Chapters Aornos
Chapter 1~ In The Deep.
Dark mysterious waves lapped the white shores in a constant erosion, ripples on the surface signalled the movements of fish both big and small. A quiet forest surrounded the lake, almost as if protecting it from the outside world, shielding it from the troubles of the world. One could only fathom what lingered in the depths of those waves, what beings or wonders of great majesty hidden by the water, the lake was but a mere hint of the greater beauty of the sea.
Sea Storm had never seen the ocean, although he dreamt of it often. His father had been a sailor in the Equestrian Royal Navy, that's how he died, or at least that's why he had disappeared. Sea's mother never said that her husband was dead, only lost at sea, still a possibility of him returning. Sea Storm thought she was being a tad thick if she honestly thought that was possible, although it did also occur to him that she may only avoid saying his father was dead for his sake. Still thick, but nice, at least.
At that moment Sea Storm was wondering whom in Celestia's name made school days so long, he wanted names so he could hunt them down and throttle them in their sleep. The professor was rattling on about something that honestly Sea Storm either didn't care about or didn't find any use in, this happened often in school, Sea rarely found the lessons very useful. Mushy lectures on the importance of friendship or how to work with others, boring.
A prickling sensation spread across the back of Sea Storm's neck, his ears twitched and he shivered slightly. Someone was looking at him, he could always tell, he could feel their eyes from behind him. He had to look, as much as Sea wanted to stay completely still and not move lest he draw attention to himself and more people look at him. Curiosity beat anxiety this time, and Sea turned as subtly as he could around to see whom it was... Oh, he should've known, it was that cute filly again.
Sea didn't actually know her name, he never bothered to pay attention when her name was called during roll-call as he was too busy mentally preparing himself to do the same. He has taken to mentally referring to her as 'Red', as it seemed the most appropriate due to her light pink fur, red mane, and ruby eyes. Red was smiling at him as she often did, Sea Storm always wondered why she did that smile at him with her pretty mouth and cute freckles around her cheeks and nose. They had never spoken, they weren't friends (Sea Storm didn't have any) and yet there she was, smiling with sparkling eyes and a face that could light the darkest of places.
Sea Storm met it with his own queer look, why was she staring at him? And smiling, what was with the smiling? Was she mocking him? Laughing internally? Sea's mind raced with paranoid conclusions until the staring contest became unbearable and with a twitch and a blink, Sea faced the front again, trying with all his might to ignore Red's eyes on his back. He couldn't, so he reserved himself to waiting in agony for this school day to end.
'Tick-tock ', he wanted to go, 'Tick-tock ', the one place he could be himself, 'Tick-tock ', the one place he could be free .
He didn't run when the bell rang, that would draw too much attention. He merely walked as fast he could within the definition of 'walk' and not so fast as to appear to be in too much of a hurry, it was a great skill to have when one wanted to avoid being noticed. Sea Storm slipped through the crowded halls filled with the eager youth, worming and dodging his way through like a well-coordinated servant until Sea Storm finally broke free into the outdoors. The crisp cool spring breeze of north-eastern Equestria greeted his nostrils and Sea took it all in, the air smelt of pine and just the faint touch of salt from the sea, that was only a couple hundred kilometers away.
Sea Storm was focused on a much closer target, however. He made his way left from the schoolhouse and onto the gravel trail that would lead him to his favourite place in the world.
He should have known that his progress would have been hindered, it always was. A brute by the name of Fire Blitz. This colt was as big as an average Stallion and built more like a bull than a pony, with thick forelegs and a large head, he was a year older than Sea Storm whom was fifteen at the time. Sea always wondered why he even bothered to intimidate him, clearly he was the better make specimen than Sea was, and if to add insult to injury, despite all appearances, Fire Blitz was not in fact stupid.
"Sea Storm," Fire greeted pleasantly, as if they were both simple gentlecolts meeting by chance.
"Fire Blitz," Sea Storm replied, he had to play along with this game lest words be replaced by angry hooves.
"Heading to the lake then, are we?" Fire continued.
"Yes, I am."
"And why is that?"
"Because I have no friends?"
"That's right, because you have no friends," Fire Blitz confirmed, a satisfied smile coming onto his lips. "And do you know why you have no friends?"
Sea tried to answer with the accepted response but he just couldn't, his word died as his throat clogged shut and his eyes stung with tears. It frustrated him that these taunts got to him, but they did, because they were true. No one talked to Sea Storm, nobody liked him, they avoided him like the plague. Sea Storm's world was that of glances, giggles behind shameless hooves, and adults whispering when they thought he wasn't listening. They whispered about his father, about how he was odd too, and that it was genetic, that Sea Storm was even more queer and should be taken somewhere to be helped. It always bothered Sea even though he pretended it didn't. Luckily this time Fire Blitz was too in the moment to notice his prey's deviation from the script.
"I'll tell you why, because you're a perverted, disabled, useless piece of garbage, and I bet your mother wishes she smothered you in her crib," Fire grinned viciously as tears broke out from Sea Storm's eyes against his will. "Isn't that right Sea Storm?"
"T-that's right," Sea sobbed.
"Good, you can go now," Fire said, obviously done with him for today.
"G-goodbye, F-fire Blitz..."
Sea Storm ran this time, no one to look at him but the trees. The forest consumed him and the only sound was the crunch of gravel under his hooves, his soft sobs mixed with heavy breaths, and a light sound of water breaking upon rock that Sea ran towards. He had to escape, he had to be free. There, that was where he could be himself, it was only a glimmer of the endless expanse of the ocean but it was still present. The untouched majesty of the deep, the mystery below those gentle waves, powerful enough to break stone, large enough to affect the weather above. The ocean called to him, called to its children, welcomed them into its cool embrace.
