Files of a Wizard - Nite Life

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

Chapter One

The sun had finally shown itself as it rose in the Eastern horizon of the valley as Miss Sign of Dodge Junction, entered the limits of the small town called Ponyville. For her, this is the first time she has been to the little town, but once you’ve been to one of them, especially growing up in one, you've been to all of them. Every Pony in any small town knows each other, what they do, what their interests are, what their ticks are and the like. However, Ponyville is definitely bigger than Dodge since it has, more than likely - from what Sign could see atop the hill she stood upon - five main roads leading into and out of the town proper.

Sign, though, is just your average Earth Pony, or that’s at least what she keeps telling herself - and every pony she meets - since she lost her wings in a terrible fight with a powerful enemy. She tries to hide the stumps of her lost wings under a short, brown colored trench coat that covered her entire stomach, back, both flanks and rump. The only color of her light gray coat that was allowed to be shown was her hooves, neck and head. Her turquoise eyes held a whimsical laughter that only she would understand as she moved slowly down the hill so as not to empty her saddlebag in the descent, which was the color of her eyes and the clasp on either side was an arrow. Her amber mane was cut short, like that of a Stallion’s, which was covered by a ball cap of white and a blue stripe that became wider as it go closer to the back of the cap, while the bill was the color of the stripe. While her short tail poked out from under the coat. Both tail and mane naturally curled to her right, but her mane almost covered her right eye, but she didn't mind it.

From what she has seen so far was a dirt road that run up and down a couple of hills, some trees and a few farms. That’s nothing new since every town and city needed farms to survive on their own. On her way in, she has seen a Celery farm run by a stallion called Stalk. After that, she passed a Carrot farm which set itself on top of a hill, which was owned by a Golden Harvest. The last farm she passed by, watching three little fillies playing outside of a big red barn, was an Apple Orchard, called Sweet Apple Acres, and that was owned to a brother and sister: Big Macintosh and Applejack. Or that’s what the files she had read about most of the ponies told her before she had to burn them.

Moving into the town proper, Sign pulled her wagon along that held four old trunks: two on the floor while the other two were stacked on top. The trunks were cast with iron over a harden oak. The wagon itself was brand new, it probably would have carried another two trunks since the walls were so high, but Sign thought it would be easier to travel with just the four. She could probably send word for someone to bring down the other two once she has set up shop.

She maneuvered through the morning crowds of ponies, passing by stalls and storefronts. She stopped at the corner that lead to circular road that wrapped around what she presumed to be the town hall. She moved around to opposite side of a couple of bridges and hit another street leading up past an old Oak tree that had a sign out front that called it the Library.

Sign stopped for a second to look up at it, and for some reason, she felt a pang of sadness from inside the old tree. She lowered her eyes for a second and started moving down the road again, only stopping one more time to ask for directions.

A few minutes later, she saw an old cyan colored building with the door and windows covered by wooden planks. Sign stopped a few feet from the closest window and she started hearing her knees knock and teeth chatter in a rapid shudder. That’s one of the things about being a Wizard she hated: the ability to sense ghosts. Thankfully, however, it only lasted for a second before she stopped.

She steeled herself and moved to the door, uncoupling the wagon and her saddlebags as a Stallion, who wore a green plaid suit over his light brown coat, cantered up to her, with a small pink filly trailing behind him.

“Welcome to Ponyville, Miss Sign,” he bowed his head. The filly on the other hand just stared up at Sign with boredom in her Azure, but angry, eyes. “My name is Filthy Rich and this is my daughter, Diamond Tiara. I have received word that you wish to purchase this old property, that should have been demolished a year ago.” He breathed the last part under his breath as he looked menacingly, with a hint of horror, at the building.

“That is correct, Mr. Rich. I believe my employers have already paid you for the building and you are here to deliver the lease?” Sign asked as she pushed the bill out of her eyes.

“Yes I am, but it seems like a waste of money for your employers to purchase this old building for three times the cost.” He said handing over a newly printed lease and other documents of ownership. She placed them into her saddlebags.

“That’s because I need this building renovated to fit my needs. All I ask of you is to bring the necessary horsepower and the supplies I ask for on this list here.” She told the Earth pony as she pulled out an envelope from her right bag, handing it to him.

“Of course, Miss. I shall get right on it. Come along, Diamond Tiara.” He ordered while ignoring the groan from the little filly as she fixed her small tiara since it fell in front of her face.

She watched as the two ponies moved out of sight as they made their way down the street. She looked down both sides and saw no one approaching. Once Sign knew she was alone, she closed her eyes and placed a hoof on one of the planks that covered the door.

“Tollere hoc lignum,” She breathed and the wood creaked loudly as it curled towards her hoof, falling to the road a second later.

She slowly pushed the door open, letting a bell ring out her presence. Sign moved into the interior of the dusty store.

Through the cobwebs that were everywhere, Sign could see chairs stacked on top of the tables. A bar sat to her right, cider mugs and water glasses, even tea cups, hung over the brown counter, also covered in webs and dust. She saw five sections of shelves behind the bar, each one holding three shelves, which held nothing but dust. She looked over to the left and saw places where pictures would have been held if they were still there.

“Come out ghost,” Sign called as she slowly moved into the interior of the bar, passing her first set of tables. “I know you are here. I can feel your presence. Let’s just talk about why you are still here and I might be able to help you pass on.”

“No pony can help me,” a small voice answered as the ghostly figure appeared at the end of the bar. The figure was small, probably a foal, but the voice was male.

“Try me,” She called back to the ghost in a confident voice as she took a step closer to the ghost.

The ghost cocked its head to the side, looking at her quizzically. He stayed like that for a long minute, and then nodded.

“Follow me if you wish to help, but you'll just give up like every Wizard has.” he said as his figure moved down through the floor.

Sign cantered over to where the ghost disappeared at.

“Aura ventus,” she breathed as a small gust of wind came from her mouth, pushing away the rug, revealing a trap door.

She pulled it open, and held out a hoof, breathing “Globum lux.” A small globe of pure light sprang up onto her held out hoof. As she started down the old staircase, the globe moved in front of her and above her head.

Once she reached the bottom, she felt dirt on her hooves. Though the little ball of light was a pretty handy spell in a situation like this, all she could manage right then was a limited light range that only showed her a few feet in front. All she could see was the outlines of shelves, boxes and bags, which, she guessed, were also covered in cobwebs, but the ghost dominated her view as it materialized.

It moved off with a beckoning hoof down a small hallway, at a slow pace so Sign kept up until she saw another light source.

Sign willed her own light away and followed closely behind the ghost until they reached a pedestal with candles set around an old, dirty skull with runes carved onto the entirety of the skull, save for the face and temple.

“You poor, poor soul,” Sign said aloud as she moved to inspect the skull further. “Who did this to you?” She looked over at the ghost.

“It was my brother,” The ghost seemed to sigh. “He was a very jealous pony when we were young.”

“What was he jealous about?” she asked, looking back at the skull and shivered slightly.

“That I was a child prodigy and he wasn’t. So he did this to me and took all of my studies. Since you know what has happened to me I assume you are a Wizard?”

“I am,” she answered, looking back at the figure.

“Then you know that I am damned to all eternity to live within my own skull.”

“Unfortunately so,” She breathed. “If you don’t mind me asking who was your brother?”

“I don’t,” He seemed to sigh again. “My brother is Star Swirl the Bearded. However, I have forgotten my own name all of these years. If you break me from this, you can name me whatever you want.”

Sign was about to say something but a knock sounded into the hidden basement. She galloped out of the hallway, saying in a low voice “Refringere oculus,” as she moved into the basement and up the stairs.

The spell she had casted would help to divert the owners eyes away from her if they even tried to look at her. You could say it’s like being invisible, without actually turning invisible, but its a spell that also has a limited range.

Once atop the staircase, she closed the trapdoor, put the rug back in its place and set herself behind the bar as the door opened and the bell rang.

“Hello? Is any pony in here?” A young feminine voice cracked as a body slowly entered the building.

“What can I help you with?” Sign popped up from the bar with a smile on her face but dust popped up around her, making Sign and the young filly break into a coughing fit while removing Sign's smile.

The filly's coat looked to be mixed with gray and white. Her light purple and pink mane and tail was curled, with the mane almost hiding a small horn. Her light green eyes shown curiosity while looking at Sign.

“My name is Sweetie Belle and me and my friends were wondering if you’re a traveling merchant.” She said moving closer to Sign once the dust cleared. She looked up at the secret Wizard with hopeful eyes.

“I’m not, sorry, but once this old building is renovated and I have settled in, feel free to stop by and I might have a few things I can give to you and your friends.” Sign said with a wink as she followed the little filly outside.

She saw a little yellow Earth pony with a giant pink bow and an orange Pegasus with a purple mane and small wings moving around. Both of her top trunks were open as chalices, candles and their sticks, her wand, and other things were haphazardly thrown onto the dirt road.

