The Curious Incident of the Two Crossed Pencils
Diamond Tiara galloped down the street. It seemed like the buildings leaned in toward her. She didn't know why she was running; only that something terrible was behind her. Even a quick backward glance was out of the question. In that one moment, it would be upon her. The streets echoed with the sound of her hooves striking the ground. The buildings didn't look like Ponyville’s buildings; not even the poor section looked like this.
The tall red-bricked buildings with the broken windows still screamed poor though. And the smell, Diamond recognized it. Dirty old flesh, dirty clothing, the combination was almost enough for her to want to put her right forehoof over her nose, but she needed all her hooves to keep moving. She had to keep going. Even though she couldn't see anything, she could hear whispers. Diamond just knew if she gazed long enough at the dark windows that gaped like sightless eyes, she would see what was whispering and the sight might stop her heart with fear.
Fear drove its spurs into Diamond as she ran down the block. She approached a strange looking creature. It had no tail, and ears at the side of its head. Somehow she knew it wasn't a threat since it just gawked at her with its' mouth open as she ran by. The smell of rotten candy clogged Diamond’s nose. The stink made her squeal with disgust. Diamond managed to continue running.
She just had to keep running.
She just had to keep running.
Ponyville Medical
Juvenile Ward
Ponyville Medical's Juvenile Ward was almost full, just two white-sheeted beds were free. The other beds had colts and fillies thrashing in their strange sleep. Magic and medicines alike had all failed to bring them out of their strenuous slumber. Most of the sleeping gallopers had kicked their covers to the white-tiled floor. At the left side of the room, an anxious father watched his daughter with dismay.
Brown coated, black maned Filthy Rich stared at his poor daughter as she thrashed in her bed. Her hooves moved as though she was running. The white bedsheets had already been kicked to the floor.
"If I had the power, I would find what is making you run and make it pay," Filthy whispered. He cast his eyes over the other fillies and colts in their beds. Like his poor daughter, they also ran in their sleep. A determined look filled his blue eyes. Business be damned! He will stay here until his daughter recovered. The sound of approaching hooves got his attention. Filthy looked over at a white earth pony mare with pink mane and tail. She had a red cross on top of a heart cutie mark.
"Nurse Redheart, do you know what is wrong with my daughter?" Filthy asked with hope in his face.
A look of sadness crossed Nurse Redheart's face. Her ears drooped. She didn't really want to crush Filthy's hopes, but she also didn't want to lie and give false hope.
"I'm sorry Mr. Rich, but the doctors have done all of the tests they can. They can't find out what exactly is wrong," Nurse Redheart said with lowered ears.
Filthy's eyes narrowed. "The doctors don't know what is going on? Maybe I should have my daughter airlifted to Canterlot Central because the doctors here are just country bumpkins!" Nurse Redheart took a calming breath. She knew it was Filthy's feelings of powerlessness and concern for his daughter speaking.
"I'm sorry sir. We've sent for some doctors from Canterlot to help out. They should arrive soon. I have to ask you to fill out some forms. Due to your daughter's exertions we may have to put her on an IV so she can get the proper nutrients," Nurse Redheart said. She omitted telling Filthy that if the children didn't stop running soon, their little hearts would fail. Redheart knew this wasn't something he could handle now.
Filthy looked away from the nurse to watch his daughter thrash then he looked back.
Nurse Redheart gave him a wan smile and left the room.
Outside Ponyville
Three ponies galloped along a dirt road heading into Ponyville. One was a large brown pegasus stallion with a black mane and tail who huffed and puffed. His name was Ciderslinger. He was just a bartender until a strange event happened to him. His cutie mark was of a flying beer stein. Ciderslinger was really good at throwing cider in glasses to thirsty ponies.
Below Ciderslinger, a beige unicorn with a curly brown mane and tail and brown eyes doggedly put her hooves to the ground. Her name was Trouble Seer. Her special talent was seeing terrible events and seeing how to prevent or deal with them. Trouble Seer's cutie mark was of a black and red crystal ball.
The last pony was a tan earth pony stallion with blonde mane and bright blue eyes. His name was Spell Tongue. He had the ability to do magic by saying strange words. Even his Cutie Mark was unusual; it had strange symbols that no pony could decipher.
Spell huffed again and cursed. "Bloody hell, how far away is this place again?"
Ciderslinger pointed his left fore hoof at the town up ahead. "You know, if you didn't hit on the cart driver's sister, we could be riding in comfort."
"Well, can you blame a stallion for setting up an interesting evening?" Spell replied with a smile.
"My keeling over with a heart attack would make things interesting," Trouble said between gasping breaths.
"Well, luv, I doubt The Powers That Be will let you off that easy. Besides we have a mission here. The Map of Vigilance says that we'll have something fun to do here," Spell panted.
The map was a blood stained map of Equestria and other regions. Spell didn’t want to know what hide it came from. It was one of the many artifacts, his missing uncle, Sheltering Hoof had found over his life. Basically, if there was a problem, a bright bead of blood would appear on an affected area. If the problem was solved, the blood would just turn into a bloodstain. Scabby areas? Well, so far Spell didn’t have a clue. His uncle made a lot of notes, but his writing was mostly unintelligible. The bits that were legible mentioned topics that Spell was totally ignorant of. Spell hoped by following the map, he would eventually find his uncle. All other methods had failed.
