Equestria, ask anypony and they will always say it’s a land of magic, wonder, and friendship.  Now ask anypony about Canterda and they will have much to say about it.  A couple of ponies will say that they don’t have the traditional seasons in a joking sense, “Cold, Wet, Wetter, and Scorching hot.”  Others will say they survive on a diet of pasta with grated cheese on it along with syrup being their main export.  Some also say they live in igloos and say eh at the end of each sentence, all these things are popular and funny misconceptions.  One thing is for sure however, nopony knows why but the seasons come naturally in the northern land.  Visitors from out of town always find it a thing of wonder, Canterda was known to be presided over by a Prime Minister, the combination of a mayor and royal, along with a council of ponies who were all elected as a whole who still answer under the Equestrian Monarchy.

In this land held many ponies of all races and ages who prospered and loved their glorious land, however not all of them were as social and outgoing as others.  Cryptic Scribe always liked to go out and pretty much ease his boredom with whatever he could think of, until he discovered his special talent for fabricating literature.  Ever since then he rarely appears on the streets or in town.  Many ponies know him as the eccentric writer who lives alone and only comes into town to get supplies and food.  When he does appear he talks to some ponies but doesn’t stay long in one place because as he always says, “The night (Day) is young and there is work to be done.”

Scribe was pretty content with his existence at present and saw no reason to change it, until one day that somepony saw many.  Scribe was going about his usual morning routine of eating toast and drinking some milk.  He sighed as he put on his glasses and buttoned up his dark grey vest; he adjusted the collar of his shirt and stared at his cutie mark that depicted a fountain pen drawing a line.  He smiled as he walked out of his kitchen and into his room which presently had a double bed and a writing desk with a device of Canterda innovation, a type writer.  Type writers were fairly unique in Equestria but not uncommon, if anypony had the bits they could get one.  The only reason Scribe had one was because his father had gotten it for him as a housewarming present via his old job as a philosopher.  Scribe sat at the machine, the light shined on its black metallic surface and amber colored keys giving the writer a familiar feeling.

He sat in silence for several minutes until he smacked his head into his desk, “I can’t think of anything.”

Scribe sighed as he glanced around his room with a bored expression until his eyes came upon something.  Fixed on his wall was a portrait depicting a young Scribe with a grey Pegasus with a grey coat and no mane with a grey streaked dark brown tail.  The other was a unicorn mare that was as white as snow with a straight light brown mane with a matching wispy looking tail.

Scribe smiled at the picture, “Well like dad always said, “He who seizes the day shall soon find inspiration.”

As Scribe walked to the door he stopped and reflected on the saying, “At least I think that’s what he said.”

Scribe then pushed open his door and walked onto the snow covered cobble stone street and exhaled.  Frosty breath rose into the air as he turned back inside and walked out with a black hooded coat.  He then trudged down the road with his hood up as the occasional pony cast a sideways glance at him.  Scribe said hi to some of the onlookers whom responded in earnest as he continued his walk in relative silence.  His pace slowed as his goal came into his site.  A two floor bookstore made of polished black wood and a rust red singled roof was all Scribe needed in terms of a hobby, well that and his type writer.

Scribe opened the door as a unicorn stallion with a chocolate coloured coat and wearing large reading glasses looked up from the counter and smiled at his most valued customer, “Heya Scribe, what brings you here?”

Scribe scanned the shelves in the front room, “Hey Printing Press, just looking for a good read,” he then tapped his head with his hoof, “Wells dried up.”

Printing Press nodded with a knowing look, “Writers blocks brutal stuff.”

Scribe sighed as he stared at the roof, “Tell me about it.”

Printing Press then proceeded to hop on a wheeled ladder and drove it through the aisles as Scribe followed him at a decent hovering pace, “Anything in particular you’re searching for Scribe?”

Scribe tapped his chin, “Surprise me with something good.”

Printing Press produced a hardcover book of two whit hooves clutching a green apple with the title “Dusk” in spidery letters, “What about this.”

