Failure Isn't In Store For You

Chapters

Chapter 1: A Rift Opens
Chapter 2: Magic is Complex
Chapter 3: Suspicions Confirmed
Chapter 4: Outside Information
Chapter 5: Mysticism IS a School of Magic
Chapter 6: Into the Morn
Chapter 7: The Temple of Shumbra
Chapter 8: Dark Temptation
Chapter 9: Clarity of Mind
Chapter 10: The Thaumal Shelves
Chapter 11: The Trials Begin
Chapter 12: Properties and Propaganda
Chapter 13: The Last Vestige of the Arcanum
Chapter 14: The Barren Utopia
Chapter 15: The Other Side
Chapter 16: Evermore Beckons
Chapter 17: The Blessing of Death

Chapter 1: A Rift Opens

Chapter 1: A Rift Opens

"And I expect you all to be on time next class" said Mr. Kaelborn as his students left the room. Nick was the last to leave his English class, a common occurrence for most, but strange considering it was the first day of the new semester. He enjoyed working until the bell, instead of packing up early, as was the norm for students his age. He always felt fatigued during the day, and he found that doing schoolwork served to keep his mind active.

"Don't worry, sir. I will." he said as he walked out the door with a wave. He hadn't been one of the several that had arrived tardy, in fact, he had arrived early. He believed that the earlier you arrived, the more likely it was that you could secure a good seat.

He looked at his schedule once more. His next class was... German. not very far away, simply at the other end of the hall. He began his short walk, pushing through the students leaving the hall. He understood that they had places to be, but there were doors leading out on both sides of the hall. Why couldn't they use the other ones? He decided not to trouble himself with it. He knew complaining wouldn't help matters...

At the end of the hall, he was greetied by the teacher of his German Class. "Guten Tag!"

"Guten Tag, Herr Fruher. Was Mittagessen haben Wir?" he asked, wondering what time they were to break for lunch.

"Erste Essen. Gehts." First lunch it was, so Nick turned around and headed back down the hallway, bound for the cafeteria. He rounded the corner, into the main hallway, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a Yellow flash burst out in front of him. He jumped, surprised at this development. He tried to call out, but his lungs betrayed him. he couldn't breathe. All time had seemed to stop around him, as none of the students moved, or turned to look. the only movement was the pale yellow light, which grew to engulf Nick. he felt a sharp pain in his chest as he disintegrated into dust: dust that seemed to be drawn into the light, dust that swirled around the light, dust that pulled away from him.

The pain grew in area, as more and more of him faded. it seemed to follow the movement of the dust he was turning into. He tried to shout out once more, but found he couldn't move his face at all. Not his lips, his eyes, or his ears. Slowly the light surrounded him, as the faded evermore into dust. when it was finished, he looked around, or what he thought was looking around. Nothing but grey space as far as the eye could see, if he was still looking through those.

He once more felt the sharp pain, but this time, the dust flew into him. he could slowly see his hands forming. He saw his watch, then his arms, and after what felt like thirty minutes, he felt himself whole again and dropped to the ground. Once more there was a sharp pain, but he attributed that to his fall, not the paranormal activity he had just experienced.

His ears rang. He could hear some muffled voices coming from all around them. He thought he recognized them, at least a little bit, but it was impossible to know where from at this moment. He opened his eyes, and light flooded in, making him quickly close his eyes again. He opened them again, slower this time, and could make out three blobs surroundin him two were purple, one yellow. they moved around a bit, and the voices continued. He decided that they were talking, judging by the small amount of movement that stayed with the voices. the yellow blob backed away, and he could start t make out what wa being said, albeit just bits and pieces.

"...Didn't mean to... What if... Finds out..." said the yellow blob,

"...just fine... accident... my fault... should have warned..." said the larger of the purple blurs.

"Hang on... think... alive..." said the small one.

All three didn't move or speak for a time, and when the large purple one spoke, he could hear clearly, and knew that he recognized the voice. Though he wasn't entirely sure about their identities yet, he could guess the other two and probably be correct.

"Are you alright" asked the voice of Twilight sparkle, obviously the larger purple figure.

"I think I'll manage." Nick said, pulling himself to his feet. "But if this is some sort of sick practical joke, I'm gonna---" he fell sideways onto a nearby bookshelf. His vision blurred once more, and his hearing faded back out.

He awoke three hours later, according to his watch, or maybe it was fifteen. It was dark all around him, so it very well could have been two in the morning. he got up from the bed he had found himself in, and stumbled across the floor. He found the wall, and began feeling around on it, looking for a light switch. To make a long story short, he didn't find one.

Not wanting to try to find the bed again, having woken up in a strange place, he simply slid down the wall and leaned up against it.He rubbed his shoulder, having hit it against the bookshelf earlier, and tried to make out some shapes among the darkness. He could barely see the shape of a rectangle, but that was all. He decided to just sit and wait for whatever was going to happen.

Roughly five minutes passed, and a cloud moved out of the way of the moon. A dark blue light engulfed the room, making its content visible. The rectangle turned out to be a dresser, and his bed was over by the opposite wall. other than that, the room was empty. He saw the door out b the dresser, and walked over to it. Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to open the door. The handle turned slowly,and the door creaked open.

It lead out into a hall, at the end of which was a staircase leading down. A light flickered at the bottom, so Nick decided to investigate it, and mayhap get a handle on the situation as well. He stepped down the stairs, a purple unicorn slowly coming into view as he descended. She turned, and a look of excitement, curiosity, and worry was splayed across her face.

"Oh, you're awake! Are you alright? I have so many questions!" she said, rushing over to him

"I have some questions of my own, if that's alright, Twilight..." Nick said, rubbing his eyes.

Twilight gasped. "Wow, sentient and able to read minds! We could learn so much from you!"

"Yeah, let's go with that..." said Nick, sitting down against the wall.

Chapter 2: Magic is Complex

Chapter 2: Magic is Complex

Fluttershy had began to wonder if Twilight was even awake yet. This had been the third time she had knocked,and still she waited at the doorstep. Mayhap, she could have knocked louder, but if Twilight was asleep, she didn't want to wake her, or their guest, who had been carried up from the lab, and left to rest in Twilight's guest room.

She turned to leave, and was halfway back to the road, when Spike opened the door, carrying a pail of trash just larger than himself. "Oh, hey Fluttershy!" he said with a smile. "Twilight's in the lab, if you wanted to talk to her." He leaned in closer, so only Fluttershy could hear, even though nopony was around this early, and whispered, "And our guest is awake, and with Twilight."

"Thanks, Spike. Let me know if you need any help, okay?" she offered, stepping inside. As if to say all was ell and good, Spike flashed her a Thumbs-up.

Fluttershy knew her way around the library very well by now, having spent a good portion of the last two years studying there, practicing and honing her new magical abilities under Twilight's tutelage in the safety of her lab, away from prying eyes.She knew there were prejudiced opinions, even in a place like Ponyville, so she decided to keep her abilities secret until she had to. Besides, she wasn't very good, yet, considering she just summoned a creature she had never seen before, and had no idea what it was, or capable of. Best to play it safe for now.

She opened the door to the lab, and stepped in, closing the door quietly behind her. she could hear a voice talking at the bottom of the stairs, deeper than Twilight's, but not quite as deep as Big Macintosh's. She assumed that it must belong to their guest. She quickly trotted down the stairs, to find them sitting on the floor, Twilight scribbling on a notepad, the other drinking something from a canteen.

"And I'm afraid that's all I know about the automotive industry," he said, looking up at the yellow contrast against the brown wall coming down the stairs. "Good morning, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, and looked, almost fearfully, at Nick. "How did... How'd you know my name?" she asked.

Twilight turned to face Fluttershy, a focused look on her face. "Fluttershy, meet Nick. He's a human, and he knows all of our friends names, and even had a brief description of all of them. I was surprised when I found out, too. Turns out he knows quite a bit about Equestria, including the difference between Winters Moon and Hearths Warming. There was even some things that I didn't know about that went on here in Equestria."

"Well, I know my fair share of it. I'm sure some of my friends know more about it than me..." Nick blushed, turned his head, and scratched the back of his neck it was only then that Twilight saw the sharp, pointed objects at the end of his fingers.

"Are you a carnivore?" she asked, a bit afraid of the answer.

"No, I'm an omnivore. I eat a combination of meats and plants. There are sciences though, that say we can draw all our necessary nutrients from plants alone. Humans who follow that theory are vegetarians. I was already leaning more into that, myself, so the change in diet won't be too drastic."

""Then why do you have those claws?" she asked, pointing toward his right hand.

"These are my fingernails. They'll continue to grow for the rest of my life. The reason they're sharpened as they are is because they look cooler in my eyes. They do have their uses like this, though. Like a higher precision, albeit weaker strength. Also, there are no nerve endings, so they can be pushed a little further than skin alone. Besides, they're only on my right hand..." He held out both hands, and, sure enough, the fingernails on his left were short and blunt, unable to cut cheese as they were.

"Now, Fluttershy, I understand that you're the one that brought me here?" asked Nick, raising his Right eyebrow quizically. "How exactly did you manage that, not being a unicorn?"

"Well, about two years ago, I received this," she directed the room's attention to her necklace, "In the Mail, from a friend of mine. He was a unicorn who dreamed of being able to fly, and had built his own set of wings. after he finished them, he left, and none of us have seen him since. I know how to find him, but I want to show him some cool spells when next I see him, so he can know how much I appreciate his thoughtfulness."

"He was brilliant, actually," said Twilight, cutting into Fluttershy's story. "He had several spells that I had never even thought possible, and that's saying quite a bit. He also had a large collection of very valuable coins, most of which he left to the princesses to help with the financial burdens of the entire province."

"Not to mention he saved Twilight's life." added Fluttershy.

"Twice..." muttered Twilight.

"But he gave me this necklace, and as long as I'm wearing it, I can cast spells, like a unicorn. I've been training ever since, trying to master the basic spells, but I'm afraid I'm not very good at it."

"I beg to differ, Fluttershy!" said Twilight. "You're doing very well, actually. You've spent about two years in practice, and now, you're casting spells like a third-year student. A few more months, and you'll have all the experience required to pass magic grade school."

Fluttershy blushed. She knew Twilight was right, not just being kind, but she wasn't used to getting praise yet.

"I knew it! yelled a high-pitched, squeaky voice from the top of the stairs. As their new arrival came down the stairs, all three looked up at her. Twilight and Fluttershy dashed in front of Nick to try to hide him, but it was too late. He had been seen. "I knew there was something fishy going on..."

Chapter 3: Suspicions Confirmed

Chapter 3: Suspicions Confirmed

"I knew you were hiding something down here." said the intruder, staring accusatively at Twilight and Fluttershy.

Nick only chuckled and shrugged. "You simply must remember that losing a friends trust is the fastest way to lose a friend... Forever!" He added a vast amount of emphasis to this final word, both stressing his point and bringing up a phrase he knew all too well. "So you have to keep this a secret. Promise them this, Pinkie."

Pinkie Pie sat down on the stairs, a bit confused at how this creature knew her name. And while she was on the subject, where did he come from?

"So where'd you get the human?" she asked, going back to her usual bouncy self.

"First make your promise, Pinkie," said Nick. "Promise that you'll not breathe a word to anyone about what events take place here today, or the information about my appearance."

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." said Pinkie, going through the motions. "Tellme tellme tellme tellme tellme!"

"Okay, here goes." said Twilight, taking a deep breath. "Fluttershy brought him her on accident with her magic."Twilight waited for the shock and awe to wear off, but it never even showed up.

"Fluttershy has magic now?" asked Pinkie. "Cool! That makes two of us!" said Pinkie, pulling a small emblem from her hair, tied on with a thin pink ribbon to help it hide. "I don't always wear this, but it makes tis really cool humming noise when I get close to the Everfree. I was only ever able to get a few spells down, like teleportation, finding bits of information that no one else could remember, and straightening my hair. "I don't like doing the last one..." she trailed off, inspecting her hoof.

"That explains... a lot, actually. I had suspected..." said Nick, leaning his head back. against the wall of books behind him. a number of them were written by Twilight, but some were written by others. It was a notes station, where all Twilight's notes on magical experiments ended up, as well as projects, analysis papers, and readings of compounds into their base elements. It seemed fascinating, and if time allowed, he would like to read one or two.

"Soooo... How'd ya know my name?" asked Pinkie bouncing over to Nick.

"Well, there's this TV show back in my world..."

At about midday, Nick's stomach growled, It was finally time to realize that he hadn't eaten anything since... breakfast. Yesterday.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I should have asked if you wanted something to eat this morning." said Twilight, followed by her owm stomach growling. This was followed by Pinkie's then Fluttershy's. "I guess we should all get something to eat..."

They began up the stairs, exiting as Nick continued to answer all of the questions from the three ponies. His tongue was sore, having been talking for twelve hours, breaking only to drink and listen to the questions. His jaw also ached, and voice was starting to grow hoarse (no offence).

Twilight and Pinkie had made it through the door and almost to the street when Fluttershy called out. "Twilight, what about..." she nudged her head toward Nick, who was following her.

"Oh, no! You're absolutely right!" She thought for several seconds, trying to devise a plan for getting Nick out without alerting everypony in town.

After quite the bout of pacing, scratching her chin and unceremoniously knocking her head on a wall, Nick knelt down next to Fluttershy and whispered, "Just have them bring me back an apple, or a few carrots. We'll work it out in greater detail after you return."

Fluttershy nodded and smiled. "Come on, girls. I'll make sure he's taken care of." And with that, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Twilight left, Twilight with a large, comical lump on her head.

Nick took this time to explore the library, trying to keep out of sight of the main door, just in case somepony came in. The library was larger than he had seen, but them again, he remembered a lot of the buildings in Pnyville being larger on the inside than on the outside. 'Magic.' his mind said, dispelling all of his questions as to why.

He pulled down a book from the botay section and read the cover. A Game at Dinner. The binding and cover were purple, and a thin gold border decorated the edges. He opened the front cover to see the foreward from the puplisher. He couldn't find anything to indicate the author's name, though.

After reading through the short guide, he placed it back on the shelf. he found another, De Rerum Dirennis, and was looking through that when Spike showed up with a small stack of books to go back onto the shelves. "Oh, hey, Nick." he said, pulling a ladder over to him and slowly making his way up. "Find anything interesting?"

"Yeah. The first book sparked my interest, but I think I enjjoyed the description of the banquet more than the wisdom of the book itself."

"A Game at Dinner?"

"How'd you guess?"

"I had the same reaction when I read it. And it's the only book in this section having anything to do with a feast, so there's that. I take it Twi and Shy went out for lunch?"

"And Pinkie."

Spike stopped stacking books and looked down at Nick, who hadn't taken his eyes off of his book. "When did Pinkie get here?" he asked, puzzled.

"About a hour before they left, I think. You not knowing about it explains why she was able to get into the lab in the first place. I'll make sure Twilight knows so you can maintain your rapport."

"Thanks for that," said Spike going back to his work.

Chapter 4: Outside Information

Chapter 4: Outside Information

When Twilight and Fluttershy came back, They had a basket filled to the brim with apples and carrots. Nick tore into it, eating six carrots and an apple. After he finished, he asked where Pinkie was, causing Spike to cringe a little bit. At this point, Nick had not yet revealed her entrance, in hopes that neither would ask.

"She said she had something important to do, and ran off. I'm not sure where she went after that." said Fluttershy, glancing at one of the windows. Thankfully, most were tinted silver: you could see out of them, but seeing in was quite the task. The only exceptions were the ones that were always open, such as the one that a certain pegasus liked to crash through when it was still paned.

"That's just Pinkie being Pinkie, though," said Nick with a grin. "I'm completely sure she has the best of intentions, and is even trying to help the situation, albeit in a way that none of us probably understand yet."

"You're probably right," sighed Twilight. "I know all about Pinkies strange ways of dealing with problems, and her insight that seems to come from nowhere has only ever proved successful." Was that a hint of chagrin Nick detected?

Suddenly, Pinkie burst through the door, bouncing around in her normal fashion. "Guess what, guess what, guess what, guess what, guess what!?" she shouted, bouncing all the while. A broad smile was taking up more than half of her face, and a squee escaped her throat as she landed a final time, nose to nose with Twilight.

One short awkward silence later, Twilight decided to take the next step. "You found some information about a way to get Nick back home?" she guessed.

Pinkie leaned back, narrowing her eyes at Twilight. "Have you been following me? That's an automatic disqualification."

"Tell us of this information, then," said Nick, standing.

"Well, I was talking to Fluttershy out at Sugarcube Corner, where we had lunch, and I saw Applejack walking by, and at first, I thought nothing of it, but then, I realized that Applejack has connections in Applesauce, and if we went to Apploosa, we could find the buffalo, and the buffalo shaman knows a lot about mystic forces and the like, so if there was somepony who knew how to get you back home, it'd be her, because she knows all kinds of stuff about magic, because she gave me the magic pendant that I have, and she taught me how to use it, and she would know a way for you to get back to your world and you can watch TV and learn German and fight crime and restock grocery store shelves, and you can get back to your life, so I rushed out and asked Applejack if she could help us get something out there to get the buffalo's help with and she said yes!"