"You know, Spell, we need to have a talk about your definition of fun," Ciderslinger said as he landed with a grunt. Then he flew off again.
"Yeah, my visions are as fun as being kicked in the horn," Trouble said.
The ponies crossed into Ponyville while the setting sun covered them with red like they were bleeding.
That made the hairs in his mane stand up. Spell knew that feeling. Soon he and his friends will find out what the map was warning them about. Again, Spell wished that the Powers would give him a clue without all of the faffing about, but he knew they didn't work that way.
Who or what where these powers? Spell only knew of two, deep down he figured there were probably more. Oonte was supposed to be the co-creator of Equestria, but again his uncle’s notes were pretty sketchy. He did have a bunch of her spells against demons in the Tome. The Tome was his field notes. Now Spell carried the book with him everywhere and added more entries.
Thalh'kikar, the Messenger of Oonte, on the other hoof, was a different story. A pony shaped blazing figure of light that made telegrams seem verbose. It annoyed Spell to no end to hear this creature tell him vague warnings without any useful details. Spell made sure to kick the glowing being in the bollocks verbally when it just was too vague. That was most of the time when the being would show up. One or two good words would spare Trouble the pain of a vision, but Thalh'kikar didn't work that way either. He didn't want to tell her that seeing her in the throes of a vision, blood dripping out of her nose, tore him apart, it just tore him up inside.
A tap from Ciderslinger brought him out of his thoughts.
"Spell, I'm going to find a hotel for us. Meet me at the Hayloft, the local bar for this town.”
"How do you know this?" Spell asked while watching the ponies walk by them.
"I blew through here once for a summer celebration. Now that was fun," Ciderslinger said with a smile.
Spell faced Trouble. "Well, luv, do you sense anything?"
Trouble started to walk in a circle, she ignored several ponies across the street that were watching her with some interest. For a few moments she felt nothing, then there was a light touch on her horn. Cold and dark like somepony took some water from the river Styx and put it on her horn. Under her breath, she cursed Spell.
"What's that luv?" Spell said while checking out the ponies walking by.
Trouble pointed to the right. "It's that way."
Spell nodded. "Well, luv, let's go learn something."
Trouble sighed. She knew a nasty head bashing vision would probably come then she trotted off down the street with Spell.
The walk was informational. Ponies walked by gossiping about the 'Running Sickness'. Spell's ears swiveled around to pick up details.
After a bit of walking through town, they arrived at Ponyville Medical. It was a two story building with two wings and one main building. Spell motioned for Trouble to step to the side while he fished through his saddlebags for his Cumelo card. This magic ID card allows the bearer to show any card to another pony and it will look authentic. Once Spell got the card, he strode with confidence through the door to the guard station.
"I'm Doctor Spell and this is my assistant Tina," Spell said while holding the card high.
The green coated guard peered at the card then at Spell and Trouble. "So you're here for the problems in the Juvenile Ward?"
"Yep guvnor, where's that ward?" Spell said while checking out the nurses.
"Well, I hope you can do something. It's just terrible that those foals just run and run. Nopony can wake them up. The Ward is on the third floor. I wish you well, Doc and assistant," The guard said.
Spell nodded. "We shall do our best."
Trouble rolled her eyes when they left the guard station. She wondered why Spell had to lay it on so thick. They started down the blue and white hallway. Spell was glad there was signs everywhere; the hallways seemed maze like. A thought crossed his mind about what lurks at the center of a maze.
Finally, they reached a bank of gray elevators. One of them opened and a blue coated nurse walked out. She gave Spell a disapproving look before cantering off. Spell ignored it and got on the elevator with Trouble, who hit the button for the third floor.
"So Spell, what are we go-?" Trouble said while watching the numbers light up. The elevator stopped moving.
Spell looked over at Trouble and was almost blinded by the blue winged glory of the Messenger of Oonte.
"Great," Spell said while facing away from the Messenger. "Seriously? Thalh'kikar, you could just have sent me a telegram. What you say would fit, there's so little useful info there." Spell thought he heard a sigh.
"I am a Messenger of the Just and Merciful Oonte. Mock her at your peril," Thalh'kikar said.
"I'm not mocking her, I'm mocking YOU," Spell said.
"I understand that you wish for me to give you more explicit instructions, but Oonte desires strong children that can think for themselves," Thalh'kikar said.
Spell sighed. It seemed to him that for a higher being Thalh'kikar was a bit dense. "Thally buddy, there is a big difference between a hint and being totally vague. You should talk to your ma about the difference." Cold energies shoved him against the wall of the elevator hard then a quick healing warmth covered his body.
"Face me," Thalh'kikar said. Spell thought he heard something in the being's voice. He didn't want to look, but he turned his head anyway.
Thalh'kikar had lowered his glory so it was not so eye searing. "Forgive me Spell. My temper got the best of me. I would like to tell you more, but there are rules. I can tell you that what you face is something ancient and evil. Be careful. Please remember that redemption is possible for you."
