Chapters Destinies Entwined
Cloaks & Coverups
by Technomare
A hooded figure peers around a corner store, situated in the heart of Maretropolis; the city is quiet except for the occasional rustle of a stray animal or the occasional gusts of wind, blowing the dust and debris of the day through the streets. The hour was late and most ponies had long since retired to the comfort of their warm house and cosy beds. Knowing this, however, did nothing to quell the trepidation in the cloaked pony's heart as they slunk from their hiding place. As the unknown pony approached the night's target, a set of lock picks and various other tools any self respecting burglar would carry were conjured from the depths the figure's billowing robes. Maretropolis, just as any other large city is bound to, plays host to its fair share of common burglars and criminals; this pony, however, was no ordinary criminal.
The glass door of Magnificent Mane Styles hinged open without a sound as well practiced hooves gently pulled the door ajar. Isles of mane-care products and accessories filled the shop, worth tens of thousands of gold bits. The figure's mind drifted to the measly 7 silver coins stashed in one of their cloaks many pockets, the amount of which paled in comparison to the shop's items - proudly on display for all of Equestria to see. Smirking at the ignorance of the shop owners in the area of security, the hooded pony produced a small sack from the robes, returning the Lock pick set to its former home simultaneously. A wide assortment of merchandise was scooped up and deposited in the bag, as the intruder worked through the store shelf by shelf. In the midst of adding a few mane-bands to the collection, the thief heard a loud thump and voices, coming from the flat above. Deciding that their midnight escapades were over, the covered criminal beat a hasty retreat, giving up the luxury of silence as the shop door was slammed closed.
Loud cries of anger could be heard emanating from the Magnificent Mane Styles shop that night as the owners inspected their lost products, all the while cursing the unknown good-for-nothing crook. Elsewhere, as Celestia's Sun prepared to make its morning appearance, a lone pony inspected a night's work worth of treasure. The small satchel was deposited in a bedside dresser, while the dark cloak was hung in a closet, accompanying various articles of well-kept clothing. It wasn't the Canterlot fashion show, the pony thought, but it was nothing to sneer at. Thoughts of grand plans, marred by life's curse filled the pony's mind as the midnight burglar drifted off to an uneasy slumber.
Author's Note
Woo hoo! Second chapter done! I know they're not very long, but this is my first try at anything like this. If people *cough* ponies, end up liking it, the. I may write a sequel story. For now, however, your comments are always appreciated.
P.S. The chapters will be getting longer ^.^
Destinies Entwined
A New School Year
by Technomare
Ferox Blossom awoke on a cool Equestrian Monday morning, to the sound of birds singing outside his window. Begrudgingly hoisting himself from his bed, he peered over at his twin brother, Nelum. Despite being slightly larger than Ferox, Nelum was precisely the same age, a fact which confused many ponies; adding to the confusion was their coats and manes. Ferox sported a bright pink coat, complemented by a candy blue mane, while Nelum had precisely the opposite, donning a blue coat with a bubble-gum pink mane instead. As once can imagine, these colorings had often caused the two Blossom brothers to be the subjects of teasing and bullying in the Maretropolis public school system. The brothers begrudgingly put up with it, however, knowing that their classmates didn't really know how hurtful they were truly being.
Ferox clambered out of bed, punching Nelum into consciousness on his way past to the doorway, he always slept like a rock.
"Oy, what was that for Fer?" mumbled Nelum groggily.
leaving his brother in his half-awakened state, Ferox meandered down the hallway of his parent's flat, finally ending up in the kitchen. Scents of hay bacon and waffles poked at his nose teasingly as Ferox slumped down at the kitchen table after a half-slurred greeting to his mother.
