This is fucking ridiculous.

I let out a heavy sigh, trying to ignore the pulsing ache in my side. Glancing up into the daytime sky from the cave floor, I listened to the sound of my crewmates arguing.

“Who cares if she says she’s closed? We can just go in anyways,” Silver grumbled.

“We will respect the seer’s wishes,” Exe asserted, ignoring the pegasus’s frustrated snort.

Cleaver peered into his bottle, frowning. “Would be unwise to ignore sign,” he agreed.

Restless, I climbed to my hooves and trotted to where Nix was sitting, looking out into the snow outside. I settled down next to her, tensing as the wound in my side flared up.

She blinked, glancing towards me momentarily before returning her gaze to the slope below. “We should be out looking for him,” she said. “He could still be out there, trapped in the snow.”

But that may get us killed. Survival comes first.

“Nix.” I put a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s not worth the risk. It’s too dangerous.”

She frowned, brow furrowed. “What if it was you down there?” she snapped. Her eyes met mine, reflecting my own worry back at me. “Freezing to death with barely room to breathe and half the bones in your body shattered? Would you want us to just leave you, without even thinking to look?”

“No, of course not.” I sighed, immediately regretting it as another spasm of pain racked my body. “But I’d understand if you did.”

She was shaking, staring out into nothingness. I pulled her into a sympathetic hug. “It’s okay,” I whispered. “We’re all just trying to survive.”

“Hey, Dissy! Look!”

I turned to look at my best friend. “Yes, Silver?” I quipped.

He was standing next to the sign, waving towards it with a hoof. Frowning, I examined it for anything interesting. My eyes widened as I read the message.

“Please enter. Leave you weapons at the door,” it said. There was no trace of the previous message. It was as if someone had snuck out and replaced the sign with an entirely new one. Next to the sign was a crude wooden bin, also having appeared out of thin air.

“Well...” Nix raised her head, eyes red. I looked to the rest of my party. They all seemed just as surprised as I was. “Shall we go, then?

Cleaver unslung his hammer from where it rested on his back, dropping it in the bin. Silver was next, unstrapping his lightning gun and, after a brief pause, laying it down. He cocked his head in thought for a moment, before drawing a knife out of a neck sheath and adding it to the pile. I levitated Nix’s unused rune gun from her side, placing it into the bin along with my last remaining sword.

The rest of us looked expectantly to Exe, who was standing off to the side, axe still firmly in its sheath. “I will not part with my blade,” he growled.

I ran a hoof through my mane, smiling nervously. “Uh, Exe. The sign says—”

“I will not part with it,” he repeated.

“Dissy, this sign is really creeping me the fuck out,” Silver hissed.

I turned, narrowing my eyes at the sign. Another line had been added to the bottom of the message. “The bear may keep his axe.”

“Okay, what the actual fuck?” I said.

Cleaver shrugged, tossing his now empty bottle to the side.

“Guess we go in, then.” Shaking my head, I trotted carefully into the tunnel, the claws and hooves of my companions following behind me. The tunnel was long, and soon I found myself walking through pitch dark. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, every breath and step audible in the stillness.

Fwoosh!

The tunnel suddenly filled with flickering light as torches, placed high up on the walls, burst into flame. I jumped, glancing back with alarm. My party was still there, all but Exe looking equally surprised. Doesn’t anything get a rise out of that bear?

When I returned my gaze ahead, I saw a veil of hanging beads before me, swaying lightly in some imperceptible wind. Well that’s... cliche.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed my way through the curtains. A homey little room waited on the other side, carved smoothly from the stone. A bookshelf took up a corner of the room, dominated by a collection of curious trinkets and dusty old tomes. There was a fireplace next to it, providing heat for a sturdy iron cauldron as well as the room. The rest of the space was largely occupied by a simple wooden table, surrounded by a collection of stools.

My ears twitched at the sound of hoofbeats, coming from one of the two other entrances cut into the room.

Into the room stepped an earth pony mare, with an off-yellow coat and a dull red mane. She tilted her head, smiling.

“Hello, Dissero,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Are you ready, Ember?”

Stormslider looked up to where Ember was perched, on a catwalk ringing the walls of the shipyard. Her fiery mane shook as she nodded, peeking around the rune gun levitating by her side.

Storm returned her gaze to the ship. The hull had been mostly repaired by now, with the only holes remaining on the navigation and cargo floor, where she had planned certain renovations. She’d finished a new rune device last night, consisting of a piece she was fairly certain transferred magic and a copy of the trigger she’d made for Silver’s lightning gun. It was leaning against her now, looking like a very poorly designed gun.

“How is the balloon?” she called.

“Drained. Completely empty,” Ember replied.

