Every Cloud has a Red Liningby CrimsonEdgeChaptersPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Prologue Prologue /// "Where am I?" A male voice said looking around a seemingly empty room with a reflecting pool in the center of it. He felt another presence besides his own in the room but he couldn't see anyone else in the room, and that feeling freaked him out. "Hello, welcome to the place between worlds," a voice said inside his head. "you can call me the Creator. Now look into the pool for your new form and listen to me for your name." The male agreed for fear of the unseen entity. When he looked into the pool he saw a blue pegasus with a two tone red mane and blood-red eyes. When he realized that was him he heard his name and muttered "Crimson, that's my name, pretty original. That's all you can think of for a god-like being." The Creator then said "You are mocking a god, but it takes more than that to anger me. It's not the b est I could think of but it fits nonetheless." Crimson nodded, he did like the name probably because red was his favorite color. When he tried to remember when he started to like the color he couldn't seem to find the memory. All of his memories had been erased from his mind. "Hey who and what was I before this before all of this?" Crimson yelled, "What did you do to me?" Hearing this the being chuckled and simply said "Your past doesn't matter to you anymore what matters is the future and what comes with it. Now go to the new world and treasure the new ponies that want to be your friends for they are the key to your happiness." Now angry, the Pegasus yelled starting to tear up "What do you mean?! A person is defined by their past and I don't want to be some blank slate for you to write new things on! There are things I want to know! Who am I damnit, where did you take me from?!?" "Like I have said, your past doesn't matter, all that matters is the future and what comes with it and I do not write your 'blank slate' only you can write it I have no say in that matter. The friends you'll make however, will help write that blank slate," the being said "Now go, jump through the pool to the land of Equestria." And with that the presence was gone. Doing what the voice said he jumped through the pool and started falling from the sky. "Damnit this is not how it's supposed to end! Stupid voice!" He screamed as he plummeted towards the ground. As he fell he thought that the view was beautiful that would be the greatest memory of his life. As he was going to hit the ground he realized he slow down to the point where it wasn't life threatening then BAM! He slammed on the ground head first as was growing unconscious he had seen multiple figures and muffled voices. Then blackness. /// 'Where am I now?' Crimson thought as he was waking up. He heard several female voices talking, probably about him, all remembered was the that room, the ing up. he heard several female voices talking, probably about him, all remembered was the that room, the voice, and falling. he felt the bits of consciousness return to him. "who is he?" a female voice said whoever she was she stood next to him. "i have no idea twilight we just need to wait for him to wake up" an older woman's voice said then he heard them walk out shut the door. when silence had fallen he opened his eyes and looked around the room he was in, no one was in the room with him. "now is the perfect opportunity," he said quietly fearing that there was someone with him "how long was i asleep, ugh! my head!" when he touched his head with his hoof he found that it was bandaged. he felt bad of leaving and not thanking whoever helped him, but he needed to find out his past, who he really was. when got out of the bed he fell on his face, which worsened the headache. this was not his day first falling out the sky and hitting his head then falling out of bed and then landing on his face. now he heard hoof steps running towards the room. "you're up!" a purple unicorn said with excitement. "we were wondering when you'd wake up." remembering the voices from earlier he said "you must be twilight. now, can you please tell me where i am and how long i was out?" "you are in my library/home and you have been asleep for three days, an-" "three days!" he interrupted wide-eyed then muttered something under his breath. "since you know my name can you tell me yours?" she asked calmly enough to calm the scared crimson "the name i was given was crimson. now where did you find me and where is the other one?" the now calm pegasus asked after remembering the older mare's voice. realizing, who he was talking about twilight said, "are you talking about princess celestia? she was waiting for you to wake up. you don't remember? you fell in the ruins inside the everfree forest. you happened to interrupt a really heartwarming reunion you know." finishing with a slight tone of anger. "well sorry, i had no idea next time i fall from the sky i'll be sure to miss," he replied with the same tone of anger. "now if you'll excuse me i need to leave." then as he tried to get to the door he was wrapped around and levitated of the ground by a purple aura. "oh no you don't you need to talk to the princess about who you are and where you came from." she told him while turning him to face her. hearing this crimson laughed and said, "look if she can find out who i am that's great, but i doubt she's going to find anything i don't even know anything about myself," then becoming serious he threatened, "now put me down. you have no idea what i've been through the past few days." "neither do you about me, my past few days may not have been as bad as yours but the princess wanted me to take you to her when you woke up," she said completely unfazed by his threat the she called "spike!" then a small dragon with green scales ran into the room staring at crimson then back to twilight and asked, "you want me to take a note to the princess?" "yes tell her our visitor has woken up, and that i plan to give him a tour of ponyville and introduce him to the others. we should discuss living arrangements when you arrive." when she finish he rolled up the scroll and spat fire at it sending the smoke to the princess. feeling guilty now, crimson asked "why did you take me in somepony you don't even know. and who doesn't even know who he is or where he came from? this doesn't mean i am not thankful, i'm just wondering why?" looking at him twilight said with a smile, "you needed help and we were willing to give you a place to stay. now let me introduce you to my friends." /// when everything was settled crimson agreed on meeting twilight's friends. their first stop was to a bakery called sugarcube corner to meet a pony called pinkie pie. the reason it was the first was because crimson was famished and realized he had nothing to eat since he got here. as they were talking about the nightmare moon incident crimson was tackled by a strange pink mare. "hi i'm pinkie pie!" she said to him as she got off of him. as crimson got up, pinkie looked at him and asked, "where have i seen your face before?" "this is crimson. he was the guy who fell during the reunion of celestia and luna," twilight explained, "we were on the way to sugarcube corner to see you and get something to stop his stomach from growling." as if on cue crimson's stomach growled loudly. "sorry its just that i haven't eaten in a few days." he said embarrassed by his stomach. "well why didn't you say so, wait i'll be back in a sec," with that she was gone, and it seemed like she wasn't really gone because she was back !moments after she left, "here eat this." she said showing him a cupcake. just before he could thank pinkie her hoof went into his mouth. the tiny cake was delicious it was the best thing he had tasted, that he could recall. "this is delicious pinkie," he said after swallowing the treat, "thanks for the food. it's really a kind thing for you to do for somepony you just met." "that's nothing. i threw a party for twilight when she arrived in ponyville!" she told him smiling at the thought of the event. after that she asked "we should throw you a party too crimson!" "i appreciate that pinkie, but i'm still recovering from the fall the other day. when i feel better we'll have that party." crimson apologized for the inconvenience to the one who desperately wanted to throw him a party. even though pinkie wanted the party to happen now, she thought of another way to throw one. "how 'bout we introduce him to the others at my place twi? it'd take less time than taking him all over town while he's injured." she said to twilight, surprised on how she knew she was introducing him to her friends. "that's a great idea pinkie i'll show around town while you get the others and the party. after celestia sees him we'll head on over to sugarcube corner." twilight said after a couple seconds of thinking it over. after that was settled the two thanked pinkie and continued to walk around the small town. /// Chapter 1The Introduction's Are In Order /// As soon as the tour was finished Crimson and Twilight went back to the library only to find a tall, white alicorn, as they are called here, with a multicolored mane and tail. She seem very young, but had a look of many lifetimes and experiences in her eyes. "Ah it seems our friend has awakened," she said in a sweet and calm voice "My name is Celestia and I am in charge of equestrian, but you may already know that from my student here." She gestured toward Twilight, who stood by her side. "It's a pleasure, my name is Crimson. And yes Twilight has told me about this land, it's inhabitants, the marks on everyones flanks," he stopped to look at the red sword with golden wings," and the different races.Which she did an excellent job about talking about," he said and saw that Twilight blushed at the compliment. "Now," Celestia said, "let's get on with the rest of the business , Twilight said you have no clue about your past or where you came from, is that correct?" "Yes, that's pretty much it." He said wondering what's going to happen next. "Okay then I'm going to use a simple spell that will let me dive into your memories, no matter if they are forgotten. Now just relax and clear you mind." Celestia said. Crimson did what was told as Celestia readied the spell. When she used it they explored the memory of today, the dreams of when he was asleep, and what happened three days ago when he first arrived in Equestria. Then before it was over there was the memory of the room and reflecting pool. Then a wave of emotion hit him hearing himself yell at an unknown entity and cry because it took whatever he had away. Celestial seeing all she needed cut off power from the spell. /// Crimson found himself back in the library with Twilight staring at him. When he touched his face and his hoof was wet with the tears of the memory. "I'm sorry princess that all I can remember. That damn Creator was..." He couldn't say anything else before he started to cry a little. He may have no memories but he did know that it wasn't like him to cry. "Don't apologize Crimson you can't blame yourself about what happened," Twilight said trying to comfort the crying stallion ."We'll find out who you are and why you were sent here. Now cheer up, I've decided you'll stay in there spare room here at the library." Hearing this Crimson smiled and thanked Twilight for the room and started to set up the room. After an hour or so, when celestia left, he calmed down and he got his room set up they went to Sugarcube Corner. When they arrived they were greeted by an excited Pinkie. "Hiya! Follow me to the party." So Crimson and Twilight followed Pinkie upstairs where there were four other ponies. When they saw him they swarmed around him, except the one with a pink mane who stood away from the chaos happening around Crimson and asked him questions of who he was and where he came from. Crimson didn't like to be surrounded and he could hardly understand who was saying what. "Please, before you ask questions I would like to know all your names," he said trying to be calm and as polite as possible. "Now who would like to go first?" "Ah'll go first." A blonde maned pony with a southern accent, "Mah names Applejack its nice to meetcha." "I'm Rarity, it's a pleasure to meet you." A white purple maned unicorn said with an upper class tone of voice. "I run the boutique in town, you may have seen it while you were on your tour with Twilight." Next was a rainbowed maned pegasus who walked with a sense of accomplishment. "And I'm Rainbow Dash," she said confidently. "And I am the greatest flyer in Equestria." She seemed pretty sure of herself and she seemed like she could teach Crimson how to fly so he wouldn't fall from the sky. The last introduction was of the yellow pegasus who simply hid in her hair. Walking to her he smiled at her and said "And what is your name? Don't worry I'm not a mean guy, and I'm not one to be violent for a good reason." Quietly, almost inaudible she said, " My names Fluttershy, it's nice to meet you." Even though she was quite she had a sweet voice that made you feel calm even in the most stressing situations. "It's nice to meet you Fluttershy, I'm Crimson." Then when all the introductions were finished the girls then asked him where he came from and he told he all he knew He sensed they sadness of the group after he told the story of how he got here and the Creator. But the feeling was soon gone because Pinkie said that this was a party and there was no reason to feel down. /// The party lasted for several hours. Crimson said he was tired after all that happened today and left towards the library. When he got there he was greeted by Spike. "Oh hey Crimson how is everyone?" He asked wondering how the party was. He was the only one not there because it was his bedtime, which Crimson could tell because he looked like he could fall asleep then and now. "Everyone is pretty nice. Sorry you couldn't go but I snuck this out for ya." As he finished the sentence he pulled out a cupcake from the party. This was a thank you present for helping make his room. "Thanks man!" He said before eating it. "Well Spike I'm going to bed this has just bed one long day of new things and it's really draining." He yawned just as he finished the sentence and headed to his room and shut the door. Crimson will soon discover that not all is as it seems /// When sleep finally came Crimson was peacefully dreaming, but that slowly dissolved into a familiar scene. Now he was in the room with the pool, but something was different the pool was black. The feeling of despair came from it and dark evil thoughts with it. Something was with him in this room, like the Creator, this one was unseen but was there without a doubt. "Well now what have we here another one of the Creator's pawns? How amusing!" Crimson looked around for the source of this evil voice but couldn't see him, this was not the entity that sent him here but something entirely different. "Who are you? What do you want?" He said while looking around. Then he heard a maniacal laughter that was of pure insanity. "You could say that I am the opposite of this 'Creator' as he calls himself now. You can call me the Destroyer, Death, or Darkness. Now that I know that that goody two shoes sent another pawn here I have to kill you." Hearing that he wasn't the only one sent here he was glad, but the feeling was washed away by the thought of what happened to the other, ponies like him who don't know who they were cut down by some evil thing. "Oh looks like my time is u Crimson will soon discover that not all is as it seems /// When sleep finally came Crimson was peacefully dreaming, but that slowly dissolved into a familiar scene. Now he was in the room with the pool, but something was different the pool was black. The feeling of despair came from it and dark evil thoughts with it. Something was with him in this room, like the Creator, this one was unseen but was there without a doubt. "Well now what have we here another one of the Creator's pawns? How amusing!" Crimson looked around for the source of this evil voice but couldn't see him, this was not the entity that sent him here but something entirely different. "Who are you? What do you want?" He said while looking around. Then he heard a maniacal laughter that was of pure insanity. "You could say that I am the opposite of this 'Creator' as he calls himself now. You can call me the Destroyer, Death, or Darkness. Now that I know that that goody two shoes sent another pawn here I have to kill you." Hearing that he wasn't the only one sent here he was glad, but the feeling was washed away by the thought of what happened to the other, ponies like him who don't know who they were cut down by some evil thing. Rage was now the only emotion that he could feel, revenge was the only thing on his mind. "Oh looks like my time it's. nice talking to you pawn." Then as he laughed the voice faded out and Crimson woke up in a cold sweat it was still the middle of the night. Now depressed of what was to come he left to go think what to do. Chapter 2New Love Under the Moon. /// Looking out of his door he made sure that no one was awake. When he made sure that everyone was asleep he silently left through the front door and silently closed it so Twilight or spike wouldn't wake up. When he was out the door he walked toward the nearest pond or steam to look at the moon. He just need to be awake so that nightmare wouldn't happen again. As he walked he could still hear the laugh. Whenever it came to his mind it chilled him to the bone. He had to tell the others about the dream but not now. When he reached a pond towards the outskirts of Ponyville he saw a figure. This surprised Crimson because no sensible pony would be up at this hour, well maybe Luna but she was still regain her power from the other day. The figure hearing his footsteps turned and he couldn't believe it. The shadow was a girl around his age and stunning to him with the light reflecting of her eyes which were as gray as stone. Her body color and mane was an icy-blue with a line of darker blue that made it look like water melting from it. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She said with annoyance. When Crimson heard her voice he was at a loss of words. Her voice was melodic like a calm, classical song, even angry soothed his very soul. "S-Sorry! I didn't think anypony else was up at this hour. I couldn't sleep so I decided to walk, my name is Crimson, and I just started living here not to long ago," he explained why he was walking around town at night, leaving out the part about the dream with Darkness, "Now you know who I am, who are you?" She was calm now after the explanation and she told him, "My name is Myst,with a y, it's nice to meet you Crimson." She smiled at him after her introduction, and he couldn't help but smile back. So, they talked to each other about their lives and where they were from, something Crimson couldn't do very well. Myst was from Cloudsdale the city where there are only pegasi. There the create the clouds for the weather and the other weather related things. Crimson simply told her how he got here and what he did after he woke up from the three days of sleep. "I was there at the party in the library and Twilight wasn't very amused at the timed," she giggled at the thought. "I've lived here long enough not to refuse an invitation to one of Pinkie's parties." "Yeah she can throw one heck of a party. That as one the best moments of my life,even though I didn't stay long, it was a lot of fun," he laughed with her as they talked they noticed that the night was over and they had to go home. "We should meet up again this was fun, it's nice to have somepony to talk to every once in a while." She said still smiling from the time they spent together. He nodded in agreement and suggested that they should meet again, but at a ridiculous hour. She agreed to meet him again tomorrow, and then started to fly home. Crimson waved, then started his walk back to the library. /// When he got back to the library he was greeted by a surprised Twilight. "Where have you been I thought you we do asleep. Why were you out running around town?" She asked with a confused look. "I'll tell you after I take a quick nap," he yawned then said, "I couldn't really sleep last night." And with that he was back in bed and was out like a light. When he woke up an hour or so had passed, and he was ready to tell Twilight what he dreamt about. "Okay tell me why you weren't in your room the entire night." She demanded. "Which do you want the good news or the bad news?" He asked. "Good news first," she said impatiently. She really wanted to know where he was and what he was doing. "I know what my purpose is and why the Creator sent me," he said with less excitement than Twilight thought he would, "and I'm not the first to be sent." "Isn't that a good thing? You can finally do what you're supposed to do." She then asked him, "What is your purpose and where are the others?" Crimson just stared at the floor and said, "I have to stop the apocalypse, and what wants to start it. I have no idea when it will happen, but I know that it's coming another entity, like the Creator, will start it and the others aren't with the living anymore they were killed by the same evil." He tried to fight the tears that were welling up in his eyes, but he couldn't. He started to cry again, this time for the lost ponies who came before him. Not knowing who they were or where they came from. "Sorry for this Crimson," she said when he looked up he got a smack on the face. "This what he wants, for you to give up without a fight, there could be others like you who are still alive, this thing is trying to mess with your head." When he calmed he said, "Thanks Twi I needed that." And hugged her, when that was over she called Spike to send a letter to the princess about the news. The only thing that he didn't talk about was his fateful encounter of Myst. That gave Crimson company and talked to him when he needed it the most then he thought to himself that he would introduce her when the time was right and when he got to know her better. /// Chapter 3The Ticket Master. Several days past when Crimson met Myst. In that short time he learned to fly from Rainbow Dash ,and both Crimson and Myst have grown closer to each other, unlike most ponies that took months to know the one they love, he knew about her life than most others did. The same was being said about Myst, she knew more about him than his others friends did. There was a connection between them, not like a normal friendship, but something more, something better than that. 'I should properly introduce her to Twilight, then tell her that she is the reason he was gonna all day.' Crimson thought Myst and Twi didn't really know each other, and he only described her to Twi but he wanted to properly introduce the two. She was the only thing that Twilight didn't know about, besides his darkest fears which were being alone in the dark. Which popped up after that dream of the Destroyer, and the black pool was the starter of it something wasn't natural about it. That pool would cause fear to the ones near it. But then Crimson pushed that thought to the back of his mind when he saw Myst. "Hey Red," she called as she walked to him happy to see him. "Why didja call me Red?" He asked while chuckling at the name and smiling at her. "Well your name is basically a shade of red and your eyes and hair add to that," she pointed to his hair and eyes as she was talking. "Alright then, then I'll give you a nickname..." He said as thought of one. It took a couple seconds but then it hit him, "I'll just call you Azure 'cause of your mane and eyes." He said as she laughed at him. While she was laughing she said, "That's the best you can come up with, you've got to be kidding." The name was ridiculous, but Crimson really thought of it from the night they met. How the moonlight reflected off her eyes made them look like the sky itself,and are majestic blue that came her mane that's why he really chose the name, but he was too embarrassed to tell her. When she was done laughing at him, he asked her "Hey Myst, I want to introduce you to Twilight, are you in?" She nodded and then they made their way to the library. /// When they arrived, Crimson said, "Hey Twi there's somepony I want you to meet!" As the sentence was finished Twilight just asked, "What would you do with tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?" Confused, Crimson tried to think about what the Gala was and what he would do there. Then Myst appeared from behind him and said, "I would go with the stallion I loved and dance all night." Whatever the gala's wacky seemed to excite her. Looking at her, then back to Crimson, Twilight smiled and asked. "And who is this Crimson?" Moving away from Myst he introduced her, "Twi this is Myst she was the pony who I met the night I had the nightmare. Myst this is Twilight, the one who is letting me live here for the time being." The two seemed to hit it off and became friends then and there. /// After Twi and Myst were introduced Twilight explained to the them that Princess Celestia had given her two tickets, and she wanted to know which friend to take depending on what they would do there. So, she heard what Myst wanted to do but now she needed to hear the others reason to go. When Twilight left they decided to get something to eat. Crimson and Myst then left the library to go to Sugarcube Corner to visit Pinkie and get something to eat. When they arrived they were greeted, by Pinkie who had just put the finishing touches on a new batch of cupcakes. "Hey Pinks, you remember Myst right?" Crimson asked as Pinkie turned around. "Yeah, she was at the surprise party I threw for Twilight when she first arrived in Ponyville. How could I forget." She said as she placed a plate with two of the cupcakes she just made and said it was a new recipe she was trying. After they eaten the cupcakes, which were amazing, Myst and Crimson said in unison "That was delicious!" Then, tried to call jinx on each other, with Myst beating Crimson to the punch. "Aw! You two make such a good couple," Pinkie said as she giggled at the two ponies. The two, now blushing at the thought of them being together, tried telling Pinkie that it wasn't like that, but she didn't listen to them as she kept giggling at their reaction to the comment. Just like any other young couple would have reacted. /// Twilight had just arrived to Sweet Apple Acres to ask Applejack about the gala and her reason to go. She wasn't going to tell anyone about the gala tickets though. That was her plan to hear everyone's reason then choose who would go with her. "Howdy Twi," Applejack said in her southern accent, "What're ya doin' this fine day?" After she finished talking she lifted herself on her front legs and kicked the tree with her back legs. "Hey AJ, I just wanted to ask you a question." Twilight said "Okay, shoot." AJ said after kicking another tree. Twilight tried to think of a way to ask the question without sounded suspicious. When she thought of it she asked the pony "If you got to go to the gala what would do, and what for?" Immediately Applejack said, "Well I would sell food and goods made from the farm and raise money for repairs and probably get Granny Smith's bad hip. Why you asking anyway?" "Just asking everypony I asked Crimson, which was a mistake, and his marefriend answered instead." Twilight said with a bit of giggling Hearing the last part AJ ,just staring at Twilight, said, "Is that why he's been so scarce? I just thought he was just working a job or somethin'" -/- On Crimson and Myst's side, after Twi's comment the two sneezed simultaneously followed by Myst who said "If you get me sick you have to take care of me Red." "The same thing goes to you Azure." Crimson quickly added. Then the two laughed and returned to their day. -/- Back at Sweet Apple Acres Twi and Applejack finished their conversation about the gala. So they said goodbye after Twilight asked her to meet with her and the others at the library then she went on her way to see Rarity. "So what's all this talk about the gala?" A voice said startling Twilight. When she looked around and Saw Rainbow Dash flying in front of her. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" Twilight asked with annoyance ignoring her question. "Not intentionally, I just came here to ask Applejack if she's seen Crimson, he needs to get to his flying lesson done for the day." She said looking for the pegasus, "He can only get a few feet of the ground and that isn't acceptable under my instruction." "Last time I saw him was at the library introducing me his friend Myst. I don't know where they went when I left, I think he could use the break for today. He's been training so much he can barely move his wings." Twi answered worried she might interrupt the two on their day out. "Fine, he can get the day off." Dash said, "Now wants this business about the gala?" "Nothing special, I was just wondering what you would do at the gala if you got the chance to go." Twilight explained. Dash, like Applejack already knew what she was going to do, confidently said "I would show off my stuff to the Wonderbolts, and they'll be so amazed that they have to let me join." "That's a good reason Dash." Twilight said to Dash, who was smiling from ear to ear like Pinkie does, "Well now, I should get going I need to get a reason from Rarity next. I'm having the others visit the library after I talk to everypony, so could you head there when you get the time. Then as she flew off she yelled to Twilight, " 'Kay Twi see ya later." Then she was gone and Twilight continued her walk to the Carousel Boutique, where Rarity worked. /// Arriving to the boutique he found Rarity working on a new article of clothing, and she was just finishing as Twilight walked inside. "Ah, Twilight welcome what can I do for you?" She asked in a pleasant upbeat tone of voice. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Like, whatcha making there?" Twilight said as she approached the sewing machine. "Oh it's a scarf for Crimson to help him get that mare he's always with," she said holding up a gold scarf, "You think he'll like it? It's hard to get a good for that one." "You mean Myst? How do you know that when he just introduced me to her?" She asked a little annoyed at Crimson, if he told everyone except her. "Oh, I have my sources for gossip and I've seen him with Myst after his flight training, you have to say they look so cute together." She said giggling with Twilight as they talked about the two ponies for several minutes. Then Twilight stopped with that conversation and went back to the topic at hoof, "So Rarity if you got a chance to go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would you do there?" "Why I'd go to meet Celestia's nephew, Prince Blueblood, I heard he's quite the charmer." Rarity said. "Okay then, thanks for the answer Rarity I'm going to see Pinkie and Fluttershy and ask the same thing. Oh, and could meet me and the others at the library" Twilight said as she walked out the door. "Alrighty then, I'll see you soon." And when the door closed she went back to the gold scarf for Crimson. Which was almost finished and ready to be given to him. /-/ Crimson and Myst had just left Pinkies when Twilight left the boutique. They had nothing else to do and they figured that they should walk a ways from town. There was no pony who would walk that far and they weren't exactly the social ponies the others thought they were. So they just went to the largest hill outside of town, where they could see everything, and talked about what the future would be like and what would happen. /-/ Twilight had just arrived to Sugarcube Corner when Pinkie came out from the kitchen and said, "Hey Twi if you're looking for Crimson and Myst you just missed them." Now knowing where the two have been Twilight sat at the counter and said, "No, I actually came here to ask you a question." "What is it?" She asked wondering what it could be. "If you could go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would do there?" "Why I'd party of course, that's what it's for duh. It's just like any party with music, games, and most importantly SWEETS!" Pinkie shouted with her drool hanging from her mouth at the mention of the word. Hearing this Twilight thanked her and asked her to meet her to meet with the others at the library, left to go see Fluttershy at her cottage. When she arrived to her cozy little home she knocked on the door and was greeted by Fluttershy moments later. "Oh, hi there Twilight what brings you here?" Fluttershy asked in her quiet voice, "I was just about to feed the animals, you want to come?" "Sure I'd love to feed them." Twi said taking the small bag of food that Flutters handed her. Then as they started walking towards the area Fluttershy usually fed the animals she asked her, "Fluttershy, if you got to go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would you do there?" "Why would go to the castle gardens and see all animals there especially the ones you don't really see in this area." She said, like others did, excited by the thought of going to the gala. "Okay that sound like a very fun thing to do." Twilight said now getting ready to head to the library and decide on who to take with her to the gala. /// Then,when they finished feeding the animals they walked to the library together and were greeted by the others, except Crimson and Myst. "Glad you could make it you guys... wait we're missing Crimson, where is he?" Twilight asked looking at the rest of her friends. Then Dash answered, "I saw him with Myst outside of Ponyville. They were just sitting on that hill near closest to the Everfree forest. Probably going to ask her out." She finished, laughing at the possibility of that happening. Then everypony else thought about it and started laughing asked at the thought of them together. When they stopped Twilight told them why she was asking them questions about the gala. "Well who's going with you," Rarity asked. "That's why I brought you here, I can't choose between my closest friends, so I'm sending them back. Spike take a note." She said before waiting to get a quill and pen, when he got them she said, "Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned you should never choose between your best friends and that it's hard to make the choice even if you can, so I'm sending the tickets back to you, your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." When he got everything written down he sent the letter to the princess. However, when everypony was finished with a group hug Spike had belched another letter. When he unrolled the scroll read "' Dear Twilight Sparkle, well why didn't you say so I have enough tickets for you and your friends.'" When he finished he took out six tickets for the girls. Overjoyed to know that they were going they each got their ticket and went home with a smile that lasted the entire night. Then Spike got another letter that contained three more tickets for him, Crimson, and Myst. How Celestia knew about Myst they'd never figure know. /-/ Crimson and Myst returned to the library after a long day Myst just needed to get her ticket after Dash told her that they all gotten tickets to the gala. So after they got their tickets from Spike Crimson offered to walk Myst home. It was late when they arrived to her house, and this was the first time Crimson actually saw it. Myst lived in a two story home which was average size for a regular home here. After they said goodbye and he walked away, halfway to the library he said to himself, "Dammit, that was the perfect moment, how could I forget to ask her out." He turned around running towards her house, the home of the pony he knew he had fallen in love with the moment he saw her that night several days ago. Even though their time together as friends wasn't long, he wanted to be with her everyday and every night. He made plenty of opportunities throughout the entire day, but he couldn't think of the right words to say When arrived at her house he knocked on the door and Myst answered and asked, "Red, you forget some-" she was cut off as his lips pressed against hers and when she realized what was going on she pushed him away and asked, still shocked from the kiss "What was that for?" "Myst, from the moment I met you I knew I was in love, when I'm away from you you're all I think about, even at night I can't sleep because I'm too excited because I know I'll see you the next day," He said knowing there was no going back, "I guess what I'm trying to say is I love you Myst, will you go out with me?" There were tears streaming down her eyes as he said it, those words of love that he confessed left her crying. The only word she could only think of one word to say, "Yes, you big idiot of course! I've been waiting for you to ask all day!" She tackled him as she jumped up to kiss him all day she thought that this was going to happen later on in their relationship, but this had taken her by surprise and she was perfectly happy with that. Like every good moment it was cut short. What they had forgotten that there was a storm planned that night. Which lead to Crimson staying the night at his new marefriend which was a dream come true. Chapter 4Applebucking Season /After the kiss - Crimson/ Crimson felt like the luckiest stallion alive. He just asked the mare he loves out on a date and the best part was that he was staying the night at her house. There was only one problem, and that was he had to sleep in a separate room. Myst had her room while Crimson had to stay in the guest room her parents stayed when they came to visit. Well at least it was better than the couch. When they've been together a while and he had a job he would ask her if he could move in. But until then he would have to wait. So tomorrow he would look for a job, but for now he would relish what had happened today as he slowly slipped away from reality. /After the kiss - Myst/ She was still surprised. She never thought that such a careful pony like Crimson would ever take a risk like that. He planned their whole day hoping that it wouldn't go bad. But it still did, he didn't tell her how he felt during the times he could have done so, like at the hill or when he walked her home. Instead he realized what he would've lost if he didn't tell her and ran back to show her how much she meant to him. Like everypony says, actions speak louder than words. Even when she kissed him, her action didn't speak as loud as his did. She tried to fall asleep, but she couldn't and how could she. Her day was full of amazing events, getting the gala tickets and Red kissing her. So, she got out of bed and went to see if Red had the same problem. "Red, you awake? She asked his silhouette in the moonlight. When he didn't respond she just laid next to him and felt comfort from his heart beat. Then she went to sleep next to the stallion who loves her. /Morning/ He woke as the sun was rising smelled mint and felt a weight on his chest as he was waking up. When he opened his eyes he saw Myst lying on his chest, smiling. 