Chapters A summons from the Princess
As I lay in bed, a smile found its way onto my muzzle, for the simple reason that a certain pony thought he was being sneaky when he shuffled closer towards me. As if I wouldn’t catch on. “I’m onto you, Brass,” I whispered and turned my head nuzzling him.
Brass Tempest, the not-so-sneaky-pegasus and father of my foal, chuckled and tried to coax me upright. I yielded to his subtle suggestion. So that was his angle. “Heh you got me, Nighty.” He nickered and nibbled gently on the tip of my ear.
“You’re lucky that you’re hot and that I’m actually really in the mood to unwind,” I playfully scolded, though he knew there was no malice in my words. It also helped that I was incredibly fond of my stallion. After all, he was there when I returned from long missions or endless briefings with the others.
But for now, the time for talking was over as I felt him grab hold of me and once again remind me why I married him, and always loved coming back home to him so much. He was so eager, so willing, and I could do naught but give in to my proud husband. Every nibble along my neck was bliss, and every time he caressed me with his feathers close to divinity.
Yet, eventually, even good things need to end, and I lay with my head on his chest as his wings wrapped around me, a warm sensation still coursing through my body.
“Where is Spell Dancer?” I asked him before nipping along the fur of his shoulder.
“Oh, she asked if she could sleep over at Gust Jumper’s house, and seeing as she behaved very well during your absence, I allowed her. Hope you don’t mind that on a school day, hon?” he replied while he nosed along my mane, knowing that I really loved it when he did so.
I nodded and smiled warmly. “That is fine, my love. I was simply wondering. I know you take good care of our filly, so I trust your judgement.” Yes, this stallion was everything I ever desired. Along with my darling foal of course.
“You’re the best, Nightshade,” he murmured, pulling me closer as I nestled my head under his chin and closed my eyes. Drifting off to sleep in my lover’s embrace as the realm of dreams soon awaited me.
The next morning I helped my husband into his armor, still thinking that the gold accentuated his brown coat and fiery red mane quite well. “Will you be gone again, love?” he asked, his gentle green eyes meeting my lavender gaze.
I kissed him while the lavender glow of my telekinetic magic pulled the last strap of his armor tight and locked it into place. “You know that I can’t ignore a summon from Her Highness and that I will miss you both more than anything.” He nodded knowing I would never hide the truth from him.
“Could you bring Dancer to school today though, hon?” Tempest asked while I donned my mage plate and hooded cloak. I nodded. That I could do. It gave me more time with my daughter; something I would never pass up.
While I slipped my saddlebags on, however, I felt Tempest mess with the fabric around my flanks, and smiled, swatting at him with my tail. “You sir, are an insatiable stallion, you know that?” I nickered, glaring playfully.
He laughed in that deep voice of his and patted my rump. “Blame the attractive flank and the mare it’s attached to.” He flattered and I snorted, giving my rump a shake to torment him, then trotted out of the room and headed down the stairs. I looked back and winked at him.
Grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl in my magic on my way out, I took a moment to make sure I had everything I needed with me, then smiled and channeled energy through my horn. Reality faded away with a loud popping sound as I teleported towards Gust Jumper’s home.
Appearing at Gust Jumper’s home, I saw two familiar fillies waiting near the gate. One was a red-maned unicorn with an indigo coat whom I knew to be my daughter, the other was Mist Heart, a pegasus like her mother, Gust Jumper.
Behind them, a stallion appeared from behind the wall and reached out, grabbing Mist Heart. Acting on reflex, I tore the pegasus foal out of his hooves, and was on him in a flash. “You are not Gust Jumper’s husband,” I all but hissed in his face. “But since I’m having a good morning, I’ll give you five seconds to explain why you grabbed my friend’s filly before I hurt you.”
Dancer and Mist who now both stood behind me tried to get my attention by pulling at the hem of my robe, then I saw Gust Jumper gallop towards me calling out. “Nightshade, wait! That’s my little brother, what is going on?!”
I nodded and got off of the stallion. “He grabbed Mist out of nowhere, so naturally I reacted to it. I’m sorry.” Offering a hoof to help him up, I gave him an apologetic smile, even if I had tackled him due to a misunderstanding he deserved an apology.