"Don't look too excited for school," quipped the mare,"it's your first day back, you're going to have new teachers, and make new friends…" Ferox's mother droned on in this manner for another two minutes, during which a few things happened. Ferox received a heaping plate of waffles and hay bacon, Nelum appeared in the kitchen and sat down at the table, and the clock over the fridge struck seven. Not wanting to be late for the 7:30 school day, the brothers scarfed down their breakfasts and ran out the door, down six flights of stairs and down nine blocks, reaching the school building just a minute before they were due. Heaving and panting, the brothers slammed the school door behind them, basking in the warm, heated air of the school building. Just when they were beginning to catch their breath, the school bell rang out, signaling the beginning of first block.
Ferux clipped into his first class just before the first period bell rang, taking a seat next to one of his old friends, Carrot Top. She was only a few months older than he, however she never failed to hold it over him at any chance she could.
"Hey youngster!"
"Shut it C-top, you know you're barely older than me"
"And what a world of difference it makes," she giggled, grabbing Ferox in a tight hug as she said so.
"You know," spluttered Ferox,"I'm happy to see you too, but try not to strangle me on my first day back please."
"Whoops!" Carrot Top dropped him back to his hooves, "my bad."
The rest of the day progressed with much less excitement, however, and by the end of the day he was exhausted as usual. He stared over at a unicorn filly, a grade above himself, in longing, seeing her hanging out with her other mare friends. One of them noticed him staring; yelling over at Ferox: "See something you like?" Her friends sniggered, laughing at Ferox as they galloped away.
"It's not like that!" Ferox yelled after them,"not like that at all..."
Author's Note
Woo hoo! Second chapter done! I know they're not very long, but this is my first try at anything like this. If people *cough* ponies, end up liking it, the. I may write a sequel story. For now, however, your comments are always appreciated.
Destinies Entwined
A Mare's Mask
by Technomare
The night was once again falling on the city of Maretropolis as a hooded figure once again took to the streets. Tonight however, was not a night of thievery and cunning plans. Tonight was a night to bask in the spoils and their infinite reward. The figure slowly lowered its hood, sliding it back with the utmost care, to reveal a candy pink hair colour. Mane-bands and make-up emerged from a familiar pouch as the remainder of the cloak fell away from the pony's shivering body. The candy-pink mane was quickly drawn up into a simple pony tail, as a well practiced hoof, steady despite the cold, began the application of the stolen cosmetics. The pony reveled in her art, every dab and stroke feeling like the stroke of a great artist's paintbrush, sliding smoothly across an invaluable canvas, covering up the earlier mistakes.
Once the process was complete, the mare admired herself in a nearby shop window, fogged over from the cold. Her eyes drank in what she saw, savoring every morsel of the visual dish. Her eyes raked up and down, from her elegantly simple tail, past the soft reflection of the moon against her bare flank, and finally to the centerpiece. A thin jawline accentuated the outlined cheekbones, smoothly melting into her muzzle. Thick eyelashes adorned her coloured lids, highlighting the contrast of pink on blue. It was truly a sight to behold; most of it anyway. In her eyes' slow journey up her body, they had passed over the area at the center of her despair, an ugly blemish, not even her expert hooves could mask. Tonight however, not even that could sadden her, she was in her element, enjoying every moment of it.
As Luna's moon neared the horizon, his image of perfection shattered. The art was washed away, and the cloak donned once again. The figure bid a hasty retreat to the shadows, vanishing as if never there at all. And if one were to listen closely to a dark Maretropolis alleyway on that Tuesday morning, soft sobbing would be heard.
Author's Note
Yeah, I know I promised longer chapters, but I'm working in it, also dialogue will be soon to come.
Hope you enjoyed it and as always: I would love to hear feedback in the comments.
Destinies Entwined
Crowded Isolation
by Technomare
"Ferox!" called the teacher, rapping her meter stick sharply on Ferox's desk, making a resounding crack.
Ferox was startled back into consciousness, and upon realizing what was happening quickly flattened his mane and returned a muted "S-sorry Miss," keeping his eyes pointed downwards at the scratches on his desk. The instructor quickly returned to teaching, acting as if nothing had happened; Ferox's mind, however was already miles away from the geometry lesson, engrossed in personal fantasies, information of which he would never share with any pony - or any other species for that matter.