Here we go. Tensing, Storm lifted the device in her hooves and planted its tip against the hull, over one of the nodes where the lattice of runestone came together. She rubbed a wing over the trigger. If her theories were correct, it would send the magic right into the ship’s system.

A soft purple glow drifted out, starting from where she was standing and expanding out, following the runestone lines within the hull, until it encompassed the whole ship. Stormslider grinned, the purple light illuminating the excitement on her face.

Storm continued to inject more magic into the ship, pulling the trigger over and over with her wing. A soft humming built up, and the ship began to float off of the ground. She scribbled onto a notepad with her free wing. “Levitation spell built into ship.”

She waved a hoof. “Okay, shoot!”

Ember muttered the trigger word, and her rune gun began to charge. It expelled a rune slug from the barrel, the glowing projectile covering the distance to the ship within in an instant.

With a small purple flash, the slug bounced away from the ship. It never touched the hull.

“Yes!” Storm pumped a hoof in the air. Carefully laying her new device aside, she turned to her notepad.

“Shield spell also present. Investigate possibility of adding new spells.”

I blinked, mouth agape, as I stared at the mare standing before me. The mare completely lacking in wings, with a single-color coat unmarred by stripes, and a very Equestrian body shape.

“You’re an earth pony!” I declared.

She rolled her eyes. “And you are a master detective. Please, come in.”

I didn’t move, still trying to wrap my head around the situation. “You’re the only other Equestrian I’ve met outside New!”

“Your observational skills are no match for me,” she quipped. “Would you please come in? The stew will overcook at this rate.”

Cleaver pushed against my flank. “Are you well, Kaptain?”

I shook myself, stepping the rest of the way into the room. My crew filed in behind me, each one in turn gaping at the earth pony. Exe entered last, planting his bulk in the only unoccupied space left, right in front of the entrance.

The earth pony offered a wide smile to her new guests. “Welcome,” she said. “I am Ambrosia.”

Silver stepped forwards. “Are you the seer?”

She shrugged, calmly collecting a stack of bowls from the bookshelf. “I’ve been known by many titles over the years. I can only tell you that I am the one you search for.”

I cleared my throat, making sure to carefully arrange my words before I spoke. “We are from Equestria, seeking a way home.” I dipped my head. “Can you help us?”

She smirked, setting the six bowls down on the table. “I can, yes. Are you hungry?”

Cleaver tilted his head, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Why?”

“Because.” She waved a hoof towards the cauldron, drawing my attention to the enticing aroma filling the room. “I just made all this vegetable stew, and I’d hate for it to go to waste.”

“This is the best thing I’ve eaten in months!” Silver leaned back, holding his bowl up. “Is there still more?”

“There’s as much as you can eat,” the Earth Seer replied, refilling his bowl with a fourth round of the delicious stew.

I had already eaten my fill, having taken only two bowls of the delicious stew. I had to agree with Silver: it really was the best thing I’d had in months. I don’t think I’ve even seen a decent vegetarian meal since I left Equestria.

Nix was sitting next to me, eating with unusual vigor. She flinched as Cleaver let out a loud belch from across the table. He leaned back, rubbing his belly contently.

“Excellent meal, seer,” he said. “My thanks.”

She dipped her head. “You’re welcome. It’s only polite to feed house guests.”

I winced as Exe took a hearty bite out his slab of meat. He was sitting at the end of the table, a plate of practically raw meat piled up before him.

“So, is there a charge for your services?” I asked.

“Normally, yes,” she said. “But you all are a special case. It is rare that true-bred ponies come to see me. What are your names?”

Silver paused in his eating, broth dripping from his chin. “Shouldn’t you know that?”

“Yes, Silver Feather, I already know your names.” She turned to him sharply. “But most people enjoy a certain set of traditions known as polite conversation.”

His eyes darted side to side, and I sighed inwardly. “My name is Dissero,” I supplied. “This is Phoenix Down, Cleaver, Exe, and... you already know his name.”

The seer nodded to each of us in turn. “Pleased to meet you all. Nice to see you still alive, bear. You may call me Ambrosia.”

Ambrosia beckoned to me, climbing to her hooves. “Come, Dissero. I would speak with you first.” She turned, stepping through a cloth veil into another room.

I exchanged a glance with my crew before rising from my seat. They offered assuring nods. Exe took another bite of meat. Slowly, I followed Ambrosia through the veil.

We came out into a much smaller, darker space. Candles burned from carefully placed holders along the walls, the tiny flames flowing together into gently curving shapes. In the center, barely visible in the flickering candlelight, a circular table and two chairs awaited.

Ambrosia took a seat in the far chair, and I sat opposite her. She fixed me with a hard stare, rubbing a hoof silently over her muzzle. I found myself wondering how old she was, and strangely unable to place a guess. Her face was young, without any of the wrinkles and spots of age, and yet didn’t have the shine of youth. And her eyes. Her eyes were far older than the rest of her.