Accepting my help, the pegasus stallion got to his hooves and smiled awkwardly. “You sure are a feisty one, ma’am.” He chuckled and luckily took the whole thing in stride. Gust Jumper nuzzled my cheek, she understood my reaction.
“Nightshade, this is Sky Blaze and Sky, this is Nightshade, a good friend of mine and a royal guard.” Yep just a royal guard, thanks for not spilling my true profession to strangers, Gusty, it was for family and close ponies only.
“Nice to meet you, miss.” Sky Blaze smiled. I smiled back at him and then turned to the fillies.
Hugging Spell Dancer a moment, I nickered. “I’ll go and take the girls to school then. Gusty, see you later I presume?” She nodded, and I gave my friend a nuzzle, then trotted into the direction of the elementary school with both fillies in tow.
Reaching Canterlot Elementary School, Mist Heart galloped inside excitedly, but Spell Dancer turned around to nuzzle my leg. “Mom?” my sweet filly asked.
Smiling, I kissed between her fuzzy ears. “Yes sweetheart?” She looked so adorable wearing the ribbon I gave her.
“Will you be home this weekend to go to Ponyville with me for the fair?” Well, I didn’t see that coming.
I thought for a moment, if I was quick on my assignment I could certainly be back on Friday. “I will try my very best to be home, Spell Dancer dear.”
She nodded gleefully, and hugged my muzzle with her hooves. “Thanks mommy, you’re the best. I hope you defeat all bad ponies.” I smiled, what had I done right to deserve such a sweet filly as my daughter?
While Spell Dancer galloped inside as well, I waved after her and went on my way. I had some preparations to make before I could leave. So I made my way towards the Royal Palace.
One of the guards at the gates saluted me, and I returned the gesture with a gentle smile towards her. “Inquisitor, Princess Luna is expecting you in her chambers, ma’am.” Leave it to the Princess to exactly know when I come to the palace.
I nodded and quickly made my way through the all too familiar halls and corridors until I reached a set of oaken doors, bearing the crest of Luna’s moon. I made myself more presentable for a moment and then knocked politely on the door.
“Please enter,” a regal voice called out. Once I stepped inside, I saw the majestic indigo alicorn that ruled the very night, smiling at me. “Ah, Nightshade. I was waiting for you.”
I bowed in front of her, but a smile graced my features. “I live to serve you, Princess Luna. What can I aid you with today?” I knew I overdid it a little, and formality was not always needed with her, but one should never just assume.
She smiled back gently. “Please rise, my inquisitor. I have a task for you that needs your expertise.” I perked my ears and rose, she sounded awfully serious, worried even.
Getting to my hooves, I nodded, forgetting playfulness for now. “How can I be of assistance, Your Highness?” I inquired while looking up at her curiously. To be honest, I prefered playful Luna over worried Luna.
“It came to our attention that there is a necromancer active in the wooded areas near Hollow Shades, and since we can’t go there now, we wish for you to deal with this threat.” A necromancer? That explained why the Princess was so disturbed by it.
Nodding, I asked. “Do we know anything about him or her, Princess?” The more information I had upfront, the less risk there was on the mission in general.
She shook her head sadly. “Not too much, Nightshade, only that they possibly hole up in a mansion in that area and that the magic used, raises those that recently passed away.” Recently? That could mean that this necromancer was either inexperienced or focusing their power elsewhere. This could be useful.
“I will prepare for the journey and gather some supplies then, Princess,” I said and turned to leave, but a wing brushed along my back and I turned again.
Luna smiled tenderly, and I knew formal Luna was gone and friend Luna was here now. “How are Spell Dancer and Brass Tempest doing, dear friend?” she asked.
Returning a warm smile of my own, I nickered. “They are both doing well, Luna, and despite this looming problem, how are you and your sister doing?”
“We are very busy with court and affairs of state lately Nightshade, but in good health and taking great joy in seeing our little ponies prosper. Most no longer fear me and realize the night’s beauty instead of its supposed horrors, and Celestia is really looking forward to this year’s Summer Sun Festival.”
Then she brought her wing around me and hugged me close, resting her forehead against mine. “Do promise me that you will be careful though Nightshade. You are my dear friend first and my Inquisitor only second.”
