Chapter 1: Quantum Rush
To think that I was once seen as a legend throughout Equestria and its neighboring nations. Oh how the mighty have fallen. My name is Quantum Rush throughout the span of my life I have seen empires rise and fall at my hooves. My greatest accomplishment is probably helping Princess Celestia and Princess Luna establish their rule. I am glad that I have had the chance to see this nation become one of peace and harmony. Sometimes I like to remember what my life used to be like before I came to Equestria.
I was born in the Crystal Empire. A prosperous civilization that was once a beautiful place. When the sun would rise and its rays would hit the castle it would illuminate the region with a beautiful array of different colors. I was the son of a Unicorn called Sombra, the ruler of the Crystal Empire, he had red eyes a gray coat, and black mane, and my mother was a Pegasus, named Midnight Glimmer, she had blue eyes, a dark blue coat and a white mane. I was born a Unicorn with a light gray coat and a mane as black as night, and the same eye color as my dad.
One can say my life wasn't bad, but I did not have the father-son relationship that I hoped for. He was somewhat distant to me, but he would still tell me, “Son just because I don't always get to see you does not mean that I don't love.” I don't blame my dad for not always being there. If anything, the thing that should be blamed was his position as ruler. The relationship that I had with my mother was a more ideal one. She was the only pony that I could speak with and the only one that truly understood me. She was always smiling. She was the kind of pony that when you saw her smile you could not help but smile back. She was also the only pony that could get my dad out his bad moods. She was able to do this with a simple smile. Growing up I had everything I ever wanted but the one thing that I truly wanted always escaped my grasp, spending time with my dad is all I ever wanted.
As time passed, my dad started to delegate some of his daily task to his generals. Now I was seeing a lot more of him. It was as if he was making time for something. One day, my dad came to me followed by some of his generals and said, “Quantum, it is time to start your training in magic. You are about the same age as I was when I started, so it seems like a good idea to start now.”
“When can we start?” I ask excitedly because now I would be able to spend more time with him.
He gave me a book and told me, “By tomorrow I want you to have read the first few chapters of this book.” Happy to finally be able to spend time with my dad I just took the book and quickly ran off to the castle library.
The cover of the book had a crescent moon on it and it gave me this dark feeling. The words were written in some strange language that was new to me. I spent the entire night going over books of known languages but to no avail. I then opened up the book to see if within it was a way to understand it. After that, I didn't remember anything. I just woke up in my room with my mother hovering over me.
“Looks like you had a rough night, did you spend all your time reading that book your dad gave you” she said in a calming voice.
“I can't remember what happened after I opened up that book mom.”
Out of shock, I yelled, “mom! Am I late for my training session with dad?!?”
“No. He just woke up himself. So hurry up and go downstairs, so you can get something to eat before you start.”
After eating, my dad told me to follow him, we then stopped in front of a wall. “Dad there is nothing here it’s just a wall.”
“Are you sure about that? “Look at it more closely and try to concentrate on what you learned from the book I gave you.” I didn’t know what he expected from me since I had no idea what was written in the book, but I did as he instructed. First, I closed my eyes and put the image of the crescent moon in my head. As I did this, I got that same feeling, but this time, it felt as if I was emitting this dark aura.
“Good now channel that power into your horn and fire it at the wall.” I opened my eyes and was able to see a room behind the wall. I then felt a surge of power transmitting up in my horn. I then aimed at the wall and let out a burst of energy. The wall turned into a black crystal and just started to fade away.
“Hmm… Seems like you put a lot more effort into reading the book then I thought.” We both walked into this dark room and as we walked in it, black, and red lights lit the room from torches hanging by the walls. “The book that I gave you. Do you know what type of magic it holds?” asks Sombra, in a calculating tone.
I thought to myself and then responded “That is a book of dark magic isn’t it?” He just stood there and smiled.
“Yes, it is a book of dark magic. The reason I gave it to you is because, you must first master the type of magic that your enemy would use against you. Once you know how to wield that kind of power, all other forms of magic will come easy to you,” he said with a smile on his face. It was almost as if he knew something that he did not want to tell me. “As of today Quantum, we will start your training. You will one day rule your own empire, so I must teach you how to defend one and how to show your enemy’s that you are not to be taken lightly,” From that day on I would train to become a ruler. I had all of my time devoted to my training because I never had any friends growing up.
I thought that training in magic would bring my dad and me closer, I was wrong I would be lucky if he would come in and check up on me once a month. The road to mastery of dark magic was a hard one. Some spells took me days to learn while others took me weeks to master. When my dad saw that I was easily learning dark magic he changed the type of magic that I had to master. A few days passed and my dad came to me with another book. This time the book had a black and bluish aura around it, and it seemed to give off the feeling of balance. “Since you are able to learn Dark magic easily why not give this book a try,” said Sombra as he gave the book to me.
“Is it safe to assume that you want me to read over this book by tomorrow” I said in a sarcastic tone. As Sombra walked out he heard the tone in which I spoke to him. He turned around and his eyes started to give off a purple aura.
“If you deflect my spell using a spell from that book without any problems then you don’t have to read it,” said Sombra with malicious smile across his face. “If you are so confident in yourself that you don’t need any more training then prove it deflect my spell!” that is where he was right I didn’t have the confidence to take him head on.
“I’m sorry dad I won’t talk back to you,” I said in a quivering voice. Sombra just came over and looked at me and then put his hoof over me.
“Son, I want you to become better than you already are, I am not doing it to punish you. You have proven to be skilled in dark magic. This book I just gave you, I have a feeling that you will really enjoy it,” with his words of comfort he walked out of the room.
I walked out of the room and headed to my room but there was one thing that was on my mind. The way he said “If you deflect my spell using a spell from that book without any problems then you don’t have to read it!” It was as if he intended to fight me with all of his might. At the time I dismissed it as nothing of importance maybe he was just having a bad day.
