private Pony Mystery Theater: Act II, Exit Trixie, Stage Right.

[Bari 7,021]

Lapis noticed that a very brief change had come over Vim before disappearing. Perhaps he had misheard him? The eyes of the older stallion darted back and forth, as though looking for something. Lapis feared Vim may have lost the key to his room, effectively leaving them in the corridor. Vim shook his head, looking ill at ease. Before long, Vim was checking Springer's room. Lapis followed along silently.
 
As Vim scanned the inside of the pegasus's room, Lapis felt a growing sense of displacement. They were off track. They were to go straight to Vim's room. And yet here was the conductor, inspecting the room of the assistant conductor as if expecting there to be something of value in there. During the search, that was one of the first places they had been. Unless Vim knew something Lapis did not, this was altogether pointless.
 
Vim turned back towards him and quickly explained his thoughts, or at least, what he wished to tell Lapis. But he seemed so relaxed. It would be a waste of effort to not accept it at face value for the time being. With a flicker of excitement and a nod, Lapis watched as Vim unlocked his door and glanced about, as though making sure nothing was amiss. The tension in Lapis' chest was building at this point. Thankfully, Vim went straight for the book he spoke of. Lapis eyed the well crafted tome with admiration. Never before had he seen something like it. Sure, there were books out there with similar bindings and covers, but this one almost seemed to emanate a strange feeling.
 

"As I said earlier, here it is. Come over, Lapis, and you can see the story for yourself, in fact, right here in the middle is the bit about some dragon and a monster."

Lapis watched as Vim opened the book and flip through the pages. Finally, the older stallion got to the page he wanted. But before their eyes was nothing more than a blankness that almost mocked them. Lapis took a deep breath. For all he knew, this might have been the book he sought since last night. But once again nothingness of wordless paper stared back at him. The first time, he had considered it a matter of course. It made sense Dawn would hide what she wrote. It was likely she was paranoid. But who could've gotten in here? To what end did blanking out the pages of this book achieve? Oh what a tangled web we weave....
 
Lapis shook himself. Whatever this meant, it was important. Unless Vim was an insane old stallion who lost whatever sanity he had long ago, which Lapis doubted, something sinister was going on. Vim certainly wasn't looking too happy. His nervousness was quite visible the moment he sighed. Clearly wishing to see if there were any words at all in this beautiful yet useless book, Vim flipped to the first page. Upon it, words stood out, and for a second, the tension in Lapis' chest released. Lapis read them silently, taking it all in.
 
At first, it seemed to be simple history. Something any historian worth his bits would know. If the old tales were true, then so was this. It was just a mere echo. But as he read further, Lapis started to get confused. It was a jumble of words, honestly.
 

This is a new story. It is the story of a guardian. It is a story of triumph, glory. It is the story of an eclipse, a single moment when, just for a time, the beauty and relaxing chill of the night gave the gift of elegance to a day of harshly warm, cloudless light. This is also a story of the eclipse itself. From the beginning, it is the story of how the apparent randomness of a single, chance meeting was, in fact, the manifestation of something that was long intrinsic in the law of nature - destiny.

 
If one were to apply this to what Dusky had told Lapis, they might have tried futilely to connect them. As it was, Lapis did try. It almost clicked. Dusky had told of a guardian. With a little imagination, maybe it were true. But all it felt too symbolic. He felt the urge to just turn away. He didn't though. The final part caught his eye.
 

Chapter 1: A Meeting
 
It was a delightful meal. Fruit sandwiches - their simplicity belied the pleasure that they gave to both the eyes and palate. Drinks were available. Ponies conversed around the tables, some friendly and some not so friendly. At the same time, a quite specific conversation was taking place. It was one of tremendous importance...

 
Something was off. Why did this feel familiar? Didn't something like this happen only half an hour ago? Lunch; fruit sandwiches to be exact. A meeting of importance? But why did it stop? If one were to think this was talking about what Lapis thought it was, why didn't it go on from here? Frantically, Lapis read the author's note. That did it. It mentioned a blue mare. Dawn, perhaps? What did it all mean!?
 
Vim was at a loss as well. He turned to the next page to find one last author's note. Lapis read this one as well, hoping for something of use. It yielded none. Was this another dead end?
 

"This isn't what I saw when I looked in here last. It's the same book, Lapis, but the words are different, and... They don't make any bucking sense... This doesn't make any sense... Nothing makes any sense..."

As Vim spoke, Lapis' heart sank further. His only lead took him to this. Another mystery. More unanswered questions. Right up there with “Where was Trixie?”, “What was up with Springer yesterday?”, and “What was wrong with Dawn?”. For some reason, it was starting to get to him. He took very deep breath this time. Why was he losing his calm? Vim was preparing to leave, instructing Lapis to figure out the book.
 
As the older stallion made his departure, he hesitated. And then, Vim told the blue earth pony something that frayed his nerves. Asteria and Magicon were missing. What could have happened to them? Did Dawn kill them? No....no. That was unlikely. Two unicorns against one. The odds were in their favor. Hopefully. But then, where could they have gone? This was becoming more and more annoying. Vim left then with a firm order that Lapis get to the bottom of things. He sighed deeply. What was he to do? All alone in Vim's room with two empty books, a blank sheet of paper, and a bottle of something that had to be invisible ink. What were his option? Could he even do anything?
 
He thought back. The section he had read was left unfinished. Did that mean something? Other than the unfinished chapter, there were two author's notes. The only logical conclusion was to finish it, right? Surely, he had been there, right? Right?! He could just finish the chapter. And maybe even the next one. That was what the second note had said. It was an outline. A vague one, but an outline nonetheless. What else could he do? Vim expected something. Even this odd idea was something. Vim would understand. Hopefully.
 
Without too much haste, Lapis looked about the room for a pencil. In no time at all, one was found. He took a deep breath again. He'd been doing that far too many times over the last few minutes. But he had to remain calm. He began where chapter one ended. It seemed as though it were the part where he himself had confronted Dawn. Unless he was mistaken, and in truth all this nonsense had screwed up his mind. But nevertheless, he did as the note instructed. He did his best to convey it neutrally, allowing both sides to have their emotions felt. And he was sure to describe Dawn in a positive way. She was unstable, yes, but still a lovely mare. 
 
Within him, he found the words needed to express the meeting's importance. Which was a bit difficult since the note had expressly stated not to overwhelm the reader with repetition of what was most likely already stated. Or at least, so he hoped. There was no indication that the events leading up to the meeting were explored in an earlier story. He merely tried his best to gesture vaguely with the words he could muster. And then, he drew the meeting to its tension filled conclusion. He had to guess at what all others involved were feeling at the time, but he felt he did an alright job. He got to the part where Vim stepped in and had escorted he himself and Springer away.
 
Lapis sighed. This was to be the end. He'd leave this part off at a cliffhanger since the chapter was called “The Meeting”. And the next chapter seemed unrelated to what happened after the meeting. Unless..... Unless this book were some sort of magical thing. Yes, that had to be it. Then surely it knew what happened to his lost friends. Maybe it wanted him to guess. Lapis' mind was starting to lose its grip, though. His imagination, some of which he had to suppress to do his job properly, ran wild with ideas. Who was to say they were still on the train?
 
Asteria had been there when Dawn spoke of the light in Springer's room. She'd have wanted to go immediately. But she wasn't foolish. She'd take someone she felt was strong and that she could trust. Magicon, of course. Why else would he go missing as well? So it hung together. Asteria and Magicon had gone to Springer's room to investigate the light. But they weren't there when Vim checked. That meant something had to have happened. Maybe.... (And now, something in Lapis truly was losing its grip.) Maybe something took them away. To somewhere else.
 
He shook his head, trying to clear it, but it was no use. The thoughts started to tumble out. Maybe they met odd creatures. Something urged him to remember Springer again. That there might have been two of him. But why stop there? Why not three Springers?! All that he knew left him. All this time, he had barely learned a thing. He had wanted answers. All he got were more questions. Even now, at this dead end, there were barely any clues. But he wrote anyway. Three Springers, all of them in the place the unicorns went. One small and regal, the other sly-eyed and deceptive. Both equally dangerous. Games, yes. There had to be games. Why not? The author's note specifically stated nonsensical things were to happen. So why not a game or two? Ones with consequences and prizes. Oh, but Magicon and Asteria were both smart, clever, and resourceful. Surely they couldn't lose. Springer would judge, too. Lapis was certain of it. 
 
And on and on he wrote, things making a little less sense with each sentence. The two had gone to some sort of dream world, and Asteria was suddenly a mother, and so was Magicon. A ruby red griffin and the big cat from before. Thoughts and dreams melded together with memories until it somehow remained sensible. It didn't make sense to write, but to read, it wove a delightful little story.
 
But then his train of thought left him and his sanity returned to him. He blinked his eyes a few times. He hadn't finished the chapter, but nothing new would come to mind. The sly-eyed Springer, who had at some point morphed into the panther, had just taken Asteria away to a dark place of pillars. Lapis, though in control of himself again, felt worried. Wasn't this just nonsense? Surely Asteria was safe somewhere. Right? But what if she was nowhere? Vim didn't find her, and Lapis doubted he would. So where was she, then? He took in another breath. For some reason, it felt as though he hadn't been breathing while he wrote the second chapter. At the edge of his mind, though, he believed it were true. Could the filly he cherished so dearly outsmart the sly-eyed cat? He whispered to himself, wondering what he was to do, “All I want is answers. Answers and..... my dear little Asteria......”
 

---

 
Asteria watched Scarlet with pure curiosity. A tear had escaped the left eye of the colt, and her heart felt odd. It was heavy, and yet it sung with something akin to joy. He turned away from her, raised a hoof to his eye, and let the tear sail away before it changed to a falcon. The filly watched it for a few minutes, almost missing the powerful change that came over Scarlet. By the time she had turned back, she had caught the last moment, briefly glimpsing the green colt before it was gone.
 
In the colt's place was the griffin Asteria had described, right down to the last detail. It was as though she had stepped right out of Asteria's imagination. Suffice it to say, the filly was astounded. The majestic griffin turned to face her and spoke words that made her feel bubbly inside. She had picked the perfect form, it seemed. And her love was returned, as well. She didn't really know what to feel. This was all too much, honestly. But she took it in stride.
 
Scarlet went further to explain what it meant. Those words she spoke. How they had the power to create. It were as though this world could be a blank book. She could take her quill and write in new things. Or at least, that was what Scarlet had implied. But Asteria assumed that it was done now, and she wouldn't get to create again, or at least, not until later. And it came as a bit of a surprise that Bringer and Scarlet were friends. Although, it fit. It wasn't out of the ordinary, truly. Oh, but her heart sparked again as Scarlet told her the prize she could win next was to be that power mentioned moments before. And together, they could share this place. A beautiful world of light as mother and child.
 
But it came with a warning. Scarlet's power was not unlimited. For a second, Asteria thought she meant there was limitation or an end to the energy. No, instead, it was a true limit. One that held the power back. Darkness and shadows would soil the light. Cause it to dwindle. Asteria heard every word Scarlet spoke and took it all in, trying to remember the smallest details. It seemed so very, very important somehow. Even if she couldn't understand it fully herself.
 
Then, it was time to go. Scarlet told her not to tell anyone else of what they spoke of, especially not what the prize was to be. But something seemed off. Why had Scarlet mentioned both the telling and the giving if there had only been telling? But the thought vanished in the instance they had teleported. She had still been listening, though, and had heard the final warnings. She would have to avoid the shadows completely.
 
Soon, they were back in the field with Bringer and Magicon. Fun time was over. It was now time to play a game. Bringer was sceptical about Scarlet's new form, and was rather annoying in observing it. Asteria watched it all and listened as well. It bothered her. But her expression reflected curiousness. Her curiosity intensified as Bringer changed as well. In a flash, he was no longer a simple clone of Springer. What stood in his place was a rather large cat. Asteria's eyes glittered with fear and interest.
 
The cat spoke in a mystical voice, one that made the bones shiver. This was apparently Bringer's true form or such. At least, that was what Asteria assumed normal meant. Either way, the growing sense of fear mixed oddly with her curiosity. Scarlet announced more rules, and the teams were split. It seemed as though Asteria was to hide from Bringer. It made her wonder. Wouldn't Bringer eat her or something once Scarlet was gone? Bringer didn't seem the one to play fair.
 
But she felt the need to trust someone who was to be thought of as her child, at the very least in this instance. With that, the game began, and with one more flash, she was in the room Bringer had made. She looked about, quite confused. This place was odd. Dreadfully odd. Nothing but pillars and an ominous feeling in the air. In no time at all, her eyes rested upon the panther. Beyond it was an ocean, but Asteria didn't focus on it. Bringer wasted no time in denouncing the rules, as Asteria had expected. It became quite apparent that the cat had bent the rules. So if the rules didn't apply, did she still have to hide?
 
The cat urged her to hide. Then he denounced Magicon next. That he could have tried to make sure things didn't come to this. But it was in the past now. Asteria felt a coldness in her chest. The cat was distracted. Idly so. It was just making conversation. Passing the time. Did Bringer even care about this game? And again the cat urged her to hide. This time she did, but she didn't go very far at all. There were pillars everywhere, and she was relatively small. The nearest one would do, especially if Bringer was focused elsewhere. She carefully when behind it, still quite near to the panther. And on and on it spoke. The words held meaning, and Asteria did her best to understand.
 
Bringer wanted her to hide. That would be obeying him. And he wanted conversation. Easy enough. She felt it would be unwise to go far. That would show weakness, the third thing. Three simple rules, though they weren't presented as such. The panther might leave her be if she followed them, right? His disinterest had to mean something. And finally, the one thing that stuck hard in her mind. This was Bringer's home... She was literally in his den. If he wasn't going to look for her, though, she could maybe relax where she was, only a few feet away and behind a pillar.
 
And outside the walls was the Ocean of Nightmares. A place whispered about only in long forgotten fairy tales. And not even Bringer could control it. If anything she read was true, it was a miasma of hatred and fear. If a mortal ever dared look into it for more than the briefest of seconds, the nightmare would destroy their mind. or at least, that was what it said in the stories. And she didn't want to know what would happen is one actually fell into it... Either way, she was technically safest exactly where she was. Bringer didn't care one way or the other about her, as long as she stayed out of the way. But of course, the panther wanted dialogue. It must be a long wait, then. Either way, she needed to say something.
 
Bringer spoke one last time, voicing all of Asteria's thoughts and more. She took a very, very, very deep breath. She was alone in a box of pillars with a panther at the bottom of what must have been the Ocean of Nightmares. She suppressed a nervous giggle. It was exactly as she would expect from a nightmare. Sadly, she felt the old ‘dream a better dream' method would be useless here. Scarlet herself stated dreams and nightmares aren't the same. So, if in fact Scarlet had given the power of creation to her, it was entirely useless here. Only one option remained. Have a chat with a cat.
 
She cleared her throat. “First off, do you still wish to have the name Bringer, or would you prefer a new one? I don't think Bringer fits a cat. I'll pick a new one if you want, or you can yourself, since you choose your new form.” she said almost idly. It was just a formality. What to discuss? Just ask questions? “Tell me about yourself, Bringer. Where were you born? Do you have parents, a family? Or maybe I'm being trivial?” She tried to maintain a tone of curiousness and a touch of awe. “You know, you're a lovely creature to behold. Were you born that way, or did you choose it? And is this in fact the Ocean of Nightmares?”
 
She tried not to look towards the panther for fear of what she might see. She was well aware now that Bringer's claim of not coming to find her might have been a lie. Bringer lies, that much seemed true. He may as well be sneaking up on her now. But if she could get him talking, maybe he'd be too engrossed to try? “You are friends with Scarlet, right? How did you two meet? Did you two have fun together? Why are Magicon and I here in this world of dreams and nightmares? What does Springer have to do with any of this?” she asked, still maintaining the inflection of interest. 
 
The cat's aura was only so readable. Much was guessing. But she continued to try her best. Whatever he was waiting for, it must have required trickery to get to. Why else bend the rules if he could have just gone and done it himself? Why now, and not later? How long was she to be kept here? Would she ever see Scarlet again? Or for that matter, would see ever see Magicon, or Ambrosia, or Key Gear, or even Lapis again!? Her voice lent none of her worries. It remained level, but not exactly jovial. “So, I guess you're waiting for something other than the game to end, right?” The risk of death that hung in air lingered in a different way. There was no guarantee at all. Back in the dream world, there was the chance to lose or win based on careful rules. Ones made with care. But apparently not enough care since Asteria was trapped in this situation now..... Edited June 20, 2013 by Bari

[Magicon 468]

“Trust yourself. You will do it.”

 

Archie’s words pierced his mind louder and more clearly than any other sound. They were six simple words, but the power and emotion behind them were immeasurable. He had once found Archie annoying and over-inquisitive, but over time found him to be enthusiastic and the pony that drove him beyond his own limitations. Archie was the voice of confidence and those six words always strengthened Magicon. He couldn’t remember the last time he had last heard them, but it didn’t matter. His memory wanted him to succeed. It was reminding him of his friend and his confidence. He just had to finish these games. Maybe then it would be alright. Maybe then he could escape with Springer and Asteria. Maybe then normalcy would return.

 

Bringer had mumbled something about a plan to end the game, a statement that both worried and confirmed his suspicions. He knew Bringer was dangerous and lying. It was yet another example. He would kill Magicon before the game was over. He was quite confident in that prediction. As he watched Bringer a bright flash appeared beside him and Asteria appeared alongside something that nearly gave Magicon a heart attack, a griffon.

 

His eyes immediately darted to Asteria. She seemed unharmed and her eyes suggested curiosity and concern at the events surrounding her and Magicon. As Bringer spoke to the griffon, Magicon was astounded to learn that the griffon was none other than Scarlet and apparently this was his “true” form. Magicon had only minimal experience with griffons. They were uncommon at the museum. Why would they come to a museum about magical arts and artifacts? They can’t practice magic and their species was not known for its wide acceptance of the arts and history. Yet, given his limited experience with Scarlet, Magicon could tell that he was or she was, (did Scarlet switch genders?) was different. She may have her griffon instincts, just like he did with his unicorn ones, but she pushed beyond them and had become something much more than a simple flying beast. Though what she was was unknown to Magicon’s mind.

 

Regardless Scarlet had excited Bringer who stated that he would assume his “true” form as well. He briefly described it and as he finished his last words he began changing. His transformation was bizarre, to say the least. It was slow and Magicon watched with his mouth agape, unable to remove his gaze from the pony, as he transformed. He grew larger and darker. His fur became black, his teeth sharper, his pupils dilated, his hooves grew into paws and shortly a dangerous and hulking panther stood before all of them. The hair on the back of his neck shot up and he quickly glanced at Asteria, who looked more curious than frightened by Bringer’s sudden change.

 

He spoke with a mystical voice to which Scarlet replied that this panther was apparently his “normal” form, whatever that meant. Magicon didn’t understand either one. How could he? How could any sane pony? This was beyond the world of reality; this was the world of real dreams and real nightmares. How it came to exist or why was beyond comprehension and the role these two played was incalculable or understandable. Magicon refused to think on it, knowing that such thoughts would only lead to confusion and loss of focus, which he could ill-afford to lose.

 

He returned his mind to Scarlet who explained the next set of rules for the next game. It was simple: hide and seek in the room of his and Bringer’s creation. Scarlet was to hide in Magicon’s room while his gut sank as he realized that Asteria was to hide in Bringer’s room with Bringer looking for him. Bringer’s room was confusing enough, worse still now that a panther was looking for a young filly in it. Asteria’s life was now at stake more than ever. He couldn’t allow this. If the game had to be played, let him go in her place. Let him die at the paws of a savage and merciless panther, not an innocent filly. He felt his heart resolve in determination to stop this right now.

 

Magicon was about to speak when a flash obscured his vision and sent him reeling into Springer’s room. He wished he had escaped to the real room, away from all of this nonsense. Yet he knew that was a fallacy. This was his description of Springer’s room, and though accurate, was still in the dream world. A griffon named Scarlet was hiding somewhere in this room. Magicon wouldn’t have difficulty finding her, his concern was Asteria. She was most definitely in mortal danger, trying to hide from a dangerous and untrustworthy panther. His only hope was praying that she would hide somewhere far away from Bringer, somewhere in that room where it would take longer than five minutes for him to find her. That was his only consultation as he scanned the room, noting any possible hiding places for Scarlet.

 

He took a deep breath and began searching. Knowing that Scarlet was a griffon was a great asset: she couldn’t hide in very many places in Springer’s room. She was nowhere in plain sight, obviously hiding somewhere in the room.

 

Magicon began with the closet, no griffon there. The only immediate fear he felt was worrying that Scarlet might jump out and attack him. But she seemed more interested in the game rather than violence. She had not harmed Asteria; she wouldn’t harm Magicon, if he played his cards right. He then headed to Springer’s bed. He ruffled the sheets. No griffon in the bed.

 

He then lowered himself below the bed and was greeted by the newly-changed blue eyes of Scarlet. Though it was dark under the bed Magicon could still tell she was slightly annoyed with his discovery. He guessed he had spent less than a minute looking for her. Four minutes remained for Asteria. He prayed she would be smart and live long enough to survive the game.

 

He stared back at the griffon with eyes that betrayed his own worries. His voice spoke with some hesitation, but he felt his vocal chords loosen the longer he spoke. Archie’s six words range in his head the whole time.

 

“Found…you,” he stated and rose from the bed, turning his back to the bed and its griffon occupant below it. “I guess…I win…Scarlet. I…I’m really at a loss for words. You’re different than any other pony or now griffon I’ve ever met. You seem mystical, yet respectful. You show great restraint towards me, Asteria, and Springer when it is not required. I’m worried that I won’t survive this…dream world of yours and Bringer’s.

 

“I’m scared, Scarlet, more scared than I’ve ever been. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this…probably because you already sense it. All I wanted was a quiet train ride to Los Pegasus and even then, I was more forced into going than actually having a desire to travel. I never expected any of this: you, Bringer, Springer, Dusky, Trixie, and now Dawn, and all of these other ponies and events.

 

“And now that I have, I can only say I want one thing: to get out of this world and off of this train as quickly as possible. I know you don’t want that. You like…games and amusement, but you’ve had your fun. Now let me leave with Springer and Asteria before somepony gets seriously hurt. You may control this world, but so does Bringer and I sense conflict between you two. Why?

 

“What is the point of all this? Why bring me and Asteria here and subject us to this? Why torment poor Springer with these dreams and forms of bondage? What do you want from us? I just want answers, please.”

Edited June 21, 2013 by Magicon

[Key Gear 6,662]

"Ambrosia, I... I'm still worried about Trixie's room... If what Luminescence said means anything, then... That thing might still be there... It's a request from a passenger, yes, but... I still can't shake off the feeling that something bad might happen..." Electrobolt then shivered slightly, the memory still fresh in his mind.

The colt's words mirrored her own thoughts. Particularly with Vim's unusual demeanor, it didn't make much sense to her to go check on anything. Not when the situation that they had right in the dining car was already spiraling out of hoof, in Ambrosia's opinion. She answered Electrobolt with her own hurried, tensed whisper, "I... Don't think that anypony should go to that room until we find out what's rattled Vim. I've never really seen him like this before... To be honest, I don't have a good feeling about that room or any other. Even if Magicon and Asteria are there... How would they have gotten there? Let's get this mess figured out and then think up what to do."

 

---

 

He blinked, slowly, and then looked towards the green earth pony mare then back at the filly's burning red eyes.

Luminescence was becoming progressively more annoyed with Vim. Earlier today, when she had seen the conductor, he had impressed her as a pony with a significant amount of energy and, as his name suggested, vigor. She would have never imagined that he would be so clueless as he was now appearing. She stared at him, waiting and hoping that he would be able to inquire further into her earlier answer to him. She had canceled his request to investigate the train because she was very much not interested in whatever was in Room 8 making an escape from there and wreaking havoc elsewhere on the train.

 

Instead of doing what she had expected, Vim had taken forever to locate her and was now staring at her dumbly. Her irritation grew by leaps and bounds. If there was one thing that Luminescence could not tolerate, it was stupidity of any kind. Behavior that made no sense at all and impeded her progress was beyond a mere annoyance. In this case, it could even present a danger. She looked over to the other crew members, whom she recognized because Vim had spoken to them earlier.

 

Finally he looked at Summer and his expression drooped as his intensity drained into confusion and exhaustion. "Ma'am, I can assure you. I have never seen you before, and this is not my filly."

The implication was not lost on Luminescence. While she was a younger filly, she was a worldly pony both through readings and observances of the world around her. In this particular case, she found herself immediately wishing that she was not, because at least then, she would be able to remain completely ignorant of the insult that had been intentionally or unintentionally leveraged at both herself and her guardian.

 

Her reaction was immediate and visceral. A look of complete horror immediately appeared on her face, and her countenance flushed as red as her eyes, fueled by shame and anger. Unable to form any real words, she gasped in frustration. The sound resembled that of the soft squeak of a cart's breaks much more than it resembled a sound that a filly would ever make. She whirled around to look at Summer. In her darkest thoughts, she feared that the mare would abandon her due to this unexpected slight, and even the faint echoing thought was enough to stoke her rage further.

 

She opened her eyes, and stared deeply at Vim's own. No words were spoken, but the message was clear. One more word from the stallion, and she would make his life hell for all eternity and beyond. If a single part of it became known to public, not only his, but his crews and their families would face the dire consequences.

The filly read Summer's expression and looked back to the conductor. The mare wasn't going to abandon her. Nor was she intending to allow Vim's remarks to sway her in any other way. Luminescence calmed. She had promised to stick by Summer's side, and it seemed that the promise was truly one that applied in both directions. She started to move to the mare's side to settle down. The motion was just in time, as Summer reached out and pulled her closer, repositioning herself slightly. Luminescence stared at the conductor as Summer spoke. She nodded her head gently at several points, and calmly watched as Summer offered to pay for her ticket.

 

---

 

For a moment, Summerfall was at lost on what to think about Vim's... unexpected reply.

Summerfall's stunned expression barely even dented the conductor's haze. His mind was whirling, thinking about things that made no sense to him. His thoughts were almost entirely nonsensical. The sound of several gasps, some snickering, and a strange infuriated squeak were still not enough to shake him from his reverie. His vision started to blur, and his eyes scanned the room, taking in nothing, oblivious to everything that was happening.

 

She opened her eyes, and stared deeply at Vim's own. No words were spoken, but the message was clear. One more word from the stallion, and she would make his life hell for all eternity and beyond. If a single part of it became known to public, not only his, but his crews and their families would face the dire consequences.

Vim's wandering gaze locked onto the mare's eyes for a few tense seconds, during which his thoughts found themselves absorbed with her demeanor. Why was she upset? He couldn't honestly recall. In fact, he didn't have any clue who this mare was or whatever it was that she was doing on the train. Her anger was, however, clearly apparent. He stumbled in place somewhat, nearly losing his footing while standing still. An intensely agitated look was directed towards him from a yellow earth pony mare that he couldn't recognize at the moment.

 

She pulled Luminescence closer to her, carefully positioning her body to stand between Dawn and the filly, and spoke to Vim with reassurance, "I certainly wished that you would not arrive to such conclusion, Vim. You may rest assured that she is not in any way related to you."

The conductor blinked. Well, of course nopony on the train was related to him. That didn't even make the slightest bit of sense. He shot a confused glance at the earth pony mare while he attempted to reason out what she was talking about. A quick glance at the large, staring eyes of the filly next to her caused his memory to return. A strained smile appeared on his tired face as the nature of his situation sank in and hovered over him like a terrible cloud. Accompanying this was a simple observation. Whatever was happening on the train, he would have to pace himself more effectively, he was no longer a young pony.

 

"You see, this filly is a good friend of mine. Her name is Luminescence, we met in Ponyville and she followed me onto the train when nopony was looking. She was hiding somewhere in the baggage car up until a few minutes ago she knocked my door, feeling a bit uneasy. I hope that you wouldn't mind her intrusion to the train and let her stay with me in my room. Of course I would pay for her late ticket." She unlatched the small bag of bits from her neck and offered it to the conductor. "One hundred bits, and a little extra for the apples that she ate when she was hiding."

Vim sighed internally. The filly was a stowaway. Normally, he would give a passenger a hard time for harboring a stowaway. Regardless of the circumstance, it was just a bad thing to do, but in this case, he would have to allow it. He had already delivered a horrible first or second impression to this passenger. To do anything other than accept her offer would have been inane. For a moment, he thought about allowing the surprise passenger on for free, but he recalled that this passenger was the one that had already been allowed onboard without the normal fee.

 

With a cough, he reached out and accepted the bits from the mare. He then thought, quickly, of any and all possible ways that he could smooth this incident over with her. Finally, he shrugged and looked her directly in the eye. It wouldn't do any good to be anything but straightforward, and he secretly hoped that perhaps one of the passengers or train crew members present would have some idea of what to do. "Miss Summer... I don't think that I can honestly say anything other than offer you my most sincere apologies for what I just said. And... Err... I think that I need to change my current tastes in fiction a bit. But... Your friend Luminescence is fine. She's welcome onboard."

 

A concerned voice interrupted, "Vim... What's happening?" It was a simple question from Ambrosia, but the presence of concern and worry in the voice cut through the awkward atmosphere like a knife. There was also the element of command. Vim looked at the cook and her inquiring green eyes met his gaze with unblinking concentration. He nodded. Most likely, he had offended her as well. He scanned the room and noticed similarly disappointed looks on quite a few faces, except for that of Key Gear, who was merely intensely curious, studying him with a catlike expression. He glanced at Dawn. The unicorn's face was unreadable and she had positioned herself slightly behind Arcanel.

 

Ambrosia coughed and repeated her earlier question in a different way, "Vim, I think that this is probably a good time for a general announcement. There are enough passengers and crew here..." The question was now a demand. The mare had spoken with a tone that she rarely used. She sounded like his mother. His thoughts focused on the events from just before he entered the room. Everything came rushing back to his mind, but one thing did in particular - cats, a particular cat that should never have been present on the train to begin with.

