Rise of a Nation: Equestria
Introduction.
You all know the story of how Equestria was founded. Three ponies of distinctive races who set aside their differences to come together to live in harmony and peace forever, creating the wondrous land we know as Equestria. But that is only half the story…
Even a hundred and fifty years after the founding, not everyone agreed it was for the best. While the governments may have reached an agreement, the ponies of the lands had not. Harmony may have been established, but the harmony was imperfect and fleeting.
The tribes split up, only agreeing to help one another in the most minimal of fashions. Eventually they began to hate one another. Fights broke out between the tribes. Everypony was in a free for all, the threat of war was looming and the balance was hanging on by less than a thread. The dragons roaming the land were ignored, and the curious Zebras entering the new land were frightened by the way the ponies fought, and would flee. Fights raged over land disputes, they were fought for ponies refusing to help the other, or even simply over food.
Then, a new kind of pony emerged.
They called themselves “Alicorns” having both a horn and wings. They took control of both the weather and the rising of the sun and the moon. They quickly were held as the highest, most prominent ponies in all of society. People worshiped them, prayed to them, had sacrifices even. The Alicorns were goddesses, they held all the power in the land and they knew it. Though they had one problem.
All Alicorns were females. That is all, but one. He called himself “Odin” and reigned over all, having had a castle to live in, built on sacred Unicorn meditating grounds. This mountain was placed at the center of the conflict between the tribes. Odin called this new city “Canterlot” and it was where he and the other Alicorns lived. Few others were permitted, and Odin ruled over all in this land.
Then war broke out.
The fights that had been seen before were no more than jousts between enemies, even as crude as farm ponies used their tools as weapons, but that was not war. The war was not fought with tools, it was fought with weapons. The war was not fought to settle a simple land dispute over a farm, or trivial arguments, it was fought to defeat enemies. The war was not fought until the other side stopped fighting, it was to death. There is nothing like war. There had never been blood spilled in such magnitude before.
The Pegasi called upon the griffons to help them in battles, gaining total control of the skies and learning from the griffons, who had power knowledge from their own battles fought. The Earth Ponies called upon the Dogs with their advanced machinery to help them in battle, their strange ores giving them more powerful weapons. The Unicorns called upon the Zebras to assist them, using their brews and potions for healing, and their talismans to enhance their weapons and magic.
The tribes may have hated each other, but they hated the Alicorns more. For, all the while, Odin sits on his throne watching over everyone. Controlling the ponies to do his bidding, indeed, they are his entertainment. He lives as a tyrant.
There is, however, a way to stop the war, the killing, and end King Odin’s tyranny. The fate of what will become of Equestria rests in the hooves of three ponies. A Unicorn, a Pegasus, and an Earth Pony. They must settle their differences to try and save Equestria.
This is the untold story of how Equestria was founded.
Rise of a Nation: Equestria
Prologue to Book of the Unicorn
Rise of A Nation: Equestria. The Thief
Book of the Unicorn.
Prologue
My name is Prowler, or that’s what everyone who knows me calls me. I’ve gone by so many names that my real one eludes me. So many aliases that I can’t keep track of reality anymore. Being a thief does that to someone, especially if you’re the best thief in Equestria.
I’ve been stealing all my life and not a thing in the world is going to stop me.
A heist is a heist right? Steal from the rich and give to me, or to whoevers paying me the highest bid to get something they want. I’ve done a lot of shady jobs in my day, and I do mean a lot, but this one had something special about it. Maybe it was the way the guy who offered it to me looked…maybe it was what I was stealing…maybe it was just an odd request.
I’ve stolen plenty of things. Had plenty of requests for some rare jewelry or something like that, but this request for a necklace, and a very fancy one at that was quite odd. Especially sense the request made it seem enchanted, with what I have no idea.. Yet the old Bucks coin was good, and it was a simple heist…though that probably made this feel even more off.
I’d had a pretty good amount of time to think about this as my hoofclaws dug into the side of the rough stone wall I was climbing. These three bladed claws held me onto the rock surface with ease, allowing me to nearly walk straight up a wall. My purple mane blew in my face covering my eyes again; I probably shouldn't have picked to do this heist in the middle of a storm. Then again I’ve never made a single good judgment call in my life, so this is very expected, also who would ever scale a castle in the middle of a storm? See. I am a clever pony. I could see a window a short way up, yet I refused to look down to get a reference of how far I’d climbed. I may be used to climbing buildings and scaling walls, but that doesn't mean I like heights.