Spell looked away for a second to think. The horrible memory of what happened to the zebra filly rushed into his mind. Her screams of fear and pain mixed with the mirthless laughter of the demon as they both fell into darkness and terror.
Slowly his mind returned back to the present. "Really, I have a chance?" The elevator bounced.
"What?" Trouble said.
Spell looked at Trouble. He was expecting Thalh'kikar, not Trouble's puzzled brown eyes looking at him.
"No problem," Spell said.
"Are you okay Spell? It looks like you were crying," Trouble said. Spell turned his head and used a napkin to dry his eyes.
"Its nothing luv, just my allergies kicking up. You know how I hate hospitals," Spell said. Trouble rolled her eyes.
Finally, the elevator was at the third floor. The doors opened then Spell and Trouble walked out. A sign pointed to the juvenile ward down the hall.
When Trouble entered the ward, she saw something that tugged at her heart. Row upon rows of hospital beds with thrashing fillies and colts made her ears and tail droop. When she looked closer she could see that it wasn't aimless flailing, the foals seemed to be running. Seeing the poor foals in such distress, Trouble resolved to endure any pain her visions brought her. While Trouble was looking at the sick foals, Spell was looking at a gray filly with a white and gray mane and tail.
"Di please wake up. We all miss you. Even the blank flanks miss you," The gray filly said. Spell walked up to her and touched her shoulder. The gray filly jumped. Spell looked at her tear filled purple eyes behind her light blue glasses.
"Hey, relax. My name is Dr. Spell Tongue. You can call me Spell," Spell said. He stood a bit taller.
The filly looked up at him and sniffled. "M-my name is Silver Spoon," she said.
"Well, luv, it's great to meet you," Spell said while he held his left fore hoof out for a bump. Silver bumped his hoof and looked back at the pink filly in the bed.
"What is the name of your friend?" Spell asked.
Silver did not bother to turn around. "Her name is Diamond Tiara." Trouble walked up to Spell. He noticed that Silver didn't bother to look at her. All of her attention was focused on her friend.
"Silver, I'm a doctor. I was wondering if you could tell me what your friend was doing before she got sick," Spell said. For a moment, Silver said nothing. Spell looked at Trouble, but her eyes were unfocused.
Trouble's vision struck her with the subtlety of a baseball bat to the head. She was in a school standing behind Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Silver was showing a video from Mootube on her Haypod six. Trouble did not miss the hidden look of envy on Diamond Tiara's face.
"Di, check out this video!" Silver said. The video showed some fillies and colts standing around two crossed pencils on a circle. On the circle were two sets of yes and no answers.
"All you have to do is to ask Currit Maretrem some questions, and she will make the pencil point to the answer," A blue and white filly said. Then all of the ponies chanted, "Currit Maretrem, Currit Maretrem we want to know, give us an answer yes or no." At first the pencil did not move, but after a few minutes it pointed to yes. The gathered ponies screamed, and the camera fell over then the video ended.
Before Diamond could say anything, a maroon colored pony came into the room. Silver put her Haypod away. Trouble figured that the teacher had arrived. Then the vision went to another place. This room looked like a typical rich filly's room. Diamond Tiara was looking at the video on her Haypod five and muttering.
"Silvie has the latest Haypod and I don't have it before her! It's just not fair! Too bad Daddy has money problems or he would buy me one. Maybe Currit Maretrem could help?" Diamond Tiara said. A feeling of foreboding swept over Trouble. Diamond tore a page out of her notebook and made a circle with plus, minus and numbers from zero to nine. Then she found two pencils and placed them on top of the circle. With a deep breath, she started her rhyme. "Currit Maretrem, Currit Maretrem, I want to know, how high will the price of my Marecrosoft stocks will go?" For a few minutes nothing happened, then the pencil moved. Diamond squealed as the pencil picked out numbers and a plus sign. She wrote down what she saw and called her broker.
Already she was thinking the new Haypod was hers. Trouble's vision then showed quick flashes of other colts and fillies doing the chant. Then she felt like she was falling into a cold and lonely place. A large and empty city spread itself beneath her gaze. Somehow she knew there were ponies and other creatures running through the streets. In the distance, somepony was chanting. A great desire filled Trouble, she wanted to run. Then everything went white.
Trouble woke up on the cold floor with the familiar taste of blood in her mouth. Spell had a forehoof on her head while he chanted loudly. He finished the chant. Trouble sniffled and swallowed. She looked into Spell's tired blue eyes.
"Are you back luv?" Spell said while wiping blood from Trouble's nose. "The nurses will make a fuss if you leave any more blood on the floor."
Trouble wanted to laugh, but she was just too tired. "The children did a ritual with some being called Currit Maretrem." Spell grabbed another napkin. Trouble reached for it.
"Well, luv, it seems that we have learned something. Let's meet Ciderslinger in that bar he mentioned," Spell said.
"I think he said the Hayloft," Trouble said. She tried to climb to her hooves, but she fell to the floor. Spell stuck out a forehoof to help. Trouble snarled at him. This time she stood up. Her legs were a bit wobbly, but she was standing on her own.