The thick bushes gave way to a small clearing, a rocky beach that Lake Aornos lapped gently against. Immediately a sense of calm washed over Sea Storm, like a cool shower of water, the tears ceased and his breath steadied. He took a deep breath of the moist air, closing his eyes briefly, he felt alive here. An energy buzzed within him, it filled his body and enhanced his senses dramatically. When Sea opened his eyes again the world was brighter, the colours more sharp and saturated, he could feel the water before him churning and flowing, he could feel it moving underneath the sand as the water worked it's way through the earth. Small currents moved in slow circles in the lake, mixing it like a large stewpot, life rode upon these currents, small minnows and larger catfish but that was only the surface. Larger things dwelled within Lake Aornos for it was very deep for a lake, within its dark eldritch waters life became strange and wondrous. Sea Storm could stand there forever just soaking in the beauty of this place.
He couldn't remain though, Sea's mother would come looking for him and be furious at his lateness. Reluctantly Sea pulled himself of of the pleasant stupor he was in and turned back to the trail, he could follow it around the lake all the way to his home and still remain on the edges of the water so that was a plus. Unfortunately for Sea this trail was very public and often used, the sound of crunching gravel from hoofsteps that were not his own, reached Sea Storm's sensitive ears. Two figures rounded the turn in the trail, an elderly couple, out for their evening walk. They would greet him, Sea's heart pounded in his chest, he could tell just by looking at them that these two seniors wouldn't simply walk by him. No, they would say hello, just being polite, and that terrified him.
Just say hello back, it's easy, one word and move on .
Closer, closer, crunch, crunch . Sea wanted to stare at the ground, but that would be impolite, he stared beyond the elderly couple as if they weren't there. Crunch . The stallion looked at him, a kindly smile came onto his lips, Sea's breath became shallow and his throat closed tight and dry. Crunch . Here it came. Crunch . He was opening his mouth. Crunch . Just keep calm. Crunch . I can't. Crunch
"Hello," The stallion said in a friendly tone.
"Hello ," Sea Storm croaked oddly.
His heart slowed as the couple walked past without incident, they gave neither a backwards glance nor a queer look to Sea which was an enormous relief. He released a great sigh and the fear seemed to wash away to the sound of the lake and Sea's own solitary hoofbeats. The rest of his way was uninterrupted to his many thanks, his house came into view through the forest that separated it from the lake. Besides the aforementioned lake, this house was the place he felt secure.
The house itself was nothing of special design nor form. Two floors, an off-white paint that peeled like dead skin off a blister, grimy windows looked like opaque and pointless pieces of glass. The entire building sagged as if defeated by its lot in life, the corners and crooks showed evidence of habitation by small animals, dry nests poked out like creatures of their own. The front door was airy cracked shuttered thing that creaked as Sea pushed it gently open, despite the decrepit condition of the house it still claimed Sea Storm to be there. He breathed in the salty air that clung to the walls and spike of the sea, it mixed and cultivated and danced with the other smells. Cinnamon, spices, roasting hay and the smell of flowers, these wafted through the house and cut right through the salty air. Mom was home.
She was in the kitchen, making dinner. A tired looking mare whom once was a great beauty, now her green eyes were tired and rimmed with dark circles, her brown mane was frayed and tied back in a messy bun, her beige coat bunched up in places. Still, Sea Storm always thought his mother commanded and energetic and homely presence that was warm and welcoming, a stance duality to the cool and calm that the Lake provided.
"Hey, mom," Sea said quietly, as much as he loved his mother, talking to her made him uncomfortable.
"Hey, sweetie," Solar Storm greeted. "How was your day?"
"Fine," Sea Storm splurged out the rehearsed response, he was already moving past his mother and towards his room.
The third sanctuary in the wasteland of Sea's life, although technically this one lay within another. Sea Storm entered and lay down on his bed, sighing in relief, outside his window he could see past the trees and to his lake. He rested and drifted off to the sound of waves and the distant smell of the water, a quiet calling to jump and embrace the cool world of the deep. At all times Sea Storm felt this calling, this desire, he felt like he belonged in the water, the land was harsh and unwelcoming but the water, the sea, that represented something bigger. An untapped and unknowable mystery that offered both life and death to those whom entered its domain, an endless world that is in both constant flux and endless unchangeability. It called to its children, with a cool soothing voice, it called them home, welcomed them.
Welcomed them home.
Chapter 2~ Red in the Water
Chapter 2~ Red in the Water
The air was thick, a heavy concoction of lazily floating water particles that stuck to everything and sutured it, was both good and damp. These water droplets would gather upon one's face until they became proper raindrops and rolled annoyingly down the face, and to top it all off, it was very warm. The lake steamed and shimmered in what light could breech the nearly opaque white blanket that encompassed the world. However, these conditions where perfect for those wishing to go unnoticed, like thieves, or, in this instance, Sea Storm.
Fog kept other at bay, that meant the lake would be all his. Yes, after school, when everyone else headed him to wait out this undesirable weather, Sea Storm did as he always did. Even Fire Blitz didn't want to be out in the disgusting conditions to torment him. Today was a good day, as Sea Storm sweat uncomfortably and scratched at the clunks of wet fur that formed across his body, he smiled, because he was alone.
Or so he thought.
Through the airborne sea of white, another of colour shot through, just as Sea Storm entered his small little clearing through the course bushes. Somehow this spot pushed through the fog greater than the sun itself, yet this was a vastly different colour and much closer to the ground, in fact it seemed to rest upon it. Sea Storm froze in his tracks as he saw this spot, fear latching onto him like some hungry beast, yet the sensation was only brief, here, with the lake nearby he had courage. He felt neither the warmth of the day nor the cold sting of fear, only a steadiness that flowed into him like water, his senses came alive, he felt every grain of sand underneath his hooves, grinding and rubbing against one another with every subtle shift he made. Every droplet of water as it touched his flesh, he felt his fur absorb most of it and the rest fill his open pores. His eyes widened and for him the white sheet rose, he could see clearly even though no such thing happened, that red spot was joined by other colours, light pink fur, ruby eyes, small little freckles around the mouth and nose.
It was the red filly.
