My Little Pony: Side Stories, Arc 1: Those That Walk With Gods

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One: Onyx
Chapter Two: Rhyl'tran
Chapter Three: Sunshine
Chapter Four: Grex

Prologue

Across the vast plains of the Kingdom of Equestria and down the Canterlot Mountain rides Fate. Her wheels spin the threads in indifference the the wills of the creachers that live in this world of Equus. Setting this world in motion and setting those tangled in her webs on certain paths. Affecting all the that reside near and far she rides hard into the horizon. Across the vast plains her webs flow, into the towns, and into the cities. Her reach is felt even to the far reaches of this world. Equestria, Vestabule, Kitharin, Lunguay, and Bilanall. They would all felt the twisting web of fate. Some would not survive until the end of this tale. This tale of loss, togetherness, joy, lost souls, and found ones.

“Is that the best you can do?!” He screamed as the air rippled. It rippled from the energy between the two pony shapes in the sky. The magic that collided between them had exploded sending offshoots of magic flying out on all directions exploding on impact with the nearest obstacle when they hit. The two creatures floating in the air above the old castle were mirrors of each other. They had been doing this for no more than fifteen seconds and the forest below them was already a blazing inferno. “Is that really the best you can do Celestia?!” He screamed again in her direction. Celestia was really doing her best but the use of the Elements of Harmony and losing her sister was making her falter.

“Demon!” She screamed back as she put more power into her horn and the energy between them shifted slightly more in the direction of the other creature. For his part he had a sort of aura, tangle of twin horns, and red slitted eyes. Those eyes had haunted her dreams and now they stared at her. They always looked so full of hate and bitterness then. Those eyes, now that she was forced to bare their gleam, look so full of glee as they taunted her, daring her to hate them. His wings flapped hard against the new magic that the Queen had used. It was a bad opera in this tug of war. She was using more of herself; so much so that she felt like she might even die from this. But he needed more from her, more raw power. He needed her to use the Elements. He grunted hard pushing his magical reserves to their limit forcing his horn to crack and the beams between them shifted over to her side. 'That’s not everything.’ He thought to himself. Even though she was still crying over her sister, he needed more from her. “Does your sister’s banishment mean so little to you that you'd fail this badly?!” A taunting laugh following the quip. “So sad…”

She would not give in to this abomination, this thing that had taken her dear sister from her. She couldn't stop the tears from flowing, even now as she seeked this one's destruction. He had taken Luna from her and she had sent Luna on such a lonely exile herself. Maybe that is why she couldn't forgive herself. Maybe that is why she didn't care right now. His jests and stabs. If she had not been in the throes of anguish she would had seen through him in a moment. As it was, his jabs were getting to her. It was making her mad. Not since Sombra had she felt this level of anger. Luna had calmed her down then, her presence was missed now. Celestia wondered if indeed she could use the Elements so soon after they had just been so recently used. Starswirl had warned her to never use them alone. Using them alone again would no doubt kill her, but she could no longer let this thing go on. No longer could she let this evil continue to ruin lives, as it had no doubt been doing for awhile. As he had been doing with Luna. Would it take Equestria as it's own if she were to disappear?

She couldn't do that! Her little ponys needed a ruler. Somepony to set the example of harmony, somepony to keep the three tribes together. It probably wasn't her that was needed, but somepony besides this thing. Him ruling Equestria? That would not do. Everyone else was gone. Starswirl, Snowdrop, and now Luna. Another couple of explosions and now the tower of the old castle was toppling down into the inferno. She was all that was left; she would have to stop him, even if it means her death. Somepony would take over, she knew. “Demon, don't talk to me of sorrow! You wouldn't know anything about that! You don't know what it's like to lose somepony you love!” It came out harsher than she had intended it, but she thought she could see a twinge of pain on his face. No, that was just a trick of the light. It had to be!

She summoned the Elements to her. She would take the responsibility now. They rose from the castle floor, rose through, the clouds of fire to encircle her. He only smiled wider, showing those fangs off as he did. He thought he could overpower them as well did he? They added their rainbow magic to her beam widening it and strengthening it. The harmony beam ate through his magic like parchment. The rainbow of colors that slammed into him made his eyes jump open in surprise, and as the energy ripped through him, purified him, she thought that he had said something, something she couldn't believe. The energy dissipated and he was gone. She still couldn't believe he had said that. Her eyes were getting heavy, it was quiet now. Only the fire remained. She had stopped his plans, she had saved Equestria once again.

This time though, it had cost her dearly. The castle was a ruin, the beautiful forest that she had grown to love was burning to the ground, and dear Luna... She had used all of her power. Every last bit of it, even the Elements were falling to the ground. She was no longer able to hold even them in her magic. She was spent. Her wings gave a few half-hearted flaps, then she fell out of the sky, her energy totally spent. She had given everything today and didn't even have enough magic to glide to the ground. As her heavy eyes started to close, the wind from the passing air was drowned out. She would be asleep soon, and after that she would slam hard into the ground. She was okay with this. This was a good death. She would go down with a smile on her face but his words came back to her now at her end. He had said it so plainly, so simply. She still couldn't believe it. It had to be something she misheard. He had just said, “Thank you.”

Chapter One: Onyx

“W-w-was t-t-this n-n-necessary?!” I yelled this phrase over the waves, rain, and wind.
“Of course, Onyx! You'll never get anywhere with that attitude!” Rainbow yelled back. The storm had us in its grasp now, and would only chew at our little raft till it was just spinners, I was sure. Rainbow had seen the storm coming on the shore and had insisted on getting to see it firsthand. As another lightning bolt lit up the see around us, making another loud explosion if light, I could see that our makeshift sail was in tatters. What did remain uselessly flapped in the wind. We would die out here, and I said as much, “W-w-we are g-g-going t-t-to d-d-die out h-h-here!”

“Don't be such a 'fraidy cat!” Rainbow’s brite smile was ever present. It was a bad sign. When she smiled it meant she had dangerous ideas. The raft tried to buck us off again and my jaw slammed into the deck sending a spike of pain and making me yelp. “Onyx!” Her panicked yell was barely heard over the thunder that rolled over us. I felt her hoof cover me so I wouldn't slide off the raft. “Onyx! Are you okay?!” I looked into those worried brown eyes of hers and some dejection hit me.
“T-t-this w-w-was the w-w-worst idea t-t-that you've h-h-had!” I yelled at her. I honestly yelled at her. I was angry. At her for dragging us out into the storm, at myself for not talking more sense into her, and at this damn storm for coming today of all days. She opened her mouth to respond but was cut short when we saw it. The massive thing was bearing down on us and was just cresting. The massive wave started to fall down, we both screamed, and the raft started to flip. I don't remember much after that. Just us screaming, the wave claiming us, and the voice.

I need to back up. My name is Onyx Fervor, I live in the town of Dockside, and my sister is Rainbow Sunshine. She normally goes by Sunshine to avoid being confused for that famous Wonderbolt. I don't know where she even got that idea. They look nothing alike. Sunshine has a pink coat and yellow mane, with deep brown eyes. She normally wears her mane in a half circle forward with extended side bangs.She’s even an Earth Pony for Celestia's sake! How anypony could confuse her for the other one is just preposterous. Though her smile can be a sign of her more playful side. Which can lead us into a lot of trouble, but she wears it well. Oh, right. Her tail has this double twist to it.