His eyes drifted lazily around behind his barely open eyelids, the lesson was about trapezoidal prisms, but the only lines he dreamt of were curves. Drifting off, a white haze began to occlude his vision, lacking depth yet containing an infinite volume; lacking dimension yet encompassing everything. Suddenly a mare emerged from the haze, sporting a chic fuchsia coat with a blue headpiece. The mare seemed oddly familiar, but amidst the dream, he couldn't quite remember where he'd seen her before. He almost had it, it was on the tip of his tongue and yet...
"Ferox!" huffed the instructor, starting to lose her patience with the sleepy colt,"this is the second time you have fallen asleep while in my class today, once more and I'll have no choice but to refer you to the principal."
Despite being in danger of suspension, Ferox was currently more concerned with figuring out who the mysterious mare was than listening to the instructor. The problem with this however, was that while Ferox's attention was not focused on the instructor, her attention was focused solely on him. Ferox suddenly felt a sharp tug on his ear as he was dragged from his chair by the enraged instructor. His reverie broken, the magnitude of what he had just done descended on him, forcing him to a near panicked state. By the time he was calmed down, Ferox was sitting directly in front of the principal, Dr. Yards, and she was not at all happy to see him.
"Mister Blossom, do you know why you have been brought to my office today?" She peered at him intently.
"I wasn't paying attention again in class Dr. Yards," said he shamefully.
"And why was that now?"
"I was daydreaming about.."
"Honestly Ferox," Yards said in exasperation,"is this going to be yet another year of you not paying attention in class?"
"No, Dr. Yards, it won't be, I'm sorry," he replied,"I...I'll try not to."
Walking side by side, the Blossom brothers were heading home after a long day at school. Ferox was telling Nelum of his umpteenth visit to Dr. Yards' office. And lamenting the fact that he hadn't been able to discover who the mysterious mare was. The walk home was a long one and the conversation began to grow thin, eventually turning into silence. As the pair walked along in silence, Ferox's thoughts drifted back to his dream, while unbeknownst to him, his brother shared similar thoughts.
Author's Note
Ok, so the chapters are getting a bit longer... sort of...
Aaaanyway, what do you think; I'm trying out more dialogue and changing up the format style, as always - feedback is appreciated!
P.s. Sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes, typing stories on a phone is challenging :p
Destinies Entwined
A Dual Excursion
by Technomare
The moon shone brightly through the only window, painting a streak of light across the cluttered room; the light reflecting off various artifacts, casting diffuse reflections across the small space, a speckling of white patches. The beauty of this was lost on Ferox Blossom, who despite being fully awake, had a mind buzzing with thoughts which weighed heavily upon him. The night had been long and restless, full of tossing and turning, in a vein attempt to find a comfortable position, both in bed and mind.
Having found the former a few minuted prior, the room was now silent, save the occasional exhaling of breath or late night carriage trundling by outside. Suddenly the bed creaked again, but not of Ferox's ministrations. Following the sound with his ears, Ferox sees his brother Nelum, clambering out of bed, making his was over to the two colt's shared closet-space. The double doors creak open, and Nelum's blue hoof unhooks a cloak from it's hanger, donning it with a a swift ease. The now-cloaked blue pony slunk silently from the room and disappeared into the night.
Full of bewilderment at what he just witnessed, Ferox hoisted himself from his bed, his hooves making a soft clack as they made contact with the floorboards. Making his was to the already-open door, he was relieved as the hallway carpeting muffled his hoofsteps. Checking the kitchen, bathroom, and storage area, Ferox noticed a distinctive lack of his brother, simultaneously a feeling of dread came over him. There was only one way Nelum could have gone - out. Throwing caution to the winds, Ferox quietly unlocked the apartment door and crept silently down the seventh floor hallway. As he gained distance from his family's abode, his confidence grew and his pace quickened. Soon Ferox was practically galloping down the stairwell, past the unponied security desk in the lobby, and out onto the cold, night streets of Maretropolis.