Nick felt a bit tired after hearing all of that said in one breath. "Interesting... The buffalo have different ideologies than ponies or humans. I wonder if they can indeed help me..." he paced over to the window and looked out. "How long until the next train to Apploosa?" he asked, hoping for a certain answer.

"8:00 A.M. tomorrow morning. We can't leave until then." said Twilight, frowning a bit.

"Good."

Twilight and Fluttershy both looked at Nick, confused. Pinkie stopped eating the apple she had gathered from the basket and turned.

"Why is that such a good thing?" aske d Twilight, approaching slowly.

"Because," said Nick, chuckling. "I have an idea that would grant an alternate solution should it work. Have we a covered wagon?"

Twilight and Fluttershy pulled the cart through town slowly, their eyes shifting from left to right in worry. Inside the cart, Nick lied as still as he could, curled up to take up the least amount of space as he possibly could, keeping silent until they reached their destination. Pinkie was bouncing circles around them, keeping her appearance up.

"Come on, girls, stop looking so shifty!" she said, landing beside them before her bouncing continued. After another circle, she stopped again. "That's a sure sign of shady activity." she whispered. "It draws more attention when you're not trying to draw attention. Didn't you learn that from Foto Finish, Shy?"

Fluttershy looked down and blushed. That had been quite the traumatic experience. It was one that she didn't fancy reliving that experience, and was glad that Rarity understood this.

"And you know this from experience, Pinkie?" asked Twilight, jokingly.

Pinkie froze in midair. A hoofful of ponies turned to look, and Twilight began to worry, biting her lip. her horn illuminated dimly, as she was masking her aura, and she lifted a small fruit stand's wheel lock, resulting in it comically rolling down the hill. A quick shout later, the attention was drawn away from midair Pinkie and the large covered cart, and toward the stand rolling down the hill.

Fluttershy grabbed pinkies hoof, just within reach, and pulled her down, picking up the pace while still walking. Thanks to the scene Twilight had caused, they were able to make it into the Everfree without any more attention brought to them.Twilight kicked the cart twice, gently, and the cloth Nick had draped over him slid off.

"I wouldn't recommend this again, if that's perfectly alright with you," he said, cracking his back, neck, and arms. "Too bad we have no better ideas, else we could use that."

"We did have that one idea..." said Twilight, too tired from pulling the cart to make any sound comebacks. "But I agree. That took way too much energy out of me. I'm amazed that you aren't feeling tired, Fluttershy. Were we pulling the same cart?"

Fluttershy seemed to have lost no stamina throughout the entire journey. "Well, we pegasi have to have a lot of energy, because if we run out during flight, we could suffer painful, or even fatal consequences. That's why I think Kai had trouble flying that night six years ago."

Twilight closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Memories of that night still haunted her nightmares to this day. She had mentioned to Fluttershy about how he had seemed to wobble in the air as he first took off, and how he seemed to grow easily fatigued while flying her to safety. She had never attributed it to him lacking stamina, having used that spell of his to redouble his... Twilight facehoofed. Why the hay had she not used that!?

"I also kinda used that spell you taught me to redouble my already high stamina, so I wouldn't have to worry much about it...." Fluttershy backed up a pace, then blushed.

Pinkie finally caught up with them, having stayed frozen in place until they reached Fluttershy's cottage, where they just left her to recover. "Don't ever mention me and shady activity in the same sentence again!" she scolded Twilight, provoking a giggle from Fluttershy and Nick.

Chapter 5: Mysticism IS a School of Magic

Chapter 5: Mysticism IS a school of Magic

Nick and his trio of ponies arrived at the small, hollowed tree in the forest. Nick, although he knew it inside and out, was still a bit cautious in his approach. It wasn't fear of Zecora that held him back, but more towards her reaction to seeing a human in her hut. Had she ever seen a human before? How would she see look upon him if she had? Did she have the capabilities to send him back home? His mind buffeted these thoughts back and forth all about is mind.

"Zecora?" Twilight asked, knocking on the door with her hoof. The sound of sliding wood could be heard on the other side, followed by hoofsteps approaching the door.

"Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie! And even quiet Fluttershy!" Zecora said with a smile, then turned to face Nick. "But who is this creature before me? An alien species do I see?" She walked around him, inspecting him.

"Zecora, this is Nick. We brought him here by accident." explained Twilight.

"We were wondering if you knew of a way to bring him back home." added Fluttershy.

Zecora Grabbed Nick's wrist and inspected his right hand, including his terrifyingly sharp fingernails attached to the ends. "It is quite unwise to roam." she agreed, dropping Nick's hand and trotting over to the door. "It's for the best you go back home. But you must be tired from your walk. Please come in, sit down and talk."

Twilight happily entered behind Zecora, followed by Pinkie, Fluttershy, and finally, Nick, closing the door behind him. Obviously, this home was not built with large amounts of company in mind. Even with her kettle stored away, there was still little room to move about in the small space, and Nick ad to crane his head to keep it out of the ceiling.

"So, do you have any knowledge on how to get Nick back home?" asked Pinkie, leaning against Nick's hip as she said his name.

"I have traveled far and wide, but naught a human have I spied. But Maybe I have something here," she said, rummaging through a chest, and finally pulling out a small metal fragment. "Although, it may not work, I fear."

Nick reached out to it, and turned it a bit in his hand. it was small, a pale blue-green, and had what looked like a whale swimming around it. on either side was a green pillar, holding the frame apart, keeping the whale in the center from moving too much.

"What have we here?" asked Nick.

"This Talisman represents Oneiros. He controls the spirits and ghosts. But for full power, you need eleven. As for their locations, I know only seven."

"Any information you have would be useful." commented Twilight. Zecora stepped over to a cupboard, and pulled out a map of equestria. She spread it out over the table, and grabbed a pencil between her teeth, marking five exact locations, then drawing a circle around a small arrow, signifying a mountain. She then turned to face the others, motioning for them to look at the map

"Upon this night, I give you this. But you must travel to find your bliss. First to the clouds, up high in the air. The second element, you will find it there. Next, to Hoofington, where you go underground. Deep in the mines, the piece can be found. Then to this temple, where you'll climb ever higher. You'll find that trinket atop its spire. Down by the sea, below you will find a chalice of silver, which you must unbind. In the center of the desert, a monument stands, A portal leads in, but is covered by the sands. Last to this mountain, earth burns below, to find the seventh, to the flames you must go." With each new revelation, she drew her hoof to another marked point on the map. The last place she pointed was at the circle she had drawn.

"Why is this one marked by a circle, instead of an X, like the rest of them?" inquired Nick, pointing at the mountain.

"The way I used to enter the shrine has been closed for quite some time. I'm afraid you'll have to find another way, if it's not your intention here to stay."

"Uh... Guys?" asked Pinkie. "We might want to go home soon." The others all moved over to the window, save for Nick, who glanced at his watch. Thank Celestia it was still accurate. The sun sat on the horizon, with only a quarter of it still visible.

"Pinkie's right." said Twilight, rolling up the map and handing it to Nick. "If we're going to get home and get some sleep before we head out tomorrow."

"Thank you so much, Zecora." said Fluttershy. "We'll be sure to commit what you said to memory, and we'll get Nick back home safe."

"I believe that would be best. But now, you must go, have some rest." Zecora said, practically shooing them out the door. Nopony was out to stop her either, as she was right to do so. the Everfree grew dangerous at this hour...

They walked quickly through the trees, using the last few rays of sunlight to find their cart right where they had left it. Nick sighed, then climbed in the back and curled up tightly. As Pinkie threw the cover over the top, he mentioned something to Twilight, which caused her to blush a bit. Fluttershy wasn't listening, and Pinkie was out of earshot. Nevertheless, they recognized the signs that she had been a bit embarrassed at whatever was said. Fluttershy was kind enough to not inquire further, and just let Twilight keep the thought to herself. Pinkie, on the other hand...

"What'd he say?" she inquired, going nose to nose with Twilight.

"N-nothing, Pinkie. It was for me to hear, and me alone." defended Twilight. Come on, we need to get back to the library."

"Actually, Twilight, I was thinking to myself, and, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..." Fluttershy started. "Um... Nevermind, just forget I asked."

"What is it, Fluttershy?" asked Twilight. "If you have an idea, I'd like to hear it."

Fluttershy blushed, and turned to try to hide it, failing with the latter. "Well, since it's closer to the train station, and further out of the way, and less chance of visitors, that it might be a better idea if he... if it's not too mush trouble, that is.. stayed at... my place?" she finally managed to force out. She flinched a little, not wanting to hear the words she imagined in her mind. 'That's a terrible idea! why would you ever suggest that!? He's staying at the library!'

"That's a wonderful idea, Shy!" said Twilight. "Why didn't we think of that sooner? It's a shorter walk from here, as well." Twilight clapped her hooves together and smiled with glee. "He can stay at your place!"

Like Twilight said, Fluttershy's cottage was in a secluded area just halfway between Ponyville and the Everfree. They had passed it on their way out, in fact.

When they got there, the cart and cover were stored in back of the cottage, and Nick followed Fluttershy in, closing the door behind him.

"You can have the couch, if you like," offered Fluttershy. "Or there's the guestroom upstairs, but the bed's smaller."

"The couch will be fine," said Nick, sitting down on one end. Fluttershy couldn't help but think of a certain seafoam-green pony who had been sitting on a park bench the exact same way on more than one occasion. "I usually sleep on a couch at home anyway."

"By the way, what you said to Twilight, You don't have to tell either me or Pinkie what it was, and it was wrong of Pinkie to pry, so if she asks, you don't have to tell her, either."

"All I said was, 'Don't forget to cast that energy-saving spell.'"

Author's notes:

Yes, my policy on these from Trial and Error still stands.If you don't know what that policy is, go read Trial and Error again.

Somepony who shall remain nameless dared to send me a personal message, exclaiming that I can't just give Fluttershy magical abilities outright. Go figure that they said 'No' when I asked if they had read Trial and Error. They retorted, 'But I shouldn't have to read your other stories to understand this one! I should just be able to understand it outright!' 'Then it wouldn't be much of a sequel, would it?' That shut them up. I still get angry letters about it, though.

Honestly, I was expecting them to complain about Pinkie. I never actually gave her any powers until recently.

I do need to get some more of my catechism finished, as it's somewhat important to this story. In fact, Oneiros was one of the few names I remembered. Also, expect a hoofful of elder scrolls references when we near the end. They've been written into my catechism to balance out the power of divinity, so I can't write the other eleven in without writing the references in alongside.

Anywho, word count. My keyboard operates like my guitar. The more I use it, the more comfortable it feels, and the more I want to use it. As a result, I'm getting my word count to increase without having to pump in any filler. So very very happy am I! But alas, who reads these anyway? What should my complaints matter to you?

"Because if you laugh at yourself, they'll tone down the criticisms?"

Shut your yap, editor...

Chapter 6: Into the Morn

Chapter 6: Into the Morn

Though the soft snoring of Fluttershy was a lullaby, the couch was more comfortable than the one he usually slept on, and he hadn't slept in about 20 hours, Nick just couldn't seem to get to sleep. His mind was aglow, trying to decipher what Zecora had said. Apparently, there were eleven of these small medallions scattered throughout Equestria, and the only lead to get him back home was to collect the other six, and four of them he didn't even know where was.

'Maybe the buffalo shaman will know more about it' he thought, and this calmed his mind a bit. He was still troubled, though, as the constant reminder, 'Maybe not' resounded. 'Curse this infernal pessimism!'

He rolled onto his side, tucking his right arm under his neck. 'I really should get some sleep, though. I doubt I'll get any on the train tomorrow.' A few moments passed before he let one of his eyes fall open. The scene before him was just as quaint as he remembered, albeit sideways. He could still make out an antique clock, a bookshelf, a fireplace, and what looked to be modern sculpture. Other than that, the rom was dark, illuminated solely by the light of Luna's moon, shining in through the kitchen doorway. 'Mayhap a short breath of fresh air, and a glass of water would help me sleep.'

Nick slowly stood up and walked to the kitchen. one of the floorboards creaked under his foot, and he stopped moving, for fear that he had awoken his most gracious host. After a few seconds, though, the quiet snoring continued, and Nick stepped into the kitchen, taking note of the floorboard so he could avoid it next time he came through. He opened the window, only a crack, and began rifling through the cupboards in search of a small glass. He found it right next to the sink, a convenient place to store them, he thought.

He drew some water from the faucet, making sure to remain as silent as possible. When it was full, he brought it up to his lips, sipping it lightly, in the stead of gulping it down loudly. His eyes wandered to the window, and he saw something that seemed a bit strange. 'What would a unicorn be doing out at this hour?' he wondered, setting down his glass on the counter. Closer inspection held that not only was this stallion out late, he was wearing a cape. Worse yet, he was headed right for the cottage.

Nick began to panic, then calmed himself. 'Maybe he's just out for a stroll into the Everfree?' Nick tried to remain optimistic, but that faded as the cape-clad stallion turned to walk over the bridge leading to the door. Nick quickly pulled out a chair from the table, and hid under the table, pulling the chair in behind him, and adjusting the tablecloth to hide properly. He heard the almost inaudible click of the lock, followed by muffled hoofsteps, and a loud creak.

"She really should have that looked at. This is the third time, now." said a light, quiet voice. Nick couldn't place it to any of the canonically shown ponies, so he assumed he didn't know it. He could see just a sliver under the tablecloth, and he watched as the hooves entered the kitchen. There was the sound of paper crinkling lightly, as the hooves stepped closer and closer. They came to rest at the edge of the tablecloth, then stopped. a soft chuckle could be heard, before, "I hope she got that trinket I sent her. If someone else got it, that would be devastating. Good thing it only reacts to her, specifically."

The hooves moved now, over to the open window. "I would have hoped she'd have learned her lesson by now," said the unicorn as the window latched shut. "And not taking care of dishes, tsk,tsk,tsk. I know she's busy, but does she really not have time to take care of the place?" said the voice, walking over to the sink. Running water could be hard, followed by the clink of glasses, and a cabinet door closing. A crinkling paper sound was heard once more, followed by the sound of a pen scribbling on something. It soon stopped, and the hooves walked away, out of sight. the floorboard creaked, some profanity was used, and the intruder left, as the lock on the door lock clicked back into place.

Nick waited a minute or two before moving out from under the table. The window was closed, his glass of water was no longer sitting on the counter, and on the table sat a scroll that read 'Fluttershy' in a fancy style of calligraphy. He wiped the sweat from his brow, only just realizing that it was there. He knew he hadn't been sweating before, it was actually a little cold inside the cottage, but not to the point where it was uncomfortable. 'mayhap I should just go lie back down...' thought Nick, making his way back over to the couch, making sure not to step on the loose floorboard, as he had before.

He sat down on the couch, standing back up almost immediately. He had sat on something, something that sounded like paper. In fact, on closer inspection, it was paper, and there was writing on it, but it was too difficult to read in this light. He moved back over by the kitchen door and read the note.

To Fluttershy's house guest,

Worry not, you're perfectly fine, as is your host. You see, I'm a friend of Fluttershy, and I wished to give her a message to come see me when she has the chance.

I want you to know, it was very enjoyable teasing you like I did. It was quite difficult to go through those motions without cracking up. If I offended you, I sincerely apologize, I meant no harm. It was all meant to be in good fun, save for delivering the letter. That was business. I saw you open the window on my way in, and thought, 'This could be more fun than I had originally intended.'

Speaking of which, I know what you are, and, if you want to get home, then I'm very sure that we'll meet again, very soon. And when that time rolls around, I'll have the pleasure of learning your name.

Well, the train for Apploosa departs in seven hours. I suggest you get some sleep. I've cast a spell on the pillow that should calm your mind enough for you to get it. I know it must be a bit difficult to believe, but, most of my spells are. Just roll with it, it's about as easy to understand as the meaning of life itself. But I'm rambling again. Go to bed, and when you get up, you'll feel completely reinvigorated. My gift to you.

~Akaitora, Thaumal Guardian.

Nick read through it twice, slowly the second time, to make sure he had read it right. He looked back at the pillow, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. Despite this, he lay his head down hesitantly, as if he were worried it would bite him, or some other ridiculous theory. However, the moment his head made contact with it, it emitted a pale blue light that seemed to melt away all the dread, worry, and doubt he had in his mind, leaving a serene feeling behind. He closed his eyes, and almost instantly fell asleep.

