The Laws of Life.

Chapter 10: Life of two.

“Do we seriously have to do this?” I whisper to my father, as we wave good bye to his family. “Of course. You got us into this. Plus, this gives me the perfect chance to talk to you.” I turn away, keeping the smile on my face till their house is out of view. “Well, talk while you can, because once we reach the edge of town, we go our separate ways.” He gives me a frown. “Fantasm, you got us both into this. At least come with me to Canterlot.”

“Why? Why should I?” I snap at him. “Because, I have a friend up there that owes me. I can talk him into letting you rent a place for cheap. It’s the least I can do. It’s a start to a long apology” He lets out a sigh, as he looks at me with regret on his face.   “If you really want to say sorry, start by making everything right! If you want to apologize to me, then make us a family again. You. Mother. And me. Not that stupid second family. None of this running.”

I feel a tear run down my cheek, as I sniff slightly. “I just wanted a normal life.” He places his hoof on my, and I just shrug it off. “And, I’ll make sure you have a normal life. Just, come with me to Canterlot. And then I will never show up in your life again.” I turn and look back at him. “Promise?” He nods. “I promise. I’ll never bother you again.”

I can see the pain he goes through when he says that. We walk in silence, the only noise coming from the soft breeze moving the tree branches. Silence. I quite enjoy it. It makes me feel at peace. “So. . . When did you get your cutie mark?” But the silence can also be the calm before the storm. I let out a sigh as I hear my father speak. “When I was younger.” I keep my statement short, and simple. “Oh. . . Well. . . What’s your. . Talent?” He stammers out his next question. I’m sure he can feel my cold indifference towards him. “Magic.” I state out. Why should I give him any detail?

“Oh. What kind of magic?” but he still tries to push further. I let out an angry sigh. “Illusion magic.” I say through gritted teeth. “Now, can you stop with the questions, and let me walk in peace?” I nearly yell at him, as I speed up slightly. The quicker we get to Canterlot, the better. And this idle chit chat he wants to do will not speed up the journey. I look back to see him standing there, mouth slightly open like he wants to say something. But, he closes it, and continues walking, catching up with me. “So, there is a small town between here and Canterlot. That is where we will have to stay the night at.” I shake my head. “No. I was going to walk through the night. Since i missed me walk before hand.”

He gives me a confused look, and I let out a sigh. I guess he can know this part about me. “Every night back at home, I would take a small walk through town. I love the nighttime. It’s so beautiful. I wonder why it’s so underappreciated. And, I missed my walk last night, since I got sick.” Thinking about last night nearly makes me sick again, but I shake away the feeling. “And I wont miss that walk tonight. And, I just thought it would be easier to continue walking towards Canterlot.”

“What about rest? You need your rest.” I stop in my tracks, and turn towards my father. “You know nothing about me, father! Don’t try to know what you think I need or don’t need. I’m half of a monster because of you.” He gives me a pained look. “Fantasm.” I cut him off before he can say more. “I don’t need to sleep. I don’t even need to eat regular food. I can, but it only helps a little. If I can’t. . . . If I can’t feed on emptions, then I will start to fade. This is the curse I live with. Because of you.” His eyes open wide. “Fantasm. I didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t know! Because you’ve never been around. Because you couldn’t be around. But now guess what? You have another daughter. And, she will go through the same pain as me.” He looks back towards his home. To where his other daughter is. A look of total concerne on his face. “When she starts maturing. When she starts gaining more and more magic energy. That’s when you should tell her about what she is. . . At least then she will understand what she’s going through. Unlike me.” I let out a sigh as I explain it to him.

I don’t want that sweet little foal to go through what I did. I don’t want her to face that confusion like I did. And, I won’t be a careless, emotionless, monster like my father is. I could’ve just left him in worry about his daughter. I could’ve left her as confused as I was. But, that would have made me more like my father. And, I refuse to let that happen. “I’m sorry, Fantasm. I had no idea that you would’ve. . . Been like me.”