Hm? Me? Oh, right. I'm also an Earth Pony. I have a Ivory coat, blood colored eyes, and a midnight mane. That's probably why Rainbow gave me the name 'Onyx’. She even raised me since we both ran from our homes in Manehattan… well, she didn't so much as run from home, as it… burned down with her mom, dad, and baby brother in the house. She tries to hide her pain with that smile of hers, but I know she still hurts inside. I ran from my home because my parents were… too hard on me. That was about the time that Rainbow gave me this little black choker that I wear around my neck. I matches my mane and tail, looks good on me, and covers the… I don't like to talk about it. My mane is combed over to one side of my face, and my tail is nearly straight out from my flank. Rainbow and me found each other in the backstreets of Manehattan and soon after traveled south along the coast till we found this little town called Dockside. Dockside is this small warm place that holds some of the nicest creatures I've known. There is Gravil the Minotaur and Baker. There is this nice old Pegasus named Silly South.She has a funny name. She gives us some blankets in the winter. We're both orphans, but the kindness of the villagers never makes us feel lonely. They even gave us this little empty boathouse to live in for the past three years. They said that there was an old adventurer that used to live here, but one day he just didn't come home. So we could use it until he returned. The shack has a old rickety bed that squeaks when we move, an old wood stove that we use to cook with, and a roof that leaks when it rains which was more than we had before, but beyond that the shack only has a wet dock. The fly's are bad in the summer. The boards that make up the walls are rotting, but a home is a home. We started to call each other siblings after only one year, and even I'm smiling a little more now too. Oh, I forgot to mention I'm just thirteen years old and Rainbow is sixteen. Dockside, itself is this little town that you might never see. It's population can't be over ninety, but the Sea-sandwiches can't be beat and I’ve come to call it home. They mainly fish for the local carnivores. While the carnivores trade the food for wood to make the boats that Dockside makes. They are pretty good boats. There are about eight different races that live here. Most, I've been told, live here to escape somepony, or something, but nobody talks about pasts here.

One day, out of the blue, Rainbow suggested we build a raft. This sounded like a silly thing to do, but she said we should see more of the world. I gave in and I tried to help I best I could, but Rainbow had to do most of the building, between working and feeding me that is. I'm not very good with my hooves because they tend to shake. She was always better with her hooves then me despite us both being earth ponys. The work went slow mostly because of my fumbling. Not that finding wood was hard, driftwood always seemed to wash up on the beach, and rope was relatively easy to make from the seaweed. Spinning the plant into thread always took so long. I could at least weave the rope for drying, and the sail we had to sew together from old clothes and blankets. Rainbow hooves already had some practice at boat making thanks to her job, we had to work to eat and Rainbow insisted she do all the work, despite my protests. She's been more of a mother to me than a sister in some ways. She even sings this lullaby to me when it's time to sleep. Then the day came when we were to sail. The raft had taken the better part of the year to cobble together, but it was time. Just as we were about to go out the storm made it presence known by rumbling in the distance. Rainbow got that smile on her face. The kind of smile that was dangerous. “Come on let's go out to the storm, it'll be like a test of our fighting spirit, or somesuch.” She waved her hoof at the dark clouds.
I flipped my mane out from my eye. “R-rainbow, t-that's insane. T-that w-will k-kill us.”

She just smiled wider, “Don't ya want to test our creation on the sea? In real life conditions?” She gestured to the raft sitting in the wet dock of our shack.

“Y-yes, of c-course I w-would, but n-not in a s-s-storm!” My voice was carrying a little too much.
She flipped part if her mane that fell down over her shoulder. “Tell ya what. I'll be the cap’n and you'll be the vice cap’n.” She pointed at my chest, “And neither of us will be in total control, we share duties and the like. Yeah?” Being a vice captain did sound appealing.

“N-n-no! It's t-t-too d-d-dangerous t-t-to go t-t-to sail in a st-st-st-storm.” I was right, but my stuttering was giving me away. It always did get worse when I was nervous, or excited.

“Naw, we've done a supertendis job making this ‘ere raft,” she taped the raft with her hoof as she spoke, “an’ you know what? I don't think you're scared.”W-w-what?!” My eyes shot open as wide enough to nearly pop out of my head. Not scared? What was she thinking?

“Yeah,” a sly smile, which looks different than the normal one, creeped across her face, “I think you like danger.”
W-what, “W-w-wh-wh-what?! I d-d-don’t like d-d-danger!” I reeled. This was ridiculous, I don't like danger at all. Danger was, well, dangerous. There was no way I was going to put both of us in danger by agreeing to this crazy idea. Not even if it was pretty cool that we had made this craft all by ourselves, and I could be vice-captain. That was pretty cool too, and- no. I shake the thought from my mind. “W-we c-c-can’t go out t-there in t-that s-storm.” As if to agree with me the sound of distant thunder rumbled in from the water.

She slowly trotted around me like a predator as she formed the rebuttal, and stopped behind me. “Onyx, I've known you for a while now, an’ I know you like danger…” She sniggled up beside me and hugs me in one the better hugs she has given. “And, I'll be right there beside you.”

That did sound comforting. With Rainbow there I know that she would do all she could to protect me.”F-fine…” I relented while rolling my eyes. “I’ll g-go out in t-the r-raft, b-but” I flipped my mane out from my eye and pointed at her face eliciting a small yelp, “we are n-not g-going t-that far out.” She gave a small squeal of delight and did a little dance around me. Which involved one backflip, one side flip, and a one hoof stand. That did look amazing. I once did ask her where she had learned to do those things and she just said, 'Practice’ and gave a nod. Which always confused me, but I guess she had learned to do that on her own. Anyway, as we set out from the wet dock with the homemade ores in our mouths, the storm was approaching. The sea was very forgiving at first as our pattles swept through the water. After about five minutes the deep rumbling coming from the storm seemed to signal our doom. The makeshift sail we had made was gently catching the outbound breese causing it to fill and push us out to the sea. The rope was holding the logs together, and the smile on Rainbow’s face was wider than ever. I have to admit my face was split by a stupid grin as well. This was fun so far. As the dark clouds advanced on us we shared a look of excitement, and one of worry. We both knew what we wanted, but we also knew that to take this little raft into a storm was the worst idea ever. At least I did. But… I guess we both got caught up in the rush of the moment, and paddled out further into the unknown of that sea; guided by the wind.

Damn, she was right this was an exciting adventure. What would we find out in the storm? What was Rainbow looking for? The waves got even choppier, and the wind picked up as we went out further from shore. It was fine till our sail ripped and tore from the sudden wind that slammed into us I gasped in horror, but Rainbow just laughed. Our sail was tatters, the water was so choppy, and I had to say something. “W-w-was t-t-this n-n-necessary?!” The wind and rain slammed into our equine bodies making the even the loudest of sounds barely audible. The rain hurt as it my side.