When he awoke, Fluttershy was walking toward him, concentrating very hard on her levitation spell, one of the basic spells, but still required quite a bit of attention to detail. Even though Fluttershy now had the ability to cast spells, and was learning faster than most, she was still learning. It took her by surprise when Nick yawned, and she dropped the tray she was carrying. However, she regained control of some of the items, and Nick was able to catch a few others, and yet, there was some that just crashed to the floor.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I'll clean this right up." said Fluttershy, placing the apple and a plate with a loaf of bread on the tray Nick had caught, and was now holding.

"I'll give you a hand," said Nick, setting the bundle of three carrots down next to the apple. "It's actually kinda my fault, anyway..."

"Oh, you don't have to. I wouldn't be a good host if I had my guests cleaning the place for me."

"And I would be a terrible guest if I just sat back and watched while you did all the work. It's no trouble, anyway. Besides, it would wrench my stomach if I ate while looking at food lying on the floor, and then there would be a bigger mess to clean up."

Fluttershy smiled and nodded, quite pleased at her guest's generosity. "Okay.the trash can's over there," she said, pointing to the corner. "I'll be right back with a damp rag." Fluttershy disappeared into the kitchen as Nick pulled the trash can over to the small mess on the wood floor. He was glad she didn't have carpeted floors, and that none of the food had spilled on the rug. That would have been hard to get out.

Fluttershy took less than a minute to return with the rag, but when she stepped back through the door, Nick had most of the mess cleaned up. Fluttershy was surprised at how fast he worked, but went right to work herself, cleaning the syrup and powdered sugar off of the wood floor. Meanwhile, Nick was placing the wastebasket back in the orner where it belonged. As he came back, he noticed the object he had thought was modern sculpture. It was actually just a poorly reconstructed table. He recognized the crusader's work immediately, letting out a silent chuckle.

"Well, now that we've that out of our way, I believe it's a good time to enjoy that spot of breakfast."

Chapter 7: The Temple of Shumbra

Chapter 7: The Temple of Shumbra

Twilight released the straps on the cart with her magic, and pulled off the cover. They were now far enough from Apploosa that no one would see them, and if they were, it could be read as a mirage. Either way, it was safe to come out, which Nick gladly did. He stood up, popped his back, neck, wrists, fingers, shoulders and elbows. He was sore all over from ridding in a baggage car, curled up in a covered cart, tied down with cloth straps.

"Did you have a nice trip?" asked Twilight, having enjoyed her own. This earned her a sharp glance from Nick.

"Next time, You ride in the baggage car, and I'll be in the dining car."

Braeburn, having followed them from Apploosa at Pinkie's request, had no idea what to make of the creature that stood bipedal before his eyes. "What's this thing?" he asked, getting a glare from Twilight in response.

"Figures," mumbled Nick, starting to stretch out his muscles. "I'm a human, and I need to go see the buffalo shaman. Can you take us to them?"

"I reckon I can. They're nnot too far off. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've never heard of a human before. Are you some kind of new species or somethin' like that?"

"You might say that." I may just be the first in Equestria."

"Aaahn!" shouted pinkie Pie, trying her best to sound like a buzzer signaling a wrong answer. "There've been humans in Equestria before. The last one was... seven years ago, I think."

"Really?" asked Twilight, surprised at this new found information. "I would have thought that a human showing up out of nowhere would be pretty big news. Why haven't I heard anything about it?"

"Because Princess Celestia wanted to keep the whole thing quiet. Didn't want anything leaking to the press about a possible disaster."

"Did they ever get back home?" asked Fluttershy, worrying about Nick's future.

"Not that I know of. When the princess couldn't find a way, she granted him assylum inside the castle. he has his own personal guard, or so I hear."

"And where did you hear this?" asked Twilight, a bit surprised that the princess would keep something this big from her star pupil.

"The tabloids, where else?" replied Pinkie, causing Twilight to facehoof. She thought about going into tabloid theory, and the difference between it and real news, but thought better of it. Pinkie would learn eventually. For now, it was a better idea to just focus on reaching the buffalo camp.

They marched on, through the sands, the wind being exceptionally strong. 'This is why I moved from Kansas,' thought nick as he trudged ever onward through the sand and thin plants. he recognized one of the bushes to contain thyme, while another bore small brown fruit, roughly the size of a cherry. He didn't recognize any of the other plants, the few and far-between. but e knew identification wasn't part of his job, and continued the march.

Due to the fact that they had a guide, the buffalo were found quickly, and without a need for any searching. "Here we are," said Braeburn, turning to the other four. I'll be waiting up here if you need me."

"You're not coming down with us?" asked Pinkie.

"'Fraid not. Even though we came to terms with each other, some of them, as well as some of us Apploosans as well, are still a bit sore at each other. I'm allowed in, but I don't want to overstep my bounds."

"That's rather considerate of you," said Nick. "I know I don't want to see another bout of fighting. We'll be back soon."

"I'll be here." said Braeburn, leaning up against a rock and tilting his hat to shield his eyes from the sun and sand. "Oh, and Pinkie?" Pinkie turned around to face him. "Please don't start singing."

Nick stepped into the chieftain's tent, following Twilight, and followed by Pinkie and Fluttershy. Nick could feel the tension in the room grow tighter and tighter as they entered. Pinkie in particular stretched it quite a bit more than anyone else.

"We know why you have come," said Chief Thunderhooves. "And we advise against it. That land is cursed, and I dare not send even my strongest willed warrior s in, for fear of the corruption."

"I'm afraid we know very little about it. We were just coming to see if the shaman knew of any way to get our friend home" said Twilight.

"And to do so, you must access the temple of Shumbra." coughed a wretched elderly buffalo. "I have managed to seal the evil inside of the temple, but cannot abolish it. The strongest will would still meet quite the match within its unholy walls."

"Do you know the locations of any others?" asked Nick. "Please, we need to know."

"We know only of the one, but its danger is still too great. Enter if you wish, but we hold no responsibility for what happens in there. The entrance is to the east. When the sand stops, the entrance is below." And with that, the shaman turned back to the wall, and the chieftain showed them all out. They walked back up to the rocky outcropping where Braeburn was waiting. They caught a few steely glances from some of the buffalo, though most seemed to be directed solely at Pinkie. Nick had to stifle the chuckle running up his throat, trying to escape through his lips.

They walked on for four more hours, this time headed east. the wind had died down, and the sand didn't kick up quite as much. Pinkie had stopped to rest once, but soo after decided not to do that again. It was made known at that time that the sand hid cacti beneath its top layer. After a quick chuckle from everyone else, they moved on.

"How much further?" complained Pinkie, who had gone into a slow trot.

"We're almost there," replied Braeburn. "Maybe next time, you'll just walk like everypony else instead of all that bouncin' about."

"This is Pinkie we're talking about, Brae. Bouncing is the norm." commented Nick.

"Doesn't matter now, though," said Braeburn, coming to a stop. "We're here."

Nick and the four ponies gazed over the dune they stood on. Right in front of them was a gorge, and some peaks of a building were just visible above the sand. A solitary obelisk rose above the rooftops, right in the center. Attached to the obelisk was a flag, emblazoned with two black circles surrounded in a dark blue aura, before fading back into the black background. The flag was still, even though the wind whipped across the valley; all around the obelisk seemed still and lifeless.

"This place seems... Depressing," said Fluttershy, looking down at the obelisk. "Not a place I'd ever want to be..."

"Still, we need that artifact, and it's likely in there." said Twilight, determined to show her tenacity. "We should go in, get it, and get out quickly."

"Whoa, there!" shouted Braeburn. "I may have lead you out here, but there is no way I'm allowing you access! This place is cursed, and thus too dangerous!"

"Please." interjected Twilight. "There is no such things as curses, hexes, or anything of that sort. It's just a building."

"There are things in there. Strange things. Things that will change your life forever."

"Like what?" asked Nick, wondering exactly what had made Braeburn change his behaviour.

"Well," began Braeburn. "When I was but a colt, and Apploosa nothing but a hoofful of buildings, one of the townsponies went in. Two days later, he showed up in town again without a word. He walked right into the middle of town, and all out of nowhere, attacked and killed three other ponies!" Fluttershy and Pinkie gasped, Fluttershy now hiding behind Pinkie. "When we finally managed to put 'im down, half the town had some pretty bad injuries. Most of us left, but some of us stayed put, vowing not to go anywhere near this accursed place."

Two days in the desert will do that." scoffed Twilight, completely skeptical toward the situation. "I doubt it was because of this place in particular."

"Believe what you will. But I can't allow you to go in. If you try, I'll have to hold you down and cuff ya for endangering our settlement."

"Fine." said Nick, leaning up against a rock jutting from the ground.

"Fine?" asked Twilight, shooting a confused look at Nick.

"Yes , fine." replied Nick. "The sun's about to set anyway. I suggest we set up a small camp here in the outcropping, out of the wind. We can start back tomorrow."

"Nick's right," agreed Braeburn. We won't last through the night if we're on the move. We need a place to stay out of the wind, and this is a decent place to stop. We'll head back to Apploosa in the morning." Braeburn undid his saddlebags, pulling out a small tent for himself, then two extras. He always carried the extras when he left with company, just in case they hadn't. Luckily, Fluttershy and Nick had thought the same thing, and had brought one spare, stored right next to the makeshift tent Nick had brought. It was a bit small, but it would do.

There wasn't a lot of wood for the fire, but Twilight had brought along a hoofful of notebooks, including one written by Akaitora. That one in particular had a spell to make a sustained flame that required very little feul, and could work without a high degree of concentration. They grabbed a tumbleweed blowing by, and secured it in place with a rock, lighting it on fire, but keeping the flames from being too powerful. They decided to just tend it in shifts, between Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie, but Pinkie quickly made it known tha she probably wasn't the best choice for it. Twilight and Fluttershy agreed.

There wasn't a wide variety of food, seeing as most of the food was dried fruit, but Nick declined, instead pulling out a bag of beef jerky from his bag (he always carried one, whether he needed to or not). Braeburn had asked, but Nick simply replied, "You're a herbivore, so I wouldn't recommend it." That was apparently enough to keep the others from asking for a piece.

They all went to bed, save for Fluttershy, who had the first watch. There were a few times when she thought she heard something, but she dismissed most of them as quickly as she had noticed them. Just as she was about to nod off, she woke Twilight, to take the second watch. Twilight happily took over, tending the flame as if it were a small child. About halfway through her first shift, Nick exited his tent, and took a seat beside twilight.

"You about ready?" he asked quietly, not trying to wake anypony.

"Ready for what?" aske Twilight, shooting him another confused look.

"To go in, grab the artifact, and get out as fast as possible. That was your idea, right?"

"I thought you said wew were giving up?"

"Now when did I say give up? I said camp for the night. Plus, I don't believe in curses either. If we hurry, we can finish the job fast, before Brae even notices us gone."

Twilight was taken aback. "I underestimated you, Nick. Here I was thinking we'd have to come back later, and now, you've goot this plan to make it to where we don't have to. I'll wake the others--"

"No! whispered Nick. Just get Shy. I'll get Pinkie, and Brae can stay here, since he would only try to stop our entry." We can do this without even waking him up."

"Clever."

Chapter 8: Dark Temptation

Chapter 8: Dark Temptation

Nick was the first to step into the entry below the obelisk, and onto the stairway, covered with sand. "Careful," he cautioned, helping Twilight and Fluttershy enter. "It's a bit slick," he said as Pinkie slid in, being caught by Twilight.befor she could fall too far down. "Can anypony light the way?" he asked, helping Pinkie to her hooves.

"I got it," said Twilight, whose horn illuminated suddenly. With a flash, the walls seemed to illuminate a bit, marking their path clearly.

"I suppose that works, too..." chortled Nick.
They made their way slowly down the stairs, Twilight first, then Fluttershy, followed by Nick, and finally Pinkie. After what Nick said was five minutes, the staircase opened into a rather large hallway. at the end sat a short pillar, topped with a plaque of silver. Beyond that, a pit that seemed to go on for eternity. At the very center of this pit, stood a pedestal, bearing an ebony statue. Twilight, being in front, read the plaque aloud to the other three.

My treasure is not yours for the taking. First, you must go through a challenge of my choosing. This is what I have deemed as a worthy challenge to test your will. Only one who may rival my darkest minion may have any chance of success.

"Probably just a warning to frighten off the supersti--" started Twilight, but was interrupted by a loud screech emanating from the wall. A small, dim light ran up the wall, then splt into two that headed in opposing directions, then headed downward, until it touched the floor, where it stopped screeching. A dim circle began to glow above it,, grey on the border, but black inside, to match the wall.

"I suppose that's just superstition, then?" joked Pinkie, walking over to it and opening the door, for it was a door being carved into the wall that had made the screeching noises.

"Very funny," growled Twilight, taking her place as leader again. Below the door, there was a small patch of text, glowing dimmer than the walls, and easy to miss, which they all did. It read, 'keep morality in mind.'

The moment the four had entered the door, it slammed shut. Pinkie giggled a bit, but Fluttershy crouched and froze. After some comforting words, she was back on her feet, though, and ready to go on. They walked for about five minutes before Twilight suddenly spun around.

"SHUT UP!!!" she shouted, Fluttershy getting the brunt of her voice. This froze Fluttershy to the ground, and she started weeping in fear. Twilight stormed off ahead, growling under her breath about talking behind her back. Pinkie rushed after her, wanting an explanation for the uncalled for outburst, while Nick stayed behind to comfort Fluttershy.

"I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it, Shy. She was probably stressed from walking all day yesterday, and over this whole event."

"I know, but..." Fluttershy said between sobs. "Why would she even say that?"

Nick pulled Fluttershy into a hug, rubbing her back, trying to calm her down. "Shhh, it's probably nothing to worry about. Pinkie's going to talk to her, and sort out this whole mess."

Fluttershy leaned into Nick, who had sat down with his back against the wall. She lay down her neck on his lap, her tears flowing into his jeans. Nick continued to rub at her back and forelegs, rocking back and forth to help calm her down. Her crying turned to soft sobs, which grew farther apart as time went on.

'Violate her.'

Nick could have sworn someone was behind him, even though his back was against the wall. He looked up and down the long hallway, which seemed to stretch forever in either direction, but saw nothing either way. Then he heard the voice speak again.

'There's no one here to see. Violate her.'

It was louder his time. He could distinguish it as a male voice, but not quite human or pony. It seemed to growl at him as it spoke.

'She won't say anything. She trusts you completely. Not to mention her weak emotional status right now. No one would ever know.'

Nick spun his head around, trying to move as little as possible, so as not to disturb Fluttershy.'It just wouldn't be right' he reasoned.

'Who cares about right and wrong? You desire her. You must have her!' shouted the voice.

'I refuse to do so!' shouted Nick in his mind.

'Fine. If you refuse,' sad the voice with a snarl, 'Then I will!' A black tendril burst from the wall behind him and coiled around his right wrist, pulling it toward Fluttershy's flanks. Nick pulled back, seemingly with sheer willpower alone.

'It's wrong!' he shouted, pulling back as hard as he could.

'Wrong and right are illusions. There is only personal gain!' shouted the voice right back. Five minutes did they do battle, before Pinkie and Twilight came back, and the tendril was disspelled, allowing Nick to release the tension in his arm.

"Fluttershy?" said Twilight, looking as if she were on the brink of tears herself. Flutterhy looked up at Twilight, but said nothing. "I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier. Something came over me, and I just lashed out at you. I'm so very sorry. Will you ever forgive me?"

Fluttershy, without a word, stood up and walked over to Twilight. There was a calm on her face that was beyond description, and she stopped about a foot away from where Twilight stood. The two ponies just stared at one another for a short moment, before Fluttershy jumped at Twilight, embracing her in a tight hug. Tears streamed down both of their faces, happy to have forgiven, and been granted forgiveness in return. "I already have," was all that Fluttershy said.

"So what was wrong with Twilight?" Nick asked Pinkie, as he stood up.

"Can you believe it? She said she was hearing a voice in her head. A voice! Isn't that the silliest thing you've ever heard?"

"Yeah.. Silly..." Nick said, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, well, well..." Said the voice in Nick's head, though this time, all present could hear it.

"That was the voice!" shouted Twilight, cowering down right alongside Fluttershy.

"It seems that you've been able to exceed the will of my greatest follower." An entity seemed to float out of the floor in front of them. It was humanoid in structure, but only his arms were visible beneath his cloak. Black feathers grew from them in differing sizes. Inside his hood, there seemed to be two glowing yellow eyes, directly above a snout protruding from the end. Its lips were twisted into a malicious smile, showing its maw, laden with razor-sharp teeth. "Very well. I grant you passage. But beware. There are darker deities than simply myself to do battle with. They will not be so easy."

"Do you have any information on where the others are?" vasked Nick, forcing his question onto the savage-looking entity.