I smiled and bowed lightly. “That is great and I promise I shall do my best.. Tea after my return, Your Highness?” I asked as I made ready to leave.
She blinked, but then nodded, smiling in a gentle regal manner. “That sounds just lovely, my loyal subject.” Then, she couldn’t suppress a yawn, so I nodded and waved at Luna before making my way out of the room and towards the royal armory.
I had a necromancer to stop.
Author's Note
Enjoy my newest story dear readers, it's a bit darker than my last main story but nothing with too much gore or the likes.
Right, why did dark mages always choose gloomy places to hide in? You would never find them in bright colorful gardens, or a nice sunny beach. No, it was always, and I mean always graveyards, deep dark forests or creepy old mansions with them. Or in this case, all three of the options.
Fantastic. Today would be one of those days wouldn’t it? Pulling the hood of my cloak up over my head, I cautiously resumed my way through the misty dark woodlands, cautiously regarding my surroundings just in case.
Soon, the trees thinned, and I reached a massive graveyard situated around a small hill top. On the hill however stood an ancient, huge manor straight out of a horror novel. I rolled my eyes. “Right, now we only need some—” and of course my snark was cut off by the eerie, distant howling of timber wolves. I facehoofed.
My horn ignited with a soft hum while I focused my magic into the shape of a sword, strong as any steel and nigh unbreakable. This art right here was not taught to just any unicorn. Equestria was a place of peace and harmony to the public eye, so Blade Casting—as this spell was aptly named—was only taught to those ponies braving the darker realities that was kept from most other ponies. The downside was that it needed almost all of one’s concentration and allowed barely any other spells to be used simultaneously.
Slowly I pushed open the gate of the large fence surrounding the estate. The huge manor with surrounding graveyard could easily be called such. I was not surprised that the moon damned thing creaked loudly, the sound echoing clearly into the distance.
Sure enough, several pony shaped forms started rising from the floor and looked in my direction, then began to shamble my way with purpose. Great. Just great.
It was now time to stay alert. Even though the trotting dead were usually clumsy and slow moving, there was always the risk that some among them were special cases. You know, those rare undead that proved to be ridiculously fast or still in full control of their mental faculties. Everypony hated zombies that could open doors.
These three were not that sort, however. Rushing at them, I angled my blade and drove it straight through the face of the nearest one, a stallion who had been quite fetching during his lifetime, I thought. Such a waste. But that was the best known method with these creatures. Trauma to the brain usually stopped them in their tracks and returned them to their eternal rest.
As the first one slumped to the floor, I swiftly leaned onto my forehooves and raised my hind ones to deliver a fierce buck to the second zombie’s chest. The normal kind might not be tough to fight, but you still needed space. After all, one bite or scratch might be enough for you to join their eternal ranks.
Swinging my blade at the third proved to be a test of willpower. The zombie had been barely adult when she died, and a pair of still innocent and bright eyes stared back into mine, making me hate my job for the first time that day. The young should not fall before reaching their prime, and certainly not be used like this after their demise.
Then she snapped her jaws shut just inches from my face and jolted me back into reality. My blade swung upwards as it separated one half of her body from the other, making both halves fall down as I shook my head. Don’t lose focus like that, they’re no longer ponies.
That left the last one, but as he was all alone now, I made swift work of him, watching his decapitated body topple over before perking my ears at a sudden unexpected noise.
From higher up the hill, a challenging whinney drew my attention, and looking up, I saw a robust and absolutely huge earth pony mare gazing down at me. I had seen stallions smaller than she was. More worrying, however, were the heavy plate mail and leg armor she wore. Her tail whipped from side to side in either glee or anxiety.
Her eyes, though dull, burned with determination and intelligence. Clearly she had either not been dead long, or had been preserved in some way or another. She then clamped her jaws shut around the hilt of a massive greatsword that had been jammed into the ground next to her moments before, pulling it free, and lowered herself into a fighting stance. So much for getting into the manor easily.
I channeled more magic into my conjured blade to strengthen it. By doing so, the weapon would withstand heavier impacts like the kind of weapon my adversary used. I admit that at times like these, I wish I had a little more physical prowess instead of magical power alone; that plate mail of hers looked much tougher than my mage plate and robes.
