixie asked as Sky placed the braclet on one of Trixie's hooves. "Here." "Uh Keeps all is see is a key." "Well that's cause it is a key but what it does that's important." He said as he turned it as if he had placed it into a lock. Then to Trixie's surprise there was a faint click and a door shimmered into existence. Keeps hesitated before he pushed open the door but as soon as he did a dense fog began to fill the room, Along with a strange odor that sent a chill down Trixie's spine. "Deaths Hallow, not the most pleasant place but it is where you'll be heading." Keeps sighed. "Really, I would have never guessed." Trixie moaned. "Yes but it is the domain of one of the few beings as strong or if not stronger then Azreal." "And why does he live in the creepiest place in around here?" "Cause he and Azreal don't get along." Sky chimed in, her eye now back in place. "Azreal is the younger sibling and by how command is given out around here his older brother should be in charge but instead he declined and Azreal recieved it instead." "And who is Azreal's brother?" "Well he really doesn't have a name or is just cause nobody knows it but he does goes by as Pale though." Sky finished flicking her hair out of her face. "Something tells me that this Pale Pony is going to be worse then Azreal." Trixie sighed. "No not really. In all reality Pale is pretty nice, just don't get on his bad side though." Keeps warned as he handed Trixie the doors heavy brass key. "Yes Trixie Im quite pleasant pony. Why don't you come in for a vist?" A voice chuckled as black tendrils shot toward the door out of the blur of the haze. "Oh no you don't!" Keeps shout as he through up a shimmering shield in front of Trixie, stopping the tendrils in there path. "Now, now Slendermane there is no reason to be hostile to your guess." The voice hummed as the fog began to clear. "Well come on in dearie, you did want to speak with me after all or would you prefer if I have Slender 'escort' you to me?" "No I'll think meet you under my own power." Trixie replied as she trotted into the haze. "Oh this is going to be grand, its been so long since I had a vistor." "I can't imagine why." Trixie replied as the musky odor of graveyard soil wafted into her nose. Chapter 10 Spiders and Vomit"Let me guess your phobia of spiders." Trixie sighed. "No it's that their mistress has a rather strong affection towards me and her appearance is rather unnerving to say the least." Pale shuddered. "But Trixie if you want I will come with you." He said with a caring grin. "You would do that for me?" "Of course what are friends for." Pale laughed as they trotted to the entrance of the massive nest. After much walking Trixie realized another reason Pale must hate this nest. For one you had to keep moving, if you stopped for a second your hooves would become tangled in the sticky silk. Then you would fall victim to the mass of spiders that encircled them, their mandibles dripping with green venom. Then there was the second reason, most of the tunnels, like the one they were traveling down, where just large enough for her and Pale to barely fit down. "Please tell me where getting close." Trixie groaned as her she kicked off some silk from one of her hind hooves. "Hopefully, I really dislike being down here." Pale said with a shudder. "You do know where we're going right?" "I do it's just the thought of having to be near those oozing mandibles is......unnerving me." "Is she really that frightening to be around?" "For me Trixie, it is every time." Pale sighed, as they ventured ever deeper into the nest. There was a moment of silence between them as Trixie tried to clear her mind of the image of a creature that could frighten the Pale pony. Most were things that didn't seem possible of existing. Their bodies of ilk and evil, their jaws dripping and glistening with toxins that ran thick from their fangs. As if by instinct she violently shook her head, trying to lose the beast that now hung in her mind. "So why is this thing I need down here?" Trixie questioned, as tried to take her mind of of this spider mistress. "Because most mortals that come down here searching get eaten by her underlings." "How do they get down here?" "Because her nest might lay in Purgatory but there are tunnel's that reach to the surface. "Oh. Well I see that doesn't really discourage any pony, judging by the amount of skeleton's." Trixie said with a shiver. "Yes it seems that way." Pale sighed. "What a waste of young life. Always over stepping when they should hold back." He said as he came to a halt to examine one of the still armored skeleton. "What are you doing Pale?" Trixie asked as she came and stood beside him. "Do you know about the art of necromancy Trixie?" Pale asked, as oil like smoke began to seep from his frame. "Because you're about to see a excellent example." He growled, as the patches of smouldering flesh crackled and popped as wisps of flames burned there way through creating small patches of fire along his coat. Trixie quickly stumbled backwards as the small patches of flames that burned a top Pales coat, erupted into a apocalyptic blaze, consuming Pale and the skeletons that laid in front of him in a massive wall of fire. Hotter and hotter the tunnel became as the air within her lungs began to boil and expand. Trixie's vision began to blur as smoke bellowed and filled the ever darkening tunnel. Then from the blaze, hooves began to emerge. The fire's might dwindled as more pony's stepped through the flame's. With a rush of cool air Trixie found herself able to breath but unable to stand. "Do you Neeeeed Heellp MisS." A raspy voice asked, as Trixie found a armored hoof expended to her. "Pale what did you do?" Trixie said in awe at the sight before her. Six pony's stood before Trixie, their eye's ablaze with fire, their body's cover in gleaming black armor. Each one of them was armed with different and deadly looking weapons strapped to their backs. The leader, which trotted up next to his misted maned comrade, smiled at her, as his leathery wings twitched with new life. "This Trixie is necromancy." He chuckled, as he snorted fire through his black helm. "Umm hold that thought." Trixie groaned, as bile welled up her esophagus. "Your not going to throw up are you?" Pale questioned, as the sound of concern wash over his voice. "Probably." She wheezed, tasting her stomach acid as it toyed with entering her muzzle. "Soldiers move up." Pale ordered. "Trixie come on we need to hurry." "Give me a *burp* second." Trixie bleached, as she tried to control her stomach. Pale just sighed as light flickered from underneath his helm, illuminating his partially concealed muzzle in a soft glow. Careful not to upset Trixie's stomach he lifted her from the ground and rested her on his armor clad back. Then being gentle, so he wouldn't end up with vomit on himself, softly trotted to catch up with his reanimated guards. "Can't I just *bleach* rest for a little Pale?" "Trixie that would be the last thing you want to do right now." Pale retorted, as the armored pony's came into view. "*burp* Why would it?" "Trixie when you first arrived in purgatory you had trouble moving correct?" "Yes but how does that *burp* relate to anything?" "Trixie it mean's as of right now you have less of a chance of ever being able to leave this place." Pale sighed. "Wait what!" Trixie shouted, as her stomach issues suddenly ceased. "You mean I might be stuck here forever." "Yes. Now if you can't walk I'll carry you but..." "No I can walk but we need to hurry." Trixie said, as she quickly slide from Pale's back and onto her own four hooves. "Troops keep up with me and protect the mare at all cost." Pale ordered, as he began to gallop with Trixie close behind him. They would need to find the center of the nest and fast if Trixie wanted to see Equestria again. Chapter 9 Chatting with a SkullThe fog was thick and the smell of rotten flesh hung heavy in the air as Trixie made her way through Deaths Hallow. "Ugh it really stinks around here." Trixie wheezed as she held her muzzle. "Sorry. I keep forgetting that not every pony enjoys the smell of graveyard soil." Pale chuckled. "I can't imagine why?" She coughed. "Then allow me to change it to something else my dear." He laughed as the fog began to swirl and thicken. At first Trixie didn't notice anything different, it still reaked of death and must, but slowly another smell began to waft into her nose, and as she continued to trot through the fog her surroundings began to change to something of a memory. The fog began to lift revealing trees covered in leaves of amber, and orange with trims of gold. The gray dirt felt soft against her hooves as thick grass began to wash a emerald green into the lifeless soil. The chirping of birds echoed all around her as they fluttered amongst the trees that surrounded her. "Does this fit more to your liking?" Pale asked, as the odor of sweet maple sugar and oak filled the air. "I would be lying if I said no, now if only if your voice would stop resonating in my head." "Yes I am growing tired of this as well my dear so why don't we speak face to face or in your case face to skull." Trixie felt like screaming but she didn't have the chance to as she was teleported to a clearing in the now autumn woods. As her head cleared she found herself sitting down at a picnic table, across from her sat Pale, a pony that she hoped would help her escape this hole. His face was a oddity to her. The left was perfect in every way, each curve complementing the next. His mane was long and ever flowing appearing to be made of liquid obsidian rather then hair as it rolled and eddied over his parchment white coat. His eye was as black as a winter night but Trixie swore if she focused on one point, a memory of long ago could be seen still flickering with strong emotion. "But the right is not so pleasant is it?" Pale chuckled. "Oh great another mind reading pony." Trixie groaned. "No not really, your facial expressions gave you away silly." He said with a caring smile. "So Trixie what can I do for you?" "Well for one can you get him to leave." Trixie motioned over his shoulder. Pale smiled as he rotated his head to face what trixie was pointing at, he didn't have to he already knew who was standing behind him. "Run along and play Slender, I wish to speak with the mare in private." Slender didn't say a word as he bowed and disappeared into the mist that still coiled through the trees. "Better Trixie?" "I'm sorry, it's just..." "Oh I understand, he is what he is after all. So what is it that