"Now, now, young sinner." said the creature. "I do know of the others, but it is ot my will to tell. Now, I grow weary of this world. Mayhap I'll find some stronger followers in another." He slowly descended through the floor again. "And, Twilight, when you next see Princess Luna, tell her Shumbra sends his regards." At he very end of the sentence, a door suddenly snapped to right behind where he had been standing It swung open, revealing the black statue atop its pedestal, a bridge now connecting it to the main hallway, where they had entered.Nick picked it up, and lead the others down the path, and back up the stairs, out of that dark place, once and for all. It had been quite taxing, and had seemed to alter the minds of any that stepped into it. Turns out, some stories prove true.

They arrived back at the camp, and, though Nick's watch read four in the morning, Braeburn was standing in the middle of the camp, looking calm, yet angry at the same time. "What the Hay were you thinking?" he scolded. "Going in there without any knowledge of the place? No idea what to expect, having been warned about the evil that emanates from there, and you still went in. You're a danger to everypony around you now. I'm afraid you can't go back to Apploosa."

He pulled a pair of hoofcuffs from his vest and approached Twilight, strapping hers on first, then Pinkie, then Fluttershy. When he approached Nick, he stared at his wrists. They weren't thae same as hooves. Could the same rules apply? Then he noticed Nick's hands. His right wrist was bound in black, and his left index finger had a line running from his fingertip to the palm of his hand. "What're those?" he asked, pointing them out to Nick, who had only just seen them himself.

"I'm not sure. They're recent though." was Nick's only reply. Braeburn nodded. He then decided to try the hoofcuffs on Nick, and later remove them, if need be. He attached the left one with ease, but when he tried the right, the black band came to life, ripping at the metal, causing Braeburn to stumble backward as the chain dissolved in front of him. He tried again, with a different pair of cuffs. Same result.

"It seems I can't very well take you in." said Braeburn, scratching his head. "I guess that means I have ta follow you around and make sure you don't get into any more trouble." With that, he undid the locks on Fluttershy and Pinkie, while Twilight used a lockpicking spell from Akaitora's notes to undo her own, warranting a scowl from Braeburn, who just started packing up the camp. Since everypony was already up, they might as well get moving.

The time was just after nine when they reached where they had left the cart. Thankfully, it was still there, undisturbed.

"So where's our next destination? asked Twilight, prompting Nick to pull out the map of Equestria. Before he could unroll it though, There was a sudden outburst from an unlikely source.

"The Everfree Forest." said Fluttershy assertively. This caused Twilight to double back in surprise.

"Zecora already gave us all the information she had, Shy. She doesn't have any more."

"Well, um... " Fluttershy fiddled with her hair for a moment, then pulled out the note she had recieved the night before coming out. "Here."

Twilight grabbed it with her aura and opened it, reading it top to bottom. "When did you get this?" she asked.

"Um, the night before last, when Nick was over. He didn't leave anything else, as far as I could find."

Twilight pretended to consider it for a moment, then jovially agreed, soliciting a sigh from Braeburn. It was time for Twilight and Fluttershy to get reacquainted, as well as introduce Nick, Pinkie, and now, Braeburn. Nick curled into the cart, and was hauled off to the train station by Twilight and Fluttershy, accompanied by their two wards.

Chapter 9: Clarity of Mind

Chapter 9: Clarity of Mind

"So explain to me what shipping is?" asked Fluttershy. She and Nick were in the caboose, having put up a sheet so the conductor wouldn't see if he had a message to deliver, having a conversation about something in Nick's world called fan-fictions.

"Well, it's a bit difficult to explain," said Nick, scratching the back of his neck. "It's kinda like... A relationship, of sorts... between two ponies that were shown canonically. Usually the writers of shipping stories will combine the two's names into one, to make their point a bit stronger, or to help sort them out for readers who like certain couples."

"Like what?" asked Fluttershy. "Can you give me some examples?"

"Well, a relationship between Rainbow and Applejack is usually either referred to as Appledash, or if you're liberal, Rainbow Jack. Then Twilight and Trixie would be called Twixie most commonly."

This caused Fluttershy to blush a little. "But they're all mares. I mean, how would that even work?"

It was Nick's turn to blush now. He didn't want to answer that question. He knew how, having read a massive number of fan-fics, but to explain it to Fluttershy, that was just a step or two too far for him to go. "I can't really explain it," he said, which was a lie. "At least, not right now. Maybe later, when we have a moment where it would be appropriate."

Both were silent for a few minutes, letting the blood depart from their cheeks before continuing. Unfortunately, Nick's returned at Fluttershy's next question. "What's your favorite shipping couple?"

This was a bit much to say, seeing as his favorite shipping couple involved the mare he was talking to. How was he going to tell her about the story segments that involved a raunchy relationship between herself and another pony, even if it was a traditional relationship? He decided to throw a few fail safes in, to make sure he didn't embarrass himself.

"Are you sure you want to know? Promise me that you will acknowledge that you asked, and I'll tell you," he said, so the blame couldn't fall to him. If she didn't then he would drop the entire sub--

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. I wont tell anypony, I swear. And after all, I was the one who asked. Why ask if you don't want to know the answer?"

"True," said Nick, not expecting her to jump straight to Pinkie Pie Promising. "Alright. My favorite shipping couple..." he paused for dramatic effect, "Is you and Big Macintosh." and his face turned almost completely red. He waited for Fluttershy to be shocked, or disgusted, that he would actually consider her in such a position to be in. But that moment never came. Nick decided to look back up at Fluttershy, who seemed to be considering the idea.

"That would make a bit more sense. I mean, compared to what you could have said, this is probably better than what I've heard, when you explained what it was. May I ask why?"

Nick calmed down a bit, glad that she wasn't mad at him for it. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he had hurt her feelings in any way. "Well, I considered a number of factors when I chose that match-up. You're one of my favorite characters, and I want to know that you'll have someone who would take care of you no matter what. Big Mac seems to fit that description nicely. I also prefer the traditional relationships, between a stallion and a mare. It's the most productive variation, being the only productive one. Then I think of the children. I always imagined that they would grow strong, under your loving and nurturing wings, and yet, incredibly respectful, with a strong sense of duty and a powerful work ethic from Big Macintosh."

"They sound like lovely children. And now that I have that image in my head, I can't imagine them turning out any other way," she said with a smile.

"Next stop: Ponyville" said the conductor over the loudspeaker. A shudder ran down Nick's spine as he remembered a fan-fiction that he had read some time ago.

"I guess we should wrap this up. To the uncomfortable wooden cart!" Nick joked, warranting a giggle from Fluttershy. He very much enjoyed seeing her smile. That alone brought a smile to his face to equal hers.

They were now off the train, and at the edge of the Everfree forest. Nick slowly climbed out of his designated wooden cart. "Sorry you have to stay in there when we're moving through town. If there's another way, I guarantee that the pony we're going to go see knows it," said Twilight.

"Ah, sehr sehr gut!" said Nick. "Very good indeed. I can't wait."

"Oh, ummm..." started Fluttershy, backing away from the forest. "I'll catch up with you in a bit. I have to go do something really quick. You four go ahead and find out what room it's in." and she ran off, back toward Ponyville.

"Let's waste no time then," said Pinkie. "Time is candy apples!" and she charged off into the forest. Nick and Twilight simply walked, Braeburn following close behind, and after a few minutes, caught up with Pinkie Pie, who had doubled back. "Yeah, ummm, I have no idea where we're headed, so... Why don't you lead, Twilight?"

Half an hour later, Nick, Twilight, Pinkie and Braeburn arrived at the old, decrepit castle. It was still sturdy, no doubt about that. It was the oldest building in Equestria, and most of it was protected by magic from the ancients that had built it, to withstand anything that tried to assault it. It had originally housed the princesses, but after Luna's banishment, Celestia hadn't wanted to keep living there, among the constant reminders of what she had done. So a new castle was built, atop the cliff face of Canterlot.

Twilight only knew the one area of the castle, having only spent time there, and only once in that case. "Therefore, I strongly suggest that we wait here for Fluttershy before continuing on, as she knows the place best," she reasoned. So they waited. They didn't wait long, though, as Fluttershy showed up mere minutes later, wearing a collar in addition to her pendant of magic.

"Sorry, I left the key to the barrier at my house. I didn't mean to take so long..."

"Nonsense, Fluttershy," said Nick. "We only just arrived ourselves."

"So where is this guy we're s'posed ta meet?" asked Braeburn, looking around, as if expecting him to show up at the mention of his role.

"Oh, he's not here," said Twilight. "We came here so we could get the tools to find him. After we collect them, I expect that we'll have to track him down or something like that."

"More Walking!?" complained Pinkie. "I was expecting some sort of magical device! After your description, I expected nothing short of a GPS!"

"What's a GPS?" asked Braeburn, eyeing Pinkie Pie curiously.

"Uhhh..." she started, before quickly changing the subject. "How about we get to that thing we came here to get, Shy?"

"We're not done here," said Braeburn to Pinkie, following Fluttershy into the castle's underground. It extended three floors down, and Fluttershy was sure to check in every single room. All of them were completely empty, though in pristine condition. Akaitora had done a wonderful job of cleaning up all trackable evidence of his stay in the castle. He hadn't lied when he sent Fluttershy that note two years ago.

"We've checked everywhere, and still no sign of it. Are you sure it's in here?" asked Twilight, getting a bit annoyed.

"One room left. If it's not in there, I'll go back home, reread the message, and check there instead." said Fluttershy, approaching the last set of double doors. "I wonder if he left it here?" she thought aloud, taking a final deep breath, and swinging the door open. A flood of light suddenly illuminated the hallway they stood in. All but Fluttershy shielded their eyes, sensitive to the bright light emanating from the ceiling, Braeburn even stumbling backward into the kitchen. "He did," breathed Fluttershy.

Nick, Braeburn, Twilight and Pinkie all stared in awe at the sight in front of them. Apple trees, wheat fields, and even a small patch of carrots, way in the back, all crammed inside of a single room, fresh water flowing freely from the back wall around the entire area. All grass was trimmed to a very short length, and the soil that held the carrots was free of all grass and weeds, leaving only the carrots themselves. There were already apples on the tree branches, even though the trees at Sweet Apple Acres were only just beginning to bloom in the early spring.

"The carrot patch is new," commented Fluttershy, walking confidently down the stone path in front of her, stopping when she reached the grassy area. Right in the middle of the path was a small barrier, surrounding what resembled a torch, but had wires running about it, instead of the usual cloth wrap that fed them. "Let's hope this works," said Fluttershy, reaching a hoof toward the barrier. At her touch, it faded, dissolving around her foreleg, allowing her access. When she finally touched the torch, it let out a flash, and a pale blue uicorn, wearing a dark blue cape, appeared suddenly before them. He wore a jovial smile, and seemed to be quite pleased with something.

"Ah, Fluttershy," he said, trotting up to her and embracing her in a tight hug, to which she reciprocated. "I was beginning to wonder when you were going to come see me for a chat." Nick recognized the voice from somewhere, but couldn't remember where. "And Twilight, you're looking well," he said, embracing her in his forehooves like he had Fluttershy. Twilight didn't hug back, but she smiled anyway. "Did you get my notebooks?"

"Yes, I did," she said, backing away to look him in the eye. "They were incredibly useful, in numerous situations that I wouldn't think to use any spell."

"And then we have Braeburn, and of course Pinkie Pie," he said to both of them in turn, giving a short bow. "And Nick, if you still want to hide under a table, there are several across the hall," he joked. Nick realized right then, when and where he had heard the voice of the stallion in front of him. He had been in Fluttershy's kitchen two nights ago.

"No thank you, Akaitora, I'm quite tired of being curled into a ball," he snapped right back. This only brought a smile to Akaitora's face as he knew that they were on equal ground, at least knowing a bit about each other, having had a brief conversation, if it could even be called that.

"Well, I'll just have to help you get over your fear of the fetal position."

"And in return, I'll realign your morals of entering someone elses place of residence."

"Wonderful. I'd wondered what you'd be like since the moment I saw you open that window. Glad you're one of those humans that doesn't take advantage of others. I like you already."

"Danke."

"And you speak German! This is going to be all kinds of fun. Ich kann Deutch mit dir sprechen!"

"Enough with the strange talk!" shouted Braeburn. "Who are you, and can you help us?"

"I can do much more than that, Braeburn. I happen to know the locations of all of the mystic symbols yo're looking for," retorted Akaitora. "If you come to my current workshop, I can provide a vast amount of information that will surely prove useful for getting you out of tis predicament."

"Alright, where's your lab?" asked Pinkie, looking around, as if expecting it to suddenly appear out of thin air.

"I'll teleport us all there soon enough," said Akaitora, smiling. "But first, before we go, let's have dinner. I'm sure you're all very hungry." As if in response, Twilight, Pinkie, and Nick's stomachs all growled simultaneously, signaling that it was a decent time to eat. "I thought so. Help yourself to anything in my garden, save for the dirt. You can eat it if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it. It tastes like dirt."

Chapter 10: The Thaumal Shelves

Chapter 10: The Thaumal Shelves

After dinner, Akaitora and Fluttershy engaged themselves in conversation, catching up on what each had been doing for the past few years. "After the whole ordeal with my brother, he finally gave me the scroll he had showed us at his arrival. It said that I was to go to where my lab is now to undertake a task that I was not allowed to know until after I got there. When I arrived, I was given a small key, and was told to enter, bt the pony that gave me the key vanished before I could ask anything. So I enter, and there's this massive library. Then I see this cloaked figure standing in the center of the room, who asks me if I want to use my skills and talents to protect the realm of magic from any evil that wishes to halt it. I tell him, 'All magic should be protected for proper use.' And he smiles at me, and tells me that I am worthy. He spends the next week teaching me how to harness the flow of magic, and give it to those who deserve it. That's also how I got this."

Akaitora pulled up his cape and displayed his cutie mark, a circle with a star inside of it.

"That's wonderful!" squeed Fluttershy, glad to hear of Kai's success. "What about your flying? Did you get any better at that?"

"Well, I didn't have a lot of time to do any practicing, but I've definitely improved quite a bit from my first flight."

"But this time, you don't have a murderous kidnapper chasing after you, threatening to kill you." joked Twilight.

"That too." laughed Kai. So what about you, Shy? What have you been doing since I left?"

"Well, I started out just caring for my animals, and helping Nurse Redheart when I had a free moment, just my normal schedule. Then I received your package in the mail, and I've been practicing with Twilight ever since. I've been practicing, too. Watch this!" She concentrated, plucking a carrot out of the ground without pulling up any dirt with it, and levitated it over to herself, and took a bite.

"Well done, Fluttershy! I gave you the amulet, what two years ago? and you're using it like you've been training for three and a half! You truly have a gift for magic, despite being a pegasus."

"Thanks, but Twilight deserves most of the credit. She is a wonderful teacher. I just try to be a decent student."

"Fluttershy is a wonderful student. If she would just learn to accept praise, I'm sure se would be a great candidate for the Canterlot University of Magical Arts." said Twilight, causing Fluttershy to blush.

"I have a better idea," said Akaitora, standing up. "Are we all finished eating?" A quick nod from everyone in the room answered the question. There was another flash of light, and everyone immediately noticed a change of scenery. They were now in a gigantic library, lined with thousands of books. Twilight's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as she looked around, taking in the incredibly vast number of leather bound pages surrounding her. She almost fainted, ut Fluttershy caught her, realizing the effects that would probably follow.

"This is the Thaumal Library. It holds a copy of every spellbook in existence. Everything from summoning light to summoning the walking dead, from bringing inanimate objects to life to granting them minds of their own. All of them. We even have a few here that are the only copies of them. We even have an area that holds all of the notes for those who experiment with new magics. Our collected knowledge is ever growing, and continues to grow as long as there are ponies writing about their magical exploits."

This is amazing, Kai!" said Pinkie, pulling a book from the shelf and flipping through the pages. She then put it back on the shelf, but in the wrong location. the book then took the liberty of placing itself in the correct place on the shelf. "How did it do that?" asked Pinkie, astonished.

"Well, our shelves are enchanted to sort books automatically, since we're almost always distracted by research or diverting the Thauma to ponies throughout Equestria."

"What's Thauma?" asked Twilight, somewhat recovered from her fit of amazement.

"It's the magical energy that we supply to unicorns. without it, There'd be no such thing as magic. Even the princesses rely on us to supply them with magical energy. We harvest it from the gems blessed by Gim-Palarcanus, he who supplies the world with magical energy. The blessing grants an unlimited supply of magic, but we can only pump a certain amount, due to the filters we have to put it through. We had a worker skip replacing a filter, and it brought a human here to equestria. He now has assylum in the castle, and his own personal entourage of guards."

Pinkie shot Twilight a look that practically screamed, 'Told you so.' But Twilight didn't see it, still a bit entranced by the books.

"You keep saying 'we.' are there others here as well?" asked Nick.

"Yes, there are," replied Akaitora, motioning for them to follow him. "As a matter of fact, there are three of us here at any given time. Anypony who wishes may come in, but we don't advertise, otherwise everyone in Equestria would come in, and we'd have our hooves full with all of the work that we'd have, and it would limit everyone's use of magic. So we make sure it's limited to unicorns, and anypony who has proven themselves worthy." He opened the large wooden doors he had led them to.

