Legends of Neirule

The smell of singed fur alerted everyone in the room that Twilight lost it. The sneering messenger grew quite the pungent puddle as he went from mint green to white. His mane smoked from the magical shot that purposely missed his head.

The normally collected Princess of Friendship showed more emotions for the first time in a fortnight. The Neirulian unicorn with a-knocking knees bowed lowly and fled the hall. Another shot of magic and the urine puddle was scorched away.

The nobility of Equestria took that as sign to leave. Within a breath, the throne room was devoid of all but Applejack and four guards. Applejack coughed before moving closer. Twilight had rested her head on her right cannon.

“Sugarcube?” Applejack ventured.

“I am a horrible friend.” Twilight muttered. “I didn't take in consideration her feelings at all, did I?”

Applejack shared a look with one of Twilight's guards. “No, ya didn't.”

Twilight nodded in the crock of her knee. “Now a Neirulian evil managed to overtake her camp and she might be dead.”

“...”

“She was so happy about the discovery.” Twilight looked up. “The first in a long time. Especially after what I did. I was happy she was talking to me again even if it was through letter. ”

Applejack waited a moment at the bittersweet expression. “I think we should get the rest of the girls and go see for ourselves. If it's true... at least we can bring her home. I mean she's tough, and I doubt an ancient evils overtook her like that.”

“But...”

“Look, Twi, the Sisters I reckon can handle ya up and leaving post especially since it deals with one of us. Neirule may be the oldest pony civilization but they have been at peace for generations. They won't know what to do. And what happens if they get taken over?”

Twilight winced at that. “Alright, gather everyone.”

Twilight turned to a guard. “Silver Shield, please fetch me parchment and ink. I have letters to write.”

▬

“Neirule?” Discord twisted upside down in the air. “I won't touch that place with a itty bitty pole.”

Twilight frowned. “Why?”

Discord shifted into a earth pony version of himself as he sat on the wall. “I may pride myself the Lord of Choas but even I have my limits. Neirule happens to be one of them.”

“Oh, dear me.” Fluttershy shifted in place.

Discord sighed as he tapped his current hoof to his bearded chin. “I'm going to be quite straight with you. No riddles, no jokes. Every time I've ever went there, I've never remembered what happen and for a guy like me, that is quite worrisome. And dear lord, the exhaustion.”

To which he phased, falling through the floor. Then he popped out of the teapot in miniature.

Twilight nibbled on her lip. “When was the last time?”

“Before I took over Equestria the first time.” Discord summoned a chocolate milk glass. “Actually many powerful non-ponies have a tendency to avoid it. Not even Chrysalis or dear Sombra would dare..”

Twilight stared. “This isn't like you.”

Discord's brow furrowed. “This is quite serious, Princess. Neirule is much what once the Changeling lands were. While I will certainly come if you are in trouble, know what it may cost myself or others like myself. After all, haven't you learned that lesson before?”

“Discord.” Fluttershy chastised halfheartedly but he disappeared with a laugh. “I'm sorry, Twilight.”

Twilight held up a hoof. “It's alright, 'Shy. Discord has a point. Dash wouldn't be in trouble if I had thought things through in the last few years.”

Pinkie paused in munching a cookie. “So does this mean we're on our own?”

“Aside from a small squad of Wonderbolts, yes. Shimmer and Spike are staying here to pony the castle.” Twilight tucked her hoof back under her. “Rarity has already gone ahead and dealing with King Solaris. Hopefully, my outburst in the throne room hasn't harmed our chances. Sunburst and the others are trying to research anything about Neirule mythology particularly Geroan Canyon and will contact us through the comm-crystal. Applejack has been arranging transport at least to the border.”

“Um, why to the border, may I ask?” Fluttershy blinked.

“Neirule is protected much the same way the Crystal Empire is – by barrier. Only approved airship can cross. We don't have much time so, we'll land at Farron Port which is two days gallop to Geroan's Fort.”

Pinkie paused for moment. “Can I say something?”

“Yes, Pinkie.”

“Why is fear the enemy but not hate?”

Twilight hoof-slapped her face. “Pinkie. What are you talking about?”

“I'm not sure. So?”

“...”

▬

Rarity stared up at the array of crystals. King Solaris smirked as he stepped around Rarity. His horn glowed and the place lit up.

“My dear lady, not many not even the Heavenly Sisters have view the inner sanctum.” Rarity turned a dazed gaze to the King of Neirule. “Within these crystals are the memories of every King and Queen starting with Queen Leto. Her finest creation.”

The light haloed the pale unicorn, his expression for a breath blissful. “I come here when I need advice. The memories of my forefathers and foremothers offer that and comfort.”

Rarity blinked, trying to gather wits scattered by the sheer power and scope. “So we might have answers?”

Solaris ran a hoof through his mane, undoing blonde braids. “Hopefully. Geroan is home to ancient evils that make Tirek and even Sombra look like mere children. Some even say that the Desert and the wasteland beyond breed it as surely as Neirule and Equestria creates order and harmony out of chaos.”

