Keepers of the Dead

by WhoWhatWhere

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, Dark, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5107

When a new pony moves into Ponyville Twilight finds herself learning an art once thought forgotten.

When a new pony moves into Ponyville Twilight finds herself learning an art once thought forgotten. As she continues learning she soon discovers why this magic was almost lost to time.

Published 2012-11-03 23:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-27 20:43:19 UTC

No Good Deed

Chapter One: No Good Deed

No matter how good your intent was it can always backfire.

Magic is something all unicorns are born with. It defines them in everything they do. From simple levitation to banishing an evil mystical force. It shapes the lives of all those they come in contact with. Whether they use their ability for good or evil is up to them.

“Twilight?” Spike said with a concerned tone, “it is three in the morning you really should go to bed.” The unicorn looked up from her book at Spike, giving him a yawn, “I’m sorry if I woke you up, Spike. I just got this book on enchantments and wanted to see if I could try it out on something.”

Spike looked unamused at Twilight, “You are going to be a wreck at Rarity’s get together tomorrow if you don’t get some sleep soon.”

She let out a short sigh, “ya I guess you're right.” She blew out the candle on her desk and felt her way back to her bed. She had been so close. Just another try and she would have been able to enchant any table cloth to be stain resistant. It might not have been a glories enchantment, but it would save her a lot of time cleaning up after Pinkie Pie’s parties. Twilight situated herself under the covers and dosed into sleep. The last thing she heard was spike snoring before she drifted into a dreamless slumber.

Twilight was abruptly awoken as she heard somepony knocking on her door. Twilight scurried about the hollowed out tree, opened the door looking exhausted.

“Yah’ alright, Twilight?” asked Applejack.

“Yes I’m fine; I was up late last night studying, ” Twilight said letting out a yawn.

“Are ya’ll still going over to Rarity’s shop to see what she’s got to show us?”

“Yes I was just about to grab spike and head on over. Do you have any idea on what she wants to show us?” She walked back into her house and grabbed the book she was reading the night before and headed back outside

“Probably a new design, she has been working on it for a few weeks now so it must be good.”

With Spike at her side and her new book packed in her bag Twilight, Applejack, and a sleeping Spike were off to meet the others outside of Rarity's boutique. As they walked up they could already see Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash waiting outside. When everyone was there Rainbow Dash sighed impatiently, and flatly said “finally you two are here now Rarity will show us what she was working on all this time.” Rainbow swooped down and knocked at the door. After a while Rarity opened and stepped out, a dress form covered by a blanket floating behind her. With a click the door closed as Rarity turned to her friends.

“As you all know I have been working on this new design for a while now and” she stopped in the middle of her sentence and was looking off into the distance, “oh my it looks like we have a new pony moving into Ponyville” the group turned around to see a figure pulling a cart covered by a tarp stretched taut over the top with a mound of boxes underneath. The strange thing was that the pony pulling the cart was wearing a hooded cloak.

Pinkie’s smile was slowly growing when it hit its peak she jumped up and shouted, “that means we can have a welcoming party!” She galloped off as fast as she could to Sugarcube Corner. As the hooded figure was about to pass the boutique Rarity stopped the newcomer on the street, “Hello, I’m Rarity, I must say I have never seen a cloak quite like yours.” The pony stopped and shook off the hood revealing an older colt with grey coat and a brown mane, he looked over at Rarity. “I’m sorry what was that? I was miles away.”

Rarity smiled as she walked closer “I was just saying welcome to Ponyville and your cloak looks very interesting.”

The newcomer looked over the cloak with almost a nostalgic pride and chuckled a little, “It’s an old family heirloom, but I just haven’t found the time to properly repair it.” He continued looking it over, looking almost saddened by the condition it was in.

Twilight spoke up, “Well, if you are looking for a tailor you will find no one better in Ponyville than Rarity.”

Rarity blushed slightly, “Oh Twilight you are too kind, but seeing as how you are new I could patch it up for you, free of charge of course.”

