My life with death.

Chapter One: Together again.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” The older stallions cries to me. “I could. . I could never repay you for this. What you did for me wa-” I hold up my dark, grayish purple hoof up to him.

"Please, you don't have to do anything," I say as a smile touches my lips. “I need no repayment of any kind. Knowing that I was able to help is always good enough for me.” I give a small smile, and turn away from him. I feel the gentle breeze rustle my dark purple mane and tail. Both of which are messy, and adorned with red highlights. I made it to the middle of the walkway before he called to me again.

“I can’t just let you walk away without something. Please, come inside again. Join us. .  . Me for dinner.” He smiles, and holds out his hoof. I give him a frown, but he keeps persisting. I reach out my hoof, and he shakes it hard. “Oh, thank you.” He smiles again.

He brings me to the dining room of his small wooden house. “Just take a seat. . . You know what? I don’t think I ever got your name."

“Revenant Gaze.” I said quickly. I just want to get out of here as fast as possible. I’ve got business to do. But. . I can’t just be rude.

“That is my name. Most think it refers to my piercing dark purple eyes.  Which I can’t really say is false. But, it doesn't refer to my eyes, but what they can do. My talent is the ability to see the dead as you already know.” I continue, and laugh slightly.

“Ghosts, apparitions, spirits, spectators. Whatever you may call them, I can see them. I can see the ones who haven’t crossed over. Those with business left in this world. Whether they know it or not, if I can see them then that means they are missing something that prevents them from moving on. Well, I guess there are ones that want to stay on this side. But, in time, I see them leave this plane of existence for the next.” I sigh, as I continue speaking. It feels good to talk sometimes.

“Yeah. That’s an interesting talent indeed. If I may ask, Revenant. How did you discover your talent?” The old stallion asks from the kitchen. I look over, and see him working away, preparing the food.

“Well I had been experimenting with my magic, after coming across this old book in my fathers study. I found what, at the time, I thought was a funny spell. A spell that said it would give me ‘The clearest vision ever. Just chant the spell, and see what you thought was inconceivable.’” I let out a long sigh.

“Yeah. I wish it had just told me ‘Hey, you’ll see the dead.’ That would have made things simple. But, no. I foolishly did the spell. I closed my eyes, and felt my silver magic aura sweep over my body. I felt my eyes warm up slightly. And, once the spell had subsided, I opened my eyes and saw. . . Nothing. At all. I looked around, and still saw nothing more than what I did before.  I looked over myself and saw nothing out of the ordinary as well.” I leave a long pause, and glance down to my cutie mark.

The stallion took notice of my glance at my flank and cutie mark “Ah. So that was it? You did the spell and got your cutie mark?” The stallions laughs. “Seems to easy.”

“Yeah. I wish it was that easy to get a cutie mark.” I say and laugh as well.  “No, The spell didn't give me my cutie mark. But it did lead to me acquiring it."

It’s a very intricate looking crescent moon. I call it a moon, but really it’s just a fancy looking circle, because the points meet each other. Just looking at it, you can't tell that my  talent is to see the dead.

"But when I look at it, I know what it means. It’s the moon. A crescent moon. When you look up into the crescent moon at night, when you look up at the infinite space above, you are looking at something that’s there. But, you are also looking at something you can’t really interact with. Sure, if you get close enough you can touch it, but from far away, you are just left to wonder how cold, and lonely it must feel. . . .” I sit in silence.

“Wow. That’s pretty deep.” I hear the stallion say.

“Anyways, I’m getting side tracked. I was still young, and school was just about to start up again. It was my first day of fourth grade. I came into class, and all the seats had already been taken. Well, all except one that was behind some blue colt, towards the middle of the classroom. I shrugged, sighed, and took the seat.”

“After a couple minutes the teacher came in. ‘Hello class.’ She greeted cheerfully. ‘Let’s all start with introductions. I’m Melody.’ She then had us introduce ourselves. Going up every row of seats, from left to right. It got to the middle row, and one by one, my school mates introduced themselves.”

“‘And you, little filly?’ She had asked me, even though she should’ve asked the clot in front of me.”

“‘Um. . What about him?’ I had asked, and pointed to the blue colt in front of me.  I heard some of the class giggle. The teacher gave me a confused look, and the pink filly two seats up gave me a nasty look.” I continue telling my story. I haven’t thought about this. . In forever, really.

“‘I already said who I am. . And, I’m a ‘her,’ thank you very much.’ the filly said snobbishly.” I laugh slightly at the memory of my classmate.

“‘Not you, Roxy.’ I said to her. “‘Him. The blue colt, right in front of me.’ By now, most the class was laughing, and the teacher and Roxy just looked at me angrily. The colt, on the other hoof, just looked at my with wide eyed astonishment.” I pause for a moment as the stallion walked back into his dining room, taking a seat to listen to my story up close, instead of from the kitchen.