Warnings from countless school safety presentations come rushing back into the pink pony's mind as he finds himself alone in the city at night. His instincts told him to stop right there and return to the warm, comforting safety of his own bed; this was not a time for instincts. His own brother was venturing out at night, unknown to anyone, and he was getting right to the bottom of it. He regathered his wits, and set off at a brisk trot after the sound of receding hoofsteps. Rounding a corner, Ferox caught a glimpse of his counterpart's cloak as it slipped between two waste containers. Ferox groaned inwardly, why in Equestria was his brother taking such a difficult path to...where ever he was going? Crouching down, Ferox squeezed between the waste bins, scrunching up his nose at the putrid smell of decaying trash. On his escape from the smelly prison, Nelum was no where to be seen and all hope seemed to be lost. Just as he was turning back, Ferox's ears picked up the soft rustle of disturbed litter, coming from an alcove, hidden, almost completely, in the shadows. Peering from behind yet another waste bin, curse the wretched things, the pursuer watched as his brother disrobed. Engrossed in the scene before him, Ferox was unaware of his hoof slipping against the cold, wet edge of the trash bin, behind which he had taken cover.
Setting a small pouch down with a small thump, Nelum exhaled a deep sigh of relief. He had been followed, by whom was unknown, but it had forced him to take a longer and more winding path to his sanctuary, losing the unknown pursuer, but cutting short his meditation. He begins once again, restyling his mane, pulling his pink locks up into a simple bun. Next, digging in the bag, the blue pony retrieves the tools of the trade, and begins her artwork, checking herself every few minutes in the nearby window.
CRASH! Ferox had slipped and fallen out from behind his hiding place, landing spreadeagled on the rough concrete ground.
Awkwardness... pure, unalterable, awkwardness. Nelum was staring aghast at his very bedraggled brother, and Ferox was staring right back at his very feminine looking...sibling. It was a few moment before either of them said a word, and in that time it would have been impossible to tell which of the two were more shocked.
Heart racing at a million meters per second, Nelum spoke first. "I can explain!" Ferox simply stood there in shock.
"You... you're what?" He spat out, just confusedly. There was his brother, his lifelong friend, looking like... a filly. Well practically, there were many features about his brother which were still most definitely masculine, but that did not detract from the effect, especially in the dark lighting. "How long have you been doing this Nelum?"
"Only a few weeks, I know it seems weird, but I really enjoy it. It makes me feel... right." Nelum cast his gaze downward, like a young foal who knows they've done something wrong. "Don't hate me?"
"Nelly, I would never hate you. You're my brother, - Nelum shuddered - but more importantly my friend. I love you as any family member should, and nothing can ever change that." Looking at his brother, sister? whatever; looking at his sibling, Ferox could see that he had finally snapped.
Nelum's face rose, the expression split between agony and rage. "No! It's always been like this," Nelum sniffed out,"for as long as I can remember, I've always been the odd one out. Made fun of for being too girly or creepy, just because I'm different. I don't know why I'm like this, I just am!" Whenever mom calls me her little colt I shudder, whenever people try to be polite and call me mister, it just makes me sadder. I don't know what to do Fer... I don't know who I am."
Slowly and deliberately, Ferox responded. "Come on Nelly, it's late and we have to go to school tomorrow, you know what Miss Yards will do if you show up late again."
Wave after wave of sobbing continued, but eventually the cloaked pony had regained enough of their wits to shakily nod in agreement. Ferox helped his sobbing twin to his feet; as he did a wetness crawled down his own cheek, falling silently to the ground beneath him. As Nelum returned the stolen possessions to the pouch the moonlight began to recede, and by the time the two reached the looming door of the apartment complex the sun was just breaking over the horizon, ushering in a brand new day. Together, the two walked past the empty security desk, pushing aside the door to the stairwell. The two ascended without speaking, only the soft clacking of hooves on metal preventing them from descending into true silence. Floor after floor they climbed, the sun following their progress, beginning its daily path across the sky, eventually reaching the sills of the seventh floor windows just as a bedroom door was thrown open.
