An Explosive Journey

Nova, Lyra's Home

Dreams - some say that they are a gateway to another world, while others say it's just a bunch of jumbled memories that your mind tries to make sense of while you sleep. What I am currently experiencing however, is too odd to be considered a dream. I'm floating, but not in a black expanse that you can barely see anything in, but a blindingly white expanse that illuminates everything around as far as one can see. As if that isn't weird enough, I start to hear someone speaking. It's as if I've heard the voice before, yet I've never heard it in my entire life.

"So, the brat comes back and yet doesn't even know his true abilities. Typical Celestia."

"What are you talking about?"

"You see Nova, your magic talent is creation and alteration. You are also exceptionally gifted in one of the lost ways of magic."

"Oh yeah, and what might that be?"

"You will know in due time, my son." Ok, wait what? Since when are you my dad?

"How are you my father, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I believe that is something for another time. Now get up, you've got some unpacking to do."

"Before I go, let me ask something. Will we have a chance to talk again?"

"What, you don't hold anything against me for not being in your life until now?"

"No, not really. My so-called 'dad' was an asswipe. I really don't care about what happens to him. You on the other hand, make me feel like I should get to know you."

"Well anyway, get up. Don't make me wake you up myself. It won't be pleasant."

"Alright, I'm getting up."

With that, I woke up with the sun shining in my face, the sound of birds chirping happily, and the town was already bustling with activity. I take a look around the room, noting that all my luggage was there as well. The bed is opposite to the door, with the end table on the left side of the bed. There's a closet near the foot of the bed, my luggage just happens to be in the middle of the room . I get up to stretch, and then change my clothes. After that I grab my iPod, and head out to make some breakfast.

"Good morning Lyra." Speaking of said pony, she doesn't look too well.

"Oh, morning Nova. How did you sleep?"

"Pretty good, though I don't think that applies to you, does it? Something on your mind?"

"No, not that I know of. Just one of those nights where it's just like 'aaarrrrgghhhh'. You know?" Oh, I hate it when that happens.

"Yeah, I know that feeling. You're tired yet you can't get to sleep even if somepony paid you to. Best thing to do would be either read, or listen to music for a while. Anyway, I've been thinking of going for a walk around Ponyville, you want to join me?"

"No, I think I'll pass today. Too tired for the time being, you go on ahead. Just don't be too late, alright?"

"I'll keep that in mind. See you later.

One of the things that I am glad I brought, was my freaking iPod. Celestia knows that I wouldn't be able to live without the damn thing, I love music too much. Placing the earbuds in, I scroll through my music until I find a certain song - Good ol' Days by The Living Tombstone. Walking out the doorway, everything seems just so, for lack of a better word, peaceful.

"Now, on to the first matter of business, getting some books on magic." Sorry Rarity fans, that scene is going to have to wait.

Before even taking another step away from the house, something crosses my mind, "I have no idea where Twilight's place is. How am I supposed to get there, let alone borrow books on magic?"

There comes an unexpected reply in the form of me getting poked. I take out my earbuds and then somepony tells me where to go. "Turn left, walk towards the town square, and then make a right. It's a huge tree, pretty hard to miss."

As I turn to thank whoever gave me the directions, my heart stops for a split second. It's none other than THE Rainbow Dash! My heart explodes from the adorableness, even if she is in her teens. At least I think she is. Ah who cares.

"Thanks, but I must ask, why help some random weird creature you've never met before?"

"Because when said creature steps out of Lyra's door, music blaring, and says they're off to Twilight's for some magic books, there's no possible way that they're going to harm anypony."

"True, but then again, maybe I should just go to some other library. Twilight would be all over me, asking me millions of questions." We both laughed at this. We were both cut short by a certain device that I had forgotten about even existed until now. The ring was the all too familiar 'Louise The Lab Rat'. I take out the offending device, cut off the person trying to phone me, and place it in my pocket. Rainbow looks at me curiously, probably wondering what the infernal contraption was.

"What was that?"

"Something of mine that I don't think will have any use here at all."

"Ok sure, but what is it?"

"It's a phone. A device from my world that allows two or more people to communicate with each other over long distances. Someone was trying to reach me just now, though I don't really feel the need to talk to them."

"Someone I would have been working for had I not been brought here from my world. To be honest I'm not even sure how the thing is still able to function when in another world."