Rarity gave him a look. She knew he was stalling. He chuckled.

“I apologize. It's not very often to see one of your coloring and beauty.” He smiled. “Purple is not a common color among my people since Queen Leto's time.”

“Ah.” Rarity didn't know how to reply. A blush infused her cheeks. He laughed before lowering his head towards the central pool of water.

The Crystals around them flickered to life with arcs of electricity. Humming became strange singing. Solaris's eyes closed as his brow furrowed. Images arose on the water surface.

Rarity saw a glimpse of herself and Solaris talking, Solaris looking out towards the dark barrier, and soldiers reporting. Soon the images were too quick to track. The singing became agitated. Then there was a loud bang and flash.

Rarity felt Solaris as he slammed into her. Both were a tangle of legs and apologies. Rarity froze when her eyes cleared.

A strange pony floated over the pool. Her unseeing eyes clearly tracking them both. Her mane and tail were bobbed quite short. Rarity nearly screamed when she realized that the poor thing didn't have hooves, just forelocks.

“Chi...” Solaris breathed out in awe.

“Master, analysis complete.” The pony shifted. “Would you like me to present dossiers of possible perpetrators based on submitted mode operand.”

“Yes.” Solaris helped Rarity to her feet.

“Based on submitted data, it has been computed at the following outcomes...” This Chi conjured images at the same time. “98% certainity.... Lord Dragmire. Last known locale: Geroan, Geroan Desert province. 85% certainity... last known Umbrum . Last known locale: Crystal Empire. 65% certainity... Pony of Shadows. Last known locale: unknown. 63.5% certainty.... Dark Lord Mort. Last known location: Black Forest, Trotland. 50% certainity....Changeling Ex-Queen. Last known locale: Badlands. 5% certainity....Discord. Last known locale: Cannot compute.”

“I was hoping for someone else.” Solaris muttered.

Rarity stared. “Discord is on the list. Darling, he may cause trouble off and on but Discord is not evil.”

Solaris grinned ruefully. “He's not dangerous to you Equestrians but he had caused issues in the past.”

“I see.” She patted her mane. “Who is Lord Dragmire?”

Solaris winced. “I forget that your people don't have anything before the great Rifting and had left your homelands long ago.”

Rarity's hoof began to move more rhythmically.

“Lord Dragmire was the bandit-king of the Darklings.” Solaris began. “Queen Leto had many encounters with that dark unicorn. He ruled through terror and nercoponcy. He was also the one to collar the monster called Kamil.”

Chi pulled up the image. Rarity recoiled, flashbacks of years ago. “Sombra?!”

“Who?” Solaris's brow furrowed from a moment. “Oh. OH! Chi, what is the likelihood that Dragmire might have been an umbrum?”

“58%.” Chi replied.

Solaris began describing the horrible things this bandit-king had done. Rarity tuned him out, allowing what sounded like an millenniums old rant out.

Rarity hid her face in her mane as she collected herself. A second look made her feel a bit silly. The reconstructed image resembled Sombra but more in a family-way. He had Sombra's muzzle structure and smooth curving horn but the colors were strange. His horn wasn't red-tipped but green. And though his face was intimidating and foreboding, she detected an air of something else in green eyes. Unlike Sombra, he was armored in browns, tans, and whites. There was a red and green gemstone nestled in the folds of his cloak.

Twilight would probably want as much information as possible so Rarity listened well. Perhaps she might have missed early actions, but later ones tended to be more important. After all, if this Lord Dragmire has only woken up, he'll do things similar to last known behaviors.

It's a pity King Solaris wasn't her type. Apparently having millenniums of other ponies' memories leads to issues that Rarity didn't think she wanted to touch.

▬

A pile of sand moved. A pair of vultures hopped down from the top of the canyon to see what would come out.

Groaning, a blue leg lifted out, followed by another. Professor Carter pulled himself out of the escape hole, his eyes rolling in his socket.

“They're here.” He sang softly to himself. “Can't get away. No, never get away.”

He stumbled out of the safety of the canyon. “Tears of blood, rivers of blood?”

The vultures screamed as they fled the crazed unicorn.

“Hiding. Screaming.”

His horn sparked. “No escape!”

His shout attracted the attention of other high flying forms.

“Crying, tears. No tears, only dust. Dust, I tell you! Nothing left.”

The hum of a crystal caught his attention.

“We've found one of the Professors.” He squinted at the blurry shapes. He giggled as he stepped closer.

“She cried, you know. Is crying. Blood in rivers. All dust.” He swayed side to side. “It's in the light. In the light. All gone.”

The comm-crystal crackled with orders too quick for Carter's muddled mind to follow.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Pale horse. Dark horse. Oh, Celestia. Dark horse. Pale horse. Must hid.”

“Professor Carter, is it? Why don't you come with us? The Princess is waiting for you.” One of the pegasi gestured to his partner.

Carter screamed and bashed his head against a rock. His horn fractured slightly and magic sparked. He slid into oblivion, muttering about blood, dust, and hiding.

The silence stretched out between the two Wonderbolts.

“Buck.”