The grey unicorn let out a small chuckle, “No offence to you or your skill but I doubt you’ll be able to completely fix it.”

Rarity looked slightly miffed at that remark, but kept her composure. “Rips and holes are basic I can ea...” She was interrupted by the newcomer, “no it will only hurt the cloak in the end.”

Rarity now looking determined to fix his cloak gave him a stern look, “Come now if you take that dusty thing off I can fix it up.” Rarity taking it in her teeth to slide it off of him, but as soon as she bit down he lurched back ripping the fabric in two. All of the ponies gasped except rarity still holding a half of the torn cloak in her mouth. The colt quickly threw his half over his flank trying to hide something. She slowly placed her half gently on the ground and broke the awkward silence surrounding the group. “I...I’m terribly sorry, if you will give me the afternoon I can easily fix it up better than new. Mister...I’m sorry I never got your name.”

He was slowly grinding his teeth and taking deep breaths, hooking himself back up to the cart and throwing both halves of the torn cloak over his flank. The colt said coldly “It’s Nickel, and next time listen when someone tells you no.” As he started to walk off he mumbled something about finding a bar before he turned a corner and vanished.

Rainbow Dash was the first to speak, “wow he was kind of a jerk, all you were trying to do was help him.”

“Now Rainbow,” Twilight stepped in “moving can be stressful on some ponies and his family heirloom was just destroyed.” She stopped too late but looked over at Rarity with an apologetic smile “err ripped by accident that is.”

“No it is fine Twilight, but I suppose I should go apologize to him. None of you know where he lives by any chance, would you?”

Fluttershy’s head perked up at this and sheepishly said “Well there was a new building, it’s on the outskirts of town.”

d “If you want I can come with you.”

Rarity’s expression brightened at this “We should wait a few hours and let him cool down a bit.” There was a moment of awkward silence where no one looked at each other and no one spoke. The only sound was that of the leaves blowing in the wind. Spike motioned to say something but immediately closed his mouth. Finally Applejack broke the silence, “So Rarity yah’ finally gunna’ show us what you made there?”

She let out a short sigh “no the mood is ruined now, besides now that I think about it, it could use some more work.” Rarity floated the dress form back inside “but that doesn’t mean we can’t spend the afternoon together, too bad Pinkie had to run off like that.”

Rarity headed over to the entrance to the boutique “thank you for the great time girls but I must go make amends with Nickel.” Twilight started to follow Rarity but was quickly stopped by the white unicorn “are you sure you want to tag along? I do believe I can handle this on my own.”

Twilight sheepishly answered, “well to be honest I want to find out why that cloak was so special, something seemed strange about it. You didn’t notice anything wrong with it did you?”

Rarity thought about it for a second, “other than the holes, rips and the general wear and tear nothing out of the ordinary.” With that the two were off to the house at the outskirts of town. As they approached the house they noticed the empty cart parked out front. “He sure did unpack in a hurry.” Rarity noted demurely. Twilight let her friend take the lead as she walked up to the door. *knock* *knock* There was a quiet stirring in the house, as the door opened they were both shocked to see a dragon almost as large as Rarity. The unicorns’ mouths hung open staring at the dragon with black and blue scales. The dragon spoke in a feminine voice “Hello how can I help you?”

Chapter 2: Curiosity

Curiosity

Chapter Two: Curiosity

Curiosity can lead to great discoveries, or your death.

The dragon’s head perked up, “Oh my bad. My name is Obsidia, but everyone calls me Obsi for short.”

“Nice to meet you, I am Rarity and this is my friend Twilight.” Twilight gave a little wave from behind Rarity slightly shocked to see another dragon.

The dragon turned and lead the two unicorns in, “I didn't think word would spread that quickly but come on in.” The shop was in the process of being set up, packed and unpacked boxes strewn about the room. Obsidia walked behind the counter and pulled out a scroll of paper and a quill from a nearby desk, “Ok so what will your order be?”

Rarity paused for a second “what do you mean by order?”