"That sounds like something Twilight would just love to get her hooves on! Better not let her near it if you want it to keep working. Anyway, I was going to head to Twilight's place anyway, she's got the next book in the Daring Doo series and I really want to read it." Dun dun duuuun! Possible time revealed!

"So, onward to Twilight's?"

"Sure." Dash gets ready to fly away, but then remembers that I don't have wings. She sighs and then lands. I then have an idea.

"Wait, what if I just ride you there?" She stares at me oddly for a moment, and then her signature grin is plastered across her face.

"You sure you can handle it? I am the fastest flyer in Equestria after all." That you are Dashie, but you haven't been in the car with me when I'm driving.

"Dash, if there's one thing that I love, it's speed. Just don't drop me and we're good." A few more laughs were had until she directed me to get on. I couldn't help but throw another joke just before she took off. "So just to be clear, you're not letting me drop til we're on solid ground right?" I snickered, mostly to show that it was a joke, and then she nudged me. "Alright mister, no more jokes til we get there, don't wanna drop you from laughing too hard."

I salute to her, "Aye aye, captain. Upward and onwards." Well, that's a surprise. Didn't think that some human phrases would carry over... ah well.

Getting to fly while riding one of the coolest ponies in Equestria - best day ever. Of all time.* The view was nothing like looking out of a window on a plane - nothing can beat flying Air Dashie. Period. EXCLAMATION POINT!* She went on about how the weather patrol was one of the easiest jobs yet somehow tedious, on and on. Then a thought struck my mind.

"Hey, Dash!"

"What's up Nova?"

"How do you know Lyra anyway?"

"While I was at one of the clubs in town I sort of sat beside her while getting a drink. At first I didn't know her, but by the end we were both having a good time, laughing and drinking the night away."

"I take it this is just after the time she 'lost her music*'?"

"Actually, that was only part of it. If she just lost her music that would be one thing, but to make matters worse, Bon Bon left her as well. She sort of shut down after that. It happened the same night I met her at the club." So THAT'S why she wasn't comfortable with me staying at first.

Dash took notice of my quietness and pegged down exactly what I was thinking. "Wait, she didn't tell you?"

"Nope. First time I've heard, though I guess I should've known about it when I arrived - her home had all the signs, yet I didn't see them."

"That's another thing, how did you two meet anyway?" Should I tell her now, or wait til I get to Twilight's? Hmmm...

"Well Dash, you're going to have to wait until we get to Twilight's. I will tell you about how I got here then."

"Oh, alright."

The rest of the flight was uneventful, to say the least. We arrived at Twilight's library about two minutes after our conversation ended. Just as soon as I step off of Dash, I take a note of my surroundings - eerily quiet.

I walk up to the door of the library, and enter the library wit Dash. All seems good, except for one thing - it's dark. I couldn't hold it in. "Yay, party time." Instantly, the lights came on, and a certain pink pony gasped.

"Awwwwww, how did you know?" How could someone not know, Pinkie?

"It's too obvious. Word must have gotten out somehow that I was going to visit Twilight's to borrow a few books, and I enter said building with all of the lights turned off, and yet it's supposed to be open."

"I guess my parties aren't that good anymore..." And with that, her mane deflated, and lost a bit of color.

"Pinkie, your parties aren't good," she looks even sadder, "they're better than good - they're AWESOME! Come on Pinkie, now's the time to be celebrating my arrival and official citizenship of Ponyville!" I quickly give her a hug, and her mane springs back to life and explodes in my face. 'They were right, it does smell like cotton candy.'

"YOU'RE RIGHT, NOVA! LET'S -"

"MAKE THIS THE BEST PARTY EVER! But first, I need to go back and get a certain pony to join the party, or else it just won't feel the same. Be right back, gotta go find Twilight so she can teleport me."

"No need, just grab hold of me, and I'll get you there with just a hop skip and a jump!"

"Alright, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Mind if I ride you there?"

"No problemo, senor!" We go outside, and not a second after I get on Pinkie, she literally hops, skips, and then does a jump, and completely breaks physics by appearing right in front of Lyra's house.

"Ok, can you wait here while I go inside and get Lyra?" Pinkie nods, and then I go inside the house, to find a very depressed Lyra splayed out on the chesterfield. 'That does not look comfortable, then again, I'm not a pony.'

Lyra,  home

'What am I going to do today? Ah who am I kidding, I don't really feel like doing anything in particular. I feel just so, blah. Nothing is really entertaining anymore. Guess I could read a few comics while lazing around.'