you wanted me to help you with?" There was a long pause before Trixie spoke again, she wanted to say something meaningful enough to convince this strange ailcorn to help hr, but all she was able to managed was. "I want to go home." She sighed, knowing that if this Pale character was anything like his brother she would know his answer. "Trixie if that is what you wish then consider your wish granted." Pale said sincerely Trixie's jaw must have been laying on the table because Pale began to laugh, it was a warm childish laugh, one that could lift you up no matter how low you felt. "What, did you expect my answer to be something else." "I'm sorry. I thought you being Azreal's brother and all you would...." "Be as much of an arse and not know the meaning of compassion?" A laughed escaped Trixie's muzzle, she couldn't help it but for some reason she was starting to like this strange alicorn. "So Trixie when do you wish to be back in your body?" Pale asked as a glass of strawberry milk appeared in his hoof. "Um right now would be good but something tells there's going to be catch." "Unfortunately your right." Pale sighed. "I'm going to need you to acquire something before I can help you." "It's not going to be easy is it?" "No it will be, I don't see the point in making things over complex." Pale said with a smile as he rose from the table. "I'll even walk you there." "Are you serious?" "Why of course, I'm not like most but my system functions far more efficiently Trixie." "Then why aren't you in charge?" Trixie questioned. "Because power corrupts all those who hold it." He sighed with a snort as he trotted into the fog. Trixie had galloped to catch up with Pale but he didn't say a word when she did. He kepted his right side to her, never even glancing over to her with his burning eye. She just stayed behind him watching his white ribs move back and forth as they slid outside of the black mass that was his sunken flesh. "Can I ask you something Pale?" Trixie asked nervously. "And what would that be Trixie." He answered as his leather wing twitched. "Is this going to take long and why are you smouldering?" "Well no and I'm smouldering because this area of The Hallows has been sealed off from my presence so most likely I'll be bursting into flame in a few minutes." He shrugged. "And your not concerned about bursting into flames?" "No not really, I've been set on fire too many to remember." He chuckled. "Really?" "Yeah most have been by Az, but hey we're nearing your task so I'm not really worried, but hey if I do you have my permission to roost smores." He chuckled. Trixie couldn't help herself and began to laugh. "Oh and here I am with out any gram crackers." She giggled. "Well that is unfortunate. How about we have some when you're back in your body?" "That would be nice if I ever get back." Trixie sighed. "Oh by the way are you afraid of spiders?" Pale asked as they came to a halt. "No, why? "Because your going to dealing with a lot of big ones." He answered as Trixie gazed at the gaint, gnarled web that hung before her. "Your joking right?" Trixie gulped, as large black shapes moved out into the open. "I'm afraid not Trixie, but hey it could be worse." "How could going into a nest of giant spiders be less worse then something else?" "Oh you could be going in there alone." Pale nervously laughed, as he began to back away from the silk covered barrow.
Chapter 1 Downward sprial"How did The Great And Powerful Trixe end up in such a dispairing place? Cruse you Twilight Sprakle! How dare you humiliate Trixie! Trixie does not belong in such a awful place. Trixie will find her way out of here and take her revenge on you and your friends! Splush. Yuck. First find a way out of this mud hole Trixie." Time seem to drag on at a snails pace.Trixie not being able to make heads or hooves of where she was. As she unknowingly wondered deeper into the everfree forest she did not know that her every move was being watched. A shadowy creature was stocking her every move. Waiting for its prey to let its guard down or to make a careless mistake and it would have her in its blood stained jaws. It began to move in closer readying itself for a strike. "Trixie is starting to believe she is lost" she said with a sigh. Snap! "Huh? Who dares to try to sneak up and startle The Great And Powerful Trixie"! Grrr. The creature having blowen its cover decide to attack its prey head on. "Does a lowly Saber Wolf think its a match for The Great And Powerful Trixie! If you are wise you will leave Trixie while you still can!" The Saber Wolf not being able to understand what the blue mare had spoken hurled its self at her with deadly intent. The mares horn glowed brifly and the Saber Wolf was blinded by stars. Lossing its bearings its skull connected with a tree instead of the mares body. A loud crunch resounded through the forest as the wolf slid down to the ground. "Did you think such a feeble attack would be able to hit Trixie!" "Trixie warned you now you will suffer for your folly!" The Saber Wolf rose from the ground and turned to face its prey again. "Does thou wish to try your luck again against The Great And Powerful Trixie!" The Saber Wolf hurled its self at the blue mare again this time determined to strike down its prey. The mares horn started to glow again sending a beam of blinding light shooting towards the Saber Wolf. The creature lept over this attack and coreared toward the mares abdomen. Slice!" AHHH!" Trixie yelled in pain as the wolfs claws tore into her side. The wolf spun around and slashed open the mares other flank. Trixie began to stagger as she began to lose blood. "Do you think such weak attacks will slow Trixie!" The wolf readied its self for another attack deciding were to land its next strike. As it charged the mare her horn glowed again and the wolf ran into a cloud of smoke instead of its prey. The wolf confused began to search through the smoke it didn't notice Trixie sneaking away from her attacker. "Trixie can outwit this oaf". Thud! She had run into a tree and the noise had alerted the wolf of where its prey was located. The wolf shot out of the smoke and charged the wounded mare. Trixie throw herself to the ground the wolfs jaws missing her by inchs. The wolf landed and turned to find its prey running away into the under growth. The wolf let out a mighty howl. The chase was on. Trixie weaved her way through the underbrush with the wolf hot on her tail. With every step she could feel it closing the distance between them. "Trixie must lose this beast while she still can" She said to her-self through heavy breaths. She veared hard to the right charging into a patch of briers hoping the wolf wouldn't follow her in. The wolf slide to a stop its muzzle at the begining of the briers it growled in anger. It would have to find a way around. Trixie not knowing if the wolf was still chasing her continued to run through the briers too afraid to look back behind her. "Trixie thinks shes lost him" she pant as she exited the briers. Her body now covered in cuts and stracths ached from the shear effort of the persuit. Trixie with her vision fading floped to the ground. Her now shearded cloak offered little protection from the cold ground. A chill began to creep down Trixies back. She turned around to see her coat drenched with blood from the wounds on her flanks. "Trixie must find something to stop the bleeding". She tried to raise but her muscles had no more to give. She collapsed back onto the ground cold began to spread over her body. "Trixie must..". Trixie didn't get to finish her thought as the Saber wolf brust out of the darkness. Trixie tried to cast a spell to buy her-self some time but shear exhaustion made this act impossible. Trixies vision was becoming blured as the wolf grew nearer. "Stay back!" She wheezed slowly losing her grasp on the world around her. The wolf sensed its victory as it now stood over the badly wounded mare. Its paw decend apon her throat its padded fingers gripping tightly around it. The wolf raise her tired body up into the air leaving her hooves useless. The wolfs mouth twisted into a evil grin. It had won. "This looks like the end for Trixie". She close her eyes there was nothing more she could do to stop her death from coming. The wolfs mouth began to water, this would be a tastie meal. The wolf raised its right arm above its head its claws flashed in the moon light. All of Trixies muscle relaxed as the wolfs claws decended quickly on the mare the wolf determined to end this game. Trixie felt the wolfs claws touch her forehead then suddenly felt her body jerk toward the ground. "Huh?" Trixie manage to open her eyes to see the wolf knock to the ground anger surged in its eyes. "Try picking on somepony your own size wolfy". Trixies sight was blured but through the haze she saw the out-line of somepony standing over her. The wolf roared in anger at this inturder for stealing its meal. Trixies vision darkend as the wolf launched itself at this new enemy. The last thing she heard was a scream before she decended into unconsciousness. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ "Where am I?" Trixie found her-self floating somewhere one thing she was sure of. She was not in her body. She felt her self being pulled along by some force toward some noise in the distance. Trixie strained her eyes to see where she was going. What she saw turned her mind insideout. She was right to think she was not in her body when she looked down all she saw were the ghostly shadows of her legs beneath her. " Whats happened to me?" Trixie looked to her surrounding's for answers. What she saw filled her with dread. All around her was nothing but endless darkness only broken by specks of light and wisps of purple fog. "Where in the Tartarus am I?!" No answer came her voice only ecohed through the emptyness. The noise had become louder now as Trixie continued to be pulled by some unseem force toward a shimmer of light. "What is that?" As Trixie floated closer to the light in grew blindingly bright. Whats happening? The light grew brighter Trixie was forced to close her eyes as the light burned her eyes. Then the light faded Trixie opened her eyes to find herself standing in a meadow covered in thick fog. "Where am I now?" "Trixie the show mare?" "Huh?" "Thats your name right Trixie?" Trixie spun around to see where this mysterious voice came from. Behind her emerging from the fog was a colt with a old tatered brown cloaked over its body. "Is it?" The colt asked again ".......Yes". "Well then Trixie welcome to Purgatory."
