- >For the second time in as many days, you find yourself magically bound against a wall.
- >”Just what do you mean the Lines are corrupted?” The Princess curses at you, in a voice much louder than she would have cared to use.
- “Cant... Br-breath... Will..tell”
- >GOD this one is strong
- >She lets you down
- >You land on your ass with a resounding thud that echoes through the whole room
- >You grasp at your throat and try to inhale as much air as you can.
- >She just fucking force-choked you
- >Sputtering trying to get air, you can see that she’s all business now.
- >The “Friend” is gone and the monarch is here.
- >Note to self, Don’t piss this one off
- >Got it dude, now show the bloody broad what you mean before I go without air again.
- >I was getting to that brainiac
- “I saw corruption coming from two different areas,” you managed to slur out while still grasping for precious oxygen “There’s a large lack of any magical potency to the Far North, almost like a dead zone, and there is a deep, but what looks contained corruption in the flow nearby to the south.”
- >She raises a brow at you.
- >Oh fuck.
- >”I believe you. Now is not the time however to jump straight into action. It is getting late and I have duties to attend to. You will find your belongings in a room one floor up, second door on your right. We will discuss this matter and a few more tomorrow morning.”
- >Does she ever look upset.
- “As you wish Princess.” You say, making a small bow.
- >She nods her head in agreement and walks towards the door.
- >You let out a small sigh, grasping at the scar on your neck.
- >You’re lucky the thing didn’t pop open under all that pressure.
- >That was too much like the last time for your liking.
- >You dust yourself off, and step over the pool of vomit on the floor.
- >You should probably clean that up.
- >You look around for something to wipe it up with, when you see a mare with janitorial supplies standing at the door.
- >She looks a bit nervous, and was probably waiting for you to leave.
- >You give her a smile and a wave
- “Oh don’t worry about me, sorry about making this mess. It’s been quite a strange day.”
- >She gives you a weak smile and starts about her business cleaning up the room.
- >Taking this as your cue, you wander out of the room into the hallway.
- >The architecture still blows you away.
- >How could creatures without hands sculpt such beautiful works?
- >Uh magic dude.
- Hurr, right again brain.
- >What would you do without me?
- Get a lot more peace and quiet for sure.
- >You can see the hallway the Princess mentioned.
- >Climbing the stairs proves a bit more difficult than you imagined.
- >Bloody things are much tinier than the ones back home of course.
- >You have to take them two or three at a time, and it looks awkward as hell.
- >All the guards stationed everywhere seem to be trying to stifle a laugh.
- >Great, being mocked by p0nies now.
- >You finally make it to your room.
- >There’s a guard stationed outside.
- >”Ah you must be the hyooman, this is your quarters.”
- >He opens the door and goes back on patrol.
- >At least all of them aren’t so bad.
- >The room was fantastic!
- >It could easily beat any five star resort back home!
- >Albeit if the resort was designed for small equines
- >The room contained all the amenities that would make anyone comfortable.
- >A king sized bed, an en suite washroom, a balcony overlooking the city, a stationary, everything!
- >Your bag was also on the bed.
- >You rush over to it and zip it open.
- >Although it looks rifled through, everything is there.
- >Your chalk, your mp3, everything is mostly intact, even from when your fat ass fell on it.
- >The tele-tab is also there.
- >Chipped and a little cracked, you dare not use it.
- >You got lucky the first time with a botched teleport, and knowing you, the next time
- >You take a look at your mp3, 58% power remaining.
- >That’s enough to get you through the night.
- >Wait, nighttime?
- >Sure enough its pitch black outside.
- >Fucking crazy p0ny land and its time cycles.
- >Everything seems to be in order.
- >You look around to see if there was anything you missed.
- >Sure enough there is a fruit basket on the bed with a letter attached.
- >You grab the card.
- >On the front in what appears to be fancy handwriting is “Anon”
- >Inside it reads;
- >”Dear Anon, I must apologize for my outburst earlier. These are stressing times with your arrival and the sudden exposure of a well-guarded secret. My actions were only out of concern for my subjects, but I should have responded in a more appropriate manner. I hope you understand the position I am coming from. I hope to see you at breakfast come tomorrow morning.
- >Regards, Celestia.”
- >Wow, an apology from the princess?
- >Well she did force-choke you dude.
- I know that Brain, but can you really blame her?
- >It WAS a bit harsh
- Yeah I guess, but what would you have done in her situation?
- >True enough. But still, she’s damn scary when she’s mad.
- You don’t see me arguing. Now how about a shower?
- >Now you’re talking my language.
- >You walk over to the door and bolt the lock.
- >Walking over to the balcony, you shut the massive glass door and shut it.
- >Drawing the drapes you realise that it’s rather dark in here now.
- >A simple illumination spell fixes that problem.