 

He smiled at Ambrosia and spoke. "You know, it's pretty odd really. A lot of things are happening, and none of them make any sense. Right now, we're missing a few things, we have a few things that shouldn't be here. There's a few other things that I really can't talk about. You know, we've done some investigation, Lapis and me. Errr... I guess you can all guess that I'm having some problems keeping up with things, but it's alright. At this point, I think that we need to all work together, because... Plainly... I'm doing poorly at figuring things out myself... I'm not nearly as young as I used to be, and this is all a bit over my head." He laughed gruffly.

 

"So, here's the thing. I can't find Magicon and Asteria. I didn't see either of them pass me in the hall when I went out of this room through to talk to Lapis and Springer. I've checked the rooms on the other side of this one, all of them." He nodded at Dawn. "I didn't find anything. Well, nothing except a ton of cats. I mean a lot of 'em. A big one too, more on that in a second." He directed his attention towards Dawn and watched her carefully as he continued to speak. At worst, he would incite her fury, but she was surrounded by other ponies. What would she do?

 

"Dawn, you know, we found a journal written in invisible ink when we searched your room. Turns out that it needs magic to make the words visible. Care to do that for me when you get the chance?" The unicorn didn't even blink. In fact, she positively beamed at Vim, "Certainly, Vim." She said nothing further. It had been a bit too easy, so Vim decided to press further. "Well, Dawn, while we're at it. We found a pretty big cat in your room, just a bit bigger than we normally allow. Problem is, looks like we lost him as well, sorry about that. Must've left the door open or something."

 

The unicorn's smile didn't even waver slightly, and she spoke sweetly. "He probably got out while you were shutting the door, it happens sometimes, you know? Cats are like that. Fast, silent, and beautiful. That cat that you saw, I apologize if I was supposed to let you know about him. I was told that I could bring my cats. No other limits were imposed. I don't really know much about train rules and things, so I just did as I was told. I can't throw him off the train now, of course. That would be horrible, but I will keep up with him. In fact, you don't need to worry about him at all, he's right here!"

 

Dawn had spoken softly and with more than a trace of total innocence right up until she announced her cat's presence. At that point, her characteristic energy returned, and Vim tensed with his eyes focused on the young mare. He didn't have long to wait. A larger than average housecat slinked from under one of the tables. Its fur was as black as midnight, its eyes were a dim yellow. It looked like a panther in miniature, but the proportions were plainly those of a housecat. Vim stared at the cat, but it ignored him completely. Instead it wandered to Dawn's waiting hooves.

 

She scooped her cat up and nuzzled him gently. "Isn't he beautiful? He is rather large, though, but don't worry. He's quite tame. So, you need me to go with you to meet Lapis? We can talk about my book? Can my cat come too?" Vim suddenly felt the same sinking feeling that he had felt earlier. He had no evidence of any kind, but he greatly doubted that things were as they appeared with this mare and her cat. He found himself thinking thoughts that were not just a little bit paranoid, and with some small degree of hope, he looked towards the only other unicorn in the room, the small silver filly. From her position at Summer's side, she was eyeing the cat with an unusual expression - a mixture of concern and confusion that mirrored Vim's own.

 

He shook his head. "Nah, you know, Dawn, that's alright. Don't even worry about it." But, Dawn shook her head and practically purred her response, "But, I do worry about it, Vim. I've been suspected of something from the moment that I sat in the parlor car and tried to enjoy my food in peace. The first thing that I heard from another passenger was an accusation. Magicon doubted me from the beginning. The fact that I saved a life means nothing to anypony, and I'm tired of the treatment that I've been receiving. If reading my journal is what it takes to clear my name, then this is what must be done."

 

She hugged her cat close to her and continued to speak. "I am not a bad pony. I may act a little strange, sometimes, but this shouldn't make me evil. I'm not uncontrollable, either. Arcanel is right. I'm not perfect, but I can try. I do try. There's nothing strange in my journal. I was a student in Canterlot before I came here, that's all there is to it. If you don't trust me, then fine. I can't make you or anypony else trust me. I can only try... That's all..."

 

She looked away and waited for a response, but Vim couldn't manage to speak any words. Her response had been completely unexpected, and the presence of the cat was trying his nerves. He suspected that something was wrong, but he didn't know how to approach the situation at that moment. He glanced at Ambrosia for guidance, but the earth pony mare seemed to be just as taken aback as he was.

 

---

 

Luminescence wasn't formally trained in magic. She was not even sure that the feeling she had was connected to magic or even if it was connected to something else. But, she found herself peering around Summer staring at the cat and its unusual owner without quite being sure why. Something disturbed her about one or the other of them, possibly both. They seemed at once both familiar and completely alien to her. It was the familiarity that bothered her. She had never seen a housecat that large before, and she was certain that she had never seen a mare that was like Dawn.

 

The cat's eyes flickered in the filly's direction and stared back for a moment while Dawn spoke in her own defense. In her mind, Luminescence could almost see the cat smiling, which made no sense at all, because cats couldn't smile. The cat's yellow eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement at her unease, or perhaps it was her imagination. Luminescence could feel herself starting to sweat. She shivered and looked away, pressing herself tightly into the earth pony mare. She wanted to leave and to leave quickly. She poked Summer with a hoof and stared up at the mare, hoping to get her attention.

 

---

 

Writer's block was a terrible thing. She sat, leisurely, eating a fruit sandwich and sipping cider. She was careful to avoid looking at her manuscript. It would do her no good to get distracted by it again. She had been unable to find the words that she needed. For hours, she had stared at the blank paper, straining herself to think of the words to write, any words.

 

They all escaped her. She had even struggled to come up with the writer's note. It didn't matter, really. There was no rush. The words would come to her in time, they always did. This time, they would be better than before. She picked up her cup of cider and sipped gently, chancing a confident glance towards her unfinished work. She froze.

 

Without too much haste, Lapis looked about the room for a pencil. In no time at all, one was found. He took a deep breath again. He'd been doing that far too many times over the last few minutes. But he had to remain calm. He began where chapter one ended. It seemed as though it were the part where he himself had confronted Dawn.

Words were on the page that had not been there before, and more of them were appearing. They were all in a hoofwriting that was completely unknown to her. For a while, she watched the process, mesmerized. Somepony was apparently attempting to help her, but how could they even begin to know what to write. She looked on in disbelief as the blank page filled with a halting confidence and the next began to fill as well.

 

She gracefully lowered her cup of cider and wandered over to the book to read the words that had been written. Carefully, she picked up her manuscript and read through, critiquing the other pony's words even as they were written. She smiled and nodded. Whoever was writing in her book was obviously educated, the words were not as she would have written them, but they were well crafted. Beautiful and eloquent, she thought, just not in the way that she would have intended them.

 

With a sigh, she looked away. It felt too wonderful to have somepony to share this task with. For too many years, she had been alone. It was never supposed to have been that way, originally, but things had happened. Things had changed. Now, she had her own task to perform. She looked back at the book, smiling contently. Her smile quickly faded into a dumbfounded glare. The words in the book had taken an odd turn. It was now going on about duplicated pegasus ponies, games, and other nonsense. In fact, the entire thing made no sense.

 

She was repulsed. This pony was being a silly fool, making fun of her task and her work. She viciously flipped pages back to where she had originally left off. This time, she read to critique the content - not merely the structure and the form. She deflated. This wasn't the same story, it wasn't even close to being the same story. It had been foolish for her to get her hopes up. Her hopes had been crushed, brutally. The story made so little sense that it almost seemed like the product of some mischief from the realm that she was currently in.

 

But, it couldn't be. She knew that it was a pony, a real pony. It could be nothing else. They kept writing. With every additional word, they made more of a mess. They weren't stopping. She could feel her frustration growing tremendously, and her breathing was coming faster. When would they stop? Would they fill the entire manuscript with gibberish? It was unacceptable. She wiped a tear of frustration away from an eye and she considered her options. She could deliver a message and hope it was listened to.

 

No. She wanted to see this intruder with her own eyes. They wrote well, very well. There was always the chance that it was just a bit of a misunderstanding. Still, she would have to chance discovery in order to encounter them. She could deliver a message, find a spot to meet them, and then reenter in this new location. It seemed needlessly complex, though. She looked down at the paper. The words had stopped. She saw words that made sense now. Dreams, a griffon, a cat. She stared. She needed to meet this pony.

 

Moving quickly, she packed her manuscript, some empty papers, something for her defense, and some writing material into a saddlebag. She left her sandwich and cider unfinished. She trotted over to a large mirror and, after a moments hesitation, she stepped through the looking glass. She reemerged in a small cabin onboard the train. She recognized it as the one belonging to Vim, the train's conductor. Immediately in front of her was a young stallion, a handsome pony with a bluish grey coat and a brown mane and tail. His cutie mark was a book.

 

She raised her eyebrows. A book cutie mark? It was a closed book but it was a book, nonetheless. Surely, a pony with such a cutie mark would not have needlessly vandalized the written work of another? Her anger flared as she thought about his actions, but she contained the impulse. She approached him with gentle steps, soundlessly. Her form was lithe, graceful. She was smaller than the average pegasus mare, both slightly shorter and thinner. Despite her appearance, she was far stronger than she looked. Earlier in life, she had been an athlete of significant accomplishment. While those years were long past, she retained a wiry, limber build.

 

She was a darkly colored pegasus. True to her name, Midnight Angel's fur was a dark shade of green. Her mane and tail were both midnight blue, a deep, rich shade of blue. Even her eyes were a muted shade of blue. She moved closer to the stallion. He looked calm, but there was an air of agitation surrounding him. The words that he had written certainly hinted at something being wrong, and they also hinted at so much more. In such a circumstance, she decided to be very careful in how she announced her presence. A scramble with a young earth pony stallion was the last thing that she was interested in.

 

She moved in even closer, her entire approach had only taken seconds so far. She was close enough to absorb the full sight of the stallion, but she couldn't see his eyes. She felt annoyed. The picture seemed incomplete. She needed to see his eyes to know his thoughts, to know why he had done what he had done and to know what he had seen. She moved closer, dropping her saddlebag to her right. She gently unfurled her left wing and brought it around the stallion in a comforting embrace. She tucked herself closely against his right side and craned her neck to catch a glimpse of his face.

 

In her soft, winsome voice, she spoke with a practiced neutral tone, and avoided any mention of her name. "My apologies for appearing so suddenly, but I was watching you, wondering why you seemed somewhat discomforted. Perhaps, you need somepony to talk to? I'm certain you have some questions perhaps?" She smiled. "If so, then perhaps you could ask me? I'm an open book, and I'm willing to share what I know, provided that you are as open yourself. Perhaps, as a start, you could tell me what has troubled you?"

 

---

 

@@Electrobolt, @@Ice Storm, @, @@Flow,

 

Asteria and Magicon were missing? Key was finally beginning to absorb the information that she had heard. Key took stock of the situation that was developing in the dining car and promptly reached a single conclusion. She had no interest in being there. There was a tension in the atmosphere from the moment that Vim had said his unusual remark to Summer. By the time the conductor and Dawn had begun their fencing match, Key was already planning an escape route. The atmosphere was a bit too thick for her, and she could do nothing to help her friends from there.

 

While she had ran into some problems with Lapis in the past, the fact remained that Asteria had been sent out of the kitchen by Key. In some way, Key felt responsible for the filly's current disappearance. It was time to take some kind of action. As silently as she could manage, she sprinted across the distance to the kitchen entrance and slipped into it. Once there, she found her saddlebag from before lunch. Inside was the book that she had found, far earlier in the evening.

 

She moved to the exit to the parlor car and took it, slipping through the door. In the parlor car, she gently closed the door behind her, sliding down into a slumping position against the wall next to the door. She took a deep breath and hoped that no ponies followed her. She was back on her hooves in a minute, and she made her way into the next car. She slipped in, as silently as she could manage. She had no idea where Lapis would be. She needed to find him, but...

 

She looked up. The door to Room 14 was wide open. A small blue cat was sitting in the doorway. It was nothing more than a kitten, but... It seemed strangely attentive. Key looked over her shoulder and then looked back at the kitten. She stopped her approach halfway towards the door. Inside, the room seemed far, far darker than it should have been for that time of day. The kitten purred, softly. "The book?" Key stared at the cat. The voice had sounded like her own, but it wasn't. The kitten faded to black, mirroring the appearance of Dawn's cat from the dining car, but it didn't move.

 

((OOC: If I mentioned you here, it means that you have a character in the dining car that may be interested in following Key Gear.))

 

---

 

“Found…you,” he stated and rose from the bed, turning his back to the bed and its griffon occupant below it.

Scarlet huffed. It wasn't even a surprise that Magicon had found her so quickly. The unicorn had been clever in his creation of the room. The victory was deserved, though it bothered her more than her many other losses. He had picked the game and played it to perfection. Now, he seemed to totally disregard her. His back was turned.

 

“I guess…I win…Scarlet. I…I’m really at a loss for words. You’re different than any other pony or now griffon I’ve ever met. You seem mystical, yet respectful. You show great restraint towards me, Asteria, and Springer when it is not required. I’m worried that I won’t survive this…dream world of yours and Bringer’s.

She tilted her head. His remarks were a surprise, and she wasn't sure of what to make of them at all. So, she listened to him, moving to the bed and reclining while she waited out the 5 minutes until Bringer and Asteria's game would time out. She thought that his description of her as being mystical was somewhat amusing. She considered herself to be common in the world of dreams, and what Magicon had interpreted as being her restraint was, in fact, nothing more than her adherence to rules. They were important. His fears for his survival were irrelevant.

 

“I’m scared, Scarlet, more scared than I’ve ever been. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this…probably because you already sense it. All I wanted was a quiet train ride to Los Pegasus and even then, I was more forced into going than actually having a desire to travel. I never expected any of this: you, Bringer, Springer, Dusky, Trixie, and now Dawn, and all of these other ponies and events.

Fear was irrelevant, Magicon's fear was certainly so. She had not invited him there to be afraid, but if he was then so be it. It was a natural emotion, and a common reaction to her amusement. The fear of loss, the fear of victory, the fear of fear. She yawned, but the action was cut off immediately. Trixie? Dawn? She had seen them both recently. Dusky? What did he have to do with anything? Why had his name been mentioned. It didn't make any sense. Her mind span in confusion and she looked askance at Magicon.

 

“And now that I have, I can only say I want one thing: to get out of this world and off of this train as quickly as possible. I know you don’t want that. You like…games and amusement, but you’ve had your fun. Now let me leave with Springer and Asteria before somepony gets seriously hurt. You may control this world, but so does Bringer and I sense conflict between you two. Why?

Her wings unfurled in irritation. What was he doing? What was he talking about? Why did he hate her world? Who cared about the train? How dare he presume that he knew what she wanted... Even if it was true, it wasn't his right to say, just as she didn't say the same for him. She had been nothing but respectful, now this was the exchange. Scarlet felt agitated. He wanted to leave. No, he couldn't... She wouldn't let him... She couldn't... She stopped herself as his last sentence fell. She closed her wings and stared, beak wide open.

 

“What is the point of all this? Why bring me and Asteria here and subject us to this? Why torment poor Springer with these dreams and forms of bondage? What do you want from us? I just want answers, please.”

His questions came fast on the heels of his previous words. So many things, so quickly. Scarlet shivered in confusion, frustration. Nopony had ever questioned her in this fashion. She couldn't be seen as weak. She looked away and attempted to regather herself. Just a few more seconds, she would continue the games. Magicon's questions were irrelevant. His observances, most likely false. He would leave when she said so. She would take no commands from him or from anything else. Why couldn't he appreciate her world? Why couldn't he just be happy? He should have been happy. He'd picked the game and won. This rarely happened even for her.

 

The seconds flew by as she looked away from the unicorn, clamping her beak shut, staring at the wall. It was time. She focused to bring Asteria and Bringer back, but nothing happened. The filly and the cat did not reappear. Scarlet tried again. Nothing. Something was wrong. She squawked slightly, nervously. Had something happened to them? She leaped off the bed and paced the small room with agitated steps. Every word that Magicon had spoken haunted her thoughts. Perhaps, she was wrong and he was right. But, what did that even mean...

 

For the second time, she felt a strange feeling. It was similar to the feeling that she had felt when Asteria had embraced her. It wasn't love, though, it was something different. This, it felt like fear of some type. Fear for the sake of another? Perhaps... She stopped her pacing and turned to look at Magicon. Perhaps, this was the feeling that prompted him. If so, then she could understand it. It was not an amusing sensation, and she felt vaguely ill. She shivered. The sensation was foreign, unpleasant.

 

She spoke. "Magicon... I can't find them. I... Am not sure what to do. I didn't respond to your words because they confused me. I don't understand... Or... I didn't. I think I do now. You were afraid? Within a game, fear is unimportant, but this is no longer a game, I think. To have a game, there must be rules. Without rules, a game can have no winner or loser? If the time has expired, but they are not returned, then the rules have been broken. But, there is no judge. There is no Bringer. No Asteria. I find that I am confused by this as well... And... I think I feel some type of fear. It is not an amusing feeling. How does one continue with this feeling?"

 

Scarlet looked away for a moment before resuming, turning hesitantly to face Magicon again. "Why did you speak of Dusky, Trixie, Dawn? What significance do they have?" Her confusion played out in her questioning eyes. "Is Dusky here? Are you his friend? He should not come here... Dawn... She is like Bringer. Trixie... I have no understanding. What do they all have in common to be listed together by you?"

 

She shook her head. "As... To you questions. The point is amusement. You arrived here of your own accord. You agreed to participate. Springer is gone now. I want nothing from you but your presences. Even that is irrelevant. The games can be played here even without you... But... Mmmm... I..." She stopped talking and covered her face with a wing. "We may need to break rules. They are not here. This is unfortunate. Can you describe Bringer's room. I will not reveal your action. We must retrieve them. Help me, and I will give you what you wish, whatever that may be."

 

---

 

This time she did, but she didn't go very far at all. There were pillars everywhere, and she was relatively small. The nearest one would do, especially if Bringer was focused elsewhere.

Bringer was dimly aware of the filly's movement. He didn't know exactly where she had gone, but he could sense that she was no longer directly behind him. His eyes twinkled. This was a bright filly. She seemed to understand what he wanted, which was a good thing. It would be boring to pass the time with a dumb pony. He idly stood, stretched, and laid on his side, facing himself towards the many pillars. He could smell her. She was nearby. He would find her in a moment. It would be some minor amusement.

 

She took a very, very, very deep breath.

He didn't even have to try looking for her. Her deep breath changed the flow of the light and the current within the room. His whiskers registered the change, his eyes could see the sign of breathing, and his nose could still smell. She was hiding nearby. It was a good sign. It meant that she was, indeed, intelligent. Intelligent enough to know that making herself harder to find would make him more interested in finding her. Wonderful, he thought to himself, now he knew where she was. What would be next? Would she propose a game? He hated games.

 

She cleared her throat. “First off, do you still wish to have the name Bringer, or would you prefer a new one? I don't think Bringer fits a cat. I'll pick a new one if you want, or you can yourself, since you choose your new form.” she said almost idly.

Asteria's words brought another twinkle to his eyes. In truth, she had done just fine the first time. Bringer was a name well suited for him. It was what he did. Bringing things to things. Bringing ponies to ponies. It was his nature to manipulate and to move. The name perhaps didn't fit a cat, but he was so much more than just a simple cat. Maybe if she knew, she would have more faith in her pick. Really, the problem was that her own name was poorly suited. Asteria? What did this have to do with anything? It seemed pointless. He shook his head and started to move, slowly pacing the floor. He didn't answer her.

 

“Tell me about yourself, Bringer. Where were you born? Do you have parents, a family? Or maybe I'm being trivial?” She tried to maintain a tone of curiousness and a touch of awe. “You know, you're a lovely creature to behold. Were you born that way, or did you choose it? And is this in fact the Ocean of Nightmares?”

She was amusing. A place of birth? Parents? A family? All quite conventional. Trivial, he thought. Yes, it was quite trivial. In a way it was almost endearing. He paused in his pacing when she complimented his appearance. It was true, of course. The large black cat appeared majestic, head raised, powerful muscles glistening beneath a coat of fur as dark as the night. Eyes that glowed like pale, yellow lanterns against the backdrop of the dim ocean. The mist of dark light that permeated the room only complimented the beautiful image. He still didn't answer.

 

“You are friends with Scarlet, right? How did you two meet? Did you two have fun together? Why are Magicon and I here in this world of dreams and nightmares? What does Springer have to do with any of this?” she asked, still maintaining the inflection of interest.

He barely stifled his laugh. He could no more be friends with Scarlet than a pony could be friends with a rock. It made no sense to Bringer's mind. Scarlet was purely elemental, he thought, completely lacking in the higher thinking processes that he, himself, had learned to value long ago. The rest of her questions were equally trivial. He waited. Was it time to answer? Was she quite finished yet? He approached her slowly, his form subsiding into and becoming one with the light that permeated the enclosed room.

 

Her voice lent none of her worries. It remained level, but not exactly jovial. “So, I guess you're waiting for something other than the game to end, right?” The risk of death that hung in air lingered in a different way. There was no guarantee at all. Back in the dream world, there was the chance to lose or win based on careful rules. Ones made with care. But apparently not enough care since Asteria was trapped in this situation now....

This filly was a delight, he thought, as the lights shifted in the room. "Of course, I am." His voice finally answered her. He had, for some moments, been dissipating throughout the light in the room. Now, he was completely unseen, hanging in the atmosphere like a dark cloud that cast no shadow. His voice answered from all directions, he was formless. "I don't really care for games much. I do value amusement, though. I'm amused by other things. Ah, but I've been rudely silent to you this entire time. Forgive me. Rudeness is never my intention. Though, it does happen sometimes. Really, it's too bad when it does. Far, far too bad."

 

The voice continued. "Is it alright if I give you a name? No need to make me your mother. It would be pointless anyway, because I really don't much care for you. A worthless gesture is a waste. Magicon makes a better mother, but I think he lacks imagination. Let me try. How about I call you Dreamer. I think that this works well. After all, we are here, are we not? In a place of dreams? And... You are the dreamer, yes? Don't doubt it... Even nightmares are dreams, you know. In fact, they are the best dreams. Sadly, not all dreams are nightmares. But, no worries about that here."

 

The voice shifted its position, coming from the far right of the room. "You're curious, aren't you? I like your questions, they were so wonderful. Really, quaint. Unfortunately, they didn't really mean much to me. But... We have some time to pass, so I'll do my best to answer. I was born in Ponyville to a family of carpenters. I lost my father at an early age. He was dragged into the forest by timberwolves in harsh vengeance for his butchery of their wooded kin. They tore into him in front of my young eyes, and they left him there. Intelligent animals, he bled to death while I watched while the timberwolves watched. I saw him bleed to death. After he died, they feasted. I was invited to the meal. It was delicious." A harsh laugh ripped through the darkness.

 

"I'm lying of course. As I said. I do that a lot. It can't be helped. Hmmm... Dreamer, I hope you don't mind? Oh, by the way... Your new name. It rhymes with mine. Fanciful, isn't it? Such amusement? Hmmm?" Another laugh, gentler this time. The voice shifted to the left of the room. "Actually, I was born in the world of dreams. No parents, no nothing. Just a mindless blob, basically. But, I wasn't really a dream. I was a nightmare, from the beginning. Just a different type. I was the type that could escape. It was such a long time ago. I made my way outside of this wretched place. I brought the joy of nightmare to your world, Dreamer. It was a gift."

 

The voice became bitter. "It wasn't appreciated. You know, they ran me back into this place. Blasted unicorns, blasted magic, blasted everything. It was the tall one that did it, of course. I hate him even now, but I also love him. Yes, Dreamer, did you know? Nightmares can love. We can hurt. We can feel pain. Just like you. I bet you wish to hurt me now. That's too bad, I won't let you. I have a thing to prepare for. Ooops, it's been 5 minutes. Well. Nopony is here. I guess they forgot about you. Figures as much. You poor thing. Don't worry, I'll keep you company until things progress. Soon now. This will be fantastic. I want you to be there to see it."

 

The voice became soft, silent. It was a delicate whisper. "Dreamer... You must see it... It will be so lovely. So very lovely. They will all have to see it. Such beauty." The voice sounded as though it was sobbing as it continued. "You ask... You ask questions about friendship? There is no friendship between the living and the dead. I am alive, Dreamer. I see, I feel, I hurt. Scarlet is dead. She knows nothing of the world outside of her own confines. Mindless animal..." The voice giggled. "Not like myself, of course."

 

The voice sighed. "So long ago... It's hard to remember... We met in school. Scarlet was the one that I could never understand. I teased her. One day, when we were on a walk, I saw this hill. We decided to race. I was winning until I tripped, fell. She kept on running, left me there. She won and she left. I laid there for hours. Thinking about things. Wondering why I was so foolish... Finally, I realized that I hadn't fallen down. I had fallen up. I had ascended, Dreamer. Reaching a height of understanding and thought that was profound, unique. It was glorious. So, that's how we met, and its what happened. The truth this time. No lie. Or, maybe that's a lie too. I am having a hard time keeping track of things, you see. So many questio..." The voice trailed off.

 

There was a shift in the breeze of the room. The dark light flickered off. The voice spoke again. "Did I tell you how much I love this place? It's my own, you know. I control it completely. Here, I can do whatever I wish. It's interesting isn't it? I bet you wish you had a place like this? So much freedom." Two freakishly large paws reached up through the floor, they were composed of the same dark light that had permeated the room earlier. They took hold of the filly and gently tossed her towards a nearby pillar. The pillar opened its eyes and quickly changed to take the form of the big cat.

 

The panther pinned her to the floor, being careful to not crush the filly, merely allowing its claws to brush against her soft fur. It spoke apologetically. "Sorry. I became bored and frustrated. Sadly, I share this certain trait with Scarlet. Boredom pains me, and I have to do things sometimes. Frustration, it makes me lose control over the things that I do. But, no matter. There's no need to worry. Relax." The light returned to the room. "Now, we have a small problem. What should I do? I'm still bored and I'm frustrated. Maybe you have more questions? I would like that. I'll answer them more appropriately this time."

 

The cat released her. "Mmmm... Wait... Don't hide this time. It was too tempting to hunt you. We should learn from our mistakes. Besides, I have questions. Do you like the name I gave you? Tell me the truth? Or, lie. I don't care, really. Besides that... What do you think about me? Am I evil? Am I happy? Am I sad? I think you know these type of things. Tell me, please... I have the hardest time understanding myself... On nearly all occasions." The cat sighed and looked away. There the faint hint of a twinkle in its eyes.

 

---

 

Without too much haste, Lapis looked about the room for a pencil. In no time at all, one was found. He took a deep breath again. He'd been doing that far too many times over the last few minutes. But he had to remain calm. He began where chapter one ended. It seemed as though it were the part where he himself had confronted Dawn.

Dusky blinked. After Ice Storm left, he had waited calmly, thinking of a plan and approach. His eyes had been closed, while he visualized so many things. Strangely, his visions had become twisted. Dawn had somehow invaded them. There had been questions. He dimly recalled the scene from earlier. It was odd. Why would he remember this now. His mind was normally a structured thing. Neat, organized, concise memories. Now, it wasn't. At first, he felt a twinge of concern. Was it possible that his earlier conversation with Ice Storm had somehow damaged him?

 

He kept his eyes closed and his thoughts were invaded by another scene, this time a griffon and some type of cat. Asteria and Magicon were apparently present as well... He opened his eyes, and shook his head. There were few reasonable possibilities for how this had happened, but there was only one way that the scene could have entered his thoughts at that moment in time. Unfortunately, it meant that he needed to move faster than he had originally planned. With a diligent speed, Dusky stood back to his hooves and exited the train engine, making his way straight to Ice Storm's room, which was, thankfully, not far.

 

"Well... Hopefully she has an answer. At the very least I'd like to know if I can even be cured or not..." she spoke to herself laying back onto her bed.

Dusky knocked on the door to Room 4 without the slightest hesitation. On one hoof, it was horrible to need to move quickly. It generally meant that there would be a lack of planning in the moments to come. On the other hoof, there was a problem that demanded immediate and complete attention, and it would do no good to take care of one matter while leaving the other completely unaddressed.

Edited June 22, 2013 by Key Gear

[Bari 7,021]

Lapis sat there silently, staring at the page before him. In his mind, the line between fiction and reality was blurring. Whatever he had written, it was now true to him in his mind. Some small part in his head tried to rationalize. She's alright, it said, you're just losing your mind. But Lapis refused to listen. “Lies.” he whispered bitterly. At the corners of his eyes, the pinpricks of tears began to sting. Why was he crying? He was taught tears were a sign of weakness. That everyone will die at some time. In fact, not once in his entire life did he lament his inevitable demise. But the thought that someone so precious to him was in grave danger drove him to tears. Why did he think it true? Why?
 
Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a pegasus mare was by his side. He looked at her, mind reeling. Who was she? What just happened? Wouldn't he have heard the door to the room open? Oh, but it didn't matter. Someone had come to comfort him. Which was odd since how could anyone know that the emotionless Lapis Lazuli Ore was slowly losing his mind? He stared at her for a good long moment, tears slowly making their way down his face. Her appearance gave away her name. She was like an angel. A midnight angel. That much was certain from her coat and mane. That was what the book said. Midnight Angel, author of the book in which he wrote a tale of strange danger. And.... mother of Dusky?
 
But his thoughts were cut short the moment she spoke. Her voice was so delicate and soft, yet completely level and calm. 
 

My apologies for appearing so suddenly, but I was watching you, wondering why you seemed somewhat discomforted. Perhaps, you need somepony to talk to? I'm certain you have some questions perhaps?" She smiled. "If so, then perhaps you could ask me? I'm an open book, and I'm willing to share what I know, provided that you are as open yourself. Perhaps, as a start, you could tell me what has troubled you?"

 

That did it. The wall holding back his tears broke. With what remained of his senses he did his best to not hurt the mare as he reached out and hugged her like a child who hadn't seen his mother in years. Which might be altogether true. He tried not to squeeze her too hard as the words came out in a shaken manner. “Asteria, my precious filly. I have lost her to who-knows-where...” he sobbed. Taking a moment to realize he had neglected to introduce himself, he took a deep breath and attempted it. “How short sighted of me. I am Lapis Lazuli....” But he stopped and sighed. This was no time for the full speech. If his muddled thoughts were true, then Asteria was not in a happy place.
 
