Rivet: Skyward dreamsby breezearkChaptersChapter 1: Poker at The New TalismanChapter 2: A rose in a bottle.Prolougue: Goodbye, father.Chapter 1: Poker at The New TalismanRivet didn't enjoy trains, naturally, being a Pegasus, but really, what choice did she have. Apparently, this town had been the home town of the only pony to have ever created a working mechanical wing, and it was her best shot. "You headed down there?" The pony across the table pointed out the window, the town was unremarkable, plain brick buildings coated the area, aside from a fancy stone castle in the centre. "Hm? Oh. Yep, I think so," she looked back at the mare, she was a green coated unicorn with a crimson mane and purple eyes, "why?" "Oh, just a warning, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. You must be cautious," She said, leaning over the table "but The New Talisman does the second best apple cider I've ever had, don't go to The Silver Cauldron, nor even the topic," and with that, she was gone in a small flash of green light. "Ok? Thanks?" she said, looking around for the strange pony, "Well, that's weird," she peered over the seats, before drifting to sleep *** When the train finally reached the town Rivet realized why this town had been described as it was, three obvious archetypes moved through the streets. Ponies and Gryphons in tattered clothes or none at all, many drunk and sleeping in the street, probably would be thieves if anyone had anything to steal, built the majority of the population. Then, some Equestrians darted around suspiciously, many of these wore rusted chains and disturbing masks of different animals, wolves or monkeys mostly. The third, were the many Gryphons in black and silver armour, these carried spears and darted looks at every passer by, they were afraid of something. "better find The New Talisman before nightfall, this place could probably get dangerous at night," she said, making sure her saddlebags were tightly fastened, she trotted away, following the signs for The New Talisman. As she got closer to The New Talisman she noticed that the citizens seemed to stand up straighter, a worrying incline in the clothing had her turning a corner past a ragged, homeless Earth Pony and almost running in to a suited, handsome Gryphon, who hurried along, steering well clear of her. It was only then she realized that everypony who had seen her had looked confused, then it hit her, she had not seen a single Pegasus yet, she made a note that that was probably bad. "So The New Talisman is somewhat upper class hmm?" she muttered, "might want to look the pa-" Before she could finish, a claw locked around her mouth and pulled her into an alley, suddenly, the town was a slum again, her assailant turned her head towards them. A white and black Gryphoness, wearing a trench coat and white shirt, stood before her, holding a talon to her beak, to keep her quiet, they waited in silence as more Gryphon soldiers trotted past, before she released Rivet. "You looking for The New Talisman? Follow me." she trotted further down the alley, after a debate in her head weather to follow this Gryphoness, Rivet decided that she didn't look like a criminal, she remained cautious, but followed her. Indeed she was correct to trust the Gryphoness, she led her through dark alleys and slum huts, but eventually they came out at The New Talisman, a large billboard saying "Rooms, Roulette, Rum and Rumours. The New Talisman has something for everypony," She read it aloud. "What you interested in?" she looked at her saddlebags, "oh! Don't tell me, number 4! Rumours!" she seemed happy, but Rivet couldn't see a trace of a smile. Rivet turned her eyes back to the Gryphoness "Ah, yeah, I guess so," she was still trying to adapt to the sudden changes in light. "Ha! I always guess right! Rumours are my specialty, Anyway, what d'ya wanna know?" Rivet stared at the Gryphoness"Ah, well, I want to know about that pony who made the wings from here." The Gryphonesses voice grew sympthetic, but that was the only way she could tell. "You want to see ol' Gammy, that's what we call him, his names Gambit, but," her voice trailed out "but we call him old gammy 'cause he's old." "I worked that out, where is he?" Rivet asked "In there, be careful, he's good at poker." "Well, I'm not planning on playing poker with anyone," Rivet knew where this was going. The Gryphoness trotted away "Good luck with that," she sang behind her. Immediately Rivets suspicions were confirmed, she trotted after the Gryphoness "hey!" The Gryphoness looked back "Ah. just what I thought," there was laughter in her voice "here you wont get anywhere without stakes, I learned that the hard way." Rivet looked back at the Gryphoness "what happened?" she asked. The Gryphoness stopped, this was the first time she had shown emotion on her face "well, I, fine, but sit down first, come on," she continued through the crowd, with Rivet in tow. Suddenly, a stallion blocked their path "b'by, 'ey b'by" he slurred to the Gryphoness "Y' wan'-" She interrupted him "First of all, no. Second of all, how long have you been here?" she asked, she had timing, like this was rehearsed. "me? I gut ere 'esterd' why?" he took another long swig from a bottle. The Gryphoness whispered in Rivets ear "he's been hear for a year now," "Wut ya syin?" he almost fell over, but caught himself on a table, knocking someponies carefully stacked poker chips onto the floor. "I'm saying that we've had this conversation every day for a year, but you always get so drunk that you forget the previous day and get drunk again, honestly, I'm surprised you've not died yet." The stallion looked defeated "oh," and with that he stumbled back to a lonely table to drink some more. "Don't worry about him, you'll get used to it," the Gryphoness returned to her usual voice. "well, I don't plan on staying here long," she said. "Neither did I!" the Gryphoness raised her voice suddenly, but not many ponies paid attention "And I've been here a year and a half." The Gryphoness sat down at a table with another pony, a blue unicorn with an ace of spades playing card for a cutie mark, he was staring at the table, playing cards were scattered on the table "so how did you get stuck here?" Rivet asked the Gryphon again. The Gryphoness sighed "first, I'm Dew," she extended a claw. The blue unicorn seemed to growl, but Rivet just picked up the words "I'm Ace," he took a card "ten," he placed it back face up, it was a ten of hearts. Rivet looked at Ace, confused "Rivet," she took Dews claw. Dew took a card and looked at it "six, Rivet? Take one," she placed the six of clubs back on the table. Rivet took a card, two of hearts "Ah, it's a two, what's that mean?" Rivet placed the card back on the table face up. "Button," Ace growled. Dew looked around, finding what she was looking for, she waved. Soon, a Gryphon appeared at the table "yes? Whad'ya want," he grumbled Dew looked at Rivet "Drinks?" Ace growled again, the waiter seemed to understand, but Rivet didn't. "Ah, yeah, apple cider, I guess" Rivet remembered what she heard on the train "non alcoholic". The waiter stared at her quizzically "how come I've never seen you here? You look like the kind of Pony I would notice." "Stop it Gravel," Dew butted in "you, if what I hear is true, and you know me, don't you? You don't need any more mares. so do your job and just get the damn drinks, bill's on the loser." Gravel growled at her, then turned back to Rivet "sorry miss, apple cider, yes?" Dew chuckled, but continued anyway "the usual, and we need a dealer-" she glared at Ace "-this one is broken." The waiter left, he soon reappeared holding a tray in his claw, on it, a dark brown beverage, an unremarkable apple cider and a clear drink that could be mistaken for water, if one ignored the smell "here you are," he looked at Rivet and raised an eyebrow. Dew took the drink "oh, stop with the pleasantries Gravel, we all know you're a ash hearted two-brained scoundrel, and even if she doesn't she will soon, whether she goes with you or not." Ace growled again, but it shook like a laugh. "Baaa," Dew sang out a sound like she was bleating, Ace glared at her, but stopped laughing. Rivet took a sip of her drink, immediately, she was struck by the alcohol "Deep gut, he's famous for it," Dew nodded her head to the unicorn, then turned back to the waiter "you dealing?" Without answering, the Gryphon placed two cards face down in front of all of them, then five cards face down on the table. "I'm small," She took the two cards in front of her. "Woah, I didn't know we were playing, I've never played before," Rivet leaned back from the cards, Ace took his two cards. "Then how d'you plan to beat Gambit?" Dew asked "winging it?" A few hours, drinks and poker games later "you still haven't told me what happened, how you got stuck here," Rivet looked at Dew, who sighed. "I'll admit I hoped a few drinks would make you forget, so I'll tell you." "Yay! Story time!" Ace mocked, he had drunk more than both mares put together, and only now seemed half sober. "Shut up, two 'n' seven," she glared at him, "so, Rivet, you want to know how I got stuck here, here goes." "One and a half years ago, a Gryphoness, particularly gifted in psychic magic, wanders into a poker bar looking for adventure, she finds the oldest Pony she sees, this being old Gambit, not realizing the place has a ward against psychic magic, goes for his stake of double your money, and loses, now I basically work for him, trying to pay off my dept," she explained. "what do you do?" Rivet interrupted her, she had a thought, but dismissed that quickly from her mind. "Well, we gamble, mostly poker. If you're in dept here, the best way to pay it back? Gamble, granted Jack and Roulette also sell drinks, but that makes them about 300 a week, not nearly as much as I and Ace get gambling," Rivet was relieved to find that her suspicions were incorrect "of course, best way to avoid that, don't gamble in the first place," Dew sighed and regret filled her voice. "Then how do I get news here? Without gambling?" Rivet asked Dew looked around "honestly, I could tell you allot of things, but only since I was born, I don't know anything about mechanical wings. But I'm sure Gambit does, you see, Gambit's an Alicorn, he built this town when he was middle aged, and that was over a thousand years ago, some say he's princess Celestia's father, others say he's her brother, some even say he's her grandfather-" "What is he?" Rivet asked. "I dunno, all I know is he's damn good at poker," Dew finished, she looked over Rivet's shoulder, a bar fight had broken out near the door. "Well, I was wondering if you could tell me something, you see, I heard something about The Silver Cauldron." The room became silent, the fight stopped and all the ponies, involved or not, turned towards Rivet, angry faces replaced the happy faces that had been there moments before. Dew closed her eyes, she whispered what sounded like prayers through trembling breath, she was afraid. "Go back to your drinks!" she pleaded "my friend is confused," she stood up, grabbed Rivet with a shaking claw and dragged her outside. They reached an alley turn, and Dew released Rivet "Don't do that!" Dew stared at the Pegasus, "you scared me half to death, I thought they were going to kill me," Rivet was still trying to take it in "what was that about?" Dew turned away "That was about that place, NEVER say that." "Why, what's so bad about The Sil-" her joke was interrupted by Dew leaping into the air and bringing the closest heavy object she could find onto Rivet's head, the town went dark. *** Dew enjoyed these lessons, even though flight was impossible for her, she enjoyed the company of her father, she felt that was natural as she had never experienced her mother's company, this one wasn't quite a lesson though, here, her father was teaching her something else, but she couldn't quite hear him, like he was talking underwater. Somepony else was there, watching them, just out of frame, when she turned to see them, she saw nothing, the figures she could see burst into black mist, making her vision dark. Out of the darkness, she saw a black feather falling from the sky, this quickly became a white mist. Rivet lay on a soft bed, a feather mattress topped with a fur sheet. she opened her eyes, but remained silent, shelves lined the walls, their contents mainly consisting of small sculptures made out of everyday junk, or chunks of metal and wood with different shapes carved into them. In the doorway sat Dew, looking out. "ah, you're awake," Dew said, turning her head. Dew walked over to the bed "I'm sorry, I didn't-" "it's ok, I shouldn't joke like that," Rivet said. "What?" Dew began "Oh, I'm not apologizing for hitting you, I was well within my rights there, I was talking about your father." The realization struck Rivet "psychic magic, black feather," she thought "you were in my dream." Dew chuckled "but we've only just met," she smiled, "you're right, I was, you saw a white feather, correct?" Rivet cocked her head "it was black." Dew recoiled "hmm? I must be sad about something. Oh well." Rivet was shocked, "don't get in my dreams again!" she stood up quickly. "ok, I wont, sorry," Dew lowered her head, "anyway, come on, and no more talk about The Golden Bowl, ok?" "The Golde-" Rivet stopped herself "oh, I see, where we going?" "The only place it would make sense to go, The Golden Bowl!" Dew turned and walked out the doorway. Rivet stared "but I thought that place was bad?" she trotted after Dew. Dew turned "it is, you need to know why, and for that, we're gonna need to do some shopping." Rivet cocked her head "shopping? Why?" Dew smiled "they don't like Pegasi, we need you to look like an earth Pony, easier said than done," she walked into the busy street. Rivet decided it was best not to ask why they dislike Pegasi, and instead just follow Dew, she knew this town "how does the town work? Like, who runs it?" Dew looked up and down the street "Which part?" she pointed to the bottom of the street, down there the pavement was lined with upturned bins and anything that could be a home, or simply bedrolls on the street "the low town and alleys are ruled by a gang, the fallen, they are why the guards are afraid." Dew pointed at the floor "this part, chip town, the fallen think they do, but Gambit has all the real power here." Then she pointed to some large, stone walls, another town was inside them "high town, the Ascendants own that, they used to be a low-town cult, their beliefs grew into a gang, and they took the town, now the hierarchy is switched, and the ones who used to be powerful live in low-town, the fallen formed when Ponies started realizing that the Ascendants being rulers was a bad idea, they're revolutionaries." Rivet still had a question "why are Ponies so afraid of... You know." Dew sighed "that is a symbol of the Ascendants power, it's where they take Ponies who don't agree with them and, you can guess the rest," her voice shook, but she blinked away the mood. Rivet changed her mind "why do they dislike Pegasi?" Dew chuckled "because, because they think no Pony should naturally