That confidence Sea Storm once had was gone in an instant, replaced by utter terror. His senses remained but not even the indomitable waves of the lake could hold his courage against the unstoppable and unbreakable fact of the little red filly, sitting there, watching the lake just like Sea Storm had done every day for the vast majority of his life. It left him speechless, his mouth open in sheer utter disbelieve at what he was seeing, the panic was there too, why was she there? Had she noticed him going to the lake so consistently that she found his hiding spot? Was she here to torment him? Assure that he could never feel secure nor safe at this place again? Assure that the solidity of the lake was lost to him? All these thoughts were terrifying and they floated around Sea's brain and made his head feel as heavy as the warm damp air. As he stood there like a fool, it was only a matter of time before Red noticed him, which she did.
"Oh, hello," she said, immediately giving Sea that cute smile that burst through his barriers like an angry dragon and directly attacked his weakest points. "Didn't see you there."
"I... Uh... Yeah, uh, hm, uh, hi?" Sea Storm stammered, one could've sworn there was steam coming from his cheeks was it not for the fog that already shrouded them both.
"I guess you like the lake too, huh?" She was still smiling, Sea Storm didn't like it, but he did, but he didn't but agh!
"Uh, yeah, I do..." Smooth
"I come here sometimes when I need to think, I don't know, it's just really nice and calm here," Red giggled a bit, a bubbly light sound that carried far on the air and made Sea feel like he was safe. "That probably sounds dumb."
"N-no, I get it," Sea assured her. "I come here all the t-time... Everyday more l-like."
"Glad you understand..." Red paused. "You're Sea Storm right? You sit in front of me during class?"
"Y-yeah," Sea was still blushing, he really didn't know why. "Uh, s-sorry, I don't know your name."
"That's okay, I'm Rose Blossom," she said with a smile. Sea Storm frowned a bit, in his head 'Rose Blossom' had always been Red, and now staring at her cute face he couldn't think of her as anything else. No, she was Red, that's what he was going to call her.
"Can I just call you 'Red'?" Sea blurted out without thinking. I meant in my head you idiot! "T-that's just what I call you in my head."
Red laughed again, that was a good sign, or at least Sea hoped so. Once she quieted down she took a quick step towards Sea Storm, within the timespan of a breath she was very close to him. Sea's immediate reaction was to panic and to run, no one could enter what he deemed his personal space, it was unseemly, unprecedented, yet this little red filly had a natural talent of taking what Sea Storm thought he knew about the world around him and dissolving it, leaving him flustered and speechless.
"Fine, but I'm gunna call yoooouuuu... Blue!" Red said, giving Sea a playful shove in the shoulder. Sea barely noticed as he stared wide-eyed at the filly before him, at this range he could make out every detail of her face, the little flecks of gold in her eyes, her uneven teeth, each string of hair. Her grin that disarmed him, broke down his barriers, it was frustrating, why was this small inconsequential filly able to so easily pierce into his very psyche with nothing but a giggle and a smile while a hundred others had been unable to do so with all the words and angry hooves in the world. Sea Storm didn't understand.
"O-kay," Sea Storm said dumbly.
"Great!" Red exclaimed.
"Y-yeah..."
"Hey, you wanna get some ice cream? My mama gave some allowance," Red offered.
"S-sure!" Sea Storm said, his rehearsed politeness stopping him from actually assessing the offer. As Red pulled him up the hill, he spared a look back at the lake, the water bubbled a bit as if to say goodbye. When they reached the top of the hill, the fog began to retreat, a sucking sensation shivered across Sea's body as the moisture escaped his fur and as the day cooled down.
Red dragged Blue to the ice cream parlour, Sea wondered how he had never noticed it before, then again he never went anywhere besides school, his house, and the lake. It was a quaint little shack of a building with garish white paint that was peeling and crusted over with sea salt, faded signs on the walls advertised the diversity of flavours one could purchase and somber letters atop the window read 'Silver Whisper's Wholesome Ice Cream'. Silver Whisper himself was a stallion of about eighty, but to Red and Blue he could've and might as well have been a thousand years old. With grey faded fur that may have been white once, brown eyes that spoke of eons but with a kindly light that made one feel both small and very important. He didn't talk much, in fact he didn't talk at all, only smiled toothlessly at Red when she ordered for both of them. He dutifully made up their cones as if it was the most important task of his life, and when the two children thanked him one could see that it had made the elder's day just to hear that.
Sea Storm thought he was creepy, he said as much to Red when they sat down at a nearby bench, the sun was already breaking through its cloudy chains and heating the earth around them. Great wafts of moisture cascaded upwards into the sky like rain in reverse, it would soon form clouds of its own and come back down as proper precipitation, a cycle Sea Storm appreciated.
"Oh, but he's really nice!" Red responded at Sea Storm's comment.
"Y-yeah, but he makes me uncomfortable," Sea admitted.
"Mm... Do I make you uncomfortable?" Red asked, leaning in with keen interest.
Sea Storm actually had to ask himself that question, the simplest answer was yes but to say that would lack nuance. Yes, this little red filly made him uncomfortable, but not like the creepy ice cream stallion did, or how anyone else did, those people made him afraid, made him want to run and hide. Red did no such thing, she made his chest tighten, his cheeks burn, his voice became louder with her but he stammered more, these affects along with the question presented only made Sea Storm yet more confused. He didn't understand, he hated not understanding.
"N-no, well, n-not really," Sea stammered, it was really the best answer he could give.
"Then why do you stammer so much around me?" Red asked, tilted her head cutely.
"B-because you're cute," Sea blurted and immediately regretted it, what? How? Why'd he say that?! This was a source of not only anger but frustration for Sea, his usual control and mask he put on was obsolete in the presence of Red. Now he'd gone and embarrassed himself, she was probably going to laugh at him, ridicule him, tell everyone who would listen about how pathetic he was which would open the floodgates of torment. Red did laugh, or rather, she giggled, that high clear sound that made Sea feel at ease despite his anxious terror, a small blush was on Red's pink cheeks as well, she was flattered?