The tears had almost subsided, and he was starting to feel he was holding onto Midnight Angel for too long. Carefully, he disengaged himself from the mare. He did his best to hide the creeping blush as he tried to recollect his thoughts. “Can you help me find her? If it'll help, she was with a red stallion with a cape. And asking a few question might help me calm down.” he continued, feeling childish yet fighting the impulse to deny it. “Who are you, anyway? Are you Midnight Angel, writer of this book?” he murmured, pointing at it. Upon the page he had left open, there were several tear stains. He looked back towards her, guiltily. “I didn't mean to damage your book. And, erm... Would you happen to know what has been going on aboard this train? That's another thing that's been bothering me. All this nonsense has rattled my mind.” He let out a soft sigh and lay on the floor. He didn't have the energy to say anything more. He just let the silent tears fall down his cheeks.
 

---

 
Asteria beamed once Bringer confirmed her suspicions. But then his voice was everywhere and nowhere, saying words that shook her to the core. Then Bringer addressed all the questions in the order she had asked them, starting with the question of name. She happily accepted her new name. It was more fanciful than her true one. Dreamer, pony of dreams. For a brief second, her mind was elsewhere. She was with Scarlet, and they were having fun, building worlds and playing games. But it was all cut short.
 
She listened to everything with a growing sense of fear. With each sentence, Dreamer grew more and more frightened. Bringer even announced that the time was up, and she was still here. She felt ready to curl up into a little ball and pray to something. Celestia, Luna, Discord even. Anyone anywhere who could take her out of this place with its mysterious cat who spoke words of terror. She could barely understand what Bringer said, now. The words merely slapped against her ears.
 
And then it all caught up with her as she was grabbed and thrown. She landed at another pillar which became Bringer. The big cat pinned her to the ground, and Dreamer felt close to wetting herself. The claws were delicate, though. They merely held her in place. She tried to relax but failed.
 

"Sorry. I became bored and frustrated. Sadly, I share this certain trait with Scarlet. Boredom pains me, and I have to do things sometimes. Frustration, it makes me lose control over the things that I do. But, no matter. There's no need to worry. Relax." The light returned to the room. "Now, we have a small problem. What should I do? I'm still bored and I'm frustrated. Maybe you have more questions? I would like that. I'll answer them more appropriately this time."

 

Dreamer merely stared at the beast above her. Whatever interest she had for the creature faded away as the realization hit her. There was no way out of this. Would she give this cat the satisfaction of continuing to chat with it? Maybe, though, it would let her live a little longer if it wanted to still chat. So she'd keep Bringer talking until he became truly and utterly bored. It would be useless to squirm.
 

"Mmmm... Wait... Don't hide this time. It was too tempting to hunt you. We should learn from our mistakes. Besides, I have questions. Do you like the name I gave you? Tell me the truth? Or, lie. I don't care, really. Besides that... What do you think about me? Am I evil? Am I happy? Am I sad? I think you know these type of things. Tell me, please... I have the hardest time understanding myself... On nearly all occasions."

 
Then, the cat let her go, and she made to hide behind the nearest pillar as she had done moments before. But the cat stopped her. Maybe he was right. Hiding was pointless this time. And he had questions for her? She was almost too delighted to answer. It meant the cat still had some use for her. Prolonging her demise seemed silly, but her will to live was very strong. Anything that might help had to be explored. But Bringer hinted at her abilities. She gave a start, but tried to speak again.
 
“Yes, this new name is lovely. Dreamer suits my tendency to daydream, eh? And I think you are just a large cat. Cats are all the same, big or small. It just depends on what they eat, is all.” Dreamer stated, suppressing a rather loud gulp she felt inclined to make. “But other than that, you are different. You are a predator, yes, and you do what you can because you must. It is in that that you are different. You aren't a real cat in the normal sense. You are a dream creature of immense power. And this bores you. You want something more.”
 
Dreamer had no idea what she was doing. For all she knew, this might make him angry or at least more bored. But she just kept talking. “You desire all. What you cannot have, you will have anyway. You are sad. You do not have all just yet. You feel it is what belongs to you. You are the cat, lying in wait. Waiting for your chance. And that's not evil, exactly. A living creature desires food, water, love, shelter, sleep. And you desire all like a normal creature desires what it needs. You need all to be happy.” Dreamer concluded, shivering slightly. If this was it, at least she left this world doing what she loved. Learning and growing. Though, if what she said wasn't true, then she was at a loss. Oh well....

Edited June 22, 2013 by Bari

[Alex Night 870]

 

 

She smiled at him. "Well, I'm doing alright. And... Ummm... I just kinda met these ponies by basically popping up into the middle of this group. Errr... Don't ask. It was kinda odd." She laughed nervously, thankful that nopony other than Bolt seemed to have noticed the odd maneuver. "How about you, Alex? How have things been?"

 

Alex paid his full attention to Key Gear as she spoke about his question.  As she went on to answer his question, he couldn't help but notice that she was trying to dodge something with his question and had a feeling that there was a story behind how she met these ponies.  However, he couldn't figure out what to say to phrase a subtle plan to get Key Gear to tell him due to the fact that she might be more well versed in such a way.

 

All of a sudden, Alex could see a commotion between Vim and Dawn.  He arched an eyebrow at the two wondering if this was really necessary.  When Alex turned his attention back to Key Gear, she had slunk away from the group which seemed strange to Alex.  He wondered if there was something that Key wanted to get away from and thought it might be the reason why she didn't want him to ask about how she got involved with the group at the table.  Alex looked back to Flow before speaking.  "Hey, Flow.  Come with me."  Alex said to the pegasus mare, grabbing her hoof.  He looked back to Wind Dancer.  "Sorry that we wished that we could talk more, but there is something that we need to take care of.  It was nice to meet you, Wind."  Alex said to her genuinely before practically dragging Flow with him to chase Key Gear.

 

Alex had hoped that none of the other ponies other than Wind Dancer had noticed their departure as he pulled Flow with him to the Parlor Car.  He looked back to Flow with an apologetic look, but he would like to have her help.  "Sorry about this.  I would like you to help me help Key."  Alex said to Flow in a low voice as he examined the Parlor Car.  With no problem, he spotted Key Gear just standing a ways inside the Parlor car.  He eyed her curiously before walking towards her.  "Key, what's up?  Why are you just..."  Alex started off to her before what his eyes saw cut him off.  "Oh...  Horse apples..."  Alex uttered out as he saw a black kitten just sitting in the doorway of a room 114 that looked unusually dark for this time of day.  In fact, it looked eerily dark in the room.  Alex sidled closer to Key Gear.  "Okay, I take it I'm not the only that sees a black cat that isn't sitting very creepy at all in a dark looming doorway?"  Alex asked her in a semi-sarcastically joking tone, keeping his eyes on the strange cat..

[Electrobolt 2,068]

After he had whispered his own concerns about room 8 to Ambrosia, the mare mirrored his concern as she whispered her own concerns to Electrobolt. Upon hearing her speaking up, he nodded. If they were that way, most likely somepony would have seen them if they had come from the parlor car. It was then that Ambrosia suggested they find out what's going on before she turned around and looked at Vim before speaking up. Even though there was concern and worry in her voice, it still had an commanding element of the sort.

 

She then added that there were enough passengers and crew members in the room, and that an announcement would be a good idea. It was then that Vim began to speak, saying that they were missing a few things while adding that there were a few things that shouldn't be there. A confused expression grew on Electrobolt's face as he wondered what Vim meant by that remark, but then the conductor spoke again as he stated that Magicon and Asteria were missing. He added that he didn't see them pass him by, and that he couldn't see them in any of the rooms.

 

Just then, Vim added that he saw a bunch of cats in Dawn's room. And then he stated that there was a big cat before saying he'd get back to that in a bit. With that, he then put his attention on Dawn as he spoke. Although he was curious about what was going on between the two of them, Electrobolt closed his eyes. With an internal sigh, he began to think to himself. *If Magicon and Asteria are missing... Where did they go? If the two of them did go towards the back of the train, then Vim would have seen them... And if they went to the front of the train, Vim - again - would have seen them... So where are they...?*

 

Shaking his head, he then opened his eyes as he looked around the room before his attention suddenly froze at the table where Wind Dancer sat. He could see Alex, Flow, and Wind Dancer... But there was one pony missing - his sister, Key Gear. *Wait, Key's missing? Where did she go???* he thought frantically as he began to let his eyes wander around the room. But unfortunately for him, he didn't see Key anywhere. *Don't tell me she disappeared too, just like Magicon and Asteria...* As his eyes returned to the table, he saw Alex dragging Flow to the parlor car.

 

Confusion was plastered on his face as he just watched Alex pulling Flow with him. What is going on? Looking over to Ambrosia, he wondered what she was thinking before looking away and sighing. Perhaps if he followed the two, maybe he'll find Key? With this idea in mind, he decided to follow after the two ponies, not sure whether Ambrosia would follow suit. He needed to make sure his sister didn't just up and vanish like Asteria and Magicon, however. After entering the parlor car, he saw the two ponies from earlier starting to enter the rear passenger car.

 

Taking in a deep breath, Electrobolt followed after Alex and Flow, before stopping as soon as he entered the passenger car. Looking around, he could see Alex and Flow. Looking past the two, his expression softened as he saw his sister right there. That meant that she was fine. However, he became curious as he saw the very kitten from earlier on that day. The little kitten who clawed on Springer's nose and yet calmed down at the sight of Electrobolt himself.

 

However, as soon as Electrobolt saw the kitten, it faded to black as it remained in front of room 14. Glancing into the very room, he saw that it was darker than it should be. As soon as he saw the darkness, a single thought raced back into his mind - Trixie's very room from last night. Suddenly, his mind began to race as he wondered if this was very similar to that event as he began to grow nervous. After Alex spoke up, asking if he wasn't the only one who saw the black cat in front of the doorway, the young colt uttered out, having not noticed the semi-sarcastic tone, "Um, no... No you're not, Alex..."

[Starshine 16,330]

Summerfall didn't want to admit it, but Vim seemed to be rather clueless about what did he just said. She felt a bit bad about him, maybe his age finally caught up to him? Nevertheless, what done is done, he had implied that she was a dishonorable mare, be it intentionally or not he had to learn to keep his trap shut when he can't think of anything good to say. Solemnly she noted to suggest to everypony in the marketing board to never invest anything in the Los Pegasus Express.

 

Why don't you put his name onto the blacklist?

 

No.

 

With a cough, he reached out and accepted the bits from the mare...

 

"Miss Summer... I don't think that I can honestly say anything other than offer you my most sincere apologies for what I just said. And... Err... I think that I need to change my current tastes in fiction a bit. But... Your friend Luminescence is fine. She's welcome onboard."

 

The mare smiled, her eyes softened slightly. At least one of her worry has been taken care of without any major trouble. From the side she could hear Ambrosia calling out to Vim, she would have to give her reply, fast. "Thank you, Vim. Apology accepted. I'm also at fault that I reacted harshly earlier, for that I also owe you an apology myself. I hope this won't make any bad vibe between us," Summerfall replied. She knew that she wasn't supposed to say something like that, but for now she couldn't afford to have a bad impression on a pony who likely had the final say on the nature of her arrival in Los Pegasus. She would have to keep her thoughts to herself for now.

 

 

Ambrosia coughed and repeated her earlier question in a different way, "Vim, I think that this is probably a good time for a general announcement. There are enough passengers and crew here..."

He smiled at Ambrosia and spoke. "You know, it's pretty odd really. A lot of things are happening, and none of them make any sense. Right now, we're missing a few things, we have a few things that shouldn't be here. There's a few other things that I really can't talk about. You know, we've done some investigation, Lapis and me. Errr... I guess you can all guess that I'm having some problems keeping up with things, but it's alright. At this point, I think that we need to all work together, because... Plainly... I'm doing poorly at figuring things out myself... I'm not nearly as young as I used to be, and this is all a bit over my head." He laughed gruffly.

 

"So, here's the thing. I can't find Magicon and Asteria. I didn't see either of them pass me in the hall when I went out of this room through to talk to Lapis and Springer. I've checked the rooms on the other side of this one, all of them." He nodded at Dawn. "I didn't find anything. Well, nothing except a ton of cats. I mean a lot of 'em. A big one too, more on that in a second."

 

Summerfall listened intently as Vim explained to Ambrosia about the strange happenings on the train. At first she tried to brush it aside as some random hijinks of Magicon and Asteria, but the more she listened, she couldn't help but slightly concerned. A big cat in one of the cabin? Magicon and Asteria were nowhere to be found on the rearside of the train? Summerfall's mind reeled in the possibilities. Magicon didn't seem to be the stallion who would take an advantage over the filly. The gruff unicorn himself looked to be rather capable in the field of magic, it was even in his name after all, it was not exactly impossible that they both were hiding in somewhere by virtue of the stallion's spells. That, or the big feline had managed to take both of them down and currently in the process of eating them. Summerfall's face turned even greener just from the mental image alone.

 

"Dawn, you know, we found a journal written in invisible ink when we searched your room. Turns out that it needs magic to make the words visible. Care to do that for me when you get the chance?"

 

Summerfall almost balked, but she repressed the urge. Reading a mare's personal journal should be counted as felony. She was even more surprised when Dawn agreed to the notion. Summerfall sighed inwardly, while it was absurdly ridiculous, it made a glimmer of sense that Dawn would prefer to prove her innocence. After what happened to her by Lapis, Summerfall couldn't blame her.

 

Dawn's sudden joyfulness nearly put Summerfall on an edge. When the cat suddenly appeared out of the shadow, it was even more unnerving. Summerfall found herself to be captivated by the cat's presence, its eyes were... different. Very unlike any other cats that she had came across in her life. Was Vim referring to this cat when he spoke of a big one earlier? No, Vim wasn't the stallion to overreact to a relatively large but still small cat like that.

 

Luminescence could feel herself starting to sweat. She shivered and looked away, pressing herself tightly into the earth pony mare. She wanted to leave and to leave quickly. She poked Summer with a hoof and stared up at the mare, hoping to get her attention.

 

Feeling the poke, Summerfall quickly averted her eyes from the cat to Luminescence, who was now seemed to be outright spooked by something. Slowly she put a forehoof onto Luminescence back to calm her down. Looking around the room, she noted that some passengers had made their way out of the car. Where were they could be going? Ah, their objective was not hers to be concerned about. Right now she had something more important to take care off. Summerfall turned to Vim and said, "Well, since the ticket has been settled, I'll excuse myself for now. I would love to stay to chat more, but I don't feel so good. I think I need some rest in my room. See you later at dinner, Vim."

 

Summerfall ushered Luminescence to take the lead back to their room. Following closely behind the filly, Summerfall spared a moment to snatch a plate of fruit sandwiches and two glasses of cider from a nearby vacant table. Without turning back she left the dining car and closed the door behind her. She exhaled a breath in relief. "Phew! That was interesting," Summerfall muttered as she balanced the plate on her back. She unlatched the room's key and gave it to Luminescence. "Seems like we will have to keep an eye on ourselves until Electrobolt and others take care of the room 8. Can you open the door for us? I'll be right beside you."

Edited June 23, 2013 by Starshine

[Ice Storm 1,020]

~~Wind Dancer~~

 

Wind Dancer nodded to Flow as she stated that whoever her friend was had to be pretty generous in order to swing a ticket like that. "Extremly generous considering I only barely knew her. I've only been to her shop once or twice," she stated as the mention of the main act seemed to make everypony else a bit uneasy. I wonder what she did to them... she thought to herself. She knew Trixie was a show off but she never really thought she'd be a pony to hurt someone.

 

She then noticed the other group by the door and they seemed a bit uneasy as well. Overhearing the conversation it sounded like a couple passengers were missing. Okay... that's weird... How do passangers go missing on a train? it's not like they can just jump off anywhere... unless they are pegasi that can actually fly, she sighed. She then noticed the one named Key Gear leave the car rather quickly, and thinking that she knew more about the situation that she did that it would be a good idea to follow her. If nothing else than to get in a safer place where she felt less enclosed. She quickly made her way through the same door and looked around for the younger filly in the Parlor car. It appeared that she had already slipped out the back of that car as well, but Wind was content to just find a seat in there away from where all the drama was occurring. She just felt like being alone at the moment.

 

~~Ice Storm~~

 

The minutes were passing by ever so slowly for Ice as she was waiting for Dawn to show up for their meeting that they had scheduled. Could this finally be the day somepony actually figures out what's wrong with her? I'll find out soon enough, she thought to herself grabbing one of her folded up diapers and holding it with hoof.  When she heard a knock at the door she opened it up expected Dawn, but she found Dusky there instead. She blushed a bit considering what she was still holding but set it down on the bed next to her.

 

She then saw the look on his face and she knew something was not right. She couldn't place exactly what it was, but Dusky didn't look quite as well as he had when they were talking not that long ago. Perhaps something has happened to Dawn and she asked him to tell me she couldn't make it, or perhaps there was something that he had forgotten to mention while we were there, she thought to herself. "Dusky... Is everything alright? You don't look so good..." she informed him hoping it wasn't anything too extreme. The last thing that she wanted right now was setbacks or anything related to them. 

Edited June 23, 2013 by Ice Storm

[Flow 1,619]

With a cough, he reached out and accepted the bits from the mare...   "Miss Summer... I don't think that I can honestly say anything other than offer you my most sincere apologies for what I just said. And... Err... I think that I need to change my current tastes in fiction a bit. But... Your friend Luminescence is fine. She's welcome onboard."

 

The mare smiled, her eyes softened slightly. At least one of her worry has been taken care of without any major trouble. From the side she could hear Ambrosia calling out to Vim, she would have to give her reply, fast. "Thank you, Vim. Apology accepted. I'm also at fault that I reacted harshly earlier, for that I also owe you an apology myself. I hope this won't make any bad vibe between us," Summerfall replied.

 

Flow was very relived that Vim had accepted the silver filly on board and gave her a ticket, "Thank goodness, I was worried if he didn't accept her. Who know what might happen? She might have been kicked out of the train and be left out in the middle of nowhere."

 

Alex looked back to Flow before speaking.  "Hey, Flow.  Come with me."  Alex said to the pegasus mare, grabbing her hoof.  He looked back to Wind Dancer.  "Sorry that we wished that we could talk more, but there is something that we need to take care of.  It was nice to meet you, Wind."

 

As she watched the three, she suddenly felt her right fore hoof being grabbed, it wasn't long to see it was Alex "Alex! W-what is it?" When he looked back to Wind and spoke to her, she decided to play along before returning to him "Uh...yeah! It's nice meeting yo- ahh!" Before Flow could finish, she was dragged by Alex into the parlor car. As soon as they arrived, she pulls her hoof away from him with an angry look, "Alex! What are you doing!?! You know I hate being dragged by others!" She whispered in an angry tone before hearing him.

 

"Sorry about this.  I would like you to help me help Key."  Alex said to Flow in a low voice as he examined the Parlor Car.

 

"Find Key? Err....where would you-" before she could end her question, he found Key "-start?" Flow stood there surprised as he found Key just sitting in the hallway before following Alex a second later. He casually greeted her soon after.

 

He eyed her curiously before walking towards her.  "Key, what's up?  Why are you just..."  Alex started off to her before what his eyes saw cut him off.  "Oh...  Horse apples..."  Alex uttered out as he saw a black kitten just sitting in the doorway of a room 114 that looked unusually dark for this time of day.  In fact, it looked eerily dark in the room.  Alex sidled closer to Key Gear.  "Okay, I take it I'm not the only that sees a black cat that isn't sitting very creepy at all in a dark looming doorway?"  Alex asked her in a semi-sarcastically joking tone, keeping his eyes on the strange cat..

 

"Woah, a black cat, looks actually creepy apart from the ones I've seen back in Manehattan, is this someone's own or is it another stowaway?" She questioned in a low voice, when she sees Key, she whispered "Uhh...hi Key, I hope where not being a nuisance here," She turned her head to the cat "I hope this one doesn't cause a scene, looks creepy enough,"

Edited June 23, 2013 by Flow

[Magicon 468]

He didn’t know her reaction to his words, nor did he truly care. His mind was focused on escape and Asteria. Something in his gut told him that she was not safe, more so than the entire time they have been in this dream world. Bringer was up to something dangerous and possibly deadly. He couldn’t let anything happen to Asteria, for his own sake and Lapis’s. He could just imagine the colt grieving over Asteria’s loss. He didn’t even know if Lapis knew they were missing. He really knew nothing beyond this immediate world that he had been sucked into.

 

Now here he was, in Springer’s fake room with a griffon who loved games. The five minutes would end soon and the next game would commence much to his regret. Was there no end in sight? Did Scarlet even understand his words or feelings? Did she even care? He didn’t know and he kept his body turned away from Scarlet until she began speaking.

 

Her voice carried worry and apprehension. His stomach sank as he heard the words spill from her beak.

 

"Magicon... I can't find them.

 

Magicon wiped around, his cape flying in the air in the process. His face carried a mixed expression of deep worry and anger as he stared at Scarlet. He could explode greater than any volcano at any second. He could attempt to hurt and possibly kill Scarlet, if it were possible. No, it didn’t matter if it was possible or not. If Scarlet couldn’t get Bringer and Asteria, it was her fault and she would pay. Yet as she continued speaking, she did not show malice or dark amusement at Asteria and Springer’s disappearance. Instead, she spoke of fear and worry. This wasn’t to her liking either.  The anger dwindled inside of him as his intense gaze softened as she continued speaking.

 

"Why did you speak of Dusky, Trixie, Dawn? What significance do they have?" Her confusion played out in her questioning eyes. "Is Dusky here? Are you his friend? He should not come here... Dawn... She is like Bringer. Trixie... I have no understanding. What do they all have in common to be listed together by you?"

 

Magicon opened his mouth to speak, but closed it when he saw that she wasn’t finished. In his mind Scarlet must’ve known what was going on in the train, especially regarding him. Bringer had been close to him and Scarlet would’ve known. She just had to. If Bringer had taken Springer’s place on the train, then Scarlet must have…

 

His eyes sparkled in realization and his mind exploded as his memory brought forward one single quote from the previous night.

"Sorry Trixie, friends don't let friends blast friends, you know?"

 

It suddenly all made sense! On that night Bringer was Springer and Scarlet was Trixie! They had escaped the dream world and mingled amongst the passengers on the train! He had not dueled the real Trixie but Scarlet! Even more he had beaten her! Suddenly the fear and worry was greatly diminished. He suddenly had a chance to not only rescue Asteria from this world, but also escape. He could overpower Scarlet and get out alive. Yet one question lingered in his mind from the previous night: why did they do it?

 

"As... To your questions. The point is amusement. You arrived here of your own accord. You agreed to participate. Springer is gone now. I want nothing from you but your presences. Even that is irrelevant. The games can be played here even without you... But... Mmmm... I..." She stopped talking and covered her face with a wing. "We may need to break rules. They are not here. This is unfortunate. Can you describe Bringer's room. I will not reveal your action. We must retrieve them. Help me, and I will give you what you wish, whatever that may be."

 

They just wanted to have fun, or at least Scarlet did. It dawned on Magicon that despite Scarlet’s somewhat dark behavior and words, she was nothing more than a filly looking for a friend to play games with. All she wanted was a close friend. Bringer was not the close friend she wanted, so when Magicon and Asteria had appeared Scarlet was overjoyed to see a filly of similar age. Asteria must’ve left a good impression on Scarlet; otherwise she wouldn’t be so worried about her. Magicon felt more confident in himself and a little more trust towards Scarlet. She wasn’t an evil mastermind, just a lonely filly with a misunderstood impression about the world around her. He could feel some slight sympathy for her.

 

His eyes looked at her in a calm, delicate manner. His voice matched his eyes in expression with growing confidence.

 

“I think you understand what I feel now, Scarlet. You’re right, it isn’t pleasant, fear never is, but we mustn’t let it stop us. You want to help Asteria just as much as I do and you offer me whatever I wish in return. I accept your offer. I don’t think we have much time. Bringer is dangerous and might harm or even kill Asteria. We must hurry, so I will be brief with everything.

 

“Firstly, Dusky, Dawn, and Trixie are ponies that I’ve had fights with. Dusky insulted and angered me. Dawn is unstable and quick to violent; completely untrustworthy, and Trixie, well, I think you know about me and Trixie.” He gave a small wink with that sentence.

 

“But, those are not the immediate concerns. Asteria and Bringer are. I remember Bringer describing the room to be, but it was so confusing and complex that I don’t know if I can accurately describe it. I will do my best.

 

“The room is more like a hall. Longer than it is wider, much longer. There are columns evenly spaced the entire length of the hall, but each is imperfect in some way, either chipped or cracked or something of the sort. The walls are made of some transparent material, glass maybe and show a black ocean surrounding the hall. I believe it is cylinder shaped or at least the celling of the hall is, making for an arched ceiling, like a thousand meters above the floor. The floor is made up of tiles, each a different size and shade of blue. In the center of the hall stands a wide cylinder with a dark and magical light emitting out of it. It travels around the room and is cold and distant, apparently. I think that’s it…I don’t know if this is enough information but I hope it is, I really hope it is. I did my best, now you need to do yours. Whatever it is you need to do, I will help, that’s a promise.”

[Arcanel 3,041]

Ambrosia had started talking before he had answered the filly, but even though she interrupted herself, Arcanel was already feeling himself blushing due to her words. *Wow... let me do a small recount. I somehow impressed the conductor AND the cook of the train, the assistant conductor considers me a friend, I helped a pony try to deal with her own demons, and now I'm part of a group to figure out what in the world is going on... how did I even do or become all this...?* he thought to himself, the smallest bit of shock gaining in his eyes each time he thought of what had done or become so far. Before he could try answering Ambrosia back, she had already headed to talk to the filly he had responded to before. *Heh, looks like she too was a bit mesmerized the whole shiny thing, haha!* he ponderedf, suppressing a giggle. Right at that moment, the filly went spoke herself.

 

 

 

"I am not much younger than you are. I am not a little one. My name is Luminescence, and I should be called this before I am called anything else." She pointed a hoof at the white pegasus pony. "Of course, the conductor is somewhere along the passenger cars. He would hardly be anywhere else aside from his own room. Do you know where this is? If so, perhaps you can..."

 

*Ouch... it wasn't my intention to sound pointless... I just thought that maybe I could help rule out the other rooms that are not the passenger cars...* he pondered, cringing a little at the words of the filly, who now he knew was called Luminescence, a name he found very poetic. *She sounds like she knows far more than she looks like... but-* his own thoughts as he saw Vim enter the room. The white pegasus watched as Vim calmly opened the kitchen's door, and then closed it again. And as he looked directly at his eyes, he could see that something was wrong. *He looks awfully concerned about something... but... what could it be...?* Arcanel wondered, right, Vim spoke in a rather serious tone.

 

 

 

"Ambrosia, Electrobolt. I need the two of you to check the first few cars on this train, the other side of this dining car. I checked the others. I need to go back to speak to Lapis. I am looking for Asteria or Magicon. It's important."

 

 

At those words, Ambrosia quickly answered to do exactly that. *Wait... Asteria and Magicon are missing? Is that it?* he pondered, unsure of how a couple of ponies could get lost in a train. *Vim doesn't look like he missed any single space to look for... and I find it slightly hard to believe that Magicon had just agreed to play a game of hide and seek with Asteria... well... she seems a bit too smart to play those games anyway, I think...* he try to think of ideas to help find both ponies. He now remembered and was now worried, that Asteria was Lapis' assistant, which now he thought, the greyish-blue pony would now be tremendously worried if he already knew.

 

At that moment, Luminescence spoke out again, replying no to Vim for some reason.

 

 

 

"You are too tall to see important things. I'm here."

 

 

*Huh? Why is she saying that?* At that point, the mailpony felt that something was going to happen between Vim and Luminescence, and now that she pointed who she was with, the mare that was with her. Vim looked clearly confused, as is his head was completely elsewhere. Right when the silver filly was waiting for an answer, Vim spoke.

 

 

 

"Ma'am, I can assure you. I have never seen you before, and this is not my filly."

 

 

Arcanel had to blink. Several times. *W... Wha... What..? What did he just say?* he babbled in his mind, completely confused by Vim's words. And rethinking those words, he now became worried. *Wait a moment... he just implied that the mare Luminescence is with was just a random mare he just met and... uh... oh...* was all he could finish saying at the moment as he realized that Vim might have accidentally insulted the mare, and not in a light way. The mare herself went to spoke out, and she clearly looked like she was holding back anger.

 

 

 

"I certainly wished that you would not arrive to such conclusion, Vim. You may rest assured that she is not in any way related to you." And thanks Celestia for that, Summerfall added in her mind. She paused to recollect her thoughts before continuing, "You see, this filly is a good friend of mine. Her name is Luminescence, we met in Ponyville and she followed me onto the train when nopony was looking. She was hiding somewhere in the baggage car up until a few minutes ago she knocked my door, feeling a bit uneasy. I hope that you wouldn't mind her intrusion to the train and let her stay with me in my room. Of course I would pay for her late ticket." She unlatched the small bag of bits from her neck and offered it to the conductor. "One hundred bits, and a little extra for the apples that she ate when she was hiding."

 

*Phew...* he sighed, letting out some air himself. *Mr. Vim... you may not have an idea how much you have just been saved. Tartarus hath no fury like an angry mare, as they say.* Arcanel thought, now hoping that this time Vim would choose the correct words this time. He looked towards the filly who seemed fairly agreeing with everything the mare was saying, and he was not surprised, he also kind of hoped that Vim would let the filly stay, which while he was almost certain he would, he didn't want to say it would be a given. Finally, after a few moments of still looking confused, he coughed and spoke as he took the bag of bits the mare had offered.

 

 

 

"Miss Summer... I don't think that I can honestly say anything other than offer you my most sincere apologies for what I just said. And... Err... I think that I need to change my current tastes in fiction a bit. But... Your friend Luminescence is fine. She's welcome onboard."