Obsidia set the scroll and quill on a table. “You two are here to place orders aren’t you?” Twilight and Rarity were still giving the black dragon confused looks. Obsi smiled “my dad was in town spreading the word about the shop, I thought he must have told you.”

Rarity stepped forward and cleared her throat, “Well now this is embarrassing, I was looking for a pony named Nickel. I didn’t know a family of dragons set up shop here.”

The dragon gave a chuckle, “No you have the right place. I’m guessing you are looking for Nickel?” Rarity gave a nod. “He isn’t my father genetically, but he did raise me since I was an egg so I guess see him as my dad.” She walked over to a box and pulled out a picture, “This is him and me when I was an egg.” The picture showed a young Nickel with a sapphire blue egg holding it as if it were a newborn.

Twilight looked at Rarity reminding her of what they came there for, “Right Twilight, Obsidia, is Nickel in? I would really like to talk to him.”

Obsidia looked at the grandfather clock behind the counter “he left a while ago so he should be back soon, if you don’t mind me asking what do you need him for?”

Rarity looked slightly embarrassed, “well Nickel and I had a small” she paused for a second looking for the right word “accident, and I have come to apologize.”

Obsidia looked over to a moving box labeled “trash” with the ragged cloak hanging over one side. “That accident I’m guessing.” Rarity nodded her head. “Well he was pretty mad, but he should have calmed down by now. If you want to wait out here till he gets back I can make us some tea or coffee.”

The jingle of a bell from the front door drew their attention away from their drinks. As the door opened Nickel came walking into the main room his face buried in a book, “I’m home. Obsi, did you set up your room yet?” yelling loud enough to reach the ends of the shop. He abruptly stopped at the counter and started to walk backwards till he stopped in front of the two unicorns. Putting his book away in his saddlebag, Nickel gave Rarity a cold look, “Hello, Obsi who are your new friends?”

The dragon looked towards Nickel, “Well I think you already know Rarity and this is Twilight.”

Rarity stood up, “I have come to say how terribly sorry I am for destroying your cloak.” She lowered her voice “If we can put this behind us Mr. Nickel I hope we can be friend in the future.” Rarity extended her hoof in apology.

Nickel stood silent for a second, he smiled and meet Rarity’s hoof. “It took a lot of guts to do that, I admire that. So can you two stay and chat for a while?”

Twilight smiled, now was her chance to find out what she noticed earlier. “So Nickel what is so special about that cloak?”

The colt cracked a smile across his face seeming to be lost in his memories before snapping back to Twilight “Well the cloak wasn't really special, the true family heirloom was what was embedded in the cloak.”

“That wouldn't be an enchantment would it?” Twilight said with a hopeful inflection.

The grey unicorn’s small grin broke into a big smile “you are a clever one aren’t you!” he energetically said. “How did you know that?”

Twilight pulled out her book from her bag and read the title out loud, “Enchantments for Beginners: The History of Enchantments. I only just got to the chapter that described how to find hidden enchantments.”

Nickel walked over looking at the book. “It is a bit ragged it isn’t it, looks like a whole chapter is missing and worst of all it looks like there is water damage all throughout.”

Twilight’s head sunk in disappointment, “Well it was the only copy could the Canterlot library had.”

“Well if you want you can have my first volume.” The colt said looking over to the still packed boxes.

Twilight’s eyes shone with excitement. “Wow, thank you.” She said forcing herself to not start reading from the start. “How did you get the complete volume? The Canterlot library doesn’t even have that.”

The grey unicorn thought for a second “They probably miss catalogued it or the others got destroyed. Considering the condition of that one, it’s a safe bet.” He floated over a box labeled “Books 4/34” and set it next to her.
Twilight’s face light up, “again, thank you.”

Rarity looked over to the clock, “Twilight darling, it is starting to get late maybe we should head out.”

Nickel walked over to Obsi who had fallen asleep “Looks like the move was harder on her then I thought. Anyways I have to finish unpacking my books tonight.” The guests thanked their hosts as they left and headed to their homes. Twilight opened the door to the library and greeted spike.