be able to rise to heaven, only through serving the Ascendants, which is funny, cause their leader's a Pegasus." Rivet noticed a guard walk by, a Gryphon "what about Gryphons?" Dew chuckled again "they're fine, you know why? Cause the guards are Gryphons, marshal law doesn't work if you don't have soldiers, does it?" Rivet shook her head "so, why do we need to get to The Sil-" she smiled "-The Golden Bowl?" "because I want to burn it down. So, you with me?" Rivet stood back "ah, I could be," Dew laughed "then you are, and that means we're going shopping," she began trotting away. "Ha, mares, they never change," a voice came from behind, but when Rivet turned, no Pony was there. "Hm, this just gets weirder and weirder, doesn't it?" Rivet said to the air, before following Dew into an alley. Chapter 2: A rose in a bottle."Dew, the gates are that way," Rivet struggled to point back to the street they had just left, the bulk of robes limited her movement, while Dew drifted beside her impatiently. "I know, come on!" she urged Rivet on. Rivet almost tripped over the robe "then where are we going?" she snarled, annoyed. "To the newcomers gate, you can't go in through the other one," Dew turned a corner and was greeted by laughs from several stallions, masks on their faces, similar to the ones Rivet noticed when she arrived, one in a monkey mask stood, his mane was a brilliant blue and his coat a dimmer blue. "Ah, Dew, going somewhere?" his mask obscured the words but they were still discernible. "Winter, don't start," Dew glared at him "you know why I did it." Winter smiled "but nopony else does, yet," his words were followed by a chorus of laughter from the others. Dew lowered her head "and they wont," she walked up to him. Winter chuckled "that's a good filly, come on," he straitened his neck as Dew threw her claws around it. Dew slid a claw down his chin and onto his nuzzle, she pressed close against him, before pulling his masked nose away from his neck. The stallion stood catatonic for a second, before collapsing, his neck twisted so his nose was almost behind him. Dew kicked the stallion again "no they wont, will they Winter?" Few turned to Rivet, who was trembling in shock "Rivet? You ok?" Rivet's jaw dropped "you, you killed him!" Dew walked back to Rivet "I'm sorry Rivet, but some ponies need to go," her voice shook "death is something we all have to live with." An image appeared in Rivet's head, a candle. Dew's eyes widened "a candle, your totem is a candle." Rivet sat down hard, the vision had made her weak "totem? What are you talking about?" . Dew picked up Rivet's hoof and threw it over her shoulders "I'll tell you, when you're inside, and, warm," she struggled to drag the limp Pegasus back to her house. *** Rivet groaned as Dew set her down "what, happened?" she tried to say, but all that came out was a growl. Dew understood "you just experienced a cross, the first one, I suppose," Dew seemed to think this was common knowledge "I should probably explain that a bit better, shouldn't I?" Rivet wanted to throw up, but whenever she decided to try, a warning glance from Dew discouraged her "ah, yeah," she tried to say. "You have a totem now, it's like a second destiny mark, a totem identifies you, mine was that feather you saw in your dream." Dew's explanation sounded like a foreign language to Rivet "what? Destiny mark? Totem? What are you talking about?" Dew laughed "tell me honestly, you couldn't care less, could you?" "nope, not at all" Rivet thought, but she decided not to say it "of course I care! I want to know what happened!" Dew wasn't falling for it, Rivet could see that, or maybe it was just Dew's apathetic expression she had worn since they met "no you don't, you don't care one bit, but I'm going to tell you anyway." Rivet moaned acknowledgement. Dew chuckled "a totem is, an item, like your destiny mark, you get one when you cross, yours, yours was a candle, because you've seen death happen suddenly, like, well, a candle, a candle in the wind, that's the expression, a cross, is when something in the past, changes due to your actions in the present, it's rare for your species, and age, usually only magic users get them when they're very young, you can only learn magic once you have a totem." "wait, by destiny mark, you mean cutie mark, right?" Rivet asked. "cutie mark?" Dew replied "that what you ponies call it? The thing on your flank?" "yeah, that's it." "that's a really sappy name, way too, filly-ish. Anyway what I'm saying is, you can do magic now," Rivet was suddenly interested "what kind of magic? How!" she asked frantically. "whoa there, you don't know magic yet, and I can't teach you." "who can teach me?" "you'll have to learn by yourself." "what use is that? How can I help anyone." "you ponies, all of you, have some part of your brain that links to others, when you need it most, magic will come to you." "so, what do I need to-" Dew waved her quiet "it may not show itself, no fireballs or dimensional portals, true magic, true magic is a helpful wind while running, or the snap of a twig in the forest, revealing an enemy who would harm you, or your friends. True magic is no seen as anything more than simple luck, magic is long term, every magical thing moves us closer to the end," she turned, and walked over to a shelf, lifting a model of a fire red and orange Pegasus from it "sometimes, true, suptle magic, can wound the lucky soul," her voice shook "and sometimes, it can kill them," Rivet noticed a tear fall from the Gryphoness eyes, only now did she realize how beautiful Dew's eyes were. "sorry. What happened?" Rivet asked. "well, I have no parents, as you can see. They were killed in a war, my father was a guard. My mother was a maid in the royal palace, when I was a chick, the palace was overrun by these, these monsters, they killed everyone in the city, except for me. I remember the image, the stallion, standing tall, wings outstretched among the debris of my home, he took me in, raised me as his own. Until they appeared, they tried to kill us, both of us, but a century-old oak found its calling and crushed them, all of them, and I was alone again, a lone wanderer, until I came here and, you know the rest." A knock on the door made Rivet jump, Dew left, gesturing to rivet to stay put. Voices could be heard from her direction, both were mares, again, Rivet found herself picking out Dew's voice as harmonious and comforting, the realisation hit her like a train. "A mother," she whispered as the voices grew louder, until the sources emerged." A blue-grey Pegasus mare stepped into the room beside Dew, she noticed Rivet and stopped, her face twisted into concealed anger "who, is that Dew? And why is she in our house?" Her voice was deep and purposeful, every word had substance and impact. "This is Rivet," Dew seemed worried "she's, I guess, a friend, just a friend, honest." The unicorn moved in close to Rivets face "look here you, Dew is mine, got it?" Rivet nodded, the Pegasus's Bridlish accent just added authority to the voice "got it, ah, ma'am?" She squeaked. Dew chuckled "Mist, go easy on the girl, she didn't want-" "Dew, I will not risk losing you to any strange Pony! Wanting or otherwise." "You didn't lose me," Dew locked a claw around Mist's hoof "I'm still here." Again the soothing, mothering tone of her voice was apparent, it seemed Mist noticed it too, she recoiled away from Rivet. "You, Dew I just cannot argue against you," she looked at the Gryphoness with sea-blue eyes "I am sorry," she said to Rivet, an obvious guilt in her voice "I trust you understand this, should you ever have loved anyone." "You don't need to apologise to me, it's you I should be." "Oh Rivet," Dew chirped "this, I believe, was my fault, Mist, I'm sorry for making you leave." "And I am sorry for assuming such actions of you." "Ok, now that we're all made up, what's going on here, in general, between you two, and about this gold-" Rivet was quickly silenced by Dew shaking her head. Mist turned to Rivet "Mist," she extended a hoof "Mist Shadow, I am Dew's-" she paused. "Tell it how it is," Dew smiled "Rivet is, understanding." "Alright, I'm Dew's-" she hesitated again "sorry, it, is difficult to just say, without," she paused again, suddenly, she turned to Dew, and kissed her. 