Inequinoids: The Evil That Lies Beneathby TatsurouChaptersThe Discoveries of a LifetimeThe Ancient LegacyThe Forbidden SecretThe Discoveries of a LifetimeTwilight happily bounced back and forth on her hooves as she stared up at the massive hunk of amber they'd unearthed from deep beneath Whitetail Woods. "This is amazing!" she squealed out as she dashed around it for a better look from all angles. "I knew we'd be making all sorts of discoveries down there, but I never expected one of this magnitude so soon! A fossilized ancient creature perfectly preserved in amber...and so huge too-ack!" She stopped as she clanged against something, the enviro-suit she'd designed specifically for underground environmental factors - intense heat, unexpected magma flows, and ambient magic spikes - clanging against the one worn by one of her compatriots. "We get it," Starlight stated blandly. "It's an amazing discovery. We are all thrilled to pieces that we'll be able to justify the expedition's huge initial budget to the Archaeological Preservation Society and our investors so we'll have a budget for a second expedition." She calmly pulled off her helmet to show that - while her suit, like everyone else's, was done in their color scheme for identification - her own colors were somewhat muted from being matted with sweat. "We're also hot, tired, and desperately in need of food and drink to refresh ourselves...and possibly a dip in a pool of water rather than acid." Twilight winced apologetically. "Sorry...I didn't expect the internal cooling systems to function so inefficiently. I'll up the enchantment layers and boost the stabilizing crystals before our next expedition." "That should be a while," Maud observed calmly as she easily hefted the chunk of amber - larger than the tree that had once housed the Golden Oaks Library - over her head in one hoof before setting it down on the flying platform they'd brought with them for whatever they found...though they'd expected several artifacts rather than a single fossil. "We'll take the time to learn all we can from this before engaging in another expedition." "We can always hope," Tempest murmured thoughtfully as she shifted her own helmet back, as uncomfortable as Starlight was but unwilling to comment on it. "Still, we should get back to Ponyville with this as soon as we can, Princess." Twilight rolled her eyes ruefully. "I've asked you to call me Twilight," she groaned softly. "And what's the rush? We're the only ones out here, and it's not like it's the Everfree!" Tempest was silent for a time, her eyes narrowed slightly. "...as you say, Princess," she allowed finally. "You're giving the look," Maud stated flatly. "Look?" Tempest asked in confusion. "The 'My commander is being an idiot but it's not my place to say so' look," Maud explained calmly. "The look you gave every time you called in a report to the Storm King when you worked for him." Tempest bit her lip and glanced away. "...that obvious?" she finally asked. "Expressions can say a lot about what a pony is thinking if you know how to read them," Maud confirmed flatly, her own expression unchanging. "Tempest, do you think I'm overlooking something?" Twilight pressed gently. Tempest frowned. "You're in charge of this expedition, Prin-" "Fizzle," Twilight interrupted calmly, instantly silencing the mare. "I'm not asking as a leader to a subordinate right now. I'm asking you as my friend...do you think I'm making a mistake?" Tempest closed her eyes and took a few breaths. "My apologies," she offered softly. "I'm still getting used to...friends." "It gets easier," Starlight reassured her helpfully. "...sorta." Tempest managed a smirk. She then turned back to Twilight. "The nature of the specimen concerns me," she continued calmly. "It seems like some sort of prehistoric beast...but it looks half dead inside the amber. If it was inside the amber when it died, how did it reach such a state of decay? If it died before entering the amber, why is it in an upright, struggling position? And why aren't there folds within the amber where there are spaces between the exposed ribs?" Twilight turned to look a little closer at the discovery. It was a massive bipedal creature, the visible flesh - where it had it - half decayed to an unhealthy looking greenish-yellow. Its rib cage and skull were both completely bare of flesh, and yet the entire thing was posed as if it were about to burst free of the amber and attack. While very dramatic...when looked that way, also quite concerning given it was easily big as the hydra of Froggy Bottom Bog. "So...what are you getting at?" she asked Tempest calmly. "Given the strong connection in history