"I think you're cute too, Blue!" Red said happily, and she leaned forward, Sea Storm didn't have time to react. Red had vanilla ice cream coating her snout, it was the smell that reached him first, the cold aroma of the frozen desert coupled with a cool breeze. Then came the warm, the heat that radiated from Red like she was the sun itself, it mingled with the heat of Sea Storms cheek. Soon he felt both the heat and the coolness as Red gently pressed her lips against his cheek, with that strange hot-cold sensation that came with it, leaving a wet spot where her spit and some vanilla ice cream were left behind. Sea Storm was ice cream, frozen, unable to move, and yet with no form, no solidity, today was a day which anything could happen it seemed. As in the last few minutes or so a red filly had shattered everything a blue colt ever knew and thought possible and it was all Blue could do to keep it all together, he should panic, he should run, he should do anything, yet all he was capable of was dumbly sitting there and accepting the situation.
Sea Storm didn't understand.
"We should hang out some more, Blue," Red said happily as she retreated, she munched down the rest of her ice cream. "You're fun!"
"Uh, y-yeah, uh, huh?"
"Anyway, I gotta go, my mama doesn't want me out so late, bye Blue!" Red jumped down and gave him a wave and a wink before trotting off.
"Y-yeah, g-goodbye," Sea Storm said dumbly, relying purely on vocal instincts at this point as all cognitive functions shut down. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity, in reality it was more like fifteen minutes, staring dumbly ahead but not really seeing anything. The world seemed bright, the colours sharper, the smells hit him hard, scents of vanilla, chocolate, and mint mixed with distant aroma's of pine and salt combined with a musty smell of damp grass that was quickly becoming dry in the evening sun. All this information and yet Sea Storm's brain registered none of it, not even when Silver Whisper wobbled over and collected Sea's long-melted chocolate ice cream, he passively cleaned the mess left behind and gave the small blue child his toothless grin filled with knowledge before leaving.
Eventually, Sea Storm did move, he reached upwards to touch his cheek upon the spot where Red had made contact. The area was crusted over with a disgusting mesh of dried sugar and cream and saliva that clung to his facial fur, and yet Sea Storm had no desire to wipe it off. In fact he felt great, amazing even, his breath came in strong and clear and his eyes were two wide disks. He felt alive, awakened, a sensation not too dissimilar to when he was alone at the lake.
The lake.
He had left so abruptly, so suddenly, he wasn't able to have his usual moment of quiet reflection. For some unfathomable reason Sea Storm felt an obligation to do so, it was if the lake was a person and he had wronged them. His eyes turned towards the lake, the distant scent of salt and moisture lingering in his nostrils, Sea Storm left his seat at Silver Whisper's Ice Cream, temporarily forgetting both Red and the mark she left behind. The lake called to him, he could think of nothing else.
Down the hill he went in an almost dreamlike state, Sea Storm pushed through the tree branches with dumb determination. They whipped and pulled at his fur, some actually drew blood, he did not notice, he was alive, more than ever before. More than any other casual visit to the lake, more than the red filly made him feel, the colours almost burned into his brain, he could taste the salt in the air, the moisture, the water. Oh, the water, as Sea Storm burst through the bushes he could hear it, a rushing endless source of power and ancient mysteries, it wasn't just a single body but a thousand individual particles working in tandem together to create an entirely separate world from that on the surface.
Sea Storm didn't stop when he reached the sandy beach, no he kept going, drawn ever forward by some unidentifiable force. When the cool water kissed his flesh it made him burst inside with energy, a crackling sensation could be felt from the point of contact to the rest of his body. Slowly but with a mindless determination Sea Storm slowly walked further and further into Aornos, the water came to his knees, then his chest, it tinkled his chin and without a moment's hesitation he submerged his head.
Sea Storm didn't breath, in fact he felt no need to, rather he floated forward gently carried by what momentum there was from his last step upon the land. It was dark, or at least it would've been to anyone else. To Sea it was as bright as day, every floating participle was a star whether it be sand or simple debris, each fish shimmered with a rainbow light, it was almost blinding, overwhelming. A presence all around him, undaunted, unchallenged, it filled his ears and body, an energy like none other, it sparked like lighting across his spine and the world melted away before him.
Huge waves beat against black rocks, throwing up huge puddles of foam that cascaded into the sand. The foam gathered and sparked with energy as a form raise out of it, bubbling water that froze on the spot into ice, it stood there for a moment before it was joined by another huge gargantuan firm. The huge sea creature beached itself with ease and let out a long mournful cry, it was like a huge fish, with a thick black tail, large bulbous head and eyes as big as a fully grown stallion with brown irises. It let out another cry, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. From its maw came a mist that lingered in the air briefly before falling onto the water form. Detail came onto the form, fur, flesh, eyes, ears, a tail and a mane. The newborn Sea Storm fell to his side in the beach as the sea creature shuffled its massive weight, shaking the land as it did so, before returning to the sea.
Like rain washing away filth the vision came away and Sea Storm returned to reality as his head broke the surface. He did not gasp for breath, he didn't need it, instead he laughed. A loud, carrying, joyous, and slightly mad laughter. He weakly swam to shore and dragged himself onto the sand before collapsing, he shook violently and felt slightly sick in the stomach as all the energy had been drained from him in an instant. Yet Sea Storm had never felt better, he laughed and laughed, rolling back and forth on the ground, his fur becoming caked with sand and dirt. His mother would later question why he was so filthy but that didn't matter to Sea at this moment, nothing did, not school, not his worries nor anxieties, or even Red who's mark had been washed from Sea Storm's cheek.
Sea Storm didn't even notice the sensation from his rump, nor the flash that came from there. Not even the three blue wave lines that appeared on Sea Storm's flanks, no, during his ecstatic laughter he did not notice when he got his Cutie Mark.
Chapter 3 ~ The Storm Dost Quell The Fire
Chapter 3 ~ The Storm Dost Quell Fire
Chapter 3~ The Storm Dost Quell The Fire
Today was a gloomy day, and the sky wept.
Large cold droplets of semi-frozen water plopped to the ground with heavy wet splashes. This was what many called a “dirty rain” it was a murky and soiled downpour that completely drenched anything that it touched. It cut through all clothing and soaked the poor pony underneath. Umbrellas were useless, as the heavy half-solidified precipitation weighted down the top until the accessory bent and broke. Everyone was simply doomed to get wet.
