☼ [visual]

[solequus]

[Hey there, fillies and colts! Its Celestia again, this time, back in her bedroom. Her scroll is positioned so those who see this and respond can tell she is hard at work. And also see her room, which is just as bright and golden as ever. Even the mirrors seem to glint gold on the edges at least from the scroll angle.

Anyhow, she isn't calling to make you all jealous of her kick-flank room. The old symbology book is on her desk.]

Well, it appears I've figured out what the symbol is. I almost feel rather silly not remembering it, but the last I saw it was a long time ago.

[At this, she holds up a picture she drew herself.]

This is a symbol of a legendary alicorn in the old Unicorn Kingdom, who was said to be friend to all living creatures, especially children and the downtrodden. The very first alicorn at the beginning of time, in fact, and also said to be the last alicorn at the end of time. She was supposedly a beautiful, all white filly with long, dark, shiny hair. We called her the Pale Pony. That's what the P is for. Its her banner.

[Paper down.]

Back when I was a filly, when there was a sick pony in a household, the family would carve one of these symbols and affix it to their house. This was the means of communicating to the Pale Pony that she was to bring a pony to one of her domains. She'd come up with a sled made of sparkling gems and adorned with her banner, I was told, and would shoot across the sky to her kingdom. Then, she'd place ponies to where they were supposed to go. Good ponies went to Sunnyside, where children were given candy and adults didn't have to work. Bad ponies would go to Downpour, where it always rained and made everything soggy. That's what the arrows symbolize.

[A pause. A small, sad smile flashes across her face, before it disappears.]

Of course, I wanted to go there, not realizing the deeper implications. But only because of the candy. I had such a sweet tooth as a child!

[What do you mean "had"-]

Ah! That being said, my ponies, what have you found? And...well, have any of you gone into the basement? As I've said, it can be quite dangerous, so please, if you decide to take such a risk, make sure you're prepared. I will be disappointed if I found any of you disappeared because you fed the zombies pudding on accident!

Comments

[Visual]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

The legendary alicorn, huh?

Too bad she's not around. She sounds like a worthier opponent than you.

...she's probably DLC though. Damn price-gouging...

[Visual]

[solequus]

'DLC'?

[You and your crazy talk, Zetta.]

[Visual]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Once the internet became more popular, games starting getting extra content added to them after publication for a fee. Before, the end boss in postgame content was always Tyrant Overlord Baal, usually in a gratuitous Prinny form. After DLC, though, people from all sorts of games and continuities started showing up.

Even I've been DLC... or will be. The timeline gets very confused if you start thinking about it too much.

[vis]

[stormbroken]

...That means they're probably saying they want the newponies dead, whoever they are.

That, or they think we'll be the end of Equestria.

Take your pick, your Highness.

[vis]

[solequus]

I'm not sure. The original symbol's definitely been altered, though. For what reason, I don't know.

But it might also alter the meaning of the symbol as well as the intentions.

[Visual]

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

[Trixie rubs a hoof against her chin.]

If such a symbol adorned our gazes at the Gala, then whoever vandalized the statue with it wishes to inflict judgement on these new ponies. Trixie believes there may be some from a different Equestria that may know of this symbol.

But...! The only thing we know naught of is the very pony who would commit such judgement!

Re: [Visual]

[solequus]

Perhaps, Trixie. Now we must figure out who. It won't be an easy task.

[Visual]

[ponymechanic]

[Tails tilts his head slightly at the symbol. It kinda reminded him of a keyblade. The story of the pale pony did peak his interest as well.] Sounds like they either want us dead or think we're a threat to Equestria just because we're from different worlds. Is it possible that the Pale Pony or some follower of hers is responsible for this?

[Visual]

[solequus]

[At this, Celestia looks thoughtful.]

I will admit, the Pale Pony committing these crimes would be difficult to envision. Aside from the fact that there is no proof of her actual existence outside of the stories, she herself is meant to be a generally benevolent creature.

[Visual]

[hangthedj]

Whoa whoa, hold up there Princess.

D'you say zombies? 'Cause I'm pretty sure I heard zombies.

Re: [Visual]

[solequus]

You heard correctly, my dear DJ.

[visual]

[forwhomthebelltolls]

Vell, iz an interestink tale. Hy suppose de qvestion is vhether or not it vas meant as a goot sign.

Re: [visual]

[solequus]

I am not sure myself. As I've said, the Pale Pony is meant to be generally benevolent and distant, only involved in the passing of those meant to pass.

[Visual]

[emperor_cowboy]

... Well ain't that just a fancy li'l fairy tale?

Re: [Visual]

[solequus]

And a rather old one, yes.

[surpriserainbows]

I learned the difference between pudding and yogurt.

[It was not exactly a great lesson.]

[solequus]

Ah, wonderful! I do hope it didn't end too badly, did it, Surprise?

[To be fair, she made the same rookie mistake once. Long, long, long, long, loooooooooong ago-]

[Visual]

[bluesuit_hoofy]

Downpour? That's as bad as it got? Blimey, most cultures give their hellfire a little more, ah...hellfire.

There's another question on my mind -- are we absolutely positive the message, whatever it was, was meant for the newponies?

[Visual]

[solequus]

It seems to be the general consensus, though, I admit that you are correct. We've never fully established it was for the newponies.

[visual]

[falsezodiacknight]

[...Vaan listens. So this is the sort of world he's fallen into.
If only this 'Pale Pony' was like the Espers of home... gods who walked among the Enlightened. His thoughts briefly flicker to the legends of the twin Bahamut, before he responds, his head bowed over the scroll. This woman is clearly important, whoever she is - so, Vaan is being pretty respectful.]
I... I am only new, Lady.
[But a pause.]
There are undead down there? Do you think... there may be some of us, brought as these undead?
[Probably not. But it's worth asking, a shake of his head.]
Is this Pale Pony... the only creature with that sort of power, in this land?

[visual]

[solequus]

Ah...hello then. All this talk is probably a bit confusing then, I suppose.

What might your name be?

[Introductions first, obviously. Answers later.]

[visual]

[apiarycryptonaut]

[ Have another new unicorn! Unfortunately, she's not going to sound at all new, because there were some things said that perked her interest and she's puzzled out a lot of things for herself (some right, some wrong, but that's her problem)...! ]

Oh, um, hello, yes! Can we still maybe explore the basement, for puzzles and solutions, yes? Even if it's dangerous, everyone will be careful! Um, I hope, maybe.

[ ...and, actually, most importantly...! ]

And um, what's pudding and do zombies really eat it, maybe, yes?

[visual]

[solequus]

You could, though you must be careful, of course.

Pudding is a dairy product. The zombies in the basement eat yogurt, however.

[weaponizedgems]

I have learned from experience that sometimes stories like that have a grain of truth. Or perhaps, there is always more to the story being told and the rest can be rather... disturbing.

[action]

[honeycombing]

[She isn't going to respond to the post. Instead, wherever she is, she is staring at the symbol.]

Th-that's--

[Oh. Oh no. Oh dear no. Its just like--she feels sick. She feels sick thinking of it. No, no, keep it down, don't be scared. It was going to be fine. Being scared wouldn't help.

Not that it would matter much if what she thinks is happening is.

She decides, instead, to just tend to her hives and not go out. She'd prefer people didn't ask her if anything was wrong. Because what if she said too much and Celestia found out--]