“What’s wrong Quantum, having a bad day,” as I looked up the pony that was speaking to me was my mom. “Don't worry about what you father told you he is just in one of those moods,” said my mom with a smile across his face.
“I know that mom, it just caught me off guard,” I said in a depressing tone. “It's just that I feel it was my fault that he is in a bad mood, I try really hard to make him proud but as I can see it is not enough for him!” It felt like everything that I did, he would just look down at it. I don't know what he expected from me.
“It's just that your father had a rough childhood. A lot was expected from him when he was younger, how he is treating you now is not how he was treated,” She was right I should not question my dad's intentions.
“Thanks mom you are right as always, sorry to cut this talk short but dad needs me to read this book,” as I walked away I turned around and saw my mom give me a smile. That made me feel a little better but I still could not get that feeling that something dark had hatched in my dad.
I was in my room just lying on the bed not even bothering to open up the book that my dad had given me. I got up and walked to the window to gaze at the moon. When looking at the moon I feel at ease as if all of my worries vanish. I get this feeling as if someone else is looking back at me. When I speak to the moon I feel as if there is someone listening to me, and I feel it goes the same way. That someone also stares back at the moon and talks about his or her problems. I don't feel so alone when I can see and speak to the moon. The lack of friends throughout my childhood really took a toll on me.
“Still as beautiful as ever aren't you,” I said looking up at the moon. “I haven't spoken to you in a while and I am sorry about that, it's just that I have had a lot of things come up at once,” I said in a depressed tone. “Maybe you will be able to shed a little light in my rather dark world right now, why did my dad act like that today, he has never lashed out at me like that,” I said speaking to the moon. “Maybe it is all in my head and I am just over thinking it, he just might have been tired and that was the fatigue talking,” I said while looking around the gorgeous night sky as the moon illuminated it with its presence.
The next morning I walked to the training room to find my dad speaking with my mom, I didn't walk in immediately in fear that I may interrupt something important. “I think that you are being too hard on him Sombra, you have to remember that he is not you,” said my mother trying to reason with my dad.
“I am sorry if it seems that way I am not trying to be, it's just that sometimes I feel as if he does not put in all of his efforts in to this, it is like he is just doing it to please me,” said Sombra with a glare of frustration.
“Is it wrong for him to want to make you happy, at his age all he thinks about is wanting to become like you,” said Glimmer in a sadden tone, as she finished her sentence she began to tear up. Sombra walked over to Glimmer and put his hoof around her and brought her in close.
“I am sorry, I don't like to see you cry Glimmer, and you have a point I should be more lenient with him I don't think that he would like to see you cry either, isn't that right Quantum,” when he said that I walked into the room staring at the floor.
“I'm sorry dad I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with mom, I just thought I would interrupt something important,” I said in a timid voice. “I'll come back later dad, didn't mean to interrupt your conversation with mom.”
“No it's fine, aren't you up a little early though?” said Sombra while moving his hoof telling me to come in.
“You should still be in bed honey it's too early to start you training,” said Glimmer calming herself down. They both walked to where I was standing and gave me a hug.
“You should take the day off from training today Quantum, you have been going at it nonstop for a couple of months now, you have earned a day off,” said Glimmer in a serene tone. This was the first time in my childhood that both of my parents talked to me and gave me hug. It left a feeling of balance and peace in me. I was able to see that we were a normal family.
“Sorry mom, I can't do that if I take the day off it will throw my schedule off and I would have a hard time trying to catch up,” I said with a giant smile. “I like the daily training, so one day I will become as powerful as dad or maybe even surpass him, so it's not a big problem.”
“You really enjoy training your magic don't you Quantum, I just feel that sometimes you exert yourself too much.”
“Don't worry mom I am doing fine, I feel complete when I am in here training or meditating. I don't know how to explain it, sorry mom.”
“I think you might be stressing him out Glimmer, he seems to be doing fine and I am sure that he takes breaks throughout the day,” said Sombra in a concerned tone. “Are you just training and not eating throughout the day Quantum.”
“No dad I take breaks and the cooks usually bring in food for me when I don’t make it to the dining room.”
“Don’t push yourself to hard, you still have to make time for yourself and not just focus on training,” both of them said in union and walked out of the training room.
A few months have passed by, my training was going well and I still had no friends. The reason for that might be that I don't leave the castle much. I started to try my hoof at the book that my dad gave me a few months ago. The magic that the book contained is referred to as quantum magic, it allows the user to control time and bend space at will. In theory the user will have the power of the cosmos at their disposal. Sadly at the time I was far from having that kind of power. The only spell that I could cast with no effort was making time move forward, if I wanted the effect to be greater than a few minutes I really had to concentrate. Not my greatest accomplishment at the time, but I had fun learning it. Seems like what my dad said was not a lie, I did enjoy reading that book. Just reading the book gives me the feeling of being connected to the universe.
One day during my training my dad came up to me with saddle bags packed with some food and medicine. “I think now is a good time for you to test your survival skills Quantum, I have decided that you will need to camp out in the tundra for a week, do you agree to that,” Sombra said with a malevolent smile. “The only thing you will have is what is in the bags and a coat to keep you warm, get ready you leave in an hour.”
“Is this really a good idea dad, what if something happens to me out there, I could be killed” I said in a timid voice while staring at the ground.
“Nothing is going to happen to you, besides you know enough magic to defend yourself from anything that threatens you, so go and say good bye to your mother.” So I walked out of the room to say goodbye to my mom.
“My lord is it wise to leave your son out in the tundra for a week on his own, what if something actually does happen to him,” said one of the generals in a concerned tone.
“If all goes as I believe it will, then he will not be spending a week out there,” said Sombra with malefic gleam in his eyes.
“I don't quite follow what you mean my lord.”
“It doesn't matter what I mean but I am sure that he has the power to do what I expect from him.”
“What exactly are you expecting from him, my lord?”