- >Nothing like a little magical light.
- >You quickly disrobe and hop into the shower.
- >Turning the knob, you feel the warm water wash all the sweat and grime off your body.
- >God damn does this feel good.
- >A quick shower, and then time to get some rest.
- >Meanwhile...
- >A certain Princess is in the great Canterlot Library pouring over books.
- >You throw the book you're reading aside.
- >Still nothing.
- >None of these blasted books has anything.
- >If that bastard StarSwirl knew anything, he took it to his grave.
- >You’ve gone through about 20 of the old texts and have found NOTHING on this creature or how he got here.
- >”Sister, what are you still doing awake?”
- >Turning around you realise that Luna was standing at the doorway.
- >Glancing at the clock on the wall you see its 3AM.
- >You’ve been at this since lowering the sun.
- >”You’re still going over the tomes aren’t you?
- Yes Sister, I must know what this creature was talking about.
- If the Lines are indeed damaged, the resulting fallout could be catastrophic.
- There HAS to be SOMETHING the old fool left behind.
- >”I know ‘Tia, it’s been a trying day. This Creature’s arrival on the one year anniversary of HIS return is most troublesome. You need to get some rest.”
- >Oh my.
- I didn’t even realise.
- >You stand up, shaking the dust from your coat, and quickly run out of the room.
- >Luna stands there shaking her head.
- >In no time flat you’re outside in the garden.
- >Where is that accursed statue?
- >You know where it is of course, but your rage is building.
- >Right near the outside of the maze, you see him.
- >Frozen in stone for all eternity.
- >Again.
- >He is still the same as before, never moving.
- >The same expression etched on his frozen maw.
- >You had to check.
- >Just to make sure.
- >After the last time, you were not so sure leaving him like stone was the best idea.
- >You wanted to use a more, let’s just say, otherworldly approach.
- >Even if that would have worked, he still would have done SOMETHING to get back.
- >He always did.
- >Memories of a different time float to the surface.
- >”How many years has it been...”
- >You find yourself saying out loud.
- >You pace around the statue, inspecting it for cracks.
- >You know that there is nothing wrong, the spell was binding.
- >Just like before.
- >You do it simply to ease your own troubled mind.
- >It’s hard sometimes.
- >It’s hard and no one understands.
- >You let out an audible sigh and trot back towards the castle.
- >Maybe Luna was right, you’ve been up all day and almost all night now.
- >The last thing you need is to be tired when the creatu-, you mean Anonymous tries to explain what it was exactly he saw.
- >And other things.
- >These could wait until morning though.
- >As you leave the garden, the wind howls through the castle.
- >A whistling echoes through the empty halls.
- >A chill overtakes you.
- >These are troubling times indeed.
- You are now Anon again.
- OH GOD
- >You awake to find that you are absolutely drenched with sweat.
- >So much for that shower earlier.
- >Checking the clock, it’s around 2 AM.
- >Fuck, it’s only been about 4 hours.
- >And your wide awake.
- >So much for that good night’s sleep.
- >You get up, wearing only your boxers.
- >You grab your mp3, and decide to try to go for a walk to clear your head.
- >Always with the nightmares.
- >You’ll never forget that day.
- >The catacombs, the Damp air, the surge of power, the blood.
- >Just thinking about it makes your neck hurt.
- >The door opens with an audible creak.
- >You think you remember the way to the library.
- >Maybe getting through a bit more history will ease your mind.
- >It did back on earth.
- >At least it used to.
- >Fucking Snakes.
- >Ah, here’s the library.
- >The door is open and there are lights on inside.
- >You peek around inside, you don’t want to startle anyp0ny.
- >Your still new around here, so being culturally sensitive is on your THINGS TO DO list.
- >That and find a tailor.
- >Do p0nies even have tailors?
- >Do they even have clothes?
- >So many questions so little time.
- >Oh wait
- >You’ve got all the time in the world now.
- >The library looks empty.
- >Not surprising considering what time it is.
- >You spot a table at the far end of the library just riddled with books.
- >Looks like someone was doing some late night studying.
- >You walk on over, the cool marble floor feels fantastic on your feet.
- >Although the chair is much to tiny for you, your still able to make yourself comfortable.
- >Looking over the tomes, they all seem to be by the same author.
- >Star Swirly Beard guy.
- >Nice name.
- >Like Anonymous is any better
- Shut up you.
- >Ooooh touchy are we?
- >The tomes appear to be quite old and fragile.
- >There’s no indication of a date on any of them either.
- >Flipping through the first one you grab, it appears to be a bestiary of sorts.
- >Looking at the index, it appears that this is merely the first of a large set of books.
- >Like an encyclopaedia of creatures.
- >You flip open to a random page.