'What did I do last night, all I remember is going to bed' he panicked and thought to hell with it then fell back asleep with Myst still sleeping on his chest. Several hours later he woke up again without Myst on his lying on him. So he got out of bed and went downstairs to see if she was still home. She wasn't but a note was on the table that said: 'Dear Red, Thanks for staying the night, even though I made you sleep in another room, and then slept next to you. Anyways I'm at my job so we'll talk about our date when we get back. I'll see you later. Please lock the door with the spare key under the rock to the left of the door. Love, Myst.' When he finished reading he smiled and left, after locking the door. /// He decided to go to the library to tell Twilight what happened last night, but when he arrived there he wasn't ways immediately bombarded by Twilight's questions. "Where have you been?!" She asked angrily before Crimson could explain why he wasn't back last night, "We were worried about you, right Spike." She said looking at the dragon. "Yeah, where were you?" Spike asked also curious about the pegasus's whereabouts. A little nervous about telling them where he was he too a deep breath, smiled and said, "I just asked Myst out on a date, and I was staying at Myst's house because it started raining." Twilight just looked at Spike and said, "It wasn't supposed to rain last night, the schedule calls for rain later in the month but not last night. Somepony was probably trying to ruin your happy moment with Myst." "But by the look on your face I'd say you'd thank whoever it was for it." Spike finished, looking at the Happy pegasus. "She made me sleep in another room, only for her to come in and sleep next to me." he said chuckling. "She did have such a lovely smell though, a sort of minty smell,like peppermints. Anyways I need to find a job so I don't have to be mooching off of anypony like I have been." "You aren't mooching off anypony Crimson, our friend and you aren't a burden of any kind." Twilight said with kindness and sincerity. "Thanks Twi, but this is something that I need to do it'll be better than sitting here all day doing nothing," Crimson said glad she said that. "I feel like I'm not doing anything lately except walk around with Myst, so if I want to take her out I need to get a job." "Why don't you go ask Applejack about a job," Twilight said. "She has that large orchard and with Big Mac's injuries she may need help." "Awesome, about the job opportunity, I feel sorry about Big Mac. See ya Twi." And with that he was off to Sweet Apple Acres. /// When Crimson arrived at the orchard where Applejack was doing her job bucking apples. He could hear her but she was no where in sight. When he did find her 15 minutes passed and she just filled her wagon full of apples. "Hey Aj how's it goin'," he asked as he walked up to the orange mare. "I need a job and Twi said you may need help harvesting the apples. I don't want to be paid I just want to help in anyway and lose weight." "Thanks for the offer but I have to refuse I can do this by myself." She said sternly "Are you sure it seems like it'll take days for-" "I said I got this and I don't need help." She quickly interrupted. Then she went back to her work and Crimson left without arguing any further. About an hour or so later Crimson had thought about working with Pinkie and Rarity. Then he came to the conclusion that he couldn't cook and had no sense of fashion. So he went out of town and found the local blacksmith, who was looking for a new apprentice, and his shop 'The Iron Hoof' the only thing he found interesting was smithing. So he entered the shop and was greeted by Myst. "Welcome to the Iron Hoof how may I-," she stopped before realising it was him, "Oh, hi Red I didn't expect to see you here how may I help you." "I came here for the apprenticeship and a possible job." He said. "Well the boss has to look at you first and he'll say if you're fit for the part," she said before yelling, "HEY BOSS WE HAVE AN APPLICANT!" As she finished an middle-aged gray bodied, black maned earth pony with a hammer cutie mark came from the back door. He looked at Myst then to Crimson and said, "So this is the new applicant to replace the reject of an apprentice I hired." "Yep, I'm ready to start the job." Crimson said eagerly "Well that all depends on if you get the part," he paused as he examined Crimson when he was done he whispered into Myst's ear who in turn whispered in his ear. Nervous about not getting the job Crimson said, "W-Well did I get the apprenticeship?" Keeping the same stern expression on his face he said, "Kid, you'd better be a good apprentice and if you do a good job I'll put up your work and you'll get half the price its bought for." "Sir it'll be an honor to work under you," Crimson said excitedly, "So what'll I call you?" "My names Steel Hammer, but as my apprentice you'll address me as Boss." He said with the same stern voice. "I've heard a lot of good stuff about you from Myst, so don't disappoint me." "Great, so when do I start Boss?" Crimson asked simply. "Now follow me to the workshop, and we'll get you started," Boss said as he and Crimson walked toward the back, outside of the shop of the shop. Then Crimson stood amazed as he saw an ore smelter, a blacksmith's forge, a grindstone, and an anvil in the center. "This is amazing, I've only seen this in the books at the library," Crimson said looking at the giant room. "So, where do I start?" "You'll start by going to the mine and get yourself some ores to make for your first blade or tool," Steel said pointing to the mine that tunneled in the mountains. "The types of ores you use is up to you. That mine has lots of 'em iron, orichalcum, and plenty more. If you can make a good sword I'll make my apprentice. "Great, is it okay that I ask for help on finding other materials?" Crimson asked. "Fine by me, you can't get everything from this mine." Steel said. "I'll be back in a minute Boss I need to go to the library and talk to Twilight about good ore mines." Has said as he left the forge, "See ya later Myst, gotta go talk to Twi." "Okay, see ya later Red I'm glad to have you working here. It'll be great." Myst said as Crimson opened the door and waved goodbye. /// As Crimson was walking to the library he saw Twilight standing at a medical tent with nurse Red Heart in front of it. He was close enough to hear the conversation between them. "What happened? Is everyone alright?" Twilight asked the nurse. "Yes, it was just a mishap with the baked goods." Red Heart replied back to Twilight Then there was a reply from pinkie, who was in one of the beds, "No, not baked goods, baked bads!" "What happened here? And why am I feeling up this isn't the first incident of the day?" Crimson said as he walked up to the urgent care tent. "Well Rainbow Dash dropped in," Twilight said worried about what happened to everypony. "Literally, after Applejack launched her from the launchpad she made. I went to her saying she needs help, but she said she doesn't need any help. I guess that's why you were weren't there." "Well, I thought I wouldn't get a job, but I actually got an apprenticeship at the Iron Hoof." He said gleefully, "All I need to do now is to make a sword." "That's great Crimson, so what materials are you going to use?" Twi asked curiously. "I was actually going to ask you for a book about rare ores." Crimson answered. "Just go to library and look in the 'O' section I'm sure you'll find one or two." Twilight explained. Then as Crimson was about to leave Spike came up and asked, "You want one of these muffins? They're great!" He held up a muffin that looked good on the outside, but the inside looked green and something moved inside of it. Wondering how he could stomach the 'baked bads' was a wonder to him, so he lied, "No thanks I just ate awhile ago. Anyway I'm going to the library to look up ores." Then Crimson left, waving to the unicorn and dragon. On the way however he ran into Rarity. She seemed to be carrying a package for somepony or new materials for a dress or suit. "Hey Rarity what's up, and what's in the box?" Crimson asked curious about the parcel. "Oh hello Crimson. I was actually heading to the library to give you this as a congrats on getting the mare." She said giggling at him. Blushing he said, "Well, I guess Twilight told you about what happened last night?" "Actually Rainbow Dash told me." Wondering how Dash knew he asked, "How did Rainbow know about that? The only ponies I told are Twilight and Spike." "Oh, she was the pony who caused the rain at Myst's house. She didn't tell you?" She asked him. "No, all I heard was that she crashed at Twilight's after she was launched by Applejack." He replied getting a concerned look from the white mare. "Oh, is she alright?" She said worried about the cyan pegasus. "She's probably fine, she's probably been through worse, yeah?" He said. "You're right Crimson she has done a lot of dangerous stunts living here." Rarity said with a worried look on her face before getting a sudden look of realization, "Oh! I almost forgot here's that little gift," she finished before giving him the package. Opening the package he lifted up a gold colored scarf as he put it around his neck he said, "Thank you Rarity, I really appreciate it. I may need to do a bit of traveling due to my new job." Upon hearing this she said in excitement, "Oh congratulations. What kind of job is it?" "I'm going to be an apprentice at the Iron Hoof outside of town." He said happy about getting the job. "So I better get going I'm going to need to research materials for my first sword." "Alright deary I'll see you later toodaloo." She said as Crimson walked towards the library and she walked back to her boutique. /Twilight/ After Crimson left Twilight decided to talk to Applejack about what was happened before something worse happened to any pony. So she left to go back to Sweet Apple Acres. When she got there she saw Applejack dosing in and out of sleep. When she jerked herself back awake, she would buck an imaginary tree behind her. "Applejack we need to talk." Twi said as AJ was drifting into sleep. After jerking herself back awake she saw Twi and said tiredly, getting ready to buck a tree, "Howdy Twi, I know what you're going to say and the answer is still no." "AJ, I think you're beating a dead tree." Twilight said Realizing what she was doing Applejack, "I knew that," and then moved on to another tree. Realizing that Applejack was determined to finish the harvest she said to her, "Actually Applejack there's something I wanted to tell you about I just left the urgent care-" "You know I'm a bit busy to get lectured now Twilight," Applejack said starting to get a little bit agitated. "But if you just listen." "I said I don't need no help from no pony!" AJ finished storming off /Crimson/ Back at the library Crimson was looking for the perfect materials for the weapon. The ores he would need orichalcum, which was incredibly hard to find even I that mine Steel mentioned, for the blade. The hilt would be a steel or a tougher metal. The easy part was the hilt,but the orichalcum would be tougher to find. The only mines that were digging for it have dried up or had been abandoned. Those would be the first places to go to. There was one mine several hours outside of Canterlot. They may be abandoned but there could still be ores left. Now he had to tell everypony about his trip and the reason why he was leaving. "Hopefully they won't make a big deal out of this," he said to himself. This is something that he didn't want anypony to go with him on. Now all he had to do was get the design of the blade. So he got a piece of paper and a pencil and drew sketch of it. It would be double edged with decorative etchings in the blade. When he finished he wrote 'Alrek' that would be the name of it. The name itself had no value to him but it seemed to fit the design. Just as he was about to sign his name on the back of the paper he heard screams outside and a soft rumbling. Several minutes after the rumbling stopped he looked outside to find that there were several ponies lying in the middle of the street with Twilight a couple of feet or so away. Worrying about what the rumbling was he went to Twilight, and stopped when he got to her to see dozens of bunnies eating the flora from the bushes and gardens. In the middle of it was Fluttershy trying to gather them all together. He turned to Twi and said, "Applejack?" "Yep," was the only thing she said. /// Twilight and Crimson went to tell Applejack about the incident and convince her that she needs help. When they got there she just said triumphantly, "I told you I could get the harvest done. How do you like them apples," pointing toward the orchard where the trees that had no apple on them. Several seconds of staring at the orchard Big Mac walked towards AJ and asked, "Well, how do ya like them apples," while pointing behind her. The sight of it was painful, there were hundreds of trees, all full apples ready to be harvested. Applejack couldn't believe what she was seeing and passed out from exhaustion. When she regained consciousness Twilight said, "I know you have your pride Applejack, but you need help we are your friends and we are going to help no matter what you say." "I accept your help Twi." Applejack said "I said we- wait what?" "I said yes I could really your help." And all Twilight did after that was give a sigh of relief and then she and Crimson gathered everypony to help with the harvest. Twilight got Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy while Crimson got Rainbow Dash, Myst and the drawing from the library to show everypony and tell them he was going to leave for a awhile. When the work was done Applejack came to thank everypony and brought them each a bottle of apple juice. When everypony got to the table where there drinks Applejack said to everypony, "Thank y'all for your help, even though I had been a little stubborn." "A little?" Crimson cut in. "Alright a might stubborn," She replied. "And I'm awfully sorry about the way I've been acting." "You have no reason to apologize AJ, no harm no foul." Crimson said, "Oh, and before I forget I have an announcement. I will be leaving to go to a mine a few hours outside Canterlot and will be gone for a few days." The only ponies who didn't ask why he was going were Twi, Rarity, and Myst. That was when Crimson pulled pulled the drawing from his satchel and put it on the table. "This is why I'm leaving I need to get an ore for the blade," he explained, "And don't ask, I don't want anypony to come with me. If any of you got hurt I would never forgive myself." Everypony just looked at him, and he had a look that said there was no way he was going to change his mind. Then he finished by saying that he was leaving in the morning and he would see them when he got back. /Mourning/ The whole gang was there to see him off at the train station. They all said goodbye, except for Myst who was nowhere in sight. "Where's Myst?" Crimson asked looking depressed and heartbroken. "I thought she would at least say goodbye." Twilight looked at him and said, "She said that she couldn't be here and that she wanted you to know she'll be waiting for that date. I've told the princess about where you'll be and she said she'll have a room in the castle for you." After she said that the train's whistle blew. "Well that's my cue if you see Myst tell her I'll be back ready for that date." He said before he entered the train and he waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see his friends anymore /Mourning/ All of his friends where there to see him off at the train station, all of them except for Myst. He looked around and she was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Myst?," Crimson asked looking depressed, "I thought she would at least say goodbye." Twilight looked at him and said, "She said she had to be somewhere, and that she would be looking forward to that date. I told Princess Celestia where you'll be and she said she has a room for you at the castle." After she said that the train whistle blew. "Well that's my cue. If you see her tell her that she will get the best date of her life." He said before boarding the train. Then when he got to the window he looked at his friends and waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see it anymore. Several boring minutes passed of him staring out of the window. Then a familiar voice had asked him, "Is this seat taken?" He turned around to see Myst smiling at him, and proceeded to take the seat next to him. He was mad that he followed him, but he was happy that she cared enough to do so, " Oh don't look so surprised, you should have known I would do this. You can consider this our date." Laughing, he decided not to argue with her and the couple were on the way to Canterlot Chapter 5Griffon the Brush-off /// A week passed since Crimson and Myst went to Canterlot and everything was basically the same, everypony stayed on their own schedule. Twi was heading to a bookstore, Applejack was in the orchard, Rarity at her boutique, Rainbow Dash was lounging on a cloud, and Pinkie was hopping around town with her usual happy-go-lucky look, humming a cheery tune. She then yelled, "Rainbow Dash!" in a melodic tone. She was hopping still looking around the town for the cyan pegasus. Hearing her however, Dash rapidly dug into a cloud to hide herself from the pink mare. Pinkie, not seeing her, went to Twilight before she went to the door and asked, "Hey Twilight. Have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?" "Isn't that her up there?" she said pointing up toward the cloud Dash had buried her head. Pinkie looked up and called out in a sing-song way, "Rainbow Dash!" And like that Rainbow flew away, with Pinkie hopping behind her at a much slower pace. Dash made it to Sweet Apple Acres when she stopped to see if she lost Pinkie. "Whew, that was close," she said as she started to walk steps She just walked several steps when she heard, "Hey Dash." Then she sped off again back toward town. This time she had hidden herself inside of the leaves of Twilight's library. Then, as she let down her guard, she realized that Pinkie was next and again she flew away as quickly as possible, with Pinkie still hopping behind her. The process went on for an hour or so ,and ended when Rainbow Dash realizing that it was useless to try to avoid Pinkie. /// Pinkie didn't explain what she was doing all she said was if Dash could do a favor for her. "Okay now a little to the left," she said as Rainbow moved it, "Now a little to the right." Dash complied and did so. "Now a couple millimeters to the left," by this point Dash had started to lose her patience but did so, "Now a few inches to the North." "Pinkie Pie!" Dash yelled impatiently. "I mean perfect," she said a little nervous, "Now, wait for my signal." Then she she looked to see Spike gathering scrolls for Twilight. When he left Pinkie signal Dash, who struck the cloud causing lightning and thunder. The prank worked as Spike screamed and dropped the scrolls. Then the two started laughing at the dragon, who now was hiccuping. Then as he picked up a scroll he hiccupped a green flame that sent the scroll to Celestia. Worried about him now Pinkie asked, "Are you okay Spike? We didn't hurt you didn't we?" He reassured them by saying that dragons are fireproof and when he finished he hiccupped again sending a handful of scrolls. Then Pinkie and Dash went off to the towns joke store. /?