Sea Storm didn't mind. The rain never bothered him anyway.
His fur hung in heavy wet sheets that shook and dripped. Water was constantly running down his face and into his eyes. His mane and tail hung down matted to his body as he walked down the muddy dirt road, the wet ground splashed and jumped up to stain and dirty his fur. Soon, almost all of Sea Storm's lower half was caked with mud and wet grass strands. He was carrying almost half of his total weight in absorbed water, yet, despite that Sea felt as weightless as he would be if fully submerged.
He could see every droplet as it fell. He could see them morph and tumble and shake before splattering into the ground and splitting into hundreds of droplets. He could feel all the raindrops that he couldn't see, feel them vibrate and teem with a subtle but apparent energy. That energy was within him too, it filled his body to the brim and warmed him like the southern waters of Saddle Arabia and it outmatched the cold of the rain. Everything was of a higher detail through Sea Storms eyes, he could make out the colour and could see every grain of dirt upon the ground. This always happened when Sea was around so much water, or at least it had been happening ever since he had received his Mark.
He still wasn't sure what the Mark was supposed to represent. Obviously it had some connection to the sea but there was no specifics to be derived. Sea Storm’s mother was capitulated by the fact that her son got his Mark rather than the logistics of what exactly that meant. Red on the other side of things had been very excited for him, in fact she and Sea Storm had spent the past day talking about what his Mark could possibly mean. That was where Sea headed now.
Red was sat under the heavy canvas awning that stood in stark defiance to the heavy rain that beat down upon it. Said awning was attached to the ice cream parlour that – also as if in defiance – remained open despite the fact that it would only have two customers that day. Red sat at a completely dry table where she licked away at a strawberry cone. Sea Storm approached and she looked up in excitement at his appearance.
“Blue!” She called out against the heavy splashing of the rain. “Come over here! You’re all wet!”
Red was evidently dry. Sea Storm was quickly beginning to turn pink as he stared at red filly with defiance; rebellion, a challenge to all the order and structure to Sea Storm’s world. He didn't question how Red was able to stay dry in a world as wet as the ocean. He simply accepted it as her mere nature. It was better for Sea’s stress levels that he didn't put much thought into how Red did things.
“I don't mind, I like the rain,” Sea Storm said, he joined under the canapé and shook the water from his dripping fur in great waves. Naturally not a droplet of it landed on Red, but this time only because Sea took great care not to wet what was perfectly dry.
“Of course you do,” Red giggled which made Sea’s chest tighten. “Sit your plot down! We have work to do!”
“Well, I know you’ll have a whole list of ideas by now,” Sea Storm said as he sat down.
“Just one actually,” Red said. “I was thinking… What if your Mark doesn't represent any specific thing about water but… All of it? The sea, the lake, the rain, everything?”
That didn't make any sense to Sea Storm. How could his special talent be all of the ocean? He had never even seen the ocean, the lake was the largest body of water for leagues in every direction. No, it made more sense that Sea’s mark was related to the lake itself, perhaps he was meant to maintain the lake, keep it in a clean and good condition. It made sense as Sea had always felt a connection to the lake that was not unlike the strange connection he felt to Red. The lake had given him his Mark, and in return he had to be its guardian. As these thoughts went through Sea’s head he felt a prickling and crackling sensation shoot up his spine as if a Mage had shocked him with electricity. Sea drew a sharp breath and suddenly he felt full of energy and assured about his course in life.
“I don't think that's even possible,” Sea said. “More likely it has something to do with the lake. Maybe I have to take care of it or something? I'll figure it out eventually.”
“Well, as long as you’re happy then I'm happy!” Red exclaimed. “Look, the rain has stopped. We should head to school, c’mon cutie bluey!”
“Can… Can we just stick to with “blue” please?”
“Nope!”
The rain had indeed stopped, the Pegasi above kicked some holes in the solid grey layer of clouds to let some sunlight through. Where the light touched came the heat and waves of steam began to rise where the sun’s warmth reached. The rest was left to shadow and remained as wet as the lake itself. Red and Blue’s hooves splashed through the puddles and the mud left behind by the downpour as they headed to school.
The brown brick building had darkened several shades from the rain. Droplets were condensed on the windows and parts of the roof were dripping with water, creating a small puddle just outside of school. They were forced to pass through if they wanted to enter. Red dived through with barely a spray upon her, Blue simply stepped through as the water would make no difference to the ocean he carried with him.
Other students were braving the cold water gauntlet as well. Many already had and were gathered in the main foyer where they spoke and socialized before class begun. Sea Storm was accustomed to these people staring at him, he was different, he was odd and an oddity. He never imagined that Red would always be a recipient of such stares. She was always socializing with the more… Well, sociable people. And yet, when Red wasn't looking or when she passed by they would stare. These stares were different from the ones Sea’s received, while those were filled with contempt and laughter at his oddity. The looks given to Red were filled with awe, interest, jealousy even. Red was a whole other class of 'odd', people wanted to be friends with her, but Red wouldn't give them the time of day which was why some of those looks were filled with shock and angry jealousy when they saw Red and Blue walking into school thick as thieves. It wasn't right in their eyes.
Both of them ignored the stares of course, but in different ways. While Sea kept his head down Red kept hers high and profound. She would smile almost spitefully at everyone she passed, Red owned what she was, Sea Storm merely accepted his lot in life.
They entered their classroom and sat down, Blue in his usual seat and Red sat right next to him rather than at her spot behind him. She gave him a smile and a wink and Sea Storm offered a weak half-smile in return. That smile quickly disappeared when Fire Blitz walked in. His look was grumpy, deep seated, he looked upset and when his eyes locked onto Sea they filled with loathing and blind hate. Sea Storm would suffer for whatever had upset Fire Blitz this morning.