The Hayloft
The bar was filled with the scent of cider and ponies. It was noisy, but Spell could still pick out conversations about the poor running children. He would have been more concerned if nopony talked about them. After pushing his way through some party ponies he found Ciderslinger.
He was in his element, wings partially unfurled, a half full cider mug sat on the table and two rapt mares looking at him like he was a tasty bit to devour for later. Spell felt a bit envious and regretful. He did something to Ciderslinger to drag him into this life. Again, Spell tried to peer through his cider soaked memories and again he had no idea what he did to Ciderslinger. Some pony pushed him hard.
"Come on Spell, let's get a seat! I want to taste something else in my mouth other than snot and blood! And no, I'm not interested in the other stuff," Trouble said.
"Trouble don't get your panties in a bunch. Let's give Cider some space," Spell looked back at her and pleaded.
"Really? This place isn't good enough for panties. Besides he is a big boy and he should know how to seal the deal by now. I wanna drink!" Trouble said and then pushed Spell forward.
The mares saw Trouble and Spell walk up and slid two pieces of paper to Ciderslinger. Then they walked off into the crowd. A goofy grin covered Ciderslinger's face as he put the phone numbers in his saddlebags. Trouble clambered into a seat, and raised her hoof to get the waiter's attention. Spell glumly got into his seat.
"What? One of the kids die?" Ciderslinger said while looking at Spell's face.
"No, we found out what we are dealing with," Trouble said then gulped down her cider.
"I will feel better once I take a peek at the Tome. Can you get us some food? Hay fries would be good. Trouble could use some fries, right luv?" Spell said and smiled at Trouble. She just rolled her eyes, and motioned to the waiter for more cider.
When the waiter came by, Ciderslinger ordered some food. Spell hoofed through his saddlebags until he found the Tome.The noisy bar faded away as Spell went through the pages of the book looking for more info on Currit Maretrem.
There was just one entry: Lonely.
Spell blinked. He had no idea what to do with that. Time was running out for the fillies and colts in the hospital, and his Tome had a one word entry. An idea snaked into his head, he was going to fail them.
"Equestria to Spell. Are you still here Spell?" Ciderslinger asked. His face was full of worry.
"The Tome has just this to help us. Bugger!" Spell said and then looked at Trouble. She was on another cider, but her eyes were already glazing over. That meant she was going to pass out or puke or do both. Either way, it was going to be a mess. Spell raised the Tome so Ciderslinger could see the entry. He glanced at it.
"Yeah, well it's late and we should sleep on it. Maybe we'll have better ideas in the morning," Ciderslinger said.
"Those fillies and colts don't have till tomorrow. Let's get this food to go and then get a room in a hotel. Maybe by then I will have some ideas," Spell said.
Ciderslinger grimaced but he motioned to the waiter. Spell grabbed Trouble's empty cider glass.
"Hey! I wassa more," Trouble mumbled.
"When we get to the hotel we are getting some strong coffee in you!" Spell said.
"Great, sho I can barf and twitch," Trouble said while trying to glare at Spell.
The waiter came and bagged up the food. Ciderslinger put the food in his saddlebags. Spell paid for the food and they left. Again he wondered if those colts and fillies were going to die because of his failure. Spell clenched his jaw. He resolved to beat this and save the children or die trying. Another thought hoped that wouldn't be true.
Author's Note
Edited by ARTL 
Canter N Crash
Room 304
Thank Celestia for small miracles, Spell thought. They managed to get Trouble onto a bed without too much fuss or puke. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Ciderslinger faced Spell. “What do we do now?” Spell looked around for a second. The room was clean, but the bedsheets were another matter. Trouble's drool would be an improvement. He made a mental note not to tell her what he thought of the bedsheets. Spell wasn't the prissy sort, but he did have standards, low as they were.
Spell looked back at Ciderslinger. “I don't know.”
Ciderslinger frowned. “You scare me when you say that. You aren't good at improvisation.”
“It's either that, mate, or those poor children die. I doubt they will last until morning. Who knows, maybe we might get lucky.”
“Spell, luck runs out, but I understand what you are saying,” Ciderslinger said and sighed.
Spell looked around at the lemon yellow walls, and pictures that looked like a drunk foal had made. “Yeah, Cider, I don't like this dance either. Well, let's get to it!” Spell checked through his other books for a diagram for an Invokation Seal then he pushed the paper thin excuse of a beige rug under the bed.
Ciderslinger slid a chair under the doorknob so they would not be disturbed. He hoped that he can get the chair out the way in case things go south.
Trouble woke up with a snort. “What the hell is on this bedspread, ewwww!”
Spell grinned. “I think that's you, luv.”
Trouble sat up. “No friggin way! I have better taste that that! This place is a dump!”
Ciderslinger laughed, it wasn't a good one. It was a nervous laugh. “Trouble, we are going to do some magic now. Please stay on the bed.”
Trouble pointed her left fore hoof at Spell. “If something bites me on this nasty bed, you are sooo going to pay for my hospital bills!”