Chapter 2 Awakening"Well then Trixie welcome to purgatory." The colt said in a monotone voice. "What? Trixies is dead!" "Why else would you be here in my domain." "There has to be some sort of mistake Trixie has done nothing to be be deceased." "Oh really?" The colts hood glowed briefly as a clip bored appered in front of his face. "Trixie the show mare lets see. Yes right here. Charges while in the land of the living are as follows." "One causing distemperment in several towns in Equestria. Two causing near destruction of ponyville by a ursa minor. Three endangering entire population of ponyville by said ursa minor. And four being a well lets just say a witch to everypony you ever met. Yes Trixie it looks like you're supposed to be here." The colt said as the clip bored winked out of existences. "Trixie can't be...." "They always act the same way every time they end up here." Trixie was dumfounded. "How can this be? Cruse you Twilight Sprakle! Trixie will destory you and your friends! " "Ah revenge thats the end for many ponys here." "You! Trixie commands you to end this foolishness and return her to her body!" "Sorry thats not going to happen." "Stop this act Trixie is not dead you just have her imprisoned! Release me from this spell!" "There is no spell. You are dead." 'Trixie has had enough of this! Release me or you will suffer for your foolishness!' The colt had grown tired of this annoying mare unable to except her faith. "Your denail will end eventually enjoy your stay for you will be here forever." The colt having nolonger a need to inform the mare of her faith returned to his journey through the fog. "Trixie has warned you now suffer the consequences of your incompliances!" The mares horn began to glow faithly at first the intensified to a massive glob of fire. "Now suffer!" Trixie let go of the ball of fire. The ball having nothing to hold it back rocketed towards the colt. He turned his head back just as he was impacted by the attack. KABOOM!! A dark mushroom cloud billowed up from the impact. "Trixie warned you now you have died for your foolish..." Trixie's statement was cut short as gaint black hand shot out of the fire. Trixie tried to move but the ghostly image that was now her body refused. The hands massive figures wraped around her body and began to crush her. "Trixie can't..." "Trixie won't move if she wishs her soul not to be through into the deepest hole in Tartarus!" Trixies eyes failed her. What was raising toward her filled entire soul with terror. What was raising toward her was only something from hell itself. "You have made a great error in attacking me!" A voice rang out in her head. "Now do you know this is not a spell!" The creature was no longer a pony as before but something that only existed in nightmares. Its cloak now gone showed what its true from was. It had no flesh only bones beneath a swirlling black form that made up its body. "Now do you wish to listen!" Trixie could only nod her voice failing her. "You are dead! There is no error! Only on your part is there error! You are dead because of your arrogance, inferior capacity to understand that no pony cares for you, and that your tricks only cause more trouble then your worth!" "I do not know why that pegasi tried to save you from that Saber wolf almost being killed in the process! If it had only known who you were it would have not intervend!" "Trixie would." "SLIENCE! You will not interrupt me! Its demonic voice crackled from its fanged jaws. Now listen and listen well you will walk forever in the fields of purgatory never to see the land of the living again! Whats left of you will rot away because wickedness holds your heart! May your suffering be your only company! Begone from me before I decide to punish you more harshly." With this final word the creature drew its arm back and hurled Trixie into the fog. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ A long time passed before Trixie began to think about what had just happened. "Trixie does not understand why this is happening to her. That thing does not know what Trixie has been through. Trixe is not in the wrong you vile creature! Trixie will just find her way out of this place and hopefully never see that beast again." "But a thought drifted into her head as she spoke. But what if its true? She shoke her head violently. No! No! No! Everything that creature said was a lie! Trixie is not the one who is at fault!" With this thought burning in her head she began to look for a way to escape her prison. She wonder for a long time trying to find her way out not thinking of what the creature had said. But no matter how hard she tried the creatures words continued to resound in her head. "Your tricks cause more trouble then your worth. You are dead because of your arrogance. Wickedness holds you heart. You will never see the land of the living again." "Trixie must continue to look. Trixie will not let that thing win!" But the words of the creature kept resounding no matter how hard she tried she really was going nowhere. Finaly near exhaustion she came upon a lone lake in the sea of fog. Trixies hope began to raise. "Maybe this will lead Trixie to the way out of here." She quickend her step trying to reach the lake. But as she neared it she began to slow. Her lake was not a lake only a depression filled with mist. "Everything that...that...thing said....was true. Trixies heart shattered. Trixie will never see her home again. Tears began to stream down her face. I will never get to thank that pegasi for saving me." Trixie put her hooves on her face to try to stop from crying. But she could not stop her tears as they poured out in waves. She slumped to the ground in front of the lake of the mist as tears continued to cascade from her tired eyes. "Why...do...I...have...to...suffer...so...much." Trixie choked through heavy sobs. "Because suffering gives way to renewal." "W-Whos there? Trixies head bolted up to the sound of this new voice. Are you that monster here to finish Trixie off?" "No im not. Im here to help you." Trixie quickly stood up eyes still hot with tears scaned the fog looking for the origin of the voice. "Where are you?" "Look towards where your tears have fallen my dear." Trixie was confused by this."Look where my tears have fallen?" "Down sweety." Trixie felt a tear fall off her face. She followed its path as it fell towards the mist. Her tear descend toward the mist. But instead of passing through the mist it came to a stop just above it and began to glow. Trixie steped back as more of her tears copied the first.
