I was galloping across the frozen tundra, my wings spread, a sword in my mouth. Before me had stood a huge wolf, larger than a manticore. It snarled, barking viciously at me, but I wasn’t afraid. I had slashed at it with my keen blade, catching it on the ankle. With a howl, it had reared and charged, vicious teeth snapping at my tail. With a flap of my wings I had soared into the sky, leaving the beast to smash it’s head into the nearby mountain. I had turned my sword downward and dove. It was time to finish this.
“Spark, wake up!” A large ruler smacked the table in front of me and I sat up with a jolt. Dusty Tome’s face swam before mine and I scrambled to get away from those huge eyes, magnified by ten in his thick glasses. The chair I was sitting in tipped backward, dropping me hard on the floor.
“Sorry, Mr. Tome,” I groaned, rubbing my sore back, “I must of dozed off.”
“You must have dozed off.” he corrected me. I groaned again.
“Where were we?” I asked.
“Ah, right, the Windigos! As I was saying, the three tribe leaders met to discuss arrangements. Do you remember their names?” As I righted the chair and took a seat at his desk once more, I repeated the names just as I had done so a million times before.
“Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead.”
“Correct. Now, let me continue.” I did just that. Leaning on a forehoof, I stared out the window to my right. The snow flew by, as always. I guess that’s just one result of living in a frozen wasteland. Outside the snowponies of my village trotted around, conducting their business in their wooly jackets. The breed of ponies had changed over the years, their bodies rounder, their legs stronger, their coats shaggier. Being a pegasus, this is extremely frustrating for me, seeing as I’m too heavy to get off the ground.
“Spark are you listening?”
“Sorry, what?”
“I said, could you check my appointments for the day.”
“Oh, right,” I pulled over my scheduling book and opened it up, “nothing today, but you’ve got a meeting with Chestnut Sweetdough tomorrow.” He nodded, levitating a book off of one of his many shelves. After a moment of reading, he snapped it closed, his eyes lighting up with remembrance.
“Oh! I forgot!” he exclaimed, “I’m receiving a delivery in just an hour! I need you to run up there and accept it, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course,” I sighed, standing up and stretching my stiff legs. As I left the study, my fur was tugged about in the wind. Today was especially windy. I headed down the main road, my hooves crunching on the thick layer of snow. I headed towards the market where the deliveries were made, but I was halted as a young earth pony, about my age, and a posse of assorted ponies stepped out of the alley.
“Hey, Spark,” he said, “What’s up? Where have you been?”
“Oh, um, hey, Brom,” I said, “I’ve just been really busy, working for Mr. Tome.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he said, flicking his blue tail, “I need you to get me something.”
“Again?” I asked, “But I just got you those fireworks on Tuesday.” Brom shoved his face into mine.
“So, I wasn’t asking about the fireworks, I was telling you to get me something.”
I gulped. “Okay, what do you need?”
“I need some of Candied Apple’s apple pie.”
“How am I supposed to get you that?”
“I don’t know, figure something out.” He turned and walked away, his gang following him, each of them staring me down as they passed by. My gut wrenched. Candied Apple was such a sweet mare! How was I supposed to get her apple pie? I supposed I could pay for it, but I had been saving up for a certain book and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to spend it on that. I was still contemplating as I reached the market.
“Hey, Spark!” A little unicorn filly waved from a stall, clinging to her Clover the Clever doll, “What are you here for today?”
“Oh, hey, Cindy, I’m just looking for a package for Mr. Tome,” I laughed, “Do you know where it is?”
“I do,” she giggled, “but I won’t tell you unless you let me ride on your back!”
“Fine,” I said, kneeling down, “Hop on.” She jumped onto my back and I raised my wings to support her.
“Okay,” she said, “that way!” I smiled, and began trotting through the snow, using extra bounce. She laughed and squealed the whole way to her mother’s clothing shop.
“Alright no,” I said, “I brought you over here, now where’s my package?”
“I don’t know, but mommy does,” She sprang from my back and galloped away, her doll flying behind her. I shook my head and chuckled, then trotted over to the store. The bell on the door rang as I entered and Cindy’s mother, Millie, looked up from her sewing.