Surprisingly, she had not charged at me while I strengthened my weapon, and that fact filled me with an odd sense of respect for my new opponent. Thus I attempted a conversation.
“Can you understand me?” I asked, to which she gave a nod. “Is there any chance that we can avoid this and you’ll just let me pass?” She hesitated for a second but then slowly shook her head.
I nodded in understanding, something or somepony compelled her to do this, so there was no choice in the matter. “Then fight with honor, my sister.” She actually smiled faintly around the hilt of her blade at that, then sighed before rushing at me with her weapon poised to strike.
She was faster than she looked, I barely had time to raise my own sword to block her swipe which she immediately followed up with another. Luckily, I had agility of my own and I hopped out of the way of her next swing as she plowed her blade into the ground where I just had been.
I retaliated with a swift slash at her shoulder, but it barely bothered her thanks to her tough armor. Another strike hit her flesh, but even though it cut her, she shrugged it off, stepped in closer and kicked me hard enough to send me flying.
Luckily a tombstone broke my fall, but knocked the wind out of me. After a moment, I groaned and scrambled to my hooves, staggering for a moment. Then focused my magic once more, horn igniting with a hum while a new blade was brought into being.
The earth pony knight actually waited for me to get ready again, which caused me to tilt my head in curiosity a moment. I had never met an undead being with this much dedication to chivalry, which led me to believe that aside from the main commands given to her, she had still a semblance of free will.
“Please, Lady Knight. I notice you have still some control of your actions, is there really no other way to settle this?” I pleaded, looking up at her while lowering my weapon.
Then she actually spoke, her voice gentle even as she readied her weapon once more. “No. Go home. If you won’t then you leave me little choice.” I sighed at that, I couldn’t go home. I had a mission to complete. So I had to beat her and then find out where the necromancer was hiding.
After taking a step towards her, a jolt shot through my body and I had to grit my teeth to prevent myself from crying out. My chest burned. She had actually hit me hard enough to either bruise, or—in the worst case—break one or more of my ribs.
“Filly, you are obviously hurt already. Turn around and go home. I am running out of patience.” The knightess growled while observing me from a distance, yet looked very capable of hurting me more.
Ignoring the pain for now, I looked at my opponent. She had to have some weak spot. Sure there was her head, but it seemed awfully risky to get too close to her. Then, a thought hit me: couldn’t I use her strength and weight against her somehow?
If I could get her to charge at me, I could perhaps trick her into getting herself stuck somehow. That, or dispel my blade and try actual magic on her. But being weaponless against that mare sounded unwise.
I had to think of something quickly, though, before she decided to dash at me again before I was ready.
Looking at a nearby mausoleum, I noticed that it had a heavy set of iron doors with a chain around the handles. I thought for a moment. Would she actually fall for that? Nothing to lose at this point, I suppose. If anything, I could always teleport outside right?
I dispelled my blade and looked at the knightess, then feigned more injury and hobbled slowly into the mausoleum, trying to get her curious enough to follow me in when I saw her trot into my direction.
Once inside, I made my way to the wall at the back and slumped down next to it, keeping my eyes on the entrance while taking a quick breather. Sure enough, the knightess followed me inside halfway, then looked down at me and spoke. “Why won’t you listen to me little mare? Now you’re hurt.”
I fidgeted a little to get more comfy, flattening my ears as I simply stared back at her. She closed in on me and knelt down a few steps away from my position. “I have a fairly good idea what you are planning you know?” She actually smiled.
Blinking, then flicking my ears, I asked. “That obvious, huh? Doesn’t surprise me all that much, really. But if you knew, why did you follow me in anyway?” It surprised me a bit, was I overlooking something?
“Because you are clever, and far more persistent than the last three hunters that came here. Whoever pays you must have earned your loyalty. So here is the deal: if you manage to enter the manor before I catch up to you, I’ll leave you alone. It will be very tough to ignore the order to bar you entry but if you are already inside, I can’t exactly prevent you from going inside now, can I?”
Ohh, she was a clever one, very crafty. I had not expected that from her. “And if you do catch up to me?” I dared to ask even if I knew the answer.
She sighed softly and gave my mane a caress. “Then I run you down, and this time there won’t be any more talking, filly.”
