Homage

(somewhere Alan Moore is rolling his eyes...)

The towering dark thing appeared out of nowhere. It just landed all of a sudden on Sweet Apple Acres, crushing several apple trees and missing Big MacIntosh for merely inches. The thing reached the heavens and even when the pegasi moved the clouds there was still not a clear end to it.

The ponies were terrified of the thing. The Royal Guard quickly spread, Shining Armor on the front lead, ready to strike the thing should it attack Equestria. Princess Celestia as the ruler insisted on going first, her sister complaining all the time. The Princess flew straight into the thing, submerging into the darkness.

Inside, there was only more darkness.

*****

Little thing, you are inside me now.

“I am Princess Celestia, ruler of this land. If you have no intention to harm my subjects I welcome you to Equestria but if you pose a treat, I demand of you to leave immediately.”

Your treats do not worry me, little thing. I have travelled long and far, always searching for the answer.

“I repeat you, if you don't leave now, I will respond.”

And I repeat you that I have no reason to fear you. Tell me, little thing, what is the answer?

“The answer to what?”

There are infinite questions but  only one answer that it matters. Tell me, what is?

“The only answer I need is that I must protect my subjects. I am their regent, I respond for them, watch them and keep them safe. I must not fail them again. I need to protect them.”

A life dedicated to the service of others, throwing your own existence away. Little thing, you have showed me repentance. I have no regrets.

And the Princess was expelled of the thing, like a pony will spit a seed out of a fruit.

*****

“That´s it! Nothing, not even a scary looking black thing, treats the Princess like that! I´m coming!”

“Rainbow Dash, no!”

Rainbow Dash dive in the thing and found herself floating in the dark void.

*****

Little thing, you are inside me now. You rushed in to attack me.

“Hay yeah! And you better leave my friends house before you taste the rainbow!”

I have no interest in that. I only care about the answer. Tell me, what is the answer?

“Answer? What are you talking about? You are really weird, you know that?”

Just tell me what the answer is.

“The only answer I have is to live the dream! Look at me! I work hard every day to eventually join the Wonderbolts! That´s what life is about! You work hard and bust your flanks until your dreams finally paid off!”

So a life of hard work and sacrifice with no promise of a reward? Little thing, you have merely showed me determination. I have plenty of that.

Rainbow Dash was spitted as well, with seemingly more force. She crashed landed unconscious in the ground while the Princess was still recovering.

******

“Oh Rainbow Dash, oh Rainbow Dash!”

“Please Fluttershy, stop crying. Rainbow Dash is going to be just fin-”

Twilight Sparkle didn't finish her sentence. The tower of darkness suddenly moved and absorbed Twilight inside it.

*****

Little thing, you seem to be the most intelligent of all. I saw you giving orders to the other things. Tell me, if you know so much, what is the answer?

“The answer...is to keep asking. I know it sounds strange and it took me a while to understand it too. But after the Princess send me to Ponyville to learn about friendship, I realized how complicated that is! Not everything is in books, you have to keep asking and making mistakes, learning something new every day!”

And the quest never ends? I have to keep searching for all of eternity? Little thing, you have nothing to offer but stubbornness. Keep it to yourself.

And Twilight crashed into the ground, unconscious. Applejack carried her into her back and drove her to where Cadence and Luna were taking care of the still hurt Celestia.

*****

All ponies cowered in fear, refusing to look at the dark and intimidating pillar of blackness. All ponies but Pinkie, who looked at the thing with a playful and innocent look. After contemplating for a few seconds she just jumped in, disappearing into nothingness.

*****

Little thing, you came inside me, holding no fear or anger. Not even curiosity. Why?

“Well, you are new in town and I always throw a welcoming party for every new pony in town! Or dark towering-smoochy-blacky-thingy like you!”

Even in the darkness, Pinkie smile beamed.

Curious. Tell me little thing, what is the answer?

“That´s easy, silly-filly! The answer is always A PARTY!!!” and Pinkie throw some confetti out of nowhere.

The thing remained in silence for a while.

After all the work is over, a celebration is in order.

“Hahaha, you made a rhyme! I bet Zecora will like you!”

You have given me plenty of matters to consider, little thing. I must leave now.

“Ooooh but I was about to throw you a super-duper-theblackthignwasnotevilatallandweshoudlbetheirbestfriednsforever- party!”

Perhaps another time. Now, please go. Leave freely as you came.

“Okie-dokie-lokie!”

And Pinkie Pie bounced off the dark thing, completely unharmed. A terrible earthquake assaulted the orchard as the tower began to elevate. While it was still on reach, Pinkie jumped and punched it with her hoof. The other ponies watch in awe as the tower disappeared of sight.

“Pinkie, what in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked.

“A hoof.” And humming to herself, Pinkie Pie leave in the direction of Sugarcube Corner,wondering if she will have cupcakes or muffins for lunch.