Chapter 3 The JourneyThe mist started to hum as the brightness began to spread from where her tears had fallen. Slow at first then quickening as tendrils of light spread over the mist. Only when the light had spread to the size of a small pond did the glow start to dim. But what was mist was now a soild surface of silver now shimmering before Trixie. "What in the name of Equestria?" She thought as a puzzled look fell apon her face. "What kind of magic is this?" "My own." The voice said with a snicker at the expression on Trixies face. "Please come closer sweety we need to talk." Trixie did as she was asked and approached the shimmering silver. She was in awe at what she saw in the silver. Instead of her reflection looking back at her she saw a beautiful alicorn with a obsidian black mane looking back. "Thank you sweety, its nice to see you to." "You can hear my thoughts?" "Only the ones you what me to dear." The alicorn said with a smile. A million questions started to run through Trixies head she didn't know where start. "Take your time, go with the simplest one sweety." "Ok how can you hear my thoughts?" "Its just something I was born being able to do. A special talent you would call it." "Am I really dead?" The alicorn paused for a moment. "I think you already know the answer to that dear." Tears began to fill Trixies eyes again. "So I really won't get to see Equestria again?" Trixie felt the waves of tears coming on again. "Trixie." "Yeah?" "Can you do something for me?" "What?" Trixie managed to say through a sob. "Please, stop crying." "Why? Im stuck here forever never to see the sun or the night sky again! I'll never get to feel a summer breeze or watch the flowers bloom!" Trixie began to cry. "I just what to go home!" Trixie felt a foreleg wrap around her. To her suprise she found the alicorn was now sitting next to her. "Trixie I know its hard for you but will you listen to me?" Trixie just noded she didn't what to think anymore. The alicorn didn't speak as she waited for Trixie to recompose herself. "Trixie do you still want revenge on Twilight Sparkle and her friends?" "No I just what to go home Trixie sobed. But that vile thing said I would never leave, only to wonder here forever." "Trixie I know what Azreal said was harsh but he was right you won't be able to leave here not as long as you hold on to these feelings of hate." "But Trixie has everyright to...." The alicorn put her hoof to Trixies mouth. "Trixie? Do you still want to thank that pegasi that saved you?" Trixie noded. "Yes but I'm stuck here." Trixie felt the alicorn's foreleg lift off her shoulders. "Trixie what would you be willing to give for that chance?" The alicorns tone was no longer sweet but one of seriousness as it possed Trixie her question. "Trixie doesn't have anything left for her to give." "Trixie there is always something left to give." The alicorn said as she rose from the ground. Trixie looked up at the pearl colored ailcorn her eyes still holding tears yet to be shed. "Trixie you have gone through a lot so far, but if your willing to go a little more there might be a chance for you to get home. *Pluck.* Trixie this will guided you where you need to go." The alicorn pulled one of her feathers from her wings and let it absorb some of her magic. "But promise me that you won't give up before you reach your goal." "I won't." She replied as the alicorn pinned the feather in Trixies mane. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ Trixie felt alone as she walked through the fog. "I wish she would have come with me there's something unsettling about this place." "I'm sorry Trixie but I wish I could do more but you must take this tasks on alone. "The alicorns last words resounded in her head. "But what if Trixie mmHHFF." The alicorn lifted her hoof from Trixies mouth when she knew Trixie would be quiet. "You will figure it out after all your The Great And Powerful Trixie." the alicorn said with chuckle. A smile crepted across Trixies face. "If I was I wouldn't be here." Trixies said as her head sank. The memory of being chased out of ponyville still fresh in her mind. "Don't be so hard on yourself Trixie. You still have a ways to go before you know your limits." The alicorn said to herself. The alicorn gave Trixie a farewell hug before she began to walk back toward the sliver pond. "Can I ask you something before you go?" "Yes?" "You've done so much to help me but I only just met you." The alicorn touched the sliver her body began to turn into mist. "I don't even know your name." The alicorn started to laugh. "You know Trixie for all the time I've been here your the only one to ask." The mist was now making its way up her neck as she continued to laugh. "Please tell me before you go." Trixie was worried that this would be the only friendly face she would meet in this place. She wanted to remember her. "It's Spirt Messenger Trixie and don't worry this won't be your last time seeing each other." "When will I see you again?" "Now that would ruin the surprise Trixie." The mist was now at the alicorns neck making her voice seem far away."Oh and Trixie mind the Keeper he has his moods." "Thank you Sage I will." The alicorn laughed again. "Sage I like that." The sliver vanished as the last wisp of the alicorn turned to vapor. Trixie just stood there not really wanting to go on and leave where she had met Sage. She felt a tiny tug in her mane and Trixie snaped back to reality. Sages feather was guiding her through what seemed like endless fog. "Stop day dreaming Trixie we have to get back to your world." She wandered for what seemed like hours Sages feather tuging when she started to go off course. Finally seesaw what the feather was leading her to. In the distance the outline of a tower came into view. "That must be where im suppose to be heading. I hope the keeper is in there." Trixie said as she past the stone gates leading toward to the tower. I just hope the Keeper is in a good mood Trixie said to herself as she grew nearer to the tower.
Chapter 4 The KeeperTrixie walked up the stone stairs leading to the Towers entrance. It seemed to grow ever larger as she neared. The tower was constructed of large gray blocks much wider then Trixie at its base and blocks the size of her head as the tower went up into the fog. After many more stairs Trixie finally reached the towers enterance way. Trixie was nervous, after what she had experienced so far she really didn't know what would be beyond the doorway. "Well here goes nothing." Trixie muttered as she pushed open the heavy door. What she saw inside was not what she had been expecting. Instead of being dank and dirty as she had expected the hall she was now standing in was clean and lined with shelves holding what seemed like an infinite number of scrolls. Trixie paused for a moment absorbing her new surroundings. "Theres so many of them." She was filled with a sudden urge to pull one down and read it. Then she felt the feather tug reminding her that she was here for a reason. "I don't have time to read these I must find The Keeper." Trixie backed away from the shelf and began to look towards the end of the hall. As she walked down the hallway passing more scrolls she started to hear faith chatter. Trixie couldn't figure out what they were saying but she could tell there were two voices. "I hope there friendly." Trixie said with a gulp. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Trixie reach the end of the hall she was left speechless. The room she was now in seem to hold an infinite number of books and scrolls. Shelves covered all the walls.They seemed to go all the way to the top of the tower. "Oh look we have a guest" A piercing voice called out. "Yes it appeares we do" A second lower voice agreed. Trixied turned her head away from the books toward the massive counter that lay in the middle of the room on top of a gaint set of marble steps. "Are you The Keeper?" Trixie asked as she made her way up to the desk. "Well now that we share one body the answer would be yes." Both voices said in unison. "Wait what do you mean?" She said as she peeked over the counter. "Pretty much as we stated." The piercing voice replied as it poped up from behind the counter scaring Trixie. Trixie was not sure what to make of the pony that stood before her. It was like it had been split in half and put back togther with part of another pony. The right side of The Keeper was jet black, his short blood colored mane standing out brightly with blood red eyes. But the left sea foam green, with her long faygo blue mane covering her kaleidoscope eyes. "So what can we help you with." They said in unison. "Uhm you see I came here cause Sa..."She stopped when the feather tugged. "I mean I need help finding a book for a certain spell." Trixie lied. "Oh we have alot of those." The mare half answered. "I'll show you were they are." She said tearing herself off of her right side colt half. Trixie was about to throw up but the mare half poped into smoke and reformed as a whole mare. "Hurry up we still have alot of work to still do." "Oh bite me you stupid Keeps." The mare retorted. "The first guest we get and you have to be rude." The mare troted off and Trixie quickly followed for some reason she felt safer with her then staying with the colt. They reached a elevator and the mare hopped in Trixie stood there, hesitant to get in a confined space with her. "Oh don't worry I might be crazy but I don't bite, thats Keeps." "Oh ok." Trixie mumbled as she stepped into the elevator. The door click shut and they began to raise as the elevater music started to play. "Im crrrrryyyyying,... yellow mound of custard.... dripping from a dead dogs eye." The sea foam mare sung along. "Uuumm." "Oh by the way my names Sky Diamond nice to meet you." She said spining her head one-hundred eighty degrees so she could see Trixie standing behind her. "Uuummmm." Trixie mumble as she tried to hold her stmoach. "Oh im sorry." She said as she spun the rest of her body around. "And by the way I know the real reason your here." She said as she point toward the feather. "So you saw that." Trixie nervously shuffled her hooves. "Don't worry I already got Sages message." Sky said with a smile. "You did!" Trixie said louder then she ment to. "Sshhhh. Keeps doesn't know and we need to keep it that way." She said pulling her hooves away from Trixies mouth. "Sorry but your only the second pony here who seems to want to help me." "Yeah Azreal and Keeps can be pretty mean." Sky said as her face turned a little red."Its sometimes makes me wonder why I work here." "But if you know why I'm here then what are we going and getting?" "The magic book you wanted or rather you'll be needing." Sky said as a twisted smile came across her face. "And I need this book why?" Trixie asked as she backed up a little. "Oh I'll tell you when we get to where the book is." The elevator stopped and Trixie stepped out. "Well lets get looking." Sky said as she lock the elevator an ate the key. "What we don't won't keeps following us." Sky said innocently. "Ok, but why did you have to eat the key?" "Cause it tasted good of course." "Great she is crazy, what have you gotten your self into Trixie." She thought to herself. "Anyway lets began looking for that book." Sky said as she bounced down the lines of shelves. After what seemed like several hours of looking Trixie was about to give up when a thin blue book perked her attention. "Hey you found it." Sky said rather loudly causing Trixie to jump. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She said as she watch Trixie climb down from a shelf. "Yeah I just I did, so what will this let us do?" "Oh nothing really just help us convice Keeps to help you." Sky said as the twisted smile returned to her face. "And it will do that how?" "Oh by leting us puting his heart back in his chest." "Wait it well let us do what?"