And that is what she did, for about five minutes until she got really bored again. "What the hay am I going to do? Why do I feel this way? Sure, it was nice when Nova talked to me and got me to realize my true calling, but now I just, AAAAARRRGGHHHHH!"

With that, Lyra flopped onto the couch, and laid there until she fell asleep, not waking up until Nova showed up.

I'm just laying on the couch, not doing anything really, and then someone just randomly walks in through the door. I don't really care who it is, they can take all they want for all I care; Celestia help them if they touch Nova's stuff though. Oh, they're walking towards to this room... wait a second, sounds like something bi-pedal. Only one being I know that's bi-pedal, and thats - "Nova?"

"Eeyup. What's wrong Lyra? No offense, but you look slightly worse than you did yesterday. What happened?" Only slightly? This guy really knows how to sugar-coat things.

"I just feel so out of it. Nothing seems to interest me, and I can't sort out my mind. I feel so -"

"Blah? Yeah, I've been there. Not pretty. Actually, I came here to pick you up and bring you over to Twilight's place." I'm not even going to question how he finished my sentence, let alone what he went through, none of my business really.

"Why would I want to go to Twilight's? Don't tell me she wants to practice some weird spell that requires more than one unicorn."

"Uh, actually, that's far from why I would like you to come with me. You see, turns out there's already a welcome party for me, and really, I felt it wouldn't be complete without you there. You are the one that completely trusted me and gave me a place to stay. The party just isn't complete without you." Really? He wants me to come to the party?

"Alright, I guess I'll come." Not much for me to do here anyway.

"Yay."

Nova comes up to me and gives me a hug. 'He's so warm. I just feel so cozy in his arms...' Just then, I felt something sifting through my memories. Specifically, the night that Bon Bon and I had that one fight, and my time at the club with Rainbow Dash came up. I break free of the hug, and give Nova a glare. He just stands there, with a look of realization, with a hint of sadness.

"Ah, so that's why you ended up digging yourself into a hole. And before you yell at me, no, I did not activate that memory spell, at least I don't think I did intentionally. You may not want to talk to me now, but I still have something to say." Damn he irritates me yet I feel I can't live without his smiles... ohhhh what am I thinking?

"Listen Lyra, I know full well what you're going through, I've been there myself, thought under different circumstances. You lost not only your marefriend, but someone who you could relate to when you needed somepony to talk to while you dealt with rough times; though this may surprise you, so have I." Wait, what? "There were days where I never even bothered getting out of bed, save for using the restroom, others where I just couldn't find something to keep me occupied for more than five minutes. Not only had the times affected my thinking, but it also showed around my home, and I had the signs via bags under my eyes, no matter how much sleep I got. After a while, I figured things out - no matter how bad the relationship is, and no matter how many one goes through, there's always someone, or in this world's case, somepony, out there for you. What matters is not merely the fact that you have somepony in your life, but somepony that will help you through the hard times, not caring about what anypony else says or does." He comes over and gives me another hug, this one I return and squeeze him a little, not wanting to let go. After a few seconds, he tries to say something.

"Ly... ra... can't breathe... help..." I let go, my face burning like a thousand suns.

"Sorry bout that, Nova."

"No problem. Now, about that party..."

"When do we leave?"

"Uh, how bout now?"

"Sure, let's go."

Not a second after I start the teleportation spell, Nova interrupts me, "Wait, don't forget about Pinkie."

"Pinkie?"

"Yeah, she brought me over here." I can't help but feel a little hurt, as well as some other emotion as he mentions her.

"Wait, don't get upset, she just brought me here in a hurry. You know how she does pretty much everything that's nearly impossible? That's why I asked her to bring me, cause I knew she could get me here in ten seconds flat."

"Oh alright."

We go outside, and sure enough, Pinkie's just standing there, eagerly waiting for the both of us.

"So, how did it go Nova?" There are some times that I want to question her logic, but I can't, thanks to that unwritten universal rule: Never question what Pinkie Pie does, because if you try to understand how she does everything, your mind will shatter. Just accept everything she does.

"If it didn't work, would I be standing here next to Nova?" True, the remark was a bit uncalled for, but still, it was all that came to mind.

"Alright, let's go then!" Before I could say anything, she grabs the both of us, and uses her hind legs to leap into the air. With absolutely no regard for physics, she jumped, and we landed right outside Twilight's library.

