My Little Pony: The Cycle (IC)

[Derjuin]

Within Mareinev City

As you approach the city, two of Future Sight's entourage - Spring Harvest and Aurora Drop, it seems - gently usher you closer to the fortune teller, and bring up the rear of the group. When a pair of unicorn guards, garbed in golden armor with purple feathered plumes, approach Future Sight, the three exchange a few words, glances, head-nods and shakes, and the guards return to their posts.

The gates themselves are enormous, standing tall with lively twirled spires of their own. Purple and red banners are flown from the parapets, the latter at half mast. Glimmering gold, most likely simply leafing, adorns the huge white stone blocks that comprise the walls; each block, nearly the size of an adult pony, is decorated with its own unique, intricate set of gold filigree. Once past the gates, the scent of roses overwhelms every other smell in the air as rose petals fall like rain upon the flagstone road ahead. In the center of the circular area you find yourselves in is a large statue of a unicorn, though her features and legs seem to be exaggerated a bit - she almost looks like the princesses back in Canterlot, though she has no wings.

Immediately in front of you is an enormous stone bridge, leading over what appears to be the city itself down below towards an ornate palace that rivals that of Canterlot itself. Bearing stark contrast to the fields beyond, every color imaginable can be found in the city - though purples and reds seem to be the most dominant. Overhead, the clouds have parted and the light blue sky greets you merrily, though there is still no sun to be seen. Banners, flags, standards and more adorn the meticulously placed houses, businesses and balconies along the bridge, along with displays of red roses and purple lilies.

While in the city down below there are many groups of ponies scattered every which way - most likely partaking in whatever event Future Sight had come to the city for - upon the bridge itself are few ponies, mostly only those in gold armor like the ones at the gate. Among them is a grizzled-looking guard with a full grey mustache and a red plume upon his helmet in place of a purple one. On the chestplate of his armor is a blue sash adorned with several small medals and a large pin resembling a lily. Though the weight of age bears down on him, he still stands proud, and yet occasionally blows a stray rose petal into the air to watch it dance.

To each side, there are huge stone ramps that descend into the city below, running alongside the walls down into the earth. Even in the depths of the city, the light from above is plentiful, and there are even trees growing on some street corners; most of them appear to be fruit-bearing, but you're not entirely sure. The structures down below, while smaller than those along the bridge, appear to be in good repair - most of them are decorated as well, with patches of flowers, gardens and the occasional atrium, partially visible from your current location.

Future Sight catches a rose petal on her hoof, smiles and blows it back into the air. "We will always remember you, Princess Rose," she mumbles before turning back to face the group of foals. "Right. You five - it's five, right? No more? - should head to the palace at once, to talk to Princess Lily. Tell that fine gentlecolt ahead -" she points to the red-plumed guard upon the bridge "- that Future Sight sent you. He will show you the way."

Though Bright Bolt, Spring Harvest and Diamond Dust start heading down the left-hand ramp, Aurora Drop and Future Sight linger at the entryway plaza.