Scribe slowly pushed it away, “I said “SOMETHING GOOD.”

Printing Press nodded, “How about Harry Trotter?”

Scribe waved it off, “I finished that a loooooong time ago.”

Printing Press narrowed his eyes as he tapped his chin in thought as he then began to whir through the shelves.  For a good hour he and Cryptic Scribe searched the shelves, Printing Press even though he managed the shop was never around when it was stocked so he was searching blind.  Scribe wandered into the back of the shop and came across some old books that looked like they hadn’t been touched in years.  But his eyes fell upon one that caught his eye; it was bound in shiny black leather with gold metal corners.  It was as thick as an encyclopedia and scrawled on its spine in spidery gold hoofwriting was the word “Grimorium”.

Scribe pulled the book off the shelf and inspected the cover; it was completely blank except for the fact it depicted a golden serpent biting its tail in the center, “Hey what’s this?”

Printing Press rounded the corner and levitated the book with wide eyes and a lighthearted smile, “Ooooh, you picked a good one.”

Scribe followed the unicorn to the front as he stared at the unknown tome, “You’ve read it before?”

Printing Press nodded, “Only once and it was on my break.”

Scribe raised an eyebrow as it was set on the counter, “What’s it about?”

Printing Press leaned forward with his hoof on the cover, “It doesn’t really have a consistent plot it’s more of an anthology of dark fairy tales.”

Scribe was very intrigued now, “Really?”

Printing Press nodded, “Yeah, but all these stories either concern, feature or briefly mention a creature that is known as The Bracken.”

Scribe looked at the cover, “The Bracken?”

Printing Press nodded, “There’s actually a legend that goes with this book.  The legend goes that if you read aloud the last sentence as to signify that you finished the book, The Bracken will escape from the folds and Ink to terrorize all who incur its wrath.”

Scribe looked at Printing Press with a skeptical look, “And all of them are supposed to do this?”

Printing Press smiled evilly as he turned on a flash light beneath his chin, “Nope, this is the only one of its kind.  You have officially bought the one and only copy.”

Scribe stared unimpressed at the display, “I am not hearing a price here.”

Printing Press pouted, “Your no fun. Sixty bits please.”

Scribe produced the money as he stowed the book in his bag, “Thanks dude!”

Printing Press yelled after the excited Pegasus, “Anything for my favorite customer.”

*

Scribe was all smiles as he trotted home.  He couldn’t wait to crack open the book and read it, Scribe was not one for legends but he was slightly superstitious and made a mental not to read the last sentence.  As he walked he looked to the side for a second to check if his saddle bags were secure, only for him to plow into somepony.

Scribe then dropped like a stone as he looked up and gawked, “Uh…”

Princess Celestia stared down with a concerned smile, “Are you alright?”

Scribe stood up and quickly bowed, “Yeah…sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Princess Celestia continued her kind smile, “It’s no trouble, and I can see you were concerned for your purchase.  Reading is a good hobby to always have in your spare time.”

Scribe looked confused at her, “You read?”

Celestia nodded as she waved a hoof, “From time to time.”

Scribe nodded, “Okay, what brings you to Canterda your highness?  You can’t be here for our tropical climate.”

Princess Celestia chuckled, “I am afraid not, I am merely here to see my subjects to the north and to visit and discuss some matters with the prime minister.”

Scribe looked to the side impatience growing within him, “Yeah, listen I would love to stay and chat but I have…stuff…so…bye,” Scribe then spread his wings and flew off.

Princess Celestia tilted her head slightly, “We shall meet again soon Cryptic Scribe.”

*

Cryptic Scribe sat in his chair as he flicked on his lamp and opened the Grimorium.  He flipped through the pages and saw there were many stories within that had a very uniquely drawn cover image in ink.  Scribe nodded as he continued his flipping only to stop on the last tale entitled, “Shadows of Light.”