Spell just nodded then he started saying strange words. It was like he was gargling with marbles. The lights in the room started to flicker. Trouble wanted to step off the bed, but her body wouldn't move.
Spell's voice changed, now it was more like he was gargling with razor blades. Every word seemed sharp and cold. The temperature in the room dropped like it was turning into a freezer. Ciderslinger could see his breath now. Then the lights went out. The room was in total darkness.
A dim purple cloud started to form above the seal. It continued to condense until a pillar of swirling purple mist appeared. Spell thought about having a closer look when a pony's face pushed its' way out of the purple column. Its eyes were just dark purple swirls. A low voice whispered. “Who summons Currit Maretrem without a contract?”
Spell swallowed. “I did.”
The purple swirling eyes focused on him. “Why do you not have a contract?”
“I'm sorry but I need you to free the children you have under your control.”
“The children signed the contract and they got what they wanted. Now they are mine. It's in the contract.”
Spell looked at Trouble. “Luv, did you see any contracts in your vision?”
Trouble shook her head no. “They just said her name and got what they wanted.”
Spell looked back at the swirling purple column. “No, they didn't sign any contracts. Please release the children, they are dying.”
The column swirled faster. “I care not for the children's health. If you are wasting my time, I will drag you down to my ShadowRun!” The column's purple hue faded and the swirling slowed down. Before Spell could open his mouth to order Ciderslinger and Trouble out of the room, the swirling sped up.
“The children don't belong here, they have no contracts. I will relea-” The pillar flashed a bright lavender color and then disappeared. The lights in the room came back on.
Spell shook his head. “No, no no! Trouble do you sense anything?”
Trouble focused, but she couldn't sense anything.
Ciderslinger looked at Spell. “Is it gone?”
Spell peered at the seal. “Well, with an Invokation Seal, summoned creatures can't leave until released. Wait! I can cast a spell that will tell me if Currit is still there.” Spell focused and said some divination words.
“Bollocks! The Seal is empty. Something grabbed Currit!” Spell said. Ciderslinger and Trouble exchanged glances.
Spell stomped his forehooves. “I have no idea who or what grabbed Currit! Those children are going to die and it's my fault.”
Trouble had an idea but she really didn't want to do it. It was very risky, then again she couldn't sit around and not help. Trouble hoofed through her saddle bags until she had a sheet of paper and a pencil.
Ciderslinger put his left fore hoof on Spell's shoulder. “It's not your fault. How about we take a break and try again?” Spell glanced at Ciderslinger and then at Trouble. She was drawing a circle.
“Trouble, luv, what are you doing?” Spell asked. Trouble continued to draw.
“Luv, what are you doing?” Spell said with more concern. Trouble picked up the paper and the two crossed pencil with her telekinesis. She placed the items in front of Spell.
Spell looked down. “No! I won't lose the both of you to this!”
Trouble's eyes narrowed. “Well, you don't have a choice. If we want to save those foals, we have to do the ritual so we can deal with whatever is making the children run.”
Spell looked at Ciderslinger. He nodded. “I got your back.” He looked at his friends. For a few seconds, his eyes threatened to burn, but Spell blinked back his tears. “Ok, let's do this!”
He took a breath. “Currit Maretrem, we want to know what has the children running so! ” They said it two more times. Then the floor faded away and Spell and friends fell through a cold darkness. The buildings of a strange city rose up around them.
They found themselves next to a store that reeked of rotten candy. Tall red bricked buildings loomed over them. Spell didn't look at the windows, he was sure he would see something he wouldn't like.
Trouble tried to put her hoof over her nose to block the smell, but she still smelled the stench. “Ewww. Spell, maybe next time we pick a nice brimstone smelling place?”
Spell smiled even though his legs wanted to gallop. “Well, luv, don't complain that I don't take you places.”
Ciderslinger grimaced, the desire to gallop was just pissing him off. “What do we do now?” The ponies' ears picked up the sound of flesh hitting the ground. Something was running down the block toward them.
Ciderslinger tried to fly, but the desire to run interfered with his concentration, he could only trot in place. “Spell, we gotta do something real soon!”
A strange creature appeared then it walked toward them. It had ears on the side of its white haired head. The creature had a dark skin. “What are ponies doing here in a hell town?”
Trouble wanted to step away from the creature, but she knew that her fight against the urge to run would be lost. Ciderslinger looked at the strange creature. It looked like something from Bulfinch's Mythology then he remembered. This creature was an old female human. “We are here to save children.”
The creature grimaced. “Children? Oh yes. I saw colts and fillies running. They seemed like they are getting tired. Why are they running here?”
“We don't know,” Trouble said.
Spell pointed at Trouble. “That is Trouble, a close friend.” Then he pointed to Ciderslinger. “This is my friend Ciderslinger. My name is Spell Tongue.”
Ciderslinger looked at Spell. “Wait, why did you just say I am a friend and not a close one?”
Spell ignored him. “Well, luv, what sort of creature are you? Do you have a name?”
The creature smiled. “My name is Eudelia Chatterson. I'm surprised that ponies don't know anything about humans. I'm a human woman. I also am surprised that ponies can talk. And no mister pony, I'm not your love. I learned over time that those that count trouble as a friend are the worst friends to have.”