“Of course, Onyx! You'll never get anywhere with that attitude!” She had said it with such an air of relaxed calm. I hated that about her, she could remain calm even out even here. She always had this inner strength that seemed to spread to others. Our raft was making noises of protest as the rope struggled to keep us together. The creaking and groaning from the wood made me worry. The lightning bolt that lit up the night sky made things easier to see and I saw it in the dark. Barely visible on the farthest edges of my vision was a lighthouse. It had no light shining from its lofty tower, but still it was a lighthouse. I felt a pull from that dark shape, and I was about to tell Rainbow about it when it appeared. The biggest wave yet. It towered over us and our makeshift raft. The wall of water was more like a monster then the ocean itself. It barreled down on us cresting just as it reached us. Like the hoof of the ocean stamping down on us the wave slammed into us and the raft. The loud crack of the raft finally giving way to the ocean rang out as my world turned into water, darkness, and pain as my head gave a great throb. The wave had hit me so hard that I was losing my ability to stay awake. It was so quiet and serene down here that, against my better judgement, I was falling asleep. The storm that raged above was a distant sound now. The endless blue stretched on for, seemingly, forever. Also there was this red ribbon in the water, ‘how pretty’ I had thought. The red ribbon came from behind my head.Past the red ribbon the Image of Rainbow swimming to me with this look of desperate worry on her face was the last thing I saw under there as my eyes closed, but I heard a voice calling to me. ~Come…~ There was no way I was hearing her down here. Than who? Soft hooves wrapped around my limp frame and pulled up. Yet the voice persisted, ~Say awake… and come.~ My world blinked out.

And blinked back on. The storm was gone, and the sky's a deep blue welcomed me with only white clouds here and there. I was laying on my back on some rocks and my head hurt. Oh, the pain. The dull throbbing in my skull was almost too much to bear. The sound of somepony crying was just off to my side and it was the first thing outside myself to grab my attention. So I gathered my strength and slowly moved my head. The pain made itself clear. The pony was Rainbow. She was laying down beside me, head in hooves, openly sobbing. Her wails of grief rang of the ocean and bounced back. What was she crying for? “R-rain...b-bow…?” It was so hard to speak, and my mouth was so dry, but she looked up suddenly at me. Her eyes were red, puffy, and leaking, but that immediately changed when she saw my face.
“ONYX!!” She yelled, the smile wrapping itself around her mouth, and immediately hugged me wrapping me up in her hooves. “Praise the princesses! You're awake! Are you okay?! Please tell me you're okay?! I didn't know what to do! You didn't wake up! You didn't wake up!” She said as she rocked me back and forth in her embrace, hugging me tightly as she did. Her wet eyes were pressed into my ribs as she spoke and sobbed. The tears falling down on my coat. She just held me and cried for a long time. ~That was close, you almost died.~ The voice called out, much stronger now, and I saw why. The dark shape I had seen out in the storm was now towering just above me. The lighthouse rose out of the island that we were now on, and this was a rocky plateau just a few feet above the beach, but that voice. Was that my imagination?

~No, I am not your imagination.~

What? Did that voice just respond to my thoughts?

~Yes.~

This was too weird. “Onyx?!” Rainbow's voice shook me from my stupor.

“W-what?”

“Are you still... you?!” She said it with a worried voice.

“M-my… head.” It hurt.

~It's her fault.~ I ignored this.

“I know… I am so glad that you're awake. You didn't wake up for four days.” She put me down on my unsteady hooves.

~Just think, you could be back home if it wasn't for her.~

What it this voice and who did it belong too?! Wait, what?

“F-four d-d-days?” I gave a deep sigh. “W-what of t-the r-raft?”
She looked to the beach with sad eyes, and following her gaze I found the raft. Or what was left of the raft. It was just two of the logs and a broken mast with bits of cloth hanging from it. We had put so much work into it.
“If it wasn't for that raft, we wouldn't have made it here.” A sad smile dripped down Rainbow's face, “She sacrificed herself to save us.”

~She broke it, I watched her do it.~

What?! She didn't do it!

~How do you know? You were asleep.~

Rainbow wouldn't do that!

~Just ask her.~

No!

~What could happen, by just asking?~

Another sigh escaped my mouth, as I turned my head weakly to Rainbow. “D-did, you d-d-destroy it?” The surprised hurt expression on her face nearly broke my heart.
"What are you talking about it was the wave. Don't tell me, you don't remember?!” Another worried expression crosses her face. “Is that head injury affecting you that much?”

~She continues to lie to you.~

Rainbow wouldn't lie to me! Stop saying these horrible things!

~I’m only saying what is right. Is it so wrong to want to help others.~

I don't even know who you are!

“Onyx?” Rainbow’s words brought my attention back to her, and I realized that my face was all scrunched up with anger. “Are you… ok… truly?” I was surprised that I was even indulging this voice in my head.

I shook my head, witch made my head trob, and said, “I'm s-sorry R-rainbow. M-my head hurts a lot, and I g-guess it's m-making me g-grumpy.”

She smiled at that, “Good, I was worried.” With that settled she gave a small smile and waved her hoof around us, “Look where we ended up though.” With my head still kind of hurting I looked around. Around us was the small island, not much bigger than the yard outside our shack back in Dockside. On the tallest part of the island was a wethered and ramshackle lighthouse. It must have shone on my face because Rainbow said, “I know, it looks like time took a bat to this place.”

~It looks nice, doesn't it?~

Shut up!

~That isn't very nice. I was just making conversation.~

You're not real!

~Also rude. It's not nice to refute my existence.~

That is because you aren't real! What was the voice’s problem?

~I exist to me, and that is all I need to say that I exist.~

“S-s-s-shut up!” I close my eyes, trying to get the voice out from my head.

~I know that you hate me, but you really need to get a grip.~

“S-shut up!!” My hoof strikes the rock beside me.

~You need to calm down, or~

“Shut the hell up!” I swing my hoof out and hit a rock in front of me. The sound is followed by another crack wetter this time and further away. Wait, in front of me? I slowly open my eyes, and reel with what I see. Down on the beach Rainbow's eyes are wide with shock and she's turned to the side revealing the rock she hit her head on after she fell. Her ears and nose have this small trickle of red coming out of them. “R-r-r-rainbow..?” She doesn't move or blink.
I can’t move or think at first, but then I quickly gallop down to the beach and move to her side. “R-r-r-rainbow?” Again her body doesn't even twitch, not even when I shake her with my hooves. “R-rainbow? T-t-this isn't f-f-funny...” Nothing. “R-r-rainbow? S-s-stop. I'm sorry I h-h-hit you. Please move… please say something. Please!” Again nothing but the wind. “R-rainbow, y-y-you're not dea-.” I stop mid sentence, the tears already falling down my face. No, she wasn't. She couldn't be. Rainbow was tougher than this!
~Woops.~

Shut up!
~Now you've done it. You killed her.~

“I d-d-di-didn’t.”

~Yes you d-d-di-did. Your hoof swung out and hit her, and when you did she fell off the rock and… well you see what happened.~

“No..” I back up from the body of Rainbow and a small tink comes from the sand where my hoof lands. The sound came from something half-buried in the sand. It was a dark purple and about hoof sized.

~She was yours, but your mine.~
The pain that shot though my back hoof was unbelievable and I remember screaming, a lot.