“No. I’m not like you. Never say that I am like you. I’m different. First, I actually care for others. Its not some act that I can throw away at any point. And, I’m no monster. Not. . . Not a complete monster like you.” I let out a sigh as I turn away from him, and continue walking along the path towards the towering mountain city. We continue to walk in silence, until the sun starts to set. “Are you sure you want to keep walking? It gets dangerous at night. And, the towns just right there.”

The path is forked. One way leading to the town he speaks of. the other continues on forward towards Canterlot. I only keep walking, not giving him a response. I hear him let out a sigh, as he speeds up to stay close to me. Finally, I watch as the sun dips down, below the visible horizon. I watch as the jeweled sky of night appears above. The millions upon millions of shining stars. I watch as the moon rises, and begins its journey through space. Out of habit, I light up my horn. My magic aura is the same dark green like my eyes. But, slowly, I watch as it shifts into a dark pink colour. I feel a slight tingle run through my face, as I shift my eyes to the same color. “What are you?” I put up my hoof, silencing him. “Shh. I need to concentrate.”

Ok, changing eye color is easy for me. I’ve practiced it a lot. But, let’s see if I can change my entire fur color. My horn shifts into a dark purple color, and I feel tingles rush throughout my entire body, as my fur changes to match the color. Ok, eyes, peice of cake. Fur, kind of straining, especially stacked with changing my eyes. Though, it’s easier than before. I used to collapse from exhaustion by this point. Actually, I think I can. . . I let my magic aura fade away.I look down at my hooves, and see the purple color. “What is the color of my eyes?” I ask as I turn to look at my father.

He only gives me a look of confusion, and shock. “Umm. Pink. Like your mothers.” I smile. “What. . What are you doing?” I let out a sigh. “I’m practicing my magic. I always practice at night. . Because they would fear me when I practiced it in the day, because the knew what you were. And feared I would be the same.” He looks down at the ground. “Don’t try to act sorry.” I say, as I light up my horn again. Time to do my mane and tail.

I start to feel a pressure build around my horn, as it glows a rusty, brick red color. I feel my mane and tail move, as if blown by a strong breeze. I start to pant, and sweat. “Don’t push your self.” I glare at him, as I lean forward, feeling more pressure. “I. Can. Do this.” I say through gritted teeth. I feel something snap, as my magic bursts out from me. Dispelling everything I had just cast. I fall to the ground, panting. “Almost. . Almost had it.” I say through, as I start to regain my strength. “I’m surprised you could do that. Especially that easily. At your age.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve been practicing. By my self. No help.” I try to sound angry, but my voice carries a tone of proudness. “Umm, you got a little something, here.” I say to my father, as I motion around his body. He looks down, and sighs. “It looks like when your magic dispelled, the flung onto me.” His fur color has changed to the mix of all the colors I had cast. Leaving him with an ugly mix of all of them on his fur. He lights up his horn, and makes them fade away instantly. “Ok, you done now? You wanted to keep walking. So, thats what we should do.”

I light up my horn again. “This is my real talent.” I say, with a smirk. I feel a soft tingle grow throughout my entire body. “What I was doing before, was trying to completely change the color of my eyes, and fur. But, my real talent only gives the appearance of change. Though, you should know all about that.” I start to glow softly, as all my colors appear to shift, changing constantly. “See? Nothings actually changing though. Only looks like they are.” I stop with the color shifting on my body, and look towards a small bush. “I can also make that look different.” Instead of the common dark green bush, I make it look like a dust brown one, as if it were in a desert.

“That’s pretty amazing Fantasm. I’m proud to see your abilities. I hope Onyx will grow into an amazing mare like you.” I laugh at that. “Really? I’m nothing, father. In all honesty. I grew up completely sheltered. If you think that I am an amazing mare, then you really don’t know me one bit.” I look up into the sky again. The sight of all those stars will never grow old. It would be an honor to meet the princess who made them. “Do you even know yourself Fantasm? I can accept the fact that I barely know you. But, you claim to know yourself so well. And yet, as you just said, you’ve barely been able to grow outside of that sheltered life. But, I can still see a strong mare there. Just hidden by insecurities.”