Trouble turned her head and rolled her eyes.
Spell smiled. “Do you know how you got here?”
Eudelia turned and looked behind her then she faced Spell. “A shifty man promised me money for my church, Hillside Baptist. I chanted and a day later, I had the money. Before I could take the money to the pastor, a demon dressed in pink and black dragged me down here.”
Trouble faced Eudelia. “You didn't sign a contract?” Before Eudelia could answer an explosion in the distance made them jump.
A section of the asphalt was covered by a purple glow then a purple silhouette of a large pony appeared.
Eudelia looked at the apparition. “Is this one of your friends?”
Currit Maretrem whispered to them. “This enemy is ancient and evil. I can't defeat it by myself. It has your children and the other creatures under it's control. I'll remove the compulsion to run from you so you aren't distracted. Help me defeat the Other or you will be stuck here forever as the Other's toys.” Currit Maretrem faded away before Spell could reply.
“Bollocks! How can we fight this creature if we know nothing about it?” Spell said.
Trouble breathed a sigh of relief. Any second, she was expecting to run down the dark streets and be lost forever. Now she had a chance to help out. “Spell find some being that can help us out!”
Eudelia smiled. “I know who can help. I will pray to the Lord.”
Ciderslinger smiled. He had control over his wings now. “Eudelia please pray. We could use the help.” Eudelia sunk to her knees and started praying. The ground shook under their hooves and feet. A sound grabbed all of their attention.
Tik, tik, tik. The rhythm was unlike the hoof steps of a pony. Ciderlslinger and Trouble walked up to Spell. They watched as something dressed in pink and black tottered into view. Spell couldn’t tell what the creature was. His eyes slid off of it’s face like hooves on black ice. He did know what he was dealing with.
The creature stopped. “My boss wanted to know who else was causing trouble here. All I see is one pesky human and three little ponies. After I deal with the woman, I will have fun with you ponies.”
Ciderslinger whispered. “Damn, another person who has weird ideas about fun.” Trouble wanted to laugh but she was too scared. Spell on the other hoof, already had something ready to deal with the pink and black horror. It was a Tik’ath’s Rebuke, a spell taught to him by Thalh'kikar after several painful weeks of training. Few demons could resist it and most would be banished. He stepped forward and did the rebuke. A faint hope started to rise in his heart.
The horror took a step back then it laughed. “Whoa. Not bad. So the skyprancer’s little colt taught you something. You learnt it well. One thing though, the rebuke works way better in non flesh and blood throats. No biggie. I have a word for you!” A word formed of slashing knives and tearing hooks flung itself out of the horror. The ponies were torn off the ground and tossed into the store.
Spell awoke in the dark and smelly store.
Trouble gasped. “Phew! I’m so going to swear off of candy!”
Ciderslinger stood up slowly. “Really? You are going to give up chocolate?”
Trouble shook her head. “Heck no!”
Hearing his friends banter make Spell feel better. It seemed that they hadn’t lost hope. He wasn’t sure on what to do as he watched the demon try to get through Eudelia’s shield. It kept banging on the shield, the shield would give a golden flash and the demon would hold it’s arms as though they hurt. So far Eudelia was still praying.
Ciderslinger tapped Spell. “Spell, we gotta help her. I doubt that shield is going to last forever.”
A dark thought surfaced in Spell’s mind. Was he going to fail that human like he failed that poor zebra filly?
Spell shook his head. “Cider do what you can.” Cider nodded and unfurled his wings and took off.
Trouble faced Spell. “Um, Spell what can I do? All I know is how to get and suffer from visions.”
Spell sighed. He wanted to snap at her, but he remembered why they were here. “Trouble luv, you are an unicorn. Use your telekinesis against the demon.”
Trouble nodded. She looked at a piece of candy and focused her power. At first the candy just sat there but then it moved a little. Spell wasn’t sure it moved at all.
Trouble smiled. “OK, I got this. Let’s go help her!” They ran out the store. Spell looked up,
Ciderslinger was coming in fast. Then the demon caught him in her magic and threw him at the ground. He hit the ground with a sickening crunch and splatter. Trouble looked back at Spell with fear but then her eyes narrowed and she ran back into the store. Spell just stood there. He didn’t know what to do.
The horror laughed, it was a totally mirthless sound. “Mmmm, a nice pegasus pancake. Do you know what goes with that? Some sweet human blood!” The demon shoved its’ arms through Eudelia’s shield. A piece of candy bounced off of the demon but it ignored it. The shield faded away. Spell wanted to scream or shout a warning, but he just stood there as the demon shoved its’ arms through Eudelia’s chest and laughed.
Spell expected to see blood and Eudelia to collapse. She just turned her head and smiled at Spell. Then she faded away into a golden glow. The demon just stood there a few seconds before howling in anger. More pieces of rancid candy pelted the howling creature.
Then it turned its’ attention to Spell. “Well, my little pony. We are going to have-” The demon was interrupted by the sound of something heavy and metallic dragging on the ground.
