Shattered Glass (Prologue)
Shattered Glass (Prologue)
I truly envy those who live their lives with the belief that nothing can go wrong. That life will stay a peaceful sanctum, truly silent of all evils that exist only in lore.
Although I do admire their ignorance, I’m not stupid. All kinds of evil has touched the ground and flown through the sky. These past many years have been rough, with panic spreading as a new foe arises only to be taken down a notch by the force that is magic; the all-giving lifeblood that is the power of this world.
While it has done an amazing job at taking care of villainy of different shapes and sizes, it has also done a magnificent job at keeping my eyesight aloft. A mishap with the new-found chemical found within this world had caused my eyes to malfunction. Now, they didn’t melt or disappear or anything of the sort, but they did, as I said, malfunction. My eyesight completely disappeared and my eyes had changed from a supple brown to an extremely vibrant purple. My pupils had lost all their shine and looked as if they were sucking in the light itself.
This was all during a classroom experiment. The chemicals had been found deep in the crystal mine near the bustling city of Canterlot, a few months after the whole Changeling fiasco. There were more secrets to be held within the ancient gems than the Princesses had realized. While they had been kept in the dark, being underneath the ground and whatnot, after coming in contact with so much magic that Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight had stored, they had begun to leak a magical liquid that the Princesses had named Magi, the very essence of Magic.
Months of studying the chemical brought forth the conclusion that it was safe enough to be used in experiments. It took some ‘formal pleading’, as Princess Twilight called it, to allow schools all across Equestria to make use of these experiments in order to broaden the education of children everywhere. My school was one of the first to receive the news, and the staff were overjoyed that they had new material to teach. It was a few weeks before the shipment actually arrived, so everypony, students and teachers alike, had to wait to fiddle with their new liquid.
There were rumors about it feeling ‘Softer than a cloud, but heavy enough to weigh a cart down.’
I was sitting beside my newly assigned lab partner, Sweetie Belle, and I was barely hanging onto my seat. I had always had a joy of learning, but I never really had a hands-on experience with the material that Ms. Cheerilee had taught us. Now, though, I was able to actually learn while I handled my work.
Now, Magi isn’t something to be taken lightly. It can do unimaginable things to your mind, as well as your body. Many had tried to use it as one would with illegal drugs, but their records had to be kept secret. This danger was averted by the casting of a certain spell. During the testing, Princess Twilight was to be kept up with detailed information. Often, she took part in the studying along with the experts.
Through thorough testing, she deducted that a spell was needed to calm down the furious amount of magic that was dormant in the liquid. Her idea was opposed, that the prospect of using magic on magic would have no effect. They were proved wrong when she lit her horn, grabbed the chemical, charged it, and proceeded to dump it on herself. She was rushed to the Royal Infirmary, but any damage that was thought to have been done was non-existent. Further testing showed that her spell did manage to contain the destructive properties of Magi.
With these moments in mind, all three Princesses declared that: With every batch of Magi, a skilled unicorn must be present to purify it before the schools could take it and use it. With Magi being so high in demand, the process of purifying the chemical was a busy one.
This is where my story had begun.
A very tired unicorn by the name of Black Lash was in charge of purifying the Magi our class was supposed to be using. His pride had boosted at the thought of saving all of us from… whatever Magi did to a pony. He started to purify each dish of Magi in the classroom, enjoying the attention and admiration of the children. His horn would glow a dark black, almost as if it was the color of The Void, each time he would purify a dish. I had barely noticed that his magic and horn were only glowing a light gray as he purified mine; the last one in the bunch.
The experiment was a fairly easy one. I was supposed to move the liquid around with magic, while others that weren’t unicorns a spoon, and see if it changed in shape, color, or vibrancy. Sweetie Belle and I had to wait a long while, seeing as we were in the back of the room, for the others to do their experiments. Ms. Cheerilee was instructed to watch each and every experiment, and that meant one table at a time. Sweetie Belle and I had talked a little, but it was nothing more than idle chatting. We were both excited, as were our fellow classmates.