“Hello, Spark,” she said warmly, “How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for a package for Mr. Tome,” I said, “Do you know where it is?”
“Oh, I got a message earlier today that the pegasi who were delivering it couldn’t make it through the storm. They’re dropping it off down the mountain in Sun Grove.”
“Oh, great,” I sighed, “Thanks anyway, Millie.” She nodded. I turned, folding my useless wings, and began the long trek down the mountain. Pretty soon, the wind picked up and I had to duck my head against the blinding snow. I imagined myself with a sword belted to my side, in search of some ancient artifact, the likes of which the world had never seen. After about an hour or so, the snow beneath my hooves faded away, turning into cold grey rock. Pine trees popped up on either side of the path. My thick coat felt warm, no longer the comfortable cool temperature it usually was.
I finally emerged from the pine forest, trotting into a little clearing that we called Sun Grove. The light beat upon my back and I began to feel uncomfortably warm. This place was the favorite of some of the ponies in the village, but I hated it. Why would anypony want to be anywhere as warm as this? A few pegasi were sitting around a small crate.
“Hi,” I called, waving a wing, “I’m here for the delivery. My name’s Spark, I’m Dusty Tome’s assistant.”
“Oh, hey,” one of them said. “Here, just sign for it here.” She pushed me a scroll and a quill. I scribbled my name on the scroll, then went to push the crate.
“Here,” a second pegasus said, “you can take the cloud sled we brought it on. We’ve got a ton of them back in the city.” I thanked him and allowed them to hitch it to my back. I glanced back up at the mountain.
“Here we go,” I sighed. I began pulling.
“You can just fly it up there,” the first one said, rolling her eyes.
Her friend rammed his shoulder into her. “Shut up, Breeze!” he hissed, “Don’t you remember what I told you?”
“Oh, oops.” I glanced over my shoulder, ears flat against my head to catch sight of Breeze blushing profusely. I gave them my best smile, although it came off as rather pathetic.
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” I laughed, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat and continued, “I’m used to it.”
“Well, good luck then,” Breeze said awkwardly, glancing at her friends. I turned back to the path ahead. My throat tightened, I cleared it again and took a deep breath. Why was it so hard to move my legs. After a bit of effort, I placed my front hoof forward and began heading back to the village. Curse these stupid wings, this rotund body. I hadn’t flown since before I got my cutie mark - a glowing lantern. I could hear the flutter of feathers behind me but I kept going. It was fine, like I had told the pegasi, I was used to it. I didn’t need to be able to fly, I didn’t need to be that special. I didn’t need to be special, period. There were enough special ponies in the world. There need to be a few normal ponies for society to function. At least, that’s what I’ve always told myself.
Suddenly, something snapped me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t realized I was this high up the mountain. The village was just over this hill. But something was wrong. I could smell smoke, thick and black and see it curling through the blinding snow. I galloped over the crest of the hill. A wave of heat hit me in the face. Before me was an jumble of collapsing and flaming houses. I fell to my knees. The horror of what I was seeing was too much. This had to be a dream. My heart in my throat, I choked on the words that wanted to come out. Life as I knew it was over.
Author's Note
Here's a picture of Spark I posted on my DeviantArt: http://rowan-falls.deviantart.com/art/MLP-story-Spark-Ref-460002224
He's also in the cover photo.
After a few seconds of shock, I heaved myself to my hooves. Dragging the crate behind me on the cobbled road, I headed swiftly towards Dusty Tome’s library. I had to see if he was alright. Quickly, I realized that taking the crate with me was not a good idea. I struggled with the harness for a bit before I was able to slip out of it. Now free of burden, I cantered around the flames, feeling so hot it was making me dizzy. I wheeled down a side street and found myself at Millie’s shop, which I took a shortcut through. Most of the flames in this side of town were dying. I picked my way through the charred piles of fabric, stepping over a singed Clover the Clever doll and out into the snow.