/ It was night, and he was walking away when he looked back to see a castle in the distance, he had just escaped from there. Away from the strangers that said they knew him. How could they, he had only appeared yesterday. Here he had no friends here. The two alicorns and a pegasus who claimed to know him, he asked who they were but they only wondered what he was doing, calling him by some other name. The actions of the previous day were still replaying in the pegasus' mind. "What are you doing, you need to calm down," the white alicorn said. "Calm down, you can't calm down me down. Insanity's the game, but you know my name," the stallion said laughing hysterically. Then a darker alicorn, shorter than the white one, had said, "Sister, what's wrong with his eyes?" then she looked at the taller one and asked, "Shall I call the guards Celestia? He may be a threat in this state." "Might as well. Go get them now Luna." Celestia said, and when she said it there was a sullen look on all of the their faces, but the pegasus had a greater look of pain than the others. The pegasus ran out of the room when several guards came in the room and grabbed him. "I wouldn't do that," the stallion said as he was being dragged away, "you won't be able to hold me long, give it 5 days or less you'll see what I mean." He laughed as he was put in his cell, stone brick wall barred doors and windows. The only thing he need to do was find the softest area of the wall. This would take several days with sleeping, but the one thing he didn't want was to stay here. He had continued humming the same song over and over to help him concentrate. It took 2 days to find the weakest part of the room. He found a multitude of crevices within the wall parallel to the door. The only thing they didn't expect him having as much strength as several earth ponies, and he punched through the wall with ease. He was different from the rest of the ponies, he was created to be unpredictable, with attributes of all of each race. He had the strength of the earth ponies, speed of the pegasi, which improved his flying, and the intelligence of a unicorn. But, there was this song that kept playing through his mind over and over again. Now he looked forward to his next destination. The place that the two alicorns called Ponyville. There he may find the answers he needed. The last thing he needed was to hurt anypony else, like the pegasus that was with the two alicorns. They knew he wasn't normal because of his mental state and mannerisms. 'Get ready Ponyville here I come,' he thought, and laughed to himself as he continued toward the path to the unsuspecting town. /// After yesterday Pinkie wanted to pull more pranks with Dash. When she got to Dash's house she said, "Rise and shine Rainbow Dash we got a-," she trailed off as a bird's head appeared instead of Dash, "Oooh." Then Dash flew down with the creature following behind her. When they landed Dash introduce her friend, "Pinkie I'd like you to meet my old friend Gilda. Gilda meet Pinkie." Pinkie looked at Gilda and asked, "What are you exactly?" "She's a griffon," Dash explained, "she's half lion, half eagle." "And 100% awesome," Gilda finished. "We met at the junior speedsters camp that I was enrolled in when I was a filly." she explained, then she turned to Gilda and asked, "Hey, you remember the chant right." "Of course I do we were told to do it every morning, how can I get it out of my head." Gilda said "Can we do it for old time sake?" Dash asked "Fine, but only for you Dash," she said then they started singing the song the camps song. Dash may have had more fond memories than Gilda because she was a little more enthusiastic about the song than Gilda. When they finished the chant Pinkie laughed with delight at the song. "That was great," she said walking to the two, "It even gave me the for a new prank!" "Sorry Pinkie, but Dash and I were going to fly around town." Gilda said before she took off. "That's okay," Pinkie replied, "we'll do it next time." "Yeah Pinkie, we'll prank the others later," Dash said to her as she followed Gilda, "see ya later." "Yeah, see you later, I'll catch up" Pinkie said a little disappointed at the current predicament. Then, she got an idea. Dash and Gilda had seen the entire town in just several minutes so they decided to take a break. So Dash raced Gilda to the nearest cloud with Gilda winning the race. "Just like old times," Gilda said when Rainbow Dash landed "Yeah, but faster." Dash replied after landing and gave Gilda a hoofbump "Hey there," Pinkie said after her head no poked through the clouds then fell back down. The two soon looked at each other then her head came through again. "It's later, and I caught up," Pinkie said between her head disappearing and reappearing again. When they looked down they saw that Pinkie was bouncing on a trampoline. Dash found this amusing chuckled and said, "Pinkie you are so random." Gilda, however, didn't find it amusing she just found Pinkie annoying. So the only way to get away from her was to get higher. "Hey Dash race ya to that cloud," she said. "You're on," then the two sped off and left Pinkie behind. When they both landed Gilda said, "I won Dash!" "No, I beat you." Dash proclaimed. Pinkie was rising by the use of dozens of balloons when she reached them she said, "It was a close one, but Dash beat you by an itty-bitty teeny-tiny hair, or should I say feather." She laughed at the end of the sentence. Gilda showed annoyance at her, which Pinkie and Dash thought was because she lost the race. Then she thought of another way to lose Pinkie Pie. "Hey Dash last one to that cloud is a gnarly dragon egg." She said and then sped off with Dash after she accepted her challenge, but Gilda had really stayed behind. She said to the floating pony in a menacing tone, "I think the high altitude is making you dizzy," then popped several of the balloons helping Pinkie stay airborne, when Gilda stopped she slowly descended toward the ground. Gilda then quickly rejoined Dash, when Pinkie appeared moments later with some flying machine powered by two sets of pedals.the Before Pinkie had a chance to speak Gilda quickly asked Dash, "So Dash make any new moves or are you still going old school?" Dash who immediately wanted to show off replied to her, "Are you kidding, hold on this may take awhile." The she took off to show Gilda what been doing. Gilda then turned to Pinkie and asked, "Pinkie could you come here?" Pinkie did so and when she was in arms length she grabbed her machine and growled, "Don't you know the meaning get lost? Dash doesn't need toned hanging out with dweeb like you, now get like a bee and buzz off!" With that she grabbed the blades of the vehicle and Pinkie went spinning. Then when Gilda let go of Pinkie's machine Pinkie was spinning towards the earth away. /?/ When he was several miles away when it was dawn and he realize he might be seen by the guards in Ponyville. With what he had found in the caves near the route he'd taken he found several gemstones. With those he bought a heavy black cloak, the only one that covered his face and cutie mark. The clerk said it seemed like it wasn't the kind of weather for something that heavy, but the way he went was in the woods near the roads but far enough so the stayed in the cool shadows away from sight. He paid for the cloak, put it on and went back on his way. When he got to the hill outside of town he decided it take a nap on one of the clouds so he wouldn't be disturbed, he hadn't slept in three days and he wasn't going to not take a nap. If those soldiers got him so what he could easily lose them in the Everfree Forest. Then he lost consciousness and fell asleep. When he woke up the sun was still up, now with the rest he won't be as quick to anger as he was. He flew to the ground and went towards Ponyville. When he got to the market he saw an assortment of stands, mainly fruit or vegetable, and a griffon that seemed to stand out amongst the town of ponies. Another thing that stood out was a yellow pegasus leading a family of ducks she had her face toward them so she was walking backwards toward the griffon. When she ran into the griffon it was going to get ugly. "Hey!" The griffon said angrily at the pegasus "Excuse me I'm-" "I'm walking here." The griffon interrupted "Oh.. U-um I'm sorry I'm just-" 'Fight!' a voice his head screamed, 'stand with Fluttershy! Fight with her!' 'Shut it I will! And if you know the pegasus who's the griffon?' He thought 'Now's not the time, show that griffon who's boss,' the voice said, 'Go now!' And with that he went to the griffon as she was inhaling to roar and gave her an uppercut that caught her by surprise. He turned to Fluttershy smiled and said, "You should probably leave. Its not going to be pretty." She just nodded, walked away a couple steps, and trying to recognize the familiarity to his voice. Then everypony who was there felt a faint uneasy pressure of a bloodlust, which emanated from the stranger. When Gilda got up she rubbed her jaw and yelled, "If you wanna fight, let's fight!" Then she ran toward him,jumped and slashed at his face. He barely had time to get out of the way and throw his cloak. Then he looked, with a crazed smile, as his cloak was being torn to shreds. /// Pinkie saw the whole ordeal. Gilda yelling at Fluttershy and the cloaked pony hitting Gilda right in the face, and then him accepting to fight the griffon. When his cloak was thrown off it showed his red hair, and the face of Crimson. Though something was off he held himself higher than usual, and his eyes weren't red they were brown. Another thing was that there was a pressure of insanity coming from him. The only thing she thought to do was tell Twilight. So, she ran to the library to get Twi. When she got there she yelled at Twilight, "Twilight, Crimson is back and he's fighting Gilda!" Then she saw that Twilight wasn't alone, Myst was there and she looked like she'd been crying. "That's impossible Pinkie, Crimson is still in Canterlot, he was taken to a cell for dangerous behavior." Then Myst wiping her eyes said to the purple mare, "Actually Twilight, Red broke through the cell's wall and escaped three days ago. And whoever's fighting Gilda is not the Crimson I love!" She signalled Twilight and Pinkie to follow her and show her what she meant. When they got to the market they knew what she meant his eyes were brown just as Myst had told Twilight, and he had a crazed smile of bloodlust on his face. Twilight and Pinkie couldn't believe the state their friend was in, scratches along his body and a missing piece from his left ear. Gilda didn't look as good either, as a small trail of blood went down from her mouth and bruises all over her body. "This isn't Crimson this is the personality is calling himself Viceman," she explained, "the princesses don't know how he came to be, but considered about what he can do he is dangerous and highly unpredictable. And that's not it, he's patient, highly intelligent, and fast." "I don't see the last part," Twilight cut in, "but it takes speed to beat a griffon in a race or fight, and Red's not that fast." "Look Twilight," Myst said pointing at Gilda, "he already landed several blows on her, and that may not be as fast as he can go. He's toying with her, just look at his expression." Twilight hated to admit it, but Myst was right his smile was uncomforting, and he didn't look the slightest bit exhausted. "So, what should I do. If we know Crimson is in there, I don't want to hurt him." Myst turned to her and said, "Knock him out. There's a spell to do that, right? That way he won't get hurt and we could try to get him back to normal." Her voice cracked as she said it but she was serious about it. Twilight did as Myst asked and readied to cast a spell to knock Viceman unconscious. When she released toward him, Viceman dodged it and the spell hit Gilda, who lunged to his spot. He turned to the trio and said "Thanks, but let me tell you, if you got me first she would've killed me," he then spotted Myst and then said to her, "Oh, I remember you from the castle. I already know what you're thinking, yes your boyfriend still exists, I'm the insanity and rage of the original personality before I came here. In other words I'm half of the first personality, but I have my memories." Viceman said still with the sadistic grin. "Red, is the lamer half with all the predictability and sanity. So go ahead knock me out, I'm already out of energy so-" he never got to finish the sentence because he passed out and fell asleep there on the ground. Twilight cast a levitation spell to lift the pegasus and said to Pinkie and Myst, "Get Gilda to Rainbow's house, she'll take care of her until she wakes up." So, Pinkie and Myst carried Gilda to Dash's house and when she saw Gilda she was worried about her and furious at who did it to her. "Oh my gosh Gilda what happened to you," Dash said to the still unconscious griffon. "Crimson beat her up," Pinkie said bluntly, she had completely forgot what Myst and Viceman said. "Pinkie! Please, let me expl-" Myst tried to say, but was cut off when Rainbow Dash flew off to find her former friend. "Well let Twilight explain it. I'm going to put Gilda inside and go see Red. See ya Pinkie." "Okay Myst, will I see you at the party I'm throwing for Gilda?" Pinkie asked "It all depends if Red will be okay," Myst replied flying toward the library. She was too worried about Crimson to ask why she was throwing the party in the first place. /// Twilight had just finished bandaging Crimson's wounds, when she applied medicine he just mumbled in his sleep but didn't wake up. She placed the sleeping pegasus on his bed and looked at the bandages. 'There'll be no scarring, thank Celestia,' then she looked at the torn piece of ear, winced and thought, 'but that's never growing back.' Then she left him to rest, but as she was closing his door she was pushed out of the way by Rainbow Dash. "Crimson I know you're here," she yelled before entering his room and seeing him in his current state, "explain why you- Oh my gosh." That's all she could say when she saw him. She sorta felt sorry for him, even though he did fight Gilda. "I know you're angry Rainbow Dash, but he needs to rest!" "Not until he tells me why he fought Gilda," then she shook him and said, "Wake up dumbass! Time to talk!" Then the pressure Twilight felt from the market started getting more prominent and stronger every second he was shaken. "Rainbow stop this!" Twilight yelled at her. Rainbow, still angry, did so and backed away from the stallion but he didn't fall back down. Crimson just slowly opened his eyes, and to Twilight's fears the eyes were brown. "Well," Viceman said and turned to the mares, "Who woke me up? Whoever did interrupted the conversation between Red and me. Will you deprive him of that?" The two just shook their heads. The pressure grew fainter when he closed his eyes and when they opened again the red eyes of their friend. They relaxed when they saw his eyes. "Please don't wake me again I have to do this." He said, "When this is over I will be completed. Viceman and I are two sides of the same coin, we were made from one personality, I just got the calm collected half of the original." "Well, if you have to do this I won't stop you Red." Twilight and Dash moved and Crimson saw Myst, "Just promise me you'll be the same when you wake up again." "Sure thing Azure." Crimson said, before kissing her cheek, "I promise you I'll be the same." "I feel the same way," Twilight said, "please just be the Red we know and love." "Me too," Rainbow Dash said, "but I want a race you, for beating Gilda." "Fine, when I'm healthy and well, I'll take you up your offer," Crimson said, "Now go, you need to take care of your friend Gilda." With that he laid back down and fell asleep. Myst ended up crying after he fell back asleep. "Don't worry Myst, he be fine this is all he needs." Twilight reassured the crying mare. "I know Twi," Myst said between tears, "but I'm afraid that he won't be able to keep his promise. If that happens I don't know what I'll do." Then Myst leaned over Twilight's shoulder and cried even harder. Rainbow Dash just scoffed and said, "He still tell me why he fought Gilda." /// Pinkie waited a day for Gilda to recover to throw her the party. Everypony was there except for Myst who, Twilight said, was waiting for Crimson to wake up. She invited the entire town, but only twenty or so showed up due to having free time or a day off. When Rainbow Dash arrived Gilda followed close behind, and Red sure did a number on her. She was covered in bandages, and she walked with a slight limp, which she tried to hide. Then Pinkie went to Gilda and introduced her, "Hey everypony this is Gilda, a long time friend of Rainbow Dash." Gilda just smiled and waved awkwardly at the crowd. Then Pinkie held her hoof out to Gilda as a symbol of friendship, but when she grabbed it she was met with a shocking surprise, literally. Pinkie just laughed and flipped her hoof to reveal a hoof buzzer. Rainbow Dash laughed with her and said, "The hoof buzzer classic. Hey G you're not mad a little prank are you?" Gilda looked at her and said, "Naw, I'm always up for a good prank." "Feel free to help yourself to anything at the snack table." Pinkie said walking toward the table covered with bowls with different assortments of candies. "Ooh, vanilla lemon drops don't mind if I do," Gilda said picking up one of the candies. When she ate it she got a flash of sour followed by a large wave of heat. Her face felt like it was on fire while she looked back and forth for something to drink. "G, the punch," Dash said pointing to several cups of punch. Gilda rushed to one grabbed and drank out of it. It took a few seconds, but she realized there was no punch coming from the cup and that the cup was a dribble glass. Pinkie pie laughed at Gilda along with everypony else. Until she got a normal glass. "Ha, punch in a dribble glass I wonder who did that," Pinkie said in a suspicious tone. "Yeah I wonder," Gilda said annoyed at the joke. Then Dash called out to her at another covered by gifts of all shapes and sizes. When she got to the table she grabbed a gift in the shape of the cylinder. Upon opening it there were several paper snakes that sprang out of the can, followed by more laughs from the crowd. Applejack, seeing the can laughed and said, "Spittin' Snakes, somepony pulled that prank on me last month!" Gilda staring at Pinkie said, "Yeah, I wonder who that was." Several minutes passed of Gilda talking to Rainbow Dash. When everything had calmed a little Pinkie brought out a giant cake that had several candles lit at the top. Spike was amazed at the sight, " Can I blow out the candles?" he asked Twilight "We should let Gilda blow out the candles, she is the guest of honor." Twilight answered As if on cue, Gilda shoved the dragon out of the way and said, "Yeah I'm the guest of honor." With that said she inhaled deeply and blew out every candle with a proud look on her face. But that pride was short lived as the candles relit themselves. Her surprise caused another uproar of laughter among the crowd. She then tried to no avail as they started themselves up each time. "Relighting candles, I love that prank what a classic," Spike said with amusement at the harmless joke. "Gee, I wonder who pulled that prank," Pinkie said with the same suspicious tone and look