It was about ten minutes before our experiment could start. Our dishes were prepared, nearly filled to the brim with Magi, and we were raring to go. My partner and I lit our horns and made a stir-like formation with our magic. Sweetie Belle dipped hers in first and began stirring. The Magi quickly changed color to the color of her magic. It began fizzing and bubbling, just as it had with the other experiments around the classroom. Excited, I allowed my aura to seep into the contents of the dish.
Not even I can recall what had happened next.
I was told by the doctors that something had gone wrong with the experiment, and that I could no longer see. The Magi had not done anything harmful to my eyes, but it had taken away my ability to see. Nothing was damaged, but the chemical was literally sucking that power away from me. It had something to do with the powerful magic that it was constructed of, and the effect it had when it combined with my magic pool. It had changed the color of my magic along with the color of my eyes.
I was magically altered. Just one little dish of Magi contains enough arcane power to change somepony’s form, not unlike the magic used to turn Twilight into an Alicorn. While it had changed me, I felt no different. There was no pain, except for the throbbing in my horn. I chalked it up to magical whiplash. No amount of medicine or magical examination could reverse the damage. I was told by many that I must have been careless and pushed out too much magic, or that I did it wrong for attention. Oh, there was so much hate towards me. I found it strange that I was being scolded and harassed by strangers. It was near this time that I was relocated to Canterlot to be treated by the best doctors that could be found.
Another three agonizing, sightless weeks churned on before I was reported to the Princesses. They had taken an interest to my situation, especially Princess Twilight. Being the Element of Magic she was, her curiosity was not sated with reports on how I was coping. She had demanded that she visit me, to ask questions and try and find a cure. I had told her that I didn't know what happened, and that Black Lash had purified the Magi on every table before we started. She left and contacted the unicorn in question. With no help, and a limitless amount of apology from the stallion, she questioned each individual that was in my class that day. One very attentive young mare had actually noticed the lack of color in Black Lash’s horn that day, but she had thought he was just showing off and went with it. Black Lash was taken into questioning a few days later. He admitted that he may have let his ego, and lack of sleep, get the better of him. With this information, Princess Twilight made an extra effort to see me often.
With a few more visits from Princess Twilight, she had begun working on a cure. It was not something to be injected or ingested, but it was something I had to train to overcome. Think of it as a ‘Magical Therapy.’ I was to cast a spell that was used on blind ponies to help them see, but it had to have a few modifications. A few tips from the Element of Magic herself later and I could regain my sight in spurts. Like I had said, it would require some training. I had daily and hourly exercises that required things like: Continuous magic use, lifting heavy objects, and physical exertion.
Ten years later and it felt like nothing had changed.
I was using magic during every passing second to keep my eyesight spell active and it took no effort whatsoever. I was able to keep the color of magic from surrounding my horn, which made me look at least a tad normal, and I had developed a muscular body from all the exercise of training. I adapted to using glasses as a conversation burner. When I was asked how I was able to see again, after such a horrible experience, I told them that my glasses were enchanted to let me see. Some ponies even went so far as to take them off to see if I was telling the truth or not. I had to fake being blind more times than I could count.
I was old enough to leave my parent’s home and find my own, as well as a job. My parents lived on the outskirts of Ponyville near the Everfree Forest. I had my bags packed, dragging them behind me with magic, and my valuables in my saddlebags.
I said my good-byes to my parents, giving each of them a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and started on my journey.
I had a train waiting to go to Canterlot, a scholarship to Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and I was raring to get settled in.
My life was starting to pick up, and I was ready to lift it.
Author's Note
Hello, readers. I just wanted to say thanks for reading. If you find any mistakes, please let me know in the comment section or my message. I don't have a proofreader so it's hard to find a mistake.
Thank you, and I hope you stick around!
(Somewhat) Unlikely Encounter
Author's Note
So, yeah. I haven't updated since, like, a year ago. I try to update, but it's like one chapter sucks all my creativity away, and it's hard to come up with anything I find suitable.
