Equestria Under

"What would be your first question?" Snow asked.

"Well my first question..." My mind drifted all the way to when I first met Snow. "It derives from an event of a few rays passed. The time you and I first met."

Snow turned his head to me, "And what about that time?"

"Just...where did you come from, I would like to know." I said, "Had you been there...watching? How were you just in time to save me?"

"It was a coincidence," Snow replied, "Really, it was. For see, I had been out exploring the fields, during that time. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, you know?" I saw his eyes move to a fro, across my face.

"I understand." I nodded at him. So...it had been a mere coincidence... "It appears that I am to been more grateful to you than I thought."

"Don't worry about that," Snow said, "What other questions do you have?"

"Well, the next question would be...why. Why did you do it? Why did you save me, like that? It's obvious you saw the danger I was in...Surely you couldn't have have mistaken me for an under-pony, such as yourself."

Snow was thoughtful a moment and then said, "Why do you say that? I mean besides the question, now - why do you mention the fact that you aren't an under-pony?"

"Well why not?" I snapped, "You know perfect well that I was - that am not."

"And you think I would've been less likely to save you, had I not believed so, yes?" Snow steadied his gaze.

"Yes." I replied, "That is exactly what I believe--

"Well you're wrong." Snow replied, sternly, "Because when I saw you I knew exactly what you were. But what you are wasn't all I saw. I saw hope. And you want to know why? Because no other shadow-pony would do what you were doing, that day. Braving the vast, perilous fields -- throwing themselves into a den of beasts -- never! Or at least not often! But you! You. You were...you are different. THAT is why I did what I did. And it, WASN'T a waste of time."

When I was quiet a while Snow then said, "What is you next question?"

I sighed, "I seem so ungrateful, now, don't I? It burdens me to think so, but I do...anyways...next question..." I sensed Snow's nod. "Where did you learn magic? I mean....how -- who taught you? And how did you know you could use it against a daemon?"

"Isn't that two questions?" Snow asked, perplexity in his voice.

I was taken aback by how confused Snow sounded. I peeked out from behind my mane. Snow was smiling.

"Gotcha," He said, softly.

I let my mane shield my face, once again. I did not want to look at Snow, at the moment. I didn't feel it was right to instead I simply said, "Will you answer the question? The first one, I mean."

"I will answer them both," Snow said, "And as for the first one -- it's actually rather simple and might not surprise you like I expect you think it would."

I nodded, once, acknowledging that I was listening.

"If one shadow-pony has a horn as I do, eventually, as they grow in spirit, they will reach the level of magical abilities. It is at that time that they know they are an under-pony, and have reached the next step towards...you know."

I nodded, again.

"Yes, and it is not something they can practice or that is developed. Once they have it, they have it. If they don't, then they must wait their time...Do you understand?"

"Yes. I understand," I said.

"Alright then. As for the next one, I just...learned it. I mean, one ray I was walking around in the fields and a beast - not a daemon - appeared, suddenly, from behind the mist. It scared me, to be honest, and I fell over. Nevertheless, I didn't give into the fear. I gathered my courage and bam, just like that, a surge of power left my horn. It hit the beast, stunning it, giving me enough time to get out of there -- and I did. From that time one I just, you know, knew how to defend myself. The creature wasn't the only one taken by surprise, that ray, though - trust me, I was ecstatic!" Snow laughed, a little.

I just looked at him.

"What?" He said, as I peered at him from behind my mane.

"That story of yours," I said, "I think it could've been more...hmm...I don't know. It was missing something. You didn't say it right."

Snow gave me a strange look. "Really?" He said.

I nodded, " Yes, really... the only feeling you gave you anecdote can be heard, at the end..."

"And you noticed?! Snow cried, his expression full of disbelief.

"Yes, I noticed," I said, annoyance in my voice, "Which brings me to my next question."

"Oh? And what would that be?" Snow asked, attentively.

"Why are you so...non-under-pony-like?" I blurted out, "You don't seem to act anything like what you are. First, you claim to have an interest in me and out of nowhere you want to "help" me. Don't you care that you're an under-pony? Don't you feel as though you shouldn't be around me  - or any shadow-pony, if you could help it? Don't you think you're better than every other creature in Shadow Dwell!?"

I was standing up, now, and my voice had risen higher than ever before. I didn't know why I was getting so worked up, spirit of frustration ready to evolve into anger and my voice rising, but it was so. I looked down at Snow with a facial expression probably as different from usual as my tone of voice.

Snow just looked up at me, his eyes and expression giving nothing away. He continued to gaze at me as the spirit that flared within me died out and I retreated to the floor, once again. He was still staring at me as I sat quietly, for a while. Eventually I decided to look at him.

"Finally," he breathed.

"Finally...what? Finally I looked at you? I suggested.

Snow nodded as he did his best to keep my mane from falling back into my face. I removed his hoof and threw it back, on my own.

"Why does that matter?" I ask.

"Because I want you to look at me, when I'm saying this. I am certain you can perceive, well, so...I want you to do your best and interpret my feelings, when I speak." He emphasized by placing a hoof on my chin and directing my face towards him, exactly.

