Even in Darkness There is Light

So this is where my journey ends… I didn’t expect it end like this… Well, at least made a friend before it all ended.

This is not where your journey ends little one… You still have a destiny to fulfill!

Huh? Princess Luna? I regained consciousness which I had thought would never have happened… I’m alive still, wait a second where’s Crystal? “Look at that, your awake.” I turned my body towards the doorway to see a gray Pegasus with an oddly multicolor mane.  His mane was separated by two colors, half of it was white the other half was black.

“What did you do to Crystal?” I asked angrily trying to get out of the bed but miserably fell to the hard floor.

“Whoa easy, the Changeling girl’s alright.” He rushed towards me. “Her body had less poison in it than yours and your body is still recovering.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“Heh sure are a feisty one towards the one who gave you the antidote of that dreadful venom of Velvet Bane.”

“Wait, Velvet Bane? You mean the mare that poisoned us?” Who is this Velvet Bane?

“Yes, that mare who attacked you was a bounty hunter. I have no idea what she was trying to obtain, but I noticed by the needles it was surely her doing.”

“Ugh I rather not talk about it…” Just to get peaches? At that moment the Pegasus who claimed to be named Fate heard my stomach growl.  Just how long have I been out?

“I figured you would be hungry for being out for 3 days…” He had to help lift my weakened body back onto the bed.  Well I guess I didn’t mind that, but I had to be spoon fed due to my condition.  It was like being treated like a kid… “Hey you need to eat something to regain your strength.” I really didn’t like the idea of being spoon fed but my stomach fell into the temptation.

“Destiny! You’re awake!” It was Crystal; I was relieved to see she was doing well. “You been out for quite a while I was quite worried.”

“I’m recovering slowly thanks to Fate, and I’m glad to see you walking.”

“Excuse me to interrupt this reunion,” Fate blurted out randomly, “there is actually something I want to talk about with you.”

“What is it?” I asked wondering where he was getting at.

“I believe that you two are the ones I have seen in my visions, a prophecy i should say.”

“A prophecy?” What’s up with this Pegasus now he’s going on about prophecies!

“Listen to me!” His voice tone changed suddenly. “It was destined that one day I would come across two wanderers who were unique. A Changeling and an Earth Pony who did not acquire her cutie mark. There’s more… Throughout our journey we will encounter 3 more ponies who will accompany us.”

“Wait you mean you’re coming with us?” He’s starting to get on my nerves…

“It is fate!” He yelled stomping one hoof into the floor. “I lived my life up until this moment, the prophecy will be fulfilled.”

“If what you say is true, I accept your offer.” I replied, I didn’t know what it was but I felt something truly odd about Fate.  When his presence was near me it felt as if some sort of aura surrounded him.  It truly was an odd feeling I couldn’t explain it well.  Before we could continue our journey, I needed to recover.  The venom surely took a toll on my body making me lose most my strength, let alone the ability to stand up properly.  Fate and Crystal agreed that it was a good idea I got some more rest and left me in peace.  Prophecy? I don’t understand, it’s true I ventured out here to see if there was a chance to get my cutie mark but now I must fulfill a prophecy? I was too frustrated trying to process what I heard from Fate’s speech. I slowly felt my energy drift away and I fell asleep.

I awoke the next morning, but the effects of the venom were still in effect.  I could stand, but I would have to walk slowly…  My body felt numb still but I didn’t want to delay any longer.  Crystal and Fate gave a face of worry as they saw me struggling to walk a few steps.  I was going to fall down again…  Fate swiftly came to my aid and caught me with one of his wings before I hit the ground. “You sure it’s ok for you to be stumbling around like that?”

“I’m fine I may be weak at the moment but I’m not useless!” He was really concerned for me though.

“Never said you were…” he quickly lifted me up with his wing so I was on his back.  It made me blush a bit plus it was embarrassing.

“Hehe how cute!” Crystal giggled.

“Well let’s go Crystal.”  Oh great how embarrassing, now Crystal probably thinks I have a thing for this stallion… He was right though, I would just be slowing us down with me falling all over the place.  I didn’t like the fact I was on this Pegasus’s back, but I guess life isn’t always fair.  “Any clue on to where we are headed Destiny was it?” Hehe… oops…

“Well…” I started, “not really.” He let out a sigh. Yeah I’m an idiot I admit.

“Actually now that I think of it where did you plan to go from the start Destiny?” It was Crystal who became confused on my intents.

“This is actually my first time venturing out into Equestria, I have never left my town before. What makes it worse is I’m 18 and I have no cutie mark. Long story short, I have only little experience from the books I have read and I have no knowledge about the outside world.”

“I suggest we go to Canterlot first then, but I’m a little concerned about her.” Fate pointed to Crystal.  That’s right…  Canterlot was where Queen Chrysalis and her Swarm tried to overthrow Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.  I’m sure everyone there will show hostility towards Crystal.

“It would be wise I just sit outside the city and await your return,” she suggested, “don’t want to attract unneeded attention.”

“Sounds like a plan! To Canterlot.”

“Says the one who can’t walk,” Fate teased.  I just rolled my eyes and ignored the comment.  Canterlot is still quite some distance away; Fate suggested we set up camp so we could regain the strength we would need for tomorrow.  Maybe I could finally walk again too.  It was to our luck that Fate provided provisions so we wouldn’t starve to death; surprisingly he was a good cook too.  Crystal fell asleep next to the warm fire that we kindled.  I stared into its crimson flames remember that day of what could have been my new home.

Fate caught the expression I was giving the fire.  “Fire… What does it remind you of?” I took my gaze off the fire and he saw the cold look I gave him.

“It reminds me of how cruel the world can be and that a gift given to us can be misused…” I replied coldly.

“What you say is true, but deep inside I feel a deep hatred toward all pony kind within you.” His response made me even more suspicious of him.

“What do you know that I don’t?”

“It’s a good thing we finally get to talk alone. The truth is I know a lot more than you know. I know things such as your fate and your future.”

“You’re mad! You are no prophet and how am I entangled in your prophecy?” He suddenly stood up and walked towards me.

“You are right to have your concerns about me but know this, you may be destined to bring great changes upon this land but are you willing to risk your life for it?”

“Risk my life!? It’s true I may want to bring change among this land but you’re saying I will die doing so?” I have never seen another pony’s rage greater than mine.  His face neared mine and for a moment I was frozen by terror.

“It already has been foretold you cannot change your fate.”

“How do you know?”

“Because fate is a cruel thing… now get some rest. If we get up early we should arrive near Canterlot by sundown tomorrow.”  My fate has been sealed… So this quest really is for nothing… I will die before I even get my cutie mark… Actually, I don’t even care about that now.  What’s up with this Pegasus could he speak the truth?