Chapter Two: Rhyl'tran

I live. Here. Now. In this moment. In this light. This light. The light that gently floats down through the leafs and softly warms the ground beneath me. The thin canopy of the trees. Here is the best spot to sunbathe. The sounds of the birds eco in the distance, creating their effervescent tones that lift my spirit higher this morning and... I breathe. The sigh of relief that escapes my face creates a light fog out of itself. Letting my cares slide off of me, I raze my face to the new sun hoping to catch some more light before I hunt. The smell of fresh wet greenery fills my olfactory processes and makes me wish I could say like this forever. I am afraid to look away from the light like it might leave me forever.

Another sigh slips out of my mouth, but this time in sadness, for I have to leave my tranquil sunbathing to start the day's chores. My stomach is empty, and its gurgling signals the end of my light. I do some last minute stretches; having just awoken I am very rigid with sleep stillness. I flex my arms up and back. My shoulders click as my shoulder plating rubs against itself. Next I bend my elbows inwards and my arm plating rubs against itself. My arms are weird… well when compared to others that I've met anyway. My forearms, past my elbows, are a single piece about one and a half times longer than my upper arm. This forearm ends in a sharp spike, and has the thickest armor on my body. On the underside, at the ends of them, are little hairs that help me grip things. Also on either side of this hair are two omnidirectional fingers that let me pick up things. These normally slide into little groves until I need them. Most if the others that I've met just have a hard protuberance on the end of their front legs. I was lucky enough to have been born with arms. I hear that this is a rare trait to have. At least here in the forest. My legs need less stretching, but one after the other they are stretched out, then down and in until I am fully recovered from my slumber. I do this stretch every morning to check my body for parasites or defects within me. Lucky I have only ever found one parasite and no defects.

But enough of that, my stomach is becoming a rhythm of sound and I must feed it. If I remember correctly I spun three traps last night. One to the South, one to the North-West, and one to the East. The farthest is to the East. So, to the North-West it is. I turn my body in that direction, my innate instincts telling me when I am pointed in the right direction, and begin crawling that way, my heavy steps thundering into the dirt as I travel along; all my legs moving in unison as each of them digs a small hole in the earth. The noise is fine for now, the others have learned to avoid me, and I don’t mind so much. The trees whip past me in a blur of motion as I travel ever forward. I never thought about my size much, but considering what I encountered yesterday… well let’s just say that I am big. Not overly big, I don’t think so anyway. But one of those creatures, the one with hooves, got stuck in one of my traps. Poor thing must have been there all night, because when i found it, it was all twisted up in the web. It’s reaction to me was less than friendly. It screamed at me at first, taking me aback as it spoke some kind of language I didn’t know. Mother might have… but… she wasn’t here to translate it for me. I tried to tell it that I could speak too, but I just screamed louder. The awkward moment went on like that for some time; me trying to talk it down, it talking nonsense. Eventually, I just gave up. After all what could I do? It was like trying to talk to the trees.

Oh! Is that some fruit? Up there? My internal monolog, broken by fruit just within reach. I did like this part of the forest. The way the shadows played with the moss, truly a beautiful sight. The bugs on the nearby trees, and the different birds here…. Sometimes I’ll just climb a tree here and let the animals play while I watched. I know of some Mole Rats that lives in the tree just to my left, the Swallows that love to sing there melody, and the occasional wolf pack, but they will not come out to play while I’m ‘here’. I’d have to sneak in here to see them, just like all the other times. I pluck some of the fruit out of the tree, I’ll need it later, and move onward to the first trap. The place where I put it was something, I thought at least, clever. The trap was placed in between two trees so that the leaves were covering it just enough to dissuade the wind from knocking the leaves into it. The best part is that the spot was worn from so many others going through it. Not to mention the closeness to my sleeping spot, and the sunbathing spot, it's too good. I've caught a grand total of fifteen things here. Normally I would stop at nine or ten, but it was such a good spot that I found myself reusing it. I haven't gone hungry for some time. Ah, here we are. The trap should be just beyond this bundle of trees. I just know something is caught in it I can smell it strange odor now. And…. what?

The trees… they look all black and gnarled, the trunks are smoking, and they are glowing red in spots. That isn't even mentioning my trap. It's just gone. I circle around the spot for some time looking for clues. What I find is that there was a forest fire, but that doesn't make sense. How is the rest of the surrounding foliage untouched by the flames? What phanamina is this? I shake my head in confusion. I say to myself. But then I turn around and walk away, this mystery will have to wait until my stomach stops complaining about it's lack of fill. Resolving myself to swing to the South and through some of the wetter parts of the forest. It wasn't a swamp per-say but I found that the waters around that area particularly troublesome. The only reason that I put anything there was in the minor hope of catching something water based. I once caught a bird with one still in its beak, and let me just say: I loved it. Finding the spot was the hard part. I had to trudge through some of the muddiest parts if the forest just to get to something that was deep enough. Damn those birds for hoarding all the tasties to themselves. My anger abandoned me as I stepped into the mud making wet sloppy sounds as I did. The new sounds marking the new environment as a different, dangerous place that even I had to be careful in. Those big mouthed, big toothed, green scaled monstrosities that lurk just below the surface scare me. I saw one take one of the others down when I set the trap up yesterday, but I want the water food… so here I am.

Sneaking through the water so as not to disturb it. The slow movement is agonizing to my hunger, but I know I can go a long while without. Not that I want to; it's quite painful. Also I don't know just how long I can go without, I've never tested it. Not that I'd want to. On top of that the water makes me cold, and I'll have to sunbathe again, not that I mind. Ah, finally the spot where I left it. ...and the black maring is here too! On top of that my trap is just gone. The branches have the same black naraling and glowing redness too. Just how does something start burning over water!? This is really confusing. I take a moment to do a quick search of the area, and the biggest thing I notice is the lack of any animals around my trap. Hm, well there is nothing for it, I just go to last place I have a trap and hope this hasn't happened there too. I slowly climb back out of the water, just in case, and start back to the last trap. On the way I can't help but feel disturbed by all this. The burning doesn't seem natural, and now that it happened to two of my traps disturbs me further. The ground one I dismissed a stray spark from another denison of the forest, but the water one can't be explained away like that. I make a note to keep eyes out for other similar looking sites with glowing red spots. As I near the trap I have this unusual feeling of being watched. Not that I haven't felt this before but something was watching me, I am sure of it. Normally, if this was a predator, they would have attacked me by now.