Manehelm Castle was quite large, with the city’s towering walls extending around all the shops and inns, and then coming together at the base of the castle itself. I was on the far wall across the outskirts of the city, covered with a plain black robe, though no one saw my approach, and I don’t think anyone was looking on the side of the castle for me either.
I could see some light up ahead drawing closer. I began to change my color. This was a special spell I’d had since I was young, I’m not sure how I got it. I’ve been to the College of Wreathoof and searched through all the books, nothing to be found about a spell that doesn’t use magic and can change a pony’s color. I changed from dark blue to midnight black with a light grey mane.
Being hidden isn’t that hard at times like these. Be unexpected. Stick to the shadows. Never leave evidence. That’s about it actually, not much to it.
The hardest part is entering.
You go to enter a room, you don’t know what is in it. You don’t know where the guards are, if they're looking at the windows right then, or if there are even guards on that floor.
I’m not the best Unicorn, I certainly don’t know many spells. But what I do know I’m good at, and that is Alteration. My horn glowed with a magical sheen of light green and my eyes turned black, it’s harder to spot black glowing eyes against
darkness. Being able to detect life was a must have spell that I learned early into my studies.
I could see guards, but they didn’t appear to be in the room…at least that was hoping the room wasn't huge. Alas though, it is good to be a unicorn. Spells for this that and the other, such as invisibility.
My horn glowed a light green as I flung myself upwards and dug my hoofclaws just above the dusty windowsill. Bringing myself forward with all the force I could, I threw myself forwards through the window into the middle of the room.
What a well-lit large open room.
Okay so maybe I didn’t make it halfway but I tried. Luckily the guards were still elsewhere from what I could see as my spell faded off. Still invisible I darted for the nearest bit of shade, because I’m sure the way my hoofclaws clanked on the floor somepony heard it.
“What was that?” someone said as they entered the room, looking around. A mare from the sound of the voice but I couldn’t see her.
Luckily I had made it over the table and behind the…what is this? A statue? Giant chair? Half built wall? Oh well it hides me, that’s what counts.
She began scanning the room looking for me, she seemed to be half asleep. Probably from watching the play a few stories down.
It’s good to pick a heist on the right nights. Do it when it is never expected. During a play for instance usually there is an assassination expected so guards are typically surrounding the most likely target. That means no guards around the expensive, steal able items.
I didn’t dare to move. She simply looked around and left quite quickly, which concerned me more. The guards left behind either didn’t care, didn’t notice much, or knew if they found something they wouldn’t have a problem taking care of it. No-pony just leaves a room when they hear noises. Especially a room in the castle made for…where was I?
Looking around the room I realized something. I was in a museum of some sort. Displays cases were littered around the room, filled with all things, from gems to amulets and of course jewelry.
None of which were the amulets I needed to make this deal work. I was looking for one in particular and it was probably in its own room somewhere. From the drawing I’d seen, none of the items in this room looked anything like it.
I looked at what I was hiding behind more closely. It was a large strangely shaped object. I wasn’t quite sure what it was but at the moment I couldn't honestly be bothered to care.
I removed my hoofclaws and stowed them away, they make too much noise for sneaking anyways.
I quickly walked over to the door, wondering which direction the guard had walked off in. My horn glowed as I cast the detect life spell once more and saw that she had continued down the hallway once more and was a good distance away.
I slowly opened the door and stepped through. I then became aware of how horribly wrong the map I had been given for this place was. From what it said I should be in a throne room styled area…not a well-lit hallway.
A long, well-lit hallway at that. I’d been walking around for a few minutes casually jumping between shadows and looking through walls for signs of life. I may be a thief but I do enjoy the simple things. Such as touring castles as it may be. I deeply enjoyed the nice architecture of this…oh who am I kidding?
I’m lost.
I’m so very, very lost.
Believe it or not, this is a situation I have been stuck in before. I’ve concluded that walking around looking in the random rooms until I find what I’m there for is actually the best option. So far I’d found a dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and a closet. None of which were looted.