and mythology between evil forces, dark magic, and necromancy," Tempest continued calmly, "I'd say there's equal chance of this being an imprisoned lich of some sort as a fossilization anomaly. I'd feel better if we took some sort of security measures in that regard." She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Especially given your...track record when it comes to ancient sealed evils." Twilight gave Tempest an unamused, flat-eyed glare. "Very funny, Fizzle," she growled as Starlight giggled. "Still, your point is well taken. Spike!" Spike swooped down to land lightly atop the amber specimen, his toe-claws gripping it without digging in as he spread his wings for balance. "Yeah, Twilight?" he called back easily. He then glanced down at what he was standing on. "Whoa! Now that's an ugly mug..." "Get back to the Land Heart Museum and Display Center and up the guard complement," Twilight instructed firmly. "Get preparations underway for a multi-layer containment shield, and requisition as many unicorn Royal Guards as you can manage. Make sure they all know the Sunflash Cantrip." Spike quickly jotted down his instructions, then took another glance at the creature in the amber. "...you think we've got an undead monster here?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Tempest believes there's a good chance of it, and I can't fault her logic," Twilight allowed, giving Tempest a friendly smile. "Other than it being you running the expedition?" Spike called out playfully, laughing as he took wing after Twilight blew him a raspberry in response. She then turned and led the group off, taking their sample with them. Hidden in the trees nearby, a black hoof traced over writing in an ancient tome. "So..." a hissing voice observed softly. "The writings here are true..." A page was turned, revealing more writings and a picture of a mass of vines with eyes. "Then there is one other to release...to set in motion the destruction of Equestria...and the death of Twilight Sparkle!" The book closed, and the figure holding it snaked off into the shadows. The Ancient LegacyApplejack calmly followed Granny Smith into an unused portion of Sweet Apple Acres, a part of the orchard that nothing had ever been planted in but had been full of trees for as long as she could remember. Despite none of the trees having any leaves, Granny Smith had forbidden them from ever being cleared even when they desperately needed more land for more income. It had been something that had long confused both herself and Big Mac, but Granny had been so insistent that they'd obeyed. Now she followed Granny among the leafless trees for reasons that she could not understand. All Granny had said was that it 'was time' and to follow her. She glanced around at the trees, taking them in. If she allowed the lights and shadows to trick her senses, she might think there were faces in the trunks, glowering at her with hostile suspicion...but she'd learned that lesson back when she first met Twilight. While she wouldn't giggle aloud just now, she took Pinkie's advice anyway and put the imagined specters from her mind, instead focusing on other details...and trying to figure out why Granny was bringing her out here. Eventually, Granny approached a single tree that stood somewhat taller than the others, and was visibly ancient with age. While the other trees had been redwoods, this one was practically silver despite all other traits suggesting it was the same species as the trees around it. Granny took a seat on the grass before the tree in the small clearing around it, folding her legs under her as she set aside her walking stick. "Come sit, Applejack," she wheezed calmly as she relaxed, looking more energized than Applejack had ever seen her despite the sound of her voice. "Stay a while." Curious, Applejack folded her hind legs under her as she sat facing her Granny. "So...wut's this all about, Granny?" she asked curiously. "All ya said was 'it's time' and brought me out here. Time fer what?" "Time fer ya to understand what we're here ta do," Granny explained calmly as she looked her granddaughter in the eye. "There's a lot more ta this farm than the apples, ya know." Applejack looked around in confusion. "Is...is this someat like the Zap Apples?" she asked curiously. Despite the vibrant colors of the surrounding trees, the lack of leaves did remind her of the Zap Apple trees. "Eh...sorta, but not really," Granny replied. "Someat ah learned about around the same time, though." She chuckled softly. "They seemed as surprised by me as I was a' them." "Them?" Applejack asked in surprise, jerking back to face Granny. "In their own time," Granny