'well, I did kinda see that coming' Rivet thought to herself, the couple separated and looked at her "Rivet," she took Mist's newly extended hoof "Rivet Dust, I'm looking for my wings." The Pegasus spread her own wings "on your-" she stopped, and screamed, Rivet stumbled backwards as Dew moved in, catching the mare as she fell, and lying her down gently, Rivet noticed a growth in her abdomen and gasped. "She's pregnant? How does-" "I'll explain later, but first, help me get her on the bed." Rivet hesitated, before helping Dew lift the pony onto the bed. Dew rested a claw on her head and began to whisper to Mist, yet again, Dew's motherly nature was apparent. When the Pegasus had calmed down, she closed her eyes and her breath slowed. "Rivet, I have something to show you, follow me," she walked through a door into another room of her house. The room was empty but for a ball bearing in the corner, the walls a clinical white, something felt strange here, like she was alone, like something she couldn't quite pinpoint had been taken "strange feeling, isn't it?" "Yeah, like, like I'm missing something." "I bet you are, you've seen everything but the centrepiece, the walls, the tiny ball in the corner, the feeling of loneliness, but have you seen the box? Look into the centre of the room." Sure enough, in the centre was a large wooden box, Rivet had skipped strait past the box. Dew approached "you know what else is cool?" Rivet regained her thoughts and trotted up to the box Dew opened the doors and they stepped in before Rivet had a look. Once she did, she noticed that the room was much larger than the box, she stood, shocked "it's, bigger on the inside." Dew chuckled "I bet the previous owner got a real kick out of ponies saying that when they came in." "Yeah..." Rivet was still in awe. "Anyway, this isn't all." "Show, me, everything." "Easy there, I can only show you so much before your brain explodes, how's this." Dew flew down to Rivet, holding a bottle, in which, a small rose grew. "I don't think anything can top the box," she paused "so, if you and Mist are together, how does she become pregnant?" "Rivet, nothing is ever all good, you know? Some stallions, they act nice, and show you their heart of gold, but never the defiled and dissected corpse they took it from, I'll just, be glad I was the one pulling you into an alley, if you get my meaning." Rivet blinked "sorry, I didn't." "Don't be, he's dead, and now, I guess it's just our child." "Are you a mother Dew?" Rivet blurted. "Uh, I guess so, I will be." "Ok, I just." "I know, I've been told so before." Rivet decided to revert the subject "what's with the bottle." "Oh trust me, you know what, take it, trust me, you'll need it," Dew paused, I think, I've abandoned my goals of arson, let's get you to Gambit, ready?" "As ready as I'll ever be." "Good enough," she disappeared in a wing beat, and returned a second later with a stone, "ready?" "What's this?" "A stone," she offered it to rivet, after hesitation, Rivet reached to take it, but when both held it, the stone seemed to explode into a purple mist, when it cleared the two found themselves at The New Talisman "you're sure about this?" "One hundred percent sure," Rivet stepped into the building, steering clear of any pony who seemed dodgy, followed by Dew shortly after. The pair moved through the crowd into the corner of the building where sat a large dark green Alicorn Rivet assumed was Gambit, he wore a smart, upper class suit and hat. "And you are?" His voice was deep and cold. "Rivet Dust, I know who you are, and I will beat you." The Alicorn laughed "a mare of purpose? Very well, the stakes?" "You tell me where and how to get my wings to work, and, you pay Dew's dept." "Hmm..." The Alicorn smiled "ha! And if I win, both of you owe me your lives." "Deal," Rivet ignored Dew's worried look. "Oh Celestia, Rivet!" Dew cried "what are you thinking!?" "Trust me here, I won't let you down." "So, it begins?" Gambit said, raising a hand for a dealer. "Or," Dew muttered "in our case, ends." Prolougue: Goodbye, father.Rivet's eyes were fixed forward, she didn't want to look at her fathers grave, her sister stood beside her, both of them were trying to stop themselves crying "Father," she choked on a sob, "I'm going to join the wonderbolts, for you." Rivet nodded, "Of course, it's what he would want," she gestured to their father's grave "so am I." Her sister looked back "But Rivet, your wings, how?-" "I don't know how!" Rivet interrupted her, "but I will, I," she paused "I promise." "Rivet," Her sister adopted an almost motherly attitude, "I-" "Don't try to stop me," Rivet almost growled. "I wont try to stop you, I can't, you're old enough to take care of yourself now. But, you're still my sister, and now, you're the only family I have, just, be careful, please." This time Rivet looked at her sister "I'll be careful, Lightning, that I promise you." Lightning fell silent, she saw their mother in Rivet, it was difficult to miss. Lightning looked again at her sister and the fresh grave in front of them, before flying away. Rivet stood staring for a while "Storm Dust," she read from the grave "I hope you're happy, wherever you are, I don't want to leave you, but, I can't stand here forever, goodbye, father." she sighed, and trotted away. two weeks later Rivet paced the room, the last two weeks had been torture, she had spent the whole time in the library, trying to look for something on her condition, nothing. She had given up by now, "well, one of us will make it, I hope that's enough," she sighed and sat on her bed, immediately, she heard the slam of a closing door, followed by an angry pegagus. "Lightning!" Rivet stood, exited. Her smile quickly faded when she noticed her sisters expression. "Lightning?" Lightning Dust sat down hard "Rivet, I guess it's up to you now." "What do you mean? Lightning, what happened?" "I got kicked out of the academy, some stu-" she stopped herself "-sorry, nevermind." Lightning looked away. "Lightning, I'm sorry," Rivet hugged her sister, who was crying now "It's ok." "No, it's not ok, is it?" she sobbed "Because we promised, and you can't fly." "Well, I'll be glad to prove you wrong," Rivet stepped away from her sister "Goodbye, I'm going to fix my wings." "And how, how you gonna do that?" Lightning said between sobs. Rivet sighed "no idea, I guess I'll just wing it," she smiled, trying to cheer up her sister, but she just grunted acknowledgment. "Sister, I promised, didn't I?" "You're just like our mother!" the two sisters stared at each other, shocked. "Sorry, I'm so sorry, that just, sorry!" Rivet sat down "what was our mother like?" Lightning stood, "sorry sister, later, I'll tell you later, when you get back, sorry I said that, I was out of line." She flew away before Rivet could get the final word. "so, where to now," Rivet felt she had bitten of more than she could chew, but she thought she had an idea...