- >”Kraken: A large sea creature. Reaches lengths up to 40 metres in length, and 20 wide. This formidable creature is the nemesis of any sea faring p0ny. Should be avoided at all costs. Sometimes attaches to the underside of the hull of a ship. Will use Ship as a host until it deems an opportune moment to strike and cripple the vessel.”
- >The book goes on to list many such situations in which Kraki (Or is it Krakens?) have been encountered and potential ways to deflect an attack.
- >Good god this place is dangerous.
- >You feel much more insignificant about your survival prowess.
- >”Who goes there?” comes a voice from the other side of the library
- >Oh fuck
- >Shit, shit, shit
- >You quickly close the book and return it to where it was before.
- >You try and get up as quietly and quickly as you can.
- >Unfortunately you forgot about how tiny the chair you were sitting is was.
- >The fall back and crack your head off the floor.
- “OW FUCK”
- >Dude, nice going.
- NOT NOW.
- >You open your eyes still seeing stars.
- >Wait a sec.
- >Those are actual stars.
- >And a face
- >With two big blue eyes.
- “Uhh, hi?”
- >“You must be the Anonymous creature my Sister is so worried about.”
- >This must be the other Princess you saw on the placard outside the throne room.
- >You climb to your feet as elegantly as you can and make a small bow.
- “It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Princess, I’m sorry to have startled you.”
- >You stick out your hand.
- >She places her hoof in your hand.
- >You kiss it gently to complete the gesture.
- >Damn, that was pretty suave Romeo
- Not now brain, trying to save my hide here.
- >”Oh my” the dark blue Princess gasps.
- “I was unable to rest, so I decided I would do some reading in your fantastic library. I hope you don’t mind, I was never much of a long sleeper.” You say, laying the charm on thick.
- >”No-not at all. We find too few creatures who enjoy the peace that is the night.” She says, obviously taken aback from the fact that you can act cultured. Even if you are in boxer shorts.
- >Oh man.
- >You are still in boxers.
- “Ugh, you must excuse my attire Princess, I was not exactly expecting company.”
- >”We do not mind. We were simply checking out the vie- I mean how my Sister was faring.” She says with a slight blush once she realises you were half naked.
- >Oh god.
- >First the wink, and now THIS?!?!
- >You clasp you back away suddenly, finally aware of your clothing situation.
- >Your face becomes a deep shade a red.
- >”Wouldst thou care to accompany us on a midnight stroll?” the Princess asks
- “It would be my pleasure Princess, provided I am allowed to slip on something a little less, brisk?” you say
- >”Of course, I shall wait for you at the bottom of the steps near the entrance. And you may call me Luna.” She says with a smile and trots off.
- >DUDE WHAT THE HELL
- What?
- >A PRINCESS
- >SCRATCH THAT
- >AN ALIEN P0NY PRINCES ASKED YOU ON A LATE NIGHT STROLL, AND YOU’RE IN YOUR BOXERS
- >So?
- >DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW THIS WOULD LOOK TO HER SISTER?
- >THE ON WHO JUST FINISHED CHOKING YOU A FEW HOURS AGO?
- Oh. OH.
- >YEAH. OH SHIT IS RIGHT.
- Well nothing I can do about it right now.
- >JUST TURN DOWN THE CHARM ROMEO, YOU ARENT TRYING TO COURT SOMEONE.
- Did it really look like that?
- >Uh YEAH.
- Oh. Woops.
- >You ARE HELPLESS. I’m too tired for this shit. Call me in the morning.
- Like I call on you anyway.
- >Finally done with your internal dialogue you find yourself in at least a shirt and pants.
- >Complete with shoes.
- >You walk out the door and find your way to the stairs.
- >At the bottom the Princes-, you mean Luna is waiting for you.
- >”Oh Anonymous, there you are! Come! We wish to show you the castle grounds.”
- >She opens the door and canters out.
- >Must be excited at the prospect of someone up at such an ungodly hour.
- >Remember, you’re just being friendly.
- >And trying to figure out more about this strange world.
- >Knowledge is power after all.
- >Dude, so corny.
- I thought you had enough tonight?
- >I didn’t say anything.
- Mhmm.
- >You step out into the cool air. You spot the Princess near the southern side of the castle.
- >She beckons you over with her head and rounds the corner.
- >This is beginning to feel like a game of cat and mouse.
- >And you’re unsure which one you are.
- >You casually walk over to where she was, only to see here staring at a white blur that goes racing into the castle.
- >”Oh ‘Tia...”
- “Is something the matter Princess?”
- >“Oh Anonymous, I know you mean well, but my Sister does not feel the same.” She says with a sigh.
- >You’re the cause of this?
- >”Do not feel like it is your fault entirely. The past two years have been very trying on my Sister. And with your sudden arrival, and being the bearer of ill-tidings, I believe it may have pushed her just a little too far this time.” She says, her voice full of sorrow.