“I expect him to set in motion a plan that has took century’s to prepare,” with a malevolent laugh Sombra walked out of the training room to his quarters.
“I really hope your father knows what he is doing Quantum, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you,” said Glimmer with a concerned look on her face.
“It will be fine mom, nothing is going to happen to me, and when has anything bad happened to me.”
“I just worry about you, you spend most of your time in the training room practicing magic, and I just don't want you to get hurt,” said Glimmer in a concerning voice. She walked up to me and gave me a hug. “Just promise me you will come back in one piece.”
“I know mom, I will be fine, besides the time will pass right before our eyes, it will be like I never left,” I said with a smile on my face trying to comfort my mom.
“It is time, have you gathered all the things you will need for your trip Quantum,” said Sombra in a stern voice.
“Yes dad, all of my preparations are complete, I put on that black hooded clothes you gave me and some food,” I said with a smile on my face. With everything ready Sombra conjured a portal to the tundra. I stepped through and was greeted by blizzard that had covered the landscape, I could not see anything. I felt that I was walking right in to my death. How was I going to survive out there for a week with the limited supplies I had.
“Good luck out there Quantum, and try not get yourself killed,” said Sombra with an evil smile. When he walked out of the room the portal had closed leaving me to fend for himself for one whole week.
He was then joined by his general’s as he walked to the training room. Once inside Sombra cast spell that had opened up a portal to secret room. They all walked into this dark room. Sombra cast a spell that illuminated the entire area. “So are all the preparations nearly complete,” asked Sombra.
A unicorn with a black coat and a gray mane named Osiris one of Sombra’s Generals spoke first “Yes my lord everything is going as planned, but was it really necessary for you to leave Quantum out in the tundra.”
“Yes it is Osiris, I need to test him. I need to know if he is able to use quantum magic,” said Sombra in a forceful voice.
“I am sorry if this angers you my lord, but what makes you so sure that he will follow your orders when he is older.”
“You don't have to worry about that Osiris, if all goes as planned then he will do as I say no matter what.”
The other Generals sat back as the two talked about Quantum. One of them finally asked “So what exactly is your plan my lord, you have not really told any of us what it is you intend to do.”
“ First we need to see if he is able to use quantum magic, as you may know that is a type of magic that has not been seen in years, and if Quantum is able to use it then we will have time and space at our disposal.”
“Then if this plan revolves around Quantum why did we have to raise that other colt?” asked one of the Generals.
“He is a backup just in case something happens to Quantum or if he decides to leave. If all goes as planned then the future of our empire will be a bright one.”
Osiris with a disgusted look on his face asked Sombra “Do you even love your own son, he looks up to you and wants to make you proud of him, and yet you use him like a pawn.”
“I do love my son, never question that, I would lay down my life to keep him and his mother safe! The only reason this plan must be executed is to prevent a coming disaster.”
“Then why go about it in secret why not tell him, and let him in on your plan. It is not like it would change anything.”
“That is where you are wrong Osiris, it would change the entire outcome. I am done discussing the plan with all of you, now everyone return to your duties.”
All of the Generals walked out of the room and left Sombra alone. He then cast a spell that sealed the room with him inside it. A black mist started to fill the room, then an ominous voice spoke to Sombra. “It seems that Osiris is not happy about how you are treating your son, will Osiris pose a threat to my plan Sombra.”
“No my lord, everything will go as you have predicted it. He will not pose any threat to what is about to unfold. My only concern in all of this is what if Ether has already spoken to Quantum that would mean that all of this planning was for nothing.”
“That is not entirely true Sombra, we still have the other colt as a backup. Quantum is not a key component of this plan, as long as the other colt grows up to be how we want him then, all is not lost. We do not need Quantum for this plan to succeed.” With Sombra's conversation with the voice ended he left the room in anticipation to see his lord's plan unfold.
Back at the tundra I have been walking around for what felt like hours. My vision was still blurred, I was not able to see my hoof in front of my face. The cold was unbearable, I would have surely frozen to death if it wasn't for my hooded clothes. I continued to walk until I found a cave to sleep in for the night. I had gathered some sticks that were lying around the cave to start a fire. I had dozed off only to be awoken by a loud roar further down the cave.
“What the heck was that, there was nothing in this cave when I got here?” I said in a scared tone. I sat next to the fire for a couple of minutes thinking of what to do next. I decided to go further down into the cave and investigate where the growl came from. The further I went into the cave the warmer it got, it was like I was walking in an oven. Further down the cave I saw a light and heard the roar once again. I had walked in to the room where the light was coming from and there she was a dragon. Her scales were as black as obsidian and her stomach was a shade of purple. This was my first time actually seeing one, when I laid eyes on her I just froze up I didn't know what to do.
“Come in little one no need for you to be scared of me,” she said in a weak voice. I walked in slowly scared out of my mind. Could I really trust this dragon? “Don't worry I won't hurt you, and besides I don't think I have the energy to.”
“I am sorry for intruding, I thought this cave was empty,” I said in a quivering voice. I didn't move from where I was standing in fear that the dragon would attack me. She was just lying there, it seemed like she was in pain. I looked closer where she was, and she was holding something really close to her. I could not tell what it was but it seemed like it was really important to her.
“If I may ask why is a little colt like you alone out in the tundra without proper shelter?”
“My dad sent me out here as a test, to see if my training has paid off. Which is kind of strange because I have no proper survival training.” I said starting to calm down. For the next few hours I would sit in that room talking to the dragon and getting to know her.
“Is something wrong you seem to be in pain, is there anything that I can do to help you,” I asked in a worried tone.
“No little one there is nothing you can do to help me, but maybe you can help this one when it hatches,” she said revealing the object that she was holding close to her. It was an egg, it was her egg.
“See Quantum I came here to wait for my little one to hatch, and guide it for as long as I could. Sadly I have ran out of time and will not be able to see it hatch, so I ask you will you please look over it for me,” she asked with her voice cracking and tears starting to run down her face.