Well, anyway, I hope this chapter is acceptable.
:3
(Somewhat) Unlikely Encounter
The hum from the rails below muddled my mind. The white noise shook every inch of my body as I tried to fall asleep on the overnight trip to Canterlot. The provided pillow was rough and scratchy, and the blanket felt as if it were made with toothpicks. No matter how much I shifted, I just couldn't get comfortable. I slammed my hoof down to strike the pillow out of frustration just as the train lurched to the side. Missing the pillow completely, I struck the hardwood wall behind it. The loud cry from the other side of the wall made me jump, and suddenly my fatigue vanished and the idea of sleep seemed far off. With a huff I jumped down from the bed, put on my glasses, and looked around my compartment.
The small desk in the corner looked as if it were made for a foal, with just enough surface area to fit one sheet of paper. Just above it was a wall-mounted shelf full of books that looked brand new. I walked over to the desk and looked at one of the spines.
"The Rise and Fall of Naponeon Bonaparte... eh, probably a last resort." I muttered. The electric light on the wall flickered, and the smell of honey filled the air. I felt my nose flare at the smell and turned to the door. The shadow underneath revealed that the snack cart had stopped across the hall, and was soon to knock at my door. Desperately, I lunged for my bags, which held all of my bits, and frantically searched for my coin purse. Soon my room was a mess, with papers and books scattered on the floor, and several of my belongings thrown about. Levitating the bag, I took it to the door and waited patiently for the cart-peddler to knock. I could hear the merchant talking to my neighbor, and tried to resist eavesdropping.
I failed miserably. Feeling slightly guilty, I pressed my ear up to the door.
"So, it's three bits for the cherry pie?" The stallion's voice was nice and smooth. "Okay... I'll go ahead and take the cream pie, instead."
"We don't have any cream pies, silly!" The mare giggled, and just hearing it put a smile on my face. I silently put my bits on the desk.
There was a slight pause. The next sounds I heard were a squeak and a soft rustling noise. I pressed my ear hard up against the door.
"Looks like you had one in stock..." The rustling sound continued for a couple seconds before the door clicked in place. I pressed my ear even harder against the door, but there was only silence.
Quietly, I slid my door open to find that the food cart had been pushed a little ways down the hall, with no attendant in sight. I checked two more times down the hall in both directions and found only the floor and shifting shadows of the night sliding across the other doors.
"Oh, please no." I whispered as my mind raced. What should I do? Wait and see if she just went to get something and come back or bust down the stallions door and fear the worst?
The sensible thing would have been to go get some kind of authority and tell them, but it would be pretty hard to get one in time considering the fact that I was in the middle of a ginormous train.
"What should I do? What do I do?" I was torn and afraid. "Something completely horrifying might happen to that sweet mare if I don't hurry."
Then I remembered the cry from the room next to mine. I immediately raced, as quietly as possible, to the pony's door and rapped softly. The groan and muttering from inside did nothing to lift my spirits, and I feared that this pony either wouldn't believe me or wouldn't know what to do either.
The door swung open, and I was greeted with the most displeased scowl I had ever seen. The mare looked me up and down.
"What?" Her voice, while harsh, sounded sweet and supple, sending a chill down my spine.
"I need help. I'm pretty sure something terrible is happening." I must have looked rigid, because the scowl was replaced with a mask of concern. "I think the cart-mare has been abducted." I then gestured to the snack cart.
"Oh, I'm sure she's just getting supplies. They do have to restock from time to time." She moved to close the door, but I gently held it open.
"I heard it. Please help me. He dragged her in there right after he said he wanted a "cream pie"." I would've laughed at the shocked expression on the mare's face, had it not been in a dire situation. "Please, I need help. I don't know what to do." I was on the verge of tears, mostly because I didn't know if I was right and just messing up peoples lives or if something was actually happening.
The mare looked puzzled, but stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
"Which room?" She asked. I pointed to the one down from hers and across. As we were walking, she shot me a glance. "So it was you."