Either it was a predator I have not had a brush with, or something foreign to me was watching me, and if so: why? Why watch? My eyes began to scan for the hostile one, and less on glowing sites. My legs, despite my best efforts, slowed down to make less noise. What was this… thing doing watching me? It is creepy. Visions cloud my peripherals and figures swim there. Visions of falling water, rising fire, green mists, uncountable rage, and a lost soul in time come at me unabated with more assaulting my mind making it hurt.. They showed me spilled blood, uncontrollable hunger, lost children, an old promise, and the desire to die. What are these scenes; what do they mean? I’m still holding my head after a few minutes. I didn’t even notice I had stopped walking. I shake the fog from my mind and hurry back before I’m too late, but I can smell the burning before I see it. The one tree I had hung my trap from was still burning. Not a roaring fire, but a fire that was just going out. The flames flickering and struggling to stay within the land of the living. , was all that I could say. This made me shiver from my head to my spinners. I was being targeted by some hateful force. What would they burn next? My mind reeled and my eyes went wide with the realization. I had to get back. Fast. My legs headed there automatically and I added my arms for faster movement. Damn my empty sumic and damn my body temperature, I had to get,

My home! My six legs pound into the underground churning up dirt and plants as my two hearts pound in rhythm to the trees that daire get in my way. Trees spinnered by my arms fling them to the dirt with great thumps. I carve my way through the forest my mandibles already pulling out from my fanged mouth, dripping with venom that marks my path of destruction. The six eyes on my face turn white as I charge, taking in everything in my path to home. I had to! Mother was there! Mother must not be harmed! My mind fills with adrenaline, reverting my thoughts to base forms, and I let out a monseris below from my throat. They will not harm home, The smoke from the fire permeates the air even at this distance. It chokes my lungs, and clouds the air. Another shot of adrenaline, another push of speed, and my eyes go blood red. No! Mother must be saved! My home was dieing. The red flames could be seen from here, licking at the edge of my home. Another tree fell to me as I entered the clearing where my home rested high off the ground, supported by two trees. Once the bloated corps of my mother serving as my home. Her body once petrified could be hollowed out to serve as food and shelter for her yung: me. Now she was a mass of flames.

The anguished below that rang from my throat echoed off the distant mountain. Salt water flowing from my eyes in small rivers. No! No! Nononono! My head could not look away from the crumbling body that once was mother. That's when they made themselves known, “Well well well. Looky 'er boys.” My head made a audible snap as I looked at them. There is just five of them. They had the same body type. All of them had rubbery skin, two rows of sharp teeth, a fin like protrusion on their backs, and two eyes. They each has slightly different shades of blue for the skin and different placement of their gills. They were also about half my height. Any details after that got lost in the jumble of thoughts. Seeing that one if them was holding something that spat fire from some kind of pipe. They burned mama, and they burned my traps. “Thought that this huntin’ trip was wasted when we found the dead on’.” The big one mouthed something.. He would die first. I let a low rumble emanate from my mouth. “Now, now hold on girl, we don't wan’ t’hurt you now.” His mouth noises didn't translate in my brain, and were filtered out.

I charge and put my pointy bits within stabbing range, but as I swung my arm at him he fatty rolled out if the way. As my second arm swung out he yelled something, “Get her to the net!” My arm caught him mid-boddy, sending him flying into a nearby tree, snapping it in two, and he fell to the ground in a heap the tree fell with him, landing next to him with a soft thud. The others started to flee. I lined my upper body up with my thorax and charged at them, mandibles out and ready, and roaring as i did. They would pay for their sin. My anger would be justified, and justice would I find for mama. Her burning grave would find no respite in my pure white anger. I caught up with them in seconds, my eight legs outrunning their two. The one with the flame spat a gout of flame at me, I was hot and I had to close my eyes and through my arms up to shield my face. In my blind charge I think I felt my sharp legs draw blood from one of them. My suspicion was confirmed a moment later when he screamed out in pain. Checking what I had trampled over I saw one of them, he was not the fire spitter. Where did they go? I can hear the three of them running to behind and to the left of me. I spun my body around and vaulted in their direction, smashing through two more trees as I did. Their surprised yell was only matched by my own as a metallic mesh surrounded me and as the trees fell it wrapped the metal net around me and flung me to the ground. I pulled and tugged at the net, the soft groaning it did was drowned out by my roars of unclaimed, it never giving into me. One of the survivors through a powder at my face. The powder was smelly and as the world grew dark I heard a voice

-Finally, I have a body again.-

, I said weakly.

-Another one? Curious…-

“This one is dangerous, The Matarabi Family bett’a pay us big for this’n..” More sounds from outside my head.

-We’ll 'talk’ later.- And the world slipped away...

Chapter Three: Sunshine

“Sleep, my little baby
under the bright moon
the winds are-a calling your name

the rain sprinkles down
from the oceans, not a sound
may the gods watch over where you lay

my precious sweet child
so small yet so strong
I wish a long life unto you

may you prosper
may you live long
may you bring honor to us all

In this time of darkness
we can always find the light
just always remember...

I'll always be there for you
no matter where you are because...
you'll always...be in...my heart.”

A small smile spread steadily up my face covering up my softly dying out voice as the lullaby ended and Onyx mumbled sweetly in his sleep beside me. His little huffs that he made while exhaling into the makeshift bed I made for him near the rear corner of the tiny little shack that we call our home made my smile brauden. To call this hovel rustic was an understatement. It was a piece of junk made out of other pieces of junk that somepony threw together in the remote shape of a shack. After making sure that Onyx was truly asleep, he sometimes pretend for my sake, I walked outside, closing the rusted door as quietly as I could, and met my sister outside. As she sat there in the dirt of the road her long yellow mane and bushy tail gently lifted in the cool night breeze. They contrasted sharply with her pink coat, but that had a nice way of making her stand out from the crowd, and I could always find her when I need to. “Hi, Rainbow,” she said in her usual soft, yet comforting voice. She slowly turned her head to me, her wings doing a little flap as she did and showing those soft yet strong eyes of red. Sometimes I just looked into those eyes of fire, getting lost in the way they seemed to dance.

“Hi… Luminous,” I said sitting down beside her, “ Enjoying Luna’s night?” My own smile meeting hers.

She nodded in that slow way that made her hair flow like water, “As I always did. The stars were always so beautiful to me.” Her head craned upwards as her eyes, so full of wonder, scanned the celestial realm above us.

“You havin’ those wings always help with that. Did I ever tell you that I am jealous of them?” It was a silly question, I knew, but one I had always wanted to ask.

She did chuckle at that, her hoof coming up to cover her mouth as she did, “Rainbow… that's sweet. And no you never did,” her eyes flicked back to the shack as she spoke, “that got in the way.”

It was my turn to chuckle, “Luminous… that will never get between-” My voice stops in my throat as I look back at the shack and find that the entire thing is on fire! What?! What happened to Onyx? Why didn't I notice? Why didn't I hear it start?! For a moment I can only watch. “Onyx!” I scream, my panic finally finding my voice. I run to the door only to find it blocked. The wood covering the door is too heavy. I try to move the debris away from the door but my small foalish arms can't move it. I'm too small, damnit! Why can't I be stronger? “Mom! Dad! Are you ok!?” Nothing but the sound of the flames, and the cracking of the wood. I try to look through the debris and I think I can see something beyond.

“Don't look Rainbow!” Luminous calls from behind me, her voice now not soft at all. “Don't look inside… ” I turn around to argue with her and I find myself facing a pony made out of fire! And all of ‘them’ are behind it.

My eyes snap open. The warm sun greeting me, drying the fresh tears off my face. My throbbing head rousing me further, soothing the nightmare away. I wipe the shame away from my eyes with my foreleg. That's the old me. I have no need for those thoughts anymore. That's in the past. I turn my head around despite the pain. The old shambling lighthouse sits like some sort of grave marker to the island that surrounds it. The warm sand that the the beach is littered with gently caresses my back, and a voice greets me. “Oh, by the stars, are you finally awake?” The deep calmness of the voice made me think of a really big pony, but when I look at the source of the voice, the wall that now stood over me was a very large horse, I want to say? It has two fangs, dubbed irises, slits for pupils, and was huge! Did I mention it was big? All I could muster was a confused, “Umm…”

“Be still and keep your movements slow, you appear to have taken quite a nock to the head,” it said.