"This is our labspace. Mine is through that door, and that's where I usually work, when I'm not monitoring the flow of Thaumal energy. Right now, it's Terra's job, and you can see him down there, working his magic, so to speak." The five looked down over the balcony to see a brown earth pony recording some readings on a clipboard, and adjusting some knobs and levers on a wall of machinery. He looked up at the mention of his name, nodded, and went right back to work. "That machine is what allows us to extract the essence of magic from any gem, but we only ever use it on those blessed by Gim-Palarcanus, for reasons I have already explained. And now you've met Terra, which only leaves the obnoxious one..."

As if on cue, a blue mare, also wearing a cape, appeared around the corner, her face hidden by a book. "Akaitora, could you explain this to Trixie?" she said, moving the book right in front of his face, revealing her own to the five guests, even though they all already knew her name. . A flood of memories washed over everyone save for Akaitora and Braeburn, as Trixie recognised three of her guests. "What are they doing here?" she asked not even trying to hide her snobby tone.

"They're here with me, Trix. They're here for Gim-Palarcanus' blessing, and holy totem, as well as finding the locations of the other three symbols."

"Four," corrected Twilight. "We know the locations of seven, we need four more."

"Three," corrected Akaitora right back. "Just like with the elements of harmony, when you've collected all bt one, the last will appear, brought forth by a spark from the ten present. So you need only track down three."

Twilight blushed, her chagrin getting the better of her. Trixie scoffed.

"Even Trixie knew that, Twilight Sparkle. How could you have even found to locations of the first seven without knowing that? If Trixie were the one wanting them, she would already have them."

"Prove it." Everyone stopped, and looked at Nick, who had locked gazes with Trixie. "Tell us, Trixie, Where are the ten artifacts we need to gather in order to collect the final one?"

Trixie took a few steps back, surprised that anyone would dare to challenge her, especially in her own place of residence and work. "Well, obviously, they're all in the temples, respectively. Where else would they be?"

"All but two," Nick admitted. "But which two are not in their temples? Answer me that, and I will reinstate your title, and call you by that, as will my colleagues." Twilight and Fluttershy grew nervous, not wanting to stoop to calling Trixie 'Great and Powerful' "However, if you don't know, and you guess wrong, then you must be the one to concede, speaking to us with respect and admiration."

Trixie hesitated a bit. He knew the signs to look for if a pony came in looking for the Thamal bands, but not for this creature. She saw no adornments though, and since all but two were certain pieces of clothing, she thought her answer clever. "That's an easy one. Shumbra and Volkos. Trixie wins, and you are all beneath her."

"I'm afraid not, Trixie," Chuckled Nick.

"Nonsense. You have the fang of Volkos and the Statue of Shumbra. Everything else is worn on the body, and you wear none of them."

"Then what is this?" asked Nick, pulling out the amulet of Oneiros from beneath his shirt. He had tucked it back there to avoid losing it. "It doesn't look like a fang to me, though we now know what to look for when we go see Volkos. Now, what was it that we agreed to?"

Trixie was shocked, but she ha accepted the terms, by not backing out when she had the chance. "Very well, astounding and clever one. Trixie submits to you and your friends."

"Now that the bickering is over," said Akaitora, "This is a summoning spell, Trixie. It is used to call up certain books. I think it would be quite useful here in the library."

"I cold have explained that," said Twilight, glancing over the book. I'll have to use this a few times myself, back at my place."

"I was just thinking the same thing," said Kai. "But enough about that, let's give you an audience with Gim-Palarcanus himself."

Kai walked down a narrow hallway, Followed by Braeburn, Nick, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Twilight, and finally Trixie. The hall twisted and turned, , and finally came to a circular room. In the middle stood a rack, branching out into four hooks, the top holding a violet sphere, seeming to have a pulse, resonating throughout the room, causing the walls to hum, attuned to the energy emanating from the device. Not counting the one they had just come down, there were four exits to choose from. Akaitora turned around and faced the six of them.

"This is the chamber of the bands. I'm afraid I can't help you from this point. You must face the trials he has wrought for you, without my help."

"So you can't really help us? That seems stupid of you. What's the point of helping us if you're not going to!?" shouted Braeburn, having been dragged from his home and forced to put up with everything since. "Fat load a' good this trip did us! We could have been to the next piece by now!"

"If it were any other temple, I would gladly help," defended Kai. "But it was put in place by YALORT himself that priests are unable to lead through their own temple, lest we invoke his wrath. I'll be waiting here after every challenge to help where I can, but I'm forbidden from entry. I'm sorry."

"Then let's get this over with," growled Braeburn, starting down one of the hallways.

Author's Notes:

Sorry, everypony, I've been incredibly busy sorting out things with my editor, and some other writer who will remain nameless. He asked for my help in editing his story, but I believe he screwed it over, with his erratic styles, his underdeveloped characters, and his poor storytelling techniques. Not to mention his spelling errors, run-on sentences and lack of synonymous literary pieces that made one feel like they just read the same words over and over again. I tried to edit it, but he was posting two chapters a day, and with my schedule, I couldn't keep up with him and myself, and my editor at the same time, so I fell behind in editing. as a result, my editor caught him, and began trolling. Did you know that internet trolls, when concentrated, make wonderful editors if you can tolerate them? Absolutely exquisite.

Anyway, my editor catches up to him, and starts pointing out all the little flaws that I couldn't fix. So I step in and tell my editee not to feed my internet troll/editor. For a little over three hours, tat was most of what I said to him. Guess what he did? I'm trying to stop my editor from calling this guys story shit (really, though, it kinda was), and the guy keeps undoing all of the work I'm doing. Then he has the gall to ask me why I was pissed at him. Go figure. So I refuse to associate with him, and eliminate all of his comments.

But enough about that, what about my story? If anyone wants to take a guess at what I'm referencing, feel free. Winner gets 10 points (non-refundable, and utterly worthless). I managed to get my word count up, which leaves me ecstatic. I can't wait to write the other temples in later chapters. I also brought back Kai, and started a subplot that only one of you knows about thus far.

Me.

Shut up, Bloodstain. You've caused me enough pain today.

You're probably right. That just leaves more for tomorrow, though. ( ^-^) /)

Anyone want a dead pegasus?

I'll shut up now.

Thought so.

Chapter 11: The Trials Begin

Chapter 11: The Trials Begin

Braeburn lead the others down the hallway, Growling under his breath. Why did there have to be a challenge? Why couldn't that blue buffoon just give them the blessing? There were too many measures to go through to get these. They had better be worth it. If not, there would be hell to pay.

"So what do you think we'll have to face this time? asked Nick,to no one in particular, but instead to the general audience.

"Probably something to do with magic, trying to test our knowledge of it or something like that," Reasoned Twilight. "Based on what we've seen so far, I think that'd be the safest bet."

"And you are absolutely right!" said a voice as they turned a final corner, leading into a large room. "Greetings to you all, I am Gim-Palarcanus, master of all Thauma. What can I do for you today?"

The five stared at the figure. It was humanoid in structure, but no part of it was visible beneath its cloak. A long beard drifted from the hood down to the floor, becoming a tangled mess as it spread beneath its owner. When it moved, an energy, like that of an aura followed it, distorting the world around it.

"You can give us the bands!" shouted Braeburn forcefully.

"That is... if it's okay with you.." added Fluttershy, not wanting the creature in front of them to think they were all rude and belligerent.

"Certainly," said Gim-Palarcanus. "When you exit this room, they will be out in the hallway. A shame, though."

"Let's go get them, then!" shouted Braeburn to the others, turning and waking back down the hallway.

"What's a shame?" asked Fluttershy.

Gim-Palarcanus waited until Braeburn was out of earshot, then leaned in, and whispered, "They're cursed right now."

Instantly, horror flashed across the faces of all those present, sve for Gim-Palarcanus, whose beard contracted, as if he had just told an offensive joke. Fluttershy tried to run out of the room, to catch up to Braeburn and warn him, but before she could reach the hallway, a magical barrier shot up across the door, blocking her exit.

"There's no possible way to best me in magic. I am, after all, the ruler of it."

"We can use magic, too!" shouted Twilight, her horn glowing as a bright light engulfed her. The light dispersed, and still she stood there, but now with no horn, panting as if she had just run two miles at full speed, without conserving any energy.

"Thanks for reminding me," chuckled Gim-Palarcanus, hovering above a gloved hand, a horn and the two pendants. "Your first task is this! Find a way out of this room. You will have these back at the end of the third challenge." And without another word, he faded, leaving only his cloak behind.

"Great," commented Nick. "Now we have an omniscient bearded loon running around nude. Can this day get any better?"

"Alright, let's just calm down and think this through," said Twilight, walking over to examine the barrier. She pressed both forehooves against it, gradually increasing the pressure she was pushing with. She made sure not to strain herself, though,only examining how strong it was. Eventually, she stopped pushing, and let her forelegs rest on the floor. "Nick, could you go check his cloak? There may be something in it that we could use."

"The cloth itself could be enchanted. Check whether or not it has a gemstone woven into it," suggested Fluttershy, following Nick to where the robe lay, collapsed on the floor. She began rifling through the pockets along with him, stopping when she found a small emerald, though it wasn't enchanted. She could tell, because it didn't glow.

"But you have to remember, he's the ruler of all thauma. He could probably change the rules if he wanted," reasoned Nick. "It wouldn't surprise me if he actually put an encha-- ACH!" Nick pulled his hand out of the pocket, revealing a cut on his left palm. Blood dripped from it onto the cloak, staining it.

Without a second thought, Fluttershy ripped off a long strip of cloth from the cloak, wrapping it around Nick's hand, tying it in a tight knot.

"Thanks, Shy," said Nick, reaching back into the pocket, slowly and carefully this time. He pulled out a small dagger, a small drop of blood running from the bronze tip, down to the copper hilt, staining the ivory handle. "Why would the master of Thauma need any sort of weapon?" he asked, again to the general audience.

Twilight's eyes lit up, but the rest of her face remained twisted in thought. Might I see that knife?" she asked, Walking over to where Nick stood, now holding the blade at arms length. She examined it, trying to pick it up with magic, but since she had no horn, she could do nothing. After a minute and a half of trying, she realized that it wouldn't work. So she turned her attention to Nick, and calmly asked, "Would you mind stabbing the barrier blocking the door?"

The request was very strange as it reached Nick's ears. "Did you say... Stab the barrier? What good would that do?"

"Just... Bear with me on this, Nick. If it doesn't do anything, you can completely disregard it, and think what you will of me. But for now, I just need you to trust me." She then turned around, and walked back over to the exit. "Besides, we don't have any other leads, we might as well give it a shot and see what comes out of it. Unless you have a better idea?"

"I can't argue with your logic. However, I'm inclined to ask what you think will happen, and why you think that stabbing it would do any good," asked Nick, wondering where she was going with this.

"I remember something that Akaitora said once, about some sort of metal being a magical insulator. I'm wondering if anything used in that dagger is an insulator. If so, we could cut through the barrier, allowing us access back to the main chamber."

Nick nodded, approaching the barrier quickly, but still not moving very fast. As he reached the barrier, he put his bandaged hand to the barrier, realizing just how solid it was. He could feel it, pulsing, moving, as if it were alive, and had its own will to block them in. He brought the dagger to the edge of the barrier, and as it touched, e could feel a shift run across the surface. instead of a linear, upward movement, the pulses began to radiate away from where the blade neared the surface. touching the blade to the surface granted a stronger, yet similar effect. The barrier itself seemed to cry out in pain, soft and silent, as if it were singing at a very low frequency.

"I'm sorry," whispered Nick, so quietly that only Fluttershy could have heard, had she been next to him. He then pulled away from the barrier, plunging the blade into the very center. The same quiet scream punctured Nick's ears, but this time it was louder, and higher in pitch. But the barrier faded quickly, the bronze absorbing the will of the barrier, held in place by the barrier itself, allowing them access through the portal.

"Let's go!" shouted Pinkie Pie, bolting through the door, followed by Twilight, then Fluttershy, then finally Nick. The barrier disappeared, and the dagger dropped to the floor, resounding a clang after them as they raced down the hall, hoping that Braeburn hadn't yet taken the bands.

Their fears were confirmed, however, as they reached the central room to find Braeburn hovering above the stand in the center, wearing bands around his legs. He was screaming all manner of profanities, wrenching and writhing in pain, as the bands flipped colors, rotating between red, blue, yellow and green.

"I'm afraid he's stuck like that until you finish all four challenges," said Akaitora, approaching Nick. "Which hand?" When he received a confused look back, he elaborated, "Which hand did you cut open when you got the dagger?"

Nick held out his left hand, and let Akaitora undo the bandage. "How did you know I cut my hand open?" he asked.

"Well, most of the time, when someone needs Gim-Palarcanus' blessing, not the artifact, mind you, only the blessing, He sends them through the same four trials you're going through now," he explained. "Most of the time, they cut themselves when reaching for the dagger.I even got cut reaching for it when I went through here. Let me guess: Fluttershy did the wrapping?"

"She does have the most experience. I thought you couldn't talk to us about the challenges?"

"I can after you've completed them. But I can't tell you about any that you've yet to enter." He touched his horn to Nick's hand, healing it, leaving no trace of a scar behind, as if he had suffered no injury.

"Healing magic?" asked Fluttershy. "When did you learn that?"

"Remember the night when I came in with all those cuts?"

"After you saved me the first time?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah. It it me that night that I needed to learn some healing magic. I thought it would come in handy later on. Guess how right I was?"

"Shouldn't you be getting on to the next challenge, and saving your friend, sneaky and condescending ones?" spat Trixie, a cocky grin plastered on her face.

"She's right," admitted Nick. "Come on. The sooner we save Braeburn, the better."

They started down the second hallway, which abruptly ended at a ladder leading up. Nick, being in front, started first. Being a human, he had no trouble climbing to the top. The others were not so quick to the idea, even though Fluttershy could have flown. She wouldn't think of this until later, however, when she would scold herself for not thinking at the time.

When they finally reached the top, They once more met the cloaked figure. "Well done for completing the first task. But that was so easy, I thought you might like a challenge for your second task. A simple mixture will open the way back. But you have to figure out what it is first! Isn't that a wonderful challenge!?"

As if in order to force the second challenge, the exit slammed shut, blockading their way back. "This is unfair!" shouted Twilight. "Your followers may not know much about chemistry."

"True, my little pony, all true. However, this is alchemy. Potion-brewing and the like. And you'll find that the materials are granted to you, as well as the notes from previous failures of this challenge. When you think you have the right mixture, pour it in here," he indicated a glass bowl atop a pedestal. "You may begin." and he disappeared with a flash, taking his robe with him tis time.

"Okay," said Twilight, approaching a table. "We have five reagents here. Does anypony know what they are?"

"I know a few," said Fluttershy, stepping up next to Twilight. "This long, red one is Harrada Root, and the purple flower with the sharp petals is nightshade. Be very careful wen handling it. It's extremely poisonous."

"Where did you learn these?" asked Pinkie, stepping up to the other side of the table.

"Zecora taught me. I asked her if she knew any herbs that could help my animal friends, and she taught me some of the properties of each."

"Uh, Guys?" said Nick, holding two alchemical journals, one in each hand, and looking at a third and fourth on the table. "These journals contradict each other..."

Chapter 12: Properties and Propaganda

Chapter 12: Properties and Propaganda

"This book says that the ingredients must be combined in a specific order, but this one says that doesn't matter, and you need only get the correct combination. Not to mention that they all have different results as to the correct combination. This one says Harrada and glowstone dust are the only ingredients required, and this one suggests that they're all used, and this one calls for Taproot, Nightshade, and black tar." Said Nick, reading the journals in turn.

"So what do we use?" asked Pinkie, skidding over to the second table where the journals lie. "Do any of them read the same?"

"They all seem to agree on one thing, and only that," said Nick. "And I happen to agree with them."

"What's that? " asked Twilight, flipping a page with her hoof.

"That this challenge is meant to test something that we don't know anything about, making us wish that we had studied before entry." This brought a chuckle out of Twilight and Fluttershy.

"Then these ingredients must be glowstone dust , taproot, and black tar," said Fluttershy, pointing to a bowl of yellow dust, a brown and green wood-like knot, and finally a small bowl of a dark, thick-looking substance.

"I would wager that you're correct," agreed Nick, taking the first of the five journals over to the table where the ingredients stood. "I wonder how much of each we're supposed to use?"

"I can't find anything that says what quantity we should use..." said Twilight, flipping through the pages, stopping when she reached the end, then flipping back through them.

"The amount added is meaningless. only the minimum quantity from each will combine, the rest will remain in one piece. The precipitate at the center is the only piece that we should need."

Everyone stopped reading, and turned to look at Fluttershy, who had three of the journals splayed out in front of her. The moment she realized that all eyes were on her, she looked up.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to distract you," she said, falling quiet once more. "I'll be quiet now..."