assured her before huddling down to wait. Though not really satisfied by the non-answers, Applejack settled down to wait. As she did, she found herself noticing more and more about the area that disturbed her. While she'd discounted the 'faces in the trees' earlier, her sense of nature told her that the trees...weren't happy to see her, as best as she could make out. It was the same sort of hostility she used to feel entering the Everfree, but more focused and intense. The Everfree had the hostility of a hunter looking for prey. This was the hostility of an unpleasant neighbor who wished you'd get off their lawn, but coming from every single tree. At the same time, not a single critter sound echoed among the trees. Used to always hearing sounds on the farm, Applejack found that even more disturbing. She strained her ears, hoping to hear anything. Even the screech of vampire fruit bats would be welcome, but no sound reached her ears. She dealt with the sensations - and lack thereof - for as long as she could, but eventually turned back to Granny Smith. "G-Granny? Do...do we have ta stay here? I...ah don't feel welcome." "Poppycock!" Granny Smith snapped, standing up. Stalking over, she rapped on the silver tree. "What's the big idea?" she demanded of the tree. "This is my granddaughter! I told you about her! She's saved the land more times than you have, so stop giving her the cold branch and wake up!" The tree quivered and shifted...and a face appeared on the trunk, the branches lowering down into arms. "Sssshe does not belong among us..." the figure hiss-growled as it spoke. "One she is tied to...has broken the seal! One of the beasts has been brought to the surface!" "Don't talk nonsense!" Granny snapped. "None o' Applejack's friends woulda done nothin' like that! They're Equestria's protectors!" "The amber prison has been brought to the surface," the tree figure insisted, "and it was done by equine hoof and magic." "But what makes ya think-" "It was Twilight, wasn't it?" Applejack asked calmly. "Her and her Land Heart project, diggin' down ta learn the planet's past and secrets. She gone and dug up some ancient evil, ain't she?" The hostility of the area eased. "Land...Heart?" the silver figure pressed. "Eeyup," Applejack confirmed. "Her, Tempest, Starlight, and Maud got these suits that let 'em explore deeper than ponies can go. Even got Spike along, since dragons ain't bothered by the stuff deep down." The trees around them rustled, and another one revealed itself in a shape like the silver speaker. "It repeats, Redland..." it observed obliquely. "I notice, Redsock," Redland responded firmly, mildly glaring at the speaker. "I was there, you were not." He turned back to Applejack. "You can contact this...Land Heart? Give warning of what they've revealed?" "Easily," Applejack answered. "The Museum where they're puttin' the stuff they dig up is right here in Ponyville. Just gotta head inta town. What am I ta tell 'em, anyway?" "They have unearthed D'Compose, one of the Inhumanoids," Redland spoke calmly. "An undead monstrosity that converts any it touches into undead beasts, vulnerable only to Whiteburn." "...any chance ya can elaborate on that?" Applejack pressed. "Usual counters fer undead is fire and sunlight." "Whiteburn is an ancient term for sunlight," Redsock clarified. "D'Compose is exceptionally vulnerable, and any he converts can be restored with direct exposure." "Well shoot!" Applejack declared happily as she stood up. "Then it's a good thing Princess Celestia's gonna be there for the opening! if he breaks free, she can just raise the sun early! Be right back, Granny!" With that, she turned and raced into town. Redland stared after her. "Raise...the sun?" he asked oddly. "Told ya lots was different since ye last woke up when ah met ya the first time!" Granny snapped out. "But nooo, 'the face o' life may change, but not nature'!" She glared pugnaciously up at the silver tree being. Redland managed to look sheepish. The Forbidden SecretIn a place where pony, dragon, and minotaur lands met, there was an ancient grove where no one was allowed to delve. It had been forbidden by all three races for any to dig in that location for as long as living memory could recall, though none could recall why anymore. As a result, wild plant life had flourished, though for some reason none of the more dangerous or lively of the magical flora had sprouted in the area, leaving only mundane plants to cast shade within the grove. As a result, there was nothing to witness, let alone halt, the pack of Diamond Dogs that were violating that ancient taboo, or the deep hole they had already dug in the center. "Boss?" one