“What’s in the box Twilight?” Spike asked as he walked down the stairs to meet her.

“New books, Nickel gave me the volume I couldn't find.”

Spike gave Twilight a stern look. “You have been studying too much and you need your sleep.”

She nodded “Yeah I know I’ll be going to bed in a second.” She watched as Spike rolled his eyes and walked back up the stairs. She opened the box and picked up the first book and noticed it was very old with strange leather for the covering; the spine of the book was removed and replaced by three metal rings so more pages could be added. When she tried to open it the book resisted, she took the book in her hooves and failed to pull it open. “What is with this book?” Looking it over she noticed it didn't have any lock, the rings moved freely. “It must have a binding spell on it.”

She pulled a book about protection spells off the shelf and flipped to the chapter about canceling spells. Nothing but foals play for her. As the book lay on the table she wondered if all of this work was worth it, hoping she didn't waste time that should have been sleeping, she opened the book to the first page and read.

Today my master gave me a journal for me to record my progress, training is going very well, but I’m worried about tomorrow. Master always said if I tried this before I would get burned. I just hope I can do well enough to impress him.

It looked like a journal; Twilight felt a pang of embarrassment for reading someone else's private thoughts. Until she noticed the date, “That was written over 500 years ago!” She looked at a different entry on the next page.

Today I made promising progress on my new spell, but my master doesn't think I will be able to finish it by the end of the week, I’ll show him.

Twilight wanted to put the journal down and go to bed, take the whole box back to Nickel in the morning and apologize to him, but her curiosity got the better of her. She levitated the next book out of the box and laid it in front of her. “Stage I: Control” the title made no sense to her, “control? Control over what” she said to herself as she inspected the spine. Exact same as the title on the front and no author or printing marks.

“This book must be as old as the first one.” She levitated the rest of the books out “Stage II: Defense, Stage III: Basics Part I” then she pulled out half of the volume of enchantment books. Setting them all down on the table as she realized she would have to return the box first thing in the morning. All she wanted to do now is sleep.

Twilight woke up later than usual but she didn't care, she got the sleep she needed and today's schedule was lighter than usual. She walked down stairs as she heard a knocking at the door. “Don’t worry Twilight I got it.” Spike said as he shelved a few books.

Opening the door spike saw Nickel standing impatiently with a box to his side, “Hello there little dragon, I was told this is where Twilight lives. Is she home?” Spike saw Twilight walking down the stars.

Twilight recognized the voice and remembered that she hadn't replaced the protection spell. “Hello Nickel, are you here for the books?”

He nodded and opened the saddlebags at his side pulling out the other half of enchantment books. “Now I do believe you have some books from my private collection.”

He found the box labeled 4/34 and walked over to it peering inside. He looked over to Twilight “Where are the other books?” Twilight pointed a hoof at the center table. “Ahh thank you.” As he floated the various “Stage” books he checked to make sure if the protection spell was still intact, looking pleased till he noticed the journal opened. Looking over to spike sweeping up the library he turned to Twilight, “can I see you outside please?” As they walked outside Nickel stood silent staring coldly at twilight. His stare could freeze the sun itself and put the frozen north to shame in an instant. “How much?” Twilight stood paralyzed with fear.

All she could manage to say was “I...I’m sorry it was too tempting.”

He kept his cold stare on her slightly raising his voice “How much did you read?”

Twilight brought up all the courage she could find “T...the first entry and the first one on the second page.”

She looked at Nickel; he now had a small smile on his face and warmth in his voice again as he said “no damage done then. Sorry about the mix up I’ll be on my way.” As he walked back to his house he stopped and turned to Twilight “Very impressive collection you have built up for yourself there.”

Twilight shook off her confusion and ran to catch up to the grey unicorn. “Why do you have a journal from over 500 years ago, and how is it in such good condition?”

He stopped and looked at her for a second, “It was a journal my master gave me.” Then proceed to keep walking but that didn't deter Twilight.

“Are you saying you are over 500 years old?” Twilight asked out of confusion and shock.