“...what?” I needed a moment to process this. What's the last thing I remember? Onyx had just woken up and he was acting weird. I was trying to talk to him and… He hit me? He hit me! Why that no good little brat! How dare he! When I find him I'm going to give him such a talking to!

The vampire horse chose this moment to speak up, “Mayhaps, was there someone else here with you?”
Someone? This thing spoke weird too.

“Umm,” I needed to stand up. For two reasons. One: I need to feel the ground beneath my hooves; it's an Earth pony thing, and two: I needed to see what I was talking to; he looked strange from down here. As I was struggling to my hooves his, and I do mean his, features became more clear over the dull ache in my vision. His eyes had a blue outer Iris and a green inner one, with the slit I mentioned earlier. He stood a good twelve hands above me, and dominated my vision. The sky orange fluffy fur fell down his muscled neck into a ring about his shoulders. Then it changed into a deep earthy brown that covered his well toned body ending just above the black hooves. He had two shiny, upper fangs that came down to just above his upper jaw. On his prideful back he had two wings. He had wings! Well that explains how he got here... Lastly his overly fluffy tail had this cute little puff on the end of it.

As I sat there admiring this very attractive dream in front of me, he just stood there and waited, and quite patiently too. After a minute of me just sitting there he spoke up gently, “I realize my appearance is not something you see often, however I must implore you to say something of your condition.”

“Oh! Um….” I half mumbled out from my stupor, “Ye-yes I'm better…. now?” This was really strange of me. I didn't normally act this way, and to be frank: It was weirding me out. I blinked the weird look out from my eyes and tried to not look between his legs. “Look I know what this may look like, but I was here with Onyx and-” I stop in a small panic. Where was Onyx? I did a small sweep of the island and found only rock and sand. I sdeadied my head for the pain and bellowed out. “Onyx?” The pain ripped from my jaw to my left ear and I made me double over.

The hunk spoke up, “Excuse me, but to what creature are you referring to? If you would be so kind as to describe them I could search the island and find them for you, as you seem to still be in a great deal of pain.”

“Jeez 'ou talk a-lot.” the sound coming through gritted teeth.

“Yes, and I do apologise for any inconveniences in my mannerisms, but I find it most convenient to convey the whole breath of the message, to have it be delivered to the other party in response to any confusion that may arise from the conveyance of my messages, that the other party may feel on account of any shorting of my messages to their aural receptors.”

“Oh, 'hut up alwhedy!”

“Might I also convey that your disguise is on the verge of fading entirely?”

My eyes pop wide as I examine myself and find that yes, indeed I was shedding it. This wasn't good. Not good at all. Had Onyx seen me this way? What if he had? What do I say to him? How do I explain this? Oh no… Ohhh nooo. This was bad. Even as my head gave me a reminder that I was still hurt, this was worse. I had to cover myself again, and fast. A familiar feeling flows through me and a glow surrounds me like a blanket, my pink coat returns along with my short yellow mane and tail. It suits me better anyways. ...Wait didn't that Sylvy thing see me change? “Um… Sylvy?” I ask as sweetly as I can muster.

“Sylvertongue, if you don't mind.”

“Can you not talk about this?” I point to myself.

“I am not one to divulge someone's secrets. It is none of my business, and I have no reason to judge the actions of others.”

I nod, giveing my head a chance to throb, “Good. Now then, please help me find Onyx. Yes?”

He sighs, “As you desire, but as I have already explained: You are the only one I found here.”

I ignore him, after all Onyx can't fly can he? “I'll just take a quick peek, ok?” I clamber up the rock face and circle around the island. No Onyx here. Maybe inside? My hooves gently breach the weak wooden door and send splinters flying into the room. Weak door. “Onyx?” I say into a nearly empty room. “I'm not angry about the hitting. It's okay, okay?” I'm standing in an Onyx-les room and the way up is gone. But something is hanging from the ceiling. I squint my eyes to see through the gloom and then reel back in shock. Is that? “Onyx!?” Did he think he had killed me. The glow from before lights up the room only to find it's not Onyx. Just some cowered that took his own life. I wipe my brow and the glow recedes.

The silvered one steps in behind me, ducking in through the doorway as he does. “I haven't found anyone outside, nor around in the waters. Have you perchance found this ‘Onyx’ in here?”

I turn around and start to leave, “Nope not here.” He doesn't move from the doorway, effectively blocking me in. Looking up at his face he found the body swinging from the rafters.

He gives me a hard stare that seems to see right through me. “Should we, as good creatures, not give that poor stallion a proper resting place and not leave him to swing?” Sylvet said it such sincerity and said it so nicely too. I can't even remember when I was like that…

Welp, never mind that thought. “He’s fine where he is. After all he put himself up there, he should be able to get himself down, right? We should just leave him up there so you can take me back to the mainland, yeah?” Another sweet smile.

Another, harder, glare, “I feel I must be rude and disagree with you about the rights of the dead. He may have put himself up there, however! I feel that he would not like to hang up there forever. I must ask for your forgiveness on another matter: I can not take you back to the mainland until I have property laid him to rest.”

It's looks like my benefactor has a soft heart. “Fine..” I say while rolling my eyes, “I'll wait outside while you get him down.” I trot my way out the door, and thankfully Sylvester let's me by this time, but I did notice him looking at me with those big puppy dog eyes. Outside I make my way down to the beach to where the boat once laid. Finding only small parts there. The only part I recognize is small bit of rope that is here, I must have spent weeks spinning it together. It is the only proof that anything had been here.

It was a joke that I found so little. When we crashed on the beach I dragged the wreak up on shore. Back then parts fell off in my hooves. No way that Onyx or anypony could sail it back, yet there is no Onyx here and no boat either. Sylvy said he had found nothing out there in the waves. Had Onyx found a way to sail that bedraggled craft back? Or was it far worse: Had Onyx tried and failed? I shutter a the thought of him out in the waves, calling for help, and nopony coming to save him.

A bright flash from within the lighthouse draws me away from by bad thoughts and back to old tower. Sylver squeezes out from the doorway and, after a quick search, spots me, “I am, for the most part, done here. You said something about needing a lift back to the mainland, yes?” Those disappointed eyes don't leave me the whole time. Is he angry with me? Too bad, I won't excuse myself to him or anypony. He'll let it go eventually.

“Um, yes I did,” I say, trying my best to sound sweet. I briefly wonder if he is fooled, “Can you take me to a place called Dockside?” He shouldn't know of it, nopony does.

“Yes, I know that place well.” My smile practically falls of my face. “Please don't tell me that you live there?” He asks as he climbs down to the beach. “Only the forgotten live there. I would hate to see someone like you there.”

“It's not so bad,” I belong there, “the folks there like me,” Onyx doesn't, “and they treat my with so many gifts.” I follow this up with a marrish laugh.

He does a quick nod at that and leans his back down to allow me to jump on, even extending his wing to make a gangplank. How thoughtful! I suppress an urge to blush. No! Bad Sunshine! I, as dantilly as I can, climb onto his back with a little huff. Even through the fur on his back, I can feel the power of his wings, and the smell of of dust fills my muzzle. That's weird. Why does he smell of old dust? I'll ask him later.