I headed quickly towards Mr. Tome’s library. I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Turning around, I kicked at it with my hind legs, but still nothing. I tried once more before using my wings to boost myself to the window. I climbed in, over the already shattered glass and into the smoldering remains of the house. Everywhere the books lay in shambles. I felt tears in my eyes, and not just because of the smoke. Coughing, I searched around. Hopefully, whatever had happened, Mr. Tome had gotten out alright. I couldn’t see anypony around so I left the smoky building.
I panted, throwing myself into the snow. Was I the only pony left in town? What had happened to the rest of them? I could barely breathe. There was smoke everywhere. My coat was covered in ash and all around the snow was grey, even the new flakes that fell from above. This was just too much. My eyes slipped closed. Everything was dark.
“Hey, Starlight Rose! I think I’ve found a live one!” I could tell I was face down in the snow. I rolled my head to the side and coughed, the sooty snow in my mouth and all over my eyes.
“Hey, buddy, you okay?” asked a pretty sounding mare. I rubbed my eyes with a hoof and sat up a bit. I felt a warm hoof wrap around my shoulders.
“What’s going on?” I asked, “Who are you?” The pony pulled me into her chest, making me feel awkward and confused.
“Shh, sh, sh,” she soothed, “It’ll be okay.” She was dark red with a crimson mane and tail. Pink ribbons strung with colorful beads were woven into her hair. I felt sick, my head throbbed. I heard hoofsteps approaching.
“What’s your name?” a new mare asked, standing beside the first.
“In due time, Rose.” The one holding me said firmly.
“Whatever, just make sure he’s okay.” The hoofsteps faded away. We remained like that for about a minute. Then the mare pulled me away from her chest for a moment and I got my first glimpse of her gorgeous face. She was stunning; with long lashes, silvery blue eyes and a nice warm smile.
“Hey, honey,” she said, “you have a name?”
“Spark,” I replied dumbly, “You?”
“Velvet Charmer. It’s good to see you’re okay.”
“Where’s everypony else?” I asked.
“You’ll know when you’re ready.”
“What does that mean?” She stroked my cheek with a hoof and gave a crooked smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“You’ll see.” She stood and dusted the snow from her haunches, revealing a cutie mark of two orange horseshoes and a pink sparkle placed on top of a blue circle. I stood as well, a bit shaky at first, and she led me down the road to the charred remains of the town center. I gazed up at the statue of our young princesses, Celestia and Luna. It was mostly intact, but it was leaning to the side in a way that just seemed unnaturally off putting. Beside the statue stood a bulky grey earth pony stallion with a sword belted to his flank.
“Who is he?” I whispered.
“Steel Flame,” Charmer told me, “He’s our muscle.” I glanced around.
“Who are you guys?” I felt so lost and cold. I had never really felt cold before.
“We’re just a group of adventurers,” she told me, “We saw the smoke and decided to see what was the matter. There’s five of us in all: me, Starlight Rose, Steel Flame, Smoke Plume and Magic Mirrors.”
“Who?”
“You’ll meet them soon enough. They’re just tidying up the town.” My head throbbed. I raised a hoof to my temple and groaned.
“You okay, honey?” asked Charmer.
“I’ll be fine,” I said with a grunt. Steel Flame seemed to notice me for the first time. He trotted over and raised one eyebrow at Charmer. She nodded and he turned away.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Oh, Steel just doesn’t talk that much,” she said. She opened her saddle bag and pulled out a blanket. Tossing it over my shoulders, she brushed away the top layer of snow on the ground with her hoof so that there was room for me to rest. Appreciatively, I did so, tucking my muzzle under the tip of one of my slightly small wings. Shortly after I got comfortable, Charmer called a greeting to Starlight Rose. When I glanced up at her, I was shocked to see that she was a bat pony. Her wings were leathery and she had little tufts on top of her ears. I swallowed and tucked my head back under my wing.
Starlight Rose laughed. “No need to be afraid of me, Kid,” she chuckled, sitting down on the side of the statue. I didn’t care for the tone with which she addressed me, but there wasn’t really a lot I could do. Besides, I wasn’t one to pick fights.
“Where are Smoke and Mirrors?” asked Charmer.