“‘Just say your name, so we can move on. There is no colt there!’ The teacher growled, nearly yelled at me really. I gave up, and complied. The minutes ticked by, and I just glared at the colt who had gotten my in trouble. The bell rang, and the class was let out for lunch.”

“‘Are you going out?’ The teacher asked me, and I just shook my head at her ‘No, sorry ma’am. I’m just going to eat in here, then read. If that’s ok?’ She just kind of frowned at me. Acted very hesitantly.”

“‘Well. . . I would really prefer it if you just went out to eat.’ She said, and kept that frown on her face. ‘I’ll be fine. It’s no problem, really. Please?’ I asked, with the biggest smile I could muster.”

"After a minute, she finally sighed. ‘Fine. But, please, be careful. Ok? I’m heading out to the teachers lounge.’” I feel all the memories flooding back to me.

“I  gave a smile to her, nodding happily. ‘I promise.’ She gave a weak smile, and left the room. My smile instantly dropped into a frown as I glared at the colt who was still sitting in front of me. ‘What’s the deal, buddy?’ I asked him, and walked around his desk to stand in front of him. ‘Well? What’s your problem. Why didn't you speak up?’” I move my hooves as i act out my story to the stallion, who’s smiling at me while he listens.

"‘Well.’ He spoke out quietly, obviously nervous. His voiced sounded raspy as though it hadn't been used in a while. I just kept my glare on him as he squirmed in his seat. ‘N-n-normally. . . Normally ponies can’t. . See me. Or talk to me. or anything.'

'Why?' I asked him, wondering what could be so off putting about this colt that it would keep other ponies from acknowledging him.  'Because' he said after a long pause 'I’m dead.’ I opened my mouth to say more, but it just hung open as my eyes widened.”

“‘W-what? You’re dead? A ghost?’ I spoke slowly, my head already shaking. ‘No no no. That’s not possible. There’s no such thing as ghosts.’ His nervousness turned into anger and he glared at me.”

“‘Don’t call me a liar!” He shouted. ‘It’s true. I’m dead. I died a long time ago. In this room. . .’ His shouts quieted down, and he sniffed a little. ‘It’s true. . . I’m dead.’ He repeated, as tears started to drip from his eyes. I watched as they fell, and watched as they. . . Just disappeared half way down, before they even reached the desk.”

“‘No. You can’t be a ghost. You’re right there in front of me.” My mind had completely rejected the idea that there could be such things as ghosts. Not because I was scared and afraid of them. But, I was scared and afraid for them. It would be horrible. To die, but wake up trapped on this planet. Not knowing how to leave this place.” I stay quiet for a moment, then continue my story.

“‘What are you doing?’ The teacher asked, as she walked back into the room. To her, she just saw me standing there in front of an empty desk.” I chuckle lightly.

“‘Nothing. I was just wondering if. . If I should sit here instead.’ I had came up with the quick excuse. ‘You cant. You already have your seat. It’s assigned now.’ she spoke quickly. Almost. . . Almost fearful that I would take that seat.  ‘I like the other seat better, so that’s good.’ I said and quickly walked back to sit in my seat. The colt just sat there crying, unseen by everyone else except for me, softly.”

“‘Umm. Hey?’ I spoke up after a minute or two. Both the teacher and colt looked at me. It was at this point that I noticed he was see through. Not entirely, but, if I looked hard enough, I could barely make out the outline of the teachers desk through him.”

“‘Yes?’ The teacher spoke up and smiled at me. ‘This is. . This is going to sound weird, but. . Um. Has anypony ever. . Died at this school? I know it’s a dark question, but I heard some stories, and I was just wondering. . ‘ The teachers smile dropped into a frown after I asked that.”

“‘That is a dark question, but if you heard the rumors, I guess I have to tell you the truth. Just so you don’t get confused. But, you can’t tell anyone else this. . . It’s not something that should be talked about openly.’:

“She kept that frown as she stood up, and walked over to the desk the colt was sitting at. ‘Yes, a pony did die here, in this class. A few years ago. It was a sad day. He was loved by a lot. It was actually my first day teaching here. He was young, happy, and energetic. Always smiled. His name was Ashen Finis.’ She talked about the colt, and he just sat there, looking between both of us.”

“She now had more of a. . . Sad smile on her face, and I could see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. ‘He had been. . . Beaten. . .  By some older students. The ponies that beat him up. . The ones who killed him. Nothing happened to them. Because ‘they were minors.’' She added this last part with some venom in her voice, as though this was an offense to her. 'Plus, their parents were really rich.’ She stopped talking for a moment, clearly trying to hold back her tears.  ‘I had. . . I had left the room. I arrived too late. he was. . He was already gone.’