He sat down in Red’s usual seat, right behind Sea Storm which made his blood pressure spike. He tried to breathe and keep himself from panicking, but he just couldn't to do it, he needed to know what Fire Blitz was doing behind him. Sea must’ve has a distressed look on his face, because the next thing he knew, Red was laying a soft comforting hoof on his own. Surprisingly, it helped quite a bit as Sea Storm felt his heart settle as he calmed down. The mere warmth of Red’s hoof was enough to steel his courage and convince himself that whatever Fire Blitz threw at him he could handle it.
The class progressed normally enough with everyone pretending to pay attention as the professor droned on about Celestia-knows-what. Sea and Red would exchange subtle eye rolls, smiles, and giggles the entire time. Which helped Sea Storm handle what Fire Blitz was doing to pass the time, he would poke Sea’s neck, spit in his mane, Sea could've sworn he also flung pudding or some other soft food as well.
It stopped when Red noticed.
She looked at Sea Storm and her jaw opened just a little. Her eyes filled with the fire of rage and she turned around to face Fire Blitz. The locked eyes, a large brutish colt meeting stares with a small cute filly. Sea Storm could've sworn on the Two Princesses that he saw Fire Blitz faulted under Red’s gaze.
“Stop it,” she said, firm as steel.
And the Fire Blitz did just that, he stopped, he didn't bother Sea Storm again for the rest of the class. The bell did eventually ring and they were released from their borderline mental torture. Red and Blue separated with a promise to meet up later, Red left Sea Storm with a kiss on the cheek that left him rooted to his spot with a heated face and beating heart.
Oh yeah, the lake.
Sea Storm realized that he hadn't spared a thought to his favourite place in the world since the morning. Usually he dreamed of the calming waters, cool breeze, and relaxing atmosphere throughout his entire class. Yet, today he had only thoughts and eyes for Red.
He was struck with guilt once again as Sea felt as if he had abandoned the lake. Sea had a system, a process to get him from one day to another and central part of that was his routine visit to Lake Aornos. This usurping of the natural order of Sea Storms world was very upsetting. There was a moment of revelation where he connected the dots and concluded the only changing factor, the only thing that kept him from the lake was the same red filly that had a pension for challenging the very structured environment that Sea Storm had created for himself.
Red, that strange filly had simply strolled into his life and changed everything. And Sea just let her. Somehow, she had circumnavigated his barriers and shook the boat. This wasn't right, this wasn't how Sea Storm was supposed to live, he didn't have friends, he didn't talk to people, he certainly didn't have ice cream with them, and he definitely didn't receive kisses on the cheek from them. This wasn't right, once again Sea Storm felt guilty, the lake had given him his mark, not Red. He could smell it now, even so far from the actual water, Sea could smell the freshwater spray and the sweet alluring aroma of the water plants that grew there.
Without pause he found himself briskly trotting the gravel path around the lake, pushing through the tall grass that bordered it, and splashing into the shallow waters. He swam, bathed, and essentially frolicked like a fish in those cool waters for what felt like hours. Time was meaningless here, the ills of the world inconsequential, all there was to think about was the cool waters and the soaring energy that Sea Storm felt building inside of him that compounded with every second and every dive to the very depths of the lake.
Reluctantly, he did have to bring himself out of the waters, the day was ending and the sun dipping. Sea Storm pulled himself onto shore and gave his wet fur a good shake, he looked around as he wasn't overly sure where he had come to. He saw the small bridge which he recognized, but he also saw the person standing on it in wait.
“You have a good swim?” Fire Blitz asked and before Sea could move or even take a breath, the larger boy had him by the mane and was dragging him back towards the bridge. Sea Storm kicked and screamed to no avail, he was thrown against the wood of the bridge’s floor and kicked in the stomach no less then five times and in the head no less then three.
“You’re an autistic little retard y’know that?” Fire spat. “You'll never do anything, never be a use, never contribute jack-shite to the world, why din't you kill yourself? I know why, because you’re an arrogant little piece of garbage who thinks he's some pretty little princess and the whole world thinks he's special. Well, guess what, the world doesn't work like that. Too bad you never had a dad to kick that into you. It's sad really, but I'm more than willing to give you the beating that you needed, and when I'm done with you I'll get that whore Rose Blossom-“
Anger, no, rage, pure and unprecedented filled Sea Storm to the core with a sensation like boiling water. The pain was gone, so was the fear, Sea didn't care about himself at that moment, the only thing that filled his mind is that this urchin standing above him wasn't going to lay one single grubby filth-ridden hoof on Red. Sea Storm was back on his hooves in seconds, moving faster then he ever had before in his life and with strength he knew not, he slammed his head into Fire Blitz’s chin. Slamming the larger boy's jaw closed on his tongue and sending him sprawling backwards, he looked at Sea Storm with wide eyes and a mouth full of blood. Sea Storm didn't hesitate to land a hard buck kick into his chest which sent Fire over the bridge’s railing and falling the short distance into the shallow water of the stream below with the sound of him cracking against the rocks.
Sea flung himself over the railing after him, landing on his hooves with the immense balance and grace. As he approached Fire Blitz, whom lay in the shallow water struggling to stand on what looked to be a sprained leg the water began to suddenly surge around them. As if heavy rain was falling elsewhere, the water rose to touch Sea Storm’s underbelly and it reached up to Fire Blitz’s chin as he lay on the ground. The colt would try to stand, to keep his head above water but it was a fruitless effort as his injuries kept him immobilized. He did manage to crash at Sea Storm whom stood solid as a rock, his eyes pleading and in panic.
“Please, please! I can't swim!” He begged.
Sea Storm stared at him, and with energy crackling inside of him he placed an almost tender hoof atop Fire Blitz’s head and gently pushed it under the water. His body jerked and struggled weakly as bubbles surfaced from his head but within a minute or two he would go limp and be carried gently out into the deeper waters of the lake. There he would like and be consumed by the black depths as if he was swallowed by an eldritch beast.
Chapter 4 ~ Red and Blue
It was four days before they dragged the thing that was Fire Blitz out of the lake.