Chapter 1: Poker at The New TalismanRivet didn't enjoy trains, naturally, being a Pegasus, but really, what choice did she have. Apparently, this town had been the home town of the only pony to have ever created a working mechanical wing, and it was her best shot. "You headed down there?" The pony across the table pointed out the window, the town was unremarkable, plain brick buildings coated the area, aside from a fancy stone castle in the centre. "Hm? Oh. Yep, I think so," she looked back at the mare, she was a green coated unicorn with a crimson mane and purple eyes, "why?" "Oh, just a warning, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. You must be cautious," She said, leaning over the table "but The New Talisman does the second best apple cider I've ever had, don't go to The Silver Cauldron, nor even the topic," and with that, she was gone in a small flash of green light. "Ok? Thanks?" she said, looking around for the strange pony, "Well, that's weird," she peered over the seats, before drifting to sleep *** When the train finally reached the town Rivet realized why this town had been described as it was, three obvious archetypes moved through the streets. Ponies and Gryphons in tattered clothes or none at all, many drunk and sleeping in the street, probably would be thieves if anyone had anything to steal, built the majority of the population. Then, some Equestrians darted around suspiciously, many of these wore rusted chains and disturbing masks of different animals, wolves or monkeys mostly. The third, were the many Gryphons in black and silver armour, these carried spears and darted looks at every passer by, they were afraid of something. "better find The New Talisman before nightfall, this place could probably get dangerous at night," she said, making sure her saddlebags were tightly fastened, she trotted away, following the signs for The New Talisman. As she got closer to The New Talisman she noticed that the citizens seemed to stand up straighter, a worrying incline in the clothing had her turning a corner past a ragged, homeless Earth Pony and almost running in to a suited, handsome Gryphon, who hurried along, steering well clear of her. It was only then she realized that everypony who had seen her had looked confused, then it hit her, she had not seen a single Pegasus yet, she made a note that that was probably bad. "So The New Talisman is somewhat upper class hmm?" she muttered, "might want to look the pa-" Before she could finish, a claw locked around her mouth and pulled her into an alley, suddenly, the town was a slum again, her assailant turned her head towards them. A white and black Gryphoness, wearing a trench coat and white shirt, stood before her, holding a talon to her beak, to keep her quiet, they waited in silence as more Gryphon soldiers trotted past, before she released Rivet. "You looking for The New Talisman? Follow me." she trotted further down the alley, after a debate in her head weather to follow this Gryphoness, Rivet decided that she didn't look like a criminal, she remained cautious, but followed her. Indeed she was correct to trust the Gryphoness, she led her through dark alleys and slum huts, but eventually they came out at The New Talisman, a large billboard saying "Rooms, Roulette, Rum and Rumours. The New Talisman has something for everypony," She read it aloud. "What you interested in?" she looked at her saddlebags, "oh! Don't tell me, number 4! Rumours!" she seemed happy, but Rivet couldn't see a trace of a smile. Rivet turned her eyes back to the Gryphoness "Ah, yeah, I guess so," she was still trying to adapt to the sudden changes in light. "Ha! I always guess right! Rumours are my specialty, Anyway, what d'ya wanna know?" Rivet stared at the Gryphoness"Ah, well, I want to know about that pony who made the wings from here." The Gryphonesses voice grew sympthetic, but that was the only way she could tell. "You want to see ol' Gammy, that's what we call him, his names Gambit, but," her voice trailed out "but we call him old gammy 'cause he's old." "I worked that out, where is he?" Rivet asked "In there, be careful, he's good at poker." "Well, I'm not planning on playing poker with anyone," Rivet knew where this was going. The Gryphoness trotted away "Good luck with that," she sang behind her. Immediately Rivets suspicions were confirmed, she trotted after the Gryphoness "hey!" The Gryphoness looked back "Ah. just what I thought," there was laughter in her voice "here you wont get anywhere without stakes, I learned that the hard way." Rivet looked back at the Gryphoness "what happened?" she asked. The Gryphoness stopped, this was the first time she had shown emotion on her face "well, I, fine, but sit down first, come on," she continued through the crowd, with Rivet in tow. Suddenly, a stallion blocked their path "b'by, 'ey b'by" he slurred to the Gryphoness "Y' wan'-" She interrupted him "First of all, no. Second of all, how long have you been here?" she asked, she had timing, like this was rehearsed. "me? I gut ere 'esterd' why?" he took another long swig from a bottle. The Gryphoness whispered in Rivets ear "he's been hear for a year now," "Wut ya syin?" he almost fell over, but caught himself on a table, knocking someponies carefully stacked poker chips onto the floor. "I'm saying that we've had this conversation every day for a year, but you always get so drunk that you forget the previous day and get drunk again, honestly, I'm surprised you've not died yet." The stallion looked defeated "oh," and with that he stumbled back to a lonely table to drink some more. "Don't worry about him, you'll get used to it," the Gryphoness returned to her usual voice. "well, I don't plan on staying here long," she said. "Neither did I!" the Gryphoness raised her voice suddenly, but not many ponies paid attention "And I've been here a year and a half." The Gryphoness sat down at a table with another pony, a blue unicorn with an ace of spades playing card for a cutie mark, he was staring at the table, playing cards were scattered on the table "so how did you get stuck here?" Rivet asked the Gryphon again. The Gryphoness sighed "first, I'm Dew," she extended a claw. The blue unicorn seemed to growl, but Rivet just picked up the words "I'm Ace," he took a card "ten," he placed it back face up, it was a ten of hearts. Rivet looked at Ace, confused "Rivet," she took Dews claw. Dew took a card and looked at it "six, Rivet? Take one," she placed the six of clubs back on the table. Rivet took a card, two of hearts "Ah, it's a two, what's that mean?" Rivet placed the card back on the table face up. "Button," Ace growled. Dew looked around, finding what she was looking for, she waved. Soon, a Gryphon appeared at the table "yes? Whad'ya want," he grumbled Dew looked at Rivet "Drinks?" Ace growled again, the waiter seemed to understand, but Rivet didn't. "Ah, yeah, apple cider, I guess" Rivet remembered what she heard on the train "non alcoholic". The waiter stared at her quizzically "how come I've never seen you here? You look like the kind of Pony I would notice." "Stop it Gravel," Dew butted in "you, if what I hear is true, and you know me, don't you? You don't need any more mares. so do your job and just get the damn drinks, bill's on the loser." Gravel growled at her, then turned back to Rivet "sorry miss, apple cider, yes?" Dew chuckled, but continued anyway "the usual, and we need a dealer-" she glared at Ace "-this one is broken." The waiter left, he soon reappeared holding