“Well, then, Dissero. Where shall I start?” She leaned forwards, resting her head on her forehooves. “What do you know of Equestrian history?”

I cocked my head. “Well, just the same stuff most other ponies know. Hearth’s Warming, the Lunar Wars, the Legends of the Elements.” I shrugged.

She nodded. “And what do you know of the history of the Cloudwall?”

“The Cloudwall has surrounded Equestria for as long as anypony can remember. It’s always been there,” I recited.

“They would tell you that, wouldn’t they?” She shook her head, smiling as she leaned back in her chair. “Listen up, and I will tell you the true history of the Cloudwall.

“Over a thousand years ago, before the Royal Siblings began their reign, the recently united Equestria sent explorers over the ocean, borne on primitive airships made almost entirely from cloud. When they discovered the Outer World, they saw a wild and untamed land, ripe for the taking.

“The natives stood no chance. Equestria easily swept the quarreling tribes aside, establishing its own settlements in their place. The Equestrian Empire ruled over all of the Outer World for hundreds of years, growing off its resources.

“It didn’t last. Under the oppression of the Equestrian Empire, the Outsiders finally found the inspiration they needed to unite. Driven by their hatred, they drove the Equestrians back across the water and earned their independence.

“Fearful of an invasion from across the sea, the Equestrian military hatched a plan to protect their home. Over the course of a year, every pegasus capable of flight took part in the project, working to weave a massive shield around Equestria.” She looked up. “The Cloudwall.”

I frowned, brow furrowed. “No, that can’t be right. Nopony would ever even try to rule over other beings like that.”

“Hmph,” she grunted. “Equestria was different then. before your princesses. Less love, less tolerance, and much less equality.”

“Every pony is born equal in Equestria. Earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, griffon, and zebra alike all live in harmony, side-by-side,” I insisted. “It’s always been that way.”

She scoffed. “Have you ever heard of the Equestrian Genocides, Dissero?”

I blinked. “Wh-what?”

“When the Outer World rebelled, the pony nobility were the first to leave. They left via teleportation portals maintained by a dozen unicorns each, leaving everyone else behind. By the time the Cloudwall was sealed, only a fifth of the colonies had escaped.” She paused. I had to lean forwards to hear her next words, as quietly as she said them. “They left everypony behind.”

We sat in silence. When Ambrosia’s eyes refocused on me, they held a barely contained rage. “Hundreds of thousands died,” she hissed. “Ponies were hunted down like animals, massacred. The pegasi fled their posts, leaving the towns they defended helpless.”

I shook my head. “That’s not true.” It can’t be true.

“It is true!” She reared up, slamming her hooves down onto the table. “Just because it doesn’t match your idea of the perfect Equestria doesn’t mean it didn’t happen! Whole cities were burnt to the ground. You can see the remains everywhere!”

“Okay, okay!” I raised my hooves defensively, leaning back. “I believe you, alright?” I made a mental note to learn more of the Outer World’s history on my own.

She relaxed back into her chair. I nodded, more to myself than anyone else. “Why are you telling me this?” I asked. “I came for advice on the future, not a lesson on the past. I just want to get back to Equestria.”

She smirked, still breathing a little hard from her outburst. “Because it’s something you need to know. But before I give you the knowledge you seek, I have a question for you.” She leaned in, the candlelight casting a shadow over her face. “What was that name you said earlier?”

I blinked. “Uh, Thunder Shield? Nothing. Just... something I saw in a dream.”

She cocked her head. “Oh? Was it a dream you had after discovering an obelisk? Perhaps in the mists south of New?”

“Yes...” I frowned. “How did you know that?”

She winked at me, sliding out of her seat. “It is my business to know things. Stand up.”

I complied. As I stood, she walked to the far side of the little room, her hooves clopping quietly on the stone. She turned to me. “Hold still.” For a brief instant, I thought her eyes flashed purple.

A purple spear materialized before her, hanging in the air. My eyes widened. The spear flew towards me.

I dove aside, and the projectile shattered harmlessly against the wall behind me. “What are you doing!?”

She rolled her eyes as three more spears appeared. “Just hold still! I want to see something.”

I threw myself at the veil, opening my mouth to shout for help. “Oof!” The shifty cloth had become hard as stone. Terrified, I turned around just in time to see the three magical missiles hurtling towards me.

I shut my eyes, waiting for their sharp tips to pierce my flesh. My ears twitched as I heard a low grinding sound in front of me. I felt the stone shift around my hooves. I cracked an eye open, wary of what I might see, and was pleasantly surprised to find my body in one unmutilated piece.