“I will take care of it, you don't have to worry about that, but there has to be something that I can do to help you.”
“No Quantum there is nothing you can do for me, just please keep it safe. Don't treat it differently just because it is not a pony. Treat it like a family member.” After she told me these thing she laid down her head and closed her eyes one last time. “Thank you Quantum for humoring an old dragon like me.”
“No please don't go, there has to be something that I can do to save you,” I said with tears running down my face. I may had only meet her a few hours ago but I considered her a friend, the only friend I had up until that point. I went over to the egg and pulled it close holding on to the last thing that meant the most to her. After mourning her death, I passed out.
“Quantum listen to what I am about to tell you. You won't survive out here for a week, your only way to get back home is to use quantum magic,” said an ominous voice. I looked around to see where the voice was coming from to no avail. Then I thought to myself, is this a dream. “Quantum please listen to me I am here to help you.”
“So what is it that you want me to do, I really can't do much,” I said questioning the voice's intentions. “How do you know my name, and how do you know what I am doing?”
“I know a lot about you Quantum Rush, I know you are the son of king Sombra the ruler of the Crystal Empire, and your mother is Midnight Glimmer.”
“How do you know all of these things about me, have you been watching me, and what is your name?”
“I have been watching you from the start, and I have decided that you will be my champion to face an evil that is coming, as for my name I am called many things but you can refer to me as Ether.”
“Okay Ether so what exactly do you want me to do, I can't cast a powerful quantum spell.”
“That is where you are wrong Quantum, listen to my instructions and a week will pass right before your eyes. First you must get that feeling of balance that the book gave you, next you must concentrate on the amount of time you want to pass, as for the dragon egg keep it close to you when you do this. Goodbye for now Quantum.” I was no longer able to hear Ether, but the thing that had concerned me the most was all the things that he knew about me.
I had woken up confused as to if I had actually spoken to some thing in my dream. “That was a really strange dream, was it real?” I asked myself in confusion. “Maybe Ether is right about me being able to fast forward time, well it won’t hurt to try it out.” I put the egg in my saddle bag and prepared myself for some meditation. I closed my eyes and visualized being back home with my mom and dad. I had this warm feeling again as if I had just picked up that book again for the first time. I felt a surge of power flow through my body, and it concentrate at my horn. I opened my eyes and gathered all of my things before I cast the spell. While I did all of that I started to feel tired, trying to keep that spell up was taking its toll on me. Before I ran out of energy I thought about the amount of time I wanted to pass by. A blue sphere surrounded me and the egg, I let out that surge of power and we vanished.
The feeling I got from traveling through time was something else. It was like I was falling from the sky at high velocities. When I stopped I was back in the cave were the dragon passed away. I didn't know if I had actually traveled a week in to the future. I started my journey out of the cave keeping a close eye on the dragon egg that I was entrusted with. I made it back to the entrance of the cave, and it was day time I was able to see, the blizzard that troubled me when I first came here had passed. I walked out to start my journey back to the empire when I heard a familiar voice call for me. “Quantum where are you, please come out if you can hear me.” It was my mom she had come out looking for me. She was accompanied by my dad and General Osiris.
“Mom, dad, I am right here,” I said running out of the cave. Glimmer ran towards me with tears in her eyes. She hugged me with all of her might, like this is the first time she has seen me in years.
“I am glad to see that you are not hurt, you have no idea how worried I was about you.”
“Good to see that you are in one piece son,” said Sombra with a smile on his face. I was happy to see my dad smiling. “So what is that thing in your saddle bag?”
“It's a dragon egg I received from its mother, she asked me to watch over it.” I said with a depressed tone in my voice.
“What happened to the mother,” asked Glimmer in a concerned tone.
“She passed away, she went into that cave to make sure the egg would hatch before her time was up, I was powerless to help her.”
“It’s not your fault Quantum, you don't have that kind of magic at your disposal. She entrusted you with her egg so that means she expects you to take care of it,” she said in a comforting tone.
“I am sorry to cut the reunion short but we must get back to the empire before the storm returns,” said Osiris. Sombra cast a spell that opened a portal which took us back to the empire. When we arrived one of the other Generals came up to my dad and told him something that put a concerned look on his face.
“Sorry Quantum looks like I won't be able to spend time with you right now.” Sombra Walked off with his Generals and left my mom, Osiris and me alone.
“Here Quantum let me take the egg from you, and find a place for it in your room,” said Glimmer.
“So I can keep the egg. I was sure that dad would have said no.”
“Don't worry about your dad, I don't think that he will mind having a dragon around,” said Glimmer walking off with the dragon egg. Then only Osiris and I were left to speak to one another.
“Osiris can I ask you for a favor,” I asked in quiet tone. Osiris looked at me puzzled, wondering why I was being timid.
“What is it that you would like from me, my lord?” asked Osiris with a smile on his face.
“I was wondering if you would teach me how to fight,” I asked with a little more confidence. He looked at me in astonishment, why on earth would I want to learn to fight.
“May I ask you why you want to learn how to fight, it is not that I am saying no, it's just a strange favor to ask of me.”
“While I was out in the tundra I realized I have no combat training, what if something attacked me out there, I would not have been able to defend myself. Sure I have magic at my disposal but it won't work all the time so I need another way to defend myself,” I would not take no for an answer, so I was going to ask him again if he declined.
A smile ran across Osiris's face as he said “fine I will train you, but keep in mind that it will not be easy. We start your training tomorrow.”
“Osiris can you please not tell my mom or dad about this, I don't want them to worry,” I said trying to put a smile on my face.