“Stop that right now!” Sign boomed at the two girls who looked up in surprise. “What do you two think you are doing?!” Sign rounded to the where the two fillies were at, watching them as they jumped down onto the road.

“No-nothin’,” the filly with the pink bow said as she looked down. “We’re sorry, Miss,”

“As long as nothing is broken, it should be fine. Put everything back where you found it and I might not go and tell your folks.” she ordered, anger slowly drifting away. They nodded apologetically while Sign rubbed her forehead.

For the next five minutes, Sign watched as all three girls worked together to put everything back.

“You girls definitely work fast,” Sign complemented and they beamed happily once the job was finished. “However, the damage is done, but I think a way for you girls to make it up to me is that you three could be my tour guides. I’ll pay you handsomely with a treat, what do you say?” Sign asked as their beams became bigger.

They nodded furiously and Sign soon coupled herself back onto her wagon, with her saddlebags on the back of her chests.

The girls hurriedly leapt off at a short gallop as they happily showed her around the small town. They went to the school, up to a Cottage who belonged to a mare named Fluttershy, who was feeding some animals. They moved down towards a store that sells quills and sofas, a store that sells fans, a hardware store, a costume shop, a day spa, and many other places in the town until they stopped at a shop that looks like a giant gingerbread house as the sun hit its zenith. The sign that hung over the door said this store is called Sugarcube Corner.

With the help of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie belle, Sign uncoupled her wagon, while she grabbed and put her purse into her pocket of her trench coat.

“Hey Pinkie Pie,” Apple Bloom called as they entered the shop.

At the counter a pink earth pony popped her head up, her poofy hair bouncing while her mouth was covered in chocolate which covered a smile.

“Hiya girls!” The mare shouted as she swallowed and took another bite of what looked like a piece of chocolate cake. “Who's your friend?”

“My name is Sign and I just arrived in town this morning. These three showed me around town and I thought I’d show them my thanks by buying them a treat.” She smiled, but it disappeared as the mare stared blankly at Sign as she slowly at her piece of cake.

Pinkie PIe set piece of cake down on the counter, while slowly moving down until she was completely covered by the counter. Sign, curiously looked behind the counter, but the pink pony was gone. The three girls started snickering and Sign was about to ask why they were doing that.

“WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!” Pinkie Pie shouted as confetti shot from nowhere, scaring Sign onto the floor as the girls burst out into a roaring laughter.

As the pink mare began to sing, what Sign guessed was a welcoming song, she felt her eyes began to glow, but she closed her eyes and willed the urge to strike back away. A second later she stood up and waited until the earth pony finished her song. The mare breathed heavily as she stepped off the counter as confetti fell around Sign again, shaking them off of her.

“Now that’s over, what can I get you four?!” she said happily with a giant smile on her face as she took her place behind a register.

“I’ll take a hot chocolate and get whatever my three little tour guides want.” Sign said with a smile.

“A hot chocolate and three super deluxe cupcakes for the three little fillies! Coming right up!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she hit the cash register, making the cash drawer pop out. She then quickly pushed it back into its slot.

Sign blinked while she was still pulling out her coin purse. “Why did you do that?” She asked, while raising an eyebrow.

“Because every new customer gets a free transaction.” She answered in a tone that said it was a common thing.

The pink mare quickly moved off into a side door as the girls dragged Sign to a table, making her sit down at a small table. They began asking questions, like, where she was from, why she wore the coat and hat, what she does, and any question that has to do with Sign. Some answers are true, like her father giving her the coat and hat, while she gave vague answers, like her being an investigator that can find anything from a missing animal to a missing pony. She answered with lies but had hints of truth in them as she told them with confidence, whenever she needed to. In her line of work, as a Wizard, she has to make sure no one knew what she truly did, but that didn’t stop her from doing small tricks for kids.

The questions were done, thankfully, as Pinkie came walking up to the table with the tray on top of her head. Sign saw a wooden mug that had steam coming from it along with three big cupcakes, each frosting was the coat color of each filly.

As the mare set down the tray, Sign made the mug subtly tip its contents onto the tray as the three fillies grabbed their respective cupcakes.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no. I am so, so, so, so sorry. I’ll clean it up.” Pinkie Pie stammered as she began to grab a rag from under the counter, but Sign called her back over.

“Don’t worry about it, my new friend. I can clean it up while showing you girls a small magic trick. How does that sound?” She asked and they all began to talk happily about it. “OK, ok. Notice I have no horn, correct?” She asked as she hit the top of the bill of her cap, making it spin in the air, which disappeared in a puff of smoke as it reached the middle of the table. “And yet this is all possible,” She said as she waved a hoof over the chocolate milk. It slowly, but surely climbed back into the mug. Once the last drop made a small splashing sound, it began to slightly bubble, which dissipated a second later as steam rose from the top. Sign took a small sip without even touching a second and sighed happily since it hit the spot.

“Hey Sweetie Belle, can you stand up for a second?” Sign asked a second later. The filly complied and looked down. She gasped and held up Sign's cap in her mouth, which she set down on the table. Sign held out a hoof while closing her eyes, feeling the air currents that the cap began producing as it floated its way over to Signs head and landed on top of it in its usual position.

She opened them up, watching the three fillies and the pink mare all clapped happily.

“How did you do that?” A new voice asked from behind them.

“A magician never tells her secrets,” she answered as she turned to face the newcomer, or newcomers, with as smile on her lips.

“Hey sis!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shouted as they ran to their respective sisters: An orange mare with a cowboy hat that covered a blonde colored mane. The mare that Sweetie Belle ran over to was a mare that looked dignified with her curled indigo mane and tail, her makeup that framed her eyes and the giant eyelashes that surrounded them.

Another mare popped up. Her coat was an indigo color while her mane and tail was colored a dark purple with a pink stripe and purple stripe. Her purple eyes glowed with a harmless but dangerous curiosity.

“Hiya Twilight! Hiya Rarity! Hiya Applejack!” PInkie shouted as they came up to the small group while pointing out each one and what they do to sign. “This is Sign and she’s new in town!”

“How do you do Miss Sign?” Rarity asked.

“I do fine, thank you.” Sign said as she stood up and faced the three new ponies while pushing the bill of her cap up. “I, however, must leave and see if Mister Rich is ready to start renovating.” She said as she moved to the door.

“Where are you staying at?” She heard Twilight ask.

“Down at that old bar that was abandoned near the Library.” Sign answered.

“Why would you stay there?! Isn’t it haunted?!” Pinkie asked in a loud voice while shoving herself under the table, which began to shake violently, but the mug never spilled its contents.

“Come now Pinkie, I doubt there could be a ghost there.” Rarity said in a confident manner.

“Ya sure ‘bout that Rarity?” Applejack asked skeptically. “Ah heard stories ‘bout that place.”

“Honestly you two, you might frighten our new guest.” Rarity said, moving towards Sign.

“There is a ghost there actually, Rarity, I assume?” she got a confirmation from the white unicorn, but then saw her eyes widen. “Don’t worry about it. I can handle a small little ghost. Besides he’s harmless.” she winked at the mare. “Anyway, I have to go.”

"Wait!" Pinkie Pie shouted as Sign began to push open the door. She turned back and looked at the mare. "What about your hot chocolate?"

"Have it. I wasn't that thirsty anyway." Sign answered and the pink coated pony began to gulp down the mug in one go.

Sign walked outside of the shop and coupled the wagon onto her back. She began to turn the cart around until Apple Bloom jumped in front of her.

“Since yer not stayin’ anywhere, Ah thought me and mah big sis could lend ya our spare room ‘till yer renovations are done.”

Before Sign could answer Applejack spoke up from behind as she began to uncouple Sign’s wagon, which surprised her.

“We ain’t takin’ no fer an answer so you best just let me carry yer things back to the farm. ‘Sides, Granny Smith likes new ponies.” The orange coated mare said as she shoved Sign out of the way as one of the Unicorns placed the saddlebags on her back and buckled it on. Twilight winked as she came up beside her.

“Fine. I’m not going to try and even argue, but be careful with those trunks. They hold precious heirlooms that can never be replaced.” Sign warned as Applejack, Rarity and the three fillies began to walk away.

“‘Careful’s mah middle name!” Applejack shouted back as they went out of ear shot.

“We have middle names?” Pinkie asked and Twilight just shrugged as the two went back inside.

Sign watched the two go back into the store, leaving the new mare alone. She set off back to the bar.

Once she was there, she saw Mister Rich with his daughter and probably his daughter’s friend. She cantered up to him and saw some rough faced and rugged construction workers and scores of supplies standing behind him.

“Ah Miss Sign, welcome back.” He said with a slight bow. “How would you like this building renovated?”

“Like this,” She said as she pulled out a blueprint that was folded, unfolding it on the ground. The mare, Stallion and two fillies gathered around it. “It must, must, must, must, be renovated to the exact detail that this blueprint shows. I just don’t want to think of the consequences if you don’t make the inside of the building this exact.” She lied as she made her face grow hard and heard the Stallion gulp audibly. “Also there is a secret basement that I would like to have emulate the size of the ground floor, the trapdoor moved behind the wall to here.” She pointed on the blueprint. “There’s also a hallway in the basement I want to be turned into a room that's medium sized. Think you can do that for me, Mister Rich?” she asked at the slightly pale Stallion, who regained his color at the question.