Number one rule of thievery, don’t leave evidence until your leaving. So once I’ve found what I came here for, it’s back to the jewelry room for some loot then back down the castle wall.
“Let’s guess what’s behind door number five”, I muttered to myself as I opened the new door, pre-scanned for life inside and seeing it empty, decided to enter.
This was the kind of room I was looking for.
It had looked like a normal bedroom, only everything was a little too neat. In a normal bedroom, even with a full staff of people to clean it, the room would look dirty, things would look like they had been moved or out of place or something of the sort. This room looked pristine. Like it had always been clean and never wouldn’t be.
The dressers were mostly empty and there was nothing lying about, everything seemed to have its place, and none of it ever seemed to move.
The best place to hide something is in plain sight.
Walking into the room and silently closing the door behind me, I began to look around more closely. I know it may sound dumb to hide something in a room like this, but if it was in a heavily locked room surrounded by guards then it’s exactly where you expect it to be. If you hide it somewhere like this, nopony will ever expect it.
I saw what appeared to be a jewelry case and decided to investigate it. I opened it up and began looking through it. There were many fancy jewels but nothing like what I was looking for. I rubbed my hoof across the back of it and all around it, hoping to find a false back or something…no dice. It was just a normal jewelry case.
This was turning out to be one of the worst heists I’d ever pulled. Nothing in the jewelry case. I was still pretty lost, and searching the rest of this room I found nothing.
I was walking towards the door when I thought about something. There was a chest right in front of the bed. I had checked it before but I just did a quick sweep and now looking back at it I realized it wasn’t standing up. It stretched to the ground and was actually that long…but it wasn’t that deep inside.
I quickly threw it open and levitated all the materials out, being a unicorn sure comes in handy in situations of moving things. After placing all the blankets from inside onto the bed I tapped the bottom of the chest. Sure enough it gave a hollow sounding thump.
I slowly reached out with my magic and grabbed around the edges of the wood and lifted it straight out.
Underneath was a rather small amulet. It could easily be worn like a necklace. I moved it out and silently hid it in a pouch in my hair. Changing my hair to black so as to hide the pouch meant that unless I was under very close inspection, it would probably never be found.
I cast my life detection spell yet again, so grateful that it was one actually very simple spell to cast. I placed everything back into the chest and left the room assured that it was safe. I quickly made my way back down the hallway only stopping to grab an apple from the kitchen, and a few minor bits and pieces of gold and silver lying around in the forms of candles and plates.
I happily made my way down the hall munching away on the apple, I hadn’t seen any guards on this floor of the castle so I just assumed they went on break or whatever guards do. I got back to the jewelry room ready to steal everything that would fit into my bags…about half of everything in there really.
I opened the door and immediately kicked myself for being so foalish. There was a mare standing in the room. I noticed a unicorn behind her casting a protection ward, so I wouldn’t have been able to see her within even if I did cast a detect life spell. She was bright purple with a yellow mane and tail. She was wearing leather barding that wouldn’t stop a larger weapon but could stop most arrows or daggers.
“Well, well.” She said slowly with a smile, as if she was enjoying this. I could tell from her voice she was the same pony who had checked the room when I first entered.
“I was right. I honestly wouldn’t have thought much of the noise but the nicks on the rug in here?” She said pointing a hoof at a few nicks where my hoofclaws had torn parts of the rug up when I landed. “I’m the head guard here. I know what’s inside every single room in this castle and I also know that this one is almost never entered. So when something was wrong in here, I thought I’d stick around and see what I could see.”
“Yeah well…” I started to say as I glanced around the room.
“Eyes forward.” She demanded of me, and so I did. “You’re obviously a thief. We would deal with you know but sadly we can’t. We don’t need a scene and we cannot take the Jarl away from his show. You’re going to the dungeon. Now, knock him out and move him.”
I quickly looked behind me, just in time to see a club come down and hit me in the head.
The world faded away as I dropped to the ground.
Prologue to Book of the Earth Pony
Rise of a Nation: Equestria. The Adventurer
Book of the Earth Pony
Prologue
Sunlight flitted down through the leaves as my father and I walked down the well-worn path through the forest. The cart creaked under its burden while Da and I pulled it behind us. A slight breeze wafted through the trees, bringing relief from the already warm morning.