The sun shone brightly through the only window, painting a streak of light across the cluttered room; the light reflecting off various artifacts, casting diffuse reflections across the small space, a speckling of bright yellow patches. The beauty of this was not lost on the two Blossoms, who despite being exhausted, had minds buzzing with thoughts, weighing heavily upon the both of them. The night had been long and restless, full of tossing and turning, in a vein attempt to find any comfort, both in bed and mind. A new day had dawned.
Author's Note
Phewf, well that took a while, and I really hope you enjoy it.
I think I'm getting better with dialogue, but what I want still eludes me.
Anywho, as always feedback is always welcome.
Destinies Entwined
Midsummer Surprises
by Technomare
Weeks had passed since Ferox had seen his brother; of course they physically saw one another, as they lived in in the same room and went to the same school. However, the two had not said a word in the presence of the other pertaining to more than polite conversational topics. Ferox never realized how much he and his brother had depended upon one another on a day to day basis. Even with he being made fun of at school and Nelly's strange excursions at night - no longer a mystery - the two had stuck side by side.
What kind of a brother am I, to comfort Nel one night and then ignore him...what kind of a pony does that make me? , thought Ferox as the final school bell of the year sang it's song of freedom. True he had comforted him, but still...
"Ferox"
"Yes Professor?", responded Ferox. He had not given up his hobby of daydreaming, but now made a point to pay some attention to the world of the mundane.
"All your classmates have left, is there a reason you're still at your desk?" Perhaps not much attention.
"No Professor, sorry I'm leaving now." Ferox placed his school supplies into his saddle bags, blank unlike those of his classmates who had already earned their cutie marks, and trotted out the door. Seeing nothing but the cobblestone path before him, Ferox set off for the flat alone in conversation, for the last time this year. The sea of ponies passing jostled around him, crying out in exuberant glee at the prospect of three whole months without school. The birds sang, the wind blew, and the sun shone; but Ferox paid no attention to these, still lost in thought about...things.
The metal door hinged open with a screech when his pink hoof threw it open, slamming behind him with a crash. On his way home, Ferox had developed a plan, and it was time to put that plan into action. He climbed the stairs quickly, cantering up five steps at a time, positively elated and yet terrified at what he was about to do. Finally reaching his destination, he unlicked the door to his family's shared flat, and galloped down the hallway, being unable to restrain himself. He barged into his shared room, finding Nelum sprawled upon his own bed. Previously sprawled would be more accurate however, as his brother's abrupt entrance had seen to shatter his peace.
"Nelum!" yelled Ferox, quite a bit louder than he had intended. He held up a hoof to stop his startled brother and tried once again, in a much softer manner.
His brother turned to face him, "Hey Ferox, what's the excitement?"
"Nothing" Ferox responded with a mischievous grin, plastered across his face.
"Well if that's the case, please leave me alone."
"Come on Nelum, we can't go around pretending like it never happened, and not talking to each other ok?"
...
He continued: "Well you don't need to say anything, but at least listen; just, meet me on the hill south of town tomorrow around eight am, the hill mom used to take us to when we were little."
"Why should I" huffed the blue colt, failing to conceal the curiosity in his voice.
"Just do it, for me. please." and with that, Ferox left his brother alone, to consider what he had just said. He made his way back out onto the Maretropilis streets, retrieving a small coin purse from his saddlebags as his did so. He had much to do before tomorrow, hopefully his parents wouldn't miss him.
Beep Beep Beep!