Getting the message, I got to my hooves and broke into a gallop while she got up herself, giving me about two seconds to get away. She then chased after me, the swing of her greatsword barely missing my tail and instead shattering a few stone coffins into pieces.
My chest hurt, but I had to keep running. She looked like a mare of her word, so if she caught up to me, that would be the end. On my way out I did use my magic to slam the iron door in her face and snap the thick chains into their locked positions.
A loud clang resounded through the cemetery and I paused a second. Then, the doors burst open by a single mighty kick and I bolted towards the manor with a high pitched whinny. Nope! Not fighting lady‘ tears-through-inches-thick-metal-like-it-is-nothing’ , not today!
Just as I reached the manor doors, I heard a curious swishing sound behind me, then nearly jumped out of my fur when my adversary’s blade buried itself into the wall an inch from my face.
Blanching like that was all the time the knightess needed to catch up to me, and bash me straight through the wooden front doors of the manor, and into the opposite wall shattering the coffee table in front of it.
Wheezing, I slowly opened my eyes in terror, surely my time had come. Yet the knightess stood in front of the manor’s entrance looking at me in a strange way, but she didn’t enter.
Then I remembered what she had said to me, and realized that by tackling me into this place she was oathbound to leave me alone. So I did the very first thing that popped into my head.
I stuck my tongue out at her.
Author's Note
Chapter two of Nightshade's adventure, what shall she encounter next?
I got up and looked at the knightess again, she had a strange look on her face. But she couldn’t enter the manor for some reason and I was grateful for that.
It was surprisingly quiet in the manor. To be honest I had expected more of the undying to be inside. Strange, that probably means that they had not noticed me yet, or that the place was full of traps and other unpleasant things.
The knightess wandered off again and I looked around. Hmm, unassuming foyer with one big set of stairs going up to some sort of hallway with several doors leading to side passages and what I expect to be other rooms. A huge painting above the stairs depicted a family of three ponies, one unicorn and two pegasi.
Where to now? With so many ways to go I had to figure out where that necromancer would be at this moment. Probably in the attic or in some basement under the manor. These types always had a knack of doing that.
I trotted to the door next to the stairs and tried to pull it open with my magic but it didn’t budge, this came as no surprise however, why would it ever be that easy in life?
I stomped a hoof and immediately regretted it as a jolt of pain shot through my chest. Right, ribs still hurt. igniting my horn I tried to recall my medical lessons and soon a soothing feeling coursed through my body as my ribs and internal injuries mended to a more tolerable level.
Looking up at the stairs I wondered if they were trapped or not. Then decided I wouldn’t push my luck just yet and opted trying one of the doors leading to a side passage.
Click
My ears perked up. Click was not a sound i wanted to hear at all. Nothing happened at that very moment but I was fully aware something had been tripped.
More caution was in order from now on, I couldn’t afford triggering more pressure plates or other contraptions as the next trap could very well be lethal.
“Could have expected something like that near any kind of important looking door.” I admonished myself and used my magic to see if this door would open.
The door did open. But sadly the hallway behind it wasn’t empty. A large reptile lay in the center, the kind of reptile whose venom would result in a slow and painful death, and I’m all out of phoenix tears.
The basilisk looked at me and uttered a hiss.
First that knightess. Now a basilisk. Yep this day was officially starting to annoy me. What was next? A giant undead spider?
My skin crawled and I muttered “Sweet luna please let there be a severe lack of giant spiders today.” I just jinxed it didn’t I? The next room would probably be full of the things.
Materializing an arcane blade I prepared myself and approached the reptile as it rose up to face me.
My first strike was deflected by the beast’s tough scales and I had to step back swiftly to evade a swipe from its tail.
Its belly looked less armored by scales though and it gave me an idea. It cast a small shadow under itself. Not big enough for me to shadow prance through, but something smaller might.
I remembered seeing a pair of crossed spears hanging on a wall in the foyer. “Hey beast, you hungry?” I shouted at the basilisk. Slashing at it with my blade again before dispelling it and galloping into the foyer once more as the lizard gave chase.
Racing towards the wall I yanked one of the spears off of the other and turned around. Then I tossed it into the shadow of a nearby cabinet with all my might.
Only for the projectile to burst out of the shadow under the basilisk, skewering the monster as it screeched an ear-splitting cry.