Chapter 5 A Secret"Like I said it will let us put his bloody heart back into his empty chest." Sky said with a shrug. Trixie staggered back. "Your joking right." She said with a nervous laugh. "Trixie im not joking. If you want to get out of here your going to have to trust me." "But to kill somepony thats...thats." "Wrong? Yes but since he's already a vampony were actually doing him a favor." Sky said as she trotted to the end of the isle. "Are you coming or what." She yelled back to Trixie. "Y...yeah be right there." Trixie whispered as she moved to catch up with the sea foam mare. They walked in silence for a long time, passing many rows of books and scrolls Sky ever humming to herself. "You said he was a vampony. What is that?" Trixie finally breaking her silence. "Oh it's the name I gave for what he is. A vampire pony." Sky said tilting her head so Trixie could hear her. "Those really exist." "Well they use to." Sky said as her eyes seemed to darken. "Long, long ago they existed." "Umm so where are we heading to Sky?" "Oh to the vaults where he keeps his heart locked up." She said becoming cheery again. "He keeps it locked in a safe?" "Well wouldn't you?" "Umm its still in my body so no." "Oh yeah, your still alive. Sorry I'm use to dealing with dead ponys or things that don't have hearts or souls." Sky said with eerie grin. "Ok I'm just going to say it." Trixie said a she stopped walking. "Sky your scaring the hay out of me." The sea foam mare just stared at her then started laughing. "Is that all." She said wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh Trixe thats probably the nicest thing anypony has said to me." "Your not insulted?" Trixie asked dumfounded by Sky reaction. "Trixie I'll let you in on a little secret. Just like that pegasus wanted to save you, I chose to be insane." "But why would you choose something like that?" "Because it made me happy." Sky said with a smile. "It's that the reason you performed, because it made you happy." "Did Sage tell you that?" "No it was in one of these scrolls I read about you." "Wait theres a scroll here about me?" "Yep theres a scroll and or book about everthing that has, is, and will exist." Sky said waving her hoof over the vast expance of the tower. "Umm how do you find your scroll?" "Oh you don't want to read your own." "Whys that?" "Because your only allowed to read it when your going to be passing on. It will set out an energy field drawing you to it and if you read it you can never return to the land of the living." "Oh so It probably wasn't a good idea to place my scroll at the entrance of this tower." Trixie said realizing if it wasn't for sages feather she would really had been stuck here forever. "Sorry I was reading it before you got here." Sky mumbled as her muzzle turned red. "Yeah put that somewhere safe will you." "Can do Trixie but first we need to get Keeps heart." "Yeah where is this vault anyway?" "Oh about forty odd yards from here." Sky said with a shrug. "Well what are we waiting for?" Trixie said picking up her pace. "Yay a race I say." Sky gleefully shouted as she tried to catch up to Trixie. "Ok I know vaults are big but a entire wall!" Trixie said as she craned her neck to see the whole vault. It hadn't taken long to reach it, heck you couldn't miss it but to take up a entire wall. Trixie struggled to find the reason why it had to be so large. "Hey I just work slash live here ok. I didn't build the thing." "So how do we get in?" "Umm actually Trixie you me how do you get in." Sky said looking at the floor. "Wait your not going to go in there with me?" "Trixie im sorry I can't." "Why can't you!" "Trixie didn't you wonder why me and keeps were bound together when you first entered the tower?" "You mean you lack something too don't you." Sky didn't answer she only noded her head. Trixe was going to ask what but she already knew when she saw as tears began to fall from Sky eyes. "What do I have to do?" Trixie asked in a soft tone. "In the back there's a couple glass boxs. Each has something in it, and one have those boxs has Keeps heart. Bring it here I'll do the rest." "Ok wish me luck." Trixie said as she stood in front of the vault door. "Oh and Trixie." "Yeah Sky?" "You can only bring back one box." she said as she opened the door and pushed Trixie in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trixie felt like she was in a gaint freezer as she walk through the massive vault. The white marble that it was built of gave it the feel of a gaint asylum. "I really am HATING this place." Trixie mumbled. She had been having to climb her way up stairs, over gaps in the floor, and even a river full of snakes, and really hungry sharks. But then In the distance Trixie saw a eerie glow. "Well those must be the boxs." Trixie said holding her breath as she crossed another spiked pit. "If I ever get out of here." She said jumping a small gap. "Im going punch Keeps so hard in the bucking face." Trixie wiped the sweat from her brow. She after having to go up one final set of stairs, had made it to the boxs but something didn't feel right. Each of the eight glass boxs was set on top pedestal with a velvet cloth covering the top of the green pedestals kept the to surfaces apart. "This is so Daring Doo." Trixie said shaking her head. "I can only pick one cause there's a spell that will cause something to crush me if I take more then one box." Trixie went to grab the case with Keeps's heart in it but what was in next case next to it made her stop. The box was labeled SD's soul. And when she looked at it she could see a cloud floating in it. "I'm missing something too." Skys words resonated in her head. "Only one box." Trixie mumbled. She took a deep breath then her horn started to glow. "I'm sorry Sky." She sighed as she lifted one of the boxs off its pedestal. The room started to shake and Trixie took off spriting as the floor began to rubble and crack beneath her hooves.