of the Dogs suddenly spoke up. "Why we dig here?" "Because there be gems here!" the Alpha insisted firmly as he tossed more and more dirt behind him and out of the hole. "But...we no smell gems," the vocal dog pointed out, several of the others starting to hesitate as they confirmed the lack of a scent. The Alpha wasn't as certain as he had been either. He'd been told there was a huge mother load of gems here, just waiting for anyone who dared dig where it was forbidden, and his pack was desperate for gems as their normal digs had been turning up unnaturally empty. However, he'd managed to logic out why they wouldn't smell the mother load as they dug, and he shared that knowledge now. "Who forbid digging here?" he pressed. "Uh...ponies?" the vocal dog offered uncertainly. "Dragons?" another suggested nervously. "Exactly!" the Alpha confirmed, nodding at the nervous dog. "And what do dragons eat?" "Gems," another Dog spoke up confidently. "But there aren't any gems in dragon lands," the vocal dog insisted. "That why they trade with ponies." "Then why forbid digging here, if 'no gems in dragon lands'?" the Alpha pressed. Before anyone could respond, he brought his paws together. "Because there something here they want keep safe and not found! And what is only thing dragons have to protect?" "Hoards?" the nervous dog began nervously. "And what hoard would no dragon sit on?" the Alpha continued. "One for all dragons," the vocal one deduced calmly...only for his eyes to widen. "Food surplus for lean times!" "Exactly!" the Alpha declared firmly. "Which is why there is no scent, because they don't want anyone finding it!" "So we keep digging, we find gem hoard!" the vocal dog called out excitedly. "But...won't dragons be mad we take from hoard?" the nervous dog asked worriedly. "Bah!" the Alpha dismissed. "Food Surplus for all dragons must be huge! You know how much just one dragon can eat, and there are hundreds at least. They not miss a bucketful each if we only take small ones, and that more than enough for us for a year at least!" As all the dogs began nodding eagerly, he gestured imperiously. "So keep digging!" The Diamond Dogs immediately returned to digging with renewed vigor, driving deep into the soil and tearing rocks apart as they got in their way. As the hole got deep enough, one of the dogs noticed some of the rock was especially resistant to breaking. "Boss! Strong rock!" He gestured to where the rock was much harder than the type of rock would normally allow. "Look like sandstone, but much too hard!" "Must be vault!" the Alpha declared eagerly. "Dig around, find the opening!" The Dogs set to with a will, the scent of wealth in their minds if not their noses. Eventually, they managed to uncover a barred hole in the rock. Before they could think too hard about that, they tore the bars from their moorings and began digging around the edges to widen it enough to get inside. "Careful!" the Alpha called out. "Don't lose bars and rock! Must close back up when leave so dragons not know we dug-" An unearthly shrieking hiss erupted from the hole, followed by a morass of vines that lashed out to seize the Dogs and toss them about like rag dolls as it forced its way out through the small hole. Eventually, it settled on the surface before taking on a massive, bipedal shape. The mass of vines eventually seemed to solidify as eyes became visible, two tendrils colored red hanging down like an incredibly long mustache. "Aiiiiir!" it hissed in pleasure. "Freeeeee! Find otherssss!" With that it stalked off, passing through the undergrowth without issue as it headed into pony lands. After a time, the Dogs managed to gather their wits. One of them stuck his head into the hole, sniffing around. "Boss? No gems in here..." The Alpha smacked him on the back of the head. "Course there no gems!" he snapped. "That thing has Gems! Must be guardian or something! After it!" "Uh...which way did it go?" another dog asked, as none of the dogs had enough wits to see which way when they were all knocked silly. The Alpha sniffed around, but could find no trace. "Well, stupid to chase into dragon lands...and dragons no like ponies, so guardian wouldn't go that way...hunt in minotaur lands!" With that declaration, the entire pack climbed out of the hole and went charging off in the wrong direction based on logic. Hidden in the brush, a figure watched them. "Idiots," the figure declared dismissively. "Still, this works to my advantage. Soon, Tendril will free D'Compose. Of course, the ponies will be able to drive them off...and then the beasts will lead me to their master, and with his power all will fall before me." A wicked cackle faded as a burst of flames heralded the figure's departure.