Then it slumped against the ground as green blood pooled around it and the light in its eyes faded.
I had done it. I had slain a real basilisk. I couldn’t believe it, that was far too easy.
Floating an empty vial from my saddle bag which miraculously had not shattered during my fight with the knightess, I milked one of the basilisk’s fangs for its venom. Never know when that would be useful.
Somepony had certainly heard the beast’s wail however, so I doubted that my presence in the manor was still a secret to its master or his or her servants.
Returning to the hallway I had found the basilisk in I saw three other doors.
Opening the door to my left I found a broom closet, it held things a pony would expect there.
“Why is everything in this house locked?” I complained before shutting the door and making my way to the one at the end of the hall.
Much to my surprise, this door was unlocked and lead to a fancy study. Bookcases lined the walls and a very comfy looking leather chair stood against the back wall next to a side table with an open book on it.
This place looked very calming and peaceful for some reason, I decided to get off my hooves for a few minutes and sank into the chair before peering over at the book's pages.
Day 17
I finally figured out how to harvest the power emanating from that horn I found in the frozen north, with that power I can finally transcend mortality and become the greatest sorcerer since Starswirl the Bearded. The side effect however, my body will not last forever. So I will need a new vessel when my current physical form decays.
It’s a small price to pay for the knowledge and science I will discover. But imagine what I could accomplish with this.
I think that one of those new butlers will be an excellent test subject. He isn’t using his body in a responsible manner anyway
Well that ruled out the butler theory.
Under the journal entry the spell this mage had discovered was described in detail and when I read it my eyes widened. This magic was foul beyond any words.
It would allow the caster to take control over the victim’s body and mind, effectively making them your own, in less than a minute.
The worst part? It was deceptively easy to cast if you had the right source available.
I shook my head and hopped out of the chair. The bookcases held literature on various topics but none that would help in this situation. So I made my way back into the hallway and headed for the last door I had seen there.
The door opened into the dining room. Inside rows of chairs lined the dinner table on both sides with one single chair at the head of each end.
One of the chairs had been moved back and a plate with steamed vegetables and hay waited on the table.
I was not alone in the room, next to the table stood a Pegasus mare in a maid’s outfit. She smiled at me while indicating the chair with a wing. “Please be seated madam,” she nickered rather kindly.
Summoning my blade I cautiously trotted towards the table, keeping my eyes on the Pegasus all the time. “You would feed the adversary of your master?”
“My master doesn’t see you as a threat seeing as you couldn’t even defeat our door warden,” she answered. Yet there was no malice in her words.
I seated myself with a huff. “I defeated that oversized salamander though.” I mumbled to which the Pegasus merely smiled and nodded.
“Yes an impressive feat madam, but not enough to keep master’s attention for long I fear.” Her modesty and smile made me wonder what her part in all of this was.
I let my magic wash over the food to check for poison and the mare frowned at me clacking her tongue. “You insult me madam.”
Having the decency to look embarrassed I started on my meal, surprisingly everything was fresh and well prepared. “It tastes delicious, miss?”
“Moonstreak, madam. And thank you kindly.” Still I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask her.
Swallowing my food I looked at her. “Why are you in service of an evil necromancer Moonstreak? You don’t look undead.”
She simply nodded and filled a glass of water putting It next to my plate, “Sometimes there is no choice madam,” she replied and left it at that.
I soon finished my meal and stood up again. “Thank you for the hospitality then Moonstreak.” I nickered.
“You’re welcome madam. Maybe we will meet again.” and with that she shoved the empty plate and utensils on a cart nearby, then trotted off with it.
Moonstreak huh? I wondered what she would do if the necromancer was beaten. Well that was all I found in this wing assuming that the door that Moonstreak left by led to the kitchens.
When I returned to the foyer only bones and scraps were left of the basilisk. This worried me slightly I admit seeing as corpses didn’t usually decay that fast.
Foolishly disregarding it for now I made my way to the hallway across the one I had come from and used my magic to push the door open.
Now I saw what had likely been the effect of that trap I triggered earlier. A few panels had opened in the strange metallic walls and smaller ones in the ceiling.
There weren’t any shadows big enough for me to step through sadly, maybe dashing through the hallway then? A paladin from older times had tried such a thing, It didn’t end well for him I believe his name was something starting with an L.