“Of course, Miss Sign. We’ll start right away.” He said signalling the construction workers.

“Good luck,” Sign waved as she began to walk away. with a small smile on her lips.

As she walked away, she heard the two little fillies start to scream. “Huh, apparently, the ghost likes scaring fillies.” Sign just shrugged with a small chuckle and made her way down to Sweet Apple Acres.

By the time she arrived at the farm, the sun had moved to a late afternoon position. She pushed open the gate and saw a big red stallion past the big red barn. His mane was short and colored orange that matched his tail. He was pulling a plow through a field but was abruptly stopped. He looked back at the plow as he tried to pull it and saw a rock move up and down. He began to slowly uncouple the plow from his harness, but Sign helped him out a bit by unclasping the other side, which startled him, making him jump back and stare menacingly at each clasp util he moved to the rock and removed it. He went back and clasped the plow back onto his harness going back to tilling the land.

"If ya so much as blink at him, Ah might have to hurt ya." Applejack said in a threatening tone.

Sign turned to at Applejack, and raised an eyebrow at her, she looked back at the big stallion blinked then returned her gaze back to the mare. Applejack had her eyebrow raised until both began to laugh together as they moved towards the house. Sign saw her wagon near one of the chicken coops.

The first room was a living room that had many pillows surrounding a big coffee table but she didn't dwell on it. They moved up to the second level then moved down the hallway, stopping at a door halfway closed.

Applejack pushed it open, "Here's yer room. I'm guessing since ya been on the move, Ah'll draw a bath fer ya. Ah'll call ya when it's ready fer ya." She told Sign while leaving the room.

Sign closed the door as she began to look around the room and saw a small bed with a nightstand that held a lamp upon it on her left. There was a vanity mirror near the window which was in the back right corner.

She set her saddlebags down next to the bed while tossing her hat at the vanity, making it land on the chair with her magic. She then took off her trench coat and toss it onto the bed. Sign moved over to the mirror and looked at her scarred, burned wings. She unfolded them, watching as they only extended out a quarter of the average length for a Pegasus her size and age. She stretched them out and up a bit longer then folded them again, all the while grunting with slight pain. Her wings healed a lot since those years ago, but they will never be able to grow feathers again. She didn't mind it since she never liked flying.

Sign then looked down at her flanks, seeing scorch marks and patches of bare skin all over her sides and upper legs, especially on both cutie marks. She diverted her gaze away from her body and touched the mirror, writing Vocare meum magister. The letters glowed slightly until they sunk directly into the mirror. Sign's reflection rippled until an old looking Stallion showed up. He had a wispy white mane, tail and coat. His gray eyes shown with long attained wisdom with am weathered old look. His cutie mark is the same design as hers.

"Good to see you again, Discipulo Sign. I am guessing you have arrived in Ponyville?" he asked in a weathered but authoritative voice.

"It is good to see you also, Dominus Magister Sting. I have made landfall in Ponyville and am staying with the Apple Family on their farm. I met the stallion who owned the bar. He has handed over the legal documents over to me and they begun to work on the renovations." Sign bowed her head slightly in respect.

"But?" The old Stallion asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"But, I found what I assume to be a soul trapped in his own skull. He says he's the brother of Star Swirl the Bearded and that he did it. Is that true?" She asked with a quizzical look in her turquoise eyes. This was a tough question that would have stumped most Magisters at the Academy, but Dominus Magister, the head teacher of all them would be able to answer this question, with sufficient data she could provide him, of course.

"What type of properties did this ghost-" The Magister cut off as his eyes widened while dropping the mirror as it returned to show Sign's reflection.

Sign spun on her heels, her eyes began to glow as she spread her stumped wings in a threatening pose. Then she saw what made her teacher disappear: Apple Bloom stood in the doorway, hiding behind the door. She peaked around the corner and saw Sign fold her wings back but her face held an apathetic and angry look on it.

"Mah sis told me to come an' get ya since the bath is ready fer ya," she said, her eyes focused on the floor.

"Ah," Sign said as she closed her eyes and nodded. The anger subsided. "Thank you for coming to get me. Next time, however, please knock." Her lips parted with a small smile as she let Apple Bloom show her to the tub.

Chapter Two

Two days of nonstop construction. Two full days. Well, at least the workers got an hour break for lunch, which Trench Hoof thought was good. Then again, he never did like eating lunch for as long as he could remember. Curious, though. Trench Hoof wasn’t big for a construction pony, but he knew two things very well: Dirt and how to dig with magic. His mane, tail and coat were the colors of dirt brown or colored darker because of the dirt. Even his baggy, but happy, eyes were a some form of mixture of dirt and brown. Even the aura of his magic was brown. Plus, the money was always good and he was able to feed himself, keep his food stores stocked, while having some left over as spending money. He was young though, he joined the construction crew a few months after he just finished his schooling.

Trench Hoof didn’t dwell on the train of thought for long as he began working on demolishing the wall of dirt that the new owner wanted around this skull, which sat upon a pedestal surrounded by candles whose wax was not disturbed by the flames on the wick. He never liked looking at that thing, but, thankfully, he was able to fixate upon the work he had in front of him: excavation of a ten foot long and ten foot wide room on his left. He was, also thankfully, done with the room to the skulls left. which was a giant hole.

The work was arduous, but it kept him asking questions that he knew should never be asked unless something happened to him or his family down in Trottingham. He was happy to do this type of work, or that’s what his cutie mark showed since it was a heaped pile of dirt with a shovel sticking out of it at the very top.

As time dragged on with the excavation. His boss, Jack Hammer, came down and checked on him, asking him if he was fine working alone. Trench Hoof responded affirmatively and was given a good luck and keep up the good work.

After Jack Hammer disappeared up the staircase, a few minutes have passed as Trench Hoof hear a voice that was menacing and held so much...hate couldn't even describe the word appropriately, but he never knew of any other word. He thought that it was his imagination at first, but it became louder, more pressing that he had stopped his work and covered his ears with his hooves, hoping some.

Give me your skin, it whispered again. The voice was high pitched. Give me your rage,

Trench Hoof had no idea where the voice came from but he could tell the source as he a malevolent force pushed him all the way down to the floor, but it did nothing but suppress him there for a second before the force gave up. He hesitantly sat up.

He backed away from his hole and stopped in front of the skull, staring directly at it, eyes wide with fear. The candle light harmlessly flickered as it casted his shadow and the skull across the wall, near his only exit. He wanted to get away from the feeling that was being pushed upon his mind. He wanted to run, but Trench Hoof couldn't even move his magic to teleport him away.

When Trench Hoof looked directly at the skull, the presence was gone and he felt no hatred or even heard the voice again. He felt just a sense of peace and whimsical laughter that he would never be able to understand or get. However, he didn’t like it either since skull had all of those symbols and whatnot carved directly into. Not to mention, it was an odd shaped skull, too. He was even able to move again, but his curiosity bested him and he moved over to the skull to get a better look.

The front of the skull was somewhat flat with two holes, which he guessed were eye sockets, sat above a singular hole, shaped in a triangle, in the middle of it. Under said hole - it probably was the creature’s naval passage - was two rows of teeth. He saw six huge molars, four bicuspids, two sharp fangs and four incisors, as he rounded the skull’s left side. Trench Hoof guessed there was the same amount of teeth on the other side of the skull, resulting in 32 teeth. The elongated side and back of the skull had four visible cracks from what he could see since the skull had symbols all over the top and sides of it.

Trench Hoof backed away as a candle must have seared a small patch of fur on his chest. He quickly patted it out, but in doing so he accidentally knocked down a candle, rolled into the skull, bounced away from it with some unseen force and fell off the pedestal.

GIVE ME YOUR SKIN! GIVE ME YOUR ANGER! I WANT IT AND NEED IT! The voice snarled in his head as a black, bilious smoke formed from the candle that had fallen onto the ground. It rose high above, towering over Trench Hoof. Its face was two sharp, almond eyes that beamed red with hatred while two top fangs sprouted down, white and sharp, under a small hole that must have passed as a nose. Two arms sprang from the small neck as the smoke also attached an upper torso to the neck, which was in the shape of a weird V. The arms were long and lanky, but they seemed to have defined muscles. As the hands formed, the ends of five long and pointy claws formed.

The skull’s eye sockets became alight with green fire as it began to move said fires around like they were eyes opening from an a long sleep. The skull seemed to yawn without even opening its teeth. Its gaze then focused on the smoke monster and saw that a candle was out of place. It looked back at the smoke then back to the empty space then back to the monster.

The monster itself looked back at the skull, which made the skull somehow jump back as it screeched at the skull and then entered the Stallion through every orifice on his head. The Skull tsked as it watched the body convulsed on the ground, rolling in pain as Trench Hoof let out wisps of smoke with small bouts of whimpering.