on her face. Not paying to Spike he dug a tunnel through the cake and ended up at the top of the cake. "Spike!" Twilight said annoyed at the rude behavior. "What, it's good," was the only thing he could say to her. Dash then asked Gilda, who was showing slight annoyance, "Hey you're not getting upset over a couple candles are you?" "What? No. Like I said I'm down for a good prank," she said, no longer showing annoyance. "Great! Now let's get some cake!" Dash said as she went to the cake. As Pinkie took a bite Gilda grabbed her neck, not choke her but get her attention. "Hey," she whispered menacingly, "And I'm watching you like a hawk." "Why? Can't you watch me like a griffon?" She asked jokingly. In the background they both heard Applejack yell, "Hey everyone it's time for 'Pin the Tail on the Pony'" Rarity, excited about the game asked, "Oh, can I go first, can I have the purple tail?" Gilda quickly swiped the tail just as Rarity was about to pick it up.and proclaimed, "Well I'm the guest of honor and I have the purple tail." "Alrighty then, let's put on the blindfold!" Pinkie said as Spike walked to her and put on the blindfold. "Hey what are you doing?" Gilda asked "Well we put the blindfold on and we spin you round and 'round," Pinkie said as she spun the griffon around and when she stopped she continued, leading her to the wall with the poster on it, "Then you try to place the the tail on the poster in front of you." "‘Just stick the tail on the pony’," she mocked Pinkie, thinking it was another prank, "This is another prank is it? Well, I'm going this way!" she finished walking the opposite direction from the poster. "B-but the poster's that way," Pinkie tried to get her to turn around, but she had slipped on icing on the floor and ended up crashing into the kitchen. When she was covered in cake batter and icing with the tail on the top of her beak. "Gilda you put it in the wrong end." Pinkie said to her, which caused another fit of giggling among the guests and caused Gilda to lose it. She released all her rage in one loud roar. "Is this your idea of a good time?" She yelled, "I have never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life, and you Pinkie Pie are queen lame-o with all of your weak party pranks. Did you really think you could lose my cool? Well Dash and I have ten times as much cool than all of you put together, come on Dash let's go," then she started walk towards the door she turned to Rainbow Dash, who wasn't following and growled, "Come on Rainbow Dash I said we're leaving!" Dash just looked at her and said, "You know Gilda, I'm the one who set up those weak pranks." "What you're joshing me Dash, it was Pinkie Pie, she set this up to make a fool of me." Pinkie said to the enraged griffon, "I only threw this party to improve your attitude, I wanted to turn that frown upside down." "And you sure didn't need help making a fool of yourself, and didn't think this is how my old friend would treat my new friends." Rainbow Dash said angrily, "If being cool is all that matters to you maybe you shouldn't be here." Gilda just stood there a moment and replied, "Yeah well you're such a flip flop, cool one minute lame the next, if you don't want to be lame anymore call me." With that she left, slamming the door behind her. "Not cool," Dash said as Gilda left. Then after several seconds of murmuring about the events that had occurred, after that Dash said to everyone, "I'm sorry about bringing Gilda here I didn't realize how rude she was. And I'm also sorry about her ruining your awesome party Pinkie." "If you wanna hang out with a party pooper that's your business," Pinkie said to Dash, "and who said this party was ruined, it's still fine by me." Then they continued with their party with Twilight writing her lesson on friendship and telling where Red is and what's happened to him recently. Chapter 6The Views of Sanity /// Crimson woke up to find himself in a giant plain. It seemed to be noon, but he couldn't tell. Wherever he looked he only saw the tall grass flowing through the wind. So, he started to walk forward. Hours seemed to pass as he walked through the plain, yet the sun stayed at the same place. The plain seemed to be flat and the only change in the landscape was a hill that was about half a mile away. Walking there took what seemed like another half hour, and when he got there he saw someone was already sitting there. Whoever it was wasn't a pony it wore a gray robe with a hood that covered the top of his head, a blue shirt that matched Crimson's fur, and pants that covered his hind legs. "Who and what are you?" Crimson asked. The creature only turned his head, still covered by the hood, showing only the end of brown hair that covered his eyes. "Isn't that obvious dumbass, you know who I am!" His voice belonged to Viceman, "What I am, however is another story. Now, don't you want to know our origin and learn, or do you want to stay in the dark?" Crimson didn't think about finding his past since he met Myst, and if he learned it would he be the same pony? The only thing that ran through his mind was of it was a choice to remember so he asked him, "Do I have to remember my past, and if I do will the previous personality take control of my body?" Viceman just laughed and simply said, "No. I would never do that, we would share it. My time is over and yours has begun." Crimson was confused by him saying they would share their existence and that he wouldn't take control. "What do you mean you won't take over? I thought that you were all rage and insanity." "Didn't you listen, he was just that, a split piece of me." Viceman explained, "I had to separate that piece to escape that damn cell. I can only separate pieces certain pieces of myself, let me show you." He got up and stood on two legs and just stood there then his rage split off, then sadness, jealousy, and last of all happiness. "You see this is what I meant, I split off a piece of my emotions and had it take consciousness of our body," Viceman continued. Then each piece went to the original and fused together with him. After that they talked about what he was.He called himself a human and they continued to talk until Crimson asked, "Why are you so calm, I mean you lost everything you don't even know if you family's alive or not." His smile faded at the question, "You're right time works differently here I don't know what day or year it is at home." He said tearing up then from his sadness turned into anger, "YOU DON'T THINK I TRIED TO FIND A WAY HOME! I MISS MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS. EVERYONE I KNOW AND LOVE IS THERE!" Crimson felt sympathy towards him, when he arrives here he had no one except for the ponies who took him in. "Look, the past is the past, we will find a way to get you home, but this is my home and there are ponies who love us here." "They love you, they only know me as the psychopath with a bloodlust," Viceman said wiping the tears on his sleeves, "and what'll you think will happen to us when this mission is done? You think we'll just stay here all cozy and live happily ever after? I've seen this one too many times in games and books, we do what we have to do, then we'll end up having to leave this world forever." Hearing this Crimson went back a couple steps. "No, that's not true! That can't happen I-," "Face it! We're disturbing the balance of this world if we stay here we may end up destroying it." he said , "I'm not as excited about it as you are. I hate humans, many of them are filled with greed. Individually they can be consider good, but altogether as a whole they have nothing but greed in their hearts." "Those are only your views, your opinions, humans cannot be as evil as you think," Crimson said as Viceman laughed throughout his sentence, "What's so funny?" "I don't want to do this but left me no choice," He said as he walked toward the pegasus, and put his hands on his head then Viceman's eyes emitted a white light, and Crimson saw images that were gruesome and disturbing. Pictures of humans that were unnaturally thin, weapons that slaughtered hundreds, nuclear bombs that mowed down cities making them uninhabitable for decades, and murderers that killed for pleasure. When he saw Viceman again, Crimson collapsed and cried. "I know it's painful, but that's not the only side of humanity. There is ugliness, but like it there's beauty too." Viceman put his hand on Crimson's head and the pegasus saw images of forests, mountains, a couple in love, children playing, and the atmosphere of a tranquility everywhere. "How do your people, live on from all this death," Crimson asked still crying. "We do just that, live on. We keep living because our ancestors want us to. We all fear death, but some search for immortality. Only, they don't realize it brings nothing but sadness." Viceman explained with no expression on his face, "Your 'princesses' are immortal, and they may not show it but they are filled with grief. All of their loved ones are gone, and they know the ones that live will wither away." "But they will never forget them," Crimson said wiping his face with his foreleg, "No matter how much time passes they won't forget them." Then they remained silent for what seemed like an eternity.The silence broke when Viceman removed his hood to reveal brown hair that covered the back of his neck and curled halfway at the end. "You know there is only one way I still exist right," Viceman asked "How?" "Magic, dumbass!" Viceman yelled annoyed at the pegasus, "How else could I have gained the attributes of each race. Whoever dropped us here didn't give it to us, it would've made us to powerful, and power always has a way to corrupt ones very soul. How we got it is because you've been exposed to one type and I, another. Take a guess if you're like me you won't be stupid and get it wrong." Crimson just sat there for awhile, the answer never came, magic came in many types. Then when he gave up he shrugged, and Viceman yelled in frustration. "Look there are four types of magic in Equestria normal magic which unicorns can use, alicorn magic which, of course, can only be used by alicorns, the Elements of Harmony which can only be used by your friends, and finally chaotic magic, the magic only used by this worlds entity known as Discord." Viceman explained said as he created images to represent each class of magic. He continued his explanation by saying, "You got the Elements magic when you landed at the Castle of the two sisters. There was still magic radiation when you landed and that made part of us." "But what about the chaotic magic?" Crimson asked, "Discord was defeated a thousand years ago." "Oh, you have been studying," Viceman said while clapping then he obnoxiously added, "but one thing, he was defeated, not destroyed. But close enough." "You don't have to be a complete prick about that." "Sorry, force of habit, I had a little brother back home and we'd tease each other about what we got wrong." Crimson wondered what the brother looked like, then blurted out, "Sounds like a pain in the ass." "Yeah," Viceman said hiding his pain, "but he's family and I love him. We'd always fight as children and we'd never get along, but before this happened, we're weren't fighting as much. Sure we'd get into arguments now and then, but we always apologize for it." They continued to talk about what Vicemans' world was like and how humans didn't have magic but relied on technology and science. "Welp, our time is up time for you to go home." Viceman said "But, what'll happen to you?" Crimson asked "I'll just sleep most of the time, but I will take control,or give advice every now and then," Viceman answered walking away, he only got several steps before turning around and threatened, "But if you ever become corrupt I will take total control. Since I don't want power, I'll share it with you." Viceman walked back toward him and put his index finger on his forehead. Then everything when black and Crimson woke up to see Myst lying her head on his bed asleep. /// It was the middle of the night when Crimson woke up, he didn't know if it was the same day or if several have passed since he fell asleep. He decided to walk outside and look at the night sky. He couldn't get back to sleep thanks to those awful images Viceman showed him still were in his mind. The only thing that he wanted to think about was what gift Viceman gave him. He carefully got out of the bed and walked outside without waking anyone. The only thing he wanted to do was to figure out how to use what Viceman gave him. He went to the hill out where he and Myst were the day he asked her out. When he got to the top of it he sat down, closed his eyes and meditated. An hour passed and he still sat there. The one thing Viceman told him was how to use magic to increase muscle strength when magic was applied, but it only lasted when magic was applied. This was what made him unique, but it could corrupt him and make him power hungry. 'Geez, I should have asked him how to use it properly,' Crimson thought, then heard the grass rustle from behind him, "Who's there? I can hear you, so just show yourself." "Somethings always stay the same about you," a voice said from the brush behind him, "Always on the defensive." Twilight appeared and continued to say, "You think you can get away so easily you are sorely mistaken." Crimson just chuckled, and said, "I never really changed in the first place, I just wanted some time to think." "Well your thinking time will have to wait. Somepony is pretty angry at you for waking up and leaving her all alone," Twilight said smiling at him. "Hey Twi," "Yes?" "My time here is limited, when what I have to do is finished there is a chance I may have to leave," he said facing the purple unicorn. "Why are you telling me and not the princesses or Myst?" she asked astonished that his time would end at any moment. "Twi, there is a saying in my world, 'ignorance is bliss'. I'm pretty sure you know what it means." he said looking back toward the town, "And if I go I want you to be there for Myst." "Fine, but she'll be mad at you for not telling her about this." "Let her. I just want our time together to be happy. Let's go back I need to get that scolding from Myst." He said laughing when he finished. Twilight asked as he started walking away, "Aren't you worried, what if the next day was your last? What would I tell Myst?" He stopped, looked back and said, "There's a chance I would go, it's not absolute yet. If I do however, tell Myst I'll always love her, promise me that." On their way to the library Crimson told Twilight about his conversation with Viceman about the magic that was inside him. "He said he didn't know where the chaotic magic came from though," He finished looking at Twi who had a puzzled look on her face. "Well, I've never heard of the Elements doing that, but no pony was around when they were used so it could happen." she said still with the puzzled look, "I still have no idea how he knows so much about magic for, what was it he called himself... a human." "I never really asked how he knew it. The question never really came to mind." Crimson said wondering how Viceman knew so much about this world. "Oh, by the way, how long was I asleep?" "A few days, we were all worried about you, Myst never left your side." Twilight said, "You're very lucky to have her." "I know. I think that to myself every time I see her," Crimson said half-smiling, "I can't believe she'd even go out with me, I mean I'm a hopeless amnesiac who can't even tell her what he likes and dislikes." "You're not hopeless look at what you've done," she said trying to cheer him up, "You have an apprenticeship, friends, and a marefriend who loves you, that is far from hopeless." "Yeah you're right. Thanks Twi I needed that." he said as approached the library. When he went inside he was slapped by Myst who yelled, "Do you know how worried I was? I thought you left me again." Then she started to tear up as Crimson pulled her toward him with his wings. "Don't worry Azure, I'll never leave," he whispered as he held her, "I'll have nowhere else to go if I left." /// The next several days Twilight gave Crimson lessons for the uses of magic as he recovered. He understood a portion of her lessons, but he still didn't understand the majority of them. Viceman wasn't much help, he still remained silent since they had their chat in his dream state. He was probably was still working with the lessons in his own way. During first lesson he asked, "Hey Twilight? If magic is one of the foundations of life here doesn't every living thing have it?" "Yes they do," she replied, "Most creatures that are considered magical have magic in their bodies one way or another. Every pony race even has magic in their bodies as you already know, and only unicorns, and alicorns, can use magic outside of their body thanks to their horns." She finished the explanation by levitating a piece of chalk and writing 'Magic 101' on the board. Crimson tried to do the same by extending his right wing, and focused the energy to move another piece of chalk of the board. He failed miserably though, so instead he used one of his feathers as practice until he could move it with ease. It was the same for Twilight. Crimson, or Viceman, would teach her their ways of using magic as payment for the lessons. It was hard for her because she was used to using it externally, but not internally. The magic also stained the muscles making them push themselves past their limits, and because of that Twilight practiced every other day. Crimson, however, used it everyday and never seemed fatigued from it the next day. Twilight never really understood how he could be fine, unless he was hiding the pain to not worry anypony. During the time he needed to recover he was working, he usually went before his magic lessons. This should have made him feel worse, but he still worked. When they asked what was so important that it risked his health he just answered 'You'll see in due time' for the past week. This lifestyle was uncommon to him and it worried his friends thinking that he might getting an injury that would affect his work or life. Then after a week and half this lifestyle he finished his work. He arrived to the library with something wrapped in a cloth away from view. He asked Twilight to get the others here in an hour after he got a needed nap. "This is what I've been asking you to wait for." he announced when everyone was there at the library. He put the parcel on his back on the floor and it landed with a loud thud. Then he removed the cloth to reveal a sword like the one he drew several weeks ago. "This is the fruit of my labor," he finished. The sword was simple but seemed more complex the blade was a light gray and reflective, the handle was wrapped with several layers of cloth, to prevent deterioration of the teeth, and at the end of the handle was a ruby that was red as Crimson's eyes. "Oh darling, it's simply magnificent," Rarity said observing the sword, "Your craftsmanship is remarkably better for it being your first blade." Crimson looked at her and said, "I didn't know you admired blacksmithing Rarity." "Any form of art ," she replied, "Each one holds their own form of beauty and elegance." "I agree completely," Spike said with affection towards Rarity. "I believe everything has beauty and elegance," Crimson said, "Even the ugliest of things, like war and death." Everypony looked at him, shocked and terrified. "What? Death can have a sort of elegance in somepony else's eyes, but not mine." Crimson said, with everyone giving a sigh of relief, "Do you really think that I enjoy death? Viceman has an extremely dark sense of humor not me. Those jokes are mainly from his world so you won't get a large portion of them." He nervously smiled and everything was normal again. Then he placed the sword in its sheath and placed inside his room by the door. /// Steel agreed to Crimson's apprenticeship after saying, "You're either a prodigy or had dumb luck. Anyway, you'll be a great student." "Great, and I know it's asking too much, but could I get a few days to learn magic?" Steel laughed as hard he could coughed for a few moments and asked, "Why learn magic if ya can't use it?" He just chuckled and said, "Well there are exceptions to that." He showed Steel why he was gone the past week and a half. His lessons with Twi have improved his magical skill. To show that he conjured a blood red flame from the tips of his wings. "Didn't believe it at first now," Steel said astonished then he calmed after a moment, "and honestly I'll never get used to it. This better be worth it and show in your work." "Don't worry it will Boss. I'll promise it will show in my work.