When I told him I understood he nodded, removed his hoof and then sighed deeply.

"Listen. First of all, I can only speak for myself. I am an under-pony and I know that. But think of my beginnings. I could not have become the being I am, this moment, without first being a shadow-pony, yes? So how can I look down on what I once was? I cannot -- nor can I think myself "higher" , in that way, seeing as at anytime I can easily go back..."

I perked up at that statement and Snow probably knew it. He didn't give me a chance to speak, though, for he then continued with, " So there is no reason for me - or any other under-pony to act all "higher than thou" towards any and every shadow-pony we come across. We are much too grateful...and we -- particularly me - couldn't possibly be anything less...And I mean that, with all my essence..."

A pause, yet again, I did not have enough time to speak, for Snow continued on, once again, "But I know why you must feel the way you do....too many lies. Too many lies have been given to the shadow-ponies! And only because you all don't know what to think, because you don't know what to believe! You are so deprived of help and the truth that it's ridiculous! I don't act any one way around you because I am me, Pinkamena, and for long time before not so long ago, I hadn't even that privilege and why?! Because I was just like you! Like a shadow-pony -- but I got help! And could've done nothing without it! THAT is why I want to help you, so much, THAT is why I want to be with you, so much, THAT is why I care about you, so much, because I can! Because I want to! Because I can and because I want to!"

Snow sighed and vigorously shook his head, "I've told you so, before, hadn't I? Why I care about you, so much? I mean...I mean, you could've been any shadow-pony out there, like that, and believe me no matter who it was, I would've done the same thing as what I did! Such a chance on your part simply can't be wasted! I did it, for you!"

The fire in Snow's eyes went from orange-red to green-blue and it hit me. That was where an under-ponies spirits went! That was how I could tell what Snow was feeling! Not that I needed it. I was familiar with all of the spirits he was expressing, already. Anger, sadness, regret... I had felt those things all my time and now that I knew what he had just told me... I was probably being much to ungrateful...

I turned my head away from Snow, lowering it. Of course I had believed all of those things about under-ponies, but to believe it about Snow?! That was certainly going to far.My spirit of sorrow welled up inside of me and I was ashamed. There were so many un-spoken things I thought about Snow -- grouping him with the kind I had never even met before, save himself! How could I? I was so worried about other things than how grateful I should be, for him...

"Pinkamena?" Snow brought my face back into focus, once again.

"My essence burned with sadness and shame, "How could I?" I whispered, "How could I?"

"It's not your fault, Pinkamena," Snow said, scooching towards me and lessening the space between us, "But I wasn't finished...there was something else you had said...Would I be around you, if I could help it? Of course I would. But what sense you it make for me to always be around?  Surely, there is some growing you could do on your own, in my absence, don't you agree?"

I just shook my head, thoroughly disappointed in myself. "I just...don't know..." I said, not really sure what it was I wanted to say.

"That's alright, Snow murmured "Did you have another question for me?"

"Yes.. a few" I said, my essence still burning, "Um... how did you learn about the fire lie? Who told you, otherwise?"

Snow was directly next to me, now. "Ah. That." He said, "Well..." He was hesitant. Why was he hesitant?

"That's alright, Snow," I said, "You don't have to tell me..."

Snow averted his eyes, turned his head, "Are you sure? I mean.. you know..I want to, but..."

"I am sure," I said, "Remember I do have more to ask..." The flare of my inner spirit began to die down, within me.

"Oh yes, right!" Snow perked up, "Do ask and I'll do my best to answer!"

"That's alright." I said, "My next question would be about how you made fire... Who taught you that?"

Snow went stiff, again. Hesitation gripped his being.

"You cannot say?" I leaned forward and peered into his eyes, searching for a hint.

He blinked and turned his head, "I won't...I mean...I want to be honest with you, Pinkmena."

"And you feel you cannot be, when I ask you these question? I understand." I looked away from Snow, but I could tell he truly did not want to sit on the answers to my questions - or answer, if that was the case.

Snow sighed, "Any other questions?"

I thought  moment and decided the other questions would have to wait for another time. I was certain - the best way a shadow-pony could be - that I knew exactly why Snow would not answer the questions. It was pride, perhaps. He didn't want me to know that someone had helped him get to where he was, now. How he aimed to help me, his mysteriously knowing things, how he had hinted at it earlier....it all added up to this. But why be so prideful? He already erected the fact that being an under-pony did not influence him in that manner, so... But aw well. Even under-ponies should be able to keep their secrets.

"Pinkamena?" Snow awoke me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I looked at him.

"Any other questions?"

"Perhaps we can save them for another time," I suggested, "It would make for good conversation as we go along our way."

"It most certainly would" Snow lowered his head down and rolled in my direction, grabbing my flank. He pressed his face into my essence moved his head back and forth.

"What are you doing?" I asked, gazing down at him.

"Mmm..." He didn't really give an answer, but continued with whatever bizarre thing he was doing.

I decided I didn't really mind and turned my attention to the dying fire. "This has certainly had been a talk to remember..."