My thoughts drifted in and out. I was worried about our destination, Clearwater. The city was built over a lake for which it took its namesake. Da had made the trip plenty of times and told me about great mansions built out of the water, and of the boats ponies used to traverse the waterways that replaced the roads that were so common in our small town. He also told of the size and grandeur of Clearwater, which made me slightly nervous. I mean really? Who builds stone buildings on top of a giant platform atop a deep lake and expects it to stay above water? Thoughts of drowning and being crushed filled my mind and I began to panic.
Shaking myself mentally, I tried to focus on actually making it to our destination in one piece. Da must have noticed my unease and spoke up.
“Ya alright, Coal?” he asked. “Haven’t heard much outta you this mornin’”.
“I’m fine, Da. It’s just that I’ve never been to a big city before. On top of a lake. A really, really deep lake…” I shook my head to banish the thoughts of a particularly squishy, liquidy death.
He chuckled, stepping over a rather large root of an equally large tree.
“It’s not so bad; earth ponies really know how to build something sturdy. Hells, some of our tools at the house’r made by earth ponies such as yerself.”
He was right. I remembered the all the tools Da used and couldn’t bring up a memory of ever having to repair a hoe or sharpen an axe. Which made me wonder…
“Hey Da, why can earth ponies build things so sturdy and strong without help from magic?” I queried.
“That’s just it, boy. It is magic. Earth ponies just have a different sort than us unicorns. Yall can do things with yer hooves that mah magic couldn’t hope to accomplish.” Da said matter-of-factly. Since when did he know so much about things beside growing vegetables?
I was going to voice this but nature decided to shut me up with a quick unseen tree root and a face full of dirt. Okay, walking, no more talking.
* * *
We made it out of the woods around midday. The sun was high overhead and pressed its heat down on my father and me. The past few hours had been spent in labor induced silence, the cart of vegetables felt heavier every passing step. The damn work finally caught up with me, resulting in a rather uncomfortable feeling of the wagon rolling over me when I slid out of my harness. Not very smart on my end but in my defense, I was really tired.
“Ah think it’s about time to take a break.” Da said with a worried look as he helped me out from under the wagon. I could only nod as I plopped down on my flank and pulled out a skin of water from the wagon.
“Ya did good, son.” He said standing there without even looking fatigued in the slightest, the smug bastard. “When ah made mah first trip to Clearwater with my father I collapsed only hours after the journey began.”
A little praise and water went a long way. I forced myself up on shaking hooves, eager to show the old buck that I could go farther.
“Glad to see you’re ready to go,” he chuckled “but it’s about time for some lunch. Ah hope mah freshness spell’s still working.” He said as he pulled two cloth bags out from the wagon. From them he pulled out two loaves of bread that Ma and Rosie had made this morning. They were still as warm as when Da had cast his spell on them this morning.
Using his magic he tossed me one and took a seat on the ground beside the wagon. I caught it with my mouth and began chow down on the delicious sweet bread that Ma was so good at making. Not quite as sweet as a sweet roll but not as buttery as regular bread. The perfect mix. We savored the bread as it slowly disappeared.
“Your mother and sister sure can cook, hmm?” Da asked with a grin as he finished his bread. “Gives you just enough energy to get to wherever you need to go.”
“Yeah.” I said finishing my bread as well. Feeling the bread renew my energy and giving my sore muscles some solace.
“Well,” he said getting up, “it’s about time we get moving.”
I gave a sigh and got up on hooves not quite as shaky as before, and got back into my harness.
“I guess so.” I said, cringing at the thought of walking so far again.
“Buck up, son.” He pointed to the hill to the north of us. “Clearwater is just past that hill.”
* * *
Let me say this first. Clearwater is beautiful. Nothing compares to the way that the sunlight dances off of the water and onto the cerulean walls of the city. The majestic pillars that support the platforms were as thick as six ponies stretched forehoof to hindhoof in a circle and were decorated with images of dancing ponies in perpetual glee. The main platform of the city rose in the center of the lake. It modeled great mansions of the deepest blue and housed the central marketplace. Smaller platforms were connected by great stone bridges and held lesser housings of more common stone. The great center platform was connected to the mainland by a giant stone bridge. Great bronze gates were thrown open wide for traders and travelers from all over.