- >You begin to wonder what happened, when you are cut off.
- >”I am sure she will tell you what happened when the time is right. For now, let us try to enjoy the night, shall we?” She says, and obvious tear in her eye.
- >DUDE, SHE JUST OPENED UP TO YOU
- >DUDE?
- Sorry Brain, Anon is not available at the moment. He is putting out the five alarm fire that were once his jimmies. He should be able to get back to you shortly.
- >You grab a handkerchief and dab the wet spot on her cheek.
- “I understand Princess. It’s not like I have made this any easier with my antics, but from what I know about your Sister already, you and her are MORE than capable of handling anything that comes your way.” You say as consoling as possible.
- >You had a bit of practice doing this.
- “Thank you, kind Anonymous. You are the first to show us this kind of kindness in quite a long time. It has not been easy since our return. We, I appreciate this.” She says looking at you with a smile.
- >The stars seem to grow brighter.
- >You seriously hope you haven’t started anything you will come to regret.
- >”Come fair Anon, let me show you around the castle garden.” She motions to you.
- >The castle grounds are beautiful, even in the dead of night. The gardens are filled with all varieties of flowers from Pansies to daffodils, Sunflowers and even roses. Amongst the well trimmed grass is a fine gravel path, littered with sparkling gems which look all the more radiant in the pale moon light. There is a gigantic maze to your left. It must easily go on a solid mile or more. There are also many statues littered across the keep, although one catches your eye in particular. It looks to be an amalgamation of many creatures, all mish-mashed together.
- “Princes- I mean Luna, what manner of creature is this?” you say as you walk over to the perplexing creature.
- >You find the ground damp beneath your feet, but there aren’t any sprinklers around. Curious.
- >The statue is, to say the least, alluring.
- >It reminds you of a certain abomination back on earth.
- “ANONYNOUS, DO NOT TOUCH THAT STATUE.” You hear behind you along with a quick shove to the side.
- >You don’t even remember reaching out for it.
- >You feel a bit hazy all of a sudden, and notice the large blue alicorn standing over you.
- “What the hell is that thing?” you blurt out crawling away from the statue
- >“That, is Discord. A terrible creature who thrives on creating Chaos on Disharmony amongst all p0ny kind. We sealed him away one year ago today when he was accidently released. He is the pure epitome of Insanity. Why you were attracted to him makes no sense.” She says, worry in her eyes.
- “Sense? What fun is there in making sense?” you blubber out.
- >For the third time in 2 days, you find yourself being magically held. This better not become a thing.
- >WHAT. DID. YOU. SAY?” Luna looks at you, as if glaring into your very soul
- “I said something? I was listening to you explain what this thing was! I thought I was silent the whole time! Honest!”
- >Your fucking freaking out now.
- >Your jimmies are so scared they went into hiding.
- >Luna places her horn against your forehead.
- >There is a bright flash and a searing pain goes through your forehead.
- >”It would seem that you are telling the truth. My sister will explain more in the morning. For now, let us get away from this foul creature.” She says in a stern regal voice.
- “No objections here Luna, that thing gives me the creeps.”
- >You and Luna walk away from the statue and talk for another hour or so.
- >The freaky incident with the statue helps kill the mood you were trying to avoid earlier, but instead replaces it with one of wariness.
- “I am truly sorry for what happened earlier Princess Luna, I should have waited for you.”
- >”No Anonymous, how could you have known? Besides, what’s done is done. I do so appreciate the company this evening, but surely you must be getting tired?” she says in a bit more cheerful tone.
- >You stifle a yawn just as she says this.
- >It had to be about 3:30 now, and you could feel the sandman’s silky touch beginning to wash over you.
- “I am your highness, would you be so kind as to excuse me now? I believe I have important matters to discuss with your sister in just a few short hours.”
- >”Most understandable. I do hope we can do this again sometime. As I said before, it is rare we meet somep0ny who is up at such an hour, and has such wonderful manners. I hope to see you again soon.”
- “As do I Princess Luna. For now, have a pleasant evening.” You say taking a small bow, and head off back towards your room.
- >You don’t even remember walking through the empty halls, or even getting undressed, you just fall into bed.
- >You know, it’s strange feeling so welcome here.
- I know what you mean brain, it’s not so bad.
- >But still Lay off the charm mister, we don’t want to go stepping on any toes, or hooves in this case.
- I was just being polite you know.
- >Yeah but still, strange being in a stranger land? That garners lot of interest points.
- You’re not serious?
- >I don’t know, I’m just an abstract thought process you like to go through. Are we?
- >But before you could answer the question you fall asleep.
- >Your dreams are peaceful that night.
- >Save for the ever present smell of Chocolate Milk.