As he stands up and preps his wings for the flight he asks me,”Would you mind relaying to me the series of events that led you and your little friend to wind up at such a forgotten place?”

“Well I can certainly try to tell the story, but I have to look for Onyx, he may be heading back on a raft.” I say.

“I can look for a small raft. My eyes are most excellent, besides it's going to take some time to get back and I would hate to spend that time in total silence.”

I roll my eyes, “Ugh, fine. But you better look hard. Really hard. Got it?” I jab him in the back a few times for good measure.

He gives a small chuckle, “Has anyone told you that you are cute when you spout orders?” Aw, he called me cute. “Now hold on, this might get rough.” He flaps his wings hard once. Making a hard liftoff, and a blast of sand around us, we fly. Luminous would love it.

Chapter Four: Grex

Breathing, sleeping, and Eating. Are they not the cornerstone of life? Can we not all agree that this is bullshit? Even I can see it's faults and problems. Even if you take it all, if you don't look for more in your life you will fall. Mother taught me that with her constant failure. Even she didn't win next to the ponies way of life. So many others didn't fare so well under her rule… When I still served her the colony had become unsustainable in its current population and she had to completely consume entire civilizations in her quest for power. I…. left. Left her, left my brothers, and left it all behind like some bad dream. Just as well; I hear that she was banished after she was defeated and she no longer has any hold over them. Afterwords my brothers took on a new life, and I remain the same as I am. Never changing; Always static. Always here, with my loss.

These thoughts invade my mind from time to time. Mostly they invade my head before a job. Like today. Today I'm to enter the Canterlot Castle and gain entry into the throne room. Getting entrance into the city is a minor task. All I need do is walk through the entrance. That is some bad security, but this city is clean. Too clean someone would have a hard time hiding here, so I need to be not so clean. The attention I will gather from the ponies will spotlight my presence but it will distract from my true purpose. ‘It’s darkest under the lighthouse’ or so they say.

The lower quarter of the city with its shops and municipal workers is far cleaner then my old home. The ponies here are mostly a mix of Earth and Pegasi, liveing in white stone houses. They go about their business without noticing me and I feel a pang of jealousy at how they live but that passes quickly as a Pegasus with a paw print made up of many colors makes eye contact with me. Her green eyes stare deep into mine and I feel weird. Something about her makes me feel uneasy but she just smiles and gives me a wink as she trots away down an alley. I don't know how to describe her she is a mystery to me. I feel drawn to her by some inexplicable force. So much so, that I give chase, but when I get to the alley she is gone. What a strange pony. But enough of that nonsense, I head to the upper quarter where many of the nobility live with their undeserving lives. The white stone changes to marble here. The sight of It makes me sick and I have to resist yelling at them at how useless their lives are. Especially that one with her overly complicated dress. She orders others away with the most stuck up voice I've ever heard. Then she spots me. “You there, how dare you walk the streets in that drab. Do you have so little self respect that you have to insult the very ground you walk on?”

This unicorn… she has guts, but… oh where do I start? We'll, her three toned mane, with light green as its main color with a highlights of heavier green and one strip of pink. Her black eyes bore the into mine and her white coat made them seem even more dark. But what struck me most, and was preventing me from seeing her cutiemark, is what she was wearing. It has fifteen frills on the backside ecenchuating the gold and silver lace depicting the rise of Equestria with a background of violet. The midriff held two green bows on each side. Her hat, if that is what you want to call it, was also purple and held ten long feathers that arced back to cover some the rear of the dress.

“Well, do you have nothing to say to me swine?” She looked down her nose at me as she spoke and her exquisite dress contrasted sharply with my apprentice. What could I say? All of it was too much. “I see.” Her eyes sprang open and venom dripped from her every word, “You truly are just a base mud pony; Swine need only to to concern themselves with the mud. Is that not correct swine? Mud should concern themselves with mud. Now leave me and go back to your mud pit with the other swine pigs.”

She truly hates me. Though I don't know why. I just respond the only way I can, “Now, missy. That ain't the way somepony of your obvious beauty talks at all. Ain't it?” I added in a whistle at the end to shake it up.

She spoke again. “And what is with that guttural accent of yours? Did some haff cow/pig have you?” Wow even I'm insulted.

I try a new tact, “I'm jus’ a simple adventurer on his way to see the Princesses.” Again I employ the whistle, but she rears back at the world 'princesses’.

“Princesses, 'princesses’ you say?!” Oh yeah, that caught her off guard. “What kind of mud-pig like yourself can see the royal sisters?!” She takes an angry step towards me. “How dare you?! Just who do you think you are?!” She puts her face so close to mine that she nearly stabs me with it. “Tell me!”

This unicorn is ready to either cast some spell on me or call the guards, both are bad options for me. I have to calm her, “I'm jus’ your average adventurer,” I bow to her dipping my hat as I do, “Cartwright Bilgsworth at your service.” When I looked back up, her face was frozen in abject horror, then began to screw itself into confusion as she inspected me further.

Having done her inspection of me she spoke again with less venom, “I-I am terribly sorry. I-I did not realize somepony of your breeding was in Canterlot.” She said backing up as she did, “Please forgive my crass words and harsh tone in this matter. Now, please excuse me I have some less pleasant business to attend to.” After that she quickly walked away.

As she hurriedly cantors off and I can't help but think what a strange encounter that was, never the less I make a mental mark in the win column. Is she representative off all unicorns or is she the exception? I make a mental note to find out later as I make my way up to the royal district. This is where the sisters live in their castle of elegance. With its tall spires of gold and topiaries in their garden. The front is just like the rest. Even the steps up to the main entrance of the castle are way too clean, the whole city is.

The white marble shines in the morning sun. It's as if they are expecting some kind of inspection crew to come through and… I don't know, inspect things. There are forty-seven of little shiny things that I have to climb slowly with my nobby, old, and frail legs right up to the entrance. The wooden giant doorway was, no doubt, made when the world was a more violent place. Now it serves no great purpose other than to look way too opulent. The guards that stand on either side with their golden armor are proof of that. Their expensive armor clinks as one of them greets me, “Cartwright, the princess awaits you in the throne room.”

Of course she is. She always knows when I arrive somewhere… somehow. Mother always made you wait. I lift my wrinkled and withering leg up to my old straw hat. The dust on it covers up its original color, but it does an okay job covering my puke green main which I couldn't be bothered to comb and it, in turn, does an okay job covering the wrinkles on my forehead. They rest just above my old faded blue eyes. The light yellow fur of my coat was only losing patches in some places on my body. My old wrinkled mouth that had, so long ago, lost most of its teeth… spoke, “Yes’m sir. I thank ya kindly sir.” The old rusty voice I spoke with didn't faze the guards at all. “Ya wouldn't have the knowing of whare yung Luna be, would ya?”