“Quantum you don't have to act more mature than you are, give yourself time to grow up okay. I know that your dad puts a lot of pressure on you.” said Osiris with a smile across his face. “Now run along go get some rest I bet you have had a long week.” When I left the room Osiris started to think to himself. That dark aura that he gave off is no longer looming over him, did he break free from the dark magic’s hold on him. What complications would arise in Sombra's plan now since Quantum seems to not be controlled by the dark magic. It will probably not change much, since that other colt will be raised to follow Sombra without question.
In the secret room where Sombra spoke to an ominous voice a few days ago, he had returned to warn Sombra. “Sombra it seems that Ether has spoken to Quantum, we will need to make sure that everything else goes as planned in case Ether choose him as his champion.”
“Nothing to worry about my lord the other colt is being raised and trained to your specifications. We should not have any more complications as long as the dark magic has a hold on the other colt,” said Sombra trying to reassure the ominous voice. “Is that all you needed my lord, or is there more.”
“No, that is all Sombra, but heed my warning, don't take Quantum lightly he may very well turn into the bane of our plan.”
“Don't worry my lord I will make sure that he doesn't, I shall keep him on track. If that is all my lord I will be leaving.”
It was now night, and my mom had made space for the dragon egg in my room, it would occasionally move. After looking at the egg for a few minutes I closed my eyes and fell asleep, and was greeted by Ether again. “It's nice to speak to you again Quantum, I see that you made it out of the tundra in one piece.”
“Thank you for helping me Ether, I would have not survived without you. If I may ask what brings you hear to speak to me.”
“I have come to show you a vision of the future, keep in mind that this is something that may happen.” Ether transported me to what looked like the Crystal Empire, the empire was surrounded by shadows. It gave off depressing tones, all of the usually joyous crystal ponies were bound by chains. All of the crystal ponies had expressions of pain and suffering on their faces. I heard a horn in the distance and out of the shadows came a stallion in a white hooded clothing with pieces of armor on it. Behind him were troops holding banners, one banner had the sun and the other had the moon. When all of the troops mobilized, they started to take the empire. “There is one more thing I need to show you Quantum,” Ether transported me inside the castle. There I saw the stallion confront the ruler of the empire. Upon closer inspection of the ruler, I realized it was my dad. He stood in front of the stallion, with an evil smile on his face. “This is all I will show you Quantum,” Ether started to transport me away from the empire.
“What is going to happen to my dad, Ether, I need to know what will happen to him.” In a panic I yelled calling out to the stallion “No please don't hurt my dad!” The last thing that I saw was my dad and the stallion engage in combat.
I was back to the blank canvases were Ether first spoke to me that night. An image of the full moon appeared in my dreams. A filly came out of the moon, I was not able to see her clearly but I saw that she seemed to be a unicorn, she gave off this serene aura. “I just wanted to meet you at least once. I would like to thank you for admiring the moon,” Just as fast as she appeared the filly vanished.
The next morning I was greeted by a baby dragon with blue scales on his body and red scales on his stomach and down his spine. I just sat in front of him smiling. When he was comfortable with his surroundings the baby dragon came and lied next to me. I pulled him close and welcomed him. “Now we have to come up with a name for you little guy,” I told him with a smile on my face. “What do you want your name to be,” I asked him. I thought for a while what his name should be, and telling him some names we decided his name would be Paradox.
I went outside to meet Osiris to start my combat training. He then led me to a room under the castle where new recruits to the guard are trained. “This is where we will meet every day to train, the path ahead of you will be a difficult one but in the end you will be a well-trained warrior.” For the next few years I would train in combat. Now I had two things to occupy my time the first to increase my magic capability, and second to master many different forms of combat. Good thing I didn't have any friends growing up. The only thing that would bother me is the vision that Ether showed me of the future. Now all of my training would be so I would be ready to stop that future.
Chapter 2: Courage say what now?
A few years have passed since I started my training. I have become a master of dark magic, quantum magic, and have been able to learn other forms of magic fairly easily. My training with Osiris paid off as well, I have mastered different forms of combat. I was no longer that wide eyed colt with hopes of pleasing my dad. I was older know, with dreams of one day seeing how I would be able to help mold the future and prevent the vision that Ether showed me. Now all that was on my mind was to improve my magic and combat skills.
I still have not gotten my cutie mark yet, I feel indifferent about this, but some of the guards and citizens have taken it upon themselves to try and help me get one. It’s almost as if they are on a crusade to help me get one. The only pony that thought I was sad about not having one was my mom. “Quantum, get out of your room. You have been in there for almost week. I know what will make you feel better.” My mother said behind my door.
“What do you mean make me feel better, I am not upset about anything” I responded.
“Then why have you been locked up in your room all this time.”
“I just don’t want the guards and citizens thinking there is something wrong with me for not having a cutie mark,” I said in an embarrassed tone.
“That is no excuses to be locked in your room for a whole week,” she said in a concerned tone. “I know, how about we take a trip to the market like when you were little, I am sure that every pony has forgotten about you not having one.” Let’s hope that she is right. I have not been to the market with her in a long time, so it was nice to be able to see it again. Though I was somewhat hesitant on coming in fear that the citizens would try helping me again. The empire sees a lot of travelers, it is nice seeing the interactions of the citizens with the travelers and they usually don’t cause trouble...usually.
As we walked through the market I heard a crystal pony mare yell out in terror. “Please I don't want any trouble just take whatever you want.”
A group of griffins were holding up a stand. The head griffin with his razor sharp talons took hold of the mare that was running the stand by the neck, the head griffin looked around her stand as if he did not like what he saw.
“Where are the gems little mare?” the head griffin asked in an intimidating tone. “We came here looking for rare gems. So where are they and tell me before I decide to tear your head off!” Usually no one is dumb enough to commit a crime within the empire, but it seems like the griffins were taking advantage at there not being many guards.
“Quantum don't even think about it,” said my mother with a concerned face. “You aren't strong enough to take on a group of griffins.”
“If I don't do anything then they will hurt the mare and do the same thing to the other vendors. Why should I not defend them, because it is the guard’s job? Look around mom by the time they get here it will be too late!” I announced in an angry tone.