Scribe saw the cover image depicted an Alicorn that seemed to be made out of a form of diamond fighting a creature shrouded in complete darkness.  Scribe opened the passage and began reading.  The story itself depicted a land of darkness and despair being lit up by the light of hope from a pony made of diamond.

Azeri, a pony whose coat shimmered and shined like the sun which was as flawless and pale as the diamond it mirrored.  Her eyes glowed like liquid sapphire across the dark as her gaze cut through the night and made it day.  For a time the world she stood upon was peaceful and prosperous as the darkness was pushed back and banished from sight.  But this was for naught; for you see the darkness itself did not wish to be cast aside so easily.  

A few years passed by as the darkness plotted its insurrection against Azeri.  A creature that could be considered its champion rose from the netherworld and was put to work.  The creature was known as The Bracken, a being with fiery pits for eyes and skin that reflected the darkest and most gnarled of wood.  The creature attacked Azeri with such ferocity and darkness that it plunged the world into a total blackout that only allowed the celestial ponies natural light to shine through.  

The Bracken would not be deterred; it continued to push until Azeri was forced to take drastic action.  Using the power of the sun itself she channeled it’s light through herself and drove it-

A sharp knock on Scribes door interrupted his reading causing him to put down his book in slight annoyance.  He then glanced at the clock and noticed four hours had passed since he started reading his book.  He walked to the door and opened it to reveal Princess Celestia.

Scribe bowed quickly, “Hello Princess,” he then got really confused, “What brings you here?”

Princess Celestia smiled slightly, “Well you see this is more of a personal matter.”

Scribes eyes lit up, “Oh my gosh! You want me to write your autobiography! I knew you being here couldn’t be just for the stuff you mentioned; on the other hoof I wouldn’t know what exactly to write the biography on in terms of paper.  Would you want hard cover or paperback and do you want it hoofwritten or simply wrote or-“

The Princess raised a hoof to stop the excited Pegasus, “I am flattered that you suggested it, but I have no need for that JUST yet. “

Scribe looked at her confused even more, “Then what is it?”

The princess thought for a second before continuing, “Well you see, I as a ruler must always watch out for my little ponies and hope to see them all happy and prosperous.  However, I have noticed you yourself have been a recluse in terms of pony society here in Canterda.”

Scribe was taken aback, “I am not a recluse, and I have interacted PLENTY of times with the citizens here.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “The longest conversation you had with another pony was the mail mare.  That interaction lasted a full 4 minutes.”

Scribe nodded, “One of my personal bests I might add.”

Princess Celestia shook her head, “I know that I am not your parent but I worry for ALL my subjects.  The life style you are living now is not healthy for a pony your age and something has got to give in this regard.  Therefore I am asking you to fulfil an assignment for me, change your life for the better and make some friends.”

Scribe chuckled, “listen, I respect your criticism and your advice but I LIKE my life as it is now.  And I don’t want to sound childish and rude but,” he then gave a cocky smile, “You couldn’t make me leave even if you tried.”

Princess Celestia nodded, “Very well then.”

Scribe slowly shut the door as he gave the Princess a fair well.

Celestia on the other hoof lingered on the front porch and nodded as she turned to leave, “Challenge accepted.”

*

Scribe awoke the next morning and went out for some grocery shopping.  When he returned home he noticed his landlord changing the locks on his front door.

Scribe flew right up to him, “Hey what’s deal!?”

The landlord sighed, “You’ve been evicted.”

Scribe was frantic at this, “But I paid the rent for this month why-“

The landlord produced a scroll and handed it to him after he finished replacing the last lock, “Here.”

Scribe unfurled it,

Dear Cryptic Scribe,

I Princess Celestia of Equestria have relocated you to a new home in Ponyville to fulfil the task I have given to you.  Trust me when I say this is for your own good, all of your possessions have been moved to your new home.  All that has to be done is to simply arrive at your home and let yourself in.  I have also figured that since you are a writer, you are to record your experiences and findings in Ponyville.  When you deem the book finished, you may send it to me when you are ready.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia of Equestria

P.S. I made you move :)

Scribe mock laughed at the PS and mumbled in annoyance, “Hilarious.”