Prologue Prologue /// "Where am I?" A male voice said looking around a seemingly empty room with a reflecting pool in the center of it. He felt another presence besides his own in the room but he couldn't see anyone else in the room, and that feeling freaked him out. "Hello, welcome to the place between worlds," a voice said inside his head. "you can call me the Creator. Now look into the pool for your new form and listen to me for your name." The male agreed for fear of the unseen entity. When he looked into the pool he saw a blue pegasus with a two tone red mane and blood-red eyes. When he realized that was him he heard his name and muttered "Crimson, that's my name, pretty original. That's all you can think of for a god-like being." The Creator then said "You are mocking a god, but it takes more than that to anger me. It's not the b est I could think of but it fits nonetheless." Crimson nodded, he did like the name probably because red was his favorite color. When he tried to remember when he started to like the color he couldn't seem to find the memory. All of his memories had been erased from his mind. "Hey who and what was I before this before all of this?" Crimson yelled, "What did you do to me?" Hearing this the being chuckled and simply said "Your past doesn't matter to you anymore what matters is the future and what comes with it. Now go to the new world and treasure the new ponies that want to be your friends for they are the key to your happiness." Now angry, the Pegasus yelled starting to tear up "What do you mean?! A person is defined by their past and I don't want to be some blank slate for you to write new things on! There are things I want to know! Who am I damnit, where did you take me from?!?" "Like I have said, your past doesn't matter, all that matters is the future and what comes with it and I do not write your 'blank slate' only you can write it I have no say in that matter. The friends you'll make however, will help write that blank slate," the being said "Now go, jump through the pool to the land of Equestria." And with that the presence was gone. Doing what the voice said he jumped through the pool and started falling from the sky. "Damnit this is not how it's supposed to end! Stupid voice!" He screamed as he plummeted towards the ground. As he fell he thought that the view was beautiful that would be the greatest memory of his life. As he was going to hit the ground he realized he slow down to the point where it wasn't life threatening then BAM! He slammed on the ground head first as was growing unconscious he had seen multiple figures and muffled voices. Then blackness. /// 'Where am I now?' Crimson thought as he was waking up. He heard several female voices talking, probably about him, all remembered was the that room, the ing up. he heard several female voices talking, probably about him, all remembered was the that room, the voice, and falling. he felt the bits of consciousness return to him. "who is he?" a female voice said whoever she was she stood next to him. "i have no idea twilight we just need to wait for him to wake up" an older woman's voice said then he heard them walk out shut the door. when silence had fallen he opened his eyes and looked around the room he was in, no one was in the room with him. "now is the perfect opportunity," he said quietly fearing that there was someone with him "how long was i asleep, ugh! my head!" when he touched his head with his hoof he found that it was bandaged. he felt bad of leaving and not thanking whoever helped him, but he needed to find out his past, who he really was. when got out of the bed he fell on his face, which worsened the headache. this was not his day first falling out the sky and hitting his head then falling out of bed and then landing on his face. now he heard hoof steps running towards the room. "you're up!" a purple unicorn said with excitement. "we were wondering when you'd wake up." remembering the voices from earlier he said "you must be twilight. now, can you please tell me where i am and how long i was out?" "you are in my library/home and you have been asleep for three days, an-" "three days!" he interrupted wide-eyed then muttered something under his breath. "since you know my name can you tell me yours?" she asked calmly enough to calm the scared crimson "the name i was given was crimson. now where did you find me and where is the other one?" the now calm pegasus asked after remembering the older mare's voice. realizing, who he was talking about twilight said, "are you talking about princess celestia? she was waiting for you to wake up. you don't remember? you fell in the ruins inside the everfree forest. you happened to interrupt a really heartwarming reunion you know." finishing with a slight tone of anger. "well sorry, i had no idea next time i fall from the sky i'll be sure to miss," he replied with the same tone of anger. "now if you'll excuse me i need to leave." then as he tried to get to the door he was wrapped around and levitated of the ground by a purple aura. "oh no you don't you need to talk to the princess about who you are and where you came from." she told him while turning him to face her. hearing this crimson laughed and said, "look if she can find out who i am that's great, but i doubt she's going to find anything i don't even know anything about myself," then becoming serious he threatened, "now put me down. you have no idea what i've been through the past few days." "neither do you about me, my past few days may not have been as bad as yours but the princess wanted me to take you to her when you woke up," she said completely unfazed by his threat the she called "spike!" then a small dragon with green scales ran into the room staring at crimson then back to twilight and asked, "you want me to take a note to the princess?" "yes tell her our visitor has woken up, and that i plan to give him a tour of ponyville and introduce him to the others. we should discuss living arrangements when you arrive." when she finish he rolled up the scroll and spat fire at it sending the smoke to the princess. feeling guilty now, crimson asked "why did you take me in somepony you don't even know. and who doesn't even know who he is or where he came from? this doesn't mean i am not thankful, i'm just wondering why?" looking at him twilight said with a smile, "you needed help and we were willing to give you a place to stay. now let me introduce you to my friends." /// when everything was settled crimson agreed on meeting twilight's friends. their first stop was to a bakery called sugarcube corner to meet a pony called pinkie pie. the reason it was the first was because crimson was famished and realized he had nothing to eat since he got here. as they were talking about the nightmare moon incident crimson was tackled by a strange pink mare. "hi i'm pinkie pie!" she said to him as she got off of him. as crimson got up, pinkie looked at him and asked, "where have i seen your face before?" "this is crimson. he was the guy who fell during the reunion of celestia and luna," twilight explained, "we were on the way to sugarcube corner to see you and get something to stop his stomach from growling." as if on cue crimson's stomach growled loudly. "sorry its just that i haven't eaten in a few days." he said embarrassed by his stomach. "well why didn't you say so, wait i'll be back in a sec," with that she was gone, and it seemed like she wasn't really gone because she was back !moments after she left, "here eat this." she said showing him a cupcake. just before he could thank pinkie her hoof went into his mouth. the tiny cake was delicious it was the best thing he had tasted, that he could recall. "this is delicious pinkie," he said after swallowing the treat, "thanks for the food. it's really a kind thing for you to do for somepony you just met." "that's nothing. i threw a party for twilight when she arrived in ponyville!" she told him smiling at the thought of the event. after that she asked "we should throw you a party too crimson!" "i appreciate that pinkie, but i'm still recovering from the fall the other day. when i feel better we'll have that party." crimson apologized for the inconvenience to the one who desperately wanted to throw him a party. even though pinkie wanted the party to happen now, she thought of another way to throw one. "how 'bout we introduce him to the others at my place twi? it'd take less time than taking him all over town while he's injured." she said to twilight, surprised on how she knew she was introducing him to her friends. "that's a great idea pinkie i'll show around town while you get the others and the party. after celestia sees him we'll head on over to sugarcube corner." twilight said after a couple seconds of thinking it over. after that was settled the two thanked pinkie and continued to walk around the small town. ///
Chapter 1The Introduction's Are In Order /// As soon as the tour was finished Crimson and Twilight went back to the library only to find a tall, white alicorn, as they are called here, with a multicolored mane and tail. She seem very young, but had a look of many lifetimes and experiences in her eyes. "Ah it seems our friend has awakened," she said in a sweet and calm voice "My name is Celestia and I am in charge of equestrian, but you may already know that from my student here." She gestured toward Twilight, who stood by her side. "It's a pleasure, my name is Crimson. And yes Twilight has told me about this land, it's inhabitants, the marks on everyones flanks," he stopped to look at the red sword with golden wings," and the different races.Which she did an excellent job about talking about," he said and saw that Twilight blushed at the compliment. "Now," Celestia said, "let's get on with the rest of the business , Twilight said you have no clue about your past or where you came from, is that correct?" "Yes, that's pretty much it." He said wondering what's going to happen next. "Okay then I'm going to use a simple spell that will let me dive into your memories, no matter if they are forgotten. Now just relax and clear you mind." Celestia said. Crimson did what was told as Celestia readied the spell. When she used it they explored the memory of today, the dreams of when he was asleep, and what happened three days ago when he first arrived in Equestria. Then before it was over there was the memory of the room and reflecting pool. Then a wave of emotion hit him hearing himself yell at an unknown entity and cry because it took whatever he had away. Celestial seeing all she needed cut off power from the spell. /// Crimson found himself back in the library with Twilight staring at him. When he touched his face and his hoof was wet with the tears of the memory. "I'm sorry princess that all I can remember. That damn Creator was..." He couldn't say anything else before he started to cry a little. He may have no memories but he did know that it wasn't like him to cry. "Don't apologize Crimson you can't blame yourself about what happened," Twilight said trying to comfort the crying stallion ."We'll find out who you are and why you were sent here. Now cheer up, I've decided you'll stay in there spare room here at the library." Hearing this Crimson smiled and thanked Twilight for the room and started to set up the room. After an hour or so, when celestia left, he calmed down and he got his room set up they went to Sugarcube Corner. When they arrived they were greeted by an excited Pinkie. "Hiya! Follow me to the party." So Crimson and Twilight followed Pinkie upstairs where there were four other ponies. When they saw him they swarmed around him, except the one with a pink mane who stood away from the chaos happening around Crimson and asked him questions of who he was and where he came from. Crimson didn't like to be surrounded and he could hardly understand who was saying what. "Please, before you ask questions I would like to know all your names," he said trying to be calm and as polite as possible. "Now who would like to go first?" "Ah'll go first." A blonde maned pony with a southern accent, "Mah names Applejack its nice to meetcha." "I'm Rarity, it's a pleasure to meet you." A white purple maned unicorn said with an upper class tone of voice. "I run the boutique in town, you may have seen it while you were on your tour with Twilight." Next was a rainbowed maned pegasus who walked with a sense of accomplishment. "And I'm Rainbow Dash," she said confidently. "And I am the greatest flyer in Equestria." She seemed pretty sure of herself and she seemed like she could teach Crimson how to fly so he wouldn't fall from the sky. The last introduction was of the yellow pegasus who simply hid in her hair. Walking to her he smiled at her and said "And what is your name? Don't worry I'm not a mean guy, and I'm not one to be violent for a good reason." Quietly, almost inaudible she said, " My names Fluttershy, it's nice to meet you." Even though she was quite she had a sweet voice that made you feel calm even in the most stressing situations. "It's nice to meet you Fluttershy, I'm Crimson." Then when all the introductions were finished the girls then asked him where he came from and he told he all he knew He sensed they sadness of the group after he told the story of how he got here and the Creator. But the feeling was soon gone because Pinkie said that this was a party and there was no reason to feel down. /// The party lasted for several hours. Crimson said he was tired after all that happened today and left towards the library. When he got there he was greeted by Spike. "Oh hey Crimson how is everyone?" He asked wondering how the party was. He was the only one not there because it was his bedtime, which Crimson could tell because he looked like he could fall asleep then and now. "Everyone is pretty nice. Sorry you couldn't go but I snuck this out for ya." As he finished the sentence he pulled out a cupcake from the party. This was a thank you present for helping make his room. "Thanks man!" He said before eating it. "Well Spike I'm going to bed this has just bed one long day of new things and it's really draining." He yawned just as he finished the sentence and headed to his room and shut the door. Crimson will soon discover that not all is as it seems /// When sleep finally came Crimson was peacefully dreaming, but that slowly dissolved into a familiar scene. Now he was in the room with the pool, but something was different the pool was black. The feeling of despair came from it and dark evil thoughts with it. Something was with him in this room, like the Creator, this one was unseen but was there without a doubt. "Well now what have we here another one of the Creator's pawns? How amusing!" Crimson looked around for the source of this evil voice but couldn't see him, this was not the entity that sent him here but something entirely different. "Who are you? What do you want?" He said while looking around. Then he heard a maniacal laughter that was of pure insanity. "You could say that I am the opposite of this 'Creator' as he calls himself now. You can call me the Destroyer, Death, or Darkness. Now that I know that that goody two shoes sent another pawn here I have to kill you." Hearing that he wasn't the only one sent here he was glad, but the feeling was washed away by the thought of what happened to the other, ponies like him who don't know who they were cut down by some evil thing. "Oh looks like my time is u Crimson will soon discover that not all is as it seems /// When sleep finally came Crimson was peacefully dreaming, but that slowly dissolved into a familiar scene. Now he was in the room with the pool, but something was different the pool was black. The feeling of despair came from it and dark evil thoughts with it. Something was with him in this room, like the Creator, this one was unseen but was there without a doubt. "Well now what have we here another one of the Creator's pawns? How amusing!" Crimson looked around for the source of this evil voice but couldn't see him, this was not the entity that sent him here but something entirely different. "Who are you? What do you want?" He said while looking around. Then he heard a maniacal laughter that was of pure insanity. "You could say that I am the opposite of this 'Creator' as he calls himself now. You can call me the Destroyer, Death, or Darkness. Now that I know that that goody two shoes sent another pawn here I have to kill you." Hearing that he wasn't the only one sent here he was glad, but the feeling was washed away by the thought of what happened to the other, ponies like him who don't know who they were cut down by some evil thing. Rage was now the only emotion that he could feel, revenge was the only thing on his mind. "Oh looks like my time it's. nice talking to you pawn." Then as he laughed the voice faded out and Crimson woke up in a cold sweat it was still the middle of the night. Now depressed of what was to come he left to go think what to do.