“She sniffed hard,failing at holding back her tears. ‘If only I hadn’t left. . If only.  . . ‘ She mumbled to herself.” I pause and look to the stallion.

“Yikes. That must be a horrible feeling.” I nod, and continue after he finishes speaking.

“‘I don’t blame her.’ The colt speaks up. He looked right at me, very determined to be heard. ‘It’s not her fault. She’s a great teacher. That’s why I’m here. I love listening to her lessons.’ He smiled at me. I didn’t know what to do.”

“But, you know, that had explained things. Why she yelled there wasn’t a colt there, why she hesitated to leave me alone. . And why she didn’t want his seat taken. The colt spoke up again. ‘Can you tell her that. . Please?’ Ashen asked. . And, I nodded to him.”

“‘He doesn’t blame you. He knows it’s not your fault that he’s gone.’ I spoke to her, and reached out my hoof to place on her back. She looked up, more of an angry frown on her face now.”

“‘What do you know?” She growled at me, snapping at me and pushing away my hoof. ‘You just asked about it because of the rumors. The ones they say, the ones that  say I left him for dead as he was beaten up.’ I quickly shook my head at that, taking a few steps so as to not make her angry again.””

“‘No. I asked because I can see him. He’s still sitting there. Still smiling. he thinks you're a great teacher, and wants to sit through your lessons.’ I told her slowly. Having a hard time even believing my own words.”

“Yeah. I bet that would be hard. I know I didn’t believe you.” The stallion speaks up. “Oh, sorry. Continue your story.”

“‘Is he. . . Is he really?’ She asked me, and I gave a nod. ‘Yes. He is there. I can see him. His blue fur. Shaggy gray mane, and silver eyes. Short stubby tail.’ I described him to her slowly, with each feature she smiled more and more. Tears freely running down her face.”

“‘Tell her to not cry. I hate to see her cry. She used to cry a lot after I died. During every lunch time.’ I gave him a nod. ‘He says to not cry. He doesn’t like seeing you cry.’ I repeated his words to her.”

“‘Oh Ashen. . . My brother. Always looking out for his sister.’ She sniffs, and leans against his desk. ‘He really is there? He’s always been there?’ She asked, but it wasn’t much of a question. She just wanted to hear it again, really. ‘Yes. He’s there.’”

“‘I’ll always be here. Until you have to join me.” He said. ‘He’ll always be there.’ I told her with a smile. leaving out that last part for obvious reasons.”

“‘Is there anyway you can let me see him? Like you can?’ I really had to think about that. I really wasn’t sure if i could. . . or wanted to for that matter. But, I decided I should give it a shot.”

“‘I’m not sure. . I know a spell. . I could try it on you. . . But, I don’t want to make you like me’ She gave a small nod ‘I understand that. But, it would be worth it. To see Ashen again. Anything would be worth it.”

“I lit up my horn, and let my silver aura wrap around her. And even though I was young, and barely had any control over my magic, I felt something. Something deep in my mind. Something guiding me. It helped me move my magic aura over Ashen as well. I saw his form flash slightly, and I watched as Miss Melody's closed eyes flashed as well.”

“I watched her open them slowly.  I saw as she looked at him directly for the first time in what had been years for her. I watched the small smile on her face as she cried tears of joy. They didn’t say anything to each other, they didn’t need to really. I just sat in my seat, and watched this small reunion of a lost family.”

“It was then that I felt the warmth on my flank. I glanced down and saw the moon that would adorn my flank. To most foals that age, when they get their cutie mark, it’s a big deal. They jump, and scream. I just sat there instead, with a small smile.”

“And, after a couple minutes of joyful tears, the teacher looked to me. ‘Thank you. I really owe you one for this.’ I shook my head at her. ‘No. You don't owe me anything, other than that thank you. This is what I am meant to do. And, really, all I can ask for is your thanks.’ I smiled at her, and she smiled back.”

“Hm. Sounds familiar.” The stallion said, teasing me. I stick my tongue out at him.

“Hush. Let me finish my story.” He smiles, and motions his hoof across his mouth, ‘zipping’ it closed.

“‘Then thank you again. Really, Revenant. It means a lot to me.’ I give a small nod. We both heard the small chatter and hoof steps of students starting to head back to the room.”

“‘Think you can keep it together for the rest of class?” Melody rolled her eyes, and nodded slowly. She took her place behind her desk, and I just stayed in my seat. We both watched as the students filled back into the room. Oblivious to our extra classmate, oblivious to the events that just happened. Oblivious to my newly aquired cutie mark. But, both me and Melody looked at each other, giving a small nod.”

“We knew. That’s all that mattered. A brother and a sister reunited. Together again.”