It was these gates that Da and I were passing through. We got just past the gate when a guard called for us to stop.
“Gold, you old bastard, how are ya?” The Pegasus guard said with a smile, raising a hoof to my father. “And who’s this?” He gestured to me.
“Fine as day, Steelwing.” Da said, bumping the guards hoof with his own. “An this is mah son, Coal. Coal, this is Steelwing. He was about your age when I first came to clear water to trade, back when I still sold weapons.” He looked back to the Pegasus. “Looks like you’ve got some new armor since my last visit.”
“Well met, Coal. You’ve got one hell of a father.” Steelwing said and raised his hoof, I bumped it and nodded. “I sure do, sir.” Steelwing turned back to Da. “I’ve been promoted to leader of the guard, comes with fancier armor.” He strutted and posed.
Pegasi and looking good, I swear to gods that’s all they ever think about.
“That’s a mighty fine accomplishment, that mean ah have ta call ya sir now?” Da asked jokingly, cracking a smile.
That caught the guard um...off-guard? Bad pun. Anyway, he laughed and shook his head.
“No sir, you’ve got more years, experience, and knowledge on me. Hell, you gave me my first blade when I was still a recruit.” He ruffled through his saddlebag, pulling out an old blunt blade. “I eben still god it.” He said around the sword.
“Looks like you’ve put it to good use.” Da observed.
“Yes sir, this blade protected me throughout my training when we would clear out thief dens.” The Pegasus said, placing the blade back into the saddlebag. He went to speak again but was interrupted by the sound of a scuffle farther down the path leading to the bridge. Two mares fighting over what looked like a necklace with a gemstone as the charm were knocking things over left and right in their struggle.
“Sorry, sir. But we’ll have to carry on this conversation ever.” Steelwing said with a sigh, and began trotting over to the commotion. “Guard’s work is never done.”
“We’ll see ya on the way out, Steelwing.” Da said after the Pegasus, chuckling at the younger stallion’s predicament. “Come on, Coal.” He said, and began to walk towards the bridge. “We still got a day ahead of us.”
* * *
“Five bits.” Da said sternly. Pulling the cherries back towards him with magic.
“Two bits.” The sky blue unicorn mare said, equally as stern and pulled the cherries back to her.
“Five bits.” Da repeated. Cherries to Da.
“Three bits, they’re only cherries.” She growled. Cherries to her.
“Five, they’re the last of my stock.” Da locked eyes with the unicorn. Cherries to Da.
“Three, and that’s my final offer.” She said. Cherries to her.
“Hmm…six bits.” Da said. Cherries to him.
“Wh-what!? You said five!” She glowered at him. Cherries forgotten.
“The extra bit is fer mah time ya wasted arguing with me.” Da said. “Now take it or leave it.”
“But I…and you…how…fine.” She tossed the bits over to Da, who fed his saddlebag with them. The disgruntled mare took her bunch of cherries and left our stall. Da had been doing this all day. He was a master when it came to word play. Even if it were to convince some half-wit unicorn that time was worth bits.
The sun was setting over the mountains that gave Clearwater a border, giving the water amber light to dance with and cast over the city in great orange hues. Da and I had been at the stall all day and, thanks to Da’s mastery of the spoken language, had emptied our wagon of vegetables.
“Well, it’s about time to find us a nice inn.” Da said, hauling the wagon behind us by himself now that it was empty. “Come with me, I know a great place where the mead is always flowing and the fire is always warm.” As if excited by his own description Da sped up to a trot. We turned a corner and went down a street that apparently was themed with odd masks and bottles with strange colored contents.
“Hey Da, what’re all these weird masks for?” I asked, walking a little closer to him.
“Hmm? Oh these are zebra wares. They come from far away and trade potions for charms and such. Pretty nice people as long as the stripes don’t bother you.” Da said casually.
Zebras were everywhere on this street, buying or selling or playing odd instruments while standing on their hind hooves. How in hells do they do that? Besides the zebras themselves, the things they sold looked from another world; masks with grotesque faces, potions with smells that would send a dragon running for the hills, charms that were meant to protect, heal, and strengthen were common also. I was so lost in the charm of it all that I barely heard the soft whisper calling me to a small tent set up between two stalls selling potions that would ‘cure all ailments’.