"Ok, let's go in and enjoy the awesome party! Even if it is only around 10 in the morning." He giggled. His smile is infectious, and it seems to be spreading over to me as well, and also another feeling, which I am trying to make sense of. 'Guess I could use a distraction from my own mind right now.'

AWESOME FUN WAS HAD

Nova, Golden Oaks Library

The party was awesome, and now everypony was leaving, save for six ponies and one dragon. Spike was cleaning up some of the mess, Rainbow Dash was talking with Vinyl Scratch as she put away her equipment, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were helping Spike clean up, Applejack left to go back to her farm and do some more apple bucking, while Rarity and Twilight were talking amongst themselves. Lyra had gone home about ten minutes ago, in a very happy mood. Sure, she asked me if I wanted to go home with her, but I felt the need to talk to a certain pink pony for some reason, and so I declined her offer. She didn't seem upset, so that was good. It's actually pretty quiet; it was then that I realized that my iPod had been playing random songs on shuffle for pretty much the entire day, and I could now hear what was playing - The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, Dragonborn. It didn't seem that important, so I turned it up a little bit, and placed the earbuds in, and let the music carry me. This is how I learned that dragons actually have pretty damn good hearing. Spike was somewhere in the kitchen, while I was lounging around the main part of the library, enjoying my music, when all of a sudden, he lunges at me, with no reason or explanation, save for an angry look on his face.

At first I didn't know what was going on, I just figured he snapped for some unknown reason and decided I was going to be his victim so he could vent - I was wrong. The music then went to the chorus:

Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, nahlot zin los vahriin.

Wah dein, vokul, mahfaraahk ast vaal!

Ahrk fin norok paal graan,

Fod nust hon zindro zaan,

Dovahkiin, fah hin, kogaan mu draal.

It took a few seconds, but then I realized why Spike was chasing me. Twilight and everypony else just stood in shock at the sight of their little friend chasing me in a poor attempt at mauling me. I took the iPod out of my pocket, and hit 'pause' - he stopped.

"Who, wha, what happened?" So, he doesn't remember, or was he just in shock? I feel a creepy grin come across my face, as I walk towards Spike.

"So, you're affected by the lyrics in this song?" Spike just looks up at me with a face that can only be described as, 'What?'

I take the earbuds out, turn the volume up all the way, and hit the play button. Spike's eyes go wide for a second, and then he tries to take a swipe at me. I hit pause, he stops. I start to smile like an idiot, and then continue playing and pausing the music, watching as he goes from 'berserk' to 'normal' and vice versa for a couple minutes, with that stupid smile still plastered on my face. Twilight manages to walk over to us, and uses her magic to take away my iPod.

"Hey!~"

"Stop doing that! Can't you see that Spike is upset from it? How is it that lyrics from a song upset him anyway?"

"It's not the mere fact that the lyrics are in Dovah, or Dragon speak, but what they say. By the way Twilight, you best sit down, because you're about to learn something." Her eyes went wide, and they started to sparkle.

"Let me get my quill and parchment!" With that, she raced off to her room, and was back in a mere ten seconds.

"Alright, now that you've gotten your note taking utensils... Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie, you fillies sure you don't want to come in here and learn something possibly awesome?" Fluttershy squeaked out a response first.

"Sure, I guess."

"Count me in!" That's Rainbow Dash's final answer. Rarity?

"Sure, even better if it's something about Spike." Heh, you'll see. Pinkie?

"Learning something new is always fun, especially if it's something about my friends!" Alright, got everyone here.

"Perfect. Now, Spike, keep an open mind here... and try not to maul me, if possible." I couldn't help but laugh a bit, luckily, he agreed.

"Ok... the dragons have their own language, when they are born, they don't necessarily learn it, but instead they already have all knowledge of it instinctively. Through this language, they shout, and can do many things because of this. Do you know how a dragon breathes fire?" Head shakes all around, so no. "They do it with a shout."(I know, I'm breaking canon, but for good reason, I promise!) Odd looks from all ponies present, though Spike is just standing there, wonder deep in his eyes. I can tell he wants to know where I get this information from. Details, details. "Let me explain: when a dragon shouts, it isn't like this," I just scream loudly. Ears were folded back. "Instead, one feels the shout coming from their very soul. When one shouts, they take the meaning of it into themselves, and become the shout." Again, odd looks, but Twilight is somewhat able to follow. "Looks like I might have to demonstrate, though I don't know if I'll be able to. Spike!"