Looking up, I noticed a pony-sized piece of glass floating in the air before me. A blue sheen covered its surface, as if reflecting sunlight, despite the shady dimness of the cave.

Ambrosia stepped around the strange glass, eyeing me appraisingly. “You can turn that off now, if you like.”

“What?” For the first time I noticed the glow surrounding my horn. I felt myself channeling magic, but I didn’t remember casting any spells. Confused, I severed the flow.

The glass fell, shattering into dozens of glittering pieces. One by one, the shards faded away, leaving only a short-lived patch of purple mist behind.

“What was that?” I asked, gesturing at the pile of rubble. I looked to Ambrosia for guidance, and then remembered that she had just tried to kill me. “What was that!?”

She shrugged. “Relax. I was testing a hunch. You obviously weren’t consciously aware you had the spell, so I had to get your subconscious to step in.”

I stomped a hoof. “What spell?”

“The shield spell which you just cast. Angust. It’s been a bit distorted, but the spell is recognizable nonetheless.” She rubbed her chin with a hoof. “Tell me, have you had any strange dreams lately? Centered around the deaths of ponies you never knew?”

I tore my gaze away from the spot where the glass had simply faded away. “Yes, I’ve had... one. Do you know what it meant?”

She nodded. “What do you know of lunar magic?”

“Uh...” Despite myself, I couldn’t muster much knowledge. “All I know is that they let non-unicorns cast spells.”

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I suppose that’s the gist of it, yes.” She returned to her seat, motioning for me to do the same. Cautiously, I complied. My heart was still racing.

“Moonstone is a very special material, Dissero,” she said. “The ability to channel magic is extremely rare. It’s a trait that can only be found in the flesh of a pony, the blood of a dragon, and the substance of the moon itself.

“It is also very unstable. Thousands of ponies died to discover the runes needed to safely channel the raw power that is magic. There’s still much more to learn about them, an activity I have taken up myself, though with somewhat more emphasis on…” She let out a little giggle. “Safety.”

“Early advances were made via trial and error. Characters from every ancient language were collected and carved into the stone, tried over and over, until runes capable of channeling magic without exploding were discovered. Due to the nature of these experiments, all runes are built in with a sort of…” She rolled a hoof in the air. “Black box.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“If the wielder of a rune dies, the rune records it, and passes the recording on to the next wielder.” She rubbed her muzzle thoughtfully. “Somehow, the runes are precognizant. They can forsee death, and inform their wielders. They can even detect their future wielder. There’s a brief moment when both wielders seem to exist at the same time and place, but only to eachother.”

She frowned. “It is a strange, impressive, and completely inexplicable feat of natural magic.”

Slowly, I nodded. “Uhm… yeah…” Starting to regret coming here.

“Anyways, I suppose I’ve given you enough backstory. Would you like to hear my advice for you now?”

“Ah, yes. Please,” I added. Finally.

My vision flashed purple, and suddenly there was an orb on the table between us, resting on a garish bronze frame.

She peered into it, silent. Several minutes passed. I shifted in my seat.

Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, a faint purple glow receding into their depths. “You have quite the journey ahead of you, Equestrian,” she announced.

“Do I get back to Equestria? Can you tell me how?”

“Yes, yes... you could.” With another flash, the orb was gone. “It isn’t going to be easy for you, but... you can get where you wish to go. Though you will need help.

“East and a little north of Harvest City there is a great pit. It leads down into the network of caves frequented by many of the more traditionalist goyles. At the bottom of that pit you will find something you need.”

My ears twitched. “Well, can you tell me what it is?”

She shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t do. I can guide you, but to tell you too much will change your future to something else entirely.” She stood, stretching. “I perceive only possibilities of what will pass. Do not let what I’ve told you influence your decisions poorly. You’ll make it back home, if you make the right choices. No foretelling can save you from your own stupidity.”

With that, she left, slipping through the thin veil behind me. I looked after her for some time, lost in thought. It’s so quiet in here...

Why can’t I hear my crew?

Cautiously, I pushed through the veil. Me ears popped as I passed over the threshold, and I was treated to the sight of my crew, safe and sound, still eating. I frowned. It’s been at least an hour...

“Kaptain!” Cleaver raised his bowl. “What news?”

Silver looked up, broth still all over his muzzle. “Oh, hey. That was fast.”

“Fast? I was in there for—”

“Ten minutes,” Ambrosia finished. She winked as she came to a stop by my side. “We only took ten minutes.”

“Uh... yeah,” I agreed.

She turned to the rest of my companions, smiling. “Well, then, who’s next?”

Author's Notes:

Phew, finally got this one out.

Sorry for the delays, but there's alot of lore here and we had to get it right.

You guys see my new cover art?