“You there, boy!” A pile of rags called out to me from inside the small tent. I looked to Da in confusion, he just nodded and levitated out a few bits and placed them in my saddlebag. “I used to love hearing my fortune told. Go ahead and give it a shot.” He said smiling.
“Hello, child.” The pile of rags called as I got close, it was an old voice but most definitely feminine. I was indignant.
“I’m no child. In little more than a month I will be of age to leave my family and start my own life.” Besides, I was just as big as Da, maybe even a little taller.
“Child, I am over a century old. Everyone is a child to me.” She chuckled. “Now, I bet you’re wondering why I called you over here.” The pile said with an air of knowing something that I should already know.
“I assume you wanted to read my fortune and make some bits from doing so.” I said flatly. I may have been in the city for a day, but Da had already taught me to be on the lookout for people who would try and cheat me for money. I was ready for her to deny this, but not for her response.
“No.” She said calmly suddenly much more serious. “That is what I do with stupid ponies who think zebras are trash. I have already seen your future, child, and I wish to warn you.” This definitely caught my attention.
“Warn me about what?” I asked.
“The Great Shadow. They of many faces. The night will be outlined in screams. You must not expose yourself to the shadows. For they will steal your face too. So I give you advice, dear child. Remember the eyes of your loved ones well.” And with that, she was silent.
“What does that mean?” I asked. Nothing. “Hello?” I said, a little louder. Nothing again. I reached out a hoof to touch the pile and quickly pulled it back when the heap of rags collapsed into a heap.
“Um…what?” I wasn’t sure what to do, was I going crazy? Talking to a pile of rags definitely counted, I think. Wait a sec, Da gave me bits to pay her, he must have saw her too. I reached into my saddlebags to pull out the bits Da gave me. Empty…but I hadn’t paid her yet. I checked again. Empty a second time…no I diffidently didn’t pay her. Maybe I’m going crazy.
Nothing a third time. Oh gods, what’s happening to me? I looked around and saw Da giving me a gaze of annoyance and confusion. I raced over to join him.
“Sorry Da, just got a little confused.” I said apologetically.
“Evidently.” He said, and then smiled. “Nonetheless, it’s time for some ale and a good night’s rest. I’m sure you’re tired of walking and handling fruit and vegetables all day.” I nodded and we began to make our way to the inn.
A few streets later we stopped in front of a tired looking building with a sign that read ‘The Grey Mare’. Da and I left the cart tied up to the fence in front of the inn and made our way inside
We were instantly greeted by cries of ‘Gold!’ and ‘Hey its Gold! Next round’s on me’. I looked at Da a little bemused. “Does everypony know you?” I asked. He laughed and bumped hooves with the crowd of people who had risen to greet him. “Well, I have been coming here a long time.” Then he addressed the crowd, who instantly hushed to hear him. What is this? “Everypony listen.” They did. “This is mah son, Coal.” There were nods and hooves to bump. “An he’s about to come of age.” More nods. “Now, ah want you all to show him how men relax after a long day’s work. He’s earned it.” Instantly, a middle aged mare with a grey coat and a blonde mane greying at the edges handed me a tankard. I took it with my hoof and looked from it to Da, his face eager, and took a gulp of the frothy drink. Instantly I felt warmer and I let a smile play across my face.
“That’s mah boy!” Da cried and levitated himself an ale and took a long swig. After that, the tension of being the new pony in the room melted as Da introduced me to his friends and fellow traders. There was a pegasus with one wing, one eye and a forehoof that ended with a wooden peg. His name was Lucky, and was apparently the only pony to talk to if you wanted a beast slain. An earth pony with a sweet roll as a cutie mark introduced herself as Violet Cake. Then there was Ale, the grey pegasus who had given me the tankard before. She was the mare for whom the owner had named the inn.
The introductions lasted a seeming eternity. Where did Da meet these ponies? Eventually it seemed to get too late even for the most drunk ponies. Drunken goodbyes were said and ponies staggered out of the inn.