Chapter 6 Bloody FunSky felt the ground shake as she waited for Trixie to return from the vault. It felt like she had been sitting there for ages, her wings had gone complety numb in the process. "Well looks like she chose." She said with a sad sigh. Her ears perked up to the sound of hooves clicking against stone. She quickly moved to the door and threw it open as Trixie came into view. "SKY I GOT IT!" Trixie screamed as the floor continued to fall away from behind her. "Hurry Trixie!" "WHAT DO YOU THINK TRIXIE IS DOING!" She yelled as she made a head long dive for the door. Trixie hurteled through the air as the vault collapsed around her, landing just outside of the door as the last blocks tumble into the empty blackness. Sky closed the door as the vacuum of the vault began to pull strongly against her and Trixie. "Are you ok Trixie?" "Murph." Trixie mumble from under a pile of scrolls. Sky rushed over and began pulling off the massive amount of scrolls that had fallen onto Trixie from the shelf above. After pulling off a few dozen thick scrolls Trixie's head shoot up out from the pile gasping for breath. "Why...didn't you....tell me....about that part." Trixie panted. "Trixie I swear I didn't know it would collapse." Sky swore as she pulled Trixie out of the heap. "Ok but why did it?" "Its probably a safety feature is my best guess." Sky answered as her horn began to glow as the scrolls floated back onto the shelf. "Has that ever happened to you and Keeps?" "No. Of course we always fly so we've never had that probelm." Sky said with a shrug. "Well I don't have wings." "Do you what some?" Sky asked as she trotted back over to Trixie. "You can do that?" Trixie said dumfounded. "No, but there's probably a spell in here that would give you wings." Sky said shruging again. "I think I would like to get out of here before I'll take the wings." Trixie sighed. "Oh yeah, did you get the box?" "Yeah, here." Trixie said floating Sky the glass box she had been carrying. "Good now we can get Keeps to....help us. Trixie this is.." Sky stammered "I know, it seemed more important that you have it back." "SD soul." Sky mumbled as tears began to fall from here eyes. "Trixie you gave up leaving purgatory to...to....to." "Help you? Yeah." "Why?" "Sky so far if I'm honest you and Sage have been my only friends in a long time." Trixie said, her muzzle turning sightly red. "But to give up your chance to leave this place?" "It's worth it." Trixie said as her horn lit up. "Especially when you can have your cake and eat it to." She hummed as she float a wirthing bag from around her neck. Sky's gaze shifted from Trixie, to the bag, then back to Trixie. Sky felt her jaw unhinge and fall to the floor causing Trixie to giggle. "How...did...you." "I am The Great and Powerful Trixie after all Sky." Trixie said with a little grin. "So not only do you have your soul back you get to cut open Keeps chest." "Trixie if there's a ring in that bag of tricks of your's the answer is I do." Sky said in disbelief as she shook her head. "Well arn't you going to open the box Sky?" "Oh of course." She said as she began to swing the box up and down. "Ok, one, two, THREE." Sky said as she smashed the glass against her head causing the box to shatter. "Why did you open it like that!" "Cause I though it would be fun." Sky said with a grin as blood trickeled down her face. Trixie just sighed as the mist that was Sky's soul rapped around the mares frame. At first it just hung there glowing softly then it collapsed into her. Sky's body began to shake violently as if she was experiencing a earthquake nopony else could feel. The green sea washed away from her coat as toffe seem to float over her fur, staining it a sweet tan color. Her mane seem to loss some of its neon but still hold its light as it dimed to a royal blue, Her eyes still spining ever changing patterns of color and shape, sparkling at every touch of light. "OOOoooo what a wonderful feeling to be whole again." Sky plesently moaned as she cracked her neck. "So are you ready Sky?" Trixie asked looking at the new and whole Sky. "Why yes of course." Sky said as she pulled out a bowe knife from thin air. "Let's go get my Keeps back." She said with a twisted grin of joy. o~o~O~O~o~o "So you know the plan then?" Sky whispered to Trixie. "Yes you do the bloody bit while I cast the spell so he can't escape." "Good and Trixie." "Yeah?" "I don't know how I'll ever pay you back for this." Sky whispered as a tear streamed down her cheek. "First let's get me out of here then will decuss that. Agreed?" "Agreed." Sky whispered noding. They made there way to the counter, staying as quite as they could. Trixe reached the counter first and and began to go over the spell one more time. Sky followed suit and slowly peeked her head over the counter making sure she could get to Keeps quickly. They both nodded and put there plan in motion. Trixie rose from behind the counter, book in hoof and shouted. "Ligaveris super terram manducat. Rapiunt in manibus tenent nolunt dimittere eos." Her horned glowed brightly and energy arched toward Keeps rapping around his body. "Relase me!" He shouted as Sky's knife decended apon his chest. The was a loud crack as the blade pirced his sterum causing Keeps to shout out in pain. But there was nothing he could do as Sky's hooves pulled his rib cage apart. Keeps cold blood spurted all over Sky's body but this didn't stop her, it only fueled her lust for more. With a wicked grin she pulled Keeps heart from the burlap bag and plunged it deep into his chest. Keeps eyes shout open, darkness shooting out of them as Sky jolted his heart back into life. Then he stopped struggling as his muscles slackened and as his chest began to magical seal shut. "Did it work?" Trixie asked from behind the counter. "Eeyup." Sky said as she poked her head up so Trixie could she her. "Uuh Sky, could you get off my chest please?" A voice mumbled. "Oh sorry Keeps." She said as she sheaved her now extremely bloody knife Trixie peeked over the counter and watched as Sky got off of Keeps and watched him stand. He looked pretty much the same as before but his features seemed to have soften. His eyes nolonger cast a eerie light but had a loving warmth about them. "Sky your covered in blood! What happened?" He asked, concern filled his voice. "Oh nothing, just was playing around that's all." She said nuzzling him. "Oh is that all you've been doing?" He asked rolling his eyes. "Eeyup." Sky replied with a small grin.
Chapter 7 A Way Out"Well that is a predicament." Keeps said scratching his chin. "Trixie I don't know if I can help but I will certainly try." He said with a bow. Trixie let out a sigh. She was relieved, she didn't know what Keep's answer would have been as she told him how she got to be in purgatory. He had remained quiet well she had talked. "Thank you Keeps." "See I told you he's a lot different when he has a heart." Sky whispered. "But Trixie what concern's me is about how long do you think you've been here in this land?" "About a day, I think." "Then we might what to check on your body." He said rising out of his chair. "Why?" Trixie asked worry began to fill her tone. "Because time functions differently here or should I say lack of time here." "Lack of time?" "Yes, you see here in purgatory a day here would equal several days if not a week back in the land of the living." He answered as he trotted over to the counter tapping an it lightly. There was rumble as the granite slab split and slide aside. A poduim rose and began to glow a blue light. "Ooooo, we get to use the search." Sky said claping her hooves together. "The what?" Trixie asked. "Well thats not its name, but right now that's not important. What is Trixie is that it will let us find out where your body is." Keeps said as he searched through the many jumbled letters. "Ah here we are Trixie." He said as the letters cleared away showing a blurry image at first then it began to sharpen. "Where is that?" Trixie asked as she drew closer to the screen. "Somewhere outside of Ponyville." Keeps answered as the imaged continued the sharpen. Everpony was silent as the image finally cleared showing Trixie lying in a what appeared to be a hospital bed, and in the shadows they could just make out somepony sitting. "Aw Trixie you look so cute when you sleep." Sky giggled. "Shush. Quiet Sky." Keeps said putting a hoof over her muzzle. "How is she?" A mare's voice could be heard over Sky's mumbles. "She's stablized but she's still unconscious." A colts voice said with a tired sigh. "Why don't you get some rest? Your wounds arn't going to heal if you don't." "Not till I know she's alright." The tired colt retorted. "Ok, but promise me you'll get some sleep." The mare replied with a huff as the image faded to static. Keeps started pushing buttons but he couldn't get the image back as the jumble of letters returned. "Well Trixie as least we know your body is safe." Keeps huffed. "How can we be sure of that Keeps? He could be a murder and is just waiting for her to wake up so he can kill her." "Well one I don't think that colt is you Sky. And two, why would he go through all the effort to make sure she's not critcal condition?" Trixie didn't hear Sky and Keeps ramblings, only the mares and colts words resounding in her head."Somepony is putting my safety and health over their own? Trixie after all that you've done you don't deserve that amount of kindness." Trixie thought to herself. "Woohoo, Sky to Trixie do you copy." Sky said waving her hoof in front of Trixie's muzzle. "Huh? Oh sorry Sky I must have got lost in my train of thought." Trixie said rubbing the back of her head as her muzzle turned slightly crimson. "Oooo Trixie what where you thinking about?" Sky asked with a sly smile. "Sky would you go to floor three for me?" Keeps said as he still tried to regain the image signal. "What? Why?" "I'll tell you when you find a red and gold bound book in row five." He said turning his head as his hooves shuffled across the table, moving as a blur of motion. "Oh fine, I guess its the least I can do now that you have a heart." Sky said with a huff as she took off. There was a long silence between Trixie and Keeps as he kepted fiddling with the Search. "So Trixie what is your reason for getting back to the land of the living?" Keeps asked out of the blue. "Do I have to be honest?" Trixie asked as her muzzle turned crimson. Keeps only sighed through a smile as he gaveup on trying to find the signal. "If it's what I think it is then no you don't have to Trixie but I'll ask you this what if it doesn't end the way you want?" "I won't know if I don't try." She said staring at the ground kicking at the floor with her front hoof. "Hey Keeps! I found it!" Sky shouted as she circled above them. "Good, now come down here." Keeps shouted up. "What will this book do anyway?" Sky asked as her hooves clicked against the floor as she touched down. "Well in simple terms it will let us help Trixie get home." Kepps said as he began to filpped through the tattered pages of the book. "Oooo really?" Sky asked as she peered over Keeps shoulder. "Sky." "Yes?" "Please back off." "Oh sorry." "Anyway to answer your question Sky yes it will let Trixie get back to the land of the living but it might be problematic." Keeps said as he continued to look through the long yellowed pages of the book. "Uh why?" Trixe asked. "Well for it to work well need Azreal's help." Keeps said flatly. "W...WHAT?" "He runs the cycle of death, to beat death you either have to trick him or get somepony as equally as powerful." Keeps said as he closed the book with a thud. "Um is thier somepony as powerful as him, I kind of angered Azreal and I don't think he'll be really all that eager to help me." Trixie said as a cold feeling sweaped over her. "Well you could always find Slendermane." Sky chimmed in. "Sky don't fool around this is serious." Keeps retorted, anger filled his tone. "What he would help." "Yeah by getting Trixie killed." "Wait a minute!" Trixie shouted, getting the two immortal ponys to go silent. "Slendermane. The creature that kills little foals and tortures those who he sees fit Slendermane." Trixie repeated looking from Sky to Keeps. "Yes Trixie she means that Slendermane." Keeps grunted in disaproval. "He's just jealous because a couple thousand years ago me and Slender use to be dating." Sky said with a little grin. "He was so loving, leting me help impail ponys on tree limbs then removing their organs with your bare hooves." Sky said with a happy sigh.