The dirt brown stallion stopped convulsing on the ground and stood up, panting heavily.

“I think I beat it,” He breathed while looking down at his front hooves. Then his eyes bulged, his mouth shot skyward as a long claw shot out quickly. A second later, a high pitched shrill sounded from the opening and the claw went right back into Trench Hoof’s mouth. His head shot down as his chin slammed against the dirt of the floor, his hooves pulled out in front of him. His teeth were clenched in pain as his eyes were shut tightly.

Trench Hoof’s mouth relaxed, but curled up into a menacing smile as the eyes popped open, showing the same red color from the original monsters eyes. Instead of the entire eye becoming red, the stallion’s iris color changed from the dirt brown to a full blood red.

“Well, well, well,” A high pitched, guttural voice came from the possessed stallion as he turned to face the skull, who seemed to have raised a set of invisible eyebrows in surprise and confusion. “It seems I was the first one to leave this forsaken-” The monster started a coughing fit, finishing it up a minute later. “-circle.” Another voice sounded out. The skull guessed it was the Stallions original voice. “Well then, good luck with your life down here while I go and run around and have some fun.” The stallion licked his chops as saliva poured down from his, correction, its mouth. It galloped off at full speed up the steps, causing a ruckus from the construction workers above.

“This is not good,” The skull said to itself, its flaming eyes shown worry and sorrow.

The next day, Sign walked back over to the bar, watching as the workers picked up their tools and any leftover supplies.

While they were doing that, Filthy Rich saw Sign and cantered over to her, bowing his head a bit too quickly.

“It is a pleasure to inform you that the renovations are done and we have installed the furniture you have asked for.”

“But?” She asked with a raised eyebrow, but he just shook his head.

“But the rest is none of your concern.” he said with a harsher tone than he intended. She let a small sigh of frustration escape her lungs. “Come, I will show you around.” he said as he began walking to the bar’s door.

The first thing the Earth pony with the money bag cutie mark showed Sign was that he removed the planks and replaced the two giant glass windows that sat on either side of the door, which had a small window on the top part of it. The entire building was colored a light cyan.

They moved inside and Sign saw that they extended the back wall a bit back. There were two shelf walls set up in between the wall to Signs right, and the shortened counter of the original. It was painted a dark brown and held a cash register atop it. The shelf walls each had three sections each for it, but carried four shelves each. There were five shelf lanes in total.

The storage area for the mugs, glasses and tea cups was gone and it held a hanging lamp above the counter. Candles were scattered around the storefront to give the room a lot of light, though half of them was actually, and that half was in the back. The shelves behind counter were still there and looked like they could hold anything.

The two ponies moved through a locked door in the back, which revealed a small bed and bathroom. The bed sat in the back right corner with a dresser next to it. Next to the dresser sat a small rug, which Filthy Rich pulled back and revealed a trapdoor. He pulled it open and they moved down a quiet staircase.

They entered the basement, but instead of dirt, the walls were made of concrete as the floor was made of a hardwood, like the wood on the ground floor.

Sign looked around and saw a small round table that could hold four ponies at any one time. It sat in the middle, near the staircase, where a gas powered oven, a refrigerator and a few oak counters sat in a row on her right, candles hanging everywhere.

They moved to the right of the ‘dining room’ and into an extremely bare area. It was empty save for the eight candles, one for each corner and the other half sat in the middle, above her head. She looked over to her left and saw the pedestal with the skull and candles. She curiously made her way over to it and inspected until she found the candle still lying down on the dirt. She saw scuffle marks and hoof prints. There was a bit of singed sand next to the candle. Sign turned towards the Earth Pony, anger in her eyes

“What happened here?” Sign asked in a commanding tone, anger edged her voice.

“Yeeaahh, ‘bout that,” The Skull began, as it cleared its throat. “One of those construction workers might have accidentally knocked over a candle as he was patting a flame from his fur, or whatever you ponies have. Anyway, the thing that was being held here, I’m guessing that little ghost you saw, was actually a prodding of the monster that was being imprisoned here. She took over the body of the pony working down here.”

“What type of monster escaped?” She said as she stared down down the skull.

“Ah, an, ah, corpus fur,” the skull whispered the name which made Sign move closer to the skull.

“What type of monster escaped?” She asked again, her voice rising in anger.

“A Body Thief! It was a Body Thief!” The skull shouted as small little green sparks flittered from its flaming eyes.

Body Thieves are an ancient monster that was a rare in breed but it was literally made of pure evil. These types of monsters were a combination of a flame spirit and a necromancer’s soul. Normally, Body Thieves would reside in magical candles or in special fires that generates only black smoke. They jump from smoke cloud to smoke cloud automatically, hoping for someone foolish enough to burn themselves. Which, Sign guessed, happened with the construction worker, freeing the spirit from its infinite prison. The worst part about Body Thieves, other than taking your body, they eat the soul of their victim which allows them to take over the host body indefinitely while they hollow out the inside of the skin so their bilious form can use the skin effectively. Not to mention they’re the hardest of the magical creatures to defeat since they know everything about their host’s body before they even jump into it, if necromancers are in a dimension with flame spirits.

“Celestia help us,” Sign breathed as her legs forced her to sit on the wood.

“I doubt she can defeat a creature this powerful.” The skull said a bit smugly.

“How powerful are we talking here?” She eyed it suspiciously.

“I’ve been with the thing from the beginning of its imprisonment, which was about forty years ago and its pretty powerful.” The Skull audibly gulped. “The necromancer was a master, as was the flame spirit. Not to mention, the necromancer was still alive when the flame spirit’s soul entered his body.”

“Two masters as a single Body Thief is never good,” Sign rubbed her chin in thought for a second as she began to pace. “I’ve only heard of maybe an intermediate necros’ trying to become a body thief with a young flameling since they’re the most powerful and they don’t know anything about their powers. But I’ve never heard of the necro still being alive during the fusion of both souls. We’re probably dealing with the most powerful corpus fur in the entire land, maybe even the dimension.”

“So what do you suggest what we do?” the skull asked, hope slivering into its otherwise worried voice.

“For now? Nothing. I’ll have to report it to the High Council and hopefully one of their agents can come down and defeat it.” Sign said as she began to lift the skull up with telekinesis, but stopped. “Was that the only Body Thief?” She asked with skepticism.

“Let me check,” The skull’s eyes burnt out as the actual spirit receded invisibly back into its skull. A second later, the eyes formed again and they looked happy. “Thankfully that was the only Body Thief. I thought they normally lived in the Human Dimension?”

“I thought the same thing as well because the necros love how humans die so much, but apparently not.” Sign answered with worry as she picked up the skull while setting it on her head.

The two of them moved from the pedestal.

Sign made her way to the middle of the room and held out a hoof as it stretched parallel to the ground. She closed her eyes and breathed Scandalum de Terra. The earth shifted under her as a block of earth that was twelve feet by eight feet rose from the ground, stopping just under her hoof. Sign placed the skull down on the block of pure, smooth rock and stood on top of it with just her back legs.

She held out both front legs and closed her eyes, retaining a perfect balance.

Sign casted spell after spell after that would transport all of her medicinal herbs, bottles, her chemistry and alchemy set, books, shelves that held bottles, a small stool and many other things from her first lab. They were scattered around the room in haphazard fashion as books lay open, bottles sat under boxes, the stool was broken into many pieces and her herbs were scattered around the room.

Her eyelids opened quickly, showing off her glowing white eyes as her legs also shot into the air and everything sat up straight. Then things went Fantasia as Sign began to direct the objects as orchestra conductor. Shelves slowly moved into their spots around around the room, two for each corner. The books, herbs, bottles and others climbed their way up the shelves, situating themselves in relevance until they were mostly filled. The broken stool danced and both the chemistry and alchemy set danced around the rocky block.

As she moved off the block, both sets began to climb up with the help of the stool, moving into place while leaving the skull alone, whose eyes shone a sense of awe at the entire thing happening. Once the last beaker sat upon a burner, the stool fixed itself as sap began to seep from the broken cracks. The sap quickly hardened and fell onto the wooden floor that was forced to move as the block was heaved from the ground. The sap seeped into the hardwood and was completely gone.

Sign closed her eyes and held out her legs to their original position, her hooves pointing to each side. Her eyes slowly opened as she sat down on the wide stool, panting heavily as sweat began to bead down her temple.

“Where did you learn that?! I’ve never seen anything like that!” The skull shouted as it jumped around in its spot; the eyes were wide with excitement.

“Let’s just say I learned it from an old mouse.” Sign answered vaguely while winking at the skull, who rolled its eyes. “Anyway, we need to talk to my mentor about what’s happened.”

“Of course,” the air spirit replied as Sign placed him on top of her hat.

She cantered out of her newly set lab, past the dining/kitchen area and up the staircase. She closed the trapdoor and placed the rug over it as she moved into the bathroom where a standing mirror sat next to the tub.

She called her mentor, waiting for his picture to appear. As it did, the teachers face shone that he was surprised at the call.