“Just promise me you won't get hurt,” said Midnight Glimmer in a worried tone.
Turning to face the scene that unfolded before me, I replied “you know I can't make a promise like that mom that would defeat the purpose of helping out that mare!” I thought to myself for a moment, am I really ready to do something like this, even with Osiris's training?
As I walked forward to confront the mare's assailants I cast a spell to slow down time around the market. I summoned a dark sphere that surrounded me and cut off all light. When I emerged from the sphere I had on a black and red hooded set of clothing. I cast one last spell that summoned pieces of armor on some parts of the clothing. Now that I was done with my preparations it was time to see if I would be able to protect that mare. I took in a deep breath to compose myself for the challenge that was in front of me, I put on the hood to conceal my face so I would not bring any attention to my mother. I released the time spell that I had placed on the market and walked up to the griffins.
The leader of the group had started to raise his other talon preparing to strike the mare. As his talon came down a black and reddish aura came around his talon that stopped it. He turned his head looking for the cause of this and spotted a stallion that was in armored clothes that cast the spell.
“Will you look at that he thinks he can takes us all,” said the griffin with the mare in his talons. “Why don’t you just head home and act as if nothing happened, stallion this is none of your business!”
“Boss let me at him, I don’t think he is going to listen so might as well let me teach him a lesson,” said one of the thugs that was rummaging through the mares stand. The other griffins stopped what they were doing to size up the stallion that had presented himself. “What’s wrong cat’s got your tongue, or did you just realize that you can’t take us by yourself!”
“That’s not the problem at all, I was just waiting for you finish your inconsistent blabbering that is all,” I said in a calm tone. Even as I said that I was scared out of my mind. What if they seriously hurt the mare the one to blame would be me. “Now if you would be so kind as to put the mare down gently we would be able to get on with this,” with my challenge presented to the griffins the only thing that ran through my head was will I be able to fight these goons.
“Do you really think that you will be able to take us on by yourself?” said one of the thugs in a daunting voice. The griffins around the stand started to move around their boss waiting for his orders. “Well do you think you can take us on or not? Look boss I have him scared out of his mind, he can’t even respond!”
“Like I told you before I am just waiting for you to stop your blabbering so we can get this over with,” but as those words came out of my mouth I was scared that I would not be able to back up my actions.
“Stop the stupid banter already and make him regret wanting to play the hero,” said the head griffin as he dropped the mare. As she hit the floor she was gasping for air, trying to compose herself. A black glow started to come around the mare that quickly manifested a sphere that encompassed her. She immediately started to feel a warmth that came around her body. The sphere was healing the cuts that the griffin left around her neck.
“Don’t worry you will be fine, once I am done with the griffins I will make sure you get proper healing.” The mare raised her head in confusion wondering where the voice came from. “Don't strain yourself, I promise nothing will happen to you,” The mare then lowered her head to rest.
“I will make him regret wanting to play hero,” said one of the griffins as he lunged at me. While he was in mid-air I cast a spell around the griffin that froze him. A black aura came around my right front hoof. I swung it hitting the griffin. Right when my hoof made contact with the griffin he was sent flying across the market.
The leader of the group of griffins was unfazed by what happened in front of him. The other two had a shocked look on their faces. “Well hurry up and finish him off you idiots,” said the leader of the griffins in a commanding voice. Following their leaders command the other two griffins quickly took their positions surrounding me.
“One on two isn't that over kill, you guys are at a complete disadvantage,” I said in a cocky tone. Both griffins enraged at what I said quickly lunged at me with full force. Before the griffins were able to hit me I cast a spell that turned me in to a shadow. The two griffins head butted each other with full force causing them to fall unconscious. I released the spell and materialized in front of the unconscious griffins. The ponies that were hiding started to come out to see what has been happening.
“I knew those three were going to be useless, against someone as well trained as you,” said the head griffin in an aggravated voice. “Before we get to the main event I would like to know the name of my opponent.”
“My name is Quantum Rush, and what is yours,” I said in confident demeanor. When the citizens that were at the market heard my name they had looks of astonishment on their faces. Who would have thought that the one standing up for them is the son of king Sombra?
“My name is Connor, a well-respected warrior form the griffin kingdom, and before you ask then why I am committing crimes it is because they are not paying me enough,” Connor said in a sarcastic tone. “Wait you said your name is Quantum Rush correct, you are the son of the current ruler, so does someone of you stature really need to mess with a commoner like me? Should I kneel before you your highness and beg for you to spare me,” he said in a mocking tone.
“No just kissing the ground I walk on will be more then suffice, no need for anything else” I said in a confident tone. “In all seriousness by any chance can I get you to leave the empire peacefully, I don’t want there to be any more violence,” I said in a calm tone. While looking around at the citizens that have gathered around us I could already tell that he intended to fight me head on in front of everyone.
“I think not my lord that would defeat the purpose of you playing hero, and I want to revel in the fact that this is the day you die.” When Connor finished speaking I was the first one to attack landing a few blows I was confident that I would win this battle so I did not use the combat magic Osiris taught me. With each hit Connor was moving backwards, then I noticed a pickup in his speed dodging one of my punches. In my attempt to match his speed Connor caught my punch and pushed me back. “Is that really all of the strength you have, I was sure that you would have more combat experience, now it’s my turn.”
“Come at me with everything you have Connor this ends here,” Connor then lashed out at me with all of his might. He was undoubtedly faster than me, I had a hard time just trying to avoid his attacks. A vicious barrage of punches came at me each making contact pushing me back and breaking what little confidence I had. With his next punch Connor opened his talon and brought it down with full force causing a tear in my hood and cutting me above the eye. Blood started to trickle down my face, the cut was superficial but that didn’t matter when the citizens saw this they thought it was over. I could hear the collective gasps from the citizens that had gathered around to see the fight.