a tray in his claw, on it, a dark brown beverage, an unremarkable apple cider and a clear drink that could be mistaken for water, if one ignored the smell "here you are," he looked at Rivet and raised an eyebrow. Dew took the drink "oh, stop with the pleasantries Gravel, we all know you're a ash hearted two-brained scoundrel, and even if she doesn't she will soon, whether she goes with you or not." Ace growled again, but it shook like a laugh. "Baaa," Dew sang out a sound like she was bleating, Ace glared at her, but stopped laughing. Rivet took a sip of her drink, immediately, she was struck by the alcohol "Deep gut, he's famous for it," Dew nodded her head to the unicorn, then turned back to the waiter "you dealing?" Without answering, the Gryphon placed two cards face down in front of all of them, then five cards face down on the table. "I'm small," She took the two cards in front of her. "Woah, I didn't know we were playing, I've never played before," Rivet leaned back from the cards, Ace took his two cards. "Then how d'you plan to beat Gambit?" Dew asked "winging it?" A few hours, drinks and poker games later "you still haven't told me what happened, how you got stuck here," Rivet looked at Dew, who sighed. "I'll admit I hoped a few drinks would make you forget, so I'll tell you." "Yay! Story time!" Ace mocked, he had drunk more than both mares put together, and only now seemed half sober. "Shut up, two 'n' seven," she glared at him, "so, Rivet, you want to know how I got stuck here, here goes." "One and a half years ago, a Gryphoness, particularly gifted in psychic magic, wanders into a poker bar looking for adventure, she finds the oldest Pony she sees, this being old Gambit, not realizing the place has a ward against psychic magic, goes for his stake of double your money, and loses, now I basically work for him, trying to pay off my dept," she explained. "what do you do?" Rivet interrupted her, she had a thought, but dismissed that quickly from her mind. "Well, we gamble, mostly poker. If you're in dept here, the best way to pay it back? Gamble, granted Jack and Roulette also sell drinks, but that makes them about 300 a week, not nearly as much as I and Ace get gambling," Rivet was relieved to find that her suspicions were incorrect "of course, best way to avoid that, don't gamble in the first place," Dew sighed and regret filled her voice. "Then how do I get news here? Without gambling?" Rivet asked Dew looked around "honestly, I could tell you allot of things, but only since I was born, I don't know anything about mechanical wings. But I'm sure Gambit does, you see, Gambit's an Alicorn, he built this town when he was middle aged, and that was over a thousand years ago, some say he's princess Celestia's father, others say he's her brother, some even say he's her grandfather-" "What is he?" Rivet asked. "I dunno, all I know is he's damn good at poker," Dew finished, she looked over Rivet's shoulder, a bar fight had broken out near the door. "Well, I was wondering if you could tell me something, you see, I heard something about The Silver Cauldron." The room became silent, the fight stopped and all the ponies, involved or not, turned towards Rivet, angry faces replaced the happy faces that had been there moments before. Dew closed her eyes, she whispered what sounded like prayers through trembling breath, she was afraid. "Go back to your drinks!" she pleaded "my friend is confused," she stood up, grabbed Rivet with a shaking claw and dragged her outside. They reached an alley turn, and Dew released Rivet "Don't do that!" Dew stared at the Pegasus, "you scared me half to death, I thought they were going to kill me," Rivet was still trying to take it in "what was that about?" Dew turned away "That was about that place, NEVER say that." "Why, what's so bad about The Sil-" her joke was interrupted by Dew leaping into the air and bringing the closest heavy object she could find onto Rivet's head, the town went dark. *** Dew enjoyed these lessons, even though flight was impossible for her, she enjoyed the company of her father, she felt that was natural as she had never experienced her mother's company, this one wasn't quite a lesson though, here, her father was teaching her something else, but she couldn't quite hear him, like he was talking underwater. Somepony else was there, watching them, just out of frame, when she turned to see them, she saw nothing, the figures she could see burst into black mist, making her vision dark. Out of the darkness, she saw a black feather falling from the sky, this quickly became a white mist. Rivet lay on a soft bed, a feather mattress topped with a fur sheet. she opened her eyes, but remained silent, shelves lined the walls, their contents mainly consisting of small sculptures made out of everyday junk, or chunks of metal and wood with different shapes carved into them. In the doorway sat Dew, looking out. "ah, you're awake," Dew said, turning her head. Dew walked over to the bed "I'm sorry, I didn't-" "it's ok, I shouldn't joke like that," Rivet said. "What?" Dew began "Oh, I'm not apologizing for hitting you, I was well within my rights there, I was talking about your father." The realization struck Rivet "psychic magic, black feather," she thought "you were in my dream." Dew chuckled "but we've only just met," she smiled, "you're right, I was, you saw a white feather, correct?" Rivet cocked her head "it was black." Dew recoiled "hmm? I must be sad about something. Oh well." Rivet was shocked, "don't get in my dreams again!" she stood up quickly. "ok, I wont, sorry," Dew lowered her head, "anyway, come on, and no more talk about The Golden Bowl, ok?" "The Golde-" Rivet stopped herself "oh, I see, where we going?" "The only place it would make sense to go, The Golden Bowl!" Dew turned and walked out the doorway. Rivet stared "but I thought that place was bad?" she trotted after Dew. Dew turned "it is, you need to know why, and for that, we're gonna need to do some shopping." Rivet cocked her head "shopping? Why?" Dew smiled "they don't like Pegasi, we need you to look like an earth Pony, easier said than done," she walked into the busy street. Rivet decided it was best not to ask why they dislike Pegasi, and instead just follow Dew, she knew this town "how does the town work? Like, who runs it?" Dew looked up and down the street "Which part?" she pointed to the bottom of the street, down there the pavement was lined with upturned bins and anything that could be a home, or simply bedrolls on the street "the low town and alleys are ruled by a gang, the fallen, they are why the guards are afraid." Dew pointed at the floor "this part, chip town, the fallen think they do, but Gambit has all the real power here." Then she pointed to some large, stone walls, another town was inside them "high town, the Ascendants own that, they used to be a low-town cult, their beliefs grew into a gang, and they took the town, now the hierarchy is switched, and the ones who used to be powerful live in low-town, the fallen formed when Ponies started realizing that the Ascendants being rulers was a bad idea, they're revolutionaries." Rivet still had a question "why are Ponies so afraid of... You know." Dew sighed "that is a symbol of the Ascendants power, it's where they take Ponies who don't agree with them and, you can guess the rest," her voice shook, but she blinked away the mood. Rivet changed her mind "why do they dislike Pegasi?" Dew chuckled "because, because they think no Pony should naturally be able to rise to heaven, only through serving the Ascendants, which is funny, cause their leader's a Pegasus." Rivet noticed a guard walk by, a Gryphon "what about Gryphons?" Dew chuckled again "they're fine, you know why? Cause the guards are Gryphons, marshal law doesn't work if you don't have soldiers, does it?" Rivet shook her head "so, why do we need to get to The Sil-" she smiled "-The Golden Bowl?" "because I want to burn it down. So, you with me?" Rivet stood back "ah, I could be," Dew laughed "then you are, and that means we're going shopping," she began trotting away. "Ha, mares, they never change," a voice came from behind, but when Rivet turned, no Pony was there. "Hm, this just gets weirder and weirder, doesn't it?" Rivet said to the air, before following Dew into an alley.