"...Fluttershy, how did you get that information?" asked Twilight, sidling up beside the canary pegasus.

"Well, It was here," she pointed to a string of text in the first book, "Here," a second string in another book, "And here," she pointed to the final page of the last book. "They all say that, though not in those words. I think that's why we missed them."

"But we still don't know what ingredients are correct. They cold be any of them," said Pinkie, sliding back to the ingredient table. "Which of these is right?"

"I have a theory," stated Nick, in an incredibly monotonous voice. "I think hat anyone who passed this trial would take their journals with them."

"So these are all wrong recipes?" whined Pinkie. "Then what's the point of keeping them here!?"

"If the journals are all wrong," started Twilight, "then we just have to make sure that we don't make their mistakes! Come on! we need to start a list of all the possible combinations! Nick, grab that pen and scroll!" she pointed to a scroll, a quill, and an inkwell, sitting on the table where the journals sat.

Two ours later, they had finished going through the books, marking out all of the wrong recipes on the list of all possible recipes that nick had made.

"Okay, that's all the recipes in the books," said Twilight, glad to finally be done. "How many recipes are left, Nick?"

Nick looked up and down the scroll, searching for one that wasn't marked as wrong. "There's... none." A grim look crossed his face, and it spread to other ponies faces.

"There's nothing left!?" shouted Pinkie, grabbing the scroll and looking it over several times. "How can that happen?"

"It was only a theory..." said Nick, the worry fading from his face. "Does anypony have another idea?"

The room was silent for several moments. Everyone looked to each other in turn, hoping for somepony to come up with another answer. At last, Pinkie spoke.

"I think this is all bollocks!" she shouted, grabbing the books from their stack on the table, running over to the pedestal where their mixture was to be placed.

"Pinkie, what are you--" Twilight started, standing up. But she was cut off by her own gasp when Pinkie slammed the books onto the pedestal in a fit of rage. The books burned on impact, disappearing into the purple flame that emanated around the pedestal, throwing up a cloud of black smoke, which dissipated as it reached the ceiling, flaring out in four directions.

"Now what are we going to do?" asked Twilight, glaring daggers at Pinkie. "Those books were our only information on this trial!"

"Wait," whispered Fluttershy.

"The books were worthless!" said Pinkie. "They couldn't agree!"

"Wait," Whispered Fluttershy, louder this time.

"Besides, Nick himself even commented that they were unable to agree!" shouted Pinkie.

"Don't drag me into this!" shouted Nick. "I'm trying to solve this thing just as much as you are!"

"Wait." said Fluttershy, now in an audible tone.

"And we even made a list of all the wrong answers, and it said that all answers were wrong!"

"WAIT!" shouted Fluttershy, alerting everyone to her presence. For the second time, all eyes were on her. This time, however, she had meant for it. "Look." She pointed a hoof to the ceiling. The smoke had cleared, and had released a beam of light onto the ingredient table, specifically the glowstone dust. As it touched down, it glowed red.

"How about a mixture of all but the glowstone?" suggested Nick. Fluttershy agreed, and they poured the remaining ingredients into the flame. The color changed from purple to green, and the door slid open.They climbed back down, Fluttershy loosing her footing and falling off halfway down, only then realizing tat she still had her wings. They popped open, and she floated the rest of the way. Reaching the main room again, they were reminded of their urgency.

"What the hy took you so long!?" shouted Braeburn. "I'm up here being ripped to shreds by these accursed bands, and you're just taking your own sweet time!!"

"Ignore him, he's glad to see you again," said Akaitora, pointing down the third hallway. "You'll get your magic back at the end of this challenge."

"This doesn't count as helping?" asked Nick.

"He already told you he would, so there's no harm in me telling you, since you already know," reasoned Akaitora. "Good luck in there."

"We'll need it?"

"You'll want it."

This hallway was the longest one yet, but was far from a straightaway. It twisted and turned, an at the end, spiraled upward. Thankfully, there were no ladders to entrap them, and they were able to make their way to the third chamber with no severe problems.

"Welcome back!" shouted the bearded figure in the center. Since it took you so long to pass the last challenge, this one's easy. And you even get your magic back at the end! really, I'm practically giving you this one for free!"

"I thought you give the same challenges to everyone?" questioned Nick.

"I do," said Gim-Palarcanus. "In the same order, no less. But It usually takes them forever to clear the alchemy trial, because no one expects it, and I give everyone different books. The secret to that challenge is to feed me exactly what I fed you, and then you can have the answer. That, or you could figure it out yourself, and know your alchemical ingredients."

"So what's this challenge then?" asked Nick. "We're in a bit of a rush."

"Patience, Nicholas, patience." Nick cringed at hearing his full first name. "First rule of magic is that you can't just rush in blindly. Think about your actions, and you'll always cast it right. As for your challenge, This one's easy enough for a child to solve."

He stepped away from them, revealing a large purple button in the wall. Your challenge begins when you press that button. It ends when you press the button a second time, but before you can press it, I suggest you decode the message. Good luck."

"We'l need it?"

"You'll want it." And Gim-Palarcanus disappeared into his cloak, which disappeared into the floor.

"Let's get started then," said Twilight, pressing the button down. Instantly, the walls lit up with a string of letters. From the entry, all the way around, and back to the door, they read, TRN-KZOZIXZMFH TIZMGH BLF BLFI NZTRX. BLF NZB MLD FHV RG ZG BLFI LDM WRHXIVGRLM.

"Oh my..." commented Fluttershy. "How are we supposed to solve this?"

"Certainly not by sitting here," said Nick, turning to the first letter. "This looks like some sort of cryptogram. Which means, we need a key."

"What's a cryptogram?" asked Pinkie, obviously confused by the idea.

"A cryptogram is an encoded message." explained Twilight. "Using the key, one could easily decipher the message, but I don't know what sort of key we need. It could be a word, or a phrase, or even a string of words. There are limitless possibilities to how the message could be deciphered, and if we do it wrong, then we could have the wrong message."

"There are some rules to simplify it, though," said Nick, running his left hand over the first two letters. "First, we know that the letter can't mean the same as it is on here. That means that the first three letters aren't really T R N, but three other letters. Unfortunately, Twilight pointed out one of the other rules, that we are typically given some way of finding the key, unless we already have it, which we don't. So, we have to find the key. Here's where another rule comes into play, which is also unfortunate. There are no words on here that are only one character in length, so we can't isolate it and test it."

"Then how do we start?" asked Fluttershy.

"Typically, when you're not given a key, the encryption is simple," said Twilight. "Such as moving all letters ahead a certain number of spaces, or a backwards alphabet, or both."

"That could take forever!" shouted Pinkie. "There are all kinds of possibilities that way!"

"Nonsense," scoffed Nick. "Only thirty-eight."

"How'd you come up with that number?" asked Fluttershy.

"Twenty-five for the forward alphabet, and thirteen for backward. Otherwise, you'd have letters matching up, and that's against the rules. Now, I suggest that we pick a few words out, so we can test the theories without having to go through the entire message every time. I vote for the two words that are only two letters long."

"I concur," agreed Twilight. "I also say that we knock out any choice that doesn't have R, G, or Z as vowels, or at least one of them. If G is a vowel, the other two can be anything, but if not, both R and Z have to be vowels."

"Because any word in this language must contain at least one vowel," finished Nick. "That should narrow it down. Let's test some theories!"

Chapter 13: The Last Vestige of the Arcanum

Chapter 13: The Last Vestige of the Arcanum

"Okay, I think we've got it," said Nick, writing down the last few characters on a small scroll. "Someone go press the button."

Pinkie, being the closest at the time, walked over to the wall and stood on her hind legs, pressing the button with her forehoof. Immediately, the text on the walls disappeared, and once more, Gim-Palarcanus stod at the center of the room.

"Excellent work! You've just completed the third challenge!" he shouted. With a snap of his fingers, Twilight's horn, Fluttershy's pendant, and Pinkie's hair ribbon all appeared in their respectful places. "Well done indeed!"

"I don't understand," said Twilight, stepping forward. "I thought we needed to solve the cryptogram?"

"Actually," corrected Nick, "What he said was that we needed to push the button twice to solve the third challenge. He never said that we had to solve the cryptogram. But then," he turned to face the thaumal master, "Why recommend that we do?"

"Because that's the fourth challenge, silly!" laughed Gim-Palarcanus. "The challenges are, in order: to know, to learn, to listen, and to remember! All of these are things having to do with how magic is controlled! You may not have it now, but you will soon enough. A vast quantity, too, if I'm not mistaken. And I'm never mistaken!"

"Well then," started Nick, "Let us proceed to the next chamber, and take the final challenge." As he approached the door, it sealed shut, blocking their exit.

"A contradiction, my good sir," said Gim-Palarcanus. "The fourth challenge is going to be in here, for two very good reasons. First, because you're in a terrible hurry to pull Braeburn out of that field he's in. Second... Well, ask Akaitora what the last hallway leads to next time you see him. Now, what did my message translate out to?"

Nick pulled the scroll up to his view, and spoke the translation as he read it. "Gim-Palarcanus grants you your magic. You may now use it at your own discretion."

"Congratulations! You've just passed the trials of Gim-Palarcanus!" he shouted. "What are you going to do next!?"

Everyone was silent. That final trial had been too easy. Finally, Nick shrugged. "I guess we're going to the next temple."

"Which temple?"

Nick unrolled the map, then quickly rolled it back up and put it away. Well, since I have no idea where in equestria this library is, which one is the closest?"

Gim-Palarcanus laughed again. "All of them are an equal distance away! You need only the proper key!"

"Then what do you suggest?" asked Nick. "We have three of the artifacts now,, which means, according to Kai, we have seven left."

"That is correct." chuckled Gim-Palarcanus. "I would suggest the figrealm, that you may learn of the plot to stop you, for your own protection."

"What plot?" questioned Nick. "Who's trying to stop us?"

"I'd tell you, but you're about to enter the planes of Galaris, so I see no point in it. Goodbye."

"WAIT!" shouted Nick, but it was too late. The master of thauma had disappeared into thin air.

"Now what do we do?" asked twilight.

"We do exactly as he suggested." Nick turned, and began walking down the hallway, back to the main chamber. "We head to the figrealm."

Reaching the main chamber, they found that Braeburn and Trixie were gone. Worry began to arise, but was snuffed out as Akaitora explained that Trixie had taken Braeburn back to the quarters to rest. The four bands hung on the rack, and after being assured that they were safe, Nick picked them up, sliding them up his arms, until they glowed a multitude of colors. Looking down at his left hand, he saw that his middle finger had grown a violet stripe, running from the tip of his finger to his palm.

"That's his blessing," explained Akaitora as they made their way back up the winding path to the library. "Even without any training, the blessing of any of the weaker ten grants you a power unlike any that could be attained through normal means."

"What does that mean?" asked Pinkie.

"Well, it means that Nick here can cast spells while here in Equestria, and maintain spells that any of us could cast. The black band of Shumbra grants you dark magic,, the light blue streak of Oneiros grants you access to illusory spells, and the violet streak of Gim-Palarcanus grants you general spells that are ot otherwise aligned."

"But I don't know any spells, or how to cast them," Nick stated. "Even Pinkie has a better knowledge of magic than I."

"Then I suggest you have a look through our shelves before you head to your next destination. Since you have three of the blessings, you can learn the spells rather quickly. If I may make a suggestion: start with illusory spells. There's one that can speed up your processes, to where it seems that the world itself has slowed down. I use it to up my productivity. So where are you headed next?"

"The figrealm," stated Fluttershy. Akaitora stopped, heaved a heavy sigh, then continued down the hall, completely silent.

As soon as they were back in the library, Akaitora pointed off into the shelving area. "Nick, find unit 12, third shelf from the top, fifth from the right, page 45, and read to page 52. It's one of the most important spells you'll ever learn. Girls, follow him, and do the same. After that, you can all practice. Once you've got that spell down, feel free to learn any others. I have something that requires my full attention. I'll be back in about three hours, although you might feel that it's going to take longer, due to the spell. If you'll excuse me..." He headed off, into a wooden door, which closed behind him.

"Well, he's never been known to lie," said Fluttershy, "So I think it's best that we listen to him."

"I agree. Besides," reasoned Twilight, "If this spell is as important as he says it is, then we should learn it quickly, and practice for a little while."

They found the book, Arkhved's Guide to Mindcraft, and opened it to the specified page, and began reading.

Another useful spell that I found was the ability to control the synapses within my own mind, utilizing the input as well as the output. The results were quite astounding. It seemed that the entire world around me slowed to a crawl, but in reality, after an hour in this state, the sun had barely moved from its place in the sky, and a timepeice I had set up had only gone by for a few seconds. I realized at this point that I hadn't slowed time, but sped myself up to such a degree that I had been moving almost at the speed of sound. I thought to myself, in how many ways can I utilize this? After a few more tests, I was ready to test my theory. I sttod in front of a stone wall, a crossbow aimed at me, and pulled the trigger using a contraption built for this purpose specifically.I then cast the spell, and moved out of the way of the bolt, and watched as it cut straight through the stone wall. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I then started work on a small project using the trespassers I had caught mere days before. I told them that if they could hit me with any of their weapons, they could go free. I was a bit overconfident, I know, but the real rub was that I had given them access to my small armory, letting them use whatever they liked. As I had suspected, they never even touched me.

The story of how it could have been used out of the way, here's how the spell operates...

Nick read page after page until he had reached the end of the article. "I think it would be a good idea to test out this spell," he said, handing the book to Twilight. He focused his mind on his left hand, forming a small, cyan ball of energy. he turned it over a few times, studying it a bit, then brought it to his forehead. The instant it touched, he felt a silence come over him. He waited a few seconds, then released the energy from is hand, melding it with his mind.

He opened his eyes, realizing that they were shut, and looked around to the ponies around him. They were still, as if they were made of multi-chromatic stone. He stepped to the left, then to the right. he watched as Twilight's mouth slowly opened, trying to form words. As a test, he ran to the balcony and back, then checked on Twilight. She seemed to have made a partial letter, and some wind had pulled Fluttershy's hair forward. Nick smiled, then broke his concentration on the spell.

Immediately, they all felt the wind from Nick's run, which interrupted Twilight's sentence. After a fit of coughing, Twilight simply smiled. "I'll take that as a 'yes, It works.' How was it?"

"It felt invigorating at first, then that wore off as my output reached the same level as my input," said Nick. "It's an amazing experience, then shrinks back to a normal frame of mind. It seemed that everyone else was moving so very slowly." Nick was silent for a moment, as he pushed back his wavy dark brown hair over his ears. "Do you think I could beat Rainbow Dash in a race if I used this?"

"No," chided Twilight. "Using magic to give yourself an advantage is considered cheating, as is having someone else cast the spell on you. If you were to do that in a competition, you would be committing a capitol offense, and I don't want to see you in jail, especially since you're the reason we're out her."

"You're right," apologized Nick. "I'm sorry. It was a hypothetical question. I'll only use it for studying, and when allowed by a jury of my peers." He began to cast the spell again, ending on the note, "That means you four."

The next hour went by slowly for Nick, since he spent most of it at an insane speed, rifling through books as if they would burn if he didn't read them soon. For Fluttershy, the last to read the time spell, it was a little bit funny watching Nick spend less than a second on a page, flipping through them faster than she could read the titles By the time that it was her turn, Twilight had made enough attempts to cast the spell on herself that she had managed to cast the spell correctly three times, and was now reading the books in the shelf, though not nearly as fast as Nick. She was also practicing a few spells that she had read, while still under the influence of the speed spell. She looked flustered, but otherwise fascinated.

Pinkie had no trouble getting the spell down, already having the frame of mind that worked best for a hyperactive lifestyle. This provoked a glare from Twilight, which Pinkie couldn't see because she was hopping around with her eyes closed, smiling from ear to ear, and beyond. Nick caught a glance at this, and wondered to himself how she hadn't crashed into anything.

"It wasn't long before Fluttershy had read the spell, and was able to cast it with only a hoofful of failed attempts, none of which ended with a major problem. She was now up to speed with Pinkie, who celebrated Fluttershy's victory be sporadically teleporting a plate of cupcakes onto a nearby table.

Chapter 14: The Barren Utopia

Chapter 14: The Barren Utopia

It felt as if a day had passed by the time Akaitora finally arrived from his rounds. Immediately, they all let down heir speed, and let time flow through them at a normal pace.

"I've just returned from the barracks. Braeburn is doing well, and he'll be ready to travel by the time the sun rises," he said, a relieved smile on his face. "I trust that you spent your time in the library to your advantage?"

"I believe we have," smiled Nick. "I've learned a multitude of spells that will do wonderfully, as well as a few that I can't cast quite yet. There was also some information on the figrealm. Is it really the place you go when you die?"

