Home 8 (Batpony)

Previously

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>This is bad.

>This is REALLY bad.

>If Luna can think of anything else worse to happen right now, let it.

>Because there isn't a thing worse than someone of the Royal Guard finding out you're stowing away in your father's home.

>In Hollow Shades, where you have been banished from.

>How on Equestria could you be so stupid?!

>This is ridiculous! What a foolish idea to search for Anon!

>And what a foolish human he is to come here!

>Did he expect answers?

>To what questions?

>You and your father didn't even get enough time to chat, and now you're gonna be taken away from him forever!

>Distractions, distractions...

>Time to focus on what's at hand.

>You can hardly take a glance at the mare in front of you.

>The guard looks you up and down.

>She paces the room a bit, waiting for somep0ny to say something.

>When she gets impatient, she makes the first move.

>”Who's this we have here then?”

 

>That guard from earlier is standing in front of Echo.

>What does she want?

>Her focus is on your friend right now, but she seemed to follow you back here.

>Why else would she just happen to show up at the only house in Hollow Shades that holds a human?

>And...

>Could she know what your plan is?

>”E-Echo, ma'am.”

>Your friend shuffles around on the floor, not daring to look the guard in the eye.

>The armoured pony scrapes her chin, smiling deviantly.

>”You're the one who tried to yank the Chronicle, aren't you?”

>Echo nods.

>”And the one who was subsequently banished from Hollow Shades, aren't you?”

>The gray pony turns a shade whiter.

>”And you're the one who I could send to Luna herself, find out what kind of punishment awaits you from our Princess Of Night, aren't you?”

>She's backed up completely into the corner

>Lets out a little squeal too.

>The Chronicle, huh.

>It's kind of silly to think about.

>It's also a betrayal to your friend.

>If all she got was a banishment...

>What will happen to you?

>You are an outsider after all.

>A somewhat welcome stranger, but stranger nonetheless.

>This guard seems to be playing upon that fact.

>”Anon, why are you here, and more importantly, what the hay are you?”

>You wipe beads of sweat from your forehead.

“I'm, a, erm-”

>”Spit it out already!”

>Pushy.

“A human.”

>”A what now?”

>If you had a bit for every time this happened...

“Just- think of me as a tall monkey. Without all the hair.”

>”But there's some on your head.”

>You pinch the bridge of your nose.

“I'm well aware of that.”

>”But you said-”

“I thought you'd figure that there's still hair there.”

>She snickers to herself.

>”I was just messing you around.”

>It's taking a lot of effort not to flip your shit.

“And what's your name, guard?”

>”That's none of your business.”

“I could say the same about my species.”

>She grumbles.

>”Fine. It's Quiet Dawn.”

>Her attention is drawn back to your friend.

>A smile plays upon the guard's face.

>She's plotting something.

>”So, Echo.”

>”Y-yes?”

>She flashes a grin.

>”Put these on.”

>Quiet points to the rags Echo was wearing.

>”Now, you'll have to keep your mouth shut. Some ponies might recognise you.”

“What's going on?”

>”You and your friend here are coming with me.”

>A frail voice perks up.

>”And what part do I play?”

>She turns to him.

>”A very important part indeed.”

>His eyes widen with wonder.

>”You get to stay here.”

>Ample Dusk deflates.

“Won't it look odd having some tall creature and a cloaked p0ny walking around?”

>She scrapes her chin.

>”Well. You may have a point there.”

>Her hoof goes up, as if a lightbulb were above her head.

>”It doesn't matter though, nopony questions the authority of a guard!”

>Somehow, you doubt that.

>Doesn't seem bright for one of Luna's “best”, this one.

>Echo stops twitching for a moment to say something.

>”Where are you t-taking us anyway?”

>Mischief dances on the guard's face.

>”You'll see.”

 

>Outside in Hollow Shades, the three of you are back off to the catacomb.

>You've attracted stares from stallions and mares all around.

>This wasn't the plan that Quiet had laid out.

>What was supposed to happen was that you'd all slip around the crowd, keeping to buildings.

>The princess of the night had picked the wrong night however, and you had all been swept with the oodles of batponies from the sidelines.

>Now you're in the middle of the square, an odd 3 indeed.

>Echo, not having said anything the entire journey, almost looks as if she's shrunk a few inches.

>The princess' regal voice can be heard all around the town.

>”We request to see our guard!”

>Quiet Dawn tenses up.

>”Oh boy. Come on, we need to hurry.”

>The guard quickens her step.

>You and your friend follow suit.

>In the distance, the princess yells again.

>”Hmm! It would appear we are missing a guard! Where is Quiet Dawn?!”

>The guard mutters something to herself.

>There's a loud squeal from the huge crowd as your small crew nears the resting place of the Chronicle.

>Echo begins to hyperventilate.

>”I THINK I SAW HER WITH SOME BIG THING HEADING THAT-A-WAY!”

>The guard's anger is heated now.

>”Dammit, Jasmine!”

>Echo turns, remembering the name.

>You quietly call out to the mare.

“Echo, we have no time, come on!”

>As the three of you stand in front of the entrance, a huge whoosh from behind blows you forward.

>”Ah yes, hello fair Quiet Dawn! It has been quite some time since we last met!”

>The now petrified batpony turns in a shameful manner and bows.

>Next to her, your friend simply trembles at the voice of

>”Y-yes it has, Princess.”

>”Can we enquire what thou was doing near the Chronicle?”

>Quiet's eyes shrink, wondering what her punishment will be.

>You speak up in a flash, saving all your asses.

“Me and my traveller friend here were being shown the entrance to the thing your subjects revere most.”

>The princess turns to you.

>”What is this, Quiet Dawn?”

>The guard extravagantly reveals you.

>”This is Anon. He is a human!”

>Luna look puzzled.

>”What is... human?”

“Tall monkey that doesn't have as much hair as regular ones.”

>”And it talks too! This is delightful!”

>Luna smiles with a childish joy.

>The face you wear right now doesn't share her joy.

>”Of course! Our Chronicle is of most wonder, even I do not know how its creation came!”

>Echo still hasn't turned.

>The princess looks at her, wrapped in tan.

>”Traveller, what is your name?!”

>Finally she turns.

>”Princess, it is...”

>You turn to her, slitted eyes begging her not to reveal.

>”Reflect.”

>Still hiding her face, Echo's eyes dot around.

>”We do not believe we have had the pleasure of your acquaintance before. Welcome to Hollow Shades, robed one.”

>One of pegasi guards accompanying Luna whisper into her ear.

>You hadn't even noticed they were there til they moved.

>”Now, friends, we must depart, royal business. We must do this again some time!”

>The three ponies take off.

>Quiet Dawn slumps against a nearby wall.

>”Well, that was close.”