Chapter 8 Fog of Shadows"So your telling me to go Celestia knows where to find this Slendermane a creature most likely more bucked up in the head then you and try to get him to help me?" Trixie questioned in disbelief. "Yeah but hey you'll be fine." Sky said with a happy grin. "He doesn't impale anypony now a days. He just follows you and makes you go crazy and destorys your mind." "And thats better how?" Trixie asked, taking a step back from Sky. Keeps only sighed and placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "Don't worry Trixie I won't allow that freak to harm you and I'll make for sure that you get home." He said sternly. "And how are you going to do that huh Keeps?" Sky questioned. "By any means nesscary you sick bucken mare." Keeps shouted at sky. "And you wonder why I had my heart cut out in the first place, It's the only way I can put up with your twisted arse." "You don't have to so mean Keeps." Sky taunted. Trixie just stood there as she watched as Keeps finally snapped. One of his forelegs morphed into a lance as he charged Sky, nailing a direct hit to her chest. Sky just looked at him in shock as he lifted her off the ground and sent her flying across the room. Her body impacted hard against the ground with a thud as her body skidded to a stop on the cold marble floor. "Keeps! What was that about!" Trixie shouted as she hurried over to Sky. "She knows I dispize that creature and yet she pokes and prodes me every time about it." He panted as his foreleg shifted back to normal. "But you just impailed, then threw her across the room!" "No he has a point." Sky wheezed. "I know how he feels but I still taunt him about it." She coughed, as she shakily stood up. "Yes, because you just find it sooo amusing when I get angery." Keeps said with a snort. "No, thats not why I do it." Sky coughed again. "Then pray tell why?" Keeps asked as he went back to the search, not really caring what Sky had to say but the next thing he knew Sky was standing right next to him, muzzle ablaze in crimson. He only sighed, messing up her blue mane causing her to giggle. "Umm I'm still here you two." Trixie chimed. "Yes and Sky if you please I believe you have something Trixie is going to be needing." "Oh of course." Sky coughed as she smacked the back of her head causing her left eye to fall into her other hoof. A tinge of green came across Trixies muzzle as she watched Sky begin to dig into her empty eye socket, it making loud squishing noise's in the process. "Now lets see I know its in here somewhere." Sky said as she continued to push flesh out of the way of her hoof. "Oh here it is." Sky said a her face lit up. There was a loud pop as Sky quickly withdrew her hoof from her eye socket, grasping something coated in slime. "And what is that?" Trixie questioned, trying to regain control the contents of her stomach. "Oh it's just a bracelet Slender gave me about three thousand years ago." Sky answered as she placed her eye back into its socket. "Ok so where am I heading?" Trixie asked as Sky placed the braclet on one of Trixie's hooves. "Here." "Uh Keeps all is see is a key." "Well that's cause it is a key but what it does that's important." He said as he turned it as if he had placed it into a lock. Then to Trixie's surprise there was a faint click and a door shimmered into existence. Keeps hesitated before he pushed open the door but as soon as he did a dense fog began to fill the room, Along with a strange odor that sent a chill down Trixie's spine. "Deaths Hallow, not the most pleasant place but it is where you'll be heading." Keeps sighed. "Really, I would have never guessed." Trixie moaned. "Yes but it is the domain of one of the few beings as strong or if not stronger then Azreal." "And why does he live in the creepiest place in around here?" "Cause he and Azreal don't get along." Sky chimed in, her eye now back in place. "Azreal is the younger sibling and by how command is given out around here his older brother should be in charge but instead he declined and Azreal recieved it instead." "And who is Azreal's brother?" "Well he really doesn't have a name or is just cause nobody knows it but he does goes by as Pale though." Sky finished flicking her hair out of her face. "Something tells me that this Pale Pony is going to be worse then Azreal." Trixie sighed. "No not really. In all reality Pale is pretty nice, just don't get on his bad side though." Keeps warned as he handed Trixie the doors heavy brass key. "Yes Trixie Im quite pleasant pony. Why don't you come in for a vist?" A voice chuckled as black tendrils shot toward the door out of the blur of the haze. "Oh no you don't!" Keeps shout as he through up a shimmering shield in front of Trixie, stopping the tendrils in there path. "Now, now Slendermane there is no reason to be hostile to your guess." The voice hummed as the fog began to clear. "Well come on in dearie, you did want to speak with me after all or would you prefer if I have Slender 'escort' you to me?" "No I'll think meet you under my own power." Trixie replied as she trotted into the haze. "Oh this is going to be grand, its been so long since I had a vistor." "I can't imagine why." Trixie replied as the musky odor of graveyard soil wafted into her nose.
