//-------------------------------------------------------// Dark & Light: Before the peace -by Winter_Eclipse- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// chapter I. 14th Birth-day //-------------------------------------------------------// chapter I. 14th Birth-day (A/N: About the speech. Flashback: 'Italicized' Thought: Italicized Dream: Bold/Italicized) Hello, Child. Who's there? A friend. I am here to warn you. Of what? An ancient slumbering enemy who wishes to lay ruin to all in it's path. Why does it want that? No one knows. But you shall know more than us all, Child. Huh, That's odd. No such things as monsters here. Not here. The country is far older and more peaceful. Wow... Must be a grand place... It is. But now, you must open your eyes. It is time to awaken. "Ugh.... what a nightmare...." She told herself. She could hear the TV from her room. She sigh and slides out of bed. She brushes her long orange hair and put her goggles around her neck like always. She fastens the straps on her overalls and puts on her work boots. She picks up her bag and sketch book. "Happy 14th B-Day, Chris!" A boy about her age jumped out at her and yelled. "!" She Jumped at the sudden yell. "Sorry, Chris." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's Crystal, not Chris." Crystal points out. "Haha! I like Chris better." He laughed. Crystal shakes her head. "I have to get to work. See you later!" Crystal calls back as she ran for the door. Crystal sprints to the metal shop she works at. The minute she steps past the thresh hold, all the men gave her the same warm welcome as always. Crystal walks to her work station and sets down her bag and book. Crystal fixes her goggles so they were on her forehead. Crystal picks up her book and open it, starting to brain storm. "Shh. It's supposed to be a surprise!" One of the men say. "I already know you guys want to throw me a party Because of my birth-day and all, but i'm not one for parties." She huffed. "Hey, It ain't gonna be that big. Just us an' a few others." The only southern man said. Crystal smiled at him. "Okay, I suppose. Since you said it was small." "Ya sure 'bout that, kiddo?" Jackson Pats her head. "You deserve much better than the small party, But that's all we can afford." A slightly better dressed man sighed sadly. Crystal stood up. "It's okay boss. i like smaller." Everyone who heard those word stared in shock. "and why is that?" A tom-boy woman asked kindly. "simple, bigger things like that makes me uncomfortable." Crystal explained. "That explains alot..." One of the boys said. The boss smiled. Crystal sighed as they all nodded in understanding. Everyone that cared for her piled together for a group photo. Anyone else just continued to work. .... "Finally done! I just have to test it." Crystal muttered excitedly. "We're lost. You draged everyone to the wrong place." A male voice grumbled. "Oh well, looks like there are too many witnesses here." Another pointed out. Jackson fast walked to Crystal. "I hope yer invention works." "It should. Why?" Crystal put down her wrench. "I don't know, but ah ain't takin' any chances.You an' Kelly need to leave." He parked her things for her. "Now get outta here." Crystal hugged Jackson before starting up the portal, Kelly following close behind. She and Kelly walked though it. walked through it. When the girls disappeared, Jackson smashed the portal. .... Crystal fell to all fours. Kelly was no where to be found. Crystal called her rival's name, getting no answer. Kelly was gone. Crystal looked at the ground, her eyes closed. huh, odd. Am i a... pony? She thought, looking down at her sunflower yellow hooves. Crystal shook her head and walked along the dirt road. In the distance she could see a decent sized town. She galloped to the town. As soon as she was in the town, the inhabitants looked at her strangely. She bumped into a pink mare with darker pink, poofy up mane and tail. The pink pony gasped and sped away. Crystal walked on, Completely un-phased by the mares behavior. Unknown to Crystal, A cyan Pegasus was watching from the clouds. Crystal yawned and shook her head to wake herself up. The houses were comfortable and inviting. They had hay for roofs instead of shingles. The houses themselves were wooden and seemed pretty strong. "Hello, Darling. What brings you to Ponyville?" A refined voice questioned. Crystal turned her attention to the owner of the voice. An elegant, well groomed, clean white unicorn mare with curly royal purple mane and tail, stood in Crystals way. "Hello. Not much. I'm actually looking for a place to build a home." Crystal said, looking about. "Why is that darling? There are plenty of hotels." The elegant mare waved a hoof to a nearby inn. Crystal shook her head. "I'm not comfortable in big places like that. Plus, i love the fresh air." "Oh. That's Quite alright, dear. The air here does wonders." The mare said with a gentle smile. Crystal laughed. "I also don't like getting in other's ways or be a burden." Crystal waved and started back down the path when something blurred by and blocked Crystal's path. The engineer went into defensive mode, standing on her hind hooves and holding two large wrenches. The pony that had zoomed by was now at a stand still, staring wide eyed. Crystal just stood strong, glaring at the cyan stranger. The cyan mare hovered in front of the newcomer. "How are you doing that?" the second stranger asked "What?" Crystal fell back down on all four hooves. "Standing like that with out any help." The cyan pegasus pointed out. "Oh, that. It's a secret." "Really? I was gonna say it'd be cool to know." The cyan pegasus grumbled. "I might tell someday." Crystal said as she walked away. Crystal smiled as she stood back up. Flashback 'Take each day by stride. You can go further that way.' her boss said with a smile. 'Really? if that's true, than someday, i want to be strong and help others, and be a great person like you!' Crystal said cheerfully. The room full of workers smiled happily at the little girl. 'Yes, it is.' He assured Crystal. 'You'll make a great person someday. and we'll be there to help you along.' Boss smiled. 'I can't wait! And don't worry, i'll never forget you guys!' Crystal laughed. End flashback The sunflower yellow mare smiled at the memory. Crystal stopped. I guess i should find a new name, seeing as i'm a pony now. She thought for a bit. As she thought, she shook her head continuously at the unwanted names. "Defiant..... and strong like platinum..... Hmmmm....." She muttered, wording the key traits of her personality. A few more attempts before finally finding the best sounding. "That's right. From now on, I'll be known as Platinum Defiance." She announced to herself, glad no pony could hear her.