The colt broke into a hearty laugh “No, It has been passed from master to student for many years now.”

Master and student, Twilight mouthed. “Master and student for what exactly?”

“Persistent with the questions today aren't you?” The colt was starting to become annoyed “master and student for magic lessons.”

Twilight grew more and more curious, every answer only bringing up more questions. As they were close to reaching his house she found one more question hoping the answer would be perfect. “What kind of magic?”

He sighed, “I would love to stay and play twenty questions but I must really finish setting up my sho-” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed his door unlocked and slightly ajar. He looked at Twilight and whispered “stay behind me.” He reared back and bucked the door with his front hooves nearly breaking it off of its hinges. He shouted “WHOEVER BROKE IN YOU JUST MADE A HUGE MISTAKE!”

“Nickel WAIT!” Twilight yelled. She froze as she noticed a fireball in front of Nickel.

As the shades opened, the windows flooded the room with light. The room was full of shocked ponies from around town. Nickel looked around the room and was taken aback by this sight. Pinkie Pie jumped out of nowhere yelling “Surprise!”

Nickel slowly released the energy that held the fireball in place until it vanished in a puff of smoke. “Everypony needs to leave immediately.” He thought for a second “The shop will be open in a few days and till then I can take orders for potions. My dearest apologies and I hope to see you all soon.” He gave his best diplomatic smile.

As the group started to leave, Nickel stood by the door apologizing again. When everypony left Twilight looked to Nickel and stood silent for a second, “I’m guessing that was the magic you were talking about then.”

Nickel slowly shook his head. Slightly smiling “There is more than that, much more.”

Twilight looked slightly disturbed at the idea of magic that would be so harmful to others. “No, that kind of magic is wrong.”

Nickel shook his head “don’t be so naive Twilight, magic can’t be good or bad it is how you use it.” He noticed Twilight started to think about this. “If you want to learn more then you know where I live.” He slowly walked Twilight to the exit. “Till then go home and think about what I said.”

Chapter Three:Leave No Stone T.B.A.

Leave No Stone

Chapter Three: Leave No Stone
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference.

Twilight was pacing back and forth in her room. What Nickel said had left her wondering: “How can magic, that only hurts ponies, be good?” She levitated a book over and flipped studying the pages. Twilight sighed and placed the book down, “why have I not read about this kind of magic before?” Twilight thought as she walked over to a cushion and sat down.

“Is something wrong, Twilight?” Spike asked over a stack of books.

“Nickel showed me a new spell today. It made a ball of fire.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Spike said as he was taking a stack of books over to a shelf.

“I know...I know.” Twilight covered her head with her hoofs. “He offered to teach me.”

Spike looked over the shelf, making sure the books he just placed were in the right order. “How is that bad? You love magic.”

She picked up her head, hooves falling to the floor. “I do, but not when it can hurt somepony.”

Spike rubbed his head, remembering when his top hat turned back into a rock nearly knocking him out. Twilight looked at him knowing what he was thinking. “Not intentionally anyways. Besides, that was a long time ago.” She silent thought for a second.“I owe Nickel an answer at least.” She left to Nickel’s house on the outskirts of town.

As she walked up to Nickel’s door she was greeted by Obsidia sweeping the walkway. “Hey, Twilight! Nickel said you would be dropping by, but he didn't think you would be here so soon.”

“Do you know where he went?”

Obsidia thought for a second. “He was talking to some ponies placing orders, and they said something about a hydra nearby, so he left me in charge while he looked for it. I can’t remember what the place was called.”

Twilight’s expression dropped to horror. “He went to Froggy Bottom Bog, to FIGHT a hydra?” She said in a state of shock.

“Yep. Hydra skin is really useful for all types’ potions. Why are you freaking out?”

“He’s going to need help.” She said before bolting off. Before Obsidia could answer, Twilight was already out of earshot, galloping towards Froggy Bottom Bog, hoping it wasn't too late.