His mother came round first, knocking on doors and asking if anyone had seen her son. None had, none of his friends knew, none of the classmates, and when asked personally, Sea Storm had given a silent shake of the head. It wasn't too long before the poor mare was forced to alert the local guard captain, a sleepy old stallion whom enjoyed his cider a tad too much, still, he was not one to brush off a missing child. So he roused all six of his stallions-in-uniform to conduct an investigation. The school was searched, Fire Blitz’s locker, his desk, and questions were asked of everyone who knew him. It went on for the better part of those four days and hope was beginning to wane, there was talk of sending news to Vanhoover that a child was missing and possibly had been kidnapped. For the sleepy town that bordered a small lake, an event such as this was unheard of. Terror and paranoia reared their heads as the nights grew darker and as the cold creeped in much faster than was the norm.
It was then he washed up on shore, bloated, half-decayed and eaten by sea life, it was a horrid sight to see. Word spread quickly, horrified whispers, scared children, school was cancelled as the Vanhoover guard was called and the small town saw more activity than it had in years as it played host to a full detachment of guards complete with an investigator, everywhere one word was on everyone's lips: “Murder? ”
“I know Fire Blitz was a bully, but he didn't deserve to.. Die,” Red said, she hadn't touched her ice cream. They sat in Silver Whisper’s parlour, the first time their parents had allowed them to leave their homes due to fear of the murderer still being at large, it was only because if the Vanhoover guards marching everywhere that it was deemed to be safe enough to walk around… During the day.
“Blue?”
“Huh?” Sea Storm snapped out of his trance, he had been staring at the table.
“You alright?”
“Sure, yeah.”
“Liar.”
“…Alright, you're right, as always.”
“So what's bothering you? Is it about what happened? There's no reason to worry, there's guards everywhere and if some creep comes for you I'll protect you!” Red giggled.
“No! I'm not scared!” Sea Storm suddenly snapped, why was he so angry all of a sudden? But like a tropical storm the fury had suddenly swelled within him, and then it was gone. “I.. I’m sorry, I shouldn't have yelled.”
“It’s okay, Blue,” it clearly wasn't.
A silence fell between them, a tense and awkward one, wherein Sea Storm stared down again and left himself to the typhoon of emotions and thoughts that fomented his mind. Murder, murder, murder, murderer..
“Hey Blue.”
“Hm?” Sea Storm snapped out of it once again to see that Red was holding his hoof, pulling on it actually.
“Come on,” she said with a soft smile. “Come on now.”
Sea Storm allowed himself to be guided, Red walked backwards somehow not bumping into anything. Her eyes never leave Sea’s, they had this strange look to them that Sea Storm couldn't quite place, it was soft yet very deliberate. She guided him down the hill, onto the beach, and without hesitation into the cool waters of the lake. Eyes unwavering they went deeper and deeper until they were both fired to tread water to keep afloat, smiling Red guided Sea Storm’s hooves to her hips while her own came to rest on his shoulders. Slowly they began to twirl, using their legs to propel themselves; they danced, they twirled, at one point they dived and continued their dance, flowing and spinning with the subtle currents, surfacing only for breath. Sea Storm was entranced, he didn't fully understand what was happening or why, but passively following Red’s movements. The currents pushed them as they danced, guiding them safely back to shore until their hooves touched sand, Sea Storm held Red as she still floated in the deeper water. Sea Storm tried to say something, anything, but his voice wouldn't come, he just looked at Red with what could only be called awe.
Red giggled, that high and clear sound, before leading forward and gently placing her lips against Sea’s in a kiss that lasted half a second before she pulled back, still giggling and blushing a little bit. This act, this simple act, send Sea Storm’s world into anarchy, he couldn't think, he could only rear from the mental hurricane that raged, it wasn't right, it couldn't be right, no, no, no, no, no, no, what? Sea Storm was angry, he was confused. People didn't like him, people weren't friends with him, people certainly didn't kiss him, this wasn't how it was supposed to be, it wasn't how she intended it…
Wait what?
Yes, she never wanted me to have friends.
Who? What..
You’re right I didn't.
I don't understand.
You are my instrument, my pawn upon the board, my child and no one shall come between us.
Red doesn't mean any harm.
She is harm, she cannot have you, cast her adrift.
But I…
I command you.
But..
Now.
No.
Do it!
No!
Your will is mine! You will!
N-no…
The Sea has no lover, do it, now.
Sea Storm blinked and without warning gripped Red and pushed, he pushed her under the water and held her there. Her expression didn't change initially, she was still giggling, and even when she drew in a breath to continue and got water she still thought it was a prank and smiled through the spluttering for air. It was when she tried to surface and was denied by Sea Storm firm hoof that her expression change, disbelief, panic, fear it flooded her eyes and face which was completely visible under the water. Her eyes locked with Sea Storm’s, pleading, begging, but they were met with a gaze as cold as the Arctic Ocean, Red’s legs kicked, she struggled and convulsed to no avail. Sea Storm grit his teeth as her movements became weaker and weaker and weaker until… Stillness.
Sea Storm released his hold on her and Red floated into the damp sands, her eyes open and staring without sight. Sea stood over her, breathing, eyes wide, the sound of the water filling his mind as a feeling of tranquility washed over him, his mind gone to another place he didn't know nor care about anything now.
Yelling, there was yelling and he was taken back into realty as he was shoved roughly to the ground and the point of a spear pointed inches from his face, the steely gaze of a guard behind it.
“Put that down you idiot! You’ll scare the boy.”
“But sir he just-”
“I saw it too, now do as I say and be quiet I need to concentrate.”
The guard pulled back his spear giving Sea Storm room to see what was going on, the investigator, the one from Vanhoover, a unicorn with a faded blue coat and a light grey mane who was dressed as a noble. He leaned over Red with magic flared and a brow furrowed in concentration and he poured energy into the small filly, suddenly she spluttered and took a deep gasp of breath as the life returned to her eyes.
“B-blue…”
“Shh, sweetheart, breath, you're alright now… Take her to the healers, I've got this one.”
