Prisons & Ponies: Vignettesby Composer99ChaptersTwilightNightmare PastOracle's GrottoTwilightThe Mess ‘Twilight? Twilight Sparkle!’ Twilight Sparkle looked up from the tome on the desk, startled by the call. She shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. You should probably answer, a voice lazily drawled in her head. Twilight shot an annoyed glare at the cat-sized pseudodragon reclining on the desk beside her book, before turning to face the doorway. ‘Coming, Master Starswirl!’ she called, hopping off the chair in a clatter of hooves and rushing out of the chamber that doubled as her bedroom and study. Starswirl the Bearded stood at the base of the staircase. Twilight stopped after stepping onto the hallway floor and looked up at him expectantly. ‘You called?’ ‘First of all, as I’m sure we’ve discussed many times,’ Starswirl began, a tinge of irritation marring his otherwise gentle tone, ‘I prefer to consider our formal relationship as one of a mentor and apprentice, rather than master and apprentice. You needn’t tack on “Master” when addressing me, least of all in the comfort of this cottage.’ ‘Of course, Ma – I mean, Starswirl.’ Starswirl crooked an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards for a moment. ‘Second, and most importantly, what have you been up to down here?’ Twilight cringed. ‘Oh! Well, I, ummm, I was eating this morning when I thought of how I could finally solve that Skibur Cube puzzle you set me to solving. I spent some time in the lab working on an enchanted – ’ ‘I beg your pardon for interrupting,’ Starswirl said, ‘but it is not your lab work which concerns me. I noticed straight away upon my return that you had made considerable progress on the elixir that is even now simmering in the lab – I must commend you for knowing that it takes many hours to render down, although I hope you’ve been coming down to stir it every once in a while. ‘No,’ he went on, raising a hoof and gently leading Twilight a few steps down the hall to an open archway. ‘What I’m desperately curious to find out is… what happened in here?’ He gestured with a hoof into the room beyond. Pots and pans, crusted with dried food, cluttered a narrow counter, itself covered with a fine layer of flour. Towards on side of the counter was a sink, within which were cooking implements – spatulas, stirring spoons, cutting boards, and knives, themselves all similarly encrusted. Towards a corner of the room was a small round table with two stout chairs, upon which lay a dirty plate and bowl, cutlery, and a thick ceramic mug. ‘Care to explain yourself, young lady?’ Starswirl asked. Twilight shrunk into herself, grinning sheepishly. ‘Uhhh… breakfast?’ she managed with a nervous titter. The Essay What are you doing? Twilight started, spotting ink on the thick roll of paper, then glanced over at Spike, flustered and annoyed. ‘Spike, I’m trying to concentrate on my essay!’ she hissed. ‘Next time you have something to say, please say it out loud! You know how startling your telepathy can be.’ The small draconic creature raised his head to look at Twilight more intently, then rose from his curled-up position on the desk, stretching his four legs and two wings. He swayed his long neck from side to side and whipped his prehensile tail to and fro, before yawning, opening his tiny maw and lazily displaying razor-sharp teeth. ‘That doesn’t answer my question,’ he said aloud, unapologetically. ‘Ma – Starswirl wants me to show how I worked out, on my own, the solution to that Skibur Cube.’ Spike yawned again. ‘Twilight, I really can’t understand why you went through all that effort. Surely you could have impressed him with your research skills and found a solution in the library?’ Twilight was unimpressed. ‘Of course not! I’m trying to demonstrate how much magical theory and technique I’ve learned, not how well I can look things up!’ The pseudodragon shrugged. ‘Suit yourself. Are you almost done? I’m hungry.’ Twilight huffed, but soon after her face softened. ‘Oh, Spike,’ she said affectionately. ‘When aren’t you hungry?’ ‘Never,’ declared Spike. He walked along the desk to where a small cloth lay crumpled, and began polishing his amethyst scales with it. Twilight looked down at the desk, her horn aglow. A small hourglass floated into the air from one of the shelves, wrapped in the violet light of her magic. ‘All right… ten more minutes, and we’ll go get you a snack,’ she conceded, flipping the hourglass over. Sand began to slide down into the lower chamber as she set it on the desk and got back to writing. Late Sunrise The small chime of the clockwork bird went off early that morning. Twilight woke almost instantly. ‘Spike! Spike!’ she half-shouted, half-whispered excitedly. ‘Wake up! It’s the Festival of the Summer Sun this morning!’ Spike was curled up at the foot of her bed. He did not respond. ‘Spike, come on! We’re going to miss the sunrise!’ Twilight prodded the pseudodragon with a hoof until he woke up, glaring crossly. ‘I was having the most wonderful dream,’ he muttered, ‘about swimming in a vault of gemstones that I could eat.’ ‘Well, aren’t you glad I interrupted your unattainable fantasy for the best Festival of the year?’ ‘Unattainable? Well, I suppose so, if that’s how you’re going to think of it,’ Spike groused. ‘I think it’s perfectly reasonable, if you’re willing to do the work to make it happen.’ Spike yawned, then stretched himself out before coughing a puff of smoke into the air. By the time he had finished, Twilight already had organised herself for the day: a blanket for watching the sunrise, and her staff, robes, and pouch of coin for spending the Festival in town. ‘What bothers me is how enthusiastic you are about waking up so early today,’ Spike continued. ‘It’s unnatural. I mean, Starswirl can hardly drag you out of bed most days unless he uses magic.’ ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ Twilight responded snippily. ‘Come on, hop on, I’ve never missed a Summer Sun sunrise in my life, and I’m not about to start today.’ The pseudodragon leapt into the air from the bed with a flap of his wings, then glided smoothly onto Twilight’s back, where he promptly curled up again. Next year, Spike’s voice sounded in her head sleepily, let me miss it if you don’t mind. Twilight smirked as she trotted out of her room and down the stairs. Within minutes, she had set the blanket up, accompanied by a jug filled with water and a mug to drink it in, and sat in the darkness of the pre-dawn morning. She’d made sure to check the enchanted clock in the hall to get an accurate time before leaving the house. Among the other things Twilight always did for Summer Sun was accurately count down the seconds before the sunrise, which she was now doing with growing excitement. ‘Five… four… three… two… ONE!’ Twilight exclaimed, looking joyfully at the horizon for the imminent rise of the sun, marking the start of the midsummer festival day. Nothing happened. Twilight reared back, shocked. ‘Did… did I miscount?’ she asked herself, shaking. ‘No, that’s not possible.’ She got up and began to pace anxiously. The jostling had disturbed Spike, who had once more fallen asleep resting on her back. ‘Ugh, Twilight, what is the matter?’ ‘It’s the sun, Spike!’ Twilight exclaimed fearfully. ‘It’s late, and it’s never late! Something’s gone drea- oh!’ Light shone suddenly on the horizon, and the sun began crawling up into the sky, casting its welcoming warmth. ‘Why was it late?’ Twilight asked, pacing, her usual enjoyment of the sunrise forgotten. Then she shook her head. ‘Come on, Twilight,’ she muttered. ‘That can’t be it. I must have miscounted.’ ‘You didn’t, child,’ came Starswirl’s voice. Twilight looked over to the cottage. He stood in the doorway, looking sterner than she had ever seen him. He stepped out onto the lawn. ‘I’m afraid you are correct. The sun was late, Twilight.’ As if to punctuate his words, the air grew cold as a blustery wind suddenly blew from the north for a moment, before calming again. Starswirl’s head shot to the side, and he gazed northwards for a moment. Twilight stared at him for a while, before hesitantly stepping towards him. Spike, no longer sleepy, glanced keenly between them. ‘What – what does this mean, Master Starswirl?’ Starswirl slowly turned his head towards her. She had come close enough that she could see her fearful countenance in his eyes, along with the concern that filled them. He shook his head. ‘I do not know.’ He breathed deeply for a moment. ‘It won’t do to dwell on this for now, Twilight,’ he said finally, smiling kindly. ‘Try to get your mind off things. Head into town and enjoy the Festival day, why don’t you? I will stay here and learn what I can.’ ‘I-if you’re sure,’ Twilight managed doubtfully. ‘Go on, go on!’ Starswirl said gruffly. ‘You’ve worked very hard these past few weeks, you deserve the break. I’ll tidy your blanket.’ ‘I… okay,’ Twilight said, smiling weakly. She trotted down the path, turning back to wave at him. Starswirl waved back. His smile faded as soon as Twilight was out of sight. He gazed northwards again, putting a hoof to his lower jaw. After a long while, he turned, lifted the blanket and ceramics and brought them back into the cottage. Author's Note I've been having a hard time mustering up the imagination to finish working on Harbinger, so until I have a breakthrough there, I'm going to work on this series of vignettes. Ideally, they'll give a glimpse at a larger story outline that I've come up with, which I may develop in more detail once I've finished Harbinger. Nightmare PastNightmare Past Know that I am well, if not safe, and that I shall return as soon as I am able, the last line of the letter read. Twilight read the letter every single day after she rose in the morning, and again before she went to bed, each time wondering if, perhaps, it would be the last thing Starswirl ever wrote to her. Each day of his prolonged absence was marked on the calendar. Even after two months, Twilight had yet to grow accustomed to the circumstances – not his absence, as such, for Starswirl had often been away for long periods before – but to his silence. For on every one of his previous journeys, he had, every day, made sure to write around suppertime. Spike would hiccough a letter into his bowl, and Twilight would gather it with great care. When she was younger, and had to rely on somepony else to care for her, she would insist that Starswirl’s letter be read to her. Over the past couple of years, she had read his letters aloud each night, comforting herself by imagining him reading them to her in his inimitable voice. But this time, there was nothing. Twilight had reached the point where she felt she could hardly stand it any longer, where she could no longer bear to go into town and endure reassurances that rang false, however well meant they were, where she might very well have to pack up and go out herself to find Starswirl. It was only then, nine weeks and two days, and nineteen hours since his departure, that Starswirl returned. Twilight could speak with some authority on the matter, for she had kept track. Spike had retired hours ago. For her part, Twilight was brooding in the kitchen, staring vacantly at a cold cup of tea she had prepared after dinner, when she heard the front door swing open. She perked up, her eyes widening and her face brightening. Other than herself, there was but one pony in all of Equestria who would dare open the cottage door of Starswirl the Bearded without knocking first… Twilight ran into the hall in a jumble of hooves, intent on running into her mentor’s fatherly embrace. She stopped suddenly, taken aback, when she saw him. Starswirl had a swollen bruise over his right eye, and the tip of his right ear was gone. His robes were not just travel-worn and mud stained, they were positively tattered in places. Save for his staff, his clothes and his boots, the gear with which he had set off was gone. He was also clearly favouring his front left leg. ‘Ma-master Starswirl?’ she stammered. Starswirl managed a grim smile. ‘I am happy to see you, child.’ He winced as he put some weight on his left foreleg. ‘Nevertheless, I will not speak of my travels tonight.’ ‘O-of course,’ Twilight said, confused. ‘I am sorry,’ Starswirl said. ‘It is no longer safe to discuss such things after nightfall.’ Twilight felt her insides twisting, and her mouth went suddenly dry. ‘No… longer – safe?’ Starswirl shook his head. ‘Please, child, stoke the fire and shutter all the windows tonight. I must rest now. We will speak of this further only in the light of day.’ ‘I don’t – I don’t understand,’ Twilight tried to begin. Though his face softened, Starswirl remained unmoved. ‘I promise, I will explain what I can in the morning.’ With that, he took off his travelers’ boots and, still favouring the left foreleg, carefully made his way up the stairs. It took Twilight another moment, standing there in the hall, alternately staring at the door and at the stairs, before the reality of Starswirl’s return had sunk in enough that she could attend to the duties he had laid upon her. The last window on the ground floor to close up was in the lab room. Twilight looked out of it for a moment, gazing up at the moon. Ever since that fateful Summer Sun day, it had been unadorned. Up until now, that had been a mere curiosity. With Starswirl’s admonition in mind, though, the sight of the bare moon filled Twilight with foreboding, as if some nameless fear were rising, unbidden, to cloud her thoughts. It was only as she was shuttering the window in her own chamber that weariness overtook her. They breakfasted in silence the following morning, while Spike was still sleeping. Starswirl seemed far more at ease in the comfort of his cottage, even managing to smile when Twilight entered the kitchen. As they were finishing, Starswirl set the kettle on the stove for a second time that morning, then turned to Twilight. ‘That enchanted gem you have in your chest, the one your mother left for you – would you please bring it here?’ Twilight started. ‘Uh... I- okay, of course,’ she managed, then got off her seat and went up the stairs. By the time she had returned, Starswirl was working his way through the washing-up. His magic enveloped the teapot, a strainer, a spoon, and the container of tea leaves, and soon had it ready for the kettle to finish boiling. Twilight’s gem was still in its red velvet bag as she placed it on the table and sat down. Starswirl joined her, floating over the teapot and some mugs. ‘Twilight,’ he began, ‘You’ve seen the moon these past few months, since the first night after Summer Sun.’ ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘The Mare in the Moon is gone.’ ‘What do you know of the Mare in the Moon?’ ‘Until this summer, modern astronomers believed it was some sort of geological formation that slowly became exposed over centuries, happening to take a form much like the head of a pony.’ ‘What else?’ ‘Late Antiquity Equestrian art depicts the moon as lacking the Mare’s head feature, so we know it first became apparent between nine and twelve hundred years ago.’ Starswirl grimaced. ‘What else? What of the legends surrounding it?’ Twilight pursed her lips. ‘You mean Nightmare Moon?’ The kitchen window slammed open, and a cold breeze gusted into the kitchen. They both started. Twilight stared at the window, confused, while Starswirl frowned, gazing at it intently. After a moment, he got up and closed the window by hoof. Returning to his seat, he said, slowly and carefully, ‘It may be that it is best not to use that name so often, except when we really mean to. For now, let us refer to her as the Nightmare, or the Enemy.’ ‘… uhh… okay,’ Twilight replied. ‘Master Starswirl, what’s going on?’ ‘Patience, Twilight,’ Starswirl replied. ‘Go on, tell me what you know of the legends surrounding the Nightmare.’ ‘Right. Well, legend has it that, during the Nightmare War, she tried to seize control of Equestria from the Royal Sisters. One of them, Princess Luna, vanished, and was presumed killed. The other, Princess Celestia, managed to lure Nigh- I mean, the Nightmare’s armies into an ambush, and, in single combat, banished the Nightmare herself to the moon. ‘Of course, there’s no reliable way to verify the story: afterward, it’s said, Celestia retired from the mortal world. Her temple maintains that she still listens to the petitions of ponykind, and answers as she is able. By way of proof, Celestian acolytes point to the magic they’re able to wield. I’m – I’m sorry, Master Starswirl, I haven’t read up on it lately, so I’ve forgotten many of the details.’ ‘That’s all right,’ Starswirl replied. ‘You’ve clearly recalled enough to be going on with.’ ‘I myself have been keenly interested in those legends,’ he went on. ‘Nowadays, one thousand years since the Nightmare War, we’ve begun to view them as a sort of folkloric ornamentation, added on to what was essentially a civil war over control of the Equestrian government of the day. The fanciful descriptions of monsters are thought to be either decorations that the Nightmare’s armies wore into battle, or a demonization of the ponies who fought for the losing side in the war. ‘I began to speculate otherwise some years ago, all the while hoping that I was wrong, and that these myths and legends were hardly more than old ponies’ tales. But recent events have suggested my guesses were well-founded, much to my dismay. ‘Do you remember on what day the Nightmare Wars were supposed to have ended, Twilight?’ Twilight pursed her lips, lost in thought. ‘Midsummer?’ she asked hesitantly. ‘Somewhere around there. It might even have been…’ she drew in a gasping breath, ‘the day of the Summer Sun Festival?’ ‘You remember correctly,’ Starswirl said. ‘And this summer, on that very day one thousand years later, the sun rises late and sets early. That very same night, for the first time in a thousand years, the moon lacks its most visible and defining feature – the Mare in the Moon.’ ‘One more question, Twilight. Do you recall where legends say the Enemy dwelt?’ ‘In – in a fortress she constructed on Frostreach Pinnacle, in the Crystal Mountains, I think.’ ‘Exactly so,’ confirmed Starswirl. ‘And that is where I have been, these last weeks. After leaving, I journeyed north, in comfort and safety, to seek answers. Once I had them, I fled south, in haste and in danger.’ ‘Danger?’ Twilight shivered, despite the warmth of the stove. ‘Yes, Twilight Sparkle: danger. For what had once passed into myth and legend, into the shadows of the past, is now among us once more. The Enemy we thought a fable, with which to frighten children, is again made real. Nightmare Moon has returned.’ Starswirl paused, his eyes darting around the room and lingering on the window. There was a long pause, when the only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock in the hallway. When nothing happened, he brought his attention back to Twilight. ‘But-but… but that can’t be true!’ Twilight protested. “… can’t it?’ Starswirl shook his head. ‘I only wish it were so, Twilight. But I have seen it for myself. I entered the ruins at Frostreach Pinnacle, only to find them inhabited by trolls. Trolls, Twilight! There hasn’t been a troll seen within Equestria in centuries. Hitherto, even I thought them little more than creatures of folklore. ‘And not only trolls, but also winter worgs. Mighty wolves possessing great cunning and malice, along with a fiercely cold breath. These were both among the Enemy’s armies during the Nightmare War. ‘The worgs were patrolling the Pinnacle, guarding it against intruders. Some were, I daresay, hunting packs, ensuring the trolls who were labouring to rebuild the fortress had adequate food. ‘Then, there was the Nightmare herself. She has not grown strong enough to rebuild her corporeal form, but her spirit moved to and fro among the trolls, directing their labours. She could form her head at intervals, in order to issue commands. Her face perfectly matches every depiction of her in late-Antiquity art: the pitch-black coat, the cat-like eyes, the fangs. ‘I spent as much time as I could there, in Frostreach, in order to better determine how strong the Nightmare has become, and how long her reach has grown. Eventually, I was discovered – not by the Enemy herself, fortunately, or I would have perished. I fled. I moved as fast as I could, given I had to avoid detection by creatures of the night. Bats, rats, owls – all these and more, the Nightmare can press into service as spies. 'If she has trolls and winter worgs at her command, then worse is yet to come. The legends say that vampires and werewolves served the Nightmare, and that she could even command a pony's very shadow. Imagine that - her magic could transform an artifact of our bodies blocking the sun's light into an unliving horror! But, having seen what I have seen, I am convinced that all these, and more, will be unleashed upon Equestria in the months to come. ‘I am sorry, Twilight: there can be no doubt. Our ancient Enemy rebuilds her strength, in a world that, so far as she is aware, no longer possesses the means to contest her power.’ Twilight broke in before Starswirl could continue. ‘“So far as she is aware”? What do you mean by that?’ Starswirl smiled. ‘Well spotted, Twilight. Yes, there may yet be hope to stop her. Which is where we turn to your gift from your mother.’ Oracle's GrottoDark Thoughts Evening came early that night. Twilight wasn’t sure just how early: Starswirl’s enchanted clock was back in his cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville, and she didn’t possess any portable timekeeping device. But she knew it was early all the same. Lying in her bedroll, she stared up into the starry sky, dimly aware that most of her travel companions were already asleep. She could hear Spike's quiet breathing beside her, Applejack's snores across the campfire, and the strangely chipper murmuring of the... eccentric pink mare who had joined them. Twilight couldn't tell where Winona was. Maybe out patrolling or hunting? The distraction of discerning the others' whereabouts was over, and her thoughts came rushing back to the front of her mind. Why, Starswirl? Why did it have to be me? That thought stood out starkly amid the chaotic swirl of half-formed ideas racing through her mind, as it had almost constantly since she had left Ponyville. Despite his reassuring words to the contrary, Twilight couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow, in some way, Starswirl was just – just getting rid of her. She wasn’t good enough to go on the quest for the Elements of Harmony: not smart enough, not learned enough, not brave enough, not skilled enough at magic, or at subterfuge, or at roughing it through the wilderness, was she? He’d had to get rid of her, in order to find somepony else, somepony who could be all of those things, somepony who could be the apprentice he deserved, not like her, not a - ‘No. It’s not like that.’ It took more than a few deep breaths for Twilight to settle her nerves, to remind herself that Starswirl had expressed every confidence in her abilities. That was why she was going off to actually look for the Elements while he was going to make a theatrical show of looking for them, for the sake of anyone who might be watching. At the thought of the Elements, Twilight turned her head to look at the red velvet bag that had, ever since that fateful morning in his kitchen, never left her side. But then, was it really confidence in her abilities? Or was it in Applejack’s? Starswirl had taken Twilight on trips through the wilderness, and even into the vast Everfree, to learn about the natural world, but Applejack – why, she had far more experience roughing it, and especially with long-distance travel, what with some of the exotic deliveries she made on behalf of her family. Twilight glanced at the bag again. And what of the Elements of Harmony? Starswirl was convinced she possessed one of the relics, passed down by some stroke of chance though generations to her mother, before coming to her. Was that why she was going? Because she had a-a former foalhood playmate who knew her way around the backwoods and trails of Equestria, and because the Element had come to her and not to Starswirl? She looked up at the sky once more, her eyes brimming with tears. Here they were, three weeks since leaving Ponyville, and she felt as lost and confused as ever. Twilight tried to will the doubts and fears out of her mind, to quell them with the thought that, perhaps, they would get some answers tomorrow, when they met the fabled Oracle of Hollow Shades. Try as she might, they would not fade. The feeling of her unworthiness roiled within her. It was some time before a fitful sleep came upon her. The Outskirts ‘Three days’ travel from Hollow Shades just to get to the Oracle,’ Spike complained. ‘You’d think with a name like “Oracle of Hollow Shades” that we could’ve stayed in town.’ ‘What’re ya complainin’ about?’ Applejack asked with a hint of irritation. ‘Ya spent almost this whole trip on Twilight’s back.’ ‘Hey, I’m a dragon who likes my creature comforts, okay?’ Spike shot back. ‘Besides, we were in Hollow Shades for less than a day. I’m still getting used to this whole “being on the road all the time” thing. Maybe you hadn’t noticed, but I’ve spent my entire life as a familiar to Twilight Sparkle.’ Twilight turned her head to glare at Spike. ‘And just what is that supposed to mean?’ Applejack chuckled softly. ‘Ah suppose ya got me there,’ she answered amiably. ‘Bein’ a wizard’s familiar doesn’t sound like the career where ya get used to this kind of travel.’ ‘What’s it like, being a wizard’s familiar?’ Pinkie Pie broke in, bouncing up beside Twilight. ‘Well, there’s a lot of sleeping involved,’ Spike answered. ‘And eating yummy gemstones!’ He smacked his lips. Twilight sighed. ‘And lots of work, Spike.’ ‘Eh, that’s what you’re there for,’ he replied. ‘I’ve never seen Starswirl’s owl do anything around the house or in the lab.’ Twilight rolled her eyes. ‘That’s because you’re hardly ever doing anything around the house or the lab. Owlowiscious catches rats and mice around the cottage. I imagine he’s out with Starswirl now.’ ‘Sleeping and eating. Sounds like my kind of work!’ Pinkie said enthusiastically. ‘Although… what about partying?’ ‘Actually, if ya wouldn’t mind, Spike, why don’t ya go on with Pinkie for a bit? I’d like to talk to Twilight for a few. It’d give you a chance to say what ya want without Twilight correctin’ ya all the time.’ ‘I’d love that!’ Pinkie exclaimed. ‘We could go on a trip, tour the big cities, bond over our travels and become total besties!’ There was a moment of stunned silence. ‘Pinkie… I meant for a bit – you know, a few minutes.’ ‘Oh. Well, that’s not nearly as fun, now is it?’ Into Darkness The brackish water around the cavern entrance reeked with a rotten egg smell that Twilight vaguely recalled from her lab work. The stone around the entrance glistened with slick moisture. She shared a glance with Applejack. ‘Ready to go in?’ she asked. Applejack looked around with obvious distaste. ‘No, but Ah said I’d follow ya anywhere, even while you were making me do the leadin’. So here we are.’ Twilight craned her head to look at the small form curled up on her back. ‘How about you, Spike?’ ‘Why couldn’t I have stayed behind with Pinkie Pie and Winona?’ he mewled piteously. ‘Pinkie insisted that you come along. Given the state she was in, I wasn’t about to gainsay her. Were you?’ The pseudodragon shrunk into himself. ‘I don’t like this – not one bit – but if we’re in this together… let’s just get this over with, okay Twilight?’ Twilight turned her head to look back at the cave, and its uninviting darkness. She made to clutch at the red velvet bag tied around her neck before remembering that they’d agreed to leave the Element of Harmony with Pinkie. There are old things – ancient things, evil things – there. I can tell from the rocks. We should turn back. Pinkie’s warning raced through her mind. In the short time since she’d met her, Twilight would never have expected Pinkie to be so serious about anything – or to suggest that she had any mystical connection with rock. And yet – and yet… We would go down to the caves as fillies – for a good scare, see? Just for fun, like telling spooky campfire stories, Pinkie had told them. Cover up our glowstones and just listen. We would listen to the taps of the knockers, to the creaking of the moving stones. But what scared me most of all were the whispers. The whispers in the dark. Once you could hear them, it wasn’t fun anymore. Twilight though of Pinkie’s final, desperate warning. One of the whisperers is here, Twilight. Was this really the home of an Oracle? Could she really learn where to find more of the Elements of Harmony here? What was wrong with the water? Why was Pinkie so afraid? What was ‘one of the whisperers’, anyway? Twilight took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. ‘I have to know,’ she said to herself. She trotted forwards into the darkness. The Oracle The pond within the grotto was completely still. As far as she could see with her hornlight, it also seemed very murky. ‘Twilight,’ Applejack whispered, ‘Can’t you get a bit more light outta that?’ She gave Twilight’s horn a meaningful glance. Twilight looked over. ‘No – something’s hampering the light.’ Indeed, a sinister whisper echoed in her mind. Twilight and Applejack both leapt in surprise. Twilight looked around wildly. Spike flew off of her back and stared at the water, baring his teeth in a threatening display. Little morsels, the whisper echoed again. What brings them here? ‘Who-who are you?’ Twilight asked hesitantly. She backed a step away from the pond, her flank coming into contact with Applejack’s. ‘Show yourself!’ Who are we? If they cannot remember, then it is none of their concern. The morsels forget – they forget everything. But we remember, oh yes. The surface of the water rippled. At the very edge of her hornlight, right where it faded into the complete darkness of the cave, Twilight saw a dark shape emerge briefly from the water. Then… nothing. ‘Are-are you the Oracle?’ Applejack asked, trying to sound brave. Twilight thought she had done a decent job, though the cracking of her voice at the start of the question belied her confident-sounding finish. Spike was still in the air. He hissed incoherently at the pond. Oracle? Oracle, morsel asks. Many things we have been called. Once, ‘Master’, long ago. ‘Answer the question!’ Applejack retorted. SILENCE. There was no sound, no movement from the water, but Twilight reared back as if trying to catch herself before being blown over by a forceful gust. It was as if, instead of air moving to create the blast, it was instead the malice of an ancient and alien intelligence directed at the two ponies. Morsel does not make demands of us, oh no. Morsel provides supplications. In return, we grant knowledge. That is why morsels call us, ‘Oracle’. But it is a mere fraction of the secrets we possess, what we have learned over ages and ages. What have the morsels brought? ‘What have we brought?’ Twilight asked aloud. ‘Nopony said anything about having to bring an offering!’ The voice laughed, a low, guttural, cruel laugh. This time, though, the sound wasn’t in Twilight’s head. It came from within the water. Morsels didn’t bring anything? ‘Could lead to trouble for morsels’. This second whisper was spoken aloud, and the distinction startled Twilight enough that she jumped slightly. Twilight saw more rippling in the water, and heard a splash. At the edge of her hornlight loomed an ill-defined shape. ‘Maybe we should take one of the morsels for ourselves, oh yes. That would be a worthy offering.’ ‘NO!’ Twilight shouted, cringing. She took another step back. ‘If we have to bring an offering or supplication for knowledge, we can come back later.’ In response there was another laugh. ‘Morsels won’t come back. We already know this, oh yes.’ The shape shifted closer, staying just out of range of Twilight’s hornlight. ‘Once, we were masters,’ the guttural voice whispered. ‘Once, ponies all worshipped. All brought supplications. They were ours to rule, and ours to feed upon. ‘Long, long ago. But we found a way. Found way to be given supplications once again, oh yes.’ Twilight and Applejack both took another step back. Twilight staggered, feeling an awful weight in her mind, as if something were pressing down on her will, trying to suppress it. Something like a mix between a whimper and a growl escaped her throat. The pain brought tears to her eyes. ‘St-stop it, please,’ she begged, falling to the ground and trying to cover her ears and head with her front hooves. She heard a strangled cry from Applejack. Was it trying to do the same thing to her? What was it doing? Spike was still in the air. He let out an angry snarl, and flew towards the pond. Twilight heard a sickening slap. Spike came flying back out of the darkness. There was a crack as he smacked into the cavern wall. ‘Spike!’ she cried. At once, the pressure eased. The whisper echoed in her mind again. We can taste the fear, morsels. The terror. Delicious. Satisfying. We will answer two questions. Each morsel may ask one. Applejack was there, then, laying a comforting hoof on Twilight’s back. ‘Ah’ll ask about the Elements,’ she whispered to Twilight. ‘You see to Spike.’ Applejack stepped forward, taking a confident posture. Twilight raced to the edge of the cave where Spike had gone flying. He was lying on the ground, gasping for air. She picked him up in her magic and laid him on her back. He groaned and lay still. ‘Where’re the Elements of Harmony?’ Applejack asked. For a moment, there was silence. Morsels haven’t given enough to deserve answer to that question, oh no. But we will give morsels something. Enough to find their way, perhaps. The Elements have all been found. They have corrupted those who possess them. Twisted them. Each goes against the Element’s true nature. No more will we tell morsels – not unless morsels offer more. ‘That – that’ll do,’ Applejack said quickly. She backed away. Twilight’s curiosity won over her fear. She stepped closer to the pond, taking Applejack’s place. She knew she should have asked a question related to their quest. But she couldn’t help herself. The question came, unbidden. ‘What are you?’ she asked. The guttural laugh echoed through the cavern. ‘What are we?’ the voice said aloud. We are the ancient forgotten, it said in her head. We have told the morsels much of us already, oh yes. More than morsels deserve to know. ‘Oh,’ Twilight said, trying to sound casual. She took a step back. ‘Well, in that case, we’ll just be going, then –’ Oh, but we want morsels to know. To remember. To fear, oh yes. We will tell morsels. Twilight froze in mid-step, staring at the pond. They took it away from us. The Sisters of Sun and Moon. Broke our empire. Freed ponies. Left us in the dark, in the deep, forgotten places. Morsels forget. Morsels always forget, oh yes. But we remember. We have never forgotten. And when the stars are right, we will have our revenge. ‘Twilight,’ hissed Applejack, ‘let’s go!’ Twilight felt the pressure in her mind again. She cried out in agony, stumbling and collapsing. ‘We haven’t given morsels leave to go,’ the voice said aloud. Twilight could hear a pained moan in what sounded like Applejack’s voice. We haven’t finished answering the morsel’s question, oh no. And their fear leaves us wanting more, oh yes. Morsels must come. We will show them what we are. Twilight’s consciousness dissolved. She felt free. For the first time since the sun had risen late, she felt fully content. She sighed happily. She was sitting in the kitchen of Starswirl’s cottage, contentedly examining each of the Elements of Harmony. Here they all were. It had been a hard quest to find them, but she had prevailed, with Master’s help. It was all so easy when she listened to Master and did what Master said! Master had told her she would find them, and she had. Still, it was funny, she was having a hard time holding them up. They slipped through her fingers – right through them, as if they were insubstantial! Wasn’t that funny? But it was all right, Master had told her something like that could happen, and Master was always right. She giggled and put her hooves down on the table, and wasn’t that funny? Her hooves slid right through the table like it wasn’t even there, and – Twilight came to when she heard the sound of a thick, wet smack! There was a roar, a mix of pain and outrage. ‘Liar!’ Applejack was shouting. ‘Don’t think ya c’n fool me!’ Twilight’s head felt dark inside. She wondered what Applejack was talking to. Her horn had gone out, but there was a bright light. Where was it coming from? Her vision swam before her eyes. Looking up, she saw Applejack tossing an axe at a fish-like thing in the water. The creature had a bizarre, circular maw, with row after row of conical teeth, each forming a concentric circle. Its three eyes were about where its snout should have been. The axe connected with its flesh, and it reared back, roaring again. ‘Come on, Twilight,’ a bubbly voice spoke softly but urgently beside her. ‘You gotta get up, silly!’ ‘Whuzza?’ Twilight managed, as she felt a pair of hooves heave her back on her feet. She leaned against a warm, thickly furred body and shook her head, trying to clear it. There was a rushing sound in her head, like she was holding a seashell up to her ear and it was defeaningly loud. ‘Let’s go!’ Applejack shouted, running past them. Twilight was half-pulled, half-dragged by the hooves. The furry creature bore part of her weight. Her hooves slipped often on the slick, slimy stones of the cavern floor. A swirl of water rode up the floor and caught her back hoof. Twilight felt it tugging at her, threatening to drag her back towards the pool, but hooves yanked at her and pulled her away. Overcast and gloomy daylight flooded Twilight’s eyes. She stumbled, blinking furiously. ‘Don’t stop now, Twilight,’ Pinkie’s voice said cheerfully from nearby. ‘We’re not far enough away yet! But don’t you worry, Applejack and I have got you!’ Winona’s great shaggy shape went out in front, sniffing and scouting around. Applejack came in to take her place, helping prop Twilight up. ‘Spike… Spike,’ Twilight managed, a hint of agitation in her voice. ‘Easy does it,’ Applejack said. ‘Pinkie’s got ‘im.’ Twilight felt a buzzing in her mind. An inarticulate, faded voice sounded. Twilight thought it might be trying to say something. A primal fear rose in her belly, twisting her guts. ‘It – that will – it’s coming –’ ‘Dontcha worry none, Twi,’ Applejack said gently. ‘Ye’re with friends now, y’hear?’ Friends. For some reason, the word just felt… felt right. Her body calmed at Applejack’s words. Twilight sighed contentedly, then pitched over into an unconscious heap.