The Discoveries of a LifetimeTwilight happily bounced back and forth on her hooves as she stared up at the massive hunk of amber they'd unearthed from deep beneath Whitetail Woods. "This is amazing!" she squealed out as she dashed around it for a better look from all angles. "I knew we'd be making all sorts of discoveries down there, but I never expected one of this magnitude so soon! A fossilized ancient creature perfectly preserved in amber...and so huge too-ack!" She stopped as she clanged against something, the enviro-suit she'd designed specifically for underground environmental factors - intense heat, unexpected magma flows, and ambient magic spikes - clanging against the one worn by one of her compatriots. "We get it," Starlight stated blandly. "It's an amazing discovery. We are all thrilled to pieces that we'll be able to justify the expedition's huge initial budget to the Archaeological Preservation Society and our investors so we'll have a budget for a second expedition." She calmly pulled off her helmet to show that - while her suit, like everyone else's, was done in their color scheme for identification - her own colors were somewhat muted from being matted with sweat. "We're also hot, tired, and desperately in need of food and drink to refresh ourselves...and possibly a dip in a pool of water rather than acid." Twilight winced apologetically. "Sorry...I didn't expect the internal cooling systems to function so inefficiently. I'll up the enchantment layers and boost the stabilizing crystals before our next expedition." "That should be a while," Maud observed calmly as she easily hefted the chunk of amber - larger than the tree that had once housed the Golden Oaks Library - over her head in one hoof before setting it down on the flying platform they'd brought with them for whatever they found...though they'd expected several artifacts rather than a single fossil. "We'll take the time to learn all we can from this before engaging in another expedition." "We can always hope," Tempest murmured thoughtfully as she shifted her own helmet back, as uncomfortable as Starlight was but unwilling to comment on it. "Still, we should get back to Ponyville with this as soon as we can, Princess." Twilight rolled her eyes ruefully. "I've asked you to call me Twilight," she groaned softly. "And what's the rush? We're the only ones out here, and it's not like it's the Everfree!" Tempest was silent for a time, her eyes narrowed slightly. "...as you say, Princess," she allowed finally. "You're giving the look," Maud stated flatly. "Look?" Tempest asked in confusion. "The 'My commander is being an idiot but it's not my place to say so' look," Maud explained calmly. "The look you gave every time you called in a report to the Storm King when you worked for him." Tempest bit her lip and glanced away. "...that obvious?" she finally asked. "Expressions can say a lot about what a pony is thinking if you know how to read them," Maud confirmed flatly, her own expression unchanging. "Tempest, do you think I'm overlooking something?" Twilight pressed gently. Tempest frowned. "You're in charge of this expedition, Prin-" "Fizzle," Twilight interrupted calmly, instantly silencing the mare. "I'm not asking as a leader to a subordinate right now. I'm asking you as my friend...do you think I'm making a mistake?" Tempest closed her eyes and took a few breaths. "My apologies," she offered softly. "I'm still getting used to...friends." "It gets easier," Starlight reassured her helpfully. "...sorta." Tempest managed a smirk. She then turned back to Twilight. "The nature of the specimen concerns me," she continued calmly. "It seems like some sort of prehistoric beast...but it looks half dead inside the amber. If it was inside the amber when it died, how did it reach such a state of decay? If it died before entering the amber, why is it in an upright, struggling position? And why aren't there folds within the amber where there are spaces between the exposed ribs?" Twilight turned to look a little closer at the discovery. It was a massive bipedal creature, the visible flesh - where it had it - half decayed to an unhealthy looking greenish-yellow. Its rib cage and skull were both completely bare of flesh, and yet the entire thing was posed as if it were about to burst free of the amber and attack. While very dramatic...when looked that way, also quite concerning given it was easily big as the hydra of Froggy Bottom Bog. "So...what are you getting at?" she asked Tempest calmly. "Given the strong connection in history and mythology between evil forces, dark magic, and