“Yessir,”
Sea Storm looked up at the face of the investigator, his expression was mixed, half concerned the rest stony and unreadable.
“That thing you just did, did you do it to a colt named Fire Blitz?” He asked.
Sea Storm nodded.
“Who are you?”
“The Sea.”
Things got dark after that, disjointed, Sea Storm didn't really know where he was. He only had the occasional sensation of movement that broke through the trance. He was moved, several times, garbled voices asked questions of him with no avail, moved again into the darkness, it shook and rattled. Sea Storm didn't see the light for what felt like days, the only sign of a world was the food given to him that sat untouched in the corner of his small prison. When they finally arrived he was let out, the sun above blinded him and he hide from it, circling into a ball on the stone ground. They tried to move him but no one wanted to touch him apparently, arguing voices debated what to do while Sea Storm hid himself from the judgmental light, his head held in his hooves.
“We can't just leave him there.”
“Well he's certainly not moving by himself, and you heard the orders, no forcing him..”
“Which I don't get at all, kid or not he's a murde-“
“Can't say that either.”
“Dangit, I know he's a kid but I don't agree with being this light with him, how’re we supposed to get justice?”
“Leave that to me, sir.”
Warmth, comfort, tranquility, these things washed over Sea Storm’s body and he stopped the shivering that he hadn't even noticed. The guards left, their metal-encased hooves fading away as the warmth approached him, knelt by him.
“Look at me,” the voice was calm, comforting, and authoritative. Sea did look up and saw the face of the sun, she glowed, she radiated power, her magenta eyes spoke of eons uncomprehending and Sea Storm felt small compared to that eternity.
“Do you know who I am?” She asked.
Of course he did.
“Princess Celestia,” despite everything, Sea Storm’s voice came out calm and even.
“And your name, child?”
“Sea Storm.”
“Well, Sea Storm, do you like tea?”
Sea titled his head, Celestia’s stern yet neutral expression hadn't changed but he could've sworn she had just asked that question with an air of levity.
“I've never had any before.”
“Well, never better a time as they say, come,” Celestia stood and beckoned to Sea Storm whom really didn't have much choice in the matter, so he stood and followed. This was the first time he had actually observed where he was, in Canterlot obviously, he got a quick glance at the shining city before he entered the place behind the princess. Here the marble floors were so polished, Sea Storm could see himself. Lavish decorations brought life to the hall they walked, paintings of heroic deeds and fabled battles of old, they walked a short way before the Princess passed through a set of doors and into a relatively simple room. It had a small table in the middle and was surrounded by sitting cushions, upon the table was a small golden bell. Celestia sat herself on the far side of the table and Sea Storm took the other, with a wisp of magic the Princess rang the bell and almost instantly a servant appears carrying a tray with a teapot, two cups, a pitcher of cream, and a bowl of sugar, the servant placed the tray, bowed, and left. Wordless Celestia poured the steaming brown liquid into both cups, she poured cream into her own and began piling a generous amount of sugar as well. Sea Storm tried his tea as it was and had to hide his disgust, it was bitter and not much else, he wanted sugar but it didn't seem like the right place to ask for such things.
“So…” Celestia said, she gently blew on her cup before taking a small sip. “Do you understand what you've done?”
“I..” Sea Storm took a moment to actually be terrified of where he was, and what he’ve done, for a brief fleeting moment sanity was regained and he wanted to run and cry at the same time. Yet before he could act on such feelings he was hit by that overwhelming feeling of tranquility, one that promised all would be well, and one that made him speak with disturbing frankness, “I killed two people.”
“Technically you killed one,” Celestia said with equal frankness. “The other was revived by the good detective, but I suppose the grander question is do you know why you did these things?”
“Because she told me to,” came Sea Storm’s automatic response, what? It was if his mouth had not been his own, as if instinct had known the answer, but… Why was “she”? What did that mean? No matter how little sense it made Sea Storm felt like he had just told the complete truth, and Celestia seemed to agree.
“Yes, I suppose she would’ve done that, she's the jealous type Lyr.”
Lyr.
Lyr
The name echoed within Sea Storm’s mind and he felt a strange energy build within him, like he had just eaten lots of sweets, it filled him to his core and arced along his spine. Suddenly he saw not Celestia but the endless waters of what could only be the ocean, the majesty in it, the life it heme and sustained, it was overwhelming and infinite yet all contained within that name Lyr .
“What… Am I?” The first words that were truly Sea Storm’s.
“In simple terms? A container, for a goddess,” Celestia explained simply, sipping her tea. “You will have a part to play, however, your patron has made things quite difficult for me with her… Well, unpredictable nature.”
“That is, I cannot very well overlook what you've done or what more accurately she has made you do, to all the world you have murdered one colt and attempted to do the same to a young filly,” Celestia continued. “So, Sea Storm, I'm going to put you in a place that takes care of special ponies such as yourself, you will be well treated I assure you but I am going to ask you to not to try and leave.”
“Why… Should I agree to that?”
“Because if you don't, I will have to force you, and that will include me doing something I very much would not like to do which is harm a child,” Celestia’s gaze was unforgiving. “You won't make me do that, will you Sea Storm?”
That tranquility left, the calmness left, it was out of the bag now and Sea Storm completely broke down, all semblance of understanding gone, his world shattered, his rules demolished. He cried, he shook, he wanted to puke and he almost did, he wanted to die, so young to actually wish for death and yet in all his grief and anguish Sea Storm prayed for it.
“I… W-won't,” Sea stuttered. “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..”
“Hush now, my child,” Celestia said, kindness entering her voice for the first time. “And sleep..”
Sleep he did, dreaming of the ocean he had never seen. He dreamt of Red and her smile, laughing and inviting him to ice cream, he dreamt of his mother and her warmth, of Silver Whisper and his silent kindness, of school and how it bored him, of his classmates whom judged him, and of the lake that soothed him. Gone, all of it gone, washed away by this Goddess called Lyr.
“Sleep, my child, for the sea must stand with earth, sky, and fire, sleep until she comes, sleep until it is time, sleep Child of the Sea…”