Spell looked away from the demon to see what was making the noise. It was a silvery candy rack from the store. He could hear Trouble cursing. The rack flew at the demon but she pushed it back. Trouble focused more of her power and the rack moved toward the demon. For a few minutes the rack moved forward and back as Trouble and the demon fought over it. Suddenly with a metallic shriek of agony the rack exploded sending pieces everywhere.
Spell thought that something touched him on the flank. The sight of a piece of metal sticking out of his flank made him pass out.
Trouble cringed behind a wall as the shrapnel from the rack flew into the store. The demon’s magic grabbed her and pulled Trouble outside. Then it smacked Trouble against the ground. Her left foreleg snapped like a twig sending knives of pain up her leg. She tried to fight against the magic but the pain from her leg was sapping her concentration. When Trouble was right in front of the pink and black clad demon, it dropped her on the ground like a bag of trash. More pain shot up Trouble’s leg. She looked up at the demon with pain and defiance filled eyes. Trouble tried to move backwards, it hurt so much like somepony was stabbing her in the leg.
The looming demon’s left arm bulged and grew until it looked more like a big club and less like an arm. “I’m gonna pound you, my little pony. Pound you, pound you, pound you until you make a fine garnish for my-”
There was a sound like a hoof hitting something fleshy and soft. Trouble fought against the pain to back up faster. The demon fell down and its’ head split open. The stench was so horrible, Trouble passed out for a bit. She felt something grab her. Trouble started to thrash and scream as she knew something had her.
Ciderslinger smacked Trouble in the face. “Hey, it’s me, Ciderslinger. Look out!”
Trouble looked at Ciderslinger and then looked in front of her. Several large worms were crawling out of the demon’s body and heading toward her. Their obscene pallid skins made her stomach churn but Trouble wasn’t scared. She used a telekinetic smack to crush one. The worm split open exposing green swirling insides. The stink almost made Trouble pass out.
Ciderslinger looked at Spell who was still standing and watching. “Damn you! Spell do something!” He tapped Trouble and they went back into the store as the worms followed them.
Trouble looked through the store to find something to use against the worms. There were plenty of racks but they took so much power to use. Then there was Ciderslinger. She had to know what happened to him. Now he looked like he had been beaten within an inch of his life.
Trouble peered at a box. “Ciderslinger, I saw you die. What happened?”
Ciderslinger sighed. “Well, you know Spell and I go way back. We lost touch for a few years until Spell shows up one night. We do some catching up while he was sucking down the ciders like they were going to not make any more. He ran out of money and couldn’t pay for his last cider. I said he could pay me later. He rears up and starts saying some mumbo jumbo then he said that he would be back in a few weeks with my money. I wasn’t worried, I know Spell. He seems to not take things seriously but his friends he treats like precious gems. Anyway, several days later, there was a fire at the bar...” Trouble looked at Ciderslinger.
He took a deep breath. “Ponies were panicking, the doors were locked or blocked. I don’t remember. I do know the owner had some stupid ideas about security. He had the emergency exits locked to prevent ponies from sneaking in and stealing stuff. Well, to make a long story short everypony died except for me. Maybe I died too. By the time the fireponies arrived, I was the only one they pulled out of the ruined bar. Some nights I dream that I’m there with the screaming burning ponies. After the demon threw me at the ground, I knew I had been dead but then I came back. I think this is from Spell. Hey, how about that pipe?”
Trouble followed Ciderslinger’s pointing forehoof. “Yeah, that will do.” Trouble picked it up using her telekinesis.
Spell awoke out of his stupor to see a pipe suspended in blue magic bash some obscenely fat and disgusting worms. It took a bit more time before he remembered what was going on. He wondered what happened to Eudelia. Again Ciderslinger yelled at him to do something while Trouble limped out of the store to bring the fight to the fleeing worms.
The sight of Trouble’s foreleg covered in blood from an open fracture made him realize that they - no, he - was close to failing again. Anger rose up in him. Nopony should have to suffer because he screwed up again. The zebra filly paid the price for his incompetence before. Spell hated when others paid for his mistakes, he should pay. Anyone that doesn’t pay for one’s mistakes is a wanker. Spell gritted his teeth, he knew he was a lot of things but a wanker he wasn’t.
After hoofing through several books from his saddlebags, he found an invocation spell for Oonte. Summoning even a small portion of her power would cover this place in holy fire. The Other would be destroyed, but everypony would die. There was an alternative, it required a conduit for Her holy flame. That would be fatal for the conduit, but everyone would survive. Spell smiled and started the invocation. Whatever it took, he would pay. After all of the worms were dealt with Ciderslinger and Trouble walked up to Spell.
“Holy and Merciful Oonte, galloper of the holy sky pastures, we beseech thee!
Darkness blinds our eyes, binds our hooves and ensnares our minds.
Please Holy One, bring us Light so we can be free!” Spell said. The ground shook and a pony's scream of despair filled the air. A circle of bright golden light appeared before them. The ground burned and sizzled around it.
Spell took several steps toward the circle. “Well, guys it has been fun.”
Trouble looked at the sizzling circle of light then back at Spell. “Wait, what are you doing?”