Chapter 2: A rose in a bottle."Dew, the gates are that way," Rivet struggled to point back to the street they had just left, the bulk of robes limited her movement, while Dew drifted beside her impatiently. "I know, come on!" she urged Rivet on. Rivet almost tripped over the robe "then where are we going?" she snarled, annoyed. "To the newcomers gate, you can't go in through the other one," Dew turned a corner and was greeted by laughs from several stallions, masks on their faces, similar to the ones Rivet noticed when she arrived, one in a monkey mask stood, his mane was a brilliant blue and his coat a dimmer blue. "Ah, Dew, going somewhere?" his mask obscured the words but they were still discernible. "Winter, don't start," Dew glared at him "you know why I did it." Winter smiled "but nopony else does, yet," his words were followed by a chorus of laughter from the others. Dew lowered her head "and they wont," she walked up to him. Winter chuckled "that's a good filly, come on," he straitened his neck as Dew threw her claws around it. Dew slid a claw down his chin and onto his nuzzle, she pressed close against him, before pulling his masked nose away from his neck. The stallion stood catatonic for a second, before collapsing, his neck twisted so his nose was almost behind him. Dew kicked the stallion again "no they wont, will they Winter?" Few turned to Rivet, who was trembling in shock "Rivet? You ok?" Rivet's jaw dropped "you, you killed him!" Dew walked back to Rivet "I'm sorry Rivet, but some ponies need to go," her voice shook "death is something we all have to live with." An image appeared in Rivet's head, a candle. Dew's eyes widened "a candle, your totem is a candle." Rivet sat down hard, the vision had made her weak "totem? What are you talking about?" . Dew picked up Rivet's hoof and threw it over her shoulders "I'll tell you, when you're inside, and, warm," she struggled to drag the limp Pegasus back to her house. *** Rivet groaned as Dew set her down "what, happened?" she tried to say, but all that came out was a growl. Dew understood "you just experienced a cross, the first one, I suppose," Dew seemed to think this was common knowledge "I should probably explain that a bit better, shouldn't I?" Rivet wanted to throw up, but whenever she decided to try, a warning glance from Dew discouraged her "ah, yeah," she tried to say. "You have a totem now, it's like a second destiny mark, a totem identifies you, mine was that feather you saw in your dream." Dew's explanation sounded like a foreign language to Rivet "what? Destiny mark? Totem? What are you talking about?" Dew laughed "tell me honestly, you couldn't care less, could you?" "nope, not at all" Rivet thought, but she decided not to say it "of course I care! I want to know what happened!" Dew wasn't falling for it, Rivet could see that, or maybe it was just Dew's apathetic expression she had worn since they met "no you don't, you don't care one bit, but I'm going to tell you anyway." Rivet moaned acknowledgement. Dew chuckled "a totem is, an item, like your destiny mark, you get one when you cross, yours, yours was a candle, because you've seen death happen suddenly, like, well, a candle, a candle in the wind, that's the expression, a cross, is when something in the past, changes due to your actions in the present, it's rare for your species, and age, usually only magic users get them when they're very young, you can only learn magic once you have a totem." "wait, by destiny mark, you mean cutie mark, right?" Rivet asked. "cutie mark?" Dew replied "that what you ponies call it? The thing on your flank?" "yeah, that's it." "that's a really sappy name, way too, filly-ish. Anyway what I'm saying is, you can do magic now," Rivet was suddenly interested "what kind of magic? How!" she asked frantically. "whoa there, you don't know magic yet, and I can't teach you." "who can teach me?" "you'll have to learn by yourself." "what use is that? How can I help anyone." "you ponies, all of you, have some part of your brain that links to others, when you need it most, magic will come to you." "so, what do I need to-" Dew waved her quiet "it may not show itself, no fireballs or dimensional portals, true magic, true magic is a helpful wind while running, or the snap of a twig in the forest, revealing an enemy who would harm you, or your friends. True magic is no seen as anything more than simple luck, magic is long term, every magical thing moves us closer to the end," she turned, and walked over to a shelf, lifting a model of a fire red and orange Pegasus from it "sometimes, true, suptle magic, can wound the lucky soul," her voice shook "and sometimes, it can kill them," Rivet noticed a tear fall from the Gryphoness eyes, only now did she realize how beautiful Dew's eyes were. "sorry. What happened?" Rivet asked. "well, I have no parents, as you can see. They were killed in a war, my father was a guard. My mother was a maid in the royal palace, when I was a chick, the palace was overrun by these, these monsters, they killed everyone in the city, except for me. I remember the image, the stallion, standing tall, wings outstretched among the debris of my home, he took me in, raised me as his own. Until they appeared, they tried to kill us, both of us, but a century-old oak found its calling and crushed them, all of them, and I was alone again, a lone wanderer, until I came here and, you know the rest." A knock on the door made Rivet jump, Dew left, gesturing to rivet to stay put. Voices could be heard from her direction, both were mares, again, Rivet found herself picking out Dew's voice as harmonious and comforting, the realisation hit her like a train. "A mother," she whispered as the voices grew louder, until the sources emerged." A blue-grey Pegasus mare stepped into the room beside Dew, she noticed Rivet and stopped, her face twisted into concealed anger "who, is that Dew? And why is she in our house?" Her voice was deep and purposeful, every word had substance and impact. "This is Rivet," Dew seemed worried "she's, I guess, a friend, just a friend, honest." The unicorn moved in close to Rivets face "look here you, Dew is mine, got it?" Rivet nodded, the Pegasus's Bridlish accent just added authority to the voice "got it, ah, ma'am?" She squeaked. Dew chuckled "Mist, go easy on the girl, she didn't want-" "Dew, I will not risk losing you to any strange Pony! Wanting or otherwise." "You didn't lose me," Dew locked a claw around Mist's hoof "I'm still here." Again the soothing, mothering tone of her voice was apparent, it seemed Mist noticed it too, she recoiled away from Rivet. "You, Dew I just cannot argue against you," she looked at the Gryphoness with sea-blue eyes "I am sorry," she said to Rivet, an obvious guilt in her voice "I trust you understand this, should you ever have loved anyone." "You don't need to apologise to me, it's you I should be." "Oh Rivet," Dew chirped "this, I believe, was my fault, Mist, I'm sorry for making you leave." "And I am sorry for assuming such actions of you." "Ok, now that we're all made up, what's going on here, in general, between you two, and about this gold-" Rivet was quickly silenced by Dew shaking her head. Mist turned to Rivet "Mist," she extended a hoof "Mist Shadow, I am Dew's-" she paused. "Tell it how it is," Dew smiled "Rivet is, understanding." "Alright, I'm Dew's-" she hesitated again "sorry, it, is difficult to just say, without," she paused again, suddenly, she turned to Dew, and kissed her. 