Kai lowered his head. "That depends on how you've spent your life. Pure souls have the option of melding with Ariendeen,and those of us who have contributed a vast amount of knowledge to the world may choose to cease their spiritual existence, and become naught but an idea, to be planted into someone's head to improve the world, or something in it. then, everypony else is sent to the figrealm, to spend the remainder of all of time in anguish,as their souls are drawn upon by all magic users, unicorns and blessed alike."

"We use the souls of the dead as a conduit for magic?" shouted Twilight, who fainted shortly thereafter.

"I think I'm going to be sick, said Fluttershy, struggling to keep her balance.

Pinkie just stood there, jaw agape.

"I see," said Nick, rubbing his chin. His bristle had returned, it having been a few days since his last shave. "And what of this Galaris, the Evereaper? Is it true that he takes the form of a dark, cloaked figure, wielding a scythe?"

"A sickle," corrected Akaitora, Raising his head back up. "And not always. If you are at least in part responsible for the death of another being, the will appear, unless you've ended more than one life, in which case, you are greeted by another, in Galaris' stead. This second being is typically depicted as a skeletal being, bound in black strips of shredded cloth. He bears a chain, forged by the very souls he has absorbed, through his followers pious devotion."

"Any other rules for his depiction?" asked Nick, taking a few steps toward Kai.

"Just one more. If you have slain o one, and you enter the figrealm with one who has, then the Evereaper will appear to you as the being who had been slain by one of your group, unless multiple, in which case, The dread father, not the Evereaper, will appear."

"And what of the challenge? surely you could tel us, as it wouldn't be in your temple anymore."

"I'm afraid not. I may lead you through, but I don't know the challenge. I tend to not enter the figrealm often, as it depresses me. Now, if you'll hand me your map, I'll update it, and include the planar figures for each outside the realm of Equestria."

That night, Nick dreamt of a wasteland, though it was also paradise. From the rotting corpses of thousands, beautiful plants sprouted from the ground. A blue stallion sat on a lawnchair, by a pool of urine, sipping a green liquid through a straw lead from an inverted skull. A pegasus floated down from the sky, its flesh slowly falling off, creating a wonderful smell.

"What is this place?" he asked a mare, walking by.

"Why this is Aetherius, the plane of Gim-Palarcanus. You fell asleep here, so you're stuck here until you wake up," she smiled. Her teeth were varying in hue, all fully saturated to neon shades.

"Oh, good," said Nick. "For a moment, I thought Discord had made a return."

"Who's Discord?" asked the rainbow colored earth pony. "Is he a friend of yours?"

"Well, I--" started Nick, but the mare suddenly vanished, leaving him alone. "Great..."

Nick spent some time looking around, seeing all manner of creatures, most of them bizarre, others normal with bizarre features. Almost all of them looked silly in some way, save for one. He was a normal-looking, red pegasus, his blue eyes darting among the other creatures that surrounded him, his dark brown mane flapping in the breeze. Nick decided to take a few steps closer, and have a look at this new find.

"I would stay back, if I were you," cautioned the pegasus ans Nick drew closer.

"Why's that?" questioned Nick, seeing nothing strange about the area, save for the fact that it was surrounded by giant bones protruding fro the ground, most of them broken.

"Because I'm going to be directing you to your next goal, Nick," he said, standing up and walking away.

"What?"

"You heard."

"Yes, but I don't understand. What do you mean you'll be leading me to my next goal? What is my next goal?"

The pegasus chuckled. "You'll see," he said, turning toward Nick. For now, though, I suggest that you wake up. Your friends are waiting." The stallion then charged toward Nick, and jumped, tackling him.

Nick collapsed to the floor of the barracks, among the legs of the ponies that surrounded him.

"Have a nice rest?" chuckled Akaitora. "I find Aetherius to be quite taxing, myself. That's why I came to check on you."

"Are you okay?" asked Fluttershy, kneeling down to Nick's eye level. "Did you hurt your head?"

"I'm fine, " reassured Nick. "Though I thank you for your concern. Are we set to go to the figrealm?"

"We are," said Twilight, "In fact, we were waiting for you so we could make the journey in. Glad you're up now, though. Let's get going!"

"Wait there, just a minute," said Braeburn stepping over to Nick. "We gotta let the boy eat before we send him anywhere!

"Then eat," said Trixie, tossing a biscuit at Nick.

"I can eat while I walk," said Nick, catching the biscuit and standing up.

"Good," said Twilight. "Let's get going."

"Trixie, Keep the door unlocked," said Akaitora, stepping through the door first, tossing the key to Trixie.

"Trixie doesn't understand why Trixie has to stay back while everyone else goes on an adventure," complained Trixie.

"Because someone has to hold down the fort," Nick said condescendingly, stepping through the door after everypony else.

The figrealm did indeed look almost exactly as the books had depicted. The entire area was purple, with grey clouds perforating the sky. random odds and ends floated through the air, over a n often trodden path. On the left, there were ponies, working a field with all manner of tools: hoes, shovels, plows, and one had only a large stick. On the right, a large field, stretching as far as the eye could see, silver strands burst from the ground, growing ever higher, some reaching higher than any of them could see.

A pony on a black cloak approached them slowly, as if every move seemed to pan them. It trudged on, closer and closer, as everypony around them watched in anticipation. At last, the figure stopped, and spoke. Its voice was clear, but very deep, and very powerful. "I told you, Nick, I'd be leading you to your next goal. As for you, Kai, I need to thank you." The figure pulled back his hood, revealing the pegasus Nick had seen last night.

"How did I know that I'd see you here, Bloodstain?" asked Akaitora, a grim scowl on his face. "Nevertheless, I stand by it, and own it for what it is."

"And what is it?" questioned Bloodstain. "You had your hand in killing me. You dealt the most powerful blow!"

"I think you'll find that you did that yourself. Doing a nosedive from 500 feet is suicide. If only you had remained pious, then mayhap you could have joined Ariendeen. But I know that if I had not, You would instead by trapped in the void, the result of an assassination. A fate worse than that, there is none."

Bloodstain cracked a smile. "Be that as it may, it shall be I that teaches you of what is to come. Walk with me, living beings, and learn what happens when action is not taken properly. There is a plot to destroy you, and send you all to the void, a fate worse than what you see before you."

"There's a fate worse than eternal suffering? I'd like to see that," said Twilight, grimacing.

"There is, actually, said Bloodstain, leading them down the path, faster than when he had approached them. "You see, here, we have a sense of fulfillment. We work, and are tortured, but or screams are powerful enough that the world is effected by them. Within the void, your screams cannot be heard, and have no effect on anything. Here, we at least have control over our actions, albeit only a minuscule amount. In the void, we would have nothing."

"Wow," was all that escaped Pinkies mouth.

"But now of the plot to destroy you. Worshipers of the void, and of the dread father, will only the destruction of any who stand ready to meet the creator. If they find you, they will stop you, and they will kill you. The problem with that is, if they kill you, you won't be sent here. You'll be sent to the void. They call these killings, "Contracts," which they recieve a large sum of money for. When they die, they become reapers, either in here, or the void. Whichever they prefer."

"Why do they get such power?" asked Nick.

"It is given by the dread father. He is the receiving end of the entire cosmos. YALORT created the cosmos, Sithis will destroy it. Lately, though, he's only been concerned with feeding is void, and working us to the bone."

"If this contents him," said Nick, "And you wish him no peace, then why work?"

"We work because we have to. If we don't work, he suffering continues. It continues if we work, or if we don't work. But if we work, we can serve our time for or sins, and ease the suffering faster. We may be here for eternity, or a few years. I'm in here for another 296 years, due to my outstanding number of sins."

"What sins?" asked Fluttershy.

"Rape," answered Twilight, causing everypony to stop.

Bloodstain turned to face Twilight. "Rape is worth ten years. I had eighteen counts. The remaining years were for other sins that I had committed." He turned back, and started back down the path. The group followed, Twilight at the back, hanging her head, accompanied closely by Fluttershy.

"Wher are we headed?" asked Akaitora, puzzled at how long they had been walking and how little progress they had made.

"We're here," said Bloodstain, staring off down the path. "The gates of Galaris. On the other side, you'll find the resting place of all who have served their time. Their souls have departed, to serve as charges for the farmers to sow into thauma. Enter as you like, I grow weary of this. I wish to resume my servitude. And Akaitora?"

Akaitora turned his head, waiting for a continuance.

"Say hello to your parents for me, would you?"

Chapter 15: The Other Side

Chapter 15: The Other Side

Nick couldn't believe his eyes. Standing before him, wearing jeans and a plaid button-up shirt, stood his brother, his sideburns extending halfway down his neck. A smile cracked across his face, and he stepped foreward Nick, arms outstretched.

"Guess who's dead?" he said, wrapping his arms around nick's neck.

"You?" Nick answered sarcastically, returning the hug. He could see the rest of his group making their aquaintances with their deceased family members. Braeburn was speaking with his grandfather, Twilight's grandmother had embraced her in a tight hug, Pinkie had quite a large assortment of ponies of all varieties. Even Fluttershy's Father had showed up, though he didn't look very pleased with the reunion. Nick somewhat felt sorry for her, but knew that it was not his place to intervene.

The only one who had nopony to greet them was Kai. Nick wondered where they were. Bloodstain had said that they were in here, or rather, had hinted at it. But Kai didn't seem to be bothered by it. As a matter of fact, He saw a tear run down is cheek, disappearing into his lips as he smiled.

"So how'd you go, and how long ago?" asked Nick's brother, bringing his attention back to what he was doing.

"Actually, I'm still alive, Thomas," said Nick, pulling back. I'm just here for a visit."

"No, seriously," said Tom, ruffling Nick's hair. "What got you? Car accident? Plane crash? Or was it a nice, clean pipe to the temple?" He made the motion of swinging a blunt object as he said the last one.

"I'm being serious," said Nick, his face growing stern. "I'm still alive. I'm just here for Galaris' blessing, and the gauntlet. Call it a business venture."

All joy faded from Tom's face as he realized that Nick was being honest with him. "Then I take it that these are your companions, and you'll need a guide to the temple?"

"If you wouldn't mind," said Nick, a smirk glancing across his face.

"Alright," Tom shrugged. "As soon as they all finish catching up. Are they all...?"

"Ponies? Yes."

"Uh-huh... How'd that work?"

"Well," explained Nick, "You could say that it was a case of mistaken target. Fluttershy meant to magically summon one of her pets, but ended up summoning me instead. I spent the first day on that plane with a splitting headache, unable to move much, and with very blurry vision and hearing. Eventually, we found a possible method of sending me home, and we're attempting it now. That's why we need the gauntlet."

"Uh-huh..." Tom said, still skeptical of the entire situation.

"A lot has changed since your death, too. Mom left Johnny, and found herself a girlfriend instead. Now we have three sisters."

"I know that can't be right," scoffed Tom.

"You're right," cinfirmed Nick. "It's only two. The third is on the way."

After what seemed like an hour, but only registered as two, everyone had finished speaking to their respective families and friends, Kai still standing alone by the door, they set off for the temple, lead by Tom, who had made it his own personnal goal to escort them. It didn't take long, but the temple didn't look like much. It was nothing more than a run-down building, containing one room. At the far end stood a small altar, made almost entirely of a silvery substance, topped with golden statues.

"This is it, then?" asked Nick, peering through the window. "Where's the gauntlet?"

"This is but the shrine, where you can receive his blessing," explained Tom. "I don't know where the gauntlet is. Only the guardians know."

"What guardians?" asked Nick, growing impatient. "Who are they, and where can we find them? Time is of the essence!"

Tom only shook his head. "I don't condone this, but... I can't watch out for you forever, can I? I mean, look at me. I'm dead! There are two guardians, of that I am certain, though their names escape me at the moment. They're up there," he pointed to a large door at the end of a tall stairway. "behind the door. We've been told that it's dangerous inside, and if we value our peace, we're to stay away."

"And what of us?" asked Twilight. "Are the living allowed entry?"

"Go, if that is what you will. But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Then we take our leave," said Nick, patting his brother on the shoulder. "We'll return shortly."

"I certainly hope so.." Tom whispered as he watched the group climb the stairs.

The other side of the door was wholly uninteresting. A large room, completely empty, was all that awaited them. The walls were bare, and the purest white imaginable. The floor was grey, and somewhat slick. Pinkie soon learned that this was not a place for bouncing.

"Where are the guardians?" asked Fluttershy, looking around. "I don't see anything in here."

"They're here," confirmed Akaitora. I know they are. I can practically feel their presence." The door slammed shut behind them, and a voice called from the left wall.

"Why, I think we deserve more credit than that, Dearie," said an auburn unicorn, stepping through the wall, her short, blue-black mane drifting around her. Her eyes shone white; there were no pupils or irises to speak of. "Did we really upset you enough that we only have a pronoun to represent us?"

"You stood idly by and did nothing to help in my time of most need," reasoned Akaitora. "I find that reason enough to condemn you to simple pronouns. Out of respect, though, I go no further than that. No dancing on graves, no mockery, and no cursing your name. A wall shall suffice."

"Now, now, Kai," said another spectre, this one coming from the right wall. "There's no call for such bitterness. We've forgiven you for what you've done. Can't you do the same for us?"

"Your battery was worse. You condemned me to a life with no support, and cast me out 'pon the cobble. For that, I have suffered. I don't hate you, though. To hate is to be absorbed such in anger that one would stop at naught to hold thine self away. And what hath I been forgiven of? Seeing through eyes which thou could not? seeing the world as all alive see it today? or for being misinterpreted with no case to defend thine self? I bear no guilt, what cause have I to seek forgiveness?"

The two unicorns hung their heads. They had not wished for the damnation they had cast upon him.

"Nevertheless," said Kai, calming back down, "To not forgive you would be to cast the same damnation that created me upon you. I forgive you, but not for your sakes. Because of the hardships that I faced due to your actions, I melded and manipulated such a tenacity that I became greater than I had ever wished. Therein, I bid you a chance at my forgiveness, that you may keep it close to you always. Now for the real question. Are you willing to earn it?"

"Name your price," said the stallion, bringing his head into a prideful stance, the red tips of his green hair billowing in a non-existent wind. "We would be honored to help you."

"We need the gauntlet of Galaris," said Kai, a smirk crossing his face. "We need it so we can send Nick here home." At this last sentence, he pulled Nick over to stand beside him. "The sooner we get him back, the better he fares. Can you help us, help him?"

"Else may I never be Sufferthorn again," said the stallion, stepping over to the mare. Their horns touched, sending a beam of magenta light to the back wall, opening a gap. Within the newly-made inlet, there was a short pedestal, and a black gauntlet sat atop it. Nick hesitantly reached for it, thinking it a trap. The moment that his hand touched the smooth metal surface, it sprung from the pedestal, wrapping itself around Nick's arm, and growing up it, to his elbow, then his shoulder, and before he knew it, it had engulfed his entire body on black armor. The bands of Gim-Palarcanus, the amulet of Oneiros, and his rucksack were expelled from his body, leaving only the armor. Thankfully, his clothing had stayed attached under the armor. The only visible portion left was a slit in the helmet, revealing his eyes. As with the two guardians, his eyes glowed white.

"Are you okay!?" Fluttershy rushed to Nick, looking him over. A split second later, Nick's arm flew up, clutching Shy's neck.

"You little foal..." said a voice from under the helmet, though it wasn't quite Nick's. "All of you. Did you really think I would just give you what I rightfully own?"

The armor spread to cover Fluttershy's body as well, in a different piece. As was with Nick, only her eyes remained visible, also turned to white. "How dare you try to steal my treasure?" Fluttershy's voice joined the choir that had already absorbed Nick's. "How dare you!?"

Fluttershy dove at Braeburn, wrapping both forehooves tightly around his neck, squeezing his windpipe, While Nick swung at Pinkie. Within moments, they too were encased in the ebony armor, and turned toward the final two standing together, the guardians now cloaked in the armor as well.

"This can't end well," whispered Akaitora to Twilight. "Do you remember reading anything about a suit of armor that binds to everyone it touches?"

"No," said Twilight. "Do you remember anything having to do with the gauntlet itself?"

"No, answered Akaitora. "Are we screwed?"

"I think so."

Nick, Maison, and Sufferthorn all made a grab for Akaitora, While Pinkie, Shy, and Brae did the same, aiming instead at Twilight.

Authors Notes:

First, a story. I was eating potatoes today, and I suddenly realized that I hadn't seen the episode, "Secret of my Excess" in like forever. So I watched it. Those were some good potatoes, though.

Anywho, I would like to give two apologies. First, I'm sorry this chapter is shorter than what I had intended it to be.My writer's block is really starting to get annoying, since my muse ran off, second, I'd like to apologize for not posting quite as often as I used to. Again, this is due to writer's block. Unlike some writers, I don't just write. I proofread, and ask myself, Is it a coherent story?