Earth ponies sometimes depended on their natural resilience a bit too much. I could teleport, but using such an amount of energy seemed wasteful if I could solve this issue without it. After all, a unicorn’s magic reserves weren't unlimited. And I certainly was no Twilight Sparkle whom’s reserves seemed to never run out, she had even turned into an alicorn!
Tossing one of the basilisk’s bones into the hallway gave me a frightening yet interesting result. When it hit the ground the hallway was momentarily illuminated by a bright searing flash. Then as it receded only ashes remained where the bone once laid.
Yup, very glad I didn’t attempt that running option now. Deciding to leave this hallway be for now I instead went to see where the central stairway would lead to.
The stairway wasn't trapped as far as I could see so I carefully made my way to the landing upstairs. There I saw five closed doors but also one door that was open partway with light spilling out from it.
Nudging the door open with my magic and not triggering anything. I stuck my head into the room and was surprised by the sight.
Inside was a well kept room, a bed and other various furniture giving it a very normal feeling as a whole. On the bed lay Moonstreak, her wings splayed to each side of her while she looked up at me with a smile. Soft green eyes focused on mine.
“Hello again. I’m sorry but I can’t offer you service right now madam. I’ve been on my hooves all day. Unless you desire something … else?”
I felt a heated blush creep onto my muzzle and shook my head slowly. “N-no I appreciate the generosity but I’m married Moonstreak, sorry.” Why did pegasi have to be so attractive? And why did I think that just now?
She nodded giving an adorable little pout. “Oh well. And? Have you figured out why I’m here yet? If you do I’ll give you the key to the basement.” I blinked, what?
Thinking about it, something caught my attention. First she seemed very much alive, second she had this rather comfy room and somehow she looked familiar.
Suddenly I understood. “You’re one of the mares from that portrait in the foyer!” I nickered, and a grin formed on Moonstreak’s muzzle.
“I guess you earned a key.” Reaching under her wing she grabbed the key with her teeth and held it out to me. Yet didn’t release it to the pull of my magic. Instead giving me a sultry look. Naughty Pegasus!
It wouldn’t do for me to be forceful with a friendly till now innocent mare that had even made me a meal. So I decided to indulge her in her little game this one time.
Stepping closer I flicked my tail. “This means nothing understand?” then I took the key from her and felt her warm lips push into mine. Definitely alive.
She was soft, her kiss tasted sweet but it also felt desperate. As if she was parched and I was a wellspring. Then she pulled away and sighed averting her eyes. “It does to me…” She looked so lonely.
With mixed emotions I left the bedroom and headed downstairs, I had a basement to investigate.
Author's Note
Surprise!
Trotting into the basement left a frown on my lips as I shook my head, it was strange to find such a kind young mare in a place like this. Yet she had somehow convinced me to have a meal, not even mentioning what had just happened in that bedroom. it wasn’t strange to like more than one pony, but I didn’t know I felt that way about other mares. Odd.
Despite all of that I still needed to be careful, if experience had taught me one thing it was that necromancers and warlocks tended to dwell in basements and other damp, dark underground lairs.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs revealed an open door leading into some sort of laboratory.That was surprising considering most necromancers didn’t bother with them. Various vials and scrolls littered the tables while a steady hum of magitech came from machinery lining the walls. The place was clean, very clean, probably still in use..
Almost clean at least. What could almost be mistaken for a pile of sleeping ponies lay against a bare wall. None of their chests rose with the beating of a heart, nor did their breath warm the air around them. They looked pretty good for a pile of corpses though. I didn’t have the time to study everything on the tables but something in the back did catch my attention.
In a cylinder filled with liquid floated a pegasus as white as snow. Every strand of mane, every single feather, she was entirely covered in white. All white except for her cutie mark, a musical note overlapping the sun.The other mare from the family portrait in the foyer, it didn’t take much guesswork to figure out what was likely going on here.
“Crazed maniac couldn’t handle his loss, put her in that tank and wants to find a way to bring her back.” I mumbled while staring into the mare’s lifeless blue eyes.
Body swapping, restoring life to preserved bodies, even that sentient revenant outside. Why did I get the feeling that I was dealing with a little more than a novice necromancer here?