'well, I did kinda see that coming' Rivet thought to herself, the couple separated and looked at her "Rivet," she took Mist's newly extended hoof "Rivet Dust, I'm looking for my wings." The Pegasus spread her own wings "on your-" she stopped, and screamed, Rivet stumbled backwards as Dew moved in, catching the mare as she fell, and lying her down gently, Rivet noticed a growth in her abdomen and gasped. "She's pregnant? How does-" "I'll explain later, but first, help me get her on the bed." Rivet hesitated, before helping Dew lift the pony onto the bed. Dew rested a claw on her head and began to whisper to Mist, yet again, Dew's motherly nature was apparent. When the Pegasus had calmed down, she closed her eyes and her breath slowed. "Rivet, I have something to show you, follow me," she walked through a door into another room of her house. The room was empty but for a ball bearing in the corner, the walls a clinical white, something felt strange here, like she was alone, like something she couldn't quite pinpoint had been taken "strange feeling, isn't it?" "Yeah, like, like I'm missing something." "I bet you are, you've seen everything but the centrepiece, the walls, the tiny ball in the corner, the feeling of loneliness, but have you seen the box? Look into the centre of the room." Sure enough, in the centre was a large wooden box, Rivet had skipped strait past the box. Dew approached "you know what else is cool?" Rivet regained her thoughts and trotted up to the box Dew opened the doors and they stepped in before Rivet had a look. Once she did, she noticed that the room was much larger than the box, she stood, shocked "it's, bigger on the inside." Dew chuckled "I bet the previous owner got a real kick out of ponies saying that when they came in." "Yeah..." Rivet was still in awe. "Anyway, this isn't all." "Show, me, everything." "Easy there, I can only show you so much before your brain explodes, how's this." Dew flew down to Rivet, holding a bottle, in which, a small rose grew. "I don't think anything can top the box," she paused "so, if you and Mist are together, how does she become pregnant?" "Rivet, nothing is ever all good, you know? Some stallions, they act nice, and show you their heart of gold, but never the defiled and dissected corpse they took it from, I'll just, be glad I was the one pulling you into an alley, if you get my meaning." Rivet blinked "sorry, I didn't." "Don't be, he's dead, and now, I guess it's just our child." "Are you a mother Dew?" Rivet blurted. "Uh, I guess so, I will be." "Ok, I just." "I know, I've been told so before." Rivet decided to revert the subject "what's with the bottle." "Oh trust me, you know what, take it, trust me, you'll need it," Dew paused, I think, I've abandoned my goals of arson, let's get you to Gambit, ready?" "As ready as I'll ever be." "Good enough," she disappeared in a wing beat, and returned a second later with a stone, "ready?" "What's this?" "A stone," she offered it to rivet, after hesitation, Rivet reached to take it, but when both held it, the stone seemed to explode into a purple mist, when it cleared the two found themselves at The New Talisman "you're sure about this?" "One hundred percent sure," Rivet stepped into the building, steering clear of any pony who seemed dodgy, followed by Dew shortly after. The pair moved through the crowd into the corner of the building where sat a large dark green Alicorn Rivet assumed was Gambit, he wore a smart, upper class suit and hat. "And you are?" His voice was deep and cold. "Rivet Dust, I know who you are, and I will beat you." The Alicorn laughed "a mare of purpose? Very well, the stakes?" "You tell me where and how to get my wings to work, and, you pay Dew's dept." "Hmm..." The Alicorn smiled "ha! And if I win, both of you owe me your lives." "Deal," Rivet ignored Dew's worried look. "Oh Celestia, Rivet!" Dew cried "what are you thinking!?" "Trust me here, I won't let you down." "So, it begins?" Gambit said, raising a hand for a dealer. "Or," Dew muttered "in our case, ends."
Prolougue: Goodbye, father.Rivet's eyes were fixed forward, she didn't want to look at her fathers grave, her sister stood beside her, both of them were trying to stop themselves crying "Father," she choked on a sob, "I'm going to join the wonderbolts, for you." Rivet nodded, "Of course, it's what he would want," she gestured to their father's grave "so am I." Her sister looked back "But Rivet, your wings, how?-" "I don't know how!" Rivet interrupted her, "but I will, I," she paused "I promise." "Rivet," Her sister adopted an almost motherly attitude, "I-" "Don't try to stop me," Rivet almost growled. "I wont try to stop you, I can't, you're old enough to take care of yourself now. But, you're still my sister, and now, you're the only family I have, just, be careful, please." This time Rivet looked at her sister "I'll be careful, Lightning, that I promise you." Lightning fell silent, she saw their mother in Rivet, it was difficult to miss. Lightning looked again at her sister and the fresh grave in front of them, before flying away. Rivet stood staring for a while "Storm Dust," she read from the grave "I hope you're happy, wherever you are, I don't want to leave you, but, I can't stand here forever, goodbye, father." she sighed, and trotted away. two weeks later Rivet paced the room, the last two weeks had been torture, she had spent the whole time in the library, trying to look for something on her condition, nothing. She had given up by now, "well, one of us will make it, I hope that's enough," she sighed and sat on her bed, immediately, she heard the slam of a closing door, followed by an angry pegagus. "Lightning!" Rivet stood, exited. Her smile quickly faded when she noticed her sisters expression. "Lightning?" Lightning Dust sat down hard "Rivet, I guess it's up to you now." "What do you mean? Lightning, what happened?" "I got kicked out of the academy, some stu-" she stopped herself "-sorry, nevermind." Lightning looked away. "Lightning, I'm sorry," Rivet hugged her sister, who was crying now "It's ok." "No, it's not ok, is it?" she sobbed "Because we promised, and you can't fly." "Well, I'll be glad to prove you wrong," Rivet stepped away from her sister "Goodbye, I'm going to fix my wings." "And how, how you gonna do that?" Lightning said between sobs. Rivet sighed "no idea, I guess I'll just wing it," she smiled, trying to cheer up her sister, but she just grunted acknowledgment. "Sister, I promised, didn't I?" "You're just like our mother!" the two sisters stared at each other, shocked. "Sorry, I'm so sorry, that just, sorry!" Rivet sat down "what was our mother like?" Lightning stood, "sorry sister, later, I'll tell you later, when you get back, sorry I said that, I was out of line." She flew away before Rivet could get the final word. "so, where to now," Rivet felt she had bitten of more than she could chew, but she thought she had an idea...