And here's another thing. The guardians have been mentioned before. Ten points to the first pony to guess who they are correctly, -500 for anypony who guesses wrong, and -20,000 for anyone who just up and says, "I don't know." You don't have to guess.

Last order of business for these last five chapters, I applaud Sonicbrony66, because, at the latest report, He's about 1% finished with conquering my psyche. I give him the next five chapters to delve further into the matter, and remember the origin of YALORT. As was stated before, here's your hint.

Kroghmm
Volkos
Crysoosuna
Hwouk

Shumbra
Ariendeen

Gim-Palarcanus
Galaris
Oneiros
Vgaarklak

Recognize a few?

Chapter 16: Evermore Beckons

Chapter 16: Evermore Beckons

The world seemed to slow around Kai and Twilight, As their six foes shot through the air, reaching for their exposed bodies. At the very last second, however, Twilight slid out of the way, and Kai ducked into a roll, causing their aggressors to miss. The two regrouped in the opposite corner, watching as their armored foes clumsily stood up, a bit dazed from their collision. Braeburn was the first up, and he rushed at his quarry, jumping into the air for Twilight. Luckily, he never reached her, receiving the powerful back legs of Akaitora in a crushing blow to the chest. Twilight could have sworn that she had hear a crack as his head collapsed to the ground, following his body. She didn't have time to worry, though, as the rest of the armored legion was once more after them, Fluttershy leading the pack.

"Go!" shouted Akaitora, pulling Pinkie Pie off of Twilight's leg. "Run back to the library, and find out if there's a way to stop them!"

"No chance!" Shouted Twilight right back, kicking Nick's knee, knocking him over. "I'm not leaving you here to become on of them!" She bucked Fluttershy off, then swung a hoof at her, missing by a longshot.

"That wasn't a suggestion, Twilight!" Akaitora wrapped Twilight in his aura, and teleported her to the gate; as near as he could to the library.

He turned to the group now slowly standing back up, a fair bit of blood dripping from a few of them in various areas. "You're such a foal," said the legion of is acquaintances. "Such nobility is prideful, and incredibly stupid. Now, you're pitted, alone, against all of your friends, and your parents. What's worse is that because of your actions, not only will she have to fight us alone, she'll also have to fight you. You could just die now, and be done with it, but I'll leave that up to you."

"To think that I would submit to defeat is appalling," chided Akaitora. "Besides, I know that Twilight will return shortly, with a means of your defeat."

"I think not," the collective voices all rang out. "Because the more you fight, the weaker your friends become. But they'll never stop attacking, because they will forever remain under my spell, and no field that you can cast will change that. Continuing the fight will either kill them, or it will kill you. Choose: Whose life is more important?"

Twilight shook her head. She felt incredibly dizzy and disoriented. As soon as her vision cleared, she ran full sped through the gate, and back along the pathway to the Arcanum, all the while cursing Akaitora's name, tears of anger welling up in her eyes and slowly dripping, one by one, down her chin.

She burst through the door, startling Trixie in such a way that she fell backward off her chair. Twilight took no notice, however, her mind trained on the bookshelves in front of her. She struggled to concentrate on casting the synapse spell, and holding it in effect. Time was of the essence, none cold be spent on trifling matters, like finding the correct book.

"Where is it, where is it, where is it!?" she shouted, the spell flickering on and off, giving anyone else in the room a headache, had there been anyone else in the room. Trixie, who had followed, after standing back up and dusting herself off, saw the spectacle before her eyes, decided to give her assistance, honoring her vow to respect all in the group. She cast the spell around herself, and Twilight, in a more powerful variation, having practiced the spell several times.

"What book are you looking for?" she asked, galloping up to Twilight, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake that wouldn't catch up to her for a few minutes. Her sudden outburst caused Twilight to jump, and spin around. Gravity was still working fine, but since time perception was slow, Twilight hung in the air, floating in a surprized Jump.

"Oh, it's you, Trixie," Twilight heaved a sigh of relief, bringing her legs into a standing position. They didn't quite touch the floor. "I don't have much time. I need information on the Gauntlet of Galaris."

Trixie gave Twilight a skeptical look, then pulled a large magenta tome down from the top shelf. "Shouldn't you have studied this before going in there?" she chided. "And what'd you do with Akaitora?"

Akaitora coughed a few times, then spat two bloody teeth onto the floor. "This is quickly becoming a problem, " he chuckled, pulling the focus of his vision up to face his foes. "At this rate, you won't have a chance of recruiting me. I'm afraid you're well on your way to losing a valuable team member."

"Oh, don't be silly," said the legion, picking themselves up off the ground. "You're worth more to me dead than alive, anyway. I don't own your soul if you're using it."

"That won't work, either. You see, due to my position, I'm worth nothing to you dead. I'm trading my soul for a new invention for those who still live."

"Of the Arcanum, are we? I had almost hoped as much," chuckled the legion. "Now, I have no qualms about tearing you to bits!"

Twilight had all of the required information about Galaris' gauntlet, and was heading back into the figrealm.

"Do you still need Trixie to hold the door?" asked Trixie, watching as Twilight disappeared into the magenta mist. Twilight hadn't said a word since Trixie had brought the book down. She had just skimmed over it and took off, clutching the book to her chest as she ran off. "She'll take that as a yes..."

Twilight bolted past the fields, watching in her periphery the dark shadows moving from place to place. A quick note was jotted down in the back of her mind to find out exactly what they were doing, and why. But that would have to wait for another time, when things weren't quite so... difficult. She also took note of the field with the billowing silver pillars, and jotted down a note similar to the last, right next to it, to find more information on their purpose, and meaning.

It only took her about a minute to run through the entire figrealm, back to the temple, but it felt like fifteen. This was partly because of the synapses running ten times normal speed, and partly due to her worrying. 'Maybe you're worrying about nothing,' she thought to herself. 'After all, you've done that before, several times actually. You got there and back faster than Rainbow Dash. What could have possible happened in that time?' Her thoughts were interrupted by a powerful crash that shook the door in front of her.

Kai picked himself up off the ground. "Is that all you've got?" he mocked, struggling to keep his balance. "I can easily take more." It wasn't quite a lie. It was true that he had faced greater challenges before, but none so taxing as this one. He was faltering, he could feel it. 'Where is Twilight with that book?'

As if his thoughts were actually part of a cheesy monologue on a children's cartoon, Twilight Suddenly appeared in front of him, standing between him and the army of armored foes.

"Back for more?" laughed the small group. "Or did you mayhap come to save his life?" Fluttershy pointed at Kai, barely staying up. "Either way, we are pleased. A new captive is always welcome."

Twilight's eyes narrowed. Teeth clenched, she focused all of her effort into the spell she had just begun to cast, drawing on the remainder of her energy. She took aim, and just as a black metal hand wrapped itself around her face, she released the spell, which flew right into Nick's face, knocking him onto his back. The armor crumbled, and the gauntlet slid off, dragging itself of its own volition across the floor. All the other ponies armor crumbled to dust as well. Twilight breathed a heavy sigh, before she let her next words slip out, along with her consciousness. "Boom, headshot."

Nick opened his eyes. He was lying on his back, and the ceiling was now clouds. As a matter of fact, where were the walls? He sat upright, a sharp pain in his forehead. He was sitting on a circular platform, a large glyph running the entire length of the area.

"Morning," said a voice behind him. He turned, and a large black-cloaked figure stood behind him. "I hear you've been looking for me."

Nick nodded. "You're Galaris?"

Galaris nodded in turn. "Tis unfortunate that I find myself in this state. I used to have power over the entire figrealm. But the last few months have been..." he turned the other direction. "Tell me, Nick. What do you think of death?"

The question caught Nick off-guard. Was Galaris not the bringer and keeper of death? "I find that it's inevitable, and typically unexpected. What do you want me to say?"

Galaris chuckled. "Do you know why it's unexpected?"

"Well, we have a saying, 'silent as death himself,' because our interpretation of the reaper--"

"Looks just like me, and never makes himself known," he sighed. "It turns out that I'm only the keeper of accidental death. All murders go directly to my elder brother, Sithis. You may know him as the dread father, patron of a silly cult that also worships a being that I had given them. But alas, none worship me. I am a shame to all nine other lesser gods. This used to not bother me, but recently..." he inhaled deeply, then turned around to face Nick. "In the past two years, I have only collected twenty-seven souls."

It took a few minutes for the entire message to sink in, but eventually, "So, of all of the deaths in the past two years, only a handful were not murders?"

"Precisely. And that's not just your world, but here in Equestria as well, and all of the other planes as well. Do you know what this means?"

"No idea. I'm new to these planes. I haven't had time to study any philosophy that worked quite like this. I vaguely remember this one kid from my school that had a religion something like this, but that's about as far as that goes."

"It means that Sithis is gaining power. And that brings me to my next piece: When you see Yalort, and you will, with my blessing, Tell him that his creation has grown too powerful, and is impeding me, and mayhap a few of the others. Please tell him to hear us."

"You have my word," said Nick, extending his arm, and tucking it into his waist in the form of a bow. "But first, I need the gauntlet, in a form that won't try to kill me."

Chapter 17: The Blessing of Death

Chapter 17: The Blessing of Death

Nick's eyes slowly fluttered open. His face was in intense pain as he stood up, massaging the sore flesh. He took a brief look around the room, taking note that almost everypony else was strewn across the floor in a hapless heap. Faintly, the sound of scraping metal could be heard, but it was muffled, as if someone was covering his ears. "What just happened?" he asked.

"We've been duped," answered Akaitora from the other side of the room. His aura surrounded Blaeburns leg, which appeared to be badly injured. "What we thought was the Gauntlet of Galaris was actually a trap set by a much more powerful foe. We weren't supposed to survive that."

Nick rubbed his temples, feeling a slight pain as his wrist touched his jaw. He pulled his hand away, revealing a small band around his wrist with a tiny blade attached to it. "Mayhap, aber I believe that I can purify it. Where's the gauntlet?"

Akaitora indicated the sleeping figure of Fluttershy, under whom the gauntlet was residing. Nick very carefully picked her up, moving her a few feet out of the way, and setting her down gently. The ebony glove was slowly trying to crawl away on its fingertips, but quickly ran out of floor space. Taking the small white knife in hand, Nick stabbed at the glove, which seemed to writhe a bit, as the dark color began to fade from the metal, returning it to its original purple hue. When it finally stopped its struggle, it collapsed into a pool of black liquid, which seeped into the floor, somehow, and was lost from view.

"That's the end of that," said Nick, not even realizing that the blade had vanished. He picked up the gauntlet, looking briefly over it's dull sheen. "It has been purged of malicious intent, and is once more a tool of Galaris."

"That's all it took?" asked Kai incredulously, unable to believe what had just happened. He brushed it off, though, and reminded Nick of his next goal. "Go to the shrine. Have it blessed. The sooner you can use it, the more use it's going to be." He finished tending to Braeburn and moved over to where Pinkie lay, wrapping her in his healing aura.

"Good thinking. But first..." Nick picked up the bands of Gim-Palarcanus, the statuette of Shumbra, and the amulet of Oneiros. "I can't afford to lose these." He started down the stairway.

"No, you can't," breathed Kai, refocusing his full attention on Pinkie Pie.

Nick made his way down the stairs, plated gauntlet in hand. He studied its shape, and the smooth, unbent texture. It was a bit curious, really. How such a small object could contain enough power to nearly end the lives of all of his pony friends, and himself, even with all of their combined talents. But really, should he have been surprised? These mundane objects contained a fraction of the power of the divines. And this one even had two. Galaris, master of natural death, and Sithis, Master of malicious death.

"Find everything okay?" joked Tom, as Nick arrived at the base of the stairs.

"Yeah, but it was a bit more difficult than I would have thought," Nick answered, slipping into the shrine door. I wouldn't have found it if it hadn't tried to kill me first."

Nick placed the gauntlet on the altar, and it shone brightly for a moment before dimming once more. It just sat there, taking up space for a few moments before Nick finally picked it up. Once more, it warped around his left arm, but this time, it only armored his forearm, up to his elbow. The dull sheen had turned glossy, allowing Nick to see his face, distorted and purple, when the rolled his arm over.

"That's very nice," commented Tom, still standing in the doorway. "I take it that you'll be leaving soon, then?"

"Yes," was all Nick could say, walking out of the altar and back up the stairs. Anything further would be too painful.

As he reached the top of the stairs, Nick's gaze caught hold of the temple itself. He hadn't noticed before, but it truly was an astonishing sight. The spires atop the roof extended further than any he had ever seen before, or even imagined. the sky, a pale peach behind it, melded so effortlessly with the tiled roof that it hadn't caught his eye. Further, the stone windows were of a Gothic design, displaying proudly their pointed arches. Such beauty, gone to waste over a simple goal. He felt foolish, that he had spent so much time simply searching for the artefacts, that he had not stopped to look around.

It was now that he made himself a vow, that he would enjoy what time he had in Equestria, and not let it all pass by. After all, what was a vacation if spent in a place one didn't enjoy?

A few minutes later, the team stood once more at the gates of the Figrealm. With everypony saying goodbye, the mood was equal to when they had arrived, though in the opposite direction. All the happiness felt at the reunion was met with sorrow at the parting, and no one cried more than Pinkie.

"I think it's time for us to proceed to the final life element," said Akaitora, immediately after everyone was back in the library. "After that, the last few should be a snap."

"That's too bad," retorted Nick, a smug grin on his face. "Seeing as how I'm the only one here who can snap."

A decent bout of laughter rang out of the room as the group slowly made their way too the door. It was quite humourous, after all.

But alas, it didn't last very long. A pegasus, cloaked in black and red leather, suddenly burst through the door, followed by a unicorn, firing off as many spells as she could, weakening the building structure, and setting it all ablaze. Without even time to think, Akaitora teleported them out of the room before either of the saboteurs had a chance to see them. They landed in the main hall, now fully engulfed in flames. Twilight immediately furrowed her brow in sheer hatred for these bombardiers, But Akaitora simply stood, rooted to the spot, jaw agape.

"How the hay did they manage to set these on fire!?" he finally shouted, startling the others. "These books were protected under the power of Gim-Palarcanus! Who has more power than a god!?"

"A stronger one," answered Akaitora, pointing to a door. An evil-looking black hand had been burned onto the wooden surface. "I've seen that mark before. It was shown to me by Galaris. We're in incredible danger here. We must leave."

At once, everypony galloped to the door. Akaitora had to be carried, due to his inability to accept what had just happened.Luckily, the exit door was close by, and needed only a few more steps to reach it. Everypony made it out fine, and without too much physical damage. Once they were clear of the door, Nick took a small chance to look back. Believe it or not, the library of Gim-Palarcanus was nothing more than a rock, just outside of a clearing in the Everfree. Even the trees outmatched it in size.

Akaitora spent the oncoming night in solitude, looking out over the Everfree from his perch atop Fluttershy's cottage. Everypony else had returned home, to meet up at Fluttershy's house the following morning to discuss further plans. Nick was once more sleeping on the couch, but remained restless nonetheless. How could he sleep at a time like this? After what they had just barely survived, his heart was still racing.

After about five hours, he decided to go outside and talk to Akaitora. Mayhap he had something to say that would help calm his mind. And mayhap, it might work the other way around.

The cool night air felt great against his skin, as he closed the door behind him as silently as possible. Only then did he realize, he had no way of making his destination, the roof.No ladder, no rope, nothing. He was about to just sit down at the patio table when he felt a tug at the back of his shirt. Without further warning, he felt himself lifting off of the ground and being propelled backward. He had enough common sense not to scream, but a small gasp did manage to escape. when the tug finally stopped, Nick was on the roof, right next to Akaitora, albeit facing the other direction: toward Ponyville.

They both sat there without a word for several minutes, but the silence was finally broken by a light click emanating from in front of Akaitora.

"Have you given any thought as to what you want to look like," said Akaitora, likely meaning that to have been a question, despite the way it was broadcast.

Nick had almost no idea how to answer. He didn't even know exactly what the question was pertaining to. "I don't know," he said, which was the honest truth.

"Race, color, mane, tail, Cutie Mark. I need to know who you want to be."

"I suppose you're right," said Nick, despite the fact that he knew Akaitora was correct. It had completely slipped his mind that he would need a body if he were to go out. "I want to be a pegasus, if I can, though, who ever heard of a pegasus that can't fly?"

"I'll make it so you can fly," interrupted Akaitora, still not breaking his monotone. "Color."

"Silver. With a light brown mane and tail, thick and wavy."

"And the cutie mark?"

"A crossed shovel and pickaxe."

For the first time that night, Akaitora's head moved, turning to Face Nick, who turned his own to face Akaitora. "That must be some talent you have, there."

Nick turned back to the forest. "It's a long story. Is there any other information you need?"

"We need a name for you. Something that could be a more likely part of this world than 'Nick'"

Nick tilted his head back, and gazed into the starry sky, before finally answering. "My name is Kiernan. Kiernan Wolfgang Von Silvercoat."