"Yeah, just got mad at the pillow." I hurried up to the door and waited for my companion.
"Did you try listening through his door?" She whispered. I quickly slammed a hoof into my face and pressed my ear up against the mahogany door. I heard a couple chuckles before the stallion actually spoke.
"Oh, I haven't gotten to do this in years. Been a while since I seen a cutie like you..." He trailed off before I heard a couple of shifting noises. I could tell I looked horrified, and apparently so could my companion. Without waiting for a signal, she spun around and slammed her back hooves into the door, turning it into nothing but splinters.
One glance into the stallion's room and I knew I had made the right decision. The mare's uniform was in tatters and strewn all around the room. I could definitely spot her, as her coat was a bright pink, as well as her mane. She was dumped unceremoniously onto the stallion's bed, sprawled out, and her mane unkempt and tangled. The stallion was cowering in the corner, obviously spooked by the sudden loud noise. I turned away quickly, as his "friend" was out.
We must have been right on time.
"What in blazes are you doing?!" My companions voice was filled with pure bewilderment. She marched into the room, a look of pure anger upon her face. I sped over to the unconscious mare and telekinetically lifted her off the bed and out into the hall. I cleared the multitude of sweets off of the cart and laid her down on it. A syringe was lodged in her forearm, filled with some kind of liquid. This pervert was prepared for an all-nighter.
With a shock, I realized that my companion was still in there with the offender. I peeked inside right in time to see her beat some sense into him. She was using anything as a weapon, and her attacks were no laughing matter. Feeling it was safe enough, I shouted that I was going to go get some help, and hefted the cart along with me. It took about five minutes before I reached the front of the train, where a sleeping security guard was propped against the wall. I shook him awake, and quickly told him the situation.
"Just stay here and keep an eye on her." He yelled as he left through the door.
Using my time wisely, I checked for any serious injuries on the mare, as well as any bruising. With nothing serious, other than the syringe I took out of her arm, she seemed to be in good condition. With a shudder, I realized just how serious the situation was, and that I should've acted sooner. I should have known that he had taken her when I heard the noises. Why hadn't I just done it myself?
The door flew open and the security guard ushered the stallion inside, a magical bind around him in case he tried to escape. Next came the mare who had helped me immensely. She came and stood next to me as the guard led the offender into another door.
There was a long silence before one of us spoke up.
"So, how is she doing? Is she okay?" She looked over to the sleeping victim.
"Well, I'm not a doctor but, I'm pretty sure she'll be fine. She had this," I levitated the syringe up to her, "in her arm. I don't know what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's not good."
She nodded in agreement. "Do you know her?" She asked.
I shook my head. "I know she works for Sugarcube Corner, but other than that I've had no affiliation."
"So, you live in Ponyville?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that. It's been on and off between Ponyville and Canterlot..." I paused, not sure whether I should go through the whole Magi escapade, "There was a rough spot when I was younger, so I had to be in Canterlot sometimes to work out some problems."
"So, would... would those problems happen to start because of Magi?" Her face was expressionless, but the glint in her eye made me nervous.
"Um... yeah, it would. How did you know?" I asked in wonder.
She smiled. "I was there, remember? I was sitting right next to you when... when that happened." She pointed to my glasses.
"Sitting next to..." I trailed off, and I suddenly remembered, "Sweet Luna, it's you!" I beamed.
"Yep! It's good to see you, Shard. I've been meaning to see how you were doing." She stepped forward and wrapped her leg around me. Not wanting to be weird, I did the same. A few moments later and the embrace fell apart, but the happiness was still there.
"It's good to see you too, Sweetie... Belle." I could even feel the rosy tinge on my cheeks. "So, where are you headed?"
"Oh, I'm headed to Canterlot. I recently applied to Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. As long as I meet the test requirements, I'm in." She smiled. "Where are you headed?"
"The very same place, believe it or not. Since I've been working with Princess Twilight, she's given me a scholarship. As long as I meet the test requirements, I'm in as well." I grinned. "At least I'll know one pony there."