Chapter 10 Spiders and Vomit"Let me guess your phobia of spiders." Trixie sighed. "No it's that their mistress has a rather strong affection towards me and her appearance is rather unnerving to say the least." Pale shuddered. "But Trixie if you want I will come with you." He said with a caring grin. "You would do that for me?" "Of course what are friends for." Pale laughed as they trotted to the entrance of the massive nest. After much walking Trixie realized another reason Pale must hate this nest. For one you had to keep moving, if you stopped for a second your hooves would become tangled in the sticky silk. Then you would fall victim to the mass of spiders that encircled them, their mandibles dripping with green venom. Then there was the second reason, most of the tunnels, like the one they were traveling down, where just large enough for her and Pale to barely fit down. "Please tell me where getting close." Trixie groaned as her she kicked off some silk from one of her hind hooves. "Hopefully, I really dislike being down here." Pale said with a shudder. "You do know where we're going right?" "I do it's just the thought of having to be near those oozing mandibles is......unnerving me." "Is she really that frightening to be around?" "For me Trixie, it is every time." Pale sighed, as they ventured ever deeper into the nest. There was a moment of silence between them as Trixie tried to clear her mind of the image of a creature that could frighten the Pale pony. Most were things that didn't seem possible of existing. Their bodies of ilk and evil, their jaws dripping and glistening with toxins that ran thick from their fangs. As if by instinct she violently shook her head, trying to lose the beast that now hung in her mind. "So why is this thing I need down here?" Trixie questioned, as tried to take her mind of of this spider mistress. "Because most mortals that come down here searching get eaten by her underlings." "How do they get down here?" "Because her nest might lay in Purgatory but there are tunnel's that reach to the surface. "Oh. Well I see that doesn't really discourage any pony, judging by the amount of skeleton's." Trixie said with a shiver. "Yes it seems that way." Pale sighed. "What a waste of young life. Always over stepping when they should hold back." He said as he came to a halt to examine one of the still armored skeleton. "What are you doing Pale?" Trixie asked as she came and stood beside him. "Do you know about the art of necromancy Trixie?" Pale asked, as oil like smoke began to seep from his frame. "Because you're about to see a excellent example." He growled, as the patches of smouldering flesh crackled and popped as wisps of flames burned there way through creating small patches of fire along his coat. Trixie quickly stumbled backwards as the small patches of flames that burned a top Pales coat, erupted into a apocalyptic blaze, consuming Pale and the skeletons that laid in front of him in a massive wall of fire. Hotter and hotter the tunnel became as the air within her lungs began to boil and expand. Trixie's vision began to blur as smoke bellowed and filled the ever darkening tunnel. Then from the blaze, hooves began to emerge. The fire's might dwindled as more pony's stepped through the flame's. With a rush of cool air Trixie found herself able to breath but unable to stand. "Do you Neeeeed Heellp MisS." A raspy voice asked, as Trixie found a armored hoof expended to her. "Pale what did you do?" Trixie said in awe at the sight before her. Six pony's stood before Trixie, their eye's ablaze with fire, their body's cover in gleaming black armor. Each one of them was armed with different and deadly looking weapons strapped to their backs. The leader, which trotted up next to his misted maned comrade, smiled at her, as his leathery wings twitched with new life. "This Trixie is necromancy." He chuckled, as he snorted fire through his black helm. "Umm hold that thought." Trixie groaned, as bile welled up her esophagus. "Your not going to throw up are you?" Pale questioned, as the sound of concern wash over his voice. "Probably." She wheezed, tasting her stomach acid as it toyed with entering her muzzle. "Soldiers move up." Pale ordered. "Trixie come on we need to hurry." "Give me a *burp* second." Trixie bleached, as she tried to control her stomach. Pale just sighed as light flickered from underneath his helm, illuminating his partially concealed muzzle in a soft glow. Careful not to upset Trixie's stomach he lifted her from the ground and rested her on his armor clad back. Then being gentle, so he wouldn't end up with vomit on himself, softly trotted to catch up with his reanimated guards. "Can't I just *bleach* rest for a little Pale?" "Trixie that would be the last thing you want to do right now." Pale retorted, as the armored pony's came into view. "*burp* Why would it?" "Trixie when you first arrived in purgatory you had trouble moving correct?" "Yes but how does that *burp* relate to anything?" "Trixie it mean's as of right now you have less of a chance of ever being able to leave this place." Pale sighed. "Wait what!" Trixie shouted, as her stomach issues suddenly ceased. "You mean I might be stuck here forever." "Yes. Now if you can't walk I'll carry you but..." "No I can walk but we need to hurry." Trixie said, as she quickly slide from Pale's back and onto her own four hooves. "Troops keep up with me and protect the mare at all cost." Pale ordered, as he began to gallop with Trixie close behind him. They would need to find the center of the nest and fast if Trixie wanted to see Equestria again.
Chapter 9 Chatting with a SkullThe fog was thick and the smell of rotten flesh hung heavy in the air as Trixie made her way through Deaths Hallow. "Ugh it really stinks around here." Trixie wheezed as she held her muzzle. "Sorry. I keep forgetting that not every pony enjoys the smell of graveyard soil." Pale chuckled. "I can't imagine why?" She coughed. "Then allow me to change it to something else my dear." He laughed as the fog began to swirl and thicken. At first Trixie didn't notice anything different, it still reaked of death and must, but slowly another smell began to waft into her nose, and as she continued to trot through the fog her surroundings began to change to something of a memory. The fog began to lift revealing trees covered in leaves of amber, and orange with trims of gold. The gray dirt felt soft against her hooves as thick grass began to wash a emerald green into the lifeless soil. The chirping of birds echoed all around her as they fluttered amongst the trees that surrounded her. "Does this fit more to your liking?" Pale asked, as the odor of sweet maple sugar and oak filled the air. "I would be lying if I said no, now if only if your voice would stop resonating in my head." "Yes I am growing tired of this as well my dear so why don't we speak face to face or in your case face to skull." Trixie felt like screaming but she didn't have the chance to as she was teleported to a clearing in the now autumn woods. As her head cleared she found herself sitting down at a picnic table, across from her sat Pale, a pony that she hoped would help her escape this hole. His face was a oddity to her. The left was perfect in every way, each curve complementing the next. His mane was long and ever flowing appearing to be made of liquid obsidian rather then hair as it rolled and eddied over his parchment white coat. His eye was as black as a winter night but Trixie swore if she focused on one point, a memory of long ago could be seen still flickering with strong emotion. "But the right is not so pleasant is it?" Pale chuckled. "Oh great another mind reading pony." Trixie groaned. "No not really, your facial expressions gave you away silly." He said with a caring smile. "So Trixie what can I do for you?" "Well for one can you get him to leave." Trixie motioned over his shoulder. Pale smiled as he rotated his head to face what trixie was pointing at, he didn't have to he already knew who was standing behind him. "Run along and play Slender, I wish to speak with the mare in private." Slender didn't say a word as he bowed and disappeared into the mist that still coiled through the trees. "Better Trixie?" "I'm sorry, it's just..." "Oh I understand, he is what he is after all. So what is it that you wanted me to help you with?" There was a long pause before Trixie spoke again, she wanted to say something meaningful enough to convince this strange ailcorn to help hr, but all she was able to managed was. "I want to go home." She sighed, knowing that if this Pale character was anything like his brother she would know his answer. "Trixie if that is what you wish then consider your wish granted." Pale said sincerely Trixie's jaw must have been laying on the table because Pale began to laugh, it was a warm childish laugh, one that could lift you up no matter how low you felt. "What, did you expect my answer to be something else." "I'm sorry. I thought you being Azreal's brother and all you would...." "Be as much of an arse and not know the meaning of compassion?" A laughed escaped Trixie's muzzle, she couldn't help it but for some reason she was starting to like this strange alicorn. "So Trixie when do you wish to be back in your body?" Pale asked as a glass of strawberry milk appeared in his hoof. "Um right now would be good but something tells there's going to be catch." "Unfortunately your right." Pale sighed. "I'm going to need you to acquire something before I can help you." "It's not going to be easy is it?" "No it will be, I don't see the point in making things over complex." Pale said with a smile as he rose from the table. "I'll even walk you there." "Are you serious?" "Why of course, I'm not like most but my system functions far more efficiently Trixie." "Then why aren't you in charge?" Trixie questioned. "Because power corrupts all those who hold it." He sighed with a snort as he trotted into the fog. Trixie had galloped to catch up with Pale but he didn't say a word when she did. He kepted his right side to her, never even glancing over to her with his burning eye. She just stayed behind him watching his white ribs move back and forth as they slid outside of the black mass that was his sunken flesh. "Can I ask you something Pale?" Trixie asked nervously. "And what would that be Trixie." He answered as his leather wing twitched. "Is this going to take long and why are you smouldering?" "Well no and I'm smouldering because this area of The Hallows has been sealed off from my presence so most likely I'll be bursting into flame in a few minutes." He shrugged. "And your not concerned about bursting into flames?" "No not really, I've been set on fire too many to remember." He chuckled. "Really?" "Yeah most have been by Az, but hey we're nearing your task so I'm not really worried, but hey if I do you have my permission to roost smores." He chuckled. Trixie couldn't help herself and began to laugh. "Oh and here I am with out any gram crackers." She giggled. "Well that is unfortunate. How about we have some when you're back in your body?" "That would be nice if I ever get back." Trixie sighed. "Oh by the way are you afraid of spiders?" Pale asked as they came to a halt. "No, why? "Because your going to dealing with a lot of big ones." He answered as Trixie gazed at the gaint, gnarled web that hung before her. "Your joking right?" Trixie gulped, as large black shapes moved out into the open. "I'm afraid not Trixie, but hey it could be worse." "How could going into a nest of giant spiders be less worse then something else?" "Oh you could be going in there alone." Pale nervously laughed, as he began to back away from the silk covered barrow.