 

 

As he heard those words, the mailpony couldn't help but smile. *Well, at least that's the first good step.* He thought, hoping now that the mare would accept the apologies. At that moment, the same pony was speaking.

 

 

 

"Thank you, Vim. Apology accepted. I'm also at fault that I reacted harshly earlier, for that I also owe you an apology myself. I hope this won't make any bad vibe between us,"

 

 

Arcanel sighed and smiled as he heard that the mare, now he realized called Summer, accepted the apologies. *Well, that's one thing less to worry about, luckily.* He thought, relief filling his mind as thought. Right then, Ambrosia spoke towards the conductor.

 

 

 

"Vim... What's happening?"

 

 

Were the simple words of Ambrosia, who had spoken with a firm, concerning voice, and Vim had looked just as concerned as she spoke. At that moment he could feel someone behind him, to which he quickly tried to look behind him, and saw Dawn being, as he though, a bit behind him, looking as if she was concerned about something else with a fairly neutral face. *I wonder if something's wrong... I hope I get the chance to ask her.* He pondered. At that moment, Ambrosia spoke yet again.

 

 

 

"Vim, I think that this is probably a good time for a general announcement. There are enough passengers and crew here..."

 

*An announcement? Does she mean about Vim telling what's wrong?* he wondered, at which point he looked towards Vim who seemed he was gathering his thoughts before looking up again and speaking.

 

 

 

"You know, it's pretty odd really. A lot of things are happening, and none of them make any sense. Right now, we're missing a few things, we have a few things that shouldn't be here. There's a few other things that I really can't talk about. You know, we've done some investigation, Lapis and me. Errr... I guess you can all guess that I'm having some problems keeping up with things, but it's alright. At this point, I think that we need to all work together, because... Plainly... I'm doing poorly at figuring things out myself... I'm not nearly as young as I used to be, and this is all a bit over my head."

 

 

Vim laughed, but Arcanel knew better than to think that was laughter from joy. *Oh Vim...* he couldn't help but feel sorry for the conductor, who he figured was just trying to solve the whole thing out and was probably failing at tyring to protect the train and passengers he cares for.

 

 

 

"So, here's the thing. I can't find Magicon and Asteria. I didn't see either of them pass me in the hall when I went out of this room through to talk to Lapis and Springer. I've checked the rooms on the other side of this one, all of them." He nodded at Dawn. "I didn't find anything. Well, nothing except a ton of cats. I mean a lot of 'em. A big one too, more on that in a second."

 

*Cats...? Wait... does he think Dawn has anything to do with all this?* he pondered yet again as he saw Vim look towards the medic pony, breifly doing so himself but quickly looking towards Vim again.

 

 

 

"Dawn, you know, we found a journal written in invisible ink when we searched your room. Turns out that it needs magic to make the words visible. Care to do that for me when you get the chance?" The unicorn didn't even blink. In fact, she positively beamed at Vim, "Certainly, Vim."

 

 

The moment Dawn answered, Arcanel felt himself a little lost. *Wait, wha...?* was all he could think of. *So there is the chance that maybe the invisible ink part of what we were looking for was actually done by Dawn? But... why?* Arcanel wondered, trying to catch his own thoughts, at which point, Vim continued talking.

 

 

 

"Well, Dawn, while we're at it. We found a pretty big cat in your room, just a bit bigger than we normally allow. Problem is, looks like we lost him as well, sorry about that. Must've left the door open or something."

 

At the words Vim spoke, now Arcanel felt himself even more lost. *Wha? But I brought Dawn myself... how could she even have got a cat, and a big one at that into it, without both him or me noticing?* he thought yet again, confusion filling his mind little by little. As he continued thinking of answer, now Dawn answered.

 

 

 

"He probably got out while you were shutting the door, it happens sometimes, you know? Cats are like that. Fast, silent, and beautiful. That cat that you saw, I apologize if I was supposed to let you know about him. I was told that I could bring my cats. No other limits were imposed. I don't really know much about train rules and things, so I just did as I was told. I can't throw him off the train now, of course. That would be horrible, but I will keep up with him. In fact, you don't need to worry about him at all, he's right here!"

 

 

"Huh?" the white pony said out loud, unable to contain his confusion to himself this time. Right at that moment, he saw a big black cat with yellow eyes enter the dining car, who as he made his way to Dawn he slightly took just a few step backs so as to not interrupt its way as was scooped up by Dawn. *She wasn't kidding when she said she liked cats...* he thought, remembering when he saw Dawn mention her like for the furred animals.

 

 

 

"Isn't he beautiful? He is rather large, though, but don't worry. He's quite tame. So, you need me to go with you to meet Lapis? We can talk about my book? Can my cat come too?"

 

 

When Dawn said those words, he quickly shifted his gaze from the blue mare towards Vim, who looked slightly shocked at seeing the cat just appearing out of nowhere and now the medic pony just simply offering to go with him, both her and the cat. After a few moments, Vim seemed to have calmed down slightly and responded to Dawn.

 

 

 

"Nah, you know, Dawn, that's alright. Don't even worry about it." But, Dawn shook her head and practically purred her response, "But, I do worry about it, Vim. I've been suspected of something from the moment that I sat in the parlor car and tried to enjoy my food in peace. The first thing that I heard from another passenger was an accusation. Magicon doubted me from the beginning. The fact that I saved a life means nothing to anypony, and I'm tired of the treatment that I've been receiving. If reading my journal is what it takes to clear my name, then this is what must be done."

 

 

At Vim's first words, Arcanel felt that the conductor was trying to avoid any confrontation with Dawn just in case something went badly, to which he had let out a small sigh. But when Dawn answered back, he looked towards her and she looked fairly determined in trying to clear her name, an action he smiled slightly.

 

 

 

"I am not a bad pony. I may act a little strange, sometimes, but this shouldn't make me evil. I'm not uncontrollable, either. Arcanel is right. I'm not perfect, but I can try. I do try. There's nothing strange in my journal. I was a student in Canterlot before I came here, that's all there is to it. If you don't trust me, then fine. I can't make you or anypony else trust me. I can only try... That's all..."

 

At her last words, Arcanel was now visibly smiling, now knowing that what he had told her before had actually helped her in how to deal right now with was being proposed to her. *Now I can't help but feel so glad I talked to her before.* He happily thought. He took the small silence to watch his surroundings. He saw the table that had Key and the rest had far less tenants now, as in fact, only the blue mare who had similar colors to ice Storm was left. *I wonder where did they go...* he pondered. Looking towards Electrobolt, who he had seen whispering with Ambrosia, he saw him leave as well, as if he was looking for somepony. *Is something else that I don't know of going on?* The pegasus wondered yet again. He then looked towards Vim and Ambrosia who looked slightly speechless, and as he looked to Summer and Luminescence, he saw that the filly seemed slightly nervous. At that point, the green mare spoke out.

 

 

 

"Well, since the ticket has been settled, I'll excuse myself for now. I would love to stay to chat more, but I don't feel so good. I think I need some rest in my room. See you later at dinner, Vim."

 

With that said, Summer took Luminescence and exited the dining car. *She probably sensed Luminescence nervousness and took her away just in case.* He thought, smiling slightly at the action and hoping the filly would be ok. *But now, I have my own matters to watch... Dawn wants to clear her name... and I'm certain that helping Vim would help that thoroughly... but... I can't help but feel... wait.* Arcanel interrupted his own thoughts and continued thinking. *Didn't Dawn say something about having something she wanted to check out but then she dismissed it? Wasn't that around the time that Asteria and Magicon might have left?* he wondered, trying to recall his memories. He hadn't really been paying attention to the two ponies before when he was talking with Dawn, but trying to rethink seeing something out of the corner of his eyes, he could recall a purple and reddish blob when he was talking with the medical unicorn.

 

Thinking a few more things, he finally managed to come up with something. *Ok... if what I'm thinking is true... then maybe we can help Dawn clear her name AND help Vim find Magicon and Asteria... but first, I would need to confirm this with Dawn.* And having thought that, he directed himself to her and spoke just loud enough that only she would hear. "Ummm... Dawn?... I just remembered that while we were talking, you said that you wanted me to help you, but then you dismissed it... I recall that at the time, Magicon and Asteria were already gone from the dining car... is it possible that what you felt has something to do with them? And if possible, do you think we can help Vim find them both as they might be in trouble, and at the same time, help clear your name?" he asked the unicorn, in hopes that she would agree and that everything would turn out to be ok for all ponies involved.

[Key Gear 6,662]

((OOC: Yup, this is wild. Enjoy. I hope. I think? Maybe not. Anyways, for Maple and Dawn Rider, make the assumption that they went to their rooms. Any mistakes? Tell me later. It's 2 am. I have to awaken for work in 3 hours.))

  

Feeling the poke, Summerfall quickly averted her eyes from the cat to Luminescence, who was now seemed to be outright spooked by something. Slowly she put a forehoof onto Luminescence back to calm her down. Looking around the room, she noted that some passengers had made their way out of the car.

 

Luminescence breathed a sigh of relief and opened her mouth to explain herself. However, no words emerged, and her eyes were drawn back to those of the cat, who was now thoroughly distracted by eyeing the white pegasus and the conductor. Its strange gaze snapped between the two of them in a manner that seemed quite unlike that of any normal animal. She felt the forehoof on her back just in time to pull her gaze away from the unusual cat, again.

 

 

 

Summerfall turned to Vim and said, "Well, since the ticket has been settled, I'll excuse myself for now. I would love to stay to chat more, but I don't feel so good. I think I need some rest in my room. See you later at dinner, Vim."

 

The conductor curtly nodded, without removing his gaze from the unicorn and her cat. Luminescence breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards the exit leading to their room. However, even as she did so, her red eyes expressed a flash of concern and worry. She slowly started towards the door, hoping that Summerfall would be right behind her.

 

 

 

Summerfall ushered Luminescence to take the lead back to their room. Following closely behind the filly, Summerfall spared a moment to snatch a plate of fruit sandwiches and two glasses of cider from a nearby vacant table. Without turning back she left the dining car and closed the door behind her. She exhaled a breath in relief. "Phew! That was interesting," Summerfall muttered as she balanced the plate on her back.

 

"Yes. It was... Thank you." The filly said simply. Her tone was flat, but her face was shadowed by worry and uncertainty. She averted her gaze from Summerfall and picked up the pace to their room. Hastily trotting, she was careful to not look back down the hall from which they had come. Her normal graceful movement was oddly irregular, betraying her unsteadiness. She still held her head high, but it was with an air of watchfulness, her eyes sweeping the path ahead as if looking for something, finding nothing.

 

 

 

She unlatched the room's key and gave it to Luminescence. "Seems like we will have to keep an eye on ourselves until Electrobolt and others take care of the room 8. Can you open the door for us? I'll be right beside you."

 

"Certainly, Summer. I can do this." Her simple response, again, seeming to mask her concern. Still, she steadily took the room key and standing on her hind hooves, opened the door. She hesitated for just a moment to look back at Room 8's door, then she swiftly entered Summer's room. Once inside, she breathed a sigh of relief and took a seat on the bed. Her red eyes seemed excessively tired, gone was the energy that they had contained earlier, when she had first met Summer within the same room.

 

She gently allowed herself to topple backwards onto the soft bed. The moment that the door was shut and she sensed that Summer had become somewhat settled, she spoke, a toneless voice, carrying just the hint of strain. "I think that something bad is about to happen. There is nothing in Room 8 anymore. It is somewhere else on the train, closer to where we just were. I don't think that it is important now. There are other things happening. Summer. I have a question for you?"

 

The filly sat up, and her red eyes locked intently onto the mare. She expressed no apparent concern for either food or drink. "Summer... Shortly after we first met, you showed me such kindness, while you knew nothing about me. When I asked you, you told me something... You told me that sometimes we should just help somepony in need, without concern of a reward? You said to me that this should be the case so long as we don't have to sacrifice much of ourselves in the process? Forgive me, please, for this strange question, but I need to know something..." She looked away before continuing, but before she looked away, her eyes expressed the weakness and confusion that she was increasingly feeling.

 

"Because, you are the first one to speak these words to me or anything like them. This is why I wish to ask you. How much is too much to sacrifice in protection of another? What if this other is a pony that you love? What do you do then? I ask you this, because I worry that perhaps I ask too much of you. You have already endured inconvenience, now an insult on my behalf. Yet, you have not abandoned me? I realize that this is an unusual question. As I said... Forgive me if I probe. But, I must know, simply. How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for a stranger that you have just met? If you love them?"

 

---

 

 

 

His eyes looked at her in a calm, delicate manner. His voice matched his eyes in expression with growing confidence.

 

“I think you understand what I feel now, Scarlet. You’re right, it isn’t pleasant, fear never is, but we mustn’t let it stop us. You want to help Asteria just as much as I do and you offer me whatever I wish in return. I accept your offer. I don’t think we have much time. Bringer is dangerous and might harm or even kill Asteria. We must hurry, so I will be brief with everything.

 

Scarlet's wing lowered and her expression was one of surprise. And, her surprise at Magicon's tone was plainly expressed on her face. She had expected many things, perhaps even to be attacked for her apparent incompetence and useless confusion. What she had not expected was what she was now hearing, it was a tone that was calm, merciful. She looked away from Magicon, her expression becoming one of impassive thought, until she heard a single word.

 

"Kill." She repeated the word in a hushed murmur, as if it was completely alien to her. She closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to understand what she had just heard. She shuddered as the import of the word settled into her mind. When her eyes reopened, they were no longer blue. Instead, they blazed with a crimson glow, far outshining her feathers' own shade of red. Still she looked away from Magicon, presenting him with only an impassive side profile of her visage.

 

 

 

“Firstly, Dusky, Dawn, and Trixie are ponies that I’ve had fights with. Dusky insulted and angered me. Dawn is unstable and quick to violent; completely untrustworthy, and Trixie, well, I think you know about me and Trixie.” He gave a small wink with that sentence.

 

Scarlet absorbed the information that she received with no reaction up until when Magicon mentioned Trixie. His wink, noted from the corner of her eye, prompted her to wince. Her beak opened as if she were about to speak, but she swiftly closed it again and did her best to master her expression completely.

 

 

 

“But, those are not the immediate concerns. Asteria and Bringer are. I remember Bringer describing the room to be, but it was so confusing and complex that I don’t know if I can accurately describe it. I will do my best.

 

“The room is more like a hall. Longer than it is wider, much longer. There are columns evenly spaced the entire length of the hall, but each is imperfect in some way, either chipped or cracked or something of the sort. The walls are made of some transparent material, glass maybe and show a black ocean surrounding the hall. I believe it is cylinder shaped or at least the celling of the hall is, making for an arched ceiling, like a thousand meters above the floor. The floor is made up of tiles, each a different size and shade of blue. In the center of the hall stands a wide cylinder with a dark and magical light emitting out of it. It travels around the room and is cold and distant, apparently. I think that’s it…I don’t know if this is enough information but I hope it is, I really hope it is. I did my best, now you need to do yours. Whatever it is you need to do, I will help, that’s a promise."

 

Scarlet turned her head and focused her red eyes on Magicon. She listened intently to his words as he began to describe the room. With every word he spoke, her expression seemed to become progressively stonier and her eyes seemed to blaze ever more fiercely. When Magicon finished speaking, she raised her head proudly and her eyes ceased to glow but remained impressively red. She looked at the unicorn with a deep respect. "Based on what you have said, I know where they are. But, we cannot simply appear there as easily as we arrived in this place. I can take us only to the edge of my own realm. Beyond this, we must move on the ground, normally... Even flight is... Strongly not recommended."

 

She spoke, cautiously. "Asteria. She is being held within Bringer's realm - the realm of nightmare. He is not fully in control of this place, but it is what he declared to be his own some time ago. I... Avoid the place. My power is substantially decreased when I journey into it. Even Bringer's own power is limited only to the area that he calls his own, his home. This is where Asteria is. There is no other place that is even close to your description. He... He cheated. By describing a place of his own, he was able to take her there in spite of the rules. Forgive me... But, Magicon, I promise that she will not be killed. We will save her, but we must think. And, I must share some things. If not, then we will fail."

 

She drew a careful breath. "We will have to cross the realm of another to reach Bringer's home. This other realm... It was created by the one that you call Dusky. I... I know him by another name. We call him The Builder, because this is what he does. He makes things. I was the one that brought him here. For a time, he did nothing. He sat motionless in thought for so long that we believed him to be inactive. Bringer claimed him as his own, despite the silence. It was then that he spoke. For some time, he spoke with Bringer. They discussed things beyond my understanding. Then, they did something strange. With my permission... I granted a space within my realm. Here... They merged the light and the darkness, creating something... Different."

 

"It is this place that we must cross. It is like Bringer... It is a realm of the light, cloaked by the shadows. I have disowned this place from my own realm. It was... Not my intention to allow such a place. But... I wished for my friends to be happy, so I allowed it. They seemed amused by the place. I saw no harm. Now, I am not so sure, but... Perhaps it is a curse and a gift that this happened." She squinted, and her eyes focused on the wall. "You are, I think, skilled with magic. In this place, Magicon, magic works as it does within your realm, I think..." Her voice trailed off as she considered, carefully.

 

Her eyes closed in concentration. When they opened again, she spoke. "Somehow, they created magic within this place. I believe that it is created, somehow, by the mix of light and darkness. The shadows supply the source of the magic, I think... And, I think that this is the sole reason that this realm exists, because when he first came to this place, The Builder had no magic. Now, within his own realm, his power is restored. When we are in this place, you must be careful. The Builder shares this realm with Bringer. Bringer is there. In many places. His nature... It is like that of a spider in your own realm. He is connected to the shadows and they to him, they are his web. He feels every perceptible movement."

 

She shivered, nearly imperceptibly. "If you change the landscape, he will know. If you take to the air, he will know and... The coldness will carry you away. This realm, it is like his web. We must take care to not disturb it, until we are ready... Even then, we must be careful. For, you see... There is a Guardian over this realm. It was created as a pet for Bringer, based on a story from The Builder. But... I have seen it. It is not an amusing pet, it is far too large. It is also... Powerful. I can fight it, and I can triumph. Of this, I am certain. But, it would not be wise to attract such an enemy. We must save Asteria, and I must transport you both from this place and into your own world. Safely."

 

She closed her eyes again, continuing to speak while they remained close. "It has been a long time since I have journeyed through this place. I prefer to travel directly to Bringer's realm, in his company. I can no longer see this place so easily. Even to go to the edge of my own realm is a challenge to me, but I will succeed. It has been too long... Forgive me for so much speaking, but I assure you that every word was necessary. Now... If you have questions, ask me later, while we travel as quickly as we can. I have found the place. We must go. I only warn you... If you use magic, avoid teleportation. The shadows bend the light. You will not end up where you wish to be. Take care..." Her voice trailed off.

 

The world around them began to morph, to change. In seconds, the room gave way to a dim light, a whirl of many colors merging and unmerging. A new image began to form. They were now standing on the edge of a land divided. Behind them, there was the green grass, similar to that which was in the area that they first met. The grass stretched on seemingly forever, infinite to the eyes. The brightness of light hung over the field of grasses, moving them in line with the wind and the apparent motions of small creatures. In front of them was a place of shadow. It was a vast, frozen tundra, an apparent wasteland. In the center of the place was a large village, or what remained of it. Even at such a distance as they were, tremendous devastation could be seen.

 

From the direction of the frozen wasteland, a blast of cold air hit the griffon and unicorn. A pale moonlight lingered over the world; it had no apparent source, instead, it merely blanketed the cold landscape with hues of grey. A deadly stillness hung over the frozen wasteland, there was no movement, not even the slightest hint of life. Scarlet took a nervous breath before steeling herself. She took a single step towards the frozen abyss, no additional steps were needed. She was immediately standing wholly on the lifeless frozen ground. Scarlet's beak dropped open in complete shock.

 

Wild eyed, she watched as the frozen wasteland slowly encroached upon the grassy ground, killing the light and the life as it advanced. In a confused whisper, she could barely speak. "What... What is happening to my realm?" A fierce cold blast of air seemed to carry on its back the answer to her question. It caught her feathers and she staggered with the force of the gale. Then, stillness. Scarlet crouched close to the ground, still watching, wildly, as her own realm was slowly merged into shadow. "No..." Her eyes faded back into blue and she shuddered. "This cannot be possible..." Her confusion was immediately apparent.

 

Her eyes twitched as a motion in the grasses of her realm caught her attention. With a quick birdlike motion, her head snapped to focus on the spot. There, hiding within a patch of a grass was a single cat, with fur as black as the darkest shadows and eyes blazing with a golden hue that was strongly apparent, even within the light. Seeing that it had been spotted, the cat stood tall, regarding the griffon with a fearless, cold gaze. A sound similar to the roar of some great beast seemed to be carried on the wind, a whisper of power. Scarlet approached the cat, tentatively. The cat showed no reaction to her approach. If anything, its expression of challenge grew in intensity.

 

The moment that Scarlet was safely within her realm and no longer within the shadows, her look of confusion and tentative steps gave way. In their place, a look of ferocity and wings unfurled. With a mighty roar as if in answer to the earlier whisper, she tore through the air towards the cat, just slightly above the ground. The cat smiled as she took the creature into her talons and ripped it to pieces, throwing the fur and substance of the cat everywhere. The cat's black blood stained the grass. The griffon didn't stop for the cats destruction, she continued forward, angling for the ground, hitting it and nimbly rolling forward, gaining distance from the advancing shadows.

 

When she had regained her footing, she stood, facing the shadowy realm and its shades of alternating darkness. She held her head high, and her blue eyes again glowed red. Her voice boomed. "Subtlety is lost. Our presence is known. We must do what needs to be done." Even as she spoke, a transformation began to take place. In a whirl of fantastic bright light, the griffon lost its beak, its feathers, its wings, its claws. Its color changed as well. The brown was replaced with a shade of silver. She gained hooves, fur, a horn, a mane and tail, and a cutie mark. Scarlet's eyes lowered in intensity, the light faded.

 

Standing in the field of green, facing the advancing shadows was a young unicorn mare. Her flank bore the symbols of a suit of cards. Her fur seemed to glow with a barely perceptible light. Her eyes were a particular shade of red. Her mane and tail matched the red hue of her eyes. She was, in height, just slightly taller than a young mare of her age. She carried her head high as she strode towards the shadows. She stopped at the edge of their advance, allowing them to move under hoof, covering the ground on which she stood.

 

She spoke, softer than before, but she made no effort to lower her voice. "I remain Scarlet. I have adopted a more advanced form of one that is close to me and close to the light. More than any other in all of my ages, she shared in my love of games. She defeated me in my games, and as her prize, I let her depart from this place... But a part of her remained and has... Shaped my realm and my games more than any other. I take this form because it is more effective with magic, and we no longer need to take care with our usage. In fact... I would recommend that you adopt a shield and follow me. We are known. We will be attacked, I think. If we are attacked, it would be unwise to be unprepared. The attack will come from above. Dragon's fire."

 

With her final words, she immediately began to gallop towards the village, trusting that Magicon would follow. As her hooves pounded the ground, her horn glowed with a white light and a visible field surrounded her. The air around her crackled with intensity, it seemed as though the entirety of the realm bristled with the magic that she had just used. She turned her head slightly as a cold blast of air greeted her action. Her voice shouted over the sound of the cold air. "You promised to do everything! All that I ask is that you trust me now. We are allies, and we must move swiftly! In the village, we may be able to find some type of help! I do not think that The Builder knows anything of this. It is Bringer." The village began to loom larger in their vision. In the distance, the roar echoed for a second time, tumbling across the landscape; it was louder than before.

 

---

 

The conductor's wary eyes were locked onto her to the point that he payed no further heed to the other passengers, and Dawn was becoming increasingly uneasy. As passengers, strangely, continued to leave, Dawn's malaise grew. They sensed her instability, surely. There could be no other reason for their actions. She seemed doomed. She would never have a chance to clear her name. None of her actions would have any effect at this point, it was all pointless. Her gaze began to lower to the floor.

 

 

 

"Ummm... Dawn?... I just remembered that while we were talking, you said that you wanted me to help you, but then you dismissed it... I recall that at the time, Magicon and Asteria were already gone from the dining car... is it possible that what you felt has something to do with them? And if possible, do you think we can help Vim find them both as they might be in trouble, and at the same time, help clear your name?" he asked the unicorn, in hopes that she would agree and that everything would turn out to be ok for all ponies involved.

 

The unicorn looked up, with a pleading expression, at the mention of her name. "Yes?" She said, her earlier strength lost. Arcanel's words were worth her attention. Her eyes lit up, slightly, as she recalled the earlier incident. There had been something, she was sure of it. She wouldn't need to read her journal after all, and she could regain the trust of Vim and the others. She could bring back Asteria and Magicon. She hesitated for just a moment, long enough for the last of the departing passengers to leave the car. "I... I think that it may have been connected after all. In fact... I'm sure of it... I..."

 

Before she could say another word, a strange, androgynous voice piped up from somewhere immediately near her. The voice bristled with frustration. "He's lying." Dawn shook her head and answered the voice. "No, he isn't. I'm certain that..." The voice spoke again. "No, he's lying. He wants to use you. Your power, of course." Dawn looked confused as she stared at Arcanel. "I don't think so... Why would he? What would he gain? I was unstable. He helped me... He even gave me a hug... I think he likes me, aren't you happy about that?" She held her cat out and looked askance at him.

 

Vim blinked and turned to Ambrosia, but her eyes were locked onto the feline and the fur on the back of her neck began to rise. She spoke in the same commanding, parental voice that she had used on Dawn earlier. "Dawn. Drop that cat." Dawn did as she was told, and the cat landed on his paws. The voice spoke again, and it was readily apparent now. The cat was speaking. "That was completely uncalled for." The cat began to grow in size, within a few moments, the panther was nonchalantly strolling in their midst. Vim's tiredness was gone, completely. The conductor carefully, casually moved closer to the cat.

 

"Relax Vim. I'm not going to attack anypony. I just want to talk." The voice practically purred. Vim's own voice answered right back, conveying complete ease. "A talking cat. You know, I'm pretty sure that it's against railway regulations for you to be onboard this train without a proper ticket. You wouldn't happen to have any bits at paw, would you?" The cat laughed as Dawn answered in reply. "I'm sorry Vim, I'll pay for him..." The cat backed away from the conductor and the others.

 

It shook its head. "Dawn, please be silent. You've said enough. In fact, you've said too much." The unicorn promptly silenced herself. "Now, then. I think that I should properl..." He was cut off by the steely voice of the cook. "We're not afraid of you, and you know what? You should probably leave. You don't belong here... It's you, isn't it? It was you yesterday. It was you last night. It's always been you, hasn't it?" The cat coughed before continuing. "For the love of Celestia. Let me speak. I'll explain things in due time. Now, to properly introduce myself. My given name is Wraith, but you can call me Bringer."

 

"Now, I have some other things to say, but first... I have a riddle. A bird is, to me, anything with wings. They're for eating, they lay delicious eggs as well, they fly, of course. They have feathers, beaks, and more things like that. They smell wonderfully. Sometimes. They're agile creatures. But, this isn't important to me. The real thing that I want to know is simple." The cat lifted a paw, gesturing towards Arcanel. "Three questions. Answer them and I will take all of you to Asteria. She is nowhere on this train. In fact, she is far outside of the reach of Celestia, Luna, and everything that you love. Answer them correctly, and I might even let you leave with her."

 

The big cat smiled as Ambrosia took a step towards him. He sighed before speaking again. "Another thing. Please. Don't come any closer to me. I'm terribly afraid of what I may do to your friend. It frustrates me when I am not listened to. Interruptions, unnecessary aggression, they vex me terribly. Asteria is such pleasant company, you see? I would hate for anything to happen to her. I do stupid things when I am frustrated, you know?" Vim smiled and spoke icily. "Sure, I know. How about those questions, pal?"

 

Wraith stretched lazily. "Right, right, right. Sorry about that. I was distracted by your lemony friend there. Such wonderful fur. I am quite fond of lemons you know. That taste. Mmm. Delicious. But, ah, yes. Questions. Of course. First question. What's a good place for a bird to hide? Second question. How does a cat hunt a bird? Third question. What happens when a cat finds a bird? I'll give you a hint. I'm the cat. Now, make this entertaining, will you? I get bored quickly. Give me good answers, they need to make sense. Or not. I don't really care." Wraith lazily eyed Dawn as she moved in front of Arcanel and slightly to the side. The unicorn eyed him with a worried expression. Wraith sighed.

 

---

 

The vision had not been an idle one. Even as he waited for her to open the door, he could feel something happening. A sensation that he had not felt in some time was now being felt strongly - a deep sense of concern. It was such a strange feeling, and another feeling accompanied it - indecision but only in the vaguest of senses. When the door was finally opened, his eyes registered Ice Storm, and his thoughts became clear. He showed no visible reaction to her blushing embarrassment. Instead, his eyes focused.

 

 

 

She then saw the look on his face and she knew something was not right. She couldn't place exactly what it was, but Dusky didn't look quite as well as he had when they were talking not that long ago. Perhaps something has happened to Dawn and she asked him to tell me she couldn't make it, or perhaps there was something that he had forgotten to mention while we were there, she thought to herself. "Dusky... Is everything alright? You don't look so good..." she informed him hoping it wasn't anything too extreme. The last thing that she wanted right now was setbacks or anything related to them.

 

Dusky spoke. "Ice Storm, I present my most sincere apologies for arriving early, far earlier than I had originally planned... Hmmm..." He stopped, measuring his words. When he spoke again, he carried a tone of unusual urgency. "Everything is, sadly, not alright. I need your help. It is the same thing, but we must take action now. There is something taking place, and if I am not mistaken... There is a danger to a young pony... The preparations that I had originally made to help myself... I fear that something is using them now, setting into motion something that may not be fully reversible."

 

He sighed. "I will be plain." He shook his head and his face betrayed his complete frustration. "We must go now, or I am simply not certain of what the consequences will be. Originally, I had believed that a journey would be needed... Well... That is no longer the case." His eyes blazed darkly. "Instead, we may arrive immediately at the place we need to be. However, this will require a different spell. Follow me... But, if you have something, you should take something to block your vision. I trust that you can cast blindly without negative effects. It is generally unwise for those unaccustomed to it to freely gaze into the realm of nightmare."