Nelum fell out of bed at the sound of his alarm clock, slamming his muzzle into the wooden floor as he did so. Regaining his orientation to the floor, his hoof tapped at the offending piece of technology, shutting off its infernal sounds. Hoof met mane, as he scratched an itch and began to rub away some of his morning drowsiness. He turned his gaze to his brother who... suddenly the events of yesterday came rushing back, as well as the knowledge that he didn't have school for the next three months.
"I must remember to turn that infernal alarm clock off tonight" he said to himself. Waiting for the grunt of exasperation of his pink counterpart, but hearing nothing, Oh yeah . Suddenly he remembered why he had set the alarm; snapping his had around to see it, it read: 7:43am. "No, no no no!" his idiot of a brother, his spying brother had asked him to meet at eight this morning. "That was why I set that stupid alarm." He quickly scooped up his saddlebags, and hurried out of the apartment, waving a quick goodbye to his mother as he passed her room.
He reached the hill his brother had spoken of, merely fifteen minutes later, not able to remember if he had ever run faster in his life. He saw no sign of his brother however, and resigned himself to climb to the top and wait for his to show. His stomach rumbled as he began the short climb, punishment for having skipped breakfast. He would have to-- his thoughts were interrupted as he crested the hill, and saw a cloaked pony, naught but his tail showing; a tail which was a strikingly familiar shade of blue. Nelum sat beside his covered brother, and turned to face him.
The pony turned to face the newcomer, "Nelly, you're here." Ferox half-shouted, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"'Course I'm here, I--"
"Come here Nelum," Ferox cut his brother off, mid-sentence. "There's something I want you to know." It was then when Ferox removed the hood, which had previously been obscuring his face.
There in the morning sun, sat Ferox, his brother. But no, not his brother. This was and was not Ferox. Before him sat a female likeness of his brother. Identical in ever feature except voice and gender. His usually stoic eyes were alight with energy and apprehension, and his thinly shaded muzzle was drawn out into the widest smile Equestria had ever seen. He gazed with a never before seen intensity at his sibling next to him, saying nothing and yet everything all at once. The two mares sat upon that hilltop for what seemed like hours, simply gazing at once another. The world around them continued, but they were not in this world anymore. Confusion and understanding flowed between the two like the tears they both shed. From those tears an understanding formed and the two sisters vowed to support one another in all that was yet to come, never leaving the other's side. Forever and always, their destinies entwined.
Author's Note
So yeah, there's one more chapter coming after this, sort-of.
Also, I'm thinking about making this the prologue to a longer story, perhaps, as the adventures are far from over.
As always: comments and critiques appreciated.
Destinies Entwined
Pink & Blue
by Technomare
Pink and blue
A whole different hue
Together they had started.
For what one had to steal
Did the other conceal
Two colts, the fates had parted.
Obscured by the night
And driven by fright
One colt did aimlessly wander.
The source of his strife
Throughout all his life
He was left to eternally ponder.
And his brother in day
Would his gaze go astray
A reprimand - harsh - would follow.
His expression was sure
And his manner demure
While internally he was hollow.
Twists and Turns
The cold wind burns
Speaking words of kindness untrue.
He alights in the dark
And makes such remarks
With his coat, clad in flowery blue.
The parallel path
Bears identical wrath
A sea of despair is the drink.
He revels in light
Of his unending blight
Repaired, with a pristine pink.
When dusk meets the dawn
And the masks are undrawn
Were never two ponies so true.
Two mares once divided
Now their fates coincided
These ponies are pink and blue
Only by joy and sorrow does a pony know anything about themselves and their destiny.
~Johann Wolfgang von Hoefthe
Author's Note
So, that concludes Destinies Entwined, as a good epilogue - in my opinion.
I might make a follow up if I feel up to it or have the time, however I found I really like doing one part quick stories like Sheet Music, so in the meantime you'll probably see some more of that.
P.S. I actually had this done before the chapter before this, which Is why It's taken a while to update, and also why I'm releasing two on the same day.