“Come now Quantum what happened to all of that confidence that was radiating off of you a couple of minutes ago, did you just notice that there is no way in all of hell that you can defeat me, did you notice the difference in our power,” Connor said in a daunting voice. I stood there silent waiting for him to finish. “Do you see this everyone your great and revered prince can’t even defend his own citizens what hope does he have when and actual threat presents itself to the Empire?”
“If you’re done talking Connor lets end this,” I said raising my head to look at him. “You think just because you have left me with a couple of bruises and drew blood that it is enough to discourage me, your wrong, I will defend this place with my life,” as I finished speaking a purple aura started to manifest around my eyes, as this happened I had a familiar feeling course through me, just like when dad handed me that book of dark magic.
“Well if you are really looking forward to ending your life right here then I will be more than happy to oblige,” we both attacked each other with full force. I was now able to match his speed and strength. Each punch he landed felt like the earth under me was shacking, each time my hits made contact with him I felt a surge of power course through my body. This time around I had a major boost in my confidence. While all of this was happening I came to a realization of why I was fighting, not just because the mare was in trouble but because I want to protect the citizens of the empire, I would lay down my life for them.
“This has been dragging out long enough, time to end your life Quantum, sorry this didn't end differently, oh wait no I’m not,” Connor grabbed me and started to flap his wings after a couple of seconds we were flying. “Well Quantum you gave me a decent fight, too bad it has to end now,” when we reached the peak of his flight he closed his wings and started to fall from the sky. The citizens that gathered around to see the fight now had faces of terror, they started to scream and cry out for someone to come and help me. “Hear that Quantum, they know what is going to happen, I bet it is going to be pretty tragic when they see their Prince die,” Connor said in a triumphant tone.
“Sorry to disappoint you Connor but this isn't the end,” the purple aura that was around my eyes started to get a more intense color, as I prepared to cast a spell. I let out a burst of energy to Connor it looked like I had vanished.
“Coward I know you wouldn’t face your impending death with dignity, “he said screaming out.
“What are you yelling at Connor I never left, that would make this drop a lot less interesting,” I said mocking him. “This is probably something that you won’t understand, but all I did was a cast a spell that turned me in to a shadow, so now you can’t hit me, but I can still hit you,” I started one last barrage of attacks on Connor. As we were falling Connor started to wail around as each of my punches made contact. From the ground it must have looked like Connor lost his mind. I released the spell and appeared before Connor, “now we end this,” a black and red aura came around my hoof that powered up my next punch. I unleashed every ounce of strength that I had left with this punch. Connor was sent crashing down to the market. I cast a spell around me that allowed me to manipulate gravity making me gently land.
When the dust cleared everyone saw that I was the last one standing, at first there was silence but then everyone let out cheer. While they celebrated among themselves I went over to check one the mare that Connor and his goons threatened. I released the healing spell that I cast around her, I walked up to her to see if she was fine. “Are you okay, is there anything else I can do for you,” I asked in a worried tone.
“I am okay thanks to you, if you didn't intervene when you did things may have ended differently,” she said while trying to bring a smile to her face. “My name is Winter Rose, and if there is anything I can ever do for you just let me know, “she said with a smile across her face. At first I really paid no attention to her, my only concern was her safety, but upon a closer look she had blue eyes that gleamed in the sun, and a white coat that resembled snow, and a light blue mane that resembled the color of the sky. Her eyes caught mine, I quickly lowered my head for her not to see my face turn red. In my defense this is the first time have ever spoken to a mare. With my head down I tired to speak to her so she would not see my red face, but only incoherent words were coming out. She just smiled and brought me in for a hug and said “Thank you risking your life for me, I don't think I will ever be able to repay you.”
After a few minutes of awkward silence I spoke“you don't have to repay me I am just happy that you are safe,” I said with a smile across my face. After helping her up my mom ran at full speed, and when she reached me she started to hug me like she hasn't seen me in years. Her hug had as much force behind it as one of Connor’s punches. “See mom I told you I would be fine, I made it out with minimal injuries,” I said trying to calm her down.
“What are you talking your hurt, you have blood on your face, and you are all bruised up,” Glimmer said in a worried tone.
“Damn it Quantum, if you’re going to do a job do it right and finish what you started,” Connor said as he struggled to get up. I quickly turned around to see Connor getting back up, this was bad with all of all my energy drained I would not be able to fight him for long. I readied myself to counter Connor. Connor lunged at me with the intent to kill, from the corner of my eye I saw a familiar black hoof with a green aura around it. When the punch landed on Connor it sent him flying across the market to where the other griffins where.
After the punch hit Connor I hear a familiar voice“what is the first thing you do when an enemy is down Quantum,” Osiris said in a commanding voice.
“Make sure the enemy can’t get back up and is no longer a threat, but in my defense Osiris I needed to check on Miss Rose, to make sure she was okay,” I replied trying to persuade Osiris to see things my way.
“See if I was in this kind of situation I would have followed all the rule Osiris taught you and have beaten all four of the griffins without breaking a sweat,” said a little dragon.
“You know Paradox it isn’t polite to speak out of turn, and besides Quantum did his best to protect the citizens around the market, so stop teasing him so much,” Glimmer said scolding the little dragon.
“Sorry mom, you have a point, this being Quantum’s first actual fight he did pretty well,” Paradox said in a cheerful tone. I was happy that Paradox was so easily impressed but I was more worried about Osiris’s evaluation.
“First of all I am really impressed by your skill Quantum, we never applied your training in an actual combat situation but you were able to handle the situation very nicely. On top of that you had a high level healing spell cast while you were fighting, then you went on to using the combat magic that you learned, and then to ease your fall you used a quantum spell, you have come a long way from that little wide eyed colt that I knew.”
“Thanks Osiris I thought that you would have been mad at me for confronting them.”