“Ah, Discipulo Sign, what do I owe the pleasure of this early call?” He asked in a tired voice.

“We have a situation here that I believe this air spirit can tell.” She said as she gestured to the skull.

“Ah, speak then spirit. Let me hear your words.” Sting commanded the skull and so it did.

The skull told everything about the Body Thief, how it came to be, how it was imprisoned and how it escaped as it took over the poor construction worker's body.

“What do we do, Dominus Magister?” Sign asked as the skull finished its speech.

“You will try and monitor the situation as best you can while not trying to attract attention. I’ll go to the high council with this and see if they can offer up some Aqua Peritus and some Ignis Peritus Wizards or a couple of Agent’s. Keep me posted if anything new happens.” Sting commanded.

“I will, Dominus Magister Sting,” She said with a bow. The mirror rippled and it shone Signs reflection.

She sighed heavily and moved to the storefront and sat down behind the counter as she set down the skull, letting it watch as ponies walked by the store, sometimes stopping to see if it was open or not.

“I have a quick question for you, air spirit.” Sign said, putting both cheeks into her front hooves.

“What is it?” it asked while watching the ponies, it’s voice filled with awe.

“Am I your master now?” she asked as she removed her right hoof.

“Well, considering you’re the first Wizard to find me, then I would say you are.” He said with a bit somberness in its voice.

“I’m going to call you,” she tapped her chin as she sat and thought of a name. “I’m going to call you Aeris from now on, ok?”

“Ah yes, the latin word for ‘air’. That would be a fine name,” the skull whispered the last part as a few fillies skipped by the shop.

Sign began to think about the Body Thief. What was it after? What are its motives? What would a Master Necromancer even want with the body of construction worker? Then again, from the story Aeris told that the Stallion was the only one there. The skull even described every detail about the Stallion as from what it remembered a day ago, save for the pony’s name. She could start asking the construction ponies questions about the stallion. Sign could probably even get a name, where he lived and if he had any thing she could borrow to track him and watch his movements.

However, her Magister told her to stay at the shop and do nothing other than see if he pops up. Maybe there could be some clues down in the pedestal room, but then she remembered there was only the singed sand and the scuffle marks and that was it. She thought about framing one of the hoof prints, but decided against it since they probably didn't have any hair follicles. The only way to find the stallion was to hope that someone would come in and show her a picture or bring a piece of clothing in. But that’s as likely as a baby dragon being raised by the pony folk. It’s not going to happen.

Well, she has read that the miss Twilight Sparkle had a baby dragon as an assistant that she hatched herself as her unicorn qualification test. But it was still unlikely for any pony to bring her anything that the stallion owned even if she revealed herself as a Wizard.

She sighed again and decided to see if there was a herbalist in town that would be willing to deal with her.

Spike awoke groggily in the late morning hours as Twilight began to shout out his name. He slowly crawled out from under his light blue blanket and out of the wicker basket he uses to sleep in. He slowly stood up, yawned and stretched, then made his way down the stairway into the library proper while wiping the crust out of his eyes.

“Uh, Twilight? What are you doing?” He asked as he stopped at the last step, looking a bit worried but more annoyed that he was going to have clean the mess up, even though it was his day off.

Books literally covered the ground as the shelves stood bare. Twilight sat in the middle of the entire mess. She sat staring up at large stick that curled around a large gemstone that was clear as any diamond he had ever seen, not to mention, it was huge. Spike eyed it hungrily as he slowly made his way over to Twilight, whose magic held the stick aloft above the scattered books, a few next to it.

“No,” she sighed as she threw a book. “No, no, no,” she threw the rest out onto the floor. “NO! Why can’t I find this stick in any of my books?!” She screamed as she rested her chin against the wooden floor, both front hooves crossed over her head.

“What’s wrong Twilight?” he asked again as his attention snapped back to his friend.

“Yes, what is wrong miss Twilight?” asked a voice in a neutral, yet whimsical manner.

Spike turned towards the unfamiliar voice and he was struck like the first time he ever met Rarity, the gem of his life.

"Oh, hey Sign. I didn't know you were coming. Sorry that the library is a mess. I was trying to figure out this stick here." She answered the mare, this Sign, as she stood up.

"Mind if I take a look at it?" Sign asked as a look came over that Spike had only seen in one other pony, and that was Twilight.

"Sure. I hope you know what it is." Twilight answered back with a sweet smile on her lips, as she passed the long stick towards the new mare.

The mare took ahold the stick at it's bottom with a wrapped leg. She looked at the entire length of it with a critical eye that only Rarity got when she was looking at a dress. The stick was weathered and worn as it curved in the middle, slightly to the right. It had small stumps poking out of it, where smaller branches must have grown.

"A copy, huh? Pretty good craftsmanship, I must say. Though the curve isn't right, the diamond is. It's rare to find a staff like one of these." She spoke aloud while nodding and continually looked at it until she realized what she was saying.

"Um, what?" Twilight asked as started putting away books, twenty at a time.

"Yeah, you weren't supposed to know that. I hate it when I get into something like this. I just don't know what to say anymore. Anyway, you two must forget what I just said about this...stick."

"But you do know what it is, right?" Spike asked, finally finding his voice as he began to pick up books as he tried to steal a glance at the mare.

"Of course I know what it is," She chided at the baby dragon as he put a book back into its place on a low shelf. "However, I cannot tell you under the jurisdiction of Princess Luna."

"But I'm under Princess Celestia's patronage. You have to tell me what it is." Twilight demanded as another twenty books went back to their shelves.

Sign's face grew hard and her eyes became cold, like what Twilight would do when Spike first tried to get rid of Owlowiscious. "I don't have to tell you anything. You may be the Celestia's student, and a wielder of one of the Elements of Harmony, but that doesn't make you an official Head of State." Sign said as she turned to go, but Twilight dropped a stack of another twenty books into a neat little pile, picked up the mare, and separated the stick from her.

"Tell me what that stick is." Twilight demanded, her face growing so hard that she might burst into flames again.

"No! Now unhand me or you won't be using your magic for a week." Sign said in a very threatening tone.

Twilight slowly put the other mare down, but kept the stick in her magic. "I'll be keeping a hold on this and going to see if it works."

"Ha. Good luck with that. That staff will never work, especially to a pure hearted pony like you. I have all the information I need about that staff in here." She tapped her head twice. "So good luck trying to find it elsewhere. Even the Canterlot Library won't have the answers you seek either. No library does, save for mine."

"Fine. A trade then. You give me the information about this staff and I give it to you for said information. Deal?" Twilight asked as she held the staff between her and the gray mare.

"No deal," Sign replied without hesitation. "I cannot trust you with the information about that staff because it is extremely dangerous and protecting your life is worth a bit more than a simple wooden stick. The danger you face with that information would tear you away from your loved ones as you grow mad with the knowledge of that staff. It's best if you let your dragon eat the gem and burn the staff." Spike looked back at the staff and hungrily stared at the gem.

Twilight gulped at what the gray coated mare had said. "Can I at least ask why you are here?"

Sign blinked as her eyes grew wide and slapped herself on the forehead with a hoof. "I completely forgot why I came here in the first place. Do you know of a herbalist that resides in this town?" She asked her eyes returning to that whimsical, carefree stare she had when she first entered the library.

"We do, but she lives in the Everfree Forest," Twilight answered with a hint horror.

"The what forest?" Sign asked while raising an eyebrow.

"The Everfree Forest. The clouds move on their own, plants water themselves and the animals can take care of themselves."

"That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of." Sign stated. "Anyway, can one of you show me the way, please?"

"I'll do it," Spike spoke up quickly as he placed the last book away.

"You're a lifesaver little man." Sign said as she waited for Spike to lead her outside.

Chapter Three

As the day continued, Spike introduced Sign to Zecora. However, Spike became lost as they started talking about contracts, deals, trades, figures, and everything else that is needed for a business deal to get underway, all the while they were drinking tea. Once they were done with that and the business deals have been made, they began swapping recipes for different potions, salves, even tea and food recipes, which Spike couldn’t follow anyway - for both talks - since they were talking Zecora’s native language, surprising both Zecora and Spike.

The Pony and the Zebra continued on until Celestia let the Sun set itself past the western horizon until there was nothing but darkness as the Moon began to rise. By that time, Spike and Sign had resigned to their respective abodes: The library and the bar Sign had bought. She was turned the old bar into a shop that will sell both her and Zecora’s potions, tonics, salves, and many other things.

As the Citizens all across Equestria began to bed down for the night, one Pony and her Royal Guards stayed up to make sure the moon rose and set for the coming day.

For one guard - his name was Star Sign - it was supposed to be just a routine night of guarding Princess Luna’s bedroom. It was, for the rest of that week, but on the new week, something he didn’t like happened.

Star Sign was standing outside Luna’s chambers, taking the door to his left, while his partner took the one on the right. They stood outward, watching for anything that would threaten their Princess, however, they never thought the Princess herself would hurt them. Who knew? The double doors swung outward, knocking both guards to the ground.