A mocking laugh reached my ears. “Isn’t that a little cliché Inquisitor? And her name is Melodia”
Of course the necromancer was not only here, he was also going to give me his evil villain monologue as well. I Cast my blade as my gaze drilled into the older unicorn. The last missing face in that portrait, how predictable.
And of course he would start a monologue as predicted. “You see when my wife fell ill I sa-” the rest was cut off as deflecting my strike stole his focus.
“Rude!” he exclaimed, clearly not happy to see I was less cliche than he thought.
“Sorry.” I sneered. “But I really don’t have the time for your excuses or sob story.”
The stallion huffed and threw up a shield while a few undead ponies rose to his side, yet instead of attacking he simply stared at me. My ears perked my to the sound of shattering glass and spilling water, and I just barely managed to duck under the swipe from the pegasus I saw in that cylinder.
“Leave my husband alone!” she snarled, her earlier serene look replaced by pure, seething rage, yet she was so soft, so very tender much like Moonstreak. It was clear where those genes came from.
Her anger was beauty in itself and even while she raisedher hoof to strike once more, I simply lowered my blade. I could do nothing but stare at her like a school filly with a crush. How could I not? She was so exquisite. I couldn’t turn gaze away...
“Alluring as ever my dear Melodia.” the stallion laughed. “You are truly my greatest creation yet.”
I looked between the beautiful pegasus and her partner, so he had somehow preserved her after death? I had never seen an undead with such grace. But he was more than right, alluring didn’t even cut it.
I was shaken from my thoughts as a sickening crunch made me realize that Melodia had struck me in my shoulder. A burning pain shot its way through my foreleg and into my chest. Did she… I think she broke the bone. In pure reflex I stabbed my blade upwards, it punched clean straight between her ribs and into her chest..
Our eyes met and she blinked, a silent gasp escaped her lips before the pegasus crumbled into a pile of dust. Guilt hit me like a bag of bricks. I had ended the life of such a sweet and perfect mare, and then I felt not so guilty. . The sway she had over me slowly ebbed away with each blink. But why did she turn to… I spun around to face the stallion, he was still here, couldn’t lose focus.
He just stared at me, his eyes narrowing into something dangerous. “I wanted to offer you a place at my side you know? Expect no such mercy from me anymore.”
“Blame yourself, you’re responsible for everything that happened here necromancer.” I spat while keeping an eye on his summoned minions.
“I loved my family enough to keep them safe from death Inquisitor, would you not do the same?” he said motioning his hoof forward, and his undead started advancing.
“Not like this I wouldn’t.” Adrenaline dulled the pain but the bliss wouldn’t last long. Definitely a fracture at the least, I had to end this fight quickly.
“It doesn’t matter, I did what I could. But now it’s time for you to suffer the fate you inflicted upon my beloved.” He sneered, moving back as the first undead attacked.
Killing them wasn’t too tough but my wound was more draining than I thought.Thankfully the undead were slow and it wasn’t too hard to keep them at a striking distance despite my building discomfort.
I slowly closed in on the stallion as he swiftly ran out of his supply of corpses. The laboratory was rather empty and he simply lacked the resources to for a fight of attrition.
After cutting down his last pair of minions I finally reached the bastard and hacked away at his protective bubble with a feral scream, it was all I could do to not pass out. I had to end this fight quickly, I would either kill first or I would die first. So with a desperate strike I broke through his shield.
He merely laughed as I shattered the barrier and hissed in pain. I glared at my giddy adversary before striking him down in one smooth motion. “You’re insane.And today you met your match.”
“A-and you are distracted.” He gasped as his blood pooled underneath his shaking body before breathing his last.
Standing over the stallion I felt a presence gradually taking hold of my body, A sensation I recognized all too clearly ever since I read that journal. I had been a fool, He wanted me to strike him down, and had used his own body as fuel to power the spell allowing him to possess me. The bastard played me.
With seconds to act I could only think of one solution. There was no time to think of anything else, it was the only way.
I took out the vial of basilisk venom and drank its contents in one gulp. And then my consciousness faded away.
I hoped Brass would take Dancer to the fair...
Author's Note
And as one brave mare falls, another will one day rise to take on her mother's duties.