TwilightThe Mess ‘Twilight? Twilight Sparkle!’ Twilight Sparkle looked up from the tome on the desk, startled by the call. She shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. You should probably answer, a voice lazily drawled in her head. Twilight shot an annoyed glare at the cat-sized pseudodragon reclining on the desk beside her book, before turning to face the doorway. ‘Coming, Master Starswirl!’ she called, hopping off the chair in a clatter of hooves and rushing out of the chamber that doubled as her bedroom and study. Starswirl the Bearded stood at the base of the staircase. Twilight stopped after stepping onto the hallway floor and looked up at him expectantly. ‘You called?’ ‘First of all, as I’m sure we’ve discussed many times,’ Starswirl began, a tinge of irritation marring his otherwise gentle tone, ‘I prefer to consider our formal relationship as one of a mentor and apprentice, rather than master and apprentice. You needn’t tack on “Master” when addressing me, least of all in the comfort of this cottage.’ ‘Of course, Ma – I mean, Starswirl.’ Starswirl crooked an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards for a moment. ‘Second, and most importantly, what have you been up to down here?’ Twilight cringed. ‘Oh! Well, I, ummm, I was eating this morning when I thought of how I could finally solve that Skibur Cube puzzle you set me to solving. I spent some time in the lab working on an enchanted – ’ ‘I beg your pardon for interrupting,’ Starswirl said, ‘but it is not your lab work which concerns me. I noticed straight away upon my return that you had made considerable progress on the elixir that is even now simmering in the lab – I must commend you for knowing that it takes many hours to render down, although I hope you’ve been coming down to stir it every once in a while. ‘No,’ he went on, raising a hoof and gently leading Twilight a few steps down the hall to an open archway. ‘What I’m desperately curious to find out is… what happened in here?’ He gestured with a hoof into the room beyond. Pots and pans, crusted with dried food, cluttered a narrow counter, itself covered with a fine layer of flour. Towards on side of the counter was a sink, within which were cooking implements – spatulas, stirring spoons, cutting boards, and knives, themselves all similarly encrusted. Towards a corner of the room was a small round table with two stout chairs, upon which lay a dirty plate and bowl, cutlery, and a thick ceramic mug. ‘Care to explain yourself, young lady?’ Starswirl asked. Twilight shrunk into herself, grinning sheepishly. ‘Uhhh… breakfast?’ she managed with a nervous titter. The Essay What are you doing? Twilight started, spotting ink on the thick roll of paper, then glanced over at Spike, flustered and annoyed. ‘Spike, I’m trying to concentrate on my essay!’ she hissed. ‘Next time you have something to say, please say it out loud! You know how startling your telepathy can be.’ The small draconic creature raised his head to look at Twilight more intently, then rose from his curled-up position on the desk, stretching his four legs and two wings. He swayed his long neck from side to side and whipped his prehensile tail to and fro, before yawning, opening his tiny maw and lazily displaying razor-sharp teeth. ‘That doesn’t answer my question,’ he said aloud, unapologetically. ‘Ma – Starswirl wants me to show how I worked out, on my own, the solution to that Skibur Cube.’ Spike yawned again. ‘Twilight, I really can’t understand why you went through all that effort. Surely you could have impressed him with your research skills and found a solution in the library?’ Twilight was unimpressed. ‘Of course not! I’m trying to demonstrate how much magical theory and technique I’ve learned, not how well I can look things up!’ The pseudodragon shrugged. ‘Suit yourself. Are you almost done? I’m hungry.’ Twilight huffed, but soon after her face softened. ‘Oh, Spike,’ she said affectionately. ‘When aren’t you hungry?’ ‘Never,’ declared Spike. He walked along the desk to where a small cloth lay crumpled, and began polishing his amethyst scales with it. Twilight looked down at the desk, her horn aglow. A small hourglass floated into the air from one of the shelves, wrapped in the violet light of her magic. ‘All right… ten more minutes, and we’ll go get you a snack,’ she conceded, flipping the hourglass over. Sand began to slide down into the lower chamber as she set it on the desk and got back to writing. Late Sunrise The small chime of the clockwork bird went off early that morning. Twilight woke almost instantly. ‘Spike! Spike!’ she half-shouted, half-whispered excitedly. ‘Wake up! It’s the Festival of the Summer Sun this morning!’ Spike was curled up at the foot of her bed. He did not respond. ‘Spike, come on! We’re going to miss the sunrise!’ Twilight prodded the pseudodragon with a hoof until he woke up, glaring crossly. ‘I was having the most wonderful dream,’ he muttered, ‘about swimming in a vault of gemstones that I could eat.’ ‘Well, aren’t you glad I interrupted your unattainable fantasy for the best Festival of the year?’ ‘Unattainable? Well, I suppose so, if that’s how you’re going to think of it,’ Spike groused. ‘I think it’s perfectly reasonable, if you’re willing to do the work to make it happen.’ Spike yawned, then stretched himself out before coughing a puff of smoke into the air. By the time he had finished, Twilight already had organised herself for the day: a blanket for watching the sunrise, and her staff, robes, and pouch of coin for spending the Festival in town. ‘What bothers me is how enthusiastic you are about waking up so early today,’ Spike continued. ‘It’s unnatural. I mean, Starswirl can hardly drag you out of bed most days unless he uses magic.’ ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ Twilight responded snippily. ‘Come on, hop on, I’ve never missed a Summer Sun sunrise in my life, and I’m not about to start today.’ The pseudodragon leapt into the air from the bed with a flap of his wings, then glided smoothly onto Twilight’s back, where he promptly curled up again. Next year, Spike’s voice sounded in her head sleepily, let me miss it if you don’t mind. Twilight smirked as she trotted out of her room and down the stairs. Within minutes, she had set the blanket up, accompanied by a jug filled with water and a mug to drink it in, and sat in the darkness of the pre-dawn morning. She’d made sure to check the enchanted clock in the hall to get an accurate time before leaving the house. Among the other things Twilight always did for Summer Sun was accurately count down the seconds before the sunrise, which she was now doing with growing excitement. ‘Five… four… three… two… ONE!’ Twilight exclaimed, looking joyfully at the horizon for the imminent rise of the sun, marking the start of the midsummer festival day. Nothing happened. Twilight reared back, shocked. ‘Did… did I miscount?’ she asked herself, shaking. ‘No, that’s not possible.’ She got up and began to pace anxiously. The jostling had disturbed Spike, who had once more fallen asleep resting on her back. ‘Ugh, Twilight, what is the matter?’ ‘It’s the sun, Spike!’ Twilight exclaimed fearfully. ‘It’s late, and it’s never late! Something’s gone drea- oh!’ Light shone suddenly on the horizon, and the sun began crawling up into the sky, casting its welcoming warmth. ‘Why was it late?’ Twilight asked, pacing, her usual enjoyment of the sunrise forgotten. Then she shook her head. ‘Come on, Twilight,’ she muttered. ‘That can’t be it. I must have miscounted.’ ‘You didn’t, child,’ came Starswirl’s voice. Twilight looked over to the cottage. He stood in the doorway, looking sterner than she had ever seen him. He stepped out onto the lawn. ‘I’m afraid you are correct. The sun was late, Twilight.’ As if to punctuate his words, the air grew cold as a blustery wind suddenly blew from the north for a moment, before calming again. Starswirl’s head shot to the side, and he gazed northwards for a moment. Twilight stared at him for a while, before hesitantly stepping towards him. Spike, no longer sleepy, glanced keenly between them. ‘What – what does this mean, Master Starswirl?’ Starswirl slowly turned his head towards her. She had come close enough that she could see her fearful countenance in his eyes, along with the concern that filled them. He shook his head. ‘I do not know.’ He breathed deeply for a moment. ‘It won’t do to dwell on this for now, Twilight,’ he said finally, smiling kindly. ‘Try to get your mind off things. Head into town and enjoy the Festival day, why don’t you? I will stay here and learn what I can.’ ‘I-if you’re sure,’ Twilight managed doubtfully. ‘Go on, go on!’ Starswirl said gruffly. ‘You’ve worked very hard these past few weeks, you deserve the break. I’ll tidy your blanket.’ ‘I… okay,’ Twilight said, smiling weakly. She trotted down the path, turning back to wave at him. Starswirl waved back. His smile faded as soon as Twilight was out of sight. He gazed northwards again, putting a hoof to his lower jaw. After a long while, he turned, lifted the blanket and ceramics and brought them back into the cottage. Author's Note I've been having a hard time mustering up the imagination to finish working on Harbinger, so until I have a breakthrough there, I'm going to work on this series of vignettes. Ideally, they'll give a glimpse at a larger story outline that I've come up with, which I may develop in more detail once I've finished Harbinger.