A second later, Luna rushed out of her room, holding up a rolled up piece of paper with a red ribbon tied around it to hold it in place with her magic.

“It is done!” she shouted, waving the piece of paper around. “We have finally written Our letter to Twilight Sparkle so that she and the ponies of Ponyville will know of Our coming to Ponyville for an official visit! Unlike last Night Mare Night,” She muttered, then she stopped talking and looked down at both of her guards, who were still stunned from being hit by the doors. “Why art thoust sitting around instead of guarding Our door?!” She asked, her already serious eyes becoming even serious.

“No excuse, Princess!” Both guards shouted as they jumped straight to attention back to their posts and snapped off at a crisp salute. “What can we do for you, Princess?!”

“We need you to deliver thine letter to Twilight Sparkle at Ponyville, tonight!” She shouted the last part at Star Sign with enough force to open the far corners of his eye sockets a little bit.

“Will do, Princess!” Star Sign shouted before grabbing the paper with his teeth and took off at a hard gallop. He turned down different corridors, towards one of the balconies of the castle. He burst through the door and took off at the fastest speed his wings would let him.

He landed at the edge of Ponyville after a long flight. He looked up and saw that the Moon reached a little past its zenith as it started to move to the western horizon. After Star Sign landed, he began to canter his way through the buildings alleyways until he heard something drop behind him. He turned and found nothing but the light of the moon hitting the dirt road.

He skeptically turned back to the front and gasped, dropping the letter as a hoof slammed him to the ground in a searing flash of pain as stars began to swim across Star Sign’s vision. Blackness was being abated as he began to quickly blink it away before something clamped down all four of his legs to the ground. He opened his mouth to shout his defiance but a gag was strapped over his mouth. He then began to try and shove his attacker off of him but was unable to.

Another splash of pain seared his other cheek as the stars began to swim across his vision again, as unconsciousness began to edge its way into him.

Star Sign was about to accept the inky blackness, but something forced itself into his mind, violently jerking him away from the serenity he found so appealing.

What do we have here? A voice asked as Stallion’s head shoved his face into Star Sign’s. His red eyes shined in the night as they pierced the guard’s very soul with a smile on his lips that showed as much teeth as possible.

Star Sign backed up a few inches, wings wide and high, while he growled but the pony just stared at him, then the stallion was gone. He turned every which way he could, just to find the stallion but there was no sign at allThe next thing he knew, he was on the ground, being held down by something inexplicably strong and impossibly heavy, but the only thing he saw was was the face of the still smiling pony. Star Sign felt his eyes widen a slight bit but he regained his composure, and he began to shout.

"I am a Royal Guard for Princess Luna! And I will ha-" Star Sign’s train of thought towards the foreign invader was slammed into the ground as the pony jumped right on top of his spine. He screamed from the agony as unconsciousness swam its way over his vision again. However, he was jerked back into consciousness as the voice edged its high pitched way into his brain, again.

You talk to much, it cakled maniacally as stallion’s face was still smiling that crazy smile. You are going to do one thing and one thing only.

"I’d rather die than do what you force me to do." Star Sign spat into his mind.

Are you a mind reader, little pony guard? The voice chuckled at an unseen joke that Star Sign didn’t see or would understand it. That’s just it pony guard. I want you to die! It shouted while cackling widely as the pony jumped off of the Lunar Guard’s body and landed in front of him, the face seemed not to move an inch from his glaring at him.

That’s when a monsters smokey form billowed out of his host’s body’s exposed orifice on the pony’s face as his head was forced to look straight up. The almond shaped eyes were completely closed. They opened up slowly, revealing the glowing red eyes. The Thief screamed a terrible, high-pitched scream that only the guard could hear, then it smiled as it looked down into Star Sign’s eyes.

You definitely are a delicious pony. I am going to enjoy gorging on your soul. The Thief's voice cackled loudly as it entered the Lunar Guard’s body as quickly as it could, but Star Sign's strong will fought hard to keep the monster from devouring his soul. However, it was in vain as the monster squirmed its way through Star Sign's defenses and began to eat without abandon on both the insides of the Lunar Guard's organs and muscles while saving his soul for last.

A half of a minute later, Star Sign was no more as the Body Thief slowly opened its new eyes. Instead of the normal amber colored iris of the Lunar Guard, the Iris turned into a deep, bloody red as the Guard took on the same look as Trench Hoof did, whose deflated body laid nearby. The same happened to the armor, but most of that black that was already on it was kept.

The Thief quickly ripped off of the shackles and spat out the gag at Trench Hoof’s body then quickly took to the air, cackling the entire time as he made his way to the Everfree Forest, towards the ruined castle, where Twilight and the other holders of the Elements battled Nightmare Moon and saved Equestria from eternal night.

The Thief’s new body landed at the entrance of the ruined castle as the sun began to reach its zenith in the sky. It ran inside, stopping at the Dais, bowing awkwardly as it brought the pony’s body onto its hind legs.

“My Liege, I have brought you good news,” The Thief said aloud to the empty Dais through Star Sign’s voice which was changed half way through to the Thief's voice.

Black eyes formed in the same almond shape as the Body Thief’s while the body began to form from the same black smoke as the thief, but there was two stripes of white running on either side of it’s head, right over the eyes. The body formed itself to look like an Alicorn, but the body had neither horn nor wings. The mane and tail was made of actual smoke, same as the entire body, however, it began to become solid more and more as the hooves wisped away in the same unknown breeze as the mane and tail.

The form sighed with ecstasy as the body finished solidifying itself. It breathed and in a raspy voice, spoke to the Taken Lunar Guard. “Speak my servant and I shall judge your knowledge.”

“Of course, my Liege. The Princess named Luna will be coming to Ponyville on the night of the Blue Moon in two weeks, my Liege.” The thief bowed deeply.

“Good news indeed, my servant, Rafter” The Alicorn rasped. “In due time, you shall take the body of the Princess named Luna and bring her to me. Then, my plan shall come into fruition.” The Alicorn’s voice rasped as its eyes narrowed a bit before its body began to blow away in the wind. “There is someone here. Kill them.” And the body blew away into an unknown breeze.

Sign awoke in the early twilight hours to the loud noises of shouting and gasping near her store. She walked outside after putting her trench coat on and cantered over to where a crowd began to gather as she heard the noise of a pony wailing.

She shoved her way through and saw a Stallion doubled over crying, something brown draped in his hooves. Sign Sign made her way to the front of the crowd. She turned around held up a badge with the symbol that represented the Royal Guards.

"I am Detective Sign of the Third Watchful Battalion of Princess Celestia's Royal Guards. You are to disperse immediately." She ordered the crowd, and to her surprise, they did. Who knew that title would still work even though the badge is five years old. She then her way over and sat down next to the Stallion. She started comforting him as the crowd began to disperse in an orderly manner until only three of the Elements of Harmony stayed: Loyalty, Kindness, and Laughter.

Sign stood up and walked over to the three mares and looked each one in the eyes.

“Did any of you see what happened?” she asked, her eyes felt like they sending out needles to any pony who would dare to try and lie to her.

Each one in turn said only one word: No.

She nodded and turned back to the still weeping stallion.

“How do you know him?” Sign asked the stallion.

“He-he was my boyfriend,” The stallion answered through small gasps of air.

“What was his name?”

“Tre-Trench Hoof,” The stallion answered and he turned up to Sign, his eyes filled with a cold anger and confusion. “Is it true that your a Detective for the Royal Guard?”

"I used to be five years ago, before my entire world flipped upside down." She said as she touched her hat but recovered quickly before falling into a state of solitude. "I am now a Private Investigator that works on cases that most ponies won’t touch. Your case fits in the category.” She explained as she sat back down.

“Will it cost anything?” he asked, hope edging its way into his eyes.

“No, it will not since your case is a special one. The only thing I will ask you is I wish to take your boyfriend’s body for both examination and to try to find out who killed him. Is that okay with you?” She asked.

“Anything that will help.” He said as he handed the carpet like body of Trench Hoof over to Sign, who carefully draped it over her back.

“I thank and shall return his body to you when I am done, Mister-?”

“Meadow Song,”

“Mister Meadow Song. I thank you for your cooperation,” she said. She stood up and began to walk away, draping the skin and fur over her back as carefully as she could.

She made her way out of the alleyway and watched as Pinkie Pie follow her, along with who she believed to be Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, though Fluttershy was being pushed on by Rainbow Dash. Sign stopped after a few steps away from Meadow Song, who also began to move from the alley and turned to the three mares, surprising them.

“Why are you following me?” Sign asked while looking at each one in turn, a small frown on her face.

“Because we want to help!” Pinkie Pie sang loudly as she began to hop around Sign, Rainbow and Fluttershy.

Sign smirked and chuckled with mirth in her voice. “You can’t help,”

“What do you mean we can’t help?!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she looked into the eyes of Sign, which changed from concern to a hard stare that made her almost audibly gulp.