Chapter 2New Love Under the Moon. /// Looking out of his door he made sure that no one was awake. When he made sure that everyone was asleep he silently left through the front door and silently closed it so Twilight or spike wouldn't wake up. When he was out the door he walked toward the nearest pond or steam to look at the moon. He just need to be awake so that nightmare wouldn't happen again. As he walked he could still hear the laugh. Whenever it came to his mind it chilled him to the bone. He had to tell the others about the dream but not now. When he reached a pond towards the outskirts of Ponyville he saw a figure. This surprised Crimson because no sensible pony would be up at this hour, well maybe Luna but she was still regain her power from the other day. The figure hearing his footsteps turned and he couldn't believe it. The shadow was a girl around his age and stunning to him with the light reflecting of her eyes which were as gray as stone. Her body color and mane was an icy-blue with a line of darker blue that made it look like water melting from it. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She said with annoyance. When Crimson heard her voice he was at a loss of words. Her voice was melodic like a calm, classical song, even angry soothed his very soul. "S-Sorry! I didn't think anypony else was up at this hour. I couldn't sleep so I decided to walk, my name is Crimson, and I just started living here not to long ago," he explained why he was walking around town at night, leaving out the part about the dream with Darkness, "Now you know who I am, who are you?" She was calm now after the explanation and she told him, "My name is Myst,with a y, it's nice to meet you Crimson." She smiled at him after her introduction, and he couldn't help but smile back. So, they talked to each other about their lives and where they were from, something Crimson couldn't do very well. Myst was from Cloudsdale the city where there are only pegasi. There the create the clouds for the weather and the other weather related things. Crimson simply told her how he got here and what he did after he woke up from the three days of sleep. "I was there at the party in the library and Twilight wasn't very amused at the timed," she giggled at the thought. "I've lived here long enough not to refuse an invitation to one of Pinkie's parties." "Yeah she can throw one heck of a party. That as one the best moments of my life,even though I didn't stay long, it was a lot of fun," he laughed with her as they talked they noticed that the night was over and they had to go home. "We should meet up again this was fun, it's nice to have somepony to talk to every once in a while." She said still smiling from the time they spent together. He nodded in agreement and suggested that they should meet again, but at a ridiculous hour. She agreed to meet him again tomorrow, and then started to fly home. Crimson waved, then started his walk back to the library. /// When he got back to the library he was greeted by a surprised Twilight. "Where have you been I thought you we do asleep. Why were you out running around town?" She asked with a confused look. "I'll tell you after I take a quick nap," he yawned then said, "I couldn't really sleep last night." And with that he was back in bed and was out like a light. When he woke up an hour or so had passed, and he was ready to tell Twilight what he dreamt about. "Okay tell me why you weren't in your room the entire night." She demanded. "Which do you want the good news or the bad news?" He asked. "Good news first," she said impatiently. She really wanted to know where he was and what he was doing. "I know what my purpose is and why the Creator sent me," he said with less excitement than Twilight thought he would, "and I'm not the first to be sent." "Isn't that a good thing? You can finally do what you're supposed to do." She then asked him, "What is your purpose and where are the others?" Crimson just stared at the floor and said, "I have to stop the apocalypse, and what wants to start it. I have no idea when it will happen, but I know that it's coming another entity, like the Creator, will start it and the others aren't with the living anymore they were killed by the same evil." He tried to fight the tears that were welling up in his eyes, but he couldn't. He started to cry again, this time for the lost ponies who came before him. Not knowing who they were or where they came from. "Sorry for this Crimson," she said when he looked up he got a smack on the face. "This what he wants, for you to give up without a fight, there could be others like you who are still alive, this thing is trying to mess with your head." When he calmed he said, "Thanks Twi I needed that." And hugged her, when that was over she called Spike to send a letter to the princess about the news. The only thing that he didn't talk about was his fateful encounter of Myst. That gave Crimson company and talked to him when he needed it the most then he thought to himself that he would introduce her when the time was right and when he got to know her better. ///
Chapter 3The Ticket Master. Several days past when Crimson met Myst. In that short time he learned to fly from Rainbow Dash ,and both Crimson and Myst have grown closer to each other, unlike most ponies that took months to know the one they love, he knew about her life than most others did. The same was being said about Myst, she knew more about him than his others friends did. There was a connection between them, not like a normal friendship, but something more, something better than that. 'I should properly introduce her to Twilight, then tell her that she is the reason he was gonna all day.' Crimson thought Myst and Twi didn't really know each other, and he only described her to Twi but he wanted to properly introduce the two. She was the only thing that Twilight didn't know about, besides his darkest fears which were being alone in the dark. Which popped up after that dream of the Destroyer, and the black pool was the starter of it something wasn't natural about it. That pool would cause fear to the ones near it. But then Crimson pushed that thought to the back of his mind when he saw Myst. "Hey Red," she called as she walked to him happy to see him. "Why didja call me Red?" He asked while chuckling at the name and smiling at her. "Well your name is basically a shade of red and your eyes and hair add to that," she pointed to his hair and eyes as she was talking. "Alright then, then I'll give you a nickname..." He said as thought of one. It took a couple seconds but then it hit him, "I'll just call you Azure 'cause of your mane and eyes." He said as she laughed at him. While she was laughing she said, "That's the best you can come up with, you've got to be kidding." The name was ridiculous, but Crimson really thought of it from the night they met. How the moonlight reflected off her eyes made them look like the sky itself,and are majestic blue that came her mane that's why he really chose the name, but he was too embarrassed to tell her. When she was done laughing at him, he asked her "Hey Myst, I want to introduce you to Twilight, are you in?" She nodded and then they made their way to the library. /// When they arrived, Crimson said, "Hey Twi there's somepony I want you to meet!" As the sentence was finished Twilight just asked, "What would you do with tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?" Confused, Crimson tried to think about what the Gala was and what he would do there. Then Myst appeared from behind him and said, "I would go with the stallion I loved and dance all night." Whatever the gala's wacky seemed to excite her. Looking at her, then back to Crimson, Twilight smiled and asked. "And who is this Crimson?" Moving away from Myst he introduced her, "Twi this is Myst she was the pony who I met the night I had the nightmare. Myst this is Twilight, the one who is letting me live here for the time being." The two seemed to hit it off and became friends then and there. /// After Twi and Myst were introduced Twilight explained to the them that Princess Celestia had given her two tickets, and she wanted to know which friend to take depending on what they would do there. So, she heard what Myst wanted to do but now she needed to hear the others reason to go. When Twilight left they decided to get something to eat. Crimson and Myst then left the library to go to Sugarcube Corner to visit Pinkie and get something to eat. When they arrived they were greeted, by Pinkie who had just put the finishing touches on a new batch of cupcakes. "Hey Pinks, you remember Myst right?" Crimson asked as Pinkie turned around. "Yeah, she was at the surprise party I threw for Twilight when she first arrived in Ponyville. How could I forget." She said as she placed a plate with two of the cupcakes she just made and said it was a new recipe she was trying. After they eaten the cupcakes, which were amazing, Myst and Crimson said in unison "That was delicious!" Then, tried to call jinx on each other, with Myst beating Crimson to the punch. "Aw! You two make such a good couple," Pinkie said as she giggled at the two ponies. The two, now blushing at the thought of them being together, tried telling Pinkie that it wasn't like that, but she didn't listen to them as she kept giggling at their reaction to the comment. Just like any other young couple would have reacted. /// Twilight had just arrived to Sweet Apple Acres to ask Applejack about the gala and her reason to go. She wasn't going to tell anyone about the gala tickets though. That was her plan to hear everyone's reason then choose who would go with her. "Howdy Twi," Applejack said in her southern accent, "What're ya doin' this fine day?" After she finished talking she lifted herself on her front legs and kicked the tree with her back legs. "Hey AJ, I just wanted to ask you a question." Twilight said "Okay, shoot." AJ said after kicking another tree. Twilight tried to think of a way to ask the question without sounded suspicious. When she thought of it she asked the pony "If you got to go to the gala what would do, and what for?" Immediately Applejack said, "Well I would sell food and goods made from the farm and raise money for repairs and probably get Granny Smith's bad hip. Why you asking anyway?" "Just asking everypony I asked Crimson, which was a mistake, and his marefriend answered instead." Twilight said with a bit of giggling Hearing the last part AJ ,just staring at Twilight, said, "Is that why he's been so scarce? I just thought he was just working a job or somethin'" -/- On Crimson and Myst's side, after Twi's comment the two sneezed simultaneously followed by Myst who said "If you get me sick you have to take care of me Red." "The same thing goes to you Azure." Crimson quickly added. Then the two laughed and returned to their day. -/- Back at Sweet Apple Acres Twi and Applejack finished their conversation about the gala. So they said goodbye after Twilight asked her to meet with her and the others at the library then she went on her way to see Rarity. "So what's all this talk about the gala?" A voice said startling Twilight. When she looked around and Saw Rainbow Dash flying in front of her. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" Twilight asked with annoyance ignoring her question. "Not intentionally, I just came here to ask Applejack if she's seen Crimson, he needs to get to his flying lesson done for the day." She said looking for the pegasus, "He can only get a few feet of the ground and that isn't acceptable under my instruction." "Last time I saw him was at the library introducing me his friend Myst. I don't know where they went when I left, I think he could use the break for today. He's been training so much he can barely move his wings." Twi answered worried she might interrupt the two on their day out. "Fine, he can get the day off." Dash said, "Now wants this business about the gala?" "Nothing special, I was just wondering what you would do at the gala if you got the chance to go." Twilight explained. Dash, like Applejack already knew what she was going to do, confidently said "I would show off my stuff to the Wonderbolts, and they'll be so amazed that they have to let me join." "That's a good reason Dash." Twilight said to Dash, who was smiling from ear to ear like Pinkie does, "Well now, I should get going I need to get a reason from Rarity next. I'm having the others visit the library after I talk to everypony, so could you head there when you get the time. Then as she flew off she yelled to Twilight, " 'Kay Twi see ya later." Then she was gone and Twilight continued her walk to the Carousel Boutique, where Rarity worked. /// Arriving to the boutique he found Rarity working on a new article of clothing, and she was just finishing as Twilight walked inside. "Ah, Twilight welcome what can I do for you?" She asked in a pleasant upbeat tone of voice. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Like, whatcha making there?" Twilight said as she approached the sewing machine. "Oh it's a scarf for Crimson to help him get that mare he's always with," she said holding up a gold scarf, "You think he'll like it? It's hard to get a good for that one." "You mean Myst? How do you know that when he just introduced me to her?" She asked a little annoyed at Crimson, if he told everyone except her. "Oh, I have my sources for gossip and I've seen him with Myst after his flight training, you have to say they look so cute together." She said giggling with Twilight as they talked about the two ponies for several minutes. Then Twilight stopped with that conversation and went back to the topic at hoof, "So Rarity if you got a chance to go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would you do there?" "Why I'd go to meet Celestia's nephew, Prince Blueblood, I heard he's quite the charmer." Rarity said. "Okay then, thanks for the answer Rarity I'm going to see Pinkie and Fluttershy and ask the same thing. Oh, and could meet me and the others at the library" Twilight said as she walked out the door. "Alrighty then, I'll see you soon." And when the door closed she went back to the gold scarf for Crimson. Which was almost finished and ready to be given to him. /-/ Crimson and Myst had just left Pinkies when Twilight left the boutique. They had nothing else to do and they figured that they should walk a ways from town. There was no pony who would walk that far and they weren't exactly the social ponies the others thought they were. So they just went to the largest hill outside of town, where they could see everything, and talked about what the future would be like and what would happen. /-/ Twilight had just arrived to Sugarcube Corner when Pinkie came out from the kitchen and said, "Hey Twi if you're looking for Crimson and Myst you just missed them." Now knowing where the two have been Twilight sat at the counter and said, "No, I actually came here to ask you a question." "What is it?" She asked wondering what it could be. "If you could go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would do there?" "Why I'd party of course, that's what it's for duh. It's just like any party with music, games, and most importantly SWEETS!" Pinkie shouted with her drool hanging from her mouth at the mention of the word. Hearing this Twilight thanked her and asked her to meet her to meet with the others at the library, left to go see Fluttershy at her cottage. When she arrived to her cozy little home she knocked on the door and was greeted by Fluttershy moments later. "Oh, hi there Twilight what brings you here?" Fluttershy asked in her quiet voice, "I was just about to feed the animals, you want to come?" "Sure I'd love to feed them." Twi said taking the small bag of food that Flutters handed her. Then as they started walking towards the area Fluttershy usually fed the animals she asked her, "Fluttershy, if you got to go to the Grand Galloping Gala what would you do there?" "Why would go to the castle gardens and see all animals there especially the ones you don't really see in this area." She said, like others did, excited by the thought of going to the gala. "Okay that sound like a very fun thing to do." Twilight said now getting ready to head to the library and decide on who to take with her to the gala. /// Then,when they finished feeding the animals they walked to the library together and were greeted by the others, except Crimson and Myst. "Glad you could make it you guys... wait we're missing Crimson, where is he?" Twilight asked looking at the rest of her friends. Then Dash answered, "I saw him with Myst outside of Ponyville. They were just sitting on that hill near closest to the Everfree forest. Probably going to ask her out." She finished, laughing at the possibility of that happening. Then everypony else thought about it and started laughing asked at the thought of them together. When they stopped Twilight told them why she was asking them questions about the gala. "Well who's going with you," Rarity asked. "That's why I brought you here, I can't choose between my closest friends, so I'm sending them back. Spike take a note." She said before waiting to get a quill and pen, when he got them she said, "Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned you should never choose between your best friends and that it's hard to make the choice even if you can, so I'm sending the tickets back to you, your faithful student Twilight Sparkle." When he got everything written down he sent the letter to the princess. However, when everypony was finished with a group hug Spike had belched another letter. When he unrolled the scroll read "' Dear Twilight Sparkle, well why didn't you say so I have enough tickets for you and your friends.'" When he finished he took out six tickets for the girls. Overjoyed to know that they were going they each got their ticket and went home with a smile that lasted the entire night. Then Spike got another letter that contained three more tickets for him, Crimson, and Myst. How Celestia knew about Myst they'd never figure know. /-/ Crimson and Myst returned to the library after a long day Myst just needed to get her ticket after Dash told her that they all gotten tickets to the gala. So after they got their tickets from Spike Crimson offered to walk Myst home. It was late when they arrived to her house, and this was the first time Crimson actually saw it. Myst lived in a two story home which was average size for a regular home here. After they said goodbye and he walked away, halfway to the library he said to himself, "Dammit, that was the perfect moment, how could I forget to ask her out." He turned around running towards her house, the home of the pony he knew he had fallen in love with the moment he saw her that night several days ago. Even though their time together as friends wasn't long, he wanted to be with her everyday and every night. He made plenty of opportunities throughout the entire day, but he couldn't think of the right words to say When arrived at her house he knocked on the door and Myst answered and asked, "Red, you forget some-" she was cut off as his lips pressed against hers and when she realized what was going on she pushed him away and asked, still shocked from the kiss "What was that for?" "Myst, from the moment I met you I knew I was in love, when I'm away from you you're all I think about, even at night I can't sleep because I'm too excited because I know I'll see you the next day," He said knowing there was no going back, "I guess what I'm trying to say is I love you Myst, will you go out with me?" There were tears streaming down her eyes as he said it, those words of love that he confessed left her crying. The only word she could only think of one word to say, "Yes, you big idiot of course! I've been waiting for you to ask all day!" She tackled him as she jumped up to kiss him all day she thought that this was going to happen later on in their relationship, but this had taken her by surprise and she was perfectly happy with that. Like every good moment it was cut short. What they had forgotten that there was a storm planned that night. Which lead to Crimson staying the night at his new marefriend which was a dream come true.