*

Scribe had ridden on the train for several hours that day until he finally arrived in Ponyville station in the late afternoon.  He disembarked the train after pulling into the station with an annoyed look which vanished after somepony plowed into him and sent both of them flying into a nearby crate.  He opened his eyes and gazed into the eyes of a Pegasus mare.  Her eyes were pale, light grayish rasberry.  Her coat was a pale, light grayish persian blue and her mane was a pale, light grayish opal that was styled straight and had a pink bow in her hair.  

The mare got up and spoke in a slightly slurred accent, “Oh I am SO sorry about that sir.”

Scribe dusted himself off as he stood, “It’s alright.”

Scribe noticed her cutie mark depicted three blue and white dragonflies as she smiled and raised her hoof, “You from out of town?”

Scribe slowly shook her hoof, “Yeah just came in from Canterda, names Cryptic Scribe.”

The mare smiled, “Flitter, nice to meet you.”

Scribe lowered his hoof as Flitter grinned at him, “You said you come from Canterda? Is it true Canterda ponies have an accent.”

Scribe raised an eyebrow, “What are you talking aboot?”

Flitter laughed, “That’s awesome.”

Scribe sulked slightly, “It’s involuntary I swear.”

Flitter followed Scribe as he walked away from the platform, “So what brings you to Ponyville?”

Scribe stopped, “The princess sort of sent me here.”

Flitter raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Scribe shook his head, “Actually it’s more like she BANISHED me here.”

Flitter pursed her lips, “Brutal.”

Scribe shrugged, “Eh, whatcha gonna do.”

Flitter was about to respond when two other Pegasus ponies landed in front of them.  One was another mare who had a pale Persian blue coat, her mane was a pail cerulean that was spiked upwards and had white tips.  Her light rose eyes fixed on Scribe and Flitter, she also seemed to have a shooting star for a cutie mark.  The other was a stallion with a dark magentaish gray coat.  He a had light cyanish grey mane with lighter streaks styled in a Mohawk fashion with light gold eyes; he also had a cloud with a lightning bolt for his cutie mark.

The mare waved at Flitter, “Hey we lost you back there, what happened?”

Flitter waved off the concern, “Flew into some turbulence and veered of course,” she placed a leg on Scribe, “Luckily he broke my fall.”

Scribe smiled nervously, “Hi.”

The mare trotted up to Scribe, “Thanks for stopping my sis, names Cloudchaser and that’s Thunderlane.”

Thunderlane raised a hoof when his name was mentioned, “Yo.”

Scribe nodded in his direction as he turned to Cloudchaser, “Cryptic Scribe, just rolled into town.”

Thunderlane approached and tilted his head slightly, “Where from?”

Flitter smiled, “He’s from Canterda.”

Cloudchaser looked at Scribe, “Is it true your seasons are like the Everfree forest?”

Scribe slowly nodded, “I guess so.”

Thunderlane grinned in interest, “that is so cool!”

Scribe half smiled, “You think that’s cool you should be there in the winter.”

They all shared a laugh as Scribe turned to leave, “Well it’s been a time and a half but I have stuff to do.”

Thunderlane stopped him, “You want us give you the grand tour?”

Scribe stopped, “But we just met and-“

Cloudchaser playfully nudged him, “You seem like a cool dude, plus any friend of Flitter is a friend of mine.”

Thunderlane nodded, “Same here.”

Scribe was confused and nervous, “Uh…right.”

Flitter waved at him, “See ya later Scribe.”

Scribe smiled, “Yeah…later.”

Scribe then flew into town as the trio of Pegasus ponies behind him took to the air.  He landed in the center of town and proceeded to follow the direction that came with the princess’s note.  He sat down on a nearby bench and pulled out the Grimorium and started reading more of a tale.

“Excuse me.”