Nightmare PastNightmare Past Know that I am well, if not safe, and that I shall return as soon as I am able, the last line of the letter read. Twilight read the letter every single day after she rose in the morning, and again before she went to bed, each time wondering if, perhaps, it would be the last thing Starswirl ever wrote to her. Each day of his prolonged absence was marked on the calendar. Even after two months, Twilight had yet to grow accustomed to the circumstances – not his absence, as such, for Starswirl had often been away for long periods before – but to his silence. For on every one of his previous journeys, he had, every day, made sure to write around suppertime. Spike would hiccough a letter into his bowl, and Twilight would gather it with great care. When she was younger, and had to rely on somepony else to care for her, she would insist that Starswirl’s letter be read to her. Over the past couple of years, she had read his letters aloud each night, comforting herself by imagining him reading them to her in his inimitable voice. But this time, there was nothing. Twilight had reached the point where she felt she could hardly stand it any longer, where she could no longer bear to go into town and endure reassurances that rang false, however well meant they were, where she might very well have to pack up and go out herself to find Starswirl. It was only then, nine weeks and two days, and nineteen hours since his departure, that Starswirl returned. Twilight could speak with some authority on the matter, for she had kept track. Spike had retired hours ago. For her part, Twilight was brooding in the kitchen, staring vacantly at a cold cup of tea she had prepared after dinner, when she heard the front door swing open. She perked up, her eyes widening and her face brightening. Other than herself, there was but one pony in all of Equestria who would dare open the cottage door of Starswirl the Bearded without knocking first… Twilight ran into the hall in a jumble of hooves, intent on running into her mentor’s fatherly embrace. She stopped suddenly, taken aback, when she saw him. Starswirl had a swollen bruise over his right eye, and the tip of his right ear was gone. His robes were not just travel-worn and mud stained, they were positively tattered in places. Save for his staff, his clothes and his boots, the gear with which he had set off was gone. He was also clearly favouring his front left leg. ‘Ma-master Starswirl?’ she stammered. Starswirl managed a grim smile. ‘I am happy to see you, child.’ He winced as he put some weight on his left foreleg. ‘Nevertheless, I will not speak of my travels tonight.’ ‘O-of course,’ Twilight said, confused. ‘I am sorry,’ Starswirl said. ‘It is no longer safe to discuss such things after nightfall.’ Twilight felt her insides twisting, and her mouth went suddenly dry. ‘No… longer – safe?’ Starswirl shook his head. ‘Please, child, stoke the fire and shutter all the windows tonight. I must rest now. We will speak of this further only in the light of day.’ ‘I don’t – I don’t understand,’ Twilight tried to begin. Though his face softened, Starswirl remained unmoved. ‘I promise, I will explain what I can in the morning.’ With that, he took off his travelers’ boots and, still favouring the left foreleg, carefully made his way up the stairs. It took Twilight another moment, standing there in the hall, alternately staring at the door and at the stairs, before the reality of Starswirl’s return had sunk in enough that she could attend to the duties he had laid upon her. The last window on the ground floor to close up was in the lab room. Twilight looked out of it for a moment, gazing up at the moon. Ever since that fateful Summer Sun day, it had been unadorned. Up until now, that had been a mere curiosity. With Starswirl’s admonition in mind, though, the sight of the bare moon filled Twilight with foreboding, as if some nameless fear were rising, unbidden, to cloud her thoughts. It was only as she was shuttering the window in her own chamber that weariness overtook her. They breakfasted in silence the following morning, while Spike was still sleeping. Starswirl seemed far more at ease in the comfort of his cottage, even managing to smile when Twilight entered the kitchen. As they were finishing, Starswirl set the kettle on the stove for a second time that morning, then turned to Twilight. ‘That enchanted gem you have in your chest, the one your mother left for you – would you please bring it here?’ Twilight started. ‘Uh... I- okay, of course,’ she managed, then got off her seat and went up the stairs. By the time she had returned, Starswirl was working his way through the washing-up. His magic enveloped the teapot, a strainer, a spoon, and the container of tea leaves, and soon had it ready for the kettle to finish boiling. Twilight’s gem was still in its red velvet bag as she placed it on the table and sat down. Starswirl joined her, floating over the teapot and some mugs. ‘Twilight,’ he began, ‘You’ve seen the moon these past few months, since the first night after Summer Sun.’ ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘The Mare in the Moon is gone.’ ‘What do you know of the Mare in the Moon?’ ‘Until this summer, modern astronomers believed it was some sort of geological formation that slowly became exposed over centuries, happening to take a form much like the head of a pony.’ ‘What else?’ ‘Late Antiquity Equestrian art depicts the moon as lacking the Mare’s head feature, so we know it first became apparent between nine and twelve hundred years ago.’ Starswirl grimaced. ‘What else? What of the legends surrounding it?’ Twilight pursed her lips. ‘You mean Nightmare Moon?’ The kitchen window slammed open, and a cold breeze gusted into the kitchen. They both started. Twilight stared at the window, confused, while Starswirl frowned, gazing at it intently. After a moment, he got up and closed the window by hoof. Returning to his seat, he said, slowly and carefully, ‘It may be that it is best not to use that name so often, except when we really mean to. For now, let us refer to her as the Nightmare, or the Enemy.’ ‘… uhh… okay,’ Twilight replied. ‘Master Starswirl, what’s going on?’ ‘Patience, Twilight,’ Starswirl replied. ‘Go on, tell me what you know of the legends surrounding the Nightmare.’ ‘Right. Well, legend has it that, during the Nightmare War, she tried to seize control of Equestria from the Royal Sisters. One of them, Princess Luna, vanished, and was presumed killed. The other, Princess Celestia, managed to lure Nigh- I mean, the Nightmare’s armies into an ambush, and, in single combat, banished the Nightmare herself to the moon. ‘Of course, there’s no reliable way to verify the story: afterward, it’s said, Celestia retired from the mortal world. Her temple maintains that she still listens to the petitions of ponykind, and answers as she is able. By way of proof, Celestian acolytes point to the magic they’re able to wield. I’m – I’m sorry, Master Starswirl, I haven’t read up on it lately, so I’ve forgotten many of the details.’ ‘That’s all right,’ Starswirl replied. ‘You’ve clearly recalled enough to be going on with.’ ‘I myself have been keenly interested in those legends,’ he went on. ‘Nowadays, one thousand years since the Nightmare War, we’ve begun to view them as a sort of folkloric ornamentation, added on to what was essentially a civil war over control of the Equestrian government of the day. The fanciful descriptions of monsters are thought to be either decorations that the Nightmare’s armies wore into battle, or a demonization of the ponies who fought for the losing side in the war. ‘I began to speculate otherwise some years ago, all the while hoping that I was wrong, and that these myths and legends were hardly more than old ponies’ tales. But recent events have suggested my guesses were well-founded, much to my dismay. ‘Do you remember on what day the Nightmare Wars were supposed to have ended, Twilight?’ Twilight pursed her lips, lost in thought. ‘Midsummer?’ she asked hesitantly. ‘Somewhere around there. It might even have been…’ she drew in a gasping breath, ‘the day of the Summer Sun Festival?’ ‘You remember correctly,’ Starswirl said. ‘And this summer, on that very day one thousand years later, the sun rises late and sets early. That very same night, for the first time in a thousand years, the moon lacks its most visible and defining feature – the Mare in the Moon.’ ‘One more question, Twilight. Do you recall where legends say the Enemy dwelt?’ ‘In – in a fortress she constructed on Frostreach Pinnacle, in the Crystal Mountains, I think.’ ‘Exactly so,’ confirmed Starswirl. ‘And that is where I have been, these last weeks. After leaving, I journeyed north, in comfort and safety, to seek answers. Once I had them, I fled south, in haste and in danger.’ ‘Danger?’ Twilight shivered, despite the warmth of the stove. ‘Yes, Twilight Sparkle: danger. For what had once passed into myth and legend, into the shadows of the past, is now among us once more. The Enemy we thought a fable, with which to frighten children, is again made real. Nightmare Moon has returned.’ Starswirl paused, his eyes darting around the room and lingering on the window. There was a long pause, when the only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock in the hallway. When nothing happened, he brought his attention back to Twilight. ‘But-but… but that can’t be true!’ Twilight protested. “… can’t it?’ Starswirl shook his head. ‘I only wish it were so, Twilight. But I have seen it for myself. I entered the ruins at Frostreach Pinnacle, only to find them inhabited by trolls. Trolls, Twilight! There hasn’t been a troll seen within Equestria in centuries. Hitherto, even I thought them little more than creatures of folklore. ‘And not only trolls, but also winter worgs. Mighty wolves possessing great cunning and malice, along with a fiercely cold breath. These were both among the Enemy’s armies during the Nightmare War. ‘The worgs were patrolling the Pinnacle, guarding it against intruders. Some were, I daresay, hunting packs, ensuring the trolls who were labouring to rebuild the fortress had adequate food. ‘Then, there was the Nightmare herself. She has not grown strong enough to rebuild her corporeal form, but her spirit moved to and fro among the trolls, directing their labours. She could form her head at intervals, in order to issue commands. Her face perfectly matches every depiction of her in late-Antiquity art: the pitch-black coat, the cat-like eyes, the fangs. ‘I spent as much time as I could there, in Frostreach, in order to better determine how strong the Nightmare has become, and how long her reach has grown. Eventually, I was discovered – not by the Enemy herself, fortunately, or I would have perished. I fled. I moved as fast as I could, given I had to avoid detection by creatures of the night. Bats, rats, owls – all these and more, the Nightmare can press into service as spies. 'If she has trolls and winter worgs at her command, then worse is yet to come. The legends say that vampires and werewolves served the Nightmare, and that she could even command a pony's very shadow. Imagine that - her magic could transform an artifact of our bodies blocking the sun's light into an unliving horror! But, having seen what I have seen, I am convinced that all these, and more, will be unleashed upon Equestria in the months to come. ‘I am sorry, Twilight: there can be no doubt. Our ancient Enemy rebuilds her strength, in a world that, so far as she is aware, no longer possesses the means to contest her power.’ Twilight broke in before Starswirl could continue. ‘“So far as she is aware”? What do you mean by that?’ Starswirl smiled. ‘Well spotted, Twilight. Yes, there may yet be hope to stop her. Which is where we turn to your gift from your mother.’
Oracle's GrottoDark Thoughts Evening came early that night. Twilight wasn’t sure just how early: Starswirl’s enchanted clock was back in his cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville, and she didn’t possess any portable timekeeping device. But she knew it was early all the same. Lying in her bedroll, she stared up into the starry sky, dimly aware that most of her travel companions were already asleep. She could hear Spike's quiet breathing beside her, Applejack's snores across the campfire, and the strangely chipper murmuring of the... eccentric pink mare who had joined them. Twilight couldn't tell where Winona was. Maybe out patrolling or hunting? The distraction of discerning the others' whereabouts was over, and her thoughts came rushing back to the front of her mind. Why, Starswirl? Why did it have to be me? That thought stood out starkly amid the chaotic swirl of half-formed ideas racing through her mind, as it had almost constantly since she had left Ponyville. Despite his reassuring words to the contrary, Twilight couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow, in some way, Starswirl was just – just getting rid of her. She wasn’t good enough to go on the quest for the Elements of Harmony: not smart enough, not learned enough, not brave enough, not skilled enough at magic, or at subterfuge, or at roughing it through the wilderness, was she? He’d had to get rid of her, in order to find somepony else, somepony who could be all of those things, somepony who could be the apprentice he deserved, not like her, not a - ‘No. It’s not like that.’ It took more than a few deep breaths for Twilight to settle her nerves, to remind herself that Starswirl had expressed every confidence in her abilities. That was why she was going off to actually look for the Elements while he was going to make a theatrical show of looking for them, for the sake of anyone who might be watching. At the thought of the Elements, Twilight turned her head to look at the red velvet bag that had, ever since that fateful morning in his kitchen, never left her side. But then, was it really confidence in her abilities? Or was it in Applejack’s? Starswirl had taken Twilight on trips through the wilderness, and even into the vast Everfree, to learn about the natural world, but Applejack – why, she had far more experience roughing it, and especially with long-distance travel, what with some of the exotic deliveries she made on behalf of her family. Twilight glanced at the bag again. And what of the Elements of Harmony? Starswirl was convinced she possessed one of the relics, passed down by some stroke of chance though generations to her mother, before coming to her. Was that why she was going? Because she had a-a former foalhood playmate who knew her way around the backwoods and trails of Equestria, and because the Element had come to her and not to Starswirl? She looked up at the sky once more, her eyes brimming with tears. Here they were, three weeks since leaving Ponyville, and she felt as lost and confused as ever. Twilight tried to will the doubts and fears out of her mind, to quell them with the thought that, perhaps, they would get some answers tomorrow, when they met the fabled Oracle of Hollow Shades. Try as she might, they would not fade. The feeling of her unworthiness roiled within her. It was some time before a fitful sleep came upon her. The Outskirts ‘Three days’ travel from Hollow Shades just to get to the Oracle,’ Spike complained. ‘You’d think with a name like “Oracle of Hollow Shades” that we could’ve stayed in town.’ ‘What’re ya complainin’ about?’ Applejack asked with a hint of irritation. ‘Ya spent almost this whole trip on Twilight’s back.’ ‘Hey, I’m a dragon who likes my creature comforts, okay?’ Spike shot back. ‘Besides, we were in Hollow Shades for less than a day. I’m still getting used to this whole “being on the road all the time” thing. Maybe you hadn’t noticed, but I’ve spent my entire life as a familiar to Twilight Sparkle.’ Twilight turned her head to glare at Spike. ‘And just what is that supposed to mean?’ Applejack chuckled softly. ‘Ah suppose ya got me there,’ she answered amiably. ‘Bein’ a wizard’s familiar doesn’t sound like the career where ya get used to this kind of travel.’ ‘What’s it like, being a wizard’s familiar?’ Pinkie Pie broke in, bouncing up beside Twilight. ‘Well, there’s a lot of sleeping involved,’ Spike answered. ‘And eating yummy gemstones!’ He smacked his lips. Twilight sighed. ‘And lots of work, Spike.’ ‘Eh, that’s what you’re there for,’ he replied. ‘I’ve never seen Starswirl’s owl do anything around the house or in the lab.’ Twilight rolled her eyes. ‘That’s because you’re hardly ever doing anything around the house or the lab. Owlowiscious catches rats and mice around the cottage. I imagine he’s out with Starswirl now.’ ‘Sleeping and eating. Sounds like my kind of work!’ Pinkie said enthusiastically. ‘Although… what about partying?’ ‘Actually, if ya wouldn’t mind, Spike, why don’t ya go on with Pinkie for a bit? I’d like to talk to Twilight for a few. It’d give you a chance to say what ya want without Twilight correctin’ ya all the time.’ ‘I’d love that!’ Pinkie exclaimed. ‘We could go on a trip, tour the big cities, bond over our travels and become total besties!’ There was a moment of stunned silence. ‘Pinkie… I meant for a bit – you know, a few minutes.’ ‘Oh. Well, that’s not nearly as fun, now is it?’ Into Darkness The brackish water around the cavern entrance reeked with a rotten egg smell that Twilight vaguely recalled from her lab work. The stone around the entrance glistened with slick moisture. She shared a glance with Applejack. ‘Ready to go in?’ she asked. Applejack looked around with obvious distaste. ‘No, but Ah said I’d follow ya anywhere, even while you were making me do the leadin’. So here we are.’ Twilight craned her head to look at the small form curled up on her back. ‘How about you, Spike?’ ‘Why couldn’t I have stayed behind with Pinkie Pie and Winona?’ he mewled piteously. ‘Pinkie insisted that you come along. Given the state she was in, I wasn’t about to gainsay her. Were you?’ The pseudodragon shrunk into himself. ‘I don’t like this – not one bit – but if we’re in this together… let’s just get this over with, okay Twilight?’ Twilight turned her head to look back at the cave, and its uninviting darkness. She made to clutch at the red velvet bag tied around her neck before remembering that they’d agreed to leave the Element of Harmony with Pinkie. There are old things – ancient things, evil things – there. I can tell from the rocks. We should turn back. Pinkie’s warning raced through her mind. In the short time since she’d met her, Twilight would never have expected Pinkie to be so serious about anything – or to suggest that she had any mystical connection with rock. And yet – and yet… We would go down to the caves as fillies – for a good scare, see? Just for fun, like telling spooky campfire stories, Pinkie had told them. Cover up our glowstones and just listen. We would listen to the taps of the knockers, to the creaking of the moving stones. But what scared me most of all were the whispers. The whispers in the dark. Once you could hear them, it wasn’t fun anymore. Twilight though of Pinkie’s final, desperate warning. One of the whisperers is here, Twilight. Was this really the home of an Oracle? Could she really learn where to find more of the Elements of Harmony here? What was wrong with the water? Why was Pinkie so afraid? What was ‘one of the whisperers’, anyway? Twilight took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. ‘I have to know,’ she said to herself. She trotted forwards into the darkness. The Oracle The pond within the grotto was completely still. As far as she could see with her hornlight, it also seemed very murky. ‘Twilight,’ Applejack whispered, ‘Can’t you get a bit more light outta that?’ She gave Twilight’s horn a meaningful glance. Twilight looked over. ‘No – something’s hampering the light.’ Indeed, a sinister whisper echoed in her mind. Twilight and Applejack both leapt in surprise. Twilight looked around wildly. Spike flew off of her back and stared at the water, baring his teeth in a threatening display. Little morsels, the whisper echoed again. What brings them here? ‘Who-who are you?’ Twilight asked hesitantly. She backed a step away from the pond, her flank coming into contact with Applejack’s. ‘Show yourself!’ Who are we? If they cannot remember, then it is none of their concern. The morsels forget – they forget everything. But we remember, oh yes. The surface of the water rippled. At the very edge of her hornlight, right where it faded into the complete darkness of the cave, Twilight saw a dark shape emerge briefly from the water. Then… nothing. ‘Are-are you the Oracle?’ Applejack asked, trying to sound brave. Twilight thought she had done a decent job, though the cracking of her voice at the start of the question belied her confident-sounding finish. Spike was still in the air. He hissed incoherently at the pond. Oracle? Oracle, morsel asks. Many things we have been called. Once, ‘Master’, long ago. ‘Answer the question!’ Applejack retorted. SILENCE. There was no sound, no movement from the water, but Twilight reared back as if trying to catch herself before being blown over by a forceful gust. It was as if, instead of air moving to create the blast, it was instead the malice of an ancient and alien intelligence directed at the two ponies. Morsel does not make demands of us, oh no. Morsel provides supplications. In return, we grant knowledge. That is why morsels call us, ‘Oracle’. But it is a mere fraction of the secrets we possess, what we have learned over ages and ages. What have the morsels brought? ‘What have we brought?’ Twilight asked aloud. ‘Nopony said anything about having to bring an offering!’ The voice laughed, a low, guttural, cruel laugh. This time, though, the sound wasn’t in Twilight’s head. It came from within the water. Morsels didn’t bring anything? ‘Could lead to trouble for morsels’. This second whisper was spoken aloud, and the distinction startled Twilight enough that she jumped slightly. Twilight saw more rippling in the water, and heard a splash. At the edge of her hornlight loomed an ill-defined shape. ‘Maybe we should take one of the morsels for ourselves, oh yes. That would be a worthy offering.’ ‘NO!’ Twilight shouted, cringing. She took another step back. ‘If we have to bring an offering or supplication for knowledge, we can come back later.’ In response there was another laugh. ‘Morsels won’t come back. We already know this, oh yes.’ The shape shifted closer, staying just out of range of Twilight’s hornlight. ‘Once, we were masters,’ the guttural voice whispered. ‘Once, ponies all worshipped. All brought supplications. They were ours to rule, and ours to feed upon. ‘Long, long ago. But we found a way. Found way to be given supplications once again, oh yes.’ Twilight and Applejack both took another step back. Twilight staggered, feeling an awful weight in her mind, as if something were pressing down on her will, trying to suppress it. Something like a mix between a whimper and a growl escaped her throat. The pain brought tears to her eyes. ‘St-stop it, please,’ she begged, falling to the ground and trying to cover her ears and head with her front hooves. She heard a strangled cry from Applejack. Was it trying to do the same thing to her? What was it doing? Spike was still in the air. He let out an angry snarl, and flew towards the pond. Twilight heard a sickening slap. Spike came flying back out of the darkness. There was a crack as he smacked into the cavern wall. ‘Spike!’ she cried. At once, the pressure eased. The whisper echoed in her mind again. We can taste the fear, morsels. The terror. Delicious. Satisfying. We will answer two questions. Each morsel may ask one. Applejack was there, then, laying a comforting hoof on Twilight’s back. ‘Ah’ll ask about the Elements,’ she whispered to Twilight. ‘You see to Spike.’ Applejack stepped forward, taking a confident posture. Twilight raced to the edge of the cave where Spike had gone flying. He was lying on the ground, gasping for air. She picked him up in her magic and laid him on her back. He groaned and lay still. ‘Where’re the Elements of Harmony?’ Applejack asked. For a moment, there was silence. Morsels haven’t given enough to deserve answer to that question, oh no. But we will give morsels something. Enough to find their way, perhaps. The Elements have all been found. They have corrupted those who possess them. Twisted them. Each goes against the Element’s true nature. No more will we tell morsels – not unless morsels offer more. ‘That – that’ll do,’ Applejack said quickly. She backed away. Twilight’s curiosity won over her fear. She stepped closer to the pond, taking Applejack’s place. She knew she should have asked a question related to their quest. But she couldn’t help herself. The question came, unbidden. ‘What are you?’ she asked. The guttural laugh echoed through the cavern. ‘What are we?’ the voice said aloud. We are the ancient forgotten, it said in her head. We have told the morsels much of us already, oh yes. More than morsels deserve to know. ‘Oh,’ Twilight said, trying to sound casual. She took a step back. ‘Well, in that case, we’ll just be going, then –’ Oh, but we want morsels to know. To remember. To fear, oh yes. We will tell morsels. Twilight froze in mid-step, staring at the pond. They took it away from us. The Sisters of Sun and Moon. Broke our empire. Freed ponies. Left us in the dark, in the deep, forgotten places. Morsels forget. Morsels always forget, oh yes. But we remember. We have never forgotten. And when the stars are right, we will have our revenge. ‘Twilight,’ hissed Applejack, ‘let’s go!’ Twilight felt the pressure in her mind again. She cried out in agony, stumbling and collapsing. ‘We haven’t given morsels leave to go,’ the voice said aloud. Twilight could hear a pained moan in what sounded like Applejack’s voice. We haven’t finished answering the morsel’s question, oh no. And their fear leaves us wanting more, oh yes. Morsels must come. We will show them what we are. Twilight’s consciousness dissolved. She felt free. For the first time since the sun had risen late, she felt fully content. She sighed happily. She was sitting in the kitchen of Starswirl’s cottage, contentedly examining each of the Elements of Harmony. Here they all were. It had been a hard quest to find them, but she had prevailed, with Master’s help. It was all so easy when she listened to Master and did what Master said! Master had told her she would find them, and she had. Still, it was funny, she was having a hard time holding them up. They slipped through her fingers – right through them, as if they were insubstantial! Wasn’t that funny? But it was all right, Master had told her something like that could happen, and Master was always right. She giggled and put her hooves down on the table, and wasn’t that funny? Her hooves slid right through the table like it wasn’t even there, and – Twilight came to when she heard the sound of a thick, wet smack! There was a roar, a mix of pain and outrage. ‘Liar!’ Applejack was shouting. ‘Don’t think ya c’n fool me!’ Twilight’s head felt dark inside. She wondered what Applejack was talking to. Her horn had gone out, but there was a bright light. Where was it coming from? Her vision swam before her eyes. Looking up, she saw Applejack tossing an axe at a fish-like thing in the water. The creature had a bizarre, circular maw, with row after row of conical teeth, each forming a concentric circle. Its three eyes were about where its snout should have been. The axe connected with its flesh, and it reared back, roaring again. ‘Come on, Twilight,’ a bubbly voice spoke softly but urgently beside her. ‘You gotta get up, silly!’ ‘Whuzza?’ Twilight managed, as she felt a pair of hooves heave her back on her feet. She leaned against a warm, thickly furred body and shook her head, trying to clear it. There was a rushing sound in her head, like she was holding a seashell up to her ear and it was defeaningly loud. ‘Let’s go!’ Applejack shouted, running past them. Twilight was half-pulled, half-dragged by the hooves. The furry creature bore part of her weight. Her hooves slipped often on the slick, slimy stones of the cavern floor. A swirl of water rode up the floor and caught her back hoof. Twilight felt it tugging at her, threatening to drag her back towards the pool, but hooves yanked at her and pulled her away. Overcast and gloomy daylight flooded Twilight’s eyes. She stumbled, blinking furiously. ‘Don’t stop now, Twilight,’ Pinkie’s voice said cheerfully from nearby. ‘We’re not far enough away yet! But don’t you worry, Applejack and I have got you!’ Winona’s great shaggy shape went out in front, sniffing and scouting around. Applejack came in to take her place, helping prop Twilight up. ‘Spike… Spike,’ Twilight managed, a hint of agitation in her voice. ‘Easy does it,’ Applejack said. ‘Pinkie’s got ‘im.’ Twilight felt a buzzing in her mind. An inarticulate, faded voice sounded. Twilight thought it might be trying to say something. A primal fear rose in her belly, twisting her guts. ‘It – that will – it’s coming –’ ‘Dontcha worry none, Twi,’ Applejack said gently. ‘Ye’re with friends now, y’hear?’ Friends. For some reason, the word just felt… felt right. Her body calmed at Applejack’s words. Twilight sighed contentedly, then pitched over into an unconscious heap.