 

"Follow me, if you will. There is no time for delay." Dusky turned abruptly and strode powerfully towards the train engine. In just a moment, they were there. He immediately reached out a hoof to Ice Storm. "For myself, I am able to freely traverse the barrier between realms. For you, this will not be the case. If you trust me, then I would request that you take my hoof. Then, focus your magic, and you need only to think of the most challenging moment that you have ever faced. Perhaps the blizzard that gifted you with your strength? After this, there will be darkness. I would... Strongly advise you to not release my hoof at that time. I will carry us the remainder of the way."

 

---

 

 

 

That did it. The wall holding back his tears broke. With what remained of his senses he did his best to not hurt the mare as he reached out and hugged her like a child who hadn't seen his mother in years.

 

She saw his face, with its tears streaming down. His red eyes welling with them, filled with sorrow. Her own eyes widened as she took in the sight. He was a stallion, weeping like a newborn foal. His embrace came unexpected, but the gentle touch of the stallion reassured her that he meant no immediate harm. Midnight returned the embrace, comforting him with her own gentle touch as best as she could.

 

 

 

“Asteria, my precious filly. I have lost her to who-knows-where...” he sobbed. Taking a moment to realize he had neglected to introduce himself, he took a deep breath and attempted it. “How short sighted of me. I am Lapis Lazuli....” But he stopped and sighed. This was no time for the full speech.

 

At the mention of a filly, Midnight's eyes lit up. This was the reason that he had written in the book. The story. The griffon and the cat. The filly was his own. Her eyes made a quick measure of him. He seemed to young to have a filly of his own, perhaps a foal? Perhaps she was not his child but a friend. She nodded her head. It was the only explanation that made sense. "Lapis..." She spoke the name. From her own studies, she knew the source of his name. It was a type of rock.

 

 

 

The tears had almost subsided, and he was starting to feel he was holding onto Midnight Angel for too long. Carefully, he disengaged himself from the mare. He did his best to hide the creeping blush as he tried to recollect his thoughts.

 

The stallion was no longer crying, and Midnight's thoughts wandered. Truly, something terrible had to have occurred for this rock to be reduced to such a trembling state. He was far from a malevolent or mischievous saboteur. Instead, he was a deeply concerned pony, concerned for one that he cared about. As he released her from his gentle hug, she reluctantly did the same. In truth, she had enjoyed the contact. It had been far too long since she had felt a friendly embrace. She maintained a smile, a blank expression, as she studied him again. She noticed the hint of a blush. His unease spread to her just slightly, and she looked away to hide her own subtly blushing face.

 

 

 

“Can you help me find her? If it'll help, she was with a red stallion with a cape. And asking a few question might help me calm down.” he continued, feeling childish yet fighting the impulse to deny it. “Who are you, anyway? Are you Midnight Angel, writer of this book?” he murmured, pointing at it. Upon the page he had left open, there were several tear stains. He looked back towards her, guiltily. “I didn't mean to damage your book. And, erm... Would you happen to know what has been going on aboard this train? That's another thing that's been bothering me. All this nonsense has rattled my mind.” He let out a soft sigh and lay on the floor. He didn't have the energy to say anything more. He just let the silent tears fall down his cheeks.

 

She listened as he spoke, and she turned to watch him again. She knew about the red stallion with the cape. Now, she could recall Asteria as well, a young unicorn filly. She was his student? Or, something more than this? At the mention of her own name, Midnight's eyes narrowed, slightly, but she said nothing. Of course, the stallion wasn't a fool. He had written in her book; it was logical, in a strange way, to assume that she would be the one that had appeared. At his last question, she met his gaze with a smile and an expression of neutrality.

 

In truth, she only knew something of the happenings on the train. These things... She would not dare to tell him for fear of breaking his trust. Instead, she would focus on the immediate. Asteria was never supposed to have left their current realm. This was part of no plan that she was aware of. She approached the stallion again, this time with no hesitation or stealth. Gently laying beside him, she covered him with her left wing again. With her hoof she carefully wiped away the tears staining his face.

 

With a soft, friendly voice, she spoke again. "I am Midnight Angel. I am the writer of this book and many others. So many that I am not concerned with the tear stains on this one. You have every right to be upset and to cry. But... Please remember, it is actions and calmness that will help those that you care for, not tears. You must focus. I can help you to find your Asteria, but I know nothing more about her current situation than what you, yourself, revealed in your writings. This hints to me... Several possibilities..." Her soft voice trailed off as her eyes calmly focused on something in the room.

 

It was a book, but it was not her own. This book belonged to another. Quickly but with grace, she left Lapis's side and made her way to the book. She picked it up and opened it. The pages were all blank. "Lapis..." She spoke before her eyes could see the telltale signs of a book written in invisible ink. Her hooves leafed through the pages, and her eyes carefully scanned each page. After some pages, she turned to the back of the book and then made her way backwards. She was rewarded for her efforts. After only a few pages, she had found one that still bore the imprint of a quilled pen. It was a normal book.

 

She started to breath a sigh of relief but the breath caught in her throat. Dimly, from the imprint of the quill's tip, she could clearly see some mention of a cat speaking. It was mentioned more than once. She squinted but she was not able to make any additional sense out the words on the page. It didn't matter, she had seen more than enough. "Lapis, we need to leave this place, and we need to return to the place where I am from." She spoke with a calm assurance. She then took her saddlebag, opened it, and slipped the book in. Her own book, she slid away from the two of them with a hoof. "I think we shall leave that here for another."

 

She returned to Lapis's side and quickly wrapped her left wing around him again. This time, it was not so much an embrace as it was a surprisingly strong grasp. There was a flash of shadow. Then, in a single moment, they had returned to her workshop, spilling unglamorously through a mirror and onto the floor. She spoke quickly, hoping to avoid alarming the stallion completely. "I'm sorry. We had to leave, there was something that I saw in your own book, it matched with your story, and it... Surprised me." She stood to her hooves and gestured at the small room that they were now in.

 

Around them was a simple room. There was a bed in one corner of the room, seemingly never used. The wall opposite the bed was lined with bookshelves, all filled except for a single shelf in the one to the furthest right, across from the bed. There was a desk, heavily used. On it rested some fruit sandwiches and a glass of cider. To the left of the desk, towards the bed, resting on a small table, was an ample assortment of quills and ink.

 

To the left of the table, there was a chest. Resting on top of it was a sword. While it was still in its sheath, it could be seen to be a light, delicate but well-crafted weapon. Between the desk and the shelf on the far side of the room, there was a single, simple door. There were no windows. She took a deep breath. Lapis was the first guest to visit in quite some time. She wasn't entirely certain of what to tell him, and she didn't wish to tell him exactly what she had found until he answered a question.

 

"I know that it isn't much, but it is my home when I'm here. My job, if you can call it this, is to write as much as I can on the happenings in this place. I am not really as good at this task as the others like me, but I do my best. And, if I do say so myself, I try a little bit harder to think than they do. The reason that I took us here was because... I wished to avoid even the potential of danger in your realm. My abilities are limited there. Now..." Her smile left her face, replaced by a truly neutral expression and eyes the conveyed her own concerns for the missing filly quite plainly.

 

She moved directly in front of Lapis, looking directly into his eyes with her own. "We will save your filly, I... I promise you. But I need you to, calmly, tell me just one thing. Where did you find this other book? The one with invisible ink. Tell me the exact process. Because it wasn't at all clear in your writings. They were elegant but, past a certain point, they were confused, which is bad writing, no matter how elegant."

 

"Also. I suppose I should tell you, but I must request that you do not dwell on the knowledge. It is nothing to think about for now. I am only telling you because I think it may help you to understand what has been happening. We are in a place that exists between the Realm of Dreams and the Ocean of Nightmares. Unlike in the other two places, this place contains magic. It is through some process involving this that I am able to enter and depart somewhat freely. Well. That and my nature, which is not important, not right now..." She trailed off, but kept her gaze locked on the earth pony.

 

---

 

 

 

He eyed her curiously before walking towards her. "Key, what's up? Why are you just..." Alex started off to her before what his eyes saw cut him off. "Oh... Horse apples..." Alex uttered out as he saw a black kitten just sitting in the doorway of a room 14 that looked unusually dark for this time of day. In fact, it looked eerily dark in the room. Alex sidled closer to Key Gear. "Okay, I take it I'm not the only that sees a black cat that isn't sitting very creepy at all in a dark looming doorway?"

 

 

 

After Alex spoke up, asking if he wasn't the only one who saw the black cat in front of the doorway, the young colt uttered out, having not noticed the semi-sarcastic tone, "Um, no... No you're not, Alex..."

 

 

 

She turned her head to the cat "I hope this one doesn't cause a scene, looks creepy enough,"

 

The cat looked from one pony to another, before it stretched lazily and positioned itself in the middle of the doorway. In a small, hesitant voice, it spoke. "Creepy? Really? I am no such thing. Now, return to the dining car." Key stared. That was the second time that this same cat had spoken to her. The first time had been concerning the book, now this? A small cat was giving them order. The filly was unamused.

 

Key spoke in response to the cat just as she would have responded to a pony. "No. We've got you outnumbered. Now, look. Really, you are pretty creepy. Anyways, I've changed my mind. Hey, how about something different? A bargain? Yeah, something other than us going to the dining car?" She started to approach the cat. The cat's fur changed from black to blue, again, matching Key's own fur color. "Yes?" It spoke inquiringly as it began to slowly close the distance towards the approaching pony.

 

The two met at a halfway point. Key cleared her throat before speaking. "Right. What I was saying... A bargain. How about you get out of my way?" The cat shook its head politely. "Sorry, I ca..." Key reached out a hoof and fiercely batted the small cat out of her way and towards the wall. The cat hissed furiously, but stayed down where it had landed. "You shouldn't go in there..." The cat's voice followed Key. She replied with a hint of frustration. "Uh huh... Is this where Magicon and Asteria are?"

 

She stopped right before she reached the doorway. The darkness, it seemed familiar. A familiar voice soon pierced through. "Maybe they are. Why do you hesitate? Why not come in? You might find them, Key Gear. I have them right here with me. Just imagine... It would be such a wonderful reunion. Be brave. I believe in you." Key's blood ran cold as the voice from the prior night hissed out its greeting. She took a single step back, before a shadowy blur leaped from the dark room.

 

It was a cat, a rather large one. Its coat was as dark as the smaller cat's had been initially. It was in front of her before she'd had time to react. Its powerful hind legs kicked out, and the cat launched off of her chest, sending her sprawling backwards. Before she had a chance to react, cats came pouring out of the room and quickly clearing the distance towards her direction. Key scrambled, but they were too fast. She chirped strangely as she felt the first claws dig into her side. A reactive kick sent the first large housecat sliding, but the others were undeterred. In a moment, she was buried beneath them.

 

((OOC: Ummm... Get rid of the cats, will ya? There's about a dozen of them. They're kinda upset. The room is completely dark. Feel free to step in. Or not. I dunno. Depends.))

 

---

 

 

 

“Yes, this new name is lovely. Dreamer suits my tendency to daydream, eh? And I think you are just a large cat. Cats are all the same, big or small. It just depends on what they eat, is all.” Dreamer stated, suppressing a rather loud gulp she felt inclined to make. “But other than that, you are different. You are a predator, yes, and you do what you can because you must. It is in that that you are different. You aren't a real cat in the normal sense. You are a dream creature of immense power. And this bores you. You want something more.”

 

Bringer continued to look away while she spoke. He turned back as she finished. In his eyes, there was, plainly, satisfaction. He nodded his head and stared at the filly. Her words held truth. Cats were uniform. It was why he loved them so much. They could be relied on as being remarkably self sufficient creatures. He yawned to add emphasis to her statement of boredom, and he began to pace the floor in front of her. It was barely perceptible, but his eyes were losing their yellow luster. They were dimming.

 

 

 

Dreamer had no idea what she was doing. For all she knew, this might make him angry or at least more bored. But she just kept talking. “You desire all. What you cannot have, you will have anyway. You are sad. You do not have all just yet. You feel it is what belongs to you. You are the cat, lying in wait. Waiting for your chance. And that's not evil, exactly. A living creature desires food, water, love, shelter, sleep. And you desire all like a normal creature desires what it needs. You need all to be happy.” Dreamer concluded, shivering slightly. If this was it, at least she left this world doing what she loved. Learning and growing. Though, if what she said wasn't true, then she was at a loss. Oh well....

 

He nodded and approached the filly. He lowered himself to her height and stared into her eyes. "That was good, Dreamer. It was oh so very impressive. I am, truthfully, surprised. I would never have guessed that you were so capable... That you could read even me. Well done. Well done indeed. Yes... I do desire all. It is my right, you see? My destiny. I was born in the shadows and the light, Dreamer. To unite them? To rule over them? It is my ultimate purpose. As you say, it is what belongs to me. I have been lying in wait... Ever since the first time I was banished to this place by him. You know, he doesn't even know who I am? It's hilarious. Ah, but he will soon. I'll tell him. Show him."

 

The cat stood again. It circled the filly as the voice continued to speak. "No... It isn't evil. It is noble. As you say... I am a living creature, I merely seek the material for life. Sleep. Ah, how I long for the restful sleep in the darkness, no more thoughts of light to keep me awake. Nothing but victory. Shelter... Yes. I need a home. A home for myself... A place with a lovely dining room set and a living room large enough to invite the extended family." He looked thoughtful. "No, not all of them. Just the ones I like... Ah, but I digress..."

 

"I do wish for love. To be loved by those that I have set free. No more imprisonment, Dreamer. Freedom. Pure freedom. In a world of magic. Not like this dank, dreary place, but a world with just enough light... That I may control. And... Water, yes? I do need water. It's wonderful that you should say this, since we are, of course, surrounded by it. Plenty of water, Dreamer. For me and for you. Ah, but now, we arrive at the final thing. The thing that is needed to ensure happiness. Sadly, I have not had enough of this thing. Food, Dreamer, food. It completes the puzzle."

 

The cat's eyes sparkled in spite of their growing dimness. He moved directly in front of her, again, crouching, lowering his face to hers, only a few centimeters separating their noses. "Tell me, Dreamer? What do you think I eat? What is food to me? Please, don't hesitate. Things are happening now, they are frustrating me. You know my warning about my frustration. It influences my actions in uncertain ways. Answer this simple question, amuse me... That would definitely solve my boredom, or... I could be lying? What do you think? Hmmm... This might be a good time to hide. I won't follow you." Even as the big cat spoke, a single tear rolled from one of its dimming eyes, and the eyes themselves held an increasingly vacant expression.

  

((OOC: Click here?))

 

 

 

Heya Magicon, you're travelling with this pony:

 

 

Edited September 15, 2013 by Luminescence

[Electrobolt 2,068]

After Flow had made her remark on the small, black cat, it then began to speak up. This caused Electrobolt's eyes to pop open in surprise. *Wait... Cats don't normally talk... Do they...?* he thought to himself, shocked that this kitten could speak. It was around then that Key spoke up, talking to the kitten with mention of a bargain. What kind of bargain did Key have in mind...? Just then, Electrobolt's eyes opened wide again as he saw the kitten change it's fur color from black to that of Key Gear's coat color - persian blue. This cat not only changed her fur color, but she also changed it to Key Gear's coat color!

 

*What the... This cat, it... Wait...* he thought, just before his mind ran back to earlier in the day, back in Springer's room. There, he had found this one cat who latched itself onto Springer's face, but liked Electrobolt. This cat was the same size as the one here. *This kitten... It's the same kitten as the one that I saw in Springer's room! But... Why is it here, and what is it doing...?* His thoughts raced, before seeing Key bat the kitten out of the way. Confused, he wondered what his sister even intended before hearing her mention Magicon and Asteria.

 

*Is Key looking for them too?* he thought to himself, wondering what was going on. *If they are, then why this room...? And... This darkness... I have a bad feeling about this...* Not too long after he thought this, his worries were confirmed as a voice spoke up through the darkness of the room. As he listened to the voice, Electrobolt began to shiver as the thoughts of room 8 flooded through his mind once again. This time, it was the moment when he had been bound by the shadows... Sunken into the shadows... Somehow this thing found it's way out of room 8 and into this very room.

 

However, not long after he was brought back to reality, this cat just leapt out of the unnatural darkness. This cat, it was larger than normal housecats. It's fur was also black, which allowed it to blend in with the unnaturally dark room. Just then, this cat attacked Key and sent her sprawling back! Electrobolt tried to call out to his sister, but his words were caught in his throat. He couldn't say anything as he saw a bunch of similar cats just pour out of the room and attack her too. As soon as he heard Key's reaction to the cats clawing into her, his mind raced frantically.

 

In his mind, all these thoughts about the voice speaking to Electrobolt raced around in his head, saying several different things yet all delivering the same message - that he is weak. As these voices continued to speak in his head, his eyes began to twitch as he watched the cats attacking. Just then, he felt as if his mind snapped as he let out a loud scream, his eyes no longer filled with fear, but instead with rage. "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!" he screamed out, as he pushed Alex and Flow to the side before charging at the cats. As soon as he got right up to them, he swiftly turned around and delivered a powerful kick to the overgrown felines.

 

"No one tries to kill my sister, you overgrown housecats!!! NO ONE!!!" he shouted out in rage while he continued to buck them hard and squarely, trying to knock them off of Key Gear. He continued to violently kick them until he could tell that the cats were all knocked off of his sister. After that, he slowly turned around to face the dark cats as he began to breathe raggedly. As he glared at the felines, he stomped his hoof on the ground hard as he spoke. "If you overgrown housecats so much as lay one grimey paw on my sister... I will bucking kill you..."

[Arcanel 3,041]

After seeing that Dawn seemed to have an epiphany for a few moments, Arcanel waited for her response, which came shortly after.

 

 

 

"I... I think that it may have been connected after all. In fact... I'm sure of it... I..."

 

At that moment, Arcanel was slowly starting to smile, but suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

 

 

 

"He's lying."

 

 

"Huh?" He babbled, unsure where the voice had come from. And after Dawn responded back, he was even more confused.

 

"No, he isn't. I'm certain that..." The voice spoke again. "No, he's lying. He wants to use you. Your power, of course." Dawn looked confused as she stared at Arcanel. "I don't think so... Why would he? What would he gain? I was unstable. He helped me... He even gave me a hug... I think he likes me, aren't you happy about that?"

 

 

The more the conversation went on, the more confused was Arcanel trying to identify the voice. And if that wasn't enough, he was being accused of being a lier. Dawn's response had made him smile widely. *I'm glad that she thinks I'm a good guy.* Nonetheless, his confusion kept on. And as he was trying to keep searching for the voice's source, Ambrosia's commanding tone broke the silence.

 

 

 

"Dawn. Drop that cat."

 

And as the unicorn did as the cook told her, something he never expected to ever see happened in front of his eyes. The cat talked.

 

 

 

"That was completely uncalled for."

 

"What the..." was all the white pegasus could speak after witnessing something that in his eyes should not really be happening. *A... talking... cat... what in the ever loving world of Equestria is going on?!* he screamed in his mind. And after a few more words, his shock increased even more as he saw the same, now talking, black cat increase its size until it was the size not unlike a panther. *Whuh...?* his mind was now pure and absolute confusion as he was disbelieving what he was seeing right then. *First, it talked. Now it can grow to the size of a panther?!* he mentally pointed.

 

 

 

"Relax Vim. I'm not going to attack anypony. I just want to talk." The voice practically purred. Vim's own voice answered right back, conveying complete ease. "A talking cat. You know, I'm pretty sure that it's against railway regulations for you to be onboard this train without a proper ticket. You wouldn't happen to have any bits at paw, would you?" The cat laughed as Dawn answered in reply. "I'm sorry Vim, I'll pay for him..."

 

*Vim seems awfully calm for seeing what the same thing I did... though I'd guess, from what Ambrosia told me, that probably likes to move around and and go everywhere with trains. And he's older than I am so... I'd guess he had seen a lot more than I have.* He determined. At the same time, he was starting to get a very eerie and evil feeling from the black cat, and a bit of sadness due to Dawn. *Oh Dawn...* he oouldn't help but feel that Dawn was just an innocent pony in something much bigger.

 

 

 

It shook its head. "Dawn, please be silent. You've said enough. In fact, you've said too much."

 

The moment the cat spoke those words, he felt the tiniest bit of anger towards the cat. *Grrrr.... how dare he do that to her...* Arcanel was a non-aggressive pony by all means, however, when it came to the ponies he befriended and love, he could become protective, and with that, bolder, and aggressive.

 

 

 

"We're not afraid of you, and you know what? You should probably leave. You don't belong here... It's you, isn't it? It was you yesterday. It was you last night. It's always been you, hasn't it?" The cat coughed before continuing. "For the love of Celestia. Let me speak. I'll explain things in due time. Now, to properly introduce myself. My given name is Wraith, but you can call me Bringer."

 

 

Arcanel gave a small smile as Ambrosia interrupted the cat, now named either Bringer or Wraith. *I'll call him Bringer for the sake of everything... but... she's right... he seems to have a.... er... paw in all this... but... why?* he wondered. The more the cat though, the more he felt anger towards it.

 

 

 

"Now, I have some other things to say, but first... I have a riddle. A bird is, to me, anything with wings. They're for eating, they lay delicious eggs as well, they fly, of course. They have feathers, beaks, and more things like that. They smell wonderfully. Sometimes. They're agile creatures. But, this isn't important to me. The real thing that I want to know is simple." The cat lifted a paw, gesturing towards Arcanel. "Three questions. Answer them and I will take all of you to Asteria. She is nowhere on this train. In fact, she is far outside of the reach of Celestia, Luna, and everything that you love. Answer them correctly, and I might even let you leave with her."

 

As the cat pointed at him, Arcanel felt both nervous, yet determined. *I have the impression that he's not lying about Asteria being somehwere we don't even know exists... if he wants me to play this game, fine, I will.* He thought, saving Asteria now being his main priority.

 

 

 

Another thing. Please. Don't come any closer to me. I'm terribly afraid of what I may do to your friend. It frustrates me when I am not listened to. Interruptions, unnecessary aggression, they vex me terribly. Asteria is such pleasant company, you see? I would hate for anything to happen to her. I do stupid things when I am frustrated, you know?"

 

By this point, the mailpony was slightly gritting his teeth, and the moment he saw himself doing so, he relaxed, and kept a serious face. *I have to keep my calm right now... I know better than to do something foolish now... even more with a life at stake.* he thought. As Vim asked for Bringer to hurry up and give the riddles, the cat answered back.

 

 

 

"Right, right, right. Sorry about that. I was distracted by your lemony friend there. Such wonderful fur. I am quite fond of lemons you know. That taste. Mmm. Delicious. But, ah, yes. Questions. Of course. First question. What's a good place for a bird to hide? Second question. How does a cat hunt a bird? Third question. What happens when a cat finds a bird? I'll give you a hint. I'm the cat. Now, make this entertaining, will you? I get bored quickly. Give me good answers, they need to make sense. Or not. I don't really care."

 

While he thought that the cat was slightly weird, Arcanel kept those thoughts away and focused on the important things. He had had enough of this cat, and if he needed to think to get it right, then he was damn sure he could. And if it expected him to not do anything and stand there like a foal, it would be completely mistaken. *Let's see if all those times that I started thinking way too much for my own good, do good for others.* he pondered, and started speaking out loud, a determined and serious expression in his face. However, he first moved in front of Dawn and whispered to her "Stay behind me.", just in case something would happen. He realized that this cat or whatever it was, it could probably play unfair. Very unfair. And he was not going to risk anything now.

 

"Very well... you want me to answer your questions for the riddle, correct? I can do that... I'll play the game you're proposing..." he started, but then let out a small smile. "But not with the rules you're telling me to." He suddenly changed his tone of voice to a more questioning one. "I mean... what assurance can you give us that you will take us to Asteria? Or that in the process, you will not harm us? I am no fool, my dear Bringer." Arcanel said, saying the "dear" in a sarcastic way. "You said you're the cat. Well... you're a cat now, aren't you?" He asked innocently, with a silly smile on his face. "I remember back at the orphanage reading in a story book about somepony in a place called Wonderland. I remember a creature called the Chesire Cat, who spoke in riddles and had an everlasting smile. You remind me of him, only you're evil. Far eviler." He continued.

 

"I am the bird, am I not? Whatever was wrong with Dawn, now I understand. It was you. And I helped her deal with you. And also... I am not the only bird you're chasing, am I? You're doing this as a distraction. You have a plan, in which what you're doing now is involved. Like a proper cat, you have searched... you have hunted... looking for the birds that rested in its nests... and you, hiding in plain sight. You used Dawn to get in here and do whatever you pleased without no one suspecting it." He explained, taking a small apologetic look at Dawn before returning his gaze towards the panther. "And now... you want your prize. You want to get what you hunted for... to consume it. So now... tell me... there's also not just one of you is there?" he asked, and now considering his next words, which he would have never believed, but after seeing what he saw, he could now. "You're threatening to hurt Asteria... yet, I see no means to communicate with anypony... you're not just one simple being are you? You're more than just a cat." Arcanel continued.

 

"Now... will you tell me if I'm right? Or will you lie to our faces and simply end all this distraction? Or wait... you wouldn't, would you? You're enjoying riddling us, confusing us, using the life of a filly as threat. Will you actually keep to your word?" he asked once more. He had now spoken as he thought he should speak, and he had shown his cards. He hoped they would be the correct ones, for everypony's sake.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Eevee

[Bari 7,021]

Bringer had yawned. It didn't seem like a very good sign. And the fact that it felt part of him was fading worried Dreamer as well. What did it mean? She didn't think she could very well ask. Or could she? She'd have to wait and see. After she had finished, she watched the cat with the same curiosity. She listened closely as he came to her eye level. It seemed as though she was right in her reading of him. Bringer was a beast of twilight. Dawn and dusk. If what he said was the truth. But where did that place him? He was still tied to the shadows. Scarlet had asked her not to have anything to do with darkness. So she kept her feelings neutral despite her growing interest.

Bringer mentioned a “him”. Him who? Who was it that banished Bringer? And how could he not know who Bringer was if he had banished him? Such puzzles required answers. But maybe if she waited long enough, she'd get answers. Dreamer tried to keep a sense of where Bringer was as he circled her. Though she doubted knowing where the cat was would help here. He had come from one of the pillar. And that didn't bode well. She listened and contemplated Bringer's words. It all sounded somewhat normal. Up until the cat got to food.

The cat came before her again, this time a little too close. But she dared not move. What does Bringer eat? Ponies, elks, birds, kitty chow? So many choices. But Bringer wasn't a normal animal. He was a dream creature. Did that make a difference? Do dream creatures eat dreams? So many questions, and she was the one who had to answer. She had to answer now, though. She'd wasted enough time as it was, though it had been barely a few seconds. “I'd say you eat anything and everything. Why limit oneself to meat or cream? Why not anything that comes to mind? Say, do you suppose you could eat trees, or even mountains? Surely you can do many things.” Dreamer said filled with a bubbly enthusiasm.

Dreamer stared at the cat now, facing him full in the face. His eyes were so dim, and a single tear had escaped from his eye. Was something the matter? She simply had to know. “Bringer, is something wrong? Are you not having fun? What's wrong with your eyes? And why do I see that a tear has run down your face?” she asked, voiced tinged with some concern. Sure, he was keeping her here against her will, but Dreamer still had a heart. If something was the matter, she simply had to know. She made to touch him, but pulled back. She didn't know what would have happen if she had completed the motion. She was willing to, though. Although, the promise she had made Scarlet echoed in her mind.

---

The mare sat next to him and draped her wing on him once more. Lapis listened tentatively. Her voice was friendly, that much was certain. He was right about who she was, and that made him feel a bit better. And she didn't care that he had stained her book. Truly a relief. Her words empowered him. He began to realize he was getting nowhere lamenting the loss of Asteria. Wherever she was, she'd need a calm and collected Lapis Lazuli. He drew in a deep breath. He was resolute.

He watched as Midnight left his side to check out Dawn's journal. She looked concerned at its contents. Whatever was wrong with it, it clearly bothered the mare quite a bit. She let a out a short lived sigh that was cut off before it could make much of a sound. This began to worry Lapis. He was about to ask before he was interrupted.
 

"Lapis, we need to leave this place, and we need to return to the place where I am from."

She was beside him once more, and the wing she wrapped around him was more like a tight grip than a hug. The next moment he was on the ground of a strange place. Slightly annoyed, he lifted himself up and listened to Midnight explain a little. She gestured at the room, and he took it all in. It was a simple room. One of a pony who clearly spent more time at her desk than asleep. However they got here didn't matter. She might've had some sort of artifact or something that had transported them. His eyes lingered on the sword for more than he'd have thought he might. It looked like a beautiful object. Maybe he could persuade her to let him see it.

He listened to her, nodding in thought. She was a writer of some special sort. And not the only one. But what was this place? Midnight moved in front of him, and he listened more intently.
 

"We will save your filly, I... I promise you. But I need you to, calmly, tell me just one thing. Where did you find this other book? The one with invisible ink. Tell me the exact process. Because it wasn't at all clear in your writings. They were elegant but, past a certain point, they were confused, which is bad writing, no matter how elegant."

He made to speak, but was cut off once more. What the mare had to say seemed somewhat important.
 

"Also. I suppose I should tell you, but I must request that you do not dwell on the knowledge. It is nothing to think about for now. I am only telling you because I think it may help you to understand what has been happening. We are in a place that exists between the Realm of Dreams and the Ocean of Nightmares. Unlike in the other two places, this place contains magic. It is through some process involving this that I am able to enter and depart somewhat freely. Well. That and my nature, which is not important, not right now..." She trailed off, but kept her gaze locked on the earth pony.

Lapis shook his very much perplexed. It seemed as though he was in the world of fairy tales. And he suspected it wasn't one of those friendly ones where the hero kills the dragon and goes home with the princess. No, it felt like one of those older ones where the story ended with the hero cursed or maimed. But he let the thoughts leave his head. Midnight Angel had asked for him to not dwell on it. he quickly returned to the question he had been asked.