“Because the world I live in doesn’t concern you three or the other Elements of Harmony, or any pony for that matter.”

“Wh-what type o-of world i-is it?” Fluttershy stammered as she tried to calm her frail nerves down.

“When you were a filly, did any of you feel that something was in your closet or under your bed?” She asked and saw that all three nodded. “Did your relatives or friends tell you anything to get rid of them?”

“Granny Pie always said I could laugh my fears away!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she sucked in a breath to sing but Rainbow Dash shoved one of her hooves into Pinkie’s mouth, quickly shutting her up.

“We’ve already heard that song a million times. We don’t need to hear it again,” Rainbow Dash told Pinkie, who just nodded but they both looked at Sign as she laughed at what Pinkie Pie said.

“That’ll never work,” Sign laughed as she adjusted her hat.

“It worked when Night Mare Moon turned some trees into scary monsters!” Pinkie shouted as she began to growl and roar while making scary faces, much to Fluttershy’s dismay.

“Did the trees move in anyway shape or form?” Sign asked, looking at the pink earth pony intently as her carefree and whimsicalness returned to her eyes.

“Of course not silly! Tree’s can’t move!”

“Illusion magic, a common form to show you something that is there, but it isn’t truly there. It can affect a certain amount of distance or how many ponies the caster can put under said magic. Plus, you’d be surprised about trees being able to move.” she slipped. She realized her mistake and kept on talking just so she could get away from trees being able to move. “Anyway, I have have a trail that’s starting to get cold that I must catch up too. And whatever you do, do not follow me!” Sign shouted the last sentence as she ran back into her shop, locking the door behind her.

She then made her way down to the basement, grabbing Aeris from the counter along the way.

She set the old skull down on the stone slab of a table, before draping the skin and fur of Trench Hoof onto her stool and began to set up a small bunsen burner with a small bowl set atop a stand, placing it over the burner. She began to start mixing five ingredients together that correspond to the five senses: a piece of fur for touch, a pinch of salt for taste, extremely fine and grounded glass powder for sight, a piece of an onion for smell and a couple of notes from the Canterlot’s Wind and String Orchestra. The last piece of any potion is the one that has to do with spirit, which is the hardest since Sign must give up a minute piece of herself so the ingredients can help her find the Body Thief.

Then Sign began to start pacing after she uttered the beginnings of a finding spell that is primarily used on fire spirits. The spell wasn't complicated or complex, but it was long. However, there was too much for Sign to do.

What would a Corpus fur need with a construction worker’s body? The only explanation she could think of was that the monster was only using Trench Hoof’s body as just a means of transportation until it could find another body that has a higher position than the last one, leaving only the skin once they are done with the body. The only highest position in Equestria is being a Princess, but both Princesses are in Canterlot, while Princess Cadance is somewhere on the other side of the country. But why would the Thief jump from a body if no pony of higher position than a construction worker was present last night? Sign couldn’t think of the answer.

“Your spell is done,” Aeris said alone, which brought Sign back to reality.

She moved back over to her bubbling brew that was in her small, ceramic bowl. The brew, which was a golden yellow, simmered and bubbled, but its concentration was interrupted as Sign stuck a spoon into it and began to stir, holding onto the handle with her teeth.

“What can you tell me about this Body Thief you were guarding?” Sign asked through clenched teeth.

“Not much other than the necro was an old sorcerer during your ponies Tribe years. I do know for sure that the necro was part of the High Council during that time. And you have to remember that Necromancy was an acceptable, albeit wizards shied away from it anyway, until the Necro War. Those were dark days.” Aeris closed his eyes in thought.

Sign wanted to press for more information but the spell was ready. All she needed was a quartz crystal to hold in the searching spell and point her the way. But she forgot to buy a new one when the last one she had broke as she tried to tail those appliances that could literally run. Luckily, no pony knew about the appliances running loose in the street as Magister Turnal, the only Diamond Dog Wizard in this dimension, shut them down and pulled a Fantasia as he marched them back into their exact places. He was always a stickler for perfection.

Chapter Four

“Are you sure it’s this way?” Spike asked as he moved a tree branch out of both his and Big Macintosh’s way, making sure they moved safely through the Everfree Forest towards their destination: Ghastly Gorge. They were going there to help Rarity carry back a huge haul of gems back to her shop, but somewhere down the trail, they took a wrong turn. They didn’t realize it until they came upon the Old Castle Ruins unexpectedly.

“Ah pony-feathers, Spike. Ah told ya to take that right at tha fork in tha road!” Big Macintosh snapped at Spike as they stopped at the steps.

“There was, like, ten different forks, though.” Spike countered with an eyebrow raised to show his confusion.

Big Macintosh became chafed at the comment, but ignored it. “Let’s just turn back an’ head for the Gorge,” He said as he turned around, not knowing if Spike was going to follow him as he started off.

He took a few steps in the opposite direction of the ruins, but was sent flying into a tree that was nearby by an unseen force. Big Macintosh’s back hit tree with crack as the thing began to splinter and fell back from the force and momentum that used him as the medium.

Spike looked towards his friend with his mouth open, confusion and soon horror creeping into him like a parasite. He shook his head as the purple dragon made his way over to red stallion sprawled out on half the ground and half on the tree, his mane getting dirt stuck in it. Spike knelt next to his male friend and began to looked around for the perpetrator that knocked Big Macintosh unconscious. He was wary about what could happen next.

That’s when something hit the baby dragon on the back of his head, hitting the area between his spines. His vision went dark as stars flew around at a fast speed, winking in and out within a second. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up. The thing that knocked him out looked like a Lunar Guard with blood red eyes. Then, he was carried off into the soft, warm darkness of unconsciousness.

Sign kicked her own door open with enough force to wake up the few houses around. A couple of ponies looked out their windows, noticed it was her and went back in as quickly as they came out. Her face gave off the emotions of being tired and irritable. Aeris, who somehow made his way to the front counter, looked upon her with a bit fear as she laid back on the mat behind the counter. She heard him hopping over to the edge, trying to look down upon.

"Are you alright?" He asked, worry in his green fire-like eyes.

"No," She answered with a sigh, her front legs wrapped under her head as she stared at the ceiling. "I apparently teleported to the Wind and String Orchestra giving Celestia and Luna themselves a private concert, among other ponies who were obviously high-classed."

"What's so bad about teleporting to an Orchestra?" Aeris asked innocently.

"I was stuck in a tuba..." Sign trailed off without having to explain the rest of the story. Aeris, however couldn't keep silent as he burst out laughing. "Ha, ha, ha. Keep up the laughter and I'm putting you in a shoe box so you can't escape in both skull and Spirit form.

"I'm sorry, but how did that happen?' He asked, his voice sounding like it was removing and imaginary tear from one of his eyes.

"Guess my last quartz was short circuiting. Happens commonly enough, but I never teleported into a tuba before. Better chalk than one up for the "I teleported into..." list for the reunion. If I ever go there.

"That's still pretty amazing though," Aeris chuckled, but was shot a horrifying look from Sign. He quieted down then, after gulping a frog down. Sign still wondered how he was able to talk through that skull instead of just taking his spirit form. Can't really make wind spirits do anything really. Doing as they pleased, just like the wind.

Aeris opened his mouth as he was about to say something, but the little bell above the shop's door rang, making Sign spring up to her hooves. She was beaming and ready to say her slogan, until she realized it was Twilight and Applejack. Wonder what they want?

"Welcome to Sign's Herbal and Potions shop. How can I help you two?" She said with a bored look on her face, her eyes piercing them as they looked everywhere but at her until Twilight spoke up, placing the staff that she held onto the counter.

Sign looked down at it, then back at the two mares, then back to the staff, and the last look at the mares. Twilight looked especially nervous through Sign's half-closed eyes.

"I was just wondering if you would like to trade?" Twilight asked, a nervous smile on her face.

"Trade what for this?" Sign asked as she mused over the staff, trying not to show her excitement.

"A favor?"

"Please, explain this 'favor' to me, Miss Twilight." Sign stated as Twilight gulped down a frog herself.

"It's got somet'in' ta do with Spike and mah big brother," Applejack spoke up, a worried look on her face, it was genuine.

"Go on," Sign said, her interest peaked.

Rarity grunted as she slowly pushed the mine cart up the slope out of Ghastly Gorge, the wheels squeaking with strain from such a heavy load. This wasn’t a job for a lady her caliber, but she had no choice since her help still has yet to arrive yet. Where could those two boys be? She didn’t dwell on the question as a bright flash appeared in front of the cart. A purple aura surrounded the cart and it was hauled up to the top of the slope, where Twilight and Applejack were waiting with another mare she did not recognize and know the name of. Rarity knew all of the names of any pony she thought was important for her career as a dress designer.

Rarity looked upon this mare with a critical eye. Though the mare herself was beautiful, the things she wore were absolutely dreadful as they clashed against each other. Rarity visible flinched at the outfit as she poked her head over the slope to the top of the Gorge.

“Thank you very much Twilight. I needed the help, since Big Macintosh and Spike have yet to show. I still can’t believe i had to actually sweat. A lady should never sweat.” She complained but shrug as she fixed her mane, since it was askew from its normal position.

“We know that they haven’t shown up. We’re both worried that they could have gone missing in the Everfree forest while they were on their way here.” Twilight spoke up.

“So we’ve decided to enlist the help o’ our good friend Sign here.” Applejack added

“Hello,” Sign replied with a small bow of her head as she took off her cap, showing her short mane.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Sign.” Rarity said with her own acknowledging bow.

“Likewise,” Sign said, then moved towards Rarity’s cart. She circled around the cart itself while trying to peek at the top of the pile. Unsatisfied with just looking, she jumped into the cart, making Rarity’s gems fall to ground or sent them flying as she picked one up, then inspected it.

“Wha-What are you doing?! Stop it this instance!” Rarity cried as she moved to the cart, moving around it while stammering ‘oh no’ as she tried to catch the flying gems in between screams as gems flew everywhere. Sign kept going without stopping, however, for another five minutes until she stopped unexpectedly and hopped out of the cart.

“I found my payment for this search party. It’ll be a few minutes before I can pick up their trail, however." She told purple and orange mares.

“Payment?! What payment? I’m not paying you for anything.” Rarity said as she replaced all the gems, even the ones that the mare was holding. Who just grabbed them back, beginning a tug-o-war with the quartz she needed.

“You’re not, but they are. Besides, I need these quartz stones in order to find Big Macintosh and Spike, so if you want them found, then hand over those gems. Besides, I could care less about those other ones anyway. No use magically.” Sign said as she pulled hard enough to have the stones slip from Rarity's grip, sending them both into a tumble. Sign stood up triumphantly, placing them into a saddle bag that held a long stick with a giant diamond in it. Rarity ogled the diamond, but couldn't bring herself to stare as she had other things to focus on.

Rarity looked from the odd mare to her friends who looked everywhere but at her with nervous grins on their faces. All she could do was sigh as Twilight teleported the gems and the cart to her house.

“Wake up!” A voice shouted as something hard went across Spike’s left cheek, sending small stars across his vision. “Wake up, I said!” Another set of stars flew across his vision as his other cheek began hurt.

Spike’s eyes slowly opened up, blinking once, twice, thrice times before setting them upon a Lunar Guard he saw earlier. His iris’ were the color of blood red, as before, but the pupils were dilating and expanding every second to the tempo of a metronome that only the Guard can hear. That's new, but extremely disconcerting and scary. What concerned Spike the most, however, was the fact the eyes looked wild, like the Guard was slowly losing his mind as they moved in small frantic circles while staring at him. Now that's scary.

“Who are you and who sent you?!” The guard shouted, an inch away from Spike’s nose.

“M-my name’s Spike and n-no one sent me! Honest! Me and my friend got lost on our way to the Ghastly Gorge! I swear. Please, I just want to-” A smack landed across his right cheek.

“Enough talking!” The Guard shouted as he pulled away from Spike, rounding towards Big Macintosh. “Is what he is saying true?”

“Eeyup,” The red stallion replied hurriedly. “All of it is true,”

The Guard stared at the big red stallion, then moved away from Big Macintosh and stood a little ways from both, a distant look on his face, his back to them

Spike quickly looked around. He was in a dark cellar or something, with cobblestone walls, floors and ceiling. There was only torch in the room giving off weak ambient light, but other than that, Spike had to rely on his night vision to see at all. A single drop of water landing in a pool that sounded it came from everywhere. He saw that his hands and legs were manacled to a wall, as was Big Macintosh’s four legs, both of their bellies facing forward.

As Spike turned his gaze back to Guard, he thought he saw a small twitch on his mouth that was a grin, but it was gone an instant later as it was replaced with a snarl. The Guard's head then jerked to the right, to the left, straight up and was still again, looking forward with a thin line on his lips. Spike and Big Macintosh stole a look at each other, showing their bewilderment,terror and a small bit of curiosity at what just happened.

The Guard then suddenly turned around, his wings out in a threatening pose. He lept towards Spike first, releasing him from his prison. Spike was worried at what would happen next, but the Guard turned towards him, a pleading look on his face as the pupils returned to normal size, the color turning back into gold with cat-like slit pupils. Fear was the only thing showing in those eyes, along with panic and terror.

“You must get out of here. Use the key to get out of here. Take your friend also. I don’t know how long I can do this.” the Guard said in a frantic voice, his eyes darting this way and that as he placed the key into Spike's open hand, which the Guard forced open with his bat-like wings.

Spike hurriedly did his job without another urging, freeing Big Macintosh, who forced Spike onto his back. He trotted over to the Guard.

“What about you, aren't you going to get out?” Spike asked quickly as the Guard’s eyes darted from one place to another, not even stopping to look at Spike for more than a half-second.

“I can’t leave," he whispered so low that Spike almost had trouble hearing it. "Don’t worry about me, though. Just go and never return here! GO!” The Guard shouted as he hit Big Macintosh’s red backside. He reared and galloped off into the maze of tunnels.

The last thing they both heard was a blood curdling scream, then a laughter that sprang up from that scream. It was the laughter of a mad pony who was readying himself for the enjoyment of slaughter.

Sign held out a hoof, stopping her three followers, who looked at her questioningly as they stood outside the front of a staircase. It lead down into the earth in the interior of the Old Castle of the Pony Sisters. She moved forward a bit, one of the quartz stones tied to a string which dangled between her teeth. It was pointed slightly downwards unmoving in its directioning.

A scream sprang up from inside as the quartz held its course: due straight. The the sound of horseshoes on cobblestone rang up, making Sign tense since she knew something was coming up. She had a spell ready, just to be safe. The quartz moved frantically, first left, then right, then left again, then right again and so on until it stood straight in front of her.

“TWILIGHT!” A voice sprang up from the staircase as a red stallion jumped out of the staircase, just narrowly missing Sign. The red Stallion skidded to a halt and quickly moved over to the small gang.

“You guys have to quickly get out of here! Something’s coming! Something bad.” Spike spoke quickly as he began to bite his claws, his clippings went flying

“Hold yer horses there Spike. No pun intended,” Applejack smiled weakly as she looked at Big Macintosh.

“What’s coming Spike?” Twilight asked, a concerned look that also shared its space with relief.

“Something bad,” He said, not wanting to say anymore.

“What held you, Spike?” Sign asked, turning her gaze towards the staircase.

“A-a Lunar Guard, but only he wasn’t himself. Like he had something else inside him.”

“Did he feel evil and crazy?”

“Very,” Spike said, his tone hushed. He resumed biting his claws

Sign sighed as she nodded, knowing what she had to do for now. She pulled out the staff as she set down her saddlebag.

“Twilight, take everyone and get out of here,”

“What? Why? What about you?” She asked as she quickly rounded on Sign.

“I’m staying,” She replied simply, hoping to brook no argument from the Unicorn.

“Didn’t you hear what Spike said? Something evil is down there, dear. Besides, didn’t you hear that scream just then? I don’t about the rest of you, but I don’t want to stay longer.” Rarity pipped up, moving towards Big Macintosh. Both were ready to dart.

“Then how about Rarity, Spike and mah brother go and me and Twi here will stay and help ya fight.” Applejack spoke up, looking determined.

“No. You and Twilight take the other three and get out of here. I cannot hold responsibility on what happens to you and I’m going to need all my strength to fight while not waste it on protecting you both. Besides, what comes out of there will never be forgiving and it takes no prisoners. If you show any weakness to him, he will take your body, and I mean that in the most literal sense. I only know one way to do that, and it can only work upon myself. Now go and don’t come back here. GO!” Sign shouted as she rounded on the other ponies, pushing them back with the force of her voice.

They nodded their consent, Twilight and Applejack were the most reluctant of all, turning away. They gallop away as they looked back at Sign who was staring down the staircase.

She turned back a few minutes later and saw they were gone. Completely gone. Another minute passed by and she began to hear horseshoes against cobblestone. It was a subdued tone, the length of each step slower than what Big Macintosh sounded off as he raced up the cobblestone steps. They were the steps of a confident being as it slowly made its way up the staircase.

Another minute passed by as the sounds came closer, gaining volume with each step. Sign began to tense as she backed up, giving herself room while putting the quartz away. She then flung her saddlebags behind a pillar, out of sight.

A final minute passed by as a Guard poked his, correction, its head out of the staircase with a smile that went from ear to ear on its lips, the eyes red with lunacy and the hunger to slaughter. To feast on meat and blood as it reveled in the slaughter it wants to commit.

“Welcome, Sign. I hope you have the time to stay and chat. It’s been dreadfully long since I last saw you.” Another smile on those lips made Sign almost visibly shiver as she steadied herself, a leg wrapped around her staff.

"Thanks, but I've no time to chat." She simply stated, leveling the staff to her opponent, standing on both of her hind legs. A grin came upon her face as the diamond lit up. A second later, it unleashed a concentrated beam of pure light upon her foe.