The guard shook his head, making more noise as the door opened for me with a low rumble. I could only inwardly scauf at the way they had, like the door, remained rigid in their beliefs regarding defense. Something could just trot in wearing a disguise. What need was there for this kind of crap to exist? I it takes all my self control to not yell at these pretenders and I only trot in. The main entrance had all the trappings of a pallice that a queen would live in, like the satin and silk window coverings that can be easily set aflame by an intruder. The lilac flowers that are placed at every colom did little to ebb my uncertainty in this museum. What had the princess called me here for? To see how well she lives? As if I care. As I pass under the grand chandler with all its weight that hung over my head, I could only guess what I would say to her. Someone that old, what can anyone say? What had happened for her not to send me to a dead drop? Even the emergency one. The guards to the left and right regard me with disinterest as I hobble on.

The stairs to the second floor forced me to wobble my knees on every step. After my long trek up the twenty-seven steps I reached the top, though the red carpet on them felt nice. Twenty more stairs to climb and another, smaller, double door. No guards here but the door is magically enchanted. I can smell it. When it opens at my approach there is no sound and that makes for a bad door. Very interesting. Almost as intriguing as the long hallway that now presented itself to me. As I walked down the red carpet that covered the center of the hallway the stained windows every few feet shone brightly. The whole affair reminded me of something. The high ceiling has this effect, making the windows stand tall and in their opulence impressed their waist of money onto me. How many had to go hungry to make these? How many more would die to their destruction?

As I passed each of them they told me the story of Equestria. Starting at the founding of the kingdom, showing Discord's defeat, and displaying Nightmare Moon’s banishment. Then the focus shifts from the two sisters to a new group of six with a purple unicorn as it's center. The re-defeat of Discord, the Changeling defeat, the birth of a new Alicorn, and it keeps going until… this last one. This last one… this one is not happy. I don't know what happened; the window isn't very clear about it.

“Cartwright Bilgsworth,” a guard bellows behind me as I nearly jump out from my body from the shock.

Turning around slowly, “Yes’m, that's me sonny.”

Without changing tone he continues, “The princesses have been waiting for you.”

I suppose that they have, and I have spent too long in this hallway of easily breakable windows. I only nod and hobble to the final door. You need not be me to tell that this door was magic, it gave off a powerful odor even a hatchling could detect. As the doors open, a thought worms into my head: Just how big is this room I'm stepping into? The vaulted ceiling rises overhead; so high that it makes me stagger on the way in. The three thrones on the raised dais gather my attention, because the one in the center is occupied. Occupied by the, rather large, white alicorn. Her rainbow flowing mane and tail wave in some invisible wind that only affect her, somehow. It looks the same now as it did back then. She has an air of calm, kind, and overpowering presence. The golden crown, horseshoes, and bridle marked her as a princess. I knew her as a queen, even though she had insisted that she was in no way a queen. Her lavinder eyes look at me on my in with the deepness of one who had lived a hundred lives, and yet I felt a certain sadness in them. Cartwright had to be taken aback, so then I too was taken aback.

“My, my what a beautiful palace you have here, hmm? Princess Celestia.” My jailer and my liberator. “I see that its beauty is only outmatched by the owner of the castle.” I say, bowing as I do.

She cocks her head to the side and a sad smile paints her face. “That is indeed a good impression if him,” she says chuckling as she does, “but you did miss his whistle. Cartwright always whistled when he spoke.” She closes her eyes. “Now please, take off that disguise, it hurts to look upon his vistage after what happened, Grex.”

Damn. Damn, damn, dammit! Anger plays across my face as I spit. But I do as I was told and dig within for the magic for the strength of my species. A sickly emerald light swirls around my hooves then rising up my four legs revealing the black chiten that is my skin and the holes that pockmark my legs. As the light passes over my midriff the black chiten gleams in the sun. The cutiemark disappears from my rump and my tail changes to light webbing sticking almost straight out. Insect-like wings also full of holes, yet able to let me fly, reforms on either side of my back. My mane disappears completely, sadly I am bald, but the black chitin is all I need. My eyes turn a solid sky blue and a little horn juts out from my forehead. My teeth turn sharp, including two fangs. I… am a Changeling. Finally the straw hat transforms into a helmet and chest piece.

As the green light fades the armor’s true colors come out and I stand proudly in it. The pearl white of the helmet and chest piece shine radiantly in the sun coming through the window. The colors play across the armor and the two markings on the shoulder pieces are clearly visible for all to see. A sun on the right shoulder matching Celestia's cutiemark, and a moon on left shoulder matching Luna’s. “I am at your service, Queen Celestia,” I bow on one front leg, “what would you ask of me?”

She sighs, “Grex, while I do appreciate that you have taken to your station so quickly. It is not necessary that you address me with any name other than Celestia. Especially 'Queen'. I abandoned that title a long time ago and Equestria is a lot better for it.” Her eyes run over my armor. “I do see that you have kept the armor we gave you”

A small smile slid slyly access my face, unable and unwilling to hide behind my hard outer shell. “Of course I did. I owe you a great deal and only wish to repay my debts.”

“Now, please stand, We have a very important mission for you.”

“Indeed we do.” A familiar voice ecos behind me as the princess of the night trots in to the throne room from behind me. Her familiar dark blue coat and star filled mane combed to perfection, even if the sleep in her eyes gives her away. Taking her place beside her sister I give a quick bow as Luna continues, “The important matter,” she yawns, “Pardon me. A possible attack on our borders has occurred.”

My eyes widen as the fear hits me. It could be her. I probe for the possibility, “Do we know the identity of the agresser?” I must know.

Celestia responds, “That is what we want you to investigate.” Oh “Luna and myself have been doing some searching in our realms, she in hers and me in mine.” Celestia shakes her head. “All we can see is an old religious symbol belonging to a tribe of forest dwellers, but we have already sent somepony to talk to them.” Good, it doesn't sound like her.

I impecuniously speak up, “Where did they attack?”

Luna speaks up now, “It’s a small hamlet on the coast a little south of Phillydalpha called Dockside. Can we trust you with this investigation?”

Dockside? I've never heard of it, but I can always find out. The specifics don't matter only the mission.
Point one: Find Dockside
Point two: Find out who attacked it.
Point three: Report back with information.
That is all that matters, nothing more. “Do I report back in the same manner as before?” I question.

“Not this time, we are scrambling to set up an information network,” Celestia replies with all the practice of a queen, “So my phoenix will be following you in the air. Call for her when you can and she will find you.”

I nod, “Am I to take the train, or do I need to secure my own transportation?”

Luna again, “We have one train ready as soon as you get to it, but you must hurry.”

Point five: Hurry

“We are also recalling all Wonderbolts home and, as soon as they return home, they will be searching the sky for any unusual activity. If you happen to get stopped by one show them this.” Celestia uses her magic to float a parchment to me and I take it with my own magic, with a nod of course. This sacred duty is mine… but I can't help but feel a lingering sense of doubt. A small seed of uncertainty that nags at my insides and refuses to relent its hold upon me.

“Pardon my frankness your magisties, but…” This is a difficult thing for me to ask, almost embarrassingly so.

“You know you can always be frank with us Grex. You need not speak in such formal tones.” Luna, with a nod of agreement, sat beside her sister.

“I can only stand in your service, that is my duty, but… I have my doubts as to whether I am the most qualified to be sent out on this mission.”

Only a chuckle came from them, not a laugh like I had thought. It was as beautiful as they themselves are, and I felt the carapace of my face turn purple, “Grex, you need not worry so. You are the best we have for information gathering.” She pauses in thought, “You have value.”