As she was drawing closer, she could hear the roar of the hydra followed by a loud splash. She looked through the trees to see the bog. “Finally!” she exclaimed as she teleported into the middle of the swamp. Frantically searching, she saw Nickel poking around the base of tree trunks and flipping over rocks. She teleported next to him and hysterically yelled “Nickel we have to get out of here right now, there is a hydra around here!” He pointed behind Twilight when she turned around she saw the hydra almost completely submerged under the murky water.

She turned back to the colt “d-did you kill it?” she asked cautiously.

The colt was confused. “It’s sleeping, calm down.”

Twilight was baffled “Your daughter said you needed the skin for potions, don’t you... need to... you know, skin it to do that?”

The colt let out a small sigh “hydras are somewhat like snakes, they shed their skin once a season. I’m not going to kill something because it is the easier way. Sure it is deadly but hydras are just territorial.” He started to feel underwater for something before his face light up as he exclaimed “Finally!” He pulled up a large sheet of hydra skin. As he rolled up the skin into his bag he then turned to Twilight. “So, did you come to give me your answer or do you have more questions?”

Twilight took a deep breath and calmed herself. “While I appreciate your offer, I can’t learn a magic that can only hurt ponies.”

He looked ahead and started walking signaling Twilight to follow. “Do you know why I was so hasty in getting my books back?”

Twilight shook her head, realizing he was still looking forward. She softly said, “no.”

“It is because this magic is dangerous when not taught properly. If you decided to try to learn the spells yourself you would have hurt yourself or something else.” Twilight started to imagine her library going up in flames, or worse spike being trapped inside. She gave a sigh of relief when she remembered how fireproof dragons are. Noticing, Nickel looking at her, almost like he knew what she was thinking, “That is why this magic needs a mentor.”

Twilight shook the image from her head. “That is exactly why I can’t do this.” She started to walk next to Nickel, trying her best not to slosh through the bog.

Nickel turned his head to meet Twilight’s eyes as he said, “I know you want to learn this, I know you better than you think, Ms. Sparkle.”

“What is that exactly?”

He kept his knowing gaze fixed on her. “You are smart that much is obvious. You are well read and amazing at almost every type of magic, very curious almost like you need to understand the world around you and that is very admirable. Best of all you have a thirst for knowledge that you can never quench.”

A small smile broke over his face. “You would eventually regret not knowing a whole new field of magic and you would try to teach yourself and that is where it will go wrong.”

Twilight was stunned. She wanted to disagree, tell him he knew nothing about her. The only problem with that was, he was right. She did want to know about the world around her, her countless nights spent reading to study every topic that she could get her hooves on. She was confused, it was almost like she didn't know herself as well as he did. She looked at the colt, “you’re right; I would have gone to the Canterlot library to try and find a book on this or just try to replicate the spell myself. How do you know I would have hurt something? You said it yourself, I’m not exactly bad at magic.”

The colt kept a straight face, looking like he was forcing himself to hide something. “Because it is the nature of the beast. It can never be tamed without help. Only the foolish try to take on more than they can handle.”

There was a pregnant pause Twilight wanted to ask how he knew, but knew she didn't have the right to go there. She hasn't learned anything about him and yet it seemed like he knew everything about him. “Nickel?” Twilight asked sheepishly, “what would I have to do to be your student?” asking out of curiosity.

“Give me one hundred percent, do what I tell you, and I’ll do the rest.” They walked to the outskirts of Ponyville as Nickel changed direction. Twilight was silently rethinking her options. She didn't notice when he walked inside his house.

Nickel caught up with Twilight as she neared the center of Ponyville. She waited slightly embarrassed that she didn't even notice as he fell behind. When he caught up to her, she turned around to face him. Twilight took a deep breath “ I've changed my mind, I want to learn, but if it gets too dangerous I’m going to stop.” Twilight stood in front of Nickel with the utmost confidence in her decision.

Nickel kept a straight face, “I know, get a good night sleep and meet me at my house in the morning. We have a big day tomorrow.” With that he walked away, leaving Twilight in the center of Ponyville to tend to her business.