Spell started trotting faster toward the circle. Ciderslinger unfurled his wings and flew at Spell. The ground shook and small bits of brick fell to the ground.
“Spell is trying to kill himself!” Ciderslinger said as he flew straight toward Spell. Spell dodged to the left and Ciderslinger missed him. Spell's eyes narrowed as he galloped toward the circle. He was going to pay and save the children. No more pain of regret. Ciderslinger turned and aimed himself at Spell. A bright purple glow flew into the burning golden circle just as Ciderslinger knocked Spell away from the circle. Trouble walked into the street while Ciderslinger followed while dragging the still protesting Spell.
In the distance, beams of bright golden light shone down from the sky. A pallid worm taller than a skyscraper reared up in defiance as the light burned holes in its’ filth filled bulk. The horrible creature kept growing. Now, it was bigger than a city block. Then it was bigger than several city blocks. Soon it would be large enough that they would be buried underneath it. The golden light kept tearing through the creature until it started screaming. A wave of mangled burning flesh started flowing toward them. A white light filled them as the area faded away.
Grass. Not the anemic stuff growing out the cracks in the sidewalks, no, the good stuff, Sweet and tender. Warm sunlight warmed and soothed his body. Singing and harp music eased his mind. Spell just wanted to lie there forever.
Eudelia's voice came to him. “All of your wounds have been healed. The Lord has seen fit to call me to His side, but before that, I will tell you to keep the faith. The path is long and sometimes dark. With Faith, you will see your way.”
Canter N Crash
Room 304
Spell awoke on the cold wooden floor. The smell of the tasty grass was replaced by the smell of several dust bunnies under the bed. He sneezed. Then he checked his flank. There was no trace that a piece of metal had ever been there.
Trouble smiled. “Thank goodness, you're OK, Spell.” She looked at her leg, there were no bones sticking out of it.
Spell got up slowly. Early morning sunlight shone through the window. “The children! We have to find out what happened to them!”
Ciderslinger moved the chair from the door. “No problem Spell, I will deal with the bill for the room while you guys find out if the children survived.”
Spell looked at Ciderslinger. “I saw you die. How?”
“It was the spell you cast on me.”
“I don’t remember.”
“How about we deal with that later. You have to check on the children and I have to pay the bill.” Spell looked at Trouble.
Trouble grimaced. “They should give us a discount for this filthy spread!”
Spell shook his head. “I doubt it luv. Let's go!” Spell and Trouble galloped out the door and down the street to the hospital. The sunlight felt good on Spell's fur. He figured it was going to be another nice day. As Spell pushed his way through the morning crowd of ponies, he wondered if he was too late. A nightmare image of beds covered by still white-sheeted bodies filled his mind. The bit with Eudelia's voice didn't seem real. Maybe it was just a wish fulfillment dream, Spell thought.
The ponies still talked about the running children, but Spell figured that the bad news hadn't reached the public yet. When Spell and Trouble were outside the hospital, Spell got the Cumelo card. Again the guard fell for it's magic. Spell got on the elevator. He expected to hear from the Messenger of Oonte. Nothing happened. Spell sighed when they got off at the Juvenile Ward's floor.
Trouble faced Spell. “Are you OK?”
Spell didn't look back. “Yeah luv, just peachy. I hope those fillies and colts are alright.”
Thalh'kikar whispered. “The fillies and colts are fine. Currit Maretrem is also fine. It will be a long time before she can gallop in the Sky Meadows, but if she works for her redemption, she will be welcome. Keep on fighting.”
Spell looked back at Trouble. She looked back at him. “What?”
“No problem luv. Let's get to that ward.”
The amount of noise coming from the Juvenile Ward put a smile on Spell's face. Instead of hushed sad voices, he could hear happy joyful fillies and colts and their parents. Spell almost decided to turn back but he had to make sure. He walked up to a brown coated and black maned stallion standing next to Diamond Tiara's bed.
He flashed the Cumelo card before looking at Diamond Tiara who was watching him carefully. “I'm Doctor Spell, it seems like the patient has made a full recovery.”
The stallion stuck out his hoof for a bump. “The name is Filthy, Filthy Rich.” Spell bumped Filthy's hoof.
“I must say that I had grave doubts that the doctors here could handle this. I was thinking of having my precious daughter airlifted to Canterlot Central.” Filthy said.
Diamond Tiara pouted. “Daddy, you know I hate flying.” Spell could see that Diamond Tiara was fine. He didn't want to be in the middle of an argument.
“Well, guvnor, I'm glad Miss Diamond is fine. I have to check on the other patients.” Filthy Rich and his daughter were too busy arguing to reply.
Trouble on the other hoof was walking among the beds looking at the aware patients. Some of them waited for their parents while others were with their parents. To Trouble it seemed like the crisis was over. In the hallway, she heard doctors fussing with Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Trouble cantered over to Spell. “We should leave now before we have to explain things.”
Spell grimaced. “Well, luv, I don't fancy discussing magic with a Princess yet. Let's leave this place.” Trouble nodded. They left the ward before the doctors or princess could catch up. While Spell took the elevator down, he thought how today was going to be a fine day. “Yep, luv, today is going to be fine.”