“Nonsense you held your own very well and you put the safety of the citizens before your own, you have exceeded my expectations and I am sure you have also surpassed your fathers.” After a few minutes some guards showed up to take the griffins away. Osiris then turned to me and asked “Quantum what sort of punishment will you bestow upon the griffins?” the ponies that were still around eagerly awaited my response. This actually caught me by surprise, usually the guard would handle the matter of punishment.
“I want them escorted out of the Empire and nothing more,” the guards just nodded and toke Connor and his goons to the outskirts of the Empire. After all the citizens thanked me for stopping the griffins I said good bye to Rose and headed home.
When we got home dad was at the gate waiting for us, Paradox ran up to him to give him a hug. Sombra hugged him back with a smile on his face, this made me kind of jealous of Paradox. “So how was your trip to the market with Osiris, Paradox?”
“It was okay dad, I was hoping we would make it there before Quantum finished fighting the griffins,” Paradox said with enthusiasm.
“I heard about that, it seems like you handled the situation really well son, I am impressed that you were able to take on four griffins, one thing that has been on my mind since this information was relayed to me is who taught you how to fight?”
I looked at Osiris before saying anything, I felt that if I told my dad he would not have approved of me undertaking more studies rather than putting all of my time in to my magic training.
“Osiris is the one who taught me how to fight, over the past few years I have been learning various forms of combat, after I came back from the tundra I asked Osiris to teach me,” I said standing behind my decision.
“Good, you can’t put all of your faith in magic, what if it failed you, you would need another way to defend yourself and others. It’s a good thing that Osiris took time from his duties and trained you, I take it he was a good student general?”
“Yes my lord, he is an excellent student I would go as far as saying that he is better than your elite guards, I am proud to be able to call him my student,” Osiris said with a smile across his face.
As my dad and Osiris conversed about me, mom and Paradox walked in to the castle leaving me with dad and Osiris. Osiris was the first to stop the conversation saying he had to get back to his duties, only Sombra and I were left.
“Quantum I see that you have put in a lot of effort in to your training, I am proud that you stood up for our citizens, you put their safety before your own, I have a feeling that one day you are going to be a great leader if you keep that mindset.”
“Thanks dad it really means a lot coming from you,” I was happy, I don’t get praises from him very often.
“Now then Quantum I have something’s to do, I will talk to you later,” Sombra walked off in to the castle going about his business. I walked up to my room in hopes of getting some time to relax after the fight with Connor and his goons. I placed my armor and clothes on their stand, and as I walked past a mirror something caught my eye I walked back to see what it was. To my surprise, there it was, I had finally gotten one, no more guards and citizens going on a crusade to try and help me. I just stared at the cutie mark for a while, then I thought to myself how did I get one, I didn't do anything special today. Then I dawned on me when I fought Connor that is why I received one. The mark was a shield with a crescent moon on it, and a sword going through the back of the shield. I sat on the floor for a few minutes trying to think of what each meant. I figured the shield meant my willingness to protect others, and the sword my combat prowess, but what was so special about the crescent moon on the shield? I thought on it for a while and then it hit me the crescent moon represented my mastery over dark magic. I thought back on the fight and remembered that I didn’t use dark magic, then I remembered when the purple aura manifested around my eyes, I was using it like second nature, that’s what gave me the edge over Connor. I heard the door open but didn’t bother to check who it was.
“Well looks like you finally got one Quantum I was starting to worry about my older brother not having one, I thought you were some kind of freak,” Paradox walked in giving me back handed complements as usual.
“Yeah, I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with me, but it turns out I am normal sorry to disappoint you,” I said in a sarcastic tone.
“Hey Quantum can I ask you something,” Paradox said in sadden tone.
“You just did, but seriously what is on your mind?”
“I was wondering while you were fighting the griffins did you ever think about your own safety, you just jumped in without a second thought,” Paradox had a concerned look.
“To be honest with you I was scared out of my mind when I started to fight, the only thing that was running through my head at first was whether I would make it out in one piece, but then when Connor was the one fighting me I started to take everyone's safety in to account, that’s when I knew I had to win, not for my sake but for everyone”
“Well that is a stupid reason to put your life in danger, sure that was a nice little touching moment but come on there has to be more than that, to think that I was starting to look up to you,” Paradox paused for a minute to collect his thoughts and the started to talk again. “I think I know why you fought the griffins, it’s because you wanted to get that mares attention, what better way to get her attention than being her knight in shining armor,” as he said that I felt my face turn red.
I stuttered trying to defend myself, “N-N-No that is not why I fought them, I did it to teach them a lesson and test out my combat skills nothing more,” I could tell that Paradox had a giant smile on face.
“Well it doesn't matter why you did it, I am just happy that my loser older brother is still in one piece,” when Paradox said that I sensed that he was being serious and not sarcastic.
The weeks that ensued after my fight with Connor were pretty relaxed, I would follow my daily routine, wake up early go down to the training room with Osiris and hone my skills. Osiris asked my dad’s elite guards to come down and spar with me to have more practice implementing my training in real combat situations. It was great I was able told hold my own against some of the best soldiers in the empire. My magic studies really didn't change much, my dad now came in more often to meditate with me and spar, and I loved it I was finally able to spend more time with him.
When I finish with my daily routine Paradox and I would go out in to the market to talk to the various merchants. When going to the market I would usually spend most of the time there talking to Rose, and doing various odd jobs for some of the citizens. At first whenever I spoke to Rose I would make a complete idiot of myself. I would stutter when speaking to her and avoid eye contact, almost as if I looked at her she would steal my soul or something, Paradox did get a kick out of seeing me act that way, looking back on it was pretty funny. Over the next few weeks Rose and I became close friends. This was the second friend I had, the first being Paradox’s mom. Paradox and some of the guards would tease me about Rose, they certainly had no problem making fun of my social awkwardness. I didn’t even remember that vision of the future that Ether showed me, life was good.