"Yeah?"

"Mind if I use unrelenting force? Only the first word." He stares at me for a moment, and then replies.

"You want to use me in an experiment to find out if you're a Dovahkiin?"

"Just one word. Please?"

"Ugh, fine."

"Now, girls, the shout that I am going to demonstrate with is 'Fus', or 'Unrelenting Force.'"

I cleared my mind, and concentrated. I thought of the meaning of Unrelenting Force, letting it take hold. I then draw in a breath, and let out a shout. "FUS!" The second I shouted, Spike was sent right into one of the shelving units. All of the ponies present just sat there and stared in awe. 'I'm dragonborn, AWESOME!'

"Sorry Spike, I'll get you out of there." He's currently wedged in between two books, and was apparently stuck. A hard pull, and he's free. We both go back to sit down with the group in the middle of the main room. Rainbow Dash is the first to speak up.

"That, was the coolest thing I have ever seen! Do some more!"

"Wait a second Dash, let me finish, I'm not done. Spike's little mental snap isn't without reason. The dragons have come to despise the Dovah, or Dragonborn, because there was a time when they would just go out and kill any dragon in sight." Twilight looked a little disturbed, as well as Fluttershy.

"Why isn't there any information on dragons anywhere in the Canterlot Library?"

"I think I might have an explanation for that. In the old times, there was a group called 'The Blades,' that was first made up of just Dragonborn. They formed in the hopes of protecting the city from any danger, and that included dragon attacks. As time went on, people, or in your case, ponies, turned dragon slaying into something of a normality, killing hundreds of dragons, not caring about the consequences. There was blood spilled on both sides. Celestia put a stop to the dragon slaying, and the dragon attacks, by disbanding the Blades and dragon slayers, and reasoning with some of the sociable dragons. Not wanting anypony else to learn of the dragon shouts used by Dovah and Dovahkiin alike, she destroyed any and all books that contained any reference to dragons and their language and such, so that nopony else would kill for sport and possibly start a war." Everypony was staring at me in disbelief, while Spike kept nodding, his soul telling him the exact same information.

"Wait, how do you know all of this!" Ah, Twilight, the ever-questioning pony.

"The information about the language and its uses was stuff that I learned from a video game in my world. The other stuff, about the dragon slaying and Celestia banishing any and all knowledge about it, was speculation based upon the fact that none of you knew any of this, especially you Twilight. If there was any book at all referring to it, you would have run around to grab every book to look through them as I went on explaining, just to see if my information was accurate." Said pony blushed.

"Anyways, there's two ways for one to be able to use a shout: one is to be born with a dragon soul, or through long, rigorous training, which could very well break your very soul. Yes, it's happened. Not pretty. On a much lighter note, I have a favor to ask of you Twilight."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could I borrow a few books on magic? It seems that I am able to use it, so I thought that I should start learning to use it properly. And if it's not too much trouble, could you find a book on transformation spells?"

"Sure, no problem." With that said, Twilight got up and started going through the vast amount of shelves, looking for different spell books. Not much in the way of notable conversation was going on, so I decided to just lay back and relax on the floor while waiting for Twilight to come back with those books, then it's homeward bound for me. Funny, it hasn't even been a full day yet, and I'm already calling Lyra's place my home. Another few minutes, and Twilight returns with about five different books, all on magic.

"Here you go, some books on basic magic, as well as one on transformation spells. Keep them as long as you need, but be sure to bring them back when you're done with them."

"I will Twilight. Now, I guess it's time for me to head home."

"Wait, your music player! I'll go get it."

Another few seconds, and Twilight returns with my iPod and earbuds.

"Thank you Twilight." I glance at the time on the iPod, which seems to have adjusted to the time here in Equestria. Not only that, but it says that the battery was charging.

"Holy hayseed, it's that late already!" Apparently it's now 10:30pm... Forget it, I'm not even going to bother contemplating that.

"Guess you'd better get home. Don't want to keep your marefriend waiting." Dash joked. I know she was only poking fun at the fact that I'm staying with her, but still, my face burned nonetheless.

"Alright, I'm off. See you girls later."

"Good bye Nova!" They all said in unison.

I exit the library, and make my way back to Lyra's.

'Damn, I'm so tired. Gotta get back to Lyra's before I fall asleep though.' With that, I continued to walk through the town, until I manage to make it back, sleepily walking towards the back bedroom, and crashing onto the bed. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.