Chapter 4Applebucking Season /After the kiss - Crimson/ Crimson felt like the luckiest stallion alive. He just asked the mare he loves out on a date and the best part was that he was staying the night at her house. There was only one problem, and that was he had to sleep in a separate room. Myst had her room while Crimson had to stay in the guest room her parents stayed when they came to visit. Well at least it was better than the couch. When they've been together a while and he had a job he would ask her if he could move in. But until then he would have to wait. So tomorrow he would look for a job, but for now he would relish what had happened today as he slowly slipped away from reality. /After the kiss - Myst/ She was still surprised. She never thought that such a careful pony like Crimson would ever take a risk like that. He planned their whole day hoping that it wouldn't go bad. But it still did, he didn't tell her how he felt during the times he could have done so, like at the hill or when he walked her home. Instead he realized what he would've lost if he didn't tell her and ran back to show her how much she meant to him. Like everypony says, actions speak louder than words. Even when she kissed him, her action didn't speak as loud as his did. She tried to fall asleep, but she couldn't and how could she. Her day was full of amazing events, getting the gala tickets and Red kissing her. So, she got out of bed and went to see if Red had the same problem. "Red, you awake? She asked his silhouette in the moonlight. When he didn't respond she just laid next to him and felt comfort from his heart beat. Then she went to sleep next to the stallion who loves her. /Morning/ He woke as the sun was rising smelled mint and felt a weight on his chest as he was waking up. When he opened his eyes he saw Myst lying on his chest, smiling. 'What did I do last night, all I remember is going to bed' he panicked and thought to hell with it then fell back asleep with Myst still sleeping on his chest. Several hours later he woke up again without Myst on his lying on him. So he got out of bed and went downstairs to see if she was still home. She wasn't but a note was on the table that said: 'Dear Red, Thanks for staying the night, even though I made you sleep in another room, and then slept next to you. Anyways I'm at my job so we'll talk about our date when we get back. I'll see you later. Please lock the door with the spare key under the rock to the left of the door. Love, Myst.' When he finished reading he smiled and left, after locking the door. /// He decided to go to the library to tell Twilight what happened last night, but when he arrived there he wasn't ways immediately bombarded by Twilight's questions. "Where have you been?!" She asked angrily before Crimson could explain why he wasn't back last night, "We were worried about you, right Spike." She said looking at the dragon. "Yeah, where were you?" Spike asked also curious about the pegasus's whereabouts. A little nervous about telling them where he was he too a deep breath, smiled and said, "I just asked Myst out on a date, and I was staying at Myst's house because it started raining." Twilight just looked at Spike and said, "It wasn't supposed to rain last night, the schedule calls for rain later in the month but not last night. Somepony was probably trying to ruin your happy moment with Myst." "But by the look on your face I'd say you'd thank whoever it was for it." Spike finished, looking at the Happy pegasus. "She made me sleep in another room, only for her to come in and sleep next to me." he said chuckling. "She did have such a lovely smell though, a sort of minty smell,like peppermints. Anyways I need to find a job so I don't have to be mooching off of anypony like I have been." "You aren't mooching off anypony Crimson, our friend and you aren't a burden of any kind." Twilight said with kindness and sincerity. "Thanks Twi, but this is something that I need to do it'll be better than sitting here all day doing nothing," Crimson said glad she said that. "I feel like I'm not doing anything lately except walk around with Myst, so if I want to take her out I need to get a job." "Why don't you go ask Applejack about a job," Twilight said. "She has that large orchard and with Big Mac's injuries she may need help." "Awesome, about the job opportunity, I feel sorry about Big Mac. See ya Twi." And with that he was off to Sweet Apple Acres. /// When Crimson arrived at the orchard where Applejack was doing her job bucking apples. He could hear her but she was no where in sight. When he did find her 15 minutes passed and she just filled her wagon full of apples. "Hey Aj how's it goin'," he asked as he walked up to the orange mare. "I need a job and Twi said you may need help harvesting the apples. I don't want to be paid I just want to help in anyway and lose weight." "Thanks for the offer but I have to refuse I can do this by myself." She said sternly "Are you sure it seems like it'll take days for-" "I said I got this and I don't need help." She quickly interrupted. Then she went back to her work and Crimson left without arguing any further. About an hour or so later Crimson had thought about working with Pinkie and Rarity. Then he came to the conclusion that he couldn't cook and had no sense of fashion. So he went out of town and found the local blacksmith, who was looking for a new apprentice, and his shop 'The Iron Hoof' the only thing he found interesting was smithing. So he entered the shop and was greeted by Myst. "Welcome to the Iron Hoof how may I-," she stopped before realising it was him, "Oh, hi Red I didn't expect to see you here how may I help you." "I came here for the apprenticeship and a possible job." He said. "Well the boss has to look at you first and he'll say if you're fit for the part," she said before yelling, "HEY BOSS WE HAVE AN APPLICANT!" As she finished an middle-aged gray bodied, black maned earth pony with a hammer cutie mark came from the back door. He looked at Myst then to Crimson and said, "So this is the new applicant to replace the reject of an apprentice I hired." "Yep, I'm ready to start the job." Crimson said eagerly "Well that all depends on if you get the part," he paused as he examined Crimson when he was done he whispered into Myst's ear who in turn whispered in his ear. Nervous about not getting the job Crimson said, "W-Well did I get the apprenticeship?" Keeping the same stern expression on his face he said, "Kid, you'd better be a good apprentice and if you do a good job I'll put up your work and you'll get half the price its bought for." "Sir it'll be an honor to work under you," Crimson said excitedly, "So what'll I call you?" "My names Steel Hammer, but as my apprentice you'll address me as Boss." He said with the same stern voice. "I've heard a lot of good stuff about you from Myst, so don't disappoint me." "Great, so when do I start Boss?" Crimson asked simply. "Now follow me to the workshop, and we'll get you started," Boss said as he and Crimson walked toward the back, outside of the shop of the shop. Then Crimson stood amazed as he saw an ore smelter, a blacksmith's forge, a grindstone, and an anvil in the center. "This is amazing, I've only seen this in the books at the library," Crimson said looking at the giant room. "So, where do I start?" "You'll start by going to the mine and get yourself some ores to make for your first blade or tool," Steel said pointing to the mine that tunneled in the mountains. "The types of ores you use is up to you. That mine has lots of 'em iron, orichalcum, and plenty more. If you can make a good sword I'll make my apprentice. "Great, is it okay that I ask for help on finding other materials?" Crimson asked. "Fine by me, you can't get everything from this mine." Steel said. "I'll be back in a minute Boss I need to go to the library and talk to Twilight about good ore mines." Has said as he left the forge, "See ya later Myst, gotta go talk to Twi." "Okay, see ya later Red I'm glad to have you working here. It'll be great." Myst said as Crimson opened the door and waved goodbye. /// As Crimson was walking to the library he saw Twilight standing at a medical tent with nurse Red Heart in front of it. He was close enough to hear the conversation between them. "What happened? Is everyone alright?" Twilight asked the nurse. "Yes, it was just a mishap with the baked goods." Red Heart replied back to Twilight Then there was a reply from pinkie, who was in one of the beds, "No, not baked goods, baked bads!" "What happened here? And why am I feeling up this isn't the first incident of the day?" Crimson said as he walked up to the urgent care tent. "Well Rainbow Dash dropped in," Twilight said worried about what happened to everypony. "Literally, after Applejack launched her from the launchpad she made. I went to her saying she needs help, but she said she doesn't need any help. I guess that's why you were weren't there." "Well, I thought I wouldn't get a job, but I actually got an apprenticeship at the Iron Hoof." He said gleefully, "All I need to do now is to make a sword." "That's great Crimson, so what materials are you going to use?" Twi asked curiously. "I was actually going to ask you for a book about rare ores." Crimson answered. "Just go to library and look in the 'O' section I'm sure you'll find one or two." Twilight explained. Then as Crimson was about to leave Spike came up and asked, "You want one of these muffins? They're great!" He held up a muffin that looked good on the outside, but the inside looked green and something moved inside of it. Wondering how he could stomach the 'baked bads' was a wonder to him, so he lied, "No thanks I just ate awhile ago. Anyway I'm going to the library to look up ores." Then Crimson left, waving to the unicorn and dragon. On the way however he ran into Rarity. She seemed to be carrying a package for somepony or new materials for a dress or suit. "Hey Rarity what's up, and what's in the box?" Crimson asked curious about the parcel. "Oh hello Crimson. I was actually heading to the library to give you this as a congrats on getting the mare." She said giggling at him. Blushing he said, "Well, I guess Twilight told you about what happened last night?" "Actually Rainbow Dash told me." Wondering how Dash knew he asked, "How did Rainbow know about that? The only ponies I told are Twilight and Spike." "Oh, she was the pony who caused the rain at Myst's house. She didn't tell you?" She asked him. "No, all I heard was that she crashed at Twilight's after she was launched by Applejack." He replied getting a concerned look from the white mare. "Oh, is she alright?" She said worried about the cyan pegasus. "She's probably fine, she's probably been through worse, yeah?" He said. "You're right Crimson she has done a lot of dangerous stunts living here." Rarity said with a worried look on her face before getting a sudden look of realization, "Oh! I almost forgot here's that little gift," she finished before giving him the package. Opening the package he lifted up a gold colored scarf as he put it around his neck he said, "Thank you Rarity, I really appreciate it. I may need to do a bit of traveling due to my new job." Upon hearing this she said in excitement, "Oh congratulations. What kind of job is it?" "I'm going to be an apprentice at the Iron Hoof outside of town." He said happy about getting the job. "So I better get going I'm going to need to research materials for my first sword." "Alright deary I'll see you later toodaloo." She said as Crimson walked towards the library and she walked back to her boutique. /Twilight/ After Crimson left Twilight decided to talk to Applejack about what was happened before something worse happened to any pony. So she left to go back to Sweet Apple Acres. When she got there she saw Applejack dosing in and out of sleep. When she jerked herself back awake, she would buck an imaginary tree behind her. "Applejack we need to talk." Twi said as AJ was drifting into sleep. After jerking herself back awake she saw Twi and said tiredly, getting ready to buck a tree, "Howdy Twi, I know what you're going to say and the answer is still no." "AJ, I think you're beating a dead tree." Twilight said Realizing what she was doing Applejack, "I knew that," and then moved on to another tree. Realizing that Applejack was determined to finish the harvest she said to her, "Actually Applejack there's something I wanted to tell you about I just left the urgent care-" "You know I'm a bit busy to get lectured now Twilight," Applejack said starting to get a little bit agitated. "But if you just listen." "I said I don't need no help from no pony!" AJ finished storming off /Crimson/ Back at the library Crimson was looking for the perfect materials for the weapon. The ores he would need orichalcum, which was incredibly hard to find even I that mine Steel mentioned, for the blade. The hilt would be a steel or a tougher metal. The easy part was the hilt,but the orichalcum would be tougher to find. The only mines that were digging for it have dried up or had been abandoned. Those would be the first places to go to. There was one mine several hours outside of Canterlot. They may be abandoned but there could still be ores left. Now he had to tell everypony about his trip and the reason why he was leaving. "Hopefully they won't make a big deal out of this," he said to himself. This is something that he didn't want anypony to go with him on. Now all he had to do was get the design of the blade. So he got a piece of paper and a pencil and drew sketch of it. It would be double edged with decorative etchings in the blade. When he finished he wrote 'Alrek' that would be the name of it. The name itself had no value to him but it seemed to fit the design. Just as he was about to sign his name on the back of the paper he heard screams outside and a soft rumbling. Several minutes after the rumbling stopped he looked outside to find that there were several ponies lying in the middle of the street with Twilight a couple of feet or so away. Worrying about what the rumbling was he went to Twilight, and stopped when he got to her to see dozens of bunnies eating the flora from the bushes and gardens. In the middle of it was Fluttershy trying to gather them all together. He turned to Twi and said, "Applejack?" "Yep," was the only thing she said. /// Twilight and Crimson went to tell Applejack about the incident and convince her that she needs help. When they got there she just said triumphantly, "I told you I could get the harvest done. How do you like them apples," pointing toward the orchard where the trees that had no apple on them. Several seconds of staring at the orchard Big Mac walked towards AJ and asked, "Well, how do ya like them apples," while pointing behind her. The sight of it was painful, there were hundreds of trees, all full apples ready to be harvested. Applejack couldn't believe what she was seeing and passed out from exhaustion. When she regained consciousness Twilight said, "I know you have your pride Applejack, but you need help we are your friends and we are going to help no matter what you say." "I accept your help Twi." Applejack said "I said we- wait what?" "I said yes I could really your help." And all Twilight did after that was give a sigh of relief and then she and Crimson gathered everypony to help with the harvest. Twilight got Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy while Crimson got Rainbow Dash, Myst and the drawing from the library to show everypony and tell them he was going to leave for a awhile. When the work was done Applejack came to thank everypony and brought them each a bottle of apple juice. When everypony got to the table where there drinks Applejack said to everypony, "Thank y'all for your help, even though I had been a little stubborn." "A little?" Crimson cut in. "Alright a might stubborn," She replied. "And I'm awfully sorry about the way I've been acting." "You have no reason to apologize AJ, no harm no foul." Crimson said, "Oh, and before I forget I have an announcement. I will be leaving to go to a mine a few hours outside Canterlot and will be gone for a few days." The only ponies who didn't ask why he was going were Twi, Rarity, and Myst. That was when Crimson pulled pulled the drawing from his satchel and put it on the table. "This is why I'm leaving I need to get an ore for the blade," he explained, "And don't ask, I don't want anypony to come with me. If any of you got hurt I would never forgive myself." Everypony just looked at him, and he had a look that said there was no way he was going to change his mind. Then he finished by saying that he was leaving in the morning and he would see them when he got back. /Mourning/ The whole gang was there to see him off at the train station. They all said goodbye, except for Myst who was nowhere in sight. "Where's Myst?" Crimson asked looking depressed and heartbroken. "I thought she would at least say goodbye." Twilight looked at him and said, "She said that she couldn't be here and that she wanted you to know she'll be waiting for that date. I've told the princess about where you'll be and she said she'll have a room in the castle for you." After she said that the train's whistle blew. "Well that's my cue if you see Myst tell her I'll be back ready for that date." He said before he entered the train and he waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see his friends anymore /Mourning/ All of his friends where there to see him off at the train station, all of them except for Myst. He looked around and she was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Myst?," Crimson asked looking depressed, "I thought she would at least say goodbye." Twilight looked at him and said, "She said she had to be somewhere, and that she would be looking forward to that date. I told Princess Celestia where you'll be and she said she has a room for you at the castle." After she said that the train whistle blew. "Well that's my cue. If you see her tell her that she will get the best date of her life." He said before boarding the train. Then when he got to the window he looked at his friends and waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see it anymore. Several boring minutes passed of him staring out of the window. Then a familiar voice had asked him, "Is this seat taken?" He turned around to see Myst smiling at him, and proceeded to take the seat next to him. He was mad that he followed him, but he was happy that she cared enough to do so, " Oh don't look so surprised, you should have known I would do this. You can consider this our date." Laughing, he decided not to argue with her and the couple were on the way to Canterlot
Chapter 5Griffon the Brush-off /// A week passed since Crimson and Myst went to Canterlot and everything was basically the same, everypony stayed on their own schedule. Twi was heading to a bookstore, Applejack was in the orchard, Rarity at her boutique, Rainbow Dash was lounging on a cloud, and Pinkie was hopping around town with her usual happy-go-lucky look, humming a cheery tune. She then yelled, "Rainbow Dash!" in a melodic tone. She was hopping still looking around the town for the cyan pegasus. Hearing her however, Dash rapidly dug into a cloud to hide herself from the pink mare. Pinkie, not seeing her, went to Twilight before she went to the door and asked, "Hey Twilight. Have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?" "Isn't that her up there?" she said pointing up toward the cloud Dash had buried her head. Pinkie looked up and called out in a sing-song way, "Rainbow Dash!" And like that Rainbow flew away, with Pinkie hopping behind her at a much slower pace. Dash made it to Sweet Apple Acres when she stopped to see if she lost Pinkie. "Whew, that was close," she said as she started to walk steps She just walked several steps when she heard, "Hey Dash." Then she sped off again back toward town. This time she had hidden herself inside of the leaves of Twilight's library. Then, as she let down her guard, she realized that Pinkie was next and again she flew away as quickly as possible, with Pinkie still hopping behind her. The process went on for an hour or so ,and ended when