“Why do you think I am insecure though! It’s because I grew up knowing my father was a monster. Thinking that I might be one as well.” I see my fathers normally kind face turn angry, giving me a deep glare. “Will you stop calling me a monster. You know nothing about changelings.” He lights up his horn, and I watch as his body shifts, turning into his true form. “All ponies view us as is monsters. Emotionless, faceless monsters.” He lets out a long sigh, then takes a deep breath.

“But, that couldn’t be farthest from the truth. We lack true emotions yes, but we grow knowing about them. We learn, so we can blend. We know what pain is. . We know what love is. And, we experience every bit of those. I felt love for you, and your mother. And, I felt pain when I had to leave you guys. And ponies think of us as barbaric creatures, with no idea on how to act civilized. But, we have built our nests, our kingdoms. Kingdoms that have been around since long before the time of discord. We keep to our kind, we stick together. We have loyalty to each other. But, I’ve seen how ponies act. We may be beings of deception, and trickery. But, we do what we do with a purpose. I’ve seen ponies act in deception just for their own personal gain, not caring about who, or what, they hurt.”

I glare at him. I wish I could just block out what he is saying. I wish I could just tune everything out. But, I can’t. I hear every word. And, even if I want to think it false. as much as I want to keep the belief that he is a monster. I know that what he is saying is true. To some level. That deep down, my father is just like me. A pony who just wanted a chance at life. “Father. . Obsidian. If you really want me to believe that, and forgive you. If you want me to accept you as my dad, then you better help me with my new life up in Canterlot. I want you to be there whenever you can. I want you to teach me more magic. Normal magic. I can practice illusions on my own time.”

He only responds with a couple nods in silence. I turn and see a faint light in the distance. “Father. Turn back to yourself. I think I see somepony coming.” He nods again, and quickly shifts back to his normal pony form. “Just act normally now.” He whispered to me. Have I not been acting normally? . . . Well, I guess I have been acting. . Sort of irrational, and hesitant. But, my actions are all with due cause.

“Hello there.” My father says as we pass by. “Oh, I didn’t expect to see anypony out this late. What brings you two here?” I was hoping we could pass by, without question. “Just traveling to Canterlot. We wanted to get there as soon as possible. And, isn’t it just a lovely night to walk as well?” The other pony, an older looking stallion, carrying in his gray magic aura a lantern. “Why, yes. It is quite a lovely night. Well, be safe you two. because the beautiful night carries dangers that we may not expect.”

The old stallion leaves us with that ominous warning, as he continues down the path. “Well. . . . That was weird.” I say, and continue along our path. “We should take his warning though, and turn back towards the town.” I hear my father say. “We’ve been over this. . . Dad. We keep walking.” I look back up towards the mountain city of Canterlot. It looks amazing in the night time. Even from here, I can see it’s glistening beauty. All the candlelight shining off the gold and other reflective metals. With the shining stars as a backdrop, the sight can’t be more perfect. “So, you said I can have a life up there?” I ask, and look back to my father. “Well. I can’t make any promises, but I can help you get one started.”

“It’s something. Don’t think I’m ready to forgive you. . . . But. . . Thanks.” I give a soft smile. As much as I hate my father, I do have to come to terms that he really is sorry. In some way or another. And, he really does want to make up for the pain that he inadvertently caused me. But, that doesn't change the fact about this new family he has. Sure, he may be sorry. But, if he was truly remorseful, and truly loved us, then he shouldn’t have replaced us like that.

“Fantasm. I know you want to spend as little time with me as possible. . .But, once we get to Canterlot, why don’t you let me take you out to eat? Some place nice. My treat.” I let out a sigh. “Fine. I guess that sounds. . . Ok.” I give him a soft smile, and look back in front of me. Spotting another figure in the distance. “Somepony else is coming now.” I say back to him, and he nods.”Fantasm. Stay close to me. That pony up there. I can feel something weird about him.” I look back to my father and slow down.