There was a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see a smiling mare with a grey coat and a shaggy blonde mane. She was a great deal younger than Ale but other than that she was a spitting image of the older pegasus.
“Hi, I’m Wine.” She said with a smile.
This is my chance, I thought. Say something smart.
“Um…what?”
You master of words, you.
“I said hi, my name’s Wine. My mother runs this inn.” She said, a little annoyed.
“Uh, hi. My name’s-“
“Coal, I know.” She said with a wry smile. “It’s not like there was an entire party about the fact you’re almost a stallion or anything.”
“Oh, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss.” I tried to look suave. It must have come off as drunk, because then she offered to help me to my room.
“Looks like you’ve found yourself a nice little marefriend, huh son?” Da said from across the room, still at a table with Lucky and Ale. Wine and I both went a violent shade of scarlet and looked anywhere but at each other while the others had a great laugh about it.
After the laughter had subsided Da got up from his table and gestured to the stairs behind the counter. “Come on, Coal. Our beds are upstairs.” With that he made his way up the steps and out of sight. Ale followed his lead. The older pegasus gestured to a door beside the steps. “It’s about that time for us too, Wine.” She turned to Lucky. “Can I trust you to lock up for me, Lucky?” He gave a nod and set himself locking various doors and windows. I turned back to Wine. “I have to go.” I said yawning. “Me too.” She returned, mimicking my yawn. We stayed there looking at each other for a while. She looked at me like she wanted something, I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do so I just looked back at her for what seemed like ages until she finally sighed and said goodnight.
“Night.” I said and made my way upstairs. There were two beds in the room and Da had taken up the larger one so I made myself comfortable on the other and let myself drift, thinking of all the different ways I could have handled the situation with Wine. Eventually I settled on the fact that I was incredibly stupid and let sleep overtake me.
* * *
My dreams, whatever they were, were interrupted by a scream. It was cut short by a wet ripping sound and a suppressed growl. Da had heard the scream also and was already out of bed and rushing out the down and down the stairs. I wrestled to free myself from the sheets of the bed and followed him.
I got down in enough time to see Da wrestling with some dark figure. It was hard to see in the shadows but I could tell that the intruder pony was far smaller than Da and was still putting up a fight. I could only stand there and watch as the two fought, paralyzed by fear. Then something caught my eye. Over in the corner there was a figure on the ground, and through the dark I could see another, smaller pony leaning over the first. Ale and Wine.
The revelation brought me out of my paralysis and I rushed over to the two. In the dim light it was hard to tell where the blood came from but it was everywhere. Ale stared up at the ceiling unblinking and Wine was holding her tightly and crying, muttering ‘momma’ through her tears.
Rage coursed through me and I turned back to the pair fighting in the doorway. All thought left my mind and I tackled the smaller figure and we rolled into the main room where the fire was still lit. I caught a kick to the gut but I didn’t feel it as I pummeled its face with my hooves and pinned it down. By the light of the fire I could see its features. What I saw almost made me empty my stomach. It looked like a pony that had holes bit through its legs and wings, which were like insects. Its coat was black as night and its mane was a sickly green.
The thing locked eyes with me and smiled, I tried to hit it some more but my legs wouldn't obey. My eyes wouldn't look anywhere but its demented green ones. Its horn began to glow and its body burst into green flame. Suddenly its body changed to a light grey and its legs filled in. Its wings disappeared and so did its horn. Its face molded to the shape of a young stallion’s and its mane changed to a ruffled black. Lastly its eyes took on a blue hue. I stared in horror as I watched the thing take the features I knew so well, the features I saw in every puddle or mirror. The thing had transformed into an exact copy of me.
“Surprise!” The fake Coal shouted and raised a hoof. I couldn’t move or try to dodge, so I took the deceivingly powerful blow to the side of my head. The force of the impact sent me skidding on my side as my vision blurred. I caught the shape of Da charging the new me and he yelled something that I couldn’t make out. The two were wrestling again. Da kept his focus on not getting thrown into the fire they were dangerously close to. To this end he didn’t see the other black thing creeping behind him. I tried to yell or wave or do anything to warn him but my limbs were like blocks of stone. The last thing I saw was the newest insect creature tackle Da off balance and send him toppling into the fire before my vision went black.