“Alright, you know about the meeting with Dawn, I suppose. Afterwards, I was taken aside by Vim along with Springer. That you must know as well. Vim immediately instructed Springer to go to his room. Then Vim asked me what had been going on aboard the train. I don't know if you wish to know the details, so I'll skip them for now.” he said evenly. He was feeling a bit like himself. What he had written in the book felt dim at the moment. He felt he shouldn't talk in too mundane a fashion, though. “Then he told me he had a book in his room which reminded him of what I had told him about Dusky's story. I'm sure you know that, at least. As we made our way to his room, Vim had spotted Dawn and realized she wasn't in her room. He then directed me to accompany him in searching the mare's room.”

Lapis took a moment to get the thoughts in order. “Inside we found a large black cat. A panther, most likely. It watched us with what felt like a bored expression. Vim blocked it while I searched the room. In the corner on the ground, I found a note and a bottle of invisible ink. And inside a chest, I found the book. Is this enough detail? I don't think I can explain it any better.” he said as his eyes were drawn back to the sword.

The sword might have been nothing special. But why would a writer keep one with her? “Say, do you mind if I see that sword? And if you don't mind my asking, why do you own one? Are there monsters or bandits here that you must fight to maintain peace?” he asked, thinking his question was a little silly. But who knew in the land between Dream and Nightmare? It sounded ridiculous, but why would Midnight lie to him? It was easier to just believe that he was now in a world he had only read about briefly in a few musty texts.

[Starshine 16,330]

On their way to their room, Summerfall noticed Luminescence's gait was a bit hobbled, very unlike her usual pose. Her head held high. It was as if she was half expecting something to jump out of any corner. Summerfall herself couldn't help but to feel tense. She let out a sigh when the door was unlocked. Without much delay she made her way through the door after Luminescence and locked it after her.

 

At least we managed to get some food, Summerfall thought to herself as she put the plate on the top of the drawer. Luminescence herself was quick to jump onto the bed and made herself comfortable. The poor filly seemed to be very tired. Her mind trailed back to the dining car, perhaps the cat reminded her of something? Understandably Summerfall was a bit surprised when Luminescence said that whatever it is that was in the room 8 was no longer there, and that something bad was about to happen. Summerfall quickly double-checked the door's lock and around the room for anything that might hide an ambush.

 

Summerfall nodded curtly when Luminescence said that she had a question for her. It seemed that the question would be a very serious one. She stood near the drawer, ready to hear the question.

 

The filly sat up, and her red eyes locked intently onto the mare. She expressed no apparent concern for either food or drink. "Summer... Shortly after we first met, you showed me such kindness, while you knew nothing about me. When I asked you, you told me something... You told me that sometimes we should just help somepony in need, without concern of a reward? You said to me that this should be the case so long as we don't have to sacrifice much of ourselves in the process? Forgive me, please, for this strange question, but I need to know something..." She looked away before continuing, but before she looked away, her eyes expressed the weakness and confusion that she was increasingly feeling.

 

"Because, you are the first one to speak these words to me or anything like them. This is why I wish to ask you. How much is too much to sacrifice in protection of another? What if this other is a pony that you love? What do you do then? I ask you this, because I worry that perhaps I ask too much of you. You have already endured inconvenience, now an insult on my behalf. Yet, you have not abandoned me? I realize that this is an unusual question. As I said... Forgive me if I probe. But, I must know, simply. How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for a stranger that you have just met? If you love them?"

 

Summerfall was simply stunned when Luminescence finished her line of question. Was she felt inadequate of her help on the train? Or maybe she think that her help was a bit too much? No, it just didn't match. It was rather subtle, but Luminescence was definitely referring to something else, something that she was reminded of by Dawn's cat from earlier, not what had happened between them. Summerfall felt a bit silly that for a moment she was so vain that to assume that the love Luminescence spoke about was between them, it was too good to be true after all. Either way, the question was a very weighty one, she couldn't afford to mess around. She trotted closer to the bed and sat at the floor, in front of Luminescence, bringing her eyes level to Luminescence's.

 

"You know..." Summerfall started. "If there is love between two individual, that one would be willing to do a sacrifice for the other's well-being, without any concern for the promise of reward, then I believe they are no strangers. The criteria of too much or not itself is very subjective, greatly varies between ponies or organizations. What might be easily affordable for one, might be just too much for others. For an example, when I bought you a ticket. I personally know some ponies that couldn't make more than 50 bits a week, paying you a ticket would be but a wild dream to them, but my circumstances are different, they allow me to put myself at better risks and investments, and to help others where most simply couldn't even hope to afford it, without putting myself at the danger of starvation or worse. Another example, when a filly asked her father to spare a day from his work to attend her graduation ceremony. A father that works in simple retail store or as a mailman could easily take a day off and see the proudest moment of her daughter, but a father that works in a huge company and thousands of workers' fate rested on his capable hooves on daily basis, then it would be rather impossible to attend the ceremony, even if he loved her daughter dearly." Summerfall paused for a while, her gaze wandered to her own forehooves.

 

She chuckled. "I know those examples might sound absurd and maybe tad silly, you might know a better example or two, but I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. Personally, if you have to sacrifice much of these things: your dreams, identity, and Celestia forbid, your own live, then the answer is that the sacrifice is simply too much. It might sounds very honorable and maybe romantic to sacrifice one's self for the one whom they loved. It was the kind of story they made legends about after all, but you should know one thing. The moment you parried the blow that was meant for your loved one, you're condemning them to live the rest of their long life knowing that they and their incompetence are partially responsible for your death." Summerfall gulped. "And some ponies aren't made to endure that kind of burden. Even if, say, one can't live without their loved one's presence, it would be very unwise to risk one's life to give their loved one a chance to live longer. The same could be said with one's dreams and identity."

 

Summerfall's mind reeled with possibilities of what the question might imply. It seemed to be a silly question for a filly to ask, but Luminescence was not any other filly. She had seen enough of the world to understand what Vim's words might imply. Not to mention her reluctance to indulge in much of the details of her parents.

 

Without a word Summerfall stroke Luminescence head lovingly. It was not her right to be privy on her secrets, but she couldn't help but to be curious on what could prompt the filly to ask such question. Was there was a tragedy in her life that involved a predatory cat? Her words that something terrible was about to happen lingered in Summerfall's mind. "I have to admit that I'm very intrigued on what could prompt you to ask such question, but I won't pry on your secrets, if it is indeed one. They are yours to keep, and I respect that."

 

With a start Summerfall stood up and walked to retrieve the food plate and put them on the bed. It was not exactly a cultured thing to do, to eat on one's bed, but then again there was nopony else in the room but the two. "If you're still hungry for some sandwiches, just dig in. They won't be as delicious when they're cold and brittle.

Edited June 28, 2013 by Starshine

[Ice Storm 1,020]

~~Ice Storm~~

 

The amount of concern that was present in Ice Storm's face as she listened with great intent to what could be bothering Dusky was present throughout the contexts of his proclamation. He started off greatly appologizing for coming much earlier than he had anticipated, but what he needed help with now was the same thing that he had mentioned to her earlier. He again apologized but said that they needed to move now. That something was happening, and at he felt that the life of a very young pony. Normally Ice would have been upset that she would have had to canceled her meeting with a mare that could potentially rid her of her issue, but as soon as she heard that there was the life of a young one at stake, her eyes lit up in a state of fury.  "You don't need to say any more. You had me at a Filly's in danger," she said sternly

 

Ice pulled her saddle bag from where she had hung it and packed every diaper she could into it with the exception of the one that was sitting on the bed next to her. Dusky told me that where we had do go was a place of nightmares... Which means it can probably sense ones worst fears. My worst fear is somepony finding out that I both wear and use these at night, so if what Dusky says is true, it will try to play on that, however, if I openly humiliate myself and resign myself to wearing these now, then I rid the nightmare of any ammunition that it can use against me to try to bend me away, she thought to herself as she pushed herself out of the bed and securely fastened the one diaper she had left out around her backside.

 

She then turned back to Dusky and followed him to the engine of the train. From there he told her that while he could easily traverse the world of nightmares, that it wasn't wise or recommended for ponies to freely gaze in the realm. Ice nodded at him and went back to her room briefly and snagged one of the wash cloths from the bathroom and then went back to the engine. Once there, she took hos hoof before using her magic to tie the wash cloth around her eyes and then a bit more to freeze it in place to make sure that it wouldn't come off at any time. "Alright, I'm ready to move when you are. I've taken the liberty of making sure I can't be surprised by anything as well, as you can tell. Now," she said using a bit more of her ice magic to seal her hoof and Dusky's hoof together so that they would not be separated at all as they were going through the rift. "Now we can't be separated," she added.

 

She then stood where she was and began to think back to the most challenging thing that she had ever endured. It wasn't the Blizzard, it was dealing with the hate that her own family had shown her because of money and fame. She began to slowly channel her magic, as the memories of her parents flooded her. The more that did so, the more both hurt and angered she became, and the more intense her magic. After a few more moments, her body has completely lost it's natural blue hue and had been completely replaced as her entire body was now radiating the icy magic that was pent up inside of her. A few more moment of anger, pain and the spell exploded around her, using her entire body as the focusing component rather than just her horn. She could only hope that her spell would take them to the right place.

 

She felt everything around her getting colder her as the spell began to resolve around them she could feel everything getting darker as well. she wasn't sure where she was or even if her spell was working. She only hoped that Dusky could only confirm that they were in the right place. She hoped that for everypony's sake that they were.

 

 

~~Wind Dancer~~

 

Wind Dancer sighed as she waited in the parlor car for everything that was going on in the dining car to finish with there issues that were going on. Truth be told she didn't want any part that mess. She was certain that she'd only get in the way of everypony else that was important. She then started to look out the window and again she began to wonder what was going on. She was happy overall that she had gotten on the train. Once she got to Los Pegasus, there was a chance that she could get the main act of the performance there.

 

While she was in thought though, she heard what sounded like yelling and the a large thud coming from the car behind her. Wind Jumped and the look of both fear and concern was on her face. She knew that Key had gone in there, and that was a very loud thud. it wasn't something falling, it was something being thrown. Wind stood up out of her chair. As much as she didn't want to get involved, if somepony was hurt she wasn't going to just sit back and do nothing about it. She opened the door and moved into the car just behind and what she saw was... odd to say the least. She had opened the door just in enough time to hear Electrobolt telling a bunch of house cats that if they laid another filthy paw on his sister, who, didn't look all that great herself. She rushed towards her and Elextro. "Are you two alright? what's going on? Where did all these cats come from?" she asked noticing that each cat varied in size. Why would there be this many random cats on the train? and why would they attack Key? There is so much here that I don't understand... she thought to herself while she awaited replies.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Ice Storm

[Magicon 468]

As he spoke she turned away from him, her impassive backside being the only readable expression from Magicon’s perspective. It was only when he finished that she turned around with a noticeable change in her appearance. Her eyes lost their traditional shade of blue and now glowed passionately red. He felt slightly concerned, thinking that her eye color was connected to her emotions and if any emotion could connect with such a bright shade of red, it was anger. If Scarlet was angry, was it at him or Bringer? Magicon looked at her a little closer and saw no anger towards him, instead he found a neutral possibly, an even respectful feeling emitting from Scarlet. She spoke cautiously, though her eyes still retained their passion.

 

 

 

"Based on what you have said, I know where they are. But, we cannot simply appear there as easily as we arrived in this place. I can take us only to the edge of my own realm. Beyond this, we must move on the ground, normally... Even flight is... Strongly not recommended."

 

Magicon felt slight relief at Scarlet’s admission. Asteria‘s location was known, at least to Scarlet. There was a chance to save her. 

 

 

"Asteria. She is being held within Bringer's realm - the realm of nightmare. He is not fully in control of this place, but it is what he declared to be his own some time ago. I... Avoid the place. My power is substantially decreased when I journey into it. Even Bringer's own power is limited only to the area that he calls his own, his home. This is where Asteria is. There is no other place that is even close to your description. He... He cheated. By describing a place of his own, he was able to take her there in spite of the rules. Forgive me... But, Magicon, I promise that she will not be killed. We will save her, but we must think. And, I must share some things. If not, then we will fail."

 

Scarlet’s promise was still more comforting. It confirmed one important thing to Magicon: Scarlet did care about Asteria. She had a heart. The filly had successfully tapped into Scarlet’s emotions and had beautifully constructed a relationship with Scarlet; one to merit a rescue mission for her. Scarlet cared about Asteria’s safety just as much as Magicon did, if not more. He didn’t care if Bringer cheated or not, it was irrelevant. Asteria was in danger and Magicon knew that it would be up to him and Scarlet to save her.

 

As she gave her description of this world that they must travel through and its creator and Bringer’s pet Magicon remembered Lapis’s note containing Dusky’s bizarre story. It suddenly didn’t seem so bizarre. Dusky was that pony who became the guardian and the subsequent dragon. Magicon didn’t know how he did; he just knew it had to be true. It felt right. The monster was either Bringer or something of his creation and had merged with Dusky. It was then that Scarlet brought Dusky to this world which originally only contained dreams and nightmares. He and Springer bonded and with Scarlet’s help created a new world, a gray world, a world of shadows. The monster was trapped here or trapped in the world of nightmares. Magicon didn’t know for certain. There were still pieces of the puzzle missing, but he was beginning to see a general idea.

 

It helped explain why Dusky thought the way he did. It explained why he never used magic, he couldn’t. It explained how Scarlet and Bringer knew him. Yet it also worried him. Bringer and Dusky were mortal enemies. Bringer wanted release and had nearly succeeded with Dusky. He was out for revenge against him as well as to free himself and do whatever he wanted either in these three worlds or in Equestria or both.

 

 

This was suddenly much bigger than anything Magicon had expected or even prepared for. He felt suddenly ill-equipped and inexperienced for Bringer and all of this. Sure, he had survived this world so far and gained an ally, but these were minute accomplishments compared to what he was about to face. 

 

“Trust yourself. You will do it.” He heard Archie’s words echo through his mind once again, as if they were an automatic speaker perfectly timed to speak when he was ready to abandon his tasks. They strengthened him and he listened to Scarlet’s final words carefully as he braced himself for whatever was to come.

 

In seconds a blur of light and colors, forcing Magicon to shield his eyes, landed them in a borderline. On one side, Scarlet’s familiar grassy plains of dreams, the other the cold and foreboding tundra of the shadow realm. The chill was instantaneous and Magicon shivered from the cold gusts. He looked over at Scarlet as she took her first step then backed away with a desperate, panic-stricken look on her face as the ice began spreading around them, encroaching on the dream world.  

 

Scarlet snapped back to look at something in the grass and it revealed itself as a black cat. Magicon lowered his gaze at the creature. It wasn’t Bringer; it was too small. Magicon knew it was one of Springer’s allies…and then it hit him. The cats on the train…they weren’t Dawn’s, they were Bringer’s! Somehow they had latched onto Dawn. Was she in on Bringer’s evil scheme as well? Was she his “lovely assistant”? Magicon did not know but felt immensely proud to have distrusted her from the moment he laid eyes on her. He had been right: Dawn was up to no good. She would have to be stopped as well.

 

 

Yet his pride was shattered by Scarlet’s quick attack on the cat. Magicon instantly turned from the scene, closing his eyes and shielding them with his right hoof, not wanting to see the carnage of an animal fight. The sounds made his stomach churn and he was relieved to hear Scarlet speak after only a few seconds of slaughter. He cautiously opened his eyes, lowered his hoof, and nodded at Scarlet.

He watched her as she transformed once again into a new pony, one with a very interesting color scheme. The silver glowed unnaturally yet the mane complimented Scarlet’s red eyes. The cutie mark of a suit of cards was odd, but not the weirdest one Magicon had seen in his lifetime.

 

 

 

She spoke, softer than before, but she made no effort to lower her voice. "I remain Scarlet. I have adopted a more advanced form of one that is close to me and close to the light. More than any other in all of my ages, she shared in my love of games. She defeated me in my games, and as her prize, I let her depart from this place... But a part of her remained and has... Shaped my realm and my games more than any other. I take this form because it is more effective with magic, and we no longer need to take care with our usage. In fact... I would recommend that you adopt a shield and follow me. We are known. We will be attacked, I think. If we are attacked, it would be unwise to be unprepared. The attack will come from above. Dragon's fire."

 

From her words Magicon gauged that this form was taken after a real pony that Scarlet had come across sometime in the past. Whether that was recently or generations ago were unknown to him. But she had such an effect on Scarlet that she admired her and it also suggested that this pony was skilled in magic despite her age, not unlike himself when he was that young. Yet Magicon did not dwell on this pony. He focused on preparing to cross this frozen tundra and meet whatever awaited them there. The attack would come from the air. It might be a dragon, the one that Dusky’s story had mentioned. He didn’t have time to think as Scarlet galloped, head-first, into the shadow world.

 

Magicon quickly followed her, the wind howling around him and gusting his cape uncontrollably. It remained tight around his neck but it moved about wildly as he ran. He felt a small shock surge through the air as if it had been struck by lightning as he saw Scarlet cast a shield around herself. He followed, his horn casting a dark lavender shield around him as he ran. Despite the gusts, he managed to hear Scarlet’s words.

 

 

"You promised to do everything! All that I ask is that you trust me now. We are allies, and we must move swiftly! In the village, we may be able to find some type of help! I do not think that The Builder knows anything of this. It is Bringer."

 

Magicon squinted his eyes ahead and sure enough, a small village was in the distance, growing larger and more detailed as the two of them hurried towards it. A loud roar echoed over the ice, nearly stopping Magicon in his tracks. But he kept moving, either from pure adrenaline or from the fear of falling behind.

 

 

He wanted to shout something to Scarlet, but what could he say? Everything had already been said. He just followed Scarlet. She knew what she was doing and he would help her. They were allies and that’s what allies do: help each other.

[Flow 1,619]

The cat looked from one pony to another, before it stretched lazily and positioned itself in the middle of the doorway. In a small, hesitant voice, it spoke. "Creepy? Really? I am no such thing. Now, return to the dining car."

 

 

Flow was in utter shock when the cat started talking "Eh!?! I-I-It c-can talk? W-what is this...this cr-c-creature?? Is this really a cat, or some freakish super-natural being??" She was speechless at such sight, "And it's telling us to go back? Is it trying to hide something?

 

 

Key spoke in response to the cat just as she would have responded to a pony. "No. We've got you outnumbered. Now, look. Really, you are pretty creepy. Anyways, I've changed my mind. Hey, how about something different? A bargain? Yeah, something other than us going to the dining car?"

 

 

"A bargain? But...how? Wait...What in the Equestria are you talking about?" She felt curious yet scared at the same time, she felt the need to do something, but the what can she do? "Dear Celestia and Luna.....Please Key I hope you know what your doing!"

 

 

The cat's fur changed from black to blue, again, matching Key's own fur color. "Yes?" It spoke inquiringly as it began to slowly close the distance towards the approaching pony.

 

 

When the cat changed from a black coat to a blue scheme, it gave Flow an idea on how to read the actions of the creature through color, "Gasp......It changed colors! Uhh....so does this mean....a blue color means it will be willing to listen to a question? Umm most likely, but it matching the color of Key's coat is just....freaky,"

 

 

"Sorry, I ca..." Key reached out a hoof and fiercely batted the small cat out of her way and towards the wall. The cat hissed furiously, but stayed down where it had landed. "You shouldn't go in there..." The cat's voice followed Key. She replied with a hint of frustration. "Uh huh... Is this where Magicon and Asteria are?"

 

 

"Magicon and Asteria.....I've heard in the dining car that they had gone missing, but....I have a bad feeling about this," Flow felt like she wanted to stop Key, but at the same time she was curious about the what was inside that door, she just felt as if the door was giving a bad aura, something very dangerous. She watched as Key moved towards the doorway in the darkness, then as Key took a step back another black cat lunged towards Key, throwing her backwards, before she can get a chance to retaliate, the door opened up with more cats pouring out, nearly burying Key under, "No!! Key Gear!!" she cried out in horror.

 

 

"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!" he screamed out, as he pushed Alex and Flow to the side before charging at the cats. As soon as he got right up to them, he swiftly turned around and delivered a powerful kick to the overgrown felines."No one tries to kill my sister, you overgrown housecats!!! NO ONE!!!" he shouted out in rage while he continued to buck them hard and squarely, trying to knock them off of Key Gear.

 

 

All of a sudden, Flow felt a shove to the side to see Electrobolt charging towards the cats and kick them out of the way, "That voice, it really must be vengeance and desire to save her....I get it...I don't want to hold back, I'll risk my life for the filly, I'll do it for Key!!" 

 

 

She had opened the door just in enough time to hear Electrobolt telling a bunch of house cats that if they laid another filthy paw on his sister, who, didn't look all that great herself. She rushed towards her and Elextro. "Are you two alright? what's going on? Where did all these cats come from?" she asked noticing that each cat varied in size.

 

 

As Wind came inside the room and asked what was going on, Flow felt a strong desire to help Electrobolt and defend Key, she then turned to Wind and told her "I'm not really sure what's happening right now, but we should help," Next she turned to Alex, "Okay...um let's do this please, it's for Bolt and Key's life," She told him, as she got to the siblings and turned towards the cats, she shot a mean look at them as she shouts "Stay away from Key!! She's my friend and I swear you'll pay for hurting her!!" Slowly the blood curdled in her body as anger begins to fill her mind.

Edited June 29, 2013 by Flow

[Alex Night 870]

 

 

It was a cat, a rather large one. Its coat was as dark as the smaller cat's had been initially. It was in front of her before she'd had time to react. Its powerful hind legs kicked out, and the cat launched off of her chest, sending her sprawling backwards. Before she had a chance to react, cats came pouring out of the room and quickly clearing the distance towards her direction. Key scrambled, but they were too fast. She chirped strangely as she felt the first claws dig into her side. A reactive kick sent the first large housecat sliding, but the others were undeterred. In a moment, she was buried beneath them

 

Alex eyed the feline with suspicion as it spoke to them.  "Oh great, I was hoping that it was just a black cat, not a talking creepy black cat"  Alex thought to himself as he heard the cat's request to go back to the dining car.  Frankly, he wasn't in the mood to be told what to do by a black talking fleabag.  He then saw that Key was making a move to the cat to give it a bargain when it frankly was an ultimatum.  Then all of a sudden, a bigger and perhaps more intimidating black cat came out of the door filled with darkness.  He didn't have much time to contemplate this as the big black cat sent Key flying a few feet from them, followed by an entire mob of smaller black cats overwhelming Key Gear with many scratches all over her.

 

 

 

"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!" he screamed out, as he pushed Alex and Flow to the side before charging at the cats. As soon as he got right up to them, he swiftly turned around and delivered a powerful kick to the overgrown felines.   "No one tries to kill my sister, you overgrown housecats!!! NO ONE!!!" he shouted out in rage while he continued to buck them hard and squarely, trying to knock them off of Key Gear. He continued to violently kick them until he could tell that the cats were all knocked off of his sister. After that, he slowly turned around to face the dark cats as he began to breathe raggedly. As he glared at the felines, he stomped his hoof on the ground hard as he spoke. "If you overgrown housecats so much as lay one grimey paw on my sister... I will bucking kill you..."

 

Alex was about to step in and help Key Gear until he was shoved hard aside to the ground along with Flow.  He looked up at his assailant and saw that it was Electrobolt who was rushing in to help Key Gear get the cats off of her.  He had never seen Electrobolt this angry, but then again he'd probably do the same thing if she was his sister.  "Sheesh, take it easy He-Pony."  Alex said in a small annoyed, sarcastic manner, getting himself back up on his hooves.  He was about to extend a hoof to Flow to help her up, but she was already up before him and was having a quick conversation with Wind Dancer.

 

Alex facehoofed himself, wondering if having all of these ponies here was a good idea.  He quickly disregarded it and looked to Flow who was asking for his help.  He nodded to Flow, focusing his eyes on the cat pile.  "Yeah...  Let's kick these hairballs."  Alex said to Flow.  He flew quickly to Key's position and bucked a group of four black cats with his hind hoof, which screeched a loud meow as they flew for the walls.  He joined in with another round of superpony punches for one of the black cats that was trying to jump Electrobolt.  "How do you like me now?"  Alex asked in a cheeky manner to the black cats as he tried to reach for Key's hoof in the cat pile to pull her out of the pile.  He needed to keep her in the air so that the cats can't get her easily.

[Key Gear 6,662]

((OOC: Something happened in this post. It will not be obvious until the next, I think. With that said. I didn't proofread, so if you see something strange, please let me know. Ask questions on Skype if any arise.))

  

Dawn stared at the cat as it regarded her dismissively. Inside, she could feel a growing sense of fear, it froze her limbs into place. Her thoughts began to fill with the dim echo of a single possibility. Yet again, she had made a terrible mistake. This cat, this creature... It should have never been brought onboard this train. Vim was right. Yet, she was still conflicted.

 

This cat was magical, surely? It meant no more harm than the normal cat, certainly? It wouldn't hurt anypony would it? Dawn felt certain that it wouldn't, but she wasn't a stupid pony. The riddle of the cat and the bird made sense to her. She understood cats. She was certain that he was referring to Arcanel. She knew what cats did to birds. It wasn't a bad thing, normally.

 

Cats were like any other animal. They needed to eat as well. It was nopony's fault that cats had to eat meat. However, Arcanel was not a bird, he was a pegasus. He was not only a pegasus, but he was one that had helped her so much, even more than her cats. He was not food, and she would not allow him to be eaten. She liked Arcanel, and she enjoyed speaking to him. If he was eaten, then it would be much more difficult to speak with him in the future.

 

 

 

However, he first moved in front of Dawn and whispered to her "Stay behind me.", just in case something would happen. He realized that this cat or whatever it was, it could probably play unfair. Very unfair. And he was not going to risk anything now.

 

Dawn stared at Arcanel, and then she turned back to the cat. An unnatural smile was spreading slowly across the cat's face. It's eyes began to twinkle with an unusual yellow glow. It was as if it had expected this. Dawn shook her head. It didn't matter whether she stood in front of Arcanel or behind him. She would not allow him to come to harm.

 

It made sense, in a way, that he would step in front of her like this. Almost from the beginning, he had been a guardian to her, even more than the cat that was now smiling at them both. Arcanel had, somehow, managed to tame the one thing that she had never been able to control - herself. Her own explosive reactions, her instability. It was his words that had set her along to path to becoming free from these influences.

 

 

 

"Very well... you want me to answer your questions for the riddle, correct? I can do that... I'll play the game you're proposing..." he started, but then let out a small smile. "But not with the rules you're telling me to." He suddenly changed his tone of voice to a more questioning one. "I mean... what assurance can you give us that you will take us to Asteria? Or that in the process, you will not harm us? I am no fool, my dear Bringer." Arcanel said, saying the "dear" in a sarcastic way.

 

From the moment that Arcanel spoke, Dawn's worry began to increase. When he mentioned that he would change the rules, her eyes narrowed and her breaths came quicker. He was going to challenge Bringer directly. This was the one thing that the cat had once warned her about doing. It was a dangerous course of action, but as he continued to speak, she saw the logic behind his approach. Asteria was in danger. She had been so focused on the current situation that she hadn't even absorbed the information...

 

She stared at the cat, and she knew almost instantly that there would be no assurance. They would not be taken to Asteria. Bringer's glowing eyes were fierce, playful. His tail flicked idly from side to side. His face remained frozen in a smile, not a friendly one but a challenging one. This was a game. They were, perhaps, all birds, including her. He paid her no special regard, none at all.

 

 

 

"You said you're the cat. Well... you're a cat now, aren't you?" He asked innocently, with a silly smile on his face. "I remember back at the orphanage reading in a story book about somepony in a place called Wonderland. I remember a creature called the Cheshire Cat, who spoke in riddles and had an everlasting smile. You remind me of him, only you're evil. Far eviler." He continued.

 

She glanced at Arcanel and looked back at the cat. Was Bringer evil? She, herself, had nearly harmed another pony earlier in the day. She had nearly lost control. Maybe Bringer was like her, unstable? This could have been the reason that he had found her and tried to help her. Perhaps, in her, he had seen evidence of his own existence. But... Arcanel was the one that had told her that she wasn't even unstable, much less evil. If he, now, judged that Bringer was evil, then... What did it mean? His judgement had been sound...

 

 

 

"I am the bird, am I not? Whatever was wrong with Dawn, now I understand. It was you. And I helped her deal with you. And also... I am not the only bird you're chasing, am I? You're doing this as a distraction. You have a plan, in which what you're doing now is involved. Like a proper cat, you have searched... you have hunted... looking for the birds that rested in its nests... and you, hiding in plain sight. You used Dawn to get in here and do whatever you pleased without no one suspecting it." He explained, taking a small apologetic look at Dawn before returning his gaze towards the panther. "And now... you want your prize. You want to get what you hunted for... to consume it. So now... tell me... there's also not just one of you is there?" he asked, and now considering his next words, which he would have never believed, but after seeing what he saw, he could now. "You're threatening to hurt Asteria... yet, I see no means to communicate with anypony... you're not just one simple being are you? You're more than just a cat." Arcanel continued.

 

It was as though every word that the pegasus spoke was a hammer, attacking everything that she had held to be true. The attacks worked. Her eyes opened wide. Slowly, dimly her thoughts went back to the first time that she had met the large cat. She had been saved, it was true, but had she really been saved? What had she been saved from? Her memories of that day were not clear. In fact, she realized, none of her memories were very clear at all. It was as though she was a shell of a pony. She had her magic, and this seemed to be the only certainty...

 

It was her magic, of course. The cat had used it from the beginning, but it had been her magic that had opened the door for this creature. She met Arcanel's apologetic look with a blank expression, unable to express the complex thoughts that were in her own mind. An image was now beginning to take shape of this creature and its intentions. None of them were good. She nodded as Arcanel finished his statement. Of course, this cat was more than a cat.

 

 

 

"Now... will you tell me if I'm right? Or will you lie to our faces and simply end all this distraction? Or wait... you wouldn't, would you? You're enjoying riddling us, confusing us, using the life of a filly as threat. Will you actually keep to your word?" he asked once more. He had now spoken as he thought he should speak, and he had shown his cards. He hoped they would be the correct ones, for everypony's sake.