Scribe lowered his book and gazed at a unicorn with a maya blue coat, periwinkle mane and tail with a pigment blue streak, steel blue eyes, and a cutie mark of an hourglass.

Scribe raised an eyebrow, “Yeah?”

The unicorn gazed at his book, “Where did you get that?”

Scribe followed her gaze, “The bookstore back in Canterda.”

The unicorn looked intrigued, “really? I’m just asking cause I’ve never seen that book around here before,” she then got flustered, “Oh pardon me, my names Colgate.”

Scribe half smiled, “Cryptic Scribe.”

Colgate smiled, “Nice to meet you.”

Scribe noticed that she was carrying dental supplies in her saddle bag, “You a dentist?”

Colgate nodded, “Yep, and I LOVE my job!”

Scribe smiled, “Well I find dentistry neat, especially the way its explained in the books I own.”

Colgate was all smiles, “YOU HAVE MEDICAL GUIDES?!”

Scribe cringed back as she leaned forward, “Yeah…”

Colgate hugged him, “You wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some would you?”

Scribe blushed, “Not at all.”

Colgate pulled away, “I can tell we are going to get along swimmingly.”

Scribe got up from the bench as Colgate sped off, “Man, everypony here is weird.”

Scribe flew through Ponyville until he found his house just as he landed another voice surprised him from the side, “Heya flying dude.”

Scribe jumped as he turned and gaped, “Holey moly, your Vinyl Scratch.”

Vinyl smiled, “You’re a fan?”

Scribe nodded, “I have some of your work.”

Vinyl nodded, “Cool, cool.  You’re that writer that Flitter mentioned right?”

Scribe nodded, “You know Flitter?”

Vinyl nodded, “We met one time at my club and chatted, Cryptic Scribe right?”

Scribe replied quickly, “That’s me.”

Vinyl noticed the Grimorium, “What’s that?”

Scribe followed her gaze as the book was levitated out of his saddlebag, “Oh it’s a cursed book.”

Vinyl opened it, “It’s cursed? Cool.”

Scribe walked beside her, “They say that if you read the last line of the book aloud it’s supposed to unleash a creature known as The Bracken.”

Vinyl looked at Scribe with a raised eyebrow, “You try it yet?”

Scribe shook his head, “Nah.”

Vinyl smiled mischievously, “Well how do you know if the curse works?”

Scribe noticed she turned to the last page, “What are you doing?”

Vinyl cleared her throat, “At present this tale ends, evil has rested.  But dear reader you shall be tested-“

Scribe tried to stop her only for Vinyl to read the last part really fast, “For you shall discover that The Bracken shall never truly be bested!”

The sky’s then darkened as an ominous wind whooshed through town and the pages of the Grimorium began to flip rapidly as the words glowed white.  Vinyl dropped the book as both Scribe and her backed up.  Ink then began to bleed from the book and pool in front of it.

Scribe yelled over the howling wind, “I TOLD YOU NOT TO READ IT!!”

Vinyl responded with her own yell, “NO YOU DIDN’T!”

Scribe responded quickly, “I WAS THINKING IT!”

The ink pool then began to stretch upward and form into a creature that stood on its hind legs which had talons for feet.  Its limbs seemed skeletal and gangly in appearance with holes in them, its skin was made of black gnarled wood and it had three blade like fingers which flexed occasionally.  It had a slightly hunched stature and wore a tattered moth eaten black cloak that hung off of it from its head to its waist.  It’s face was concealed in the shadow it’s hood cast as it looked at the frightened ponies that summoned it with piercing red glowing eyes.  It then screeched to the sky and the back of its cloak spread like wings as it took off into the sky.

Vinyl and Scribe looked at a crowd of ponies who all stared at them, at the head of the group was a purple unicorn with a dragon who didn’t look too happy about the development.

Scribe raised his hooves, “Now I know what this looks like, but let me just say,” he pointed at Vinyl, “She brought that thing here.”

Vinyl nodded, “Yeah,“ she then realized what just happened and looked at Scribe, “HEY!”