Chapter One - Iridescence
Once upon a time... Wait, no, that's not how I want to tell this story. This is no bedtime story. There's no mythical humans, no happy ending that sends fillies off to sleep with happy dreams. If anything, this story is a nightmare.
If I had to think back to a moment, that set everything in motion, changing my life forever, it would be when I found a bit lying in the autumn leaves. I was hungry, and in that little bit, I saw a chance for food. I almost never had food. It wasn't because I was poor, and couldn't afford food. Actually, my father is very wealthy, he just never allowed me to eat.
18 years ago, while my mother was pregnant with me, she was cursed by Discord. Discord was the bringer of chaos, he tormented Equestria, and left distraction in his wake. It's been years since Discord was imprisoned in stone by the princesses, but the aftermath of his chaos still remains. Discord cursed my mom so that her mane, coat, and tail flashed and
changed different colors. My father hated it, he was disgusted by it, but he didn't leave her. He stayed with my mother, until she died of complications after having me.
My father hates me, that's why he doesn't let me eat. My mothers curse transferred to me, but less shocking. My mane and coat change softly, showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles. That's why my name is Iridescence. Most ponies think its kinda pretty, but my father despises it, for it reminds him of my mother.
I trot down Main Street, heading towards the farmers market, the fall leaves crunch underneath my hooves. As I approach the apple stand, I feel eyes on my back. I slow down, I've always had sort of a 6th sense that tells me things, right now it's telling me danger is near. I buy two apples from a stand and eat the first one as I walk back out of the market. I give the second to a beggar sitting on the side of the road. They wore a mask over their eyes, and twitched at odd times. I knew this pony wasn't blind, but their eyes where messed up by discord.
My special talent is magic, or at least I think it is. Maybe it is a psychic talent, like knowing things others don't, that kind of thing. Im not sure. I got my cutie mark when I felt like a colt was up to no good. I never meant for it to happen, but somehow as a little filly, I had made rope appear out of nothing, and tie the colt's hooves together. Further investigation from an adult found that the colt had been stealing toys from other ponies. That night when I was going to bed, I caught my reflection and saw my cutie mark. It was three stars and a circle.
Heading home the sense of unease increases, I strain my ears, listing for anything odd. Nothing but the falling of leaves from the trees that line the road. I can't the shake the feeling of someone fallowing me. I began to casually levitate stones in front of me, like I was playing as I walked. Then, I shot a stone into the trees above me. There was a satisfying thump as the stone met is mark, and a loud flop as a pegasus hit the ground in front of me.
"Who the hell are you and why where you fallowing me?" I demand, horn glowing, ready to strike this stranger if he moved. Internally I was freaking out, scared out of my mind, but I wasn't gonna let them see it.
"Kind Miss, I'm sorry if I have alarmed you." He said, he has an odd way of talking. Very formal, old fashioned. "I'm not aware of what got into me, it's just-" he cut off. He had a red mane and tail, and a black coat. Bright red eyes staring right at me. The tips of his wings faded to white, a recessive trait for pegasi, and he had a white snout. He didn't appear scary, there was a kindness in his red eyes that seemed genuine.
"...just... Just what?" I asked, my tough attitude breaking.
"...I saw you today... When you found the money... You looked starved, and you used the money to buy food... Yet, as starved, and as hungry as you where. You still gave the second apple to the beggar," he said. "It's rare to see anypony with your generosity these days."
"Well... I..." I didn't know what to say. He looked at me and slowly stood. The pegasus was taller then me, and I shrunk down, uncomfortable and nervous.
"I apologize for coming off as a creeper, I was just fascinated by you. I was just... Fallowing you trying to think of a way to... Say hello..." He looked down at the ground, pushing the dirt with his hoof.
"Oh... Um..." I looked down too, blushing in my awkwardness.
"You have a beautiful mane," he said. "And beautiful eyes." I sad nothing, but the heat rose hotter in my cheeks, suddenly I realized how dark it was.
"I have to go!" I shouted, panicking. "It was nice to meet you, but I really gotta go!" And I dashed off down the road, racing towards my house. Leaving colt behind, confused by my sudden exit. I'm scared that my father will be mad that I'm late.
I make it to the front door, panting from anxiety and exhaustion, shaking from fear. The large grey house looked ominous in the moonlight. Its high brick walls casting long dark shadows, and the dim candle lights flickering in the windows. It looked like a place you don't want to be. Believe me, I didn't want to be here. Magically and silently, I open the door. The smell of burning wood fills my nostrils. I could see the fire light coming from the end of the long entrance hall.
Slowly, carefully, I put one hoof on the stone floor.
"You're late," my fathers voice echo's from unknown to me.