 

Resolutely, Dawn took a few steps forward to stand by Arcanel's side. The cat was, by this time, no longer able to restrain itself. Bringer was grinning, wildly at Arcanel. It looked at though he was amused, but his ears were folded back. His tail was no longer flicking idly. His claws were extended. His form was tensed. His eyes glowed with the intensity of a bright fire. Dawn's horn started to glow as she contemplated a defensive spell.

 

---

 

Bringer listened to Arcanel with a progressively widening smile. When the smile could grow no more, it became a grin and began to grow again. While Arcanel had been speaking, the big cat's eyes had darted between the pegasus and the unicorn mare. The two earth ponies behind them were of no consequence. Indeed, the pegasus himself would be no consequence if not for the effect that his words were having, still having on the unicorn.

 

When Arcanel finished speaking, and Dawn moved forward to stand by his side, Bringer knew. It was useless. She was no longer of any value to him. The words of the pegasus had poisoned her thoughts. This meant, of course, that he would either need to find another unicorn of a similar power level or forego his plan entirely. He winced as an action in another area of the train contributed to his growing frustration.

 

He shook his head before speaking. "Dawn, that won't be necessary..." The unicorn shook her head and spoke calmly, her eyes a strange mixture of confusion, epiphany, and anger. "It will be necessary. I think that you've lied to me. I think that you've used me. I think that Arcanel is right. I think that you're evil. I won't let you hurt anypony..." Her voice trailed off, and he shook his head again.

 

Bringer sighed, maintaining his grin eerily throughout the movement. "Let me speak, please? Arcanel... You lose the game. I do not appreciate your changing of the rules. I'm afraid that this demands penalty, but I can't quite deny that your game was interesting on its own merits. I think that I shall, despite my own thoughts, humor you on some modest level. With regards to your proposed reality... Yes. And, no. I am and I am not a cat. Obviously, this is the case."

 

He shrugged and looked away before continuing. "No, you are not the only bird. I mean, that should be obvious as well, right? Look at my size. A pegasus like you? Mmmm... You would hardly feed me for a single day. I have quite the appetite. Now, a griffon, maybe? And a pegasus? That's a much better meal. A griffon, a pegasus, an alicorn? Even better. I think that, with such a meal, I might be good for a week. Delicious, plainly. Mmm... Let me see... I can answer more questions, but I'm beginning to become bored."

 

The big cat slowly began to pace, away from the ponies. His voice grew calm and became more distant than his few steps seemed to suggest it should be. "I am getting bored. Bored and annoyed. You know, you're the first one to completely disregard my game and propose another. That's not very courteous of you. Now, see, I've played by your rules even when you didn't play by mine. And, you called me the liar? Ah, well... That's often how things are, isn't it? The honorable have no honor. The dishonorable are noble and just. In the end, nothing really matters. Does it? Or, maybe it does. It's hard to know for sure..."

 

A single shadow in the corner of the room. It had started as nothing more than a small, speck of darkness. Now, it leaped across the room like a cat attacking its prey. Dawn noticed the shadow, but it was far too late to do anything about it. She could only catch her breath as the darkness flooded over her. A single blast of light escaped her horn before all four ponies were plunged into darkness. When the shadows cleared, none of the ponies were there. Bringer sighed, again, and he used his paws to open the door leading into the adjacent passenger car, away from the dining car.

 

---

 

 

 

Either way, the question was a very weighty one, she couldn't afford to mess around. She trotted closer to the bed and sat at the floor, in front of Luminescence, bringing her eyes level to Luminescence's.

 

Luminescence allowed herself another rare smile. It was strange how Summer seemed to know exactly how to approach her. It was as it they had known each other for years, but of course, this was not the case. Luminescence had only met Summer not even a few hours ago. It was unusual, and it was the nature of this unusual relationship that had been, in part, the reason that Luminescence had asked the question. She would never have bothered to ask a pony that was simply smart, there had to be something else - a connection between them.

 

She nodded as Summer began to speak and the mare's words made sense. The answer seemed to be that it depended on many things - resources, the relationship, and the time consumed. It made perfect sense to Luminescence. Every action had some cost attached. It was for this reason that she, herself, was always careful to avoid falling into debt with any other pony. To her, debt meant that her actions had exceeded her ability to actually pursue them. It was a terrible thing to mismanage bits. Similarly, it would be a terrible thing, indeed to mismanage her own existence, sacrificing it pointlessly for another, dooming them to a life of regret.

 

 

 

Without a word Summerfall stroke Luminescence head lovingly. It was not her right to be privy on her secrets, but she couldn't help but to be curious on what could prompt the filly to ask such question. Was there was a tragedy in her life that involved a predatory cat? Her words that something terrible was about to happen lingered in Summerfall's mind. "I have to admit that I'm very intrigued on what could prompt you to ask such question, but I won't pry on your secrets, if it is indeed one. They are yours to keep, and I respect that."

 

She blinked, but she was, by now, becoming accustomed to the mare's motherly mannerism. It seemed unusual for such a mare to have such a side to her. Luminescence thought to herself that most of the mares that clamored to take care of a younger pony were generally unsophisticated creatures. Their hearts exceeded their heads by far. It was not an intrinsically horrible trait, but it was not one that appealed to the young filly. She had always been a straightforward and somewhat analytical thinker. Matters of the heart were unusual for her, and they were completely alien when not accompanied by some type of verbose explanation. Summer was perfect...

 

The mare's question prompted Luminescence to blink again. It wasn't even so much a question as it was a sort of curious, gentle prodding, a question without a question. The filly's eyes twinkled just slightly. She held no secrets, if she could. Secrets were boring, tedious things. Instead, she preferred to share what information she had when it was needed. In the case of Summer, she saw no reason to keep the mare in the darkness. If she wished to know the source of the question, then it would be shared, but only after a good meal.

 

 

 

With a start Summerfall stood up and walked to retrieve the food plate and put them on the bed. It was not exactly a cultured thing to do, to eat on one's bed, but then again there was nopony else in the room but the two. "If you're still hungry for some sandwiches, just dig in. They won't be as delicious when they're cold and brittle.

 

"Thank you, Summer." The filly spoke simply and nodded her head in appreciation of the gesture. She wasted no time in setting to work on the first sandwich. Summer was right, it was delicious, and she was better off eating while the food was still fresh. Eating carefully, so as to avoid making a mess on Summer's bed and on herself, Luminescence quickly finished off the first sandwich and started on the other. But, even as she ate, her earlier thought remained. The filly's eyes continued to twinkle, only with even greater intensity as she pondered how to explain herself to Summer.

 

When she had finally finished eating, Luminescence's hooves were nearly trembling with excitement. "Summer... The sandwiches were delicious." She began, before looking away for just a moment to steady herself. When she looked back, she had just barely managed to decrease her visible excitement. Luminescence took a deep breath, it had been so long since she had explained any of this to another pony that she was not certain how to even begin. She knew only one thing. She would need to be careful. Summer viewed her, at worst, as a respectable filly. It would do no good to throw all of this away with a single, brash rambling conversation.

 

She angled her eyes away from the mare and spoke slowly, deliberately. "Summer. Just some moments ago, you mentioned that you were interested in the source of my question. Well. I can tell you, I think." She looked at Summer, directly. "I made a game. It is an imaginary game, so it exists only in my thoughts. I know that this sounds silly, but this place feels real to me. It is what I do sometimes, to get away from the boredom of my existence. Because, I can get bored sometimes. I have an active mind."

 

Her voice picked up speed and energy as she continued, losing her ability to pace her words. She looked away. "I cannot stop thinking. It was the reason that I had to leave my parents, as I told you. I was running out of things to do. I looked for jobs that I could find, but nopony wanted to hire me. I was too small to lift and move things, and most of the jobs required that. I tried to get a few jobs that required thinking, but I was refused. Because of my youth, nopony believed that I was smart enough to do things that required thought."

 

She looked back and her eyes blazed with crimson ferocity. "But, I am smart enough. I have always been. I understand how to manage bits, how to build things, how to destroy things, how to use my magic. I am not just a filly. I am a pony like any other. I can work, I wanted to work. I was so bored. I was laughed at for this, so I ran away. Nopony could understand. I could not keep going like that, sitting every day. I would spend hours... Just doing nothing. Imagining. I was so bored. Imagining was the only thing that I had to do. Schoolwork was boring. Other fillies and colts were boring. Everything was boring."

 

Plainly frustrated, she buried her face in her hooves even as she continued. "I loved the game that I made, the world that I created. But, I could not just lie there every day in something that was not real. It wasn't real. I know this. I knew it then and I know it now, I think. I ran away. I stowed away on a train. It was easy. I left. I arrived in Fillydelphia, I think. I found a home in the local orphanage, but my old problem remained. I was still bored. Eventually, I was adopted by two young ponies, they were business ponies."

 

Luminescence removed her hooves from her face and turned around to face away from Summer, again. Still, she gestured for emphasis every few moments as if performing for an audience. "At first, I was happy. They liked my world, my game. They encouraged me. They quickly realized that I was capable. It was then that they decided to give me a job. It was a good job, because it kept me busy. However, the pay was far below market. They justified this by saying that I was their child, so I should repay them for taking care of me, teaching me. I used my magic to help their business, and I used my skill to help them find new ways to improve their product."

 

She shook her head. "It was flattering to be given such an opportunity. But, I was given too much of this opportunity. They used me, Summer. I received more and more work and less and less bits. Eventually, I realized that I wasn't really adopted. I was their servant. I did things for them, to help them. They gave me nothing, except the promise that, eventually, I would receive a real position with real pay. By the time that I realized this, it was too late. I was so tired. I broke down."

 

She looked back at Summer with a wistful smile, her red eyes seemed far away. "You see, I sunk into my world. I had abandoned it while working. When I broke down, though, I became almost a prisoner to it. I think that these 'parents' were ashamed, because they abandoned me without a word, leaving me in a forest when I was too weak to stand. I was all used up, then I was discarded. Somehow, I survived. But, I was never the same. I guard myself carefully now. I think I trust too easily. So... I say all of this to say another thing. I caught myself. I almost told you, but I did not. I couldn't. Not before I ask you, and it may seem silly, but it is not. Summer, are you afraid of the dark?"

 

Her smile faded. The twinkle in her eyes had dulled to her normal expression, and her entire form was somewhat tensed. It was as though she was expecting something, something bad. Her normal, steady demeanor had drifted away. Instead, what remained was a sense of unusual alertness. She watched Summer carefully, seemingly obvious to the unusual monologue that she had just made. She stared at Summer, wide-eyed.

 

---

 

Key struggled. She was by no means a weak pony, but at that moment, she was at a weight disadvantage against the large cats. Her attempts to thrash and flail did nothing. There were simply too many cats. As the claws and teeth began to rip into her fur, she was reminded of the previous night, when she was attacked in the darkness by a similar mass of creatures. The light had saved her then, but what would save her now? Those creatures hadn't even hurt. These cats, they were quite real, though. Or, at least, they seemed to be.

 

 

 

"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!" he screamed out, as he pushed Alex and Flow to the side before charging at the cats. As soon as he got right up to them, he swiftly turned around and delivered a powerful kick to the overgrown felines.

 

The cats didn't notice Electrobolt's approach until the kick sent a number of them flying. The sounds of angry hisses filled the air, and a few of the larger cats attempted to scramble towards the two earth ponies. A few more cats quickly snuck out of the room to join the fray. The smaller cat with the blue fur scrambled to get away from the growing melee. From the dark room, a barely perceptible sigh could be heard. A loud noise being made in exasperation.

 

 

 

"How do you like me now?" Alex asked in a cheeky manner to the black cats as he tried to reach for Key's hoof in the cat pile to pull her out of the pile. He needed to keep her in the air so that the cats can't get her easily.

 

 

 

"No one tries to kill my sister, you overgrown housecats!!! NO ONE!!!" he shouted out in rage while he continued to buck them hard and squarely, trying to knock them off of Key Gear. He continued to violently kick them until he could tell that the cats were all knocked off of his sister. After that, he slowly turned around to face the dark cats as he began to breathe raggedly. As he glared at the felines, he stomped his hoof on the ground hard as he spoke. "If you overgrown housecats so much as lay one grimey paw on my sister... I will bucking kill you..."

 

At some point in the continuing conflict, Key managed to wiggle free from the last few cats and deliver them a few goodbye kicks for good measure. She was now standing, albeit shakily, on her hooves besides the larger ponies. Her breaths were coming in quick bursts, and her eyes flicked around the room looking for the next attack or challenge. "Well..." She started, but her voice trailed off. Something was wrong. The darkness in the room seemed to be growing even darker than before, and an odd shadow had, just barely, begun to creep from the room.

 

 

 

She rushed towards her and Electro. "Are you two alright? what's going on? Where did all these cats come from?"

 

 

 

She told him, as she got to the siblings and turned towards the cats, she shot a mean look at them as she shouts "Stay away from Key!! She's my friend and I swear you'll pay for hurting her!!" Slowly the blood curdled in her body as anger begins to fill her mind.

 

The cats, all of them, had ceased the attack and they were now staring at the ponies, motionless. They answered Flow's challenge with silence. Key stared back at them, before she whispered to the others. "I think that something's wrong..." A voice answered back from the darkness. "Nothing's wrong, though I am somewhat disappointed. A proper fear of the dark is something that everypony and bird should have. Don't you think? Mmmm... Well. I think so. And, that's all that matters isn't it? I mean, who's really in control over this situation?"

 

The voice grew louder. "For the love of all that's good. Wait, no... That would be pointless. So little is actually good in the world. Instead. for the love of the darkness... Maybe..." The voice was cut off by Key Gear's frustrated voice. "What do you want! Where are Asteria and Magicon? How about..." The voice hissed in anger and the darkness from the room swept over all of the ponies within it. In an instant, they were gone.

 

When the shadow swept over her, it felt as though it was the cats again. The darkness had some type of weight attached to hit. She was only standing shakily, the force of the sweeping darkness carried her off of her hooves. She expected to fall to floor, but the feeling never came. Instead, she felt the sensation of floating, falling without an end. Her eyes could see nothing... "Bolt! Flow! Alex!" She called out, wondering if any of the others could hear her.

 

In the darkness, she could hear nothing. As she squinted though, she was certain that she could make out the wings of a pegasus, maybe even more than one. She carefully looked around again, and other silhouettes were apparent, but she couldn't hear anything, not even the smallest sound. There was a flash of light. Key found herself lying on a hard surface, which was strange because she had never even felt herself land. It was as if the floor had moved, rather than her.

 

Key's eyes took a few moments to adjust to the dimly lit room. The sound of a quilled pen scratching its way across a page could be heard, but her eyes could hardly make out the source of the noise. After a moment, she blinked. The room could now be easily seen. "What the buck..." She whispered as her eyes took in the sight of what was plainly some kind of dungeon. The room was a maze of bars, all of them were unusual sizes, imperfect cylinders. They were organized in a pattern that made almost no sense at all.

 

Key could see the others - Electrobolt, Wind Dancer, Alex, and Flow. They were all trapped in the same area and in the same way. She tried to navigate out of her holding area, but she simply blundered into the bars. They were bitterly cold, and she yelped when she made contact with them. The odd scratching sound of a pony writing continued to reach her ears. "Hey!" Key shouted, hoping that the voice would answer, but it didn't respond.

 

Instead, her own voice answered back. "Hey!" Key shook her head. How could an echo exist in this place, it was far too crowded. She turned to where Electrobolt was, across the room. "Bolt... I don't think that we're on the train anymore, and..." Her eyes had just located the source of the scratching. Behind Electrobolt, writing frenziedly in book on the floor, was a blue unicorn with a white mane. She had no cape or hat, but she bore a distinct resemblance to Trixie.

 

Behind Key, she heard her own voice again. "Don't mind her. She's the scribe for this place. Don't mind the room. It makes no sense. You'll never find your way out. Not without help. Don't mind me. I'm just here because you told me that you had a deal for me. But... You never said what it was." Key span around and, lying on the ground was the blue furred cat from earlier. "Okay, here's a deal, why don't you let me and my friends out of here?"

 

The cat shook her head and strolled away from Key, climbing some invisible surface and effortlessly stepping through the bars and into the area wear the pegasus ponies were being held. "Lots of birds here." The cat mentioned, continuing in a funny voice. "One of them can't fly, which might be a problem..." Key stared and attempted to follow the cat, duplicating the movements. She made it about a foot in the air before she fell over, landing in a heap. The way that she landed irritated her scratches and cuts from the earlier attack, she groaned with annoyance.

 

A hissing laugh came from the cat. "You can't just follow me. You're too big." Key Gear glared at the cat, the filly was completely confused. In a frustrated tone, Key Gear tried to explain herself. "What just happened. We're here. In a room that makes no sense. With Trixie. And, a talking cat. Sooo... I want to get back to the train? How can I do this. I want to find Asteria... and Magicon. Are they on the train, here, where are they..."

 

The cat shrugged. "I don't know. If I did know, I would want to know more about that deal." The cat pointed at the pony that looked like Trixie, who was still writing, completely undisturbed. "She might now. She probably knows. She's a bit mindless, though. I think she had too many nightmares." The hissing laugh repeated itself. "Well..." The cat walked on air again, navigating the bars, approaching Electrobolt. "Do you have something for me? Your coat is a lovely shade of green. I don't mind what happened to the other nightmares back there. They're boring, and that was rude of them. A good kick was what they deserved. You didn't kick me, though? Why not? Was I too small? Or, was it because I moved away?"

 

---

 

Midnight listened as Lapis spoke. So far, he had said nothing of interest. As he spoke, she couldn't help but notice that his recovery from his earlier state had been remarkably quick. A normal pony would have, perhaps, never recovered. It was an odd thing to move, quickly, from tears and despair to effectively conveying information. She considered that she had requested him to do exactly this. It could mean that he was remarkably good at following orders. It could almost mean something else... Her eyes cooled.

 

 

 

Lapis took a moment to get the thoughts in order. “Inside we found a large black cat. A panther, most likely. It watched us with what felt like a bored expression. Vim blocked it while I searched the room. In the corner on the ground, I found a note and a bottle of invisible ink. And inside a chest, I found the book. Is this enough detail? I don't think I can explain it any better.” he said as his eyes were drawn back to the sword.

 

She frowned when the cat was mentioned. It was exactly as she had feared when she had seen the words in the other journal. She thought about how to best approach the problem, but her thoughts were slightly interrupted by following Lapis's gaze to the sword. His expression concerned her. Curiosity, at such a time as this? "It's enough detail..." She said cautiously, softly as she waited for his curiosity to express itself in words.

 

 

 

The sword might have been nothing special. But why would a writer keep one with her? “Say, do you mind if I see that sword? And if you don't mind my asking, why do you own one? Are there monsters or bandits here that you must fight to maintain peace?” he asked, thinking his question was a little silly. But who knew in the land between Dream and Nightmare? It sounded ridiculous, but why would Midnight lie to him? It was easier to just believe that he was now in a world he had only read about briefly in a few musty texts.

 

Her cautious expression gave way to a thinly veiled look of reproach. "Lapis... Don't be silly? Do I look like a pony that fights monsters and bandits to maintain peace? How does that even make any sense." She gestured towards her desk with a hoof and began to trot towards the blade at a gingerly pace. "I write. That's just about all that I do. Maybe, I just keep this sword around because I like it. It does look nice. It certainly seems to draw your attention. So, you wish to see it. Very well."

 

Cooly, she reached the blade and removed it from its sheath. The blade was thin yet strong, elegant yet harsh. The metal gleamed flawlessly in the light of the room. The blade was perfect, agile, sharp. Midnight smiled before taking the sword and calmly trotting back to Lapis. When she was less than a meter away, she stopped. With the speed and elegance of a dancer, the sword was in her hoof, with the blade at Lapis's neck. "Actually, I have used this before. I have had some dealings with griffons, outside of normal territories. I learned to defend myself."

 

She smiled invitingly. "Don't move. You should be able to see the blade clearly, where you are. Don't panic. I have a few more questions, because there are some things confusing me. I needed to attract your attention. I said to focus, but I think you've focused on the wrong thing. This sword should not be important to you now. You want to save your filly? No or yes? If you do, then distractions will do you no good. If you don't, then did you lie to me?"

 

The blade didn't move while she spoke, and her voice became as steely as her grip. "Here's my question. The words that you wrote in my book, how much of them did you understand? How much of that made any sense to you? You remind me of somepony. Your demeanor and the way that you carry yourself... What do you know about dreams, Lapis? Dragons? Guardians? Have you heard anything about any of this? If so, then tell me, quickly please. I need to know." Her eyes betrayed an unusual mixture of trust, distrust, appreciation, and fury. Her actions betrayed nothing, as the sword held steady.

 

---

 

 

 

She'd wasted enough time as it was, though it had been barely a few seconds. “I'd say you eat anything and everything. Why limit oneself to meat or cream? Why not anything that comes to mind? Say, do you suppose you could eat trees, or even mountains? Surely you can do many things.” Dreamer said filled with a bubbly enthusiasm.

 

Bringer raised an eyebrow as he considered the filly's answer. It was both obvious and non-obvious at the same time. Her bubbly enthusiasm brought a grin to his face. He nodded his head. Her answer was, indeed, quite amusing. His eyes continued to dim, slightly as the filly stared at him. Seeing his own reflection in her eyes, he became aware of his deteriorating state.

 

 

 

Dreamer stared at the cat now, facing him full in the face. His eyes were so dim, and a single tear had escaped from his eye. Was something the matter? She simply had to know. “Bringer, is something wrong? Are you not having fun? What's wrong with your eyes? And why do I see that a tear has run down your face?” she asked, voiced tinged with some concern. Sure, he was keeping her here against her will, but Dreamer still had a heart. If something was the matter, she simply had to know. She made to touch him, but pulled back. She didn't know what would have happen if she had completed the motion. She was willing to, though. Although, the promise she had made Scarlet echoed in her mind.

 

"Mmmm..." He had no response to her unexpected concerns. As she reached out a hoof to touch him, his ears folded back and he shrank from the filly's touch. His eyes locked on to her hoof with an uncertain expression. It quickly became an expression of longing when she pulled her hoof away from him. His ears unfolded, and he began to back away from the filly. The light in the room dimmed, masking him with darkness. Slowly, with each step, he receded further from her vision.

 

His tired voice spoke from the shadows. "That was an amusing answer, Dreamer. I confess that you are the least boring pony that I have encountered so far. That is, I think, good for you. I think it might be good for me as well. Your answer... It was amusing, yes, and it was wrong. You say that I can eat anything and everything? That's not true. Not everything. I couldn't eat the Ocean of Nightmares. Then, the food that I can eat, it has no taste. Have you ever tasted food in a dream, Dreamer?"

 

"I'm certain that you have not. Even if you have, it was an illusion, prompted by memories of your own realm, which is so different from this one. I have been there, Dreamer, several times. Each time, I was recalled to this tedious place. I long to go to your realm and remain. Everything is so much more real there. I can taste things, create memories. It isn't like this place, where everything is just temporary, illusionary. Here, there is no real feeling, no real amusement, just artificial nothingness." There was silence.

 

"Mmmm... Dreamer..." The voice sounded nearer. "Yes, something is wrong. It has to do with all of this. I'm trying so hard right now to manage... Everything... I must free myself from this prison, this terrible, terrible place. No, I am not having fun. Not really..." The voice was closer, circling. "My eyes are windows... Into myself. I am hurting right now. It is taking far too much effort to do all that must be done. Things are frustrating me, and all I wanted was freedom... For myself... And, for my friends... I think these nightmares are my friends, you see. They understand me... Almost as well as you do..."

 

The voice ceased. The room's darkness loomed impressively as the last of the light dissipated entirely. The breeze that had carried the light through the room continued. The ocean surrounding the room seemed still as well. For some minutes, there was nothing but darkness. Something large moved across the exterior of the room. It's massive size seemingly darkening even the darkness that was within the room. The floor shifted slightly.

 

Behind Dreamer, the large cat seemingly materialized from nowhere and licked the filly with a sandpapery tongue. A yellow glow weakly emanated from the panther's eyes and it's coat seemed to glisten with a light shadow. "I just thought of something... It amuses me greatly, and I wonder what you would think of it. You see... Since you're from your own realm, that means that you're real, does it not? Well, we can test this, Dreamer. Are you interested in the experiment? Or, maybe you would like to tell me something... What am I? Light, shadow, or darkness? I have always wondered myself... Take your time to answer. I want this to be a good one." The big cat's eyes, though still dim, flickered with mischief.

 

---

 

Ambrosia listened carefully while Arcanel verbally tore into the big cat. She, herself, felt neither concern about or fear of the cat. It was probably some type of magical creature. Most likely, it was one that Trixie had let out of its horrible container. Now, it was here to wreak mischief on the train. It seemed all too straightforward to her. Then, the cat began to speak. His words seemed odd to her. He seemed to be referencing and discussing things that had absolutely nothing to do with the current challenge.

 

When he finally finished speaking, she was prepared to do her part in confronting him, but she never got the chance. Instead, a strange shadow enveloped the room. Darkness was suddenly everywhere, and she could feel the distinctly feeling that she was falling but upwards rather than downwards. Whatever she was falling through, it seemed to have some kind of substance to it. She could feel resistance as she kicked her hooves out against the shadows.

 

It felt like nearly an eternity had passed but, eventually, the shadow gave way to light and she found herself standing upright in a place that looked eerily familiar. She turned to her right and saw Dawn. The unicorn was cringing and hugging the ground with a panicked expression. Arcanel was out in front of her by just a few feet. As she looked at the at the other two ponies, her eyes adjusted to the eerie gray lighting that seemed to permeate the place.

 

It was then that she recognized it. She was standing there, right there, in the same place that she had stood many times before, in her dreams at least. She shivered. The air was cold in this place. It was just as she remembered. The buildings all showed the signs of some kind of attack, probably from the dragon that she had seen so many times. Yet, there was not a single trace of other ponies.

 

Dawn's voice cut through the silence, "W-where are we?" The unicorn sounded disturbed, at best. "I guess... This is my dream?" Ambrosia's own voice sounded curious, lost in a certain sense of wonder. She was, on some level, stunned. Now, she was here. She could feel the gravel path beneath her hooves. She could feel the coolness in the air on her fur. She could sense the same sorrowful, eerie silence. "Did I faint?" She spoke the thought. It made sense, but how could it explain the presence of the others.

 

She span around, right to left, looking at the world that she now found herself in. It wasn't quite the same as the world from her dreams. This setting seemed larger. The buildings were destroyed, but some of them seemed altogether quite massive compared to the small place from her dream. The field of flowers that she had created on her last visit were nowhere to be seen. Her survey came to an immediate halt when she saw, to her left, Vim lying unconscious.

 

Ambrosia felt her heart leap into her mouth, and she just barely stifled a cry. Instead, she spoke hurriedly. "Arcanel! Dawn! Dawn!" Her hooves scrambled to cover the distance. "Vim!" She skid to a halt and dropped ungracefully down to get a closer look at the older stallion. He wasn't breathing, and his features seemed completely inert. She started to panic. "Vim... Vim!" She poked him a few times, but still nothing happened. She cradled the stallion's head in her hooves, her eyes opened wildly, and her voice softly wailed. "This place... It has to be my fault... What have I done?!"

 

"You know, I blame the cat." The voice sounded familiar, close, and strangely distorted. She stared down and saw one of Vim's eyes, half open, seemingly blazing red. Ambrosia's breath caught in her throat, and she dropped Vim unceremoniously and scrambled backwards. The conductor laughed, and slowly stood to his hooves, shaking himself off. "That was too easy." His voice rumbled with laughter. Ambrosia was shivering with her frustration. "Easy? Easy!" Her green eyes blazed with anger.

 

She spoke sharply. "Vim, this is not some joke or a game... This is the place... It's my dream! The same dream that I've had for years. We're here... All of us... There's a dragon here. There's other things... Darkness. This place... It isn't safe. It isn't a place for joking or playing around. I thought you were dead or badly hurt! I didn't know if Dawn could help you, I..." Vim had been shaking his head the entire time, now he spoke. "I know about your dreams, Ambrosia. You've gone on about them before. The fact is simple. You always woke up. If you can remember how, then maybe we could figure out how to get out of here?"

 

The conductor continued. His voice was remarkably calm. "I know I'm just an earth pony, but I've seen some things, and I've heard some tales during my time. I've always kept good humor throughout it all, though. Besides, really? You know, that cat brought us here. That means he probably has a plan, and that plan probably involves us doing what he expects. Panic and worry are probably exactly what he expects. That won't do us any good. We need to think. Now... Errr... That's not something that I'm really good at, so feel free to take a swing at it." The conductor placed his hat on his head and grinned awkwardly.

 

---

 

 

 

He wanted to shout something to Scarlet, but what could he say? Everything had already been said. He just followed Scarlet. She knew what she was doing and he would help her. They were allies and that’s what allies do: help each other.

 

Her hooves continued to hit the ground. She was running as fast as she could, but she longed to run even faster. In front of them, the abandoned village was increasing in size and prominence against the flat terrain. They were getting closer. She chanced a quick glance over her shoulder and saw that Magicon was there. She looked in the other direction, hoping to see the source of the earlier roar before it attacked them. But, she could see nothing. The sky was clear, and no other noises could be heard.

 

Somehow, the silence concerned her just as much as the earlier roars did. It meant that something unexpected could occur. She lowered her head and somehow managed to gain just a little more speed; her worries supplying an increase in energy. In front of her, the village was now only a minute or so away. Strangely, it now seemed positively leviathan in size. Crumbling walls, decadent woodwork, and the grisly marks of claws, fangs, and fire characterized the structures.

 

She slowed to a trot and cautiously entered one of the nearly destroyed gates leading into the village. "This is strange. I was certain that we would be attacked on our way here, but nothing happened. Bringer is tricky. It could be a trap. We need to reach a place. There is a strange pony here. She can help us if she wishes to do so... They are called scribes. They write what is, but I think that they can also write what will become, at least somewhat." She stopped, suddenly and her ears sprang to full alertness.