As we approach the cloaked pony, my father begins to speed up, trying to get past him as quick as possible. But, I feel a hoof grab me, and a magical aura wrap around my hooves. “Hey. Let me go.” I feel the strangers breath against my neck. I shiver, from the pure feeling of creep that this pony emits. “I’ll let you go. Once I get all your bits. And, don’t even try to save your precious girl.” The voice sounds to belong to a stallion.

I feel the cold metal of a blade get pressed to my neck. “Obsidian. Just. . Just give him out bits.” I look at my father, just standing there in slight shock. But, I watch as that shock turns into pure rage. “Let go of my daughter!” I hear him say, in a commanding, almost menacing tone. “Give me your bits then.” I try to move, but he’s got me completely stuck in place. I got to light up my horn, but I feel as he slides a ring on it, blocking my from using any magic. “Nice try, sweetie.” I try to squirm, but my struggle only makes his magic grip me tighter, and spread. I feel it travel up my hooves, up my legs, squeezing every inch of my body slowly. “S-stop. . It.” I stammer out.

I look to my father again, watching him slowly approach us. “I’ll ask nicely. One last time. Let my daughter go.” He keeps his voice firm, and strong, as he approaches us. “Stay back. Just give me your bits. Your daughter won’t get hurt, and we go our separate ways. Simple, and clean.” My father laughs at that. “I’m sorry. but, the only pony that will be hurt is you. So, let go of my her. If not, then I will personally take that blade of yours, and shove it down your throat. And, that’s me still being nice.”

I feel the blade press tighter against my neck, and I feel the sting of it’s slight cut. The warmth of my blood soaking into my fur slowly. “Stay back.” I hear the stallion holding me captive say. My vision starts to fade, as I grow weak. From the mix of being barely able to breath, because of the tightness of his magic grip, and the thought of that blade cutting into me. I feel myself get dropped to the ground, hard. I hear the sounds of a struggle from behind. My eyes slowly close, as the struggle fades away from my hearing.

When I open my eyes, I’m now by a small pond. “Nnf. . F-father?” I speak out, my throat still in some pain. I stand slowly, my body aching. “Father?. . . Obsidian?” I call out, and look around the small clearing. It’s still dark. . Darker than before I think. I look back down into the pond, and let out a small gasp, covering my mouth with my hooves quickly, before I could let out a scream. The pond it’s. . . It’s full of blood. Slowly spreading out from the deep red spot right at the edge. Next to where I was laying. I quickly, just out of instinct, put my hoof to my neck, only feeling the small cut that’s there. That must meen. .

“Oh. Fantasm. You’re awake. You were passed out for a couple hours.” I turn to see my father. “Did you. . . Did you. . Do that?” I can’t bring myself to say more, only point towards the slowly spreading blood in the pond. He only gives a nod. “It was to protect you.” He says, not a single hint of remorse for what he just did. “Father. That’s still murder. . What are you going to do?” He laughs slightly. And shakes his head. “No. It wasn’t murder. Not. . .Not technically.”

“It was quite bothersome, but I got it approved by the High-Queen. A changeling soldier shall be sent out to replace this scum. Like he never died. No one will know. If you wish, I can wipe your memory of this event.” I shake my head. “No. I don’t want you messing around in my head. I can. . . I can just pretend that this never happened.” I say, with a shimmer of hope in my voice. But, even though my father is in his normal pony form, I can only see him as a monster. As the monster he is. He thinks it over for a moment, and nods. “If that’s what you want. Hows your neck?”

I put my hoof to it again. “It doesn’t hurt much really. I’ll be fine. let’s keep walking now. I want to get to Canterlot even quicker now.” I look up into the sky, and see the looming mountain basically right above us. Father. . He must have carried me pretty far in those couple hours. I look at him again, and see through the monster. Just to look at my father. He saved my life. I wish I could say I owed him one now. But, with how much pain he caused in my past, I guess. . . I guess I can say we’re almost even. Almost.