“Just finishing cleaning up the, uh…” Starlight Rose paused as if trying to think of the right word, “the project.” Charmer nodded, clearing her throat.
“What project?” I asked, peeking out from under my wing. The strange ponies exchanged a glance and then Charmer rested a hoof on my back.
“You’ll know when you’re ready,” she replied. That frustrated me. What wasn’t I ready to know?
“Ooh, you found one!” a stallion called from my right.
“Good to know there’s at least one of ‘em!” said a second stallion. I turned to see two unicorns trotting up, their hooves in perfect synchronization with each other. They were both white with matching black, pinstriped vests. One had a red mane while the other had sort of a royal blue.
“There you are,” smiled Charmer, “This is Spark.”
“Hey’a, Spark,” the one with the red mane said, dipping his head, “I’m Smoke Plume.”
“And I’m Magic Mirrors,” the other said with a similar gesture.
“Hello,” I said, waving a hoof subtly.
“Well, now that we’re all here, we best get going,” Rose said, fluttering down to stand beside Smoke and Mirrors, “It’d be best to get as far away from this village as possible before night fall.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because come sunset, this place will be crawling with monsters,” she told me, “C’mon, let’s go.”
“But what about everypony else?” I asked, standing up.
“There isn’t anypony else,” said Smoke.
“Not a single one left,” added Mirrors.
“So everypony escaped?” I asked hopefully.
“From this life,” Mirrors joked, shoving Smoke’s shoulder playfully.
“Mirrors!” Charmer cried, pulling me into another hug which, though in an awkward position, wasn’t uncomfortable.
“Wait, what?” I was so confused. Escaped from this life? They couldn’t mean-
“Well it looks like he knows,” Rose sighed, “Nice going, idiots.” The two blushed and looked down at their hooves.
“Is everypony... dead?” I asked, my voice cracking.
Charmer sighed, “I’m afraid so. We were going to tell you, but I thought it best to wait.”
“Where are they?” I asked.
Rose shook her head, “Oh, you don’t want to-”
“I do!” I told her, heaving myself to my feet. “where are they?” No one spoke. They seemed to be thinking of a way to keep me oblivious. I thought back to our conversation, trying to find clues. The project! Smoke and Mirrors had just finished cleaning up a project. I took a step towards the two of them.
“Where are they?” I asked. They glanced at each other and swallowed in unison.
“Listen, kid, let’s just go,” Mirrors said.
“Yeah, we gotta go before the monsters get here, remember?” said smoke. They both took a step back. I knew they were hiding something. I trotted up to them, the blanked Charmer had placed on my back sliding off. After looking into their eyes, I pushed past them and headed down the road they had came by.
“Wait, come back!” Charmer cried. I kept walking. I had no idea where I was going, but I turned down the the alley ways as if I did. Something inside me just knew. I turned one last corner and was suddenly assaulted by the smell of charred flesh. Up until this point, the snow had muffled it, but now it seemed to bite my nose. Before me was a large pile of what smoking, burned bodies. I gagged. My knees buckled and I found myself in the snow again. I had thought I was prepared for this, but I wasn’t even close. I felt nauseous. I recognized Mr. Tome’s specks, cracked and twisted, lying a few feet from the pile. I heard the others gallop up to me, felt Charmer kneel down and rest her head on my shoulders.
“So it’s true,” I said, “they’re all dead.”
“I’m afraid so,” she sighed. Tears stung my eyes. I began to sob. I felt one of Rose’s leathery wings stretch over my back.
“Hey, man, you got this,” she said. But I didn’t. I let it out, crying harder than I ever had before. Everypony I knew was dead. My parents, Mr. Tome, Brom, little Cindy and her mother. Everypony gone. I was still crying as the other ponies pushed me to my feet and guided me back to where Steel Flame was waiting with their supplies.
“Come on,” Rose said, “Let’s leave all this behind us.”
Author's Note
I posted a picture of Velvet Charmer on my Deviant art! Here's the link: http://rowan-falls.deviantart.com/art/MLP-Story-Velvet-Charmer-460722133
Hopefully I'll post a picture per chapter until there aren't any more.