 

She heard voices, and they were remarkably nearby. They were also loud, given the silence of the village. She winced, but no answering roar manifested itself. She crept, carefully, towards the source of the voices, stopping when she had reached a corner. Content with her concealment, she looked around just in time to see the entire exchange between the cook and the conductor. "The big red earth pony likes games just as much as I do, and his words are wise. Magicon, do you know him? Could he be trusted to assist us?"

 

---

 

 

 

"Now we can't be separated," she added.

 

It was a wise precaution. Dusky gave his hoof a tug, just to make certain. Thankfully, Ice Storm had already blindfolded herself. There were no other precautions that he could think about taking at that that point in time. From here on, it would simply be up to them to take the right steps. This was made more problematic because he had only an incomplete picture of what was.

 

 

 

She felt everything around her getting colder her as the spell began to resolve around them she could feel everything getting darker as well. she wasn't sure where she was or even if her spell was working. She only hoped that Dusky could only confirm that they were in the right place. She hoped that for everypony's sake that they were.

 

They were in darkness now. It was the darkness that existed between the realms. They were still far away from where they needed to be, but they were close enough that his own power over the world would be sufficient to carry them the rest of the way. At first, there was the sensation of falling. Then, another sensation as the world seemed to shift around them for a few moments. When it settled, they stood on the edge of a large, snowy tundra, facing outwards towards a massive ocean.

 

The water was dark, brackish, and yet strangely luminescent. The water went on for as far as the eye could see. In the far distance, a mountain could be seen, towering above the dark ocean. Nearer to the shore where they stood, the water was silent, still. Further out, into the distance, a tumultuous wind raged, whipping the waves into a wild frenzy. Unusual iridescent shapes could be seen moving near the surface of the water. Just slightly beyond even the mountain, a darkness hung over the water, like a great mist.

 

Dusky smiled. "It is a good thing that your eyes cannot see what mine can. Though, at the same time, it is quite sad." He loosed his hoof from hers. "Be careful to not move too far forward. In front of us is the Ocean of Nightmares. You do not want to fall into it or to even step into it. This entire realm is the place that supplies the building blocks of the nightmares that ponies and other creatures dream. It is a terrible beauty. Most would lose themselves in looking at it, but I discovered... Long ago... That I could look on a nightmare without forgetting myself."

 

He glanced at Ice Storm with a distracted expression. "By the way... You don't need a diaper here. In all of these realms, you are not as you were before. You are a pony, certainly, but you are a product of your thoughts, your own image of what you are and how you exist. Conventional physical problems no longer exist... More specifically, we stand in a realm of shadows, where dream and nightmare may mix. This place is... Artificial. I created it with the help of another, some time ago. I am not sure when..."

 

His voice trailed off as he stared into the ocean's seemingly infinite expanse, out towards the hovering cloud. "I have had many plans for doing this in the past. I could have opened the door that restricted my normal movement within Equestria. I could have waded into the Ocean of Nightmare, matching my strength against it, harnessing its power as my own or failing and receiving destruction. So many times, I have looked out into this nothingness, and I have seen everything. Vast, complex plans. Too complex, I see now."

 

"Where we stand, alone among the three worlds, magic exists. I created it here, myself. It was challenging, but I wove it into the very fabric of this world when it was created." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I think that... Hmmmm... Given the nature of magic in this place, we can take a shortcut. As I described to you earlier, my current problem is simple... I am here, in this place. I am also in several other places. Some part of me exists in each place at a single time. The point that combines them all is centered here... This ocean. As I told you... I inhabit nightmares. It was a literal statement."

 

He frowned and his eyes focused on the "There is a mountain some distance away. This mountain is where I attempted to seal the creature away. It exists here, in the Frozen North, and in between all of these places. As I said... I am divided. Hmmmm... Just as we were, before you froze our hooves together." Dusky smiled, broadly. "I have an idea. A simple idea. It is far more simple than any other idea that I have ever had for resolving this, and it would bring the added benefit of saving the life of the young filly and any others that are here."

 

His voice, more and more, adopting the contemplative, explorative tone of an engineer examining a difficult structural problem. "Ice Storm... As I said... Magic is artificial in this place. It is also amplified. For your ice magic, I think that it would be remarkably amplified, as my own magic is of a similar variety. This is an admittedly strange idea, but... If you and I were to freeze this ocean. It would expand. Nightmare is, as I described earlier, a much more concentrated form of dream substance, and it sometimes escapes this containment and enters other worlds. In this case... We could take advantage of this. Forcing the escape through expansion. Temporarily breaking the barrier between worlds."

 

"My own magic could then be used to perform its speciality, building a world. You would only need to maintain the frozen state of the ocean. In this case, I could forge a link across the realms, uniting myself through this link. While all of this occurs, anything that draws power from nightmare would be unable to act. It would be frozen, thus unable to actually harm any other ponies. When I have gathered my forms and restored myself, then we could go to rescue the filly. We would know exactly where she is at that point because our magic would have combed some vast expanse of this ocean, and I am certain that she is here."

 

A strange enthusiasm began to build in his voice as he continued to speak, a certain liveliness that his voice did not normally carry. "If we move quickly, then we can find the filly, while everything is still frozen. If this is the case, then it would only take a comparably minor effort to separate the link between the world, pulling everything of nightmare back to this ocean, and eliminating this mountain, or... At the very least, isolating it..." Dusky stopped, in wonder at his own enthusiasm. It had been years since he had rambled so much about magic and not a train engine. To discuss the technical aspect of magic with another unicorn? It was a wonderful feeling. "Ahh... Hmmm... What do you think, Ice Storm? For myself... If there are any flaws in this plan... I think that we may be better off dealing with them as they arise? I have talked enough... Time is growing short..."

  

((OOC: Cookie if you can figure what is wrong with all of this post?))

Edited September 15, 2013 by Luminescence

[Starshine 16,330]

When she had finally finished eating, Luminescence's hooves were nearly trembling with excitement. "Summer... The sandwiches were delicious." She began, before looking away for just a moment to steady herself.

Summerfall smiled, satisfied that there would be no hungry filly at her room until the dinner time. She excused herself for a moment to put the now empty tray to the top of the drawer. She then returned to her position in front of Luminescence. It seemed that the filly had something in her mind. When the filly finally spoke, Summerfall didn't make any attempt to interrupt, she simply listened

 

Summerfall inwardly sighed as Luminescence told her her story. It looked like almost everypony in Luminescence's life had failed to see that she was no ordinary filly. They refused to accept her as something more. It was one of the things that sometimes irked the mare, some ponies thought that they were better than others simply because they were older.

 

Luminescence's personal place inside her mind was kind of familiar. It was that certain, small enclosed space that she was sure that everypony had at one time in their life, but most forgot that they ever had it after they grew cynical. Summerfall had to admit that she herself found such idea silly, nothing more but an overactive imagination, but then again, she still love to spend hours reading books in solitude. I guess it was different for everypony, she thought to herself.

 

Plainly frustrated, she buried her face in her hooves even as she continued. "I loved the game that I made, the world that I created. But, I could not just lie there every day in something that was not real. It wasn't real. I know this. I knew it then and I know it now, I think. I ran away. I stowed away on a train. It was easy. I left. I arrived in Fillydelphia, I think. I found a home in the local orphanage, but my old problem remained. I was still bored. Eventually, I was adopted by two young ponies, they were business ponies."

 

Luminescence removed her hooves from her face and turned around to face away from Summer, again. Still, she gestured for emphasis every few moments as if performing for an audience. "At first, I was happy. They liked my world, my game. They encouraged me. They quickly realized that I was capable. It was then that they decided to give me a job. It was a good job, because it kept me busy. However, the pay was far below market. They justified this by saying that I was their child, so I should repay them for taking care of me, teaching me. I used my magic to help their business, and I used my skill to help them find new ways to improve their product."

 

She shook her head. "It was flattering to be given such an opportunity. But, I was given too much of this opportunity. They used me, Summer. I received more and more work and less and less bits. Eventually, I realized that I wasn't really adopted. I was their servant. I did things for them, to help them. They gave me nothing, except the promise that, eventually, I would receive a real position with real pay. By the time that I realized this, it was too late. I was so tired. I broke down."

 

She looked back at Summer with a wistful smile, her red eyes seemed far away. "You see, I sunk into my world. I had abandoned it while working. When I broke down, though, I became almost a prisoner to it. I think that these 'parents' were ashamed, because they abandoned me without a word, leaving me in a forest when I was too weak to stand. I was all used up, then I was discarded. Somehow, I survived. But, I was never the same. I guard myself carefully now. I think I trust too easily.

Summerfall's face was blank. She actually had to rewind her memory to recall what she had just heard, just to ensure that it was not her own imagination, but Luminescence did said that a couple of ponies actually had enough death wish to treat her as nothing but servant. To make matter worse they dared to left the spent filly to fend for herself at the worst possible moment. Any semblance of emotion left her features. Silently she noted to make sure that, whoever was responsible, even if they were the steward of the throne herself, would face the consequences. Such act of exploitation would never go without the much justified retribution, she promised herself. This was no longer about Luminescence, this time it was something personal.

 

So... I say all of this to say another thing. I caught myself. I almost told you, but I did not. I couldn't. Not before I ask you, and it may seem silly, but it is not. Summer, are you afraid of the dark?"

 

Her smile faded. The twinkle in her eyes had dulled to her normal expression, and her entire form was somewhat tensed. It was as though she was expecting something, something bad. Her normal, steady demeanor had drifted away. Instead, what remained was a sense of unusual alertness. She watched Summer carefully, seemingly obvious to the unusual monologue that she had just made. She stared at Summer, wide-eyed.

Summerfall slightly tensed when the last word left Luminescence tongue. It seemed that the filly was about to share her the secret that once traumatized her of cats. Either way, there was something she would have to address before answering the question. "Luminescence, before I answer your question, I want to ask you for something. After this you will have to tell me the name of these ponies who... adopted you," Summerfall seethed. She didn't make any attempt to hide her disgust at the word 'adopt.' She sighed and closed her eyes for a second to calm herself down before continuing. There would be no use to stay upset at front of Luminescence. "If it is a job you are looking for, I can give you something to do under me. We can talk about it later when we arrived in Los Pegasus. I would recommend you to follow me for a while. After I finished my business in Los Pegasus, I would have to go back to Ponyville to fetch my brother, and then after that we would pick a train to Baltimare, and then after that... I promised my brother that he would be the one who would pick our last destination, but knowing him it would be a lake resort or tourist attraction."

 

"While for your question, I believe darkness is a rather subjective term," Summerfall momentarily scrunched her face in thought. "Some might say that dark is merely the lack of light and nothing to be afraid of, while others might say that the suffocating darkness is terrifying in its own terms. I personally had no problem with the darkness. One of my favorite pastime activities is to read books alone in my apartment while all lights are off, but I guess that was not the kind of darkness you're talking about."

 

Summerfall tapped her chin. She was not the one who would normally spend her time thinking about such abstract concept. "If I have to be honest, I'm not afraid of the darkness. It is the uncertainty and the unknown factor that the dark might hide behind it that would worry me. If the darkness would be in an enclosed space, on which I have a control of what's inside it, then I would not be scared of it. If the darkness is vast and unexplored, but I have somepony capable with me, then I would not be scared. But if I am to be alone in the middle of nothingness, then I'll have to say that such premise terrify me."

 

Summerfall looked behind her, just to make sure that the door was still locked. She then turned back to Luminescence and spoke, "do you have something that disturbs you? If you want to share it with me, then I would be happy to hear it. Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." She smiled. It might sounded like a promise that she wouldn't be able to keep if things went to the worst, but at least she would make sure that she wouldn't be so quick to neglect Luminescence.

Edited July 5, 2013 by Starshine

[Bari 7,021]

Lapis felt a bit silly as Midnight addressed the issue of the sword. She was just a writer. Though, he had honestly asked to know if this area was dangerous or not. Perhaps he should've just asked plainly. But either way, Midnight made no mention of something along those lines. He'd still have to ask, clearly this time. As the mare approached the sword, it seemed as though her voice took a slightly dangerous edge to it. The beginnings of worry entered his gut. He feared he had offended his hostess. He was about to express an apology before she actually drew the thing from its sheath.
 
It appeared to be a marvelous looking weapon. Its gleam held his eyes. He watched both the sword and its mistress together as one, still listening to the mare. In only a moment, the blade was at his neck. Lapis' eyes went wide with fear for a few seconds. There was a big difference between being cut and being obliterated. If Midnight intended to kill him, he doubted he'd come out the winner. The way she explained her ownership of the sword made him feel as though Midnight expected him to try and hurt her. But why would she think that?
 
She told him to not move. To stay calm. Maybe this was a test. He could pass a test. At least, he hoped he could. Dying now would mean he couldn't go after Asteria. So it was in his best interest to cooperate. It was true, though. He could see the blade alright. It was a sharp piece of metal aim at his throat. A lovely work of craftsmanship. He wondered briefly if its metal was extracted from Grass Valley or any of the neighboring mines. He would have asked, but it was clear he should have been focusing on the issue at hoof, and not a silly sword. But the thing had caught and held his eye. He did need to know why a writer would have a sword.
 
And then, he thought about her words. She almost seemed irritated he had gotten distracted. Or maybe that he had regained his composure so quickly. Sometimes he forgot it was normal to stay one emotion for a while. Underneath his cold exterior, he was something of a mixture of emotions at all times. And of course, Asteria had been foalnapped before. Not that it happened always, but it wasn't something especially new. He hadn't been himself while writing. Or maybe the idea she was in some other world he could not reach affected him deeply. He truly did not know. Emotions were not his specialty. Books were. If Asteria were here, she might have been able to tell him what was going on with him. But since she wasn't, finding her quickly was the best course of action. 
 

"Here's my question. The words that you wrote in my book, how much of them did you understand? How much of that made any sense to you? You remind me of somepony. Your demeanor and the way that you carry yourself... What do you know about dreams, Lapis? Dragons? Guardians? Have you heard anything about any of this? If so, then tell me, quickly please. I need to know."

 

Now was the time to answer questions. Always questions. Life was full of those. And he seemed to be the one who needed to answer them. Why didn't he get answers? It mattered not. At least for the time being. Trying his best not to lean forward, or even move at all, Lapis spoke as clearly as he could. “I'm not really sure where the words I wrote came from. I'm not sure of much things in regards to the book. You see, it was an almost empty book. It.... It called to me. Midnight, I've never told anyone this, but I feel I need to if I am to explain properly. My cutie mark. It is a closed book. It is closed because there are no words on its pages.” Lapis tried to stop himself, but holding it in for all this time was wearing away at him.
 
“I am much like an empty book. And as I wrote in this book with so few words, the pictures came to me. I just wrote, the pencil guided by some sort of half dream. So, beyond the two ponies I recognize, Asteria and Magicon, it makes very little sense indeed. Of course, I perfectly understood the first chapter I had wrote. That had actually happened to me. I was there, at least. If I may ask, who do I remind you of? And I know little of dreams. I think they're just simple images that come to mind while asleep. From much of the nightmares I've had, I'd say they're unhelpful.” Lapis said thoughtfully. The presence of the sword was making him a little shaky. He tried to act casual, though. Worrying about it would only make it harder to speak.
 
“I also know little about dragons. I fled from one once, and that's about it. Unless you mean scholarly. I've read a few books on them, if only to prepare myself in case of an unfortunate encounter. I'm not a dragonologist, though, so please don't quiz me.” Lapis said in a failed attempt at humor. He felt a bit of heat on his cheeks and hoped Midnight wouldn't notice. “Although, I was told a story about a dragon. And a guardian of some sort as well. It was only yesterday, so I shouldn't have too hard a time relating it if you wish.” He took a deep breath and summarized Dusky's story for Midnight. He felt as though she might know it, though. “Other than that, I really don't know much else.” Just like Midnight's eyes, Lapis' were a swirl of emotions. Except his were a mixture of fear, confusion, curiosity, and admiration. But his expression might have been described as one of embarrassment.
 

---

 
Dreamer watched with concern as Bringer disappeared. Her ears perked up as the cat began to speak. It seemed alright that her answer was wrong. It had amused Bringer, and that was of a higher value. Dreamer hadn't thought of the Ocean of Nightmares as something one would even conceive of eating. But maybe Bringer secretly wanted to eat it? And then gain its powers! But she shook her head. That was a silly idea. It saddened her that Bringer was unable to taste food. Bringer's longing almost broke her heart. Almost. She still needed to remain separate from darkness. But was Bringer darkness?
 
The cat's voice grew nearer. Dreamer tried not to shiver. She fought back the urge to reach out and hug the cat. This was growing to be bothersome. She was almost confused with herself. Why did she feel so much sympathy for Bringer? What did she owe Bringer? Or for that matter, what did she owe Scarlet? How much did her promise mean? Her emotions were not making sense. She waited for something to happen. Something always seemed to happen when Bringer disappeared.
 
The voice had gone silent. Suddenly, darkness invaded Dreamer's eyes. Where had the light gone? Everything seemed to stop, as if the Ocean itself were holding its breath. A deeper shadow passed by, and Dreamer thought it was Bringer. The floor shifted, and behind her, she felt something like sandpaper go up her back. She shivered this time. What in the name of Celestia was it? Thinking back, she remembered that cats had rough tongues, and Dreamer blushed a little. Bringer had licked her.
 
Was it some sort of sign of affection? She thought on it for a good while before Bringer had decided to speak up. Although, it might have only been a few seconds. She was starting to lose track of time in this nightmare realm.
 

"I just thought of something... It amuses me greatly, and I wonder what you would think of it. You see... Since you're from your own realm, that means that you're real, does it not? Well, we can test this, Dreamer. Are you interested in the experiment? Or, maybe you would like to tell me something... What am I? Light, shadow, or darkness? I have always wondered myself... Take your time to answer. I want this to be a good one."

 
Dreamer thought on it for a moment. What kind of experiment would it be? She had a feeling it might not be something safe. How does one test if something is real? By causing it pain, no doubt. She was still uncertain about Bringer. Maybe not a friend, but was he really a foe? He hadn't treated her as kindly as she would have liked, but it was better than other times she'd been captured. This honestly wasn't the first time someone decided to take her somewhere against her will. It came with the territory of investigating paranormal things. Wackos usually were interested in them.
 
But that didn't matter right now. She had been asked another question. She thought on it for a few moments. “You know, I don't like labels. Why must you use terms like ‘light' or ‘dark'? I feel like they give you less room to be you. I mean, sure, I'm a unicorn filly. Those are labels, but I like to ignore them when possible. Why should any one thing define an individual? To me, Bringer, you are you. Not a shadow, or light, or even darkness.” she said almost triumphantly. “Say, do you think I could ask a question? Bringer, what do you think of me? Do you like me? Would you like me to be your friend? If you say no, I'll understand.” She watched him now. The cat's eyes were flickering with mischief. What could it mean? She hoped this new question he had asked had not been a trick.

Edited July 5, 2013 by Bari

[Electrobolt 2,068]

Electrobolt continued to glare at the felines whom were originally attacking his sister, even as Wind Dancer charged in and asked what had happened. Right now, his sight was a tunnel vision, completely focused on the oversized cats. However, after a minute, a voice spoke out from the shadows and he snapped his head to the door. This voice was the same as the one from last night. As it spoke, his mind began to cool down from his earlier outburst while he listened, keeping his angered facial expression on.

 

As it kept speaking, Electrobolt thought, *This voice is making no sense at all... I have no idea what it's talking about...* However, Key then interrupted, asking about where Asteria and Magicon were, which snapped him completely back to reality as that was one of the things he was following Alex and Flow for. But before his sister could finish, the voice hissed in anger as the shadow shot out of the room and engulfed the group that was there. "No..." he whispered, his angry facial expresson now lost as fear replaced it. "Not this again..."

 

As he felt the surrounding darkness grow heavy around him, his limbs were beginning to waver rather easily. He had felt nothing but anger earlier when he was still enraged at the cats for trying to kill Key Gear, but now that he had been taken out of that rage, he began to feel exhausted, both physically and mentally. This had been the first time that he had ever snapped, and the actions he did had taken a toll on his body and mind. After only a minute longer, his legs gave out as he started to fall to the floor.

 

But he never felt any impact, any sound as he fell. No, instead it felt like he was floating through the darkness. Electrobolt began to look around, trying to call out to the others. "Key! Alex! Flow! Wind! Can... Can any of you hear me...?" he spoke out as loud as he could, but would hear nothing. This was exactly like in room 8, except that more ponies had been pulled in and no sound could be heard. So instead, he just sighed and continued to float around until a bright flash of light caused the young colt to force his eyes closed.

 

"Guh...!" he muttered out when the flash happened, and he covered his closed eyelids with his hooves before the flash went away. After the flash was gone, Electrobolt pulled his hooves off his eyes as he felt himself lying flat on the ground. *Wha...? When did this ground get here...?* he thought to himself, before sighing. Opening his eyelids he could barely see what was in front of him before his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room. His ears, however, picked up on a scratching sound behind him. He didn't have the time to look behind him before hearing a yelp from nearby. Lifting his head up quickly, he looked around, seeing all kinds of bars that looked like imperfect cylinders.

 

After a while, he heard a familiar voice saying "Hey!" before it got repeated. Blinking, he looked over to where the voice came from as he saw the owner of the voice - Key Gear. She was looking over to him before saying that they weren't on the train anymore before stopping as her eyes were locked onto something behind him. Curious, he turned around before his eyes opened widely. The source of the scratching sounds was now known, but that wasn't all. As soon as he saw the pony behind him, Electrobolt could only blurt out one word: "Trixie...?"

 

Although the pony did not have a cape or the magician's cap, she still bore a stunning resemblance to the showpony who had jolted her with lightning. How did she get here, though...? And what exactly was this room...? Just then, however, Key spoke up again as he turned around to face his sister. But when he saw her face, Key's lips were not moving at all. The words, though, stuck to him. *Scribe...? The room doesn't make sense...? Can't escape without help?* Just then, the voice mentioned something about a deal, and one thing came to mind: the cat that Key was talking to.

 

After Key offered a deal to the cat, it just shook it's head as it seemed to climb an invisible surface. Confused, Electrobolt watched the cat as it made it's way over to where Alex, Flow, and Wind were. The cat then said something about birds before mentioning that one can't fly. So the cat was referring to the pegasi as birds, then? What point is there in that...? Just then, a thud sounded as Electrobolt looked back to his sister, who was on the floor now. The cat then hissed a laughter out before speaking to Key.

 

After that, Key began to ask the cat what happened, how to get back on the train, and where Asteria and Magicon could be. To this, the cat just shot down the questions by saying it didn't know. The feline then said that maybe the pony behind him would know, but she was rather shaken up. Just then, however, the feline made it's way over to him and approached him. It then spoke, asking if he had something for him before saying other things, like that it liked his coat's color. The cat then said that it didn't care about the nightmares, how they were rude and deserved a good kicking.

 

At that, Electrobolt was confused as he looked curiously at the cat. Those were nightmares...? Just what did this cat know? Finally, the cat was curious about why he didn't kick it before suggesting reasons. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and recalled back to Springer's room. The cat was there and although it had attacked Springer, he didn't believe there was any malice. Instead, the cat was probably trying to retrieve something but had to hide, and it's hiding place was compromised. So perhaps it was just a natural reaction...?

 

Secondly, the cat was in front of the dark room, as if trying to keep other ponies from entering. The fact that the cat tried to tell Key not to enter the room meant she knew something like this might happen, yet it happened anyways. Finally, this cat just basically mentioned that the oversized cats that attacked Key were nightmares. This caused him to grow curious, as questions began to form in his mind. Clearing his throat, he opened his eyes and looked over to the cat. After he took in a deep breath, Electrobolt said, "Yes, I do have something for you... Some questions that I hope you would be able to answer for me. But first, I will answer your question. That sounds like a fair deal, doesn't it? An answer for an answer?"

 

Sitting himself up straight and a bit more comfortable, he began to answer the cat's question. "The reason I didn't kick you? Well, there's a few, actually... Firstly, I remember seeing you in Springer's room before. You were hidden before he pulled the portrait away, in which you attacked him. But I was thinking that perhaps you were hiding there, maybe trying to retrieve something...? And when your hiding place was being moved, you felt compromised and attacked Springer, perhaps as a natural reaction or something...?"

 

Taking in another breath, Electrobolt continued. "But that isn't all... When you had seen me, you seemed to have calmed down. I believe that it was because of my coat color, since you mentioned that you liked my coat's shade of green. Anyways, that leads to my next point: you didn't attack Key Gear. You didn't have any reason to attack her, instead it was as if you were trying to keep her from getting in the darkness and winding up here? If so, then... I guess it doesn't make a bit of difference now, does it...? But there's one other thing..."

 

Stopping for a moment to catch his breath once more, he looked over to Key Gear. After that, he looked back to the kitten. "The last reason being... You remind me of my sister... Your fur color matches Key's coat color, you're smaller than other housecats would be, just like how Key is a bit smaller than other ponies her age... And then there's the matter of your voice. It's just like Key's... In fact, if anything... You'd be like the cat version of my sister." At that remark, he chuckled to himself before clearing his throat. "Anyways,, that's basically it... You don't really attack unless you feel threatened, which I believe you weren't... You were trying to keep my sister from the darkness, and you remind me of her in a way."

 

Electrobolt then took this opportunity to stand and stretch before sitting back down and looking at the cat. "Anyways, now that I answered your question, hopefully you can answer some of my questions. First off, you mentioned that those cats were nightmares...? What exactly do you mean by that...? And this place... I was watching you walk around, as if you knew how to get around... I was wondering if you knew where this place was...? I mean, if we're no longer on the train, then are we in an entirely different realm...?"

 

Looking away for a moment, Electrobolt closed his eyes and sighed. "And that darkness... It was just like the other night in room 8... The shadow had taken me and Key, and I was taken to this one place... Completely in the darkness, yet I could also barely see something in the distance... A creature of sorts, but I am unable to exactly recall what I saw... I wonder if that place I got taken to has any relation to this place if at all..." With a sigh, he shook his head before putting a hoof to his forehead. "I'm sorry, I had spoken what was on my mind there without meaning to... You can disregard that if you wish. Also, before I forget... What is your name, if I may ask?" He then pulled his hoof away as he looked at the cat, hoping for some answers.

[Magicon 468]

He kept running to keep pace with Scarlet. Despite her smaller statute she compensated it with daring speed and agility which he barely managed to keep up. The chill of the wind blew around him and chunks of snow blurred his vision but he kept running. He squinted his eyes to maximize his visibility, only being able to see the outline of the village growing larger as they approached and Scarlet’s body, running just ahead of him.

 

Magicon could see the village in much more detail as they quickly approached it and the sight was confusing to him. The village was damaged, as if something or somepony had recently attacked the village. Magicon could only assume that it had been the creature that had previously roared through the winds of the frozen plains. It had come, done its damage, and now left. Magicon was unsure if it would return, but he was prepared. He knew his magic would aid him; it always did. Scarlet too seemed determined to stop this beast if it showed itself. Her skill was equally impressive. They were nearly equals in terms of magical skill. Their combined strength would defeat any beast that Bringer could unleash.

 

As for Bringer himself, Magicon did not dwell of what his plans were. He solely concentrated on the village and what they might find there, if anything. As they approached, Magicon followed Scarlet’s lead and slowed to a trot, carefully observing the damage from the attack.

 

Scratches, burn marks, were evident everywhere and chunks of debris lay scattered about the village. Yet the structures remained standing, an observation that surprised Magicon.

 

‘Either this beast was tired when he attacked, was beaten early on, or was in a hurry. Regardless, this village was spared.’ The thought worried him though. The beast knew of the village and obviously didn’t like it. He would return, though when was unknown to the unicorn stallion.

 

 

 

"This is strange. I was certain that we would be attacked on our way here, but nothing happened. Bringer is tricky. It could be a trap. We need to reach a place. There is a strange pony here. She can help us if she wishes to do so... They are called scribes. They write what is, but I think that they can also write what will become, at least somewhat."

 

 

Magicon nodded at Scarlet’s statement. His thoughts about Bringer were in accord with Scarlet’s, but the knowledge about practically psychic ponies was new to him. Old Equestria had prophets which supposedly predicted future events, but nearly all of it was speculation. Scarlet, however, stated the scribes in factual terms and with a complimentary attitude. Plus the fact they were in the world of dreams, shadows, and nightmares made anything, including scribes and prophets, possible.

 

He was about to announce his agreement when Scarlet suddenly stopped, ears standing, completely alert like a guard-dog. Magicon listened as well and sure enough he heard voices. From what he could tell he heard a stallion and a mare talking. Scarlet began following the sound as did Magicon, preparing his horn for anything Bringer might decide to throw at them.

 

They hid behind a corner, safe from the talking ponies, but still able to hear the conversation. At first Magicon’s heart dropped when he heard the voices, but then it bounced with joy. It couldn’t be them? It wasn’t possible! How did they get here?

 

His eyes darted around the corner and their sparkles leapt down to his mouth which exploded into a beaming smile. He saw Ambrosia and Vim talking to each other with Arcanel and Dawn nearby. A tiny part of him worried: this might all be a trap by Bringer. But Magicon listened to their conversation and the more he listened, the more he knew that these were not replicas of the cook and the conductor, they were the real ones. Somehow they had landed in the shadow world and just minutes before Scarlet and himself arrived.

 

He overheard Scarlet ask him if these ponies could be trusted. Magicon whipped around, a wide smile on his face. “Absolutely, they can be trusted. I know all of them. Only…just keep your distance with Dawn. She’s not to be trusted at all. The other three can be trusted with your life. The older stallion is the conductor, Vim. The mare is Ambrosia, the cook. The stallion is Arcanel, a passenger and the filly is Dawn. Follow me.”

 

Magicon wasted no time as he quickly stepped out of the corner and hurriedly approached the group.

 

“Vim! Ambrosia! Arcanel! You don’t know how happy I am to see you all! I’ve been literally dying to get back on the train and out of this place. But…how did you guys get here? What’s happened on the train?”

Edited July 6, 2013 by Magicon