necromancy," Tempest continued calmly, "I'd say there's equal chance of this being an imprisoned lich of some sort as a fossilization anomaly. I'd feel better if we took some sort of security measures in that regard." She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Especially given your...track record when it comes to ancient sealed evils." Twilight gave Tempest an unamused, flat-eyed glare. "Very funny, Fizzle," she growled as Starlight giggled. "Still, your point is well taken. Spike!" Spike swooped down to land lightly atop the amber specimen, his toe-claws gripping it without digging in as he spread his wings for balance. "Yeah, Twilight?" he called back easily. He then glanced down at what he was standing on. "Whoa! Now that's an ugly mug..." "Get back to the Land Heart Museum and Display Center and up the guard complement," Twilight instructed firmly. "Get preparations underway for a multi-layer containment shield, and requisition as many unicorn Royal Guards as you can manage. Make sure they all know the Sunflash Cantrip." Spike quickly jotted down his instructions, then took another glance at the creature in the amber. "...you think we've got an undead monster here?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Tempest believes there's a good chance of it, and I can't fault her logic," Twilight allowed, giving Tempest a friendly smile. "Other than it being you running the expedition?" Spike called out playfully, laughing as he took wing after Twilight blew him a raspberry in response. She then turned and led the group off, taking their sample with them. Hidden in the trees nearby, a black hoof traced over writing in an ancient tome. "So..." a hissing voice observed softly. "The writings here are true..." A page was turned, revealing more writings and a picture of a mass of vines with eyes. "Then there is one other to release...to set in motion the destruction of Equestria...and the death of Twilight Sparkle!" The book closed, and the figure holding it snaked off into the shadows.
The Ancient LegacyApplejack calmly followed Granny Smith into an unused portion of Sweet Apple Acres, a part of the orchard that nothing had ever been planted in but had been full of trees for as long as she could remember. Despite none of the trees having any leaves, Granny Smith had forbidden them from ever being cleared even when they desperately needed more land for more income. It had been something that had long confused both herself and Big Mac, but Granny had been so insistent that they'd obeyed. Now she followed Granny among the leafless trees for reasons that she could not understand. All Granny had said was that it 'was time' and to follow her. She glanced around at the trees, taking them in. If she allowed the lights and shadows to trick her senses, she might think there were faces in the trunks, glowering at her with hostile suspicion...but she'd learned that lesson back when she first met Twilight. While she wouldn't giggle aloud just now, she took Pinkie's advice anyway and put the imagined specters from her mind, instead focusing on other details...and trying to figure out why Granny was bringing her out here. Eventually, Granny approached a single tree that stood somewhat taller than the others, and was visibly ancient with age. While the other trees had been redwoods, this one was practically silver despite all other traits suggesting it was the same species as the trees around it. Granny took a seat on the grass before the tree in the small clearing around it, folding her legs under her as she set aside her walking stick. "Come sit, Applejack," she wheezed calmly as she relaxed, looking more energized than Applejack had ever seen her despite the sound of her voice. "Stay a while." Curious, Applejack folded her hind legs under her as she sat facing her Granny. "So...wut's this all about, Granny?" she asked curiously. "All ya said was 'it's time' and brought me out here. Time fer what?" "Time fer ya to understand what we're here ta do," Granny explained calmly as she looked her granddaughter in the eye. "There's a lot more ta this farm than the apples, ya know." Applejack looked around in confusion. "Is...is this someat like the Zap Apples?" she asked curiously. Despite the vibrant colors of the surrounding trees, the lack of leaves did remind her of the Zap Apple trees. "Eh...sorta, but not really," Granny replied. "Someat ah learned about around the same time, though." She chuckled softly. "They seemed as surprised by me as I was a' them." "Them?" Applejack asked in surprise, jerking back to face Granny. "In their own time," Granny assured her before huddling down to wait. Though not really satisfied by the non-answers, Applejack settled down to wait. As she did, she found herself noticing more and more about the area that disturbed her. While she'd discounted the 'faces in the trees' earlier, her sense of nature told her that the trees...weren't happy to see her, as best as she could make out. It was the same sort of hostility she used to feel entering the Everfree, but more focused and intense. The Everfree had the hostility of a hunter looking for prey. This was the hostility of an unpleasant neighbor who wished you'd get off their lawn, but coming from every single tree. At the same time, not a single critter sound echoed among the trees. Used to always hearing sounds on the farm, Applejack found that even more disturbing. She strained her ears, hoping to hear anything. Even the screech of vampire fruit bats would be welcome, but no sound reached her ears. She dealt with the sensations - and lack thereof - for as long as she could, but eventually turned back to Granny Smith. "G-Granny? Do...do we have ta stay here? I...ah don't feel welcome." "Poppycock!" Granny Smith snapped, standing up. Stalking over, she rapped on the silver tree. "What's the big idea?" she demanded of the tree. "This is my granddaughter! I told you about her! She's saved the land more times than you have, so stop giving her the cold branch and wake up!" The tree quivered and shifted...and a face appeared on the trunk, the branches lowering down into arms. "Sssshe does not belong among us..." the figure hiss-growled as it spoke. "One she is tied to...has broken the seal! One of the beasts has been brought to the surface!" "Don't talk nonsense!" Granny snapped. "None o' Applejack's friends woulda done nothin' like that! They're Equestria's protectors!" "The amber prison has been brought to the surface," the tree figure insisted, "and it was done by equine hoof and magic." "But what makes ya think-" "It was Twilight, wasn't it?" Applejack asked calmly. "Her and her Land Heart project, diggin' down ta learn the planet's past and secrets. She gone and dug up some ancient evil, ain't she?" The hostility of the area eased. "Land...Heart?" the silver figure pressed. "Eeyup," Applejack confirmed. "Her, Tempest, Starlight, and Maud got these suits that let 'em explore deeper than ponies can go. Even got Spike along, since dragons ain't bothered by the stuff deep down." The trees around them rustled, and another one revealed itself in a shape like the silver speaker. "It repeats, Redland..." it observed obliquely. "I notice, Redsock," Redland responded firmly, mildly glaring at the speaker. "I was there, you were not." He turned back to Applejack. "You can contact this...Land Heart? Give warning of what they've revealed?" "Easily," Applejack answered. "The Museum where they're puttin' the stuff they dig up is right here in Ponyville. Just gotta head inta town. What am I ta tell 'em, anyway?" "They have unearthed D'Compose, one of the Inhumanoids," Redland spoke calmly. "An undead monstrosity that converts any it touches into undead beasts, vulnerable only to Whiteburn." "...any chance ya can elaborate on that?" Applejack pressed. "Usual counters fer undead is fire and sunlight." "Whiteburn is an ancient term for sunlight," Redsock clarified. "D'Compose is exceptionally vulnerable, and any he converts can be restored with direct exposure." "Well shoot!" Applejack declared happily as she stood up. "Then it's a good thing Princess Celestia's gonna be there for the opening! if he breaks free, she can just raise the sun early! Be right back, Granny!" With that, she turned and raced into town. Redland stared after her. "Raise...the sun?" he asked oddly. "Told ya lots was different since ye last woke up when ah met ya the first time!" Granny snapped out. "But nooo, 'the face o' life may change, but not nature'!" She glared pugnaciously up at the silver tree being. Redland managed to look sheepish.
The Forbidden SecretIn a place where pony, dragon, and minotaur lands met, there was an ancient grove where no one was allowed to delve. It had been forbidden by all three races for any to dig in that location for as long as living memory could recall, though none could recall why anymore. As a result, wild plant life had flourished, though for some reason none of the more dangerous or lively of the magical flora had sprouted in the area, leaving only mundane plants to cast shade within the grove. As a result, there was nothing to witness, let alone halt, the pack of Diamond Dogs that were violating that ancient taboo, or the deep hole they had already dug in the center. "Boss?" one of the Dogs suddenly spoke up. "Why we dig here?" "Because there be gems here!" the Alpha insisted firmly as he tossed more and more dirt behind him and out of the hole. "But...we no smell gems," the vocal dog pointed out, several of the others starting to hesitate as they confirmed the lack of a scent. The Alpha wasn't as certain as he had been either. He'd been told there was a huge mother load of gems here, just waiting for anyone who dared dig where it was forbidden, and his pack was desperate for gems as their normal digs had been turning up unnaturally empty. However, he'd managed to logic out why they wouldn't smell the mother load as they dug, and he shared that knowledge now. "Who forbid digging here?" he pressed. "Uh...ponies?" the vocal dog offered uncertainly. "Dragons?" another suggested nervously. "Exactly!" the Alpha confirmed, nodding at the nervous dog. "And what do dragons eat?" "Gems," another Dog spoke up confidently. "But there aren't any gems in dragon lands," the vocal dog insisted. "That why they trade with ponies." "Then why forbid digging here, if 'no gems in dragon lands'?" the Alpha pressed. Before anyone could respond, he brought his paws together. "Because there something here they want keep safe and not found! And what is only thing dragons have to protect?" "Hoards?" the nervous dog began nervously. "And what hoard would no dragon sit on?" the Alpha continued. "One for all dragons," the vocal one deduced calmly...only for his eyes to widen. "Food surplus for lean times!" "Exactly!" the Alpha declared firmly. "Which is why there is no scent, because they don't want anyone finding it!" "So we keep digging, we find gem hoard!" the vocal dog called out excitedly. "But...won't dragons be mad we take from hoard?" the nervous dog asked worriedly. "Bah!" the Alpha dismissed. "Food Surplus for all dragons must be huge! You know how much just one dragon can eat, and there are hundreds at least. They not miss a bucketful each if we only take small ones, and that more than enough for us for a year at least!" As all the dogs began nodding eagerly, he gestured imperiously. "So keep digging!" The Diamond Dogs immediately returned to digging with renewed vigor, driving deep into the soil and tearing rocks apart as they got in their way. As the hole got deep enough, one of the dogs noticed some of the rock was especially resistant to breaking. "Boss! Strong rock!" He gestured to where the rock was much harder than the type of rock would normally allow. "Look like sandstone, but much too hard!" "Must be vault!" the Alpha declared eagerly. "Dig around, find the opening!" The Dogs set to with a will, the scent of wealth in their minds if not their noses. Eventually, they managed to uncover a barred hole in the rock. Before they could think too hard about that, they tore the bars from their moorings and began digging around the edges to widen it enough to get inside. "Careful!" the Alpha called out. "Don't lose bars and rock! Must close back up when leave so dragons not know we dug-" An unearthly shrieking hiss erupted from the hole, followed by a morass of vines that lashed out to seize the Dogs and toss them about like rag dolls as it forced its way out through the small hole. Eventually, it settled on the surface before taking on a massive, bipedal shape. The mass of vines eventually seemed to solidify as eyes became visible, two tendrils colored red hanging down like an incredibly long mustache. "Aiiiiir!" it hissed in pleasure. "Freeeeee! Find otherssss!" With that it stalked off, passing through the undergrowth without issue as it headed into pony lands. After a time, the Dogs managed to gather their wits. One of them stuck his head into the hole, sniffing around. "Boss? No gems in here..." The Alpha smacked him on the back of the head. "Course there no gems!" he snapped. "That thing has Gems! Must be guardian or something! After it!" "Uh...which way did it go?" another dog asked, as none of the dogs had enough wits to see which way when they were all knocked silly. The Alpha sniffed around, but could find no trace. "Well, stupid to chase into dragon lands...and dragons no like ponies, so guardian wouldn't go that way...hunt in minotaur lands!" With that declaration, the entire pack climbed out of the hole and went charging off in the wrong direction based on logic. Hidden in the brush, a figure watched them. "Idiots," the figure declared dismissively. "Still, this works to my advantage. Soon, Tendril will free D'Compose. Of course, the ponies will be able to drive them off...and then the beasts will lead me to their master, and with his power all will fall before me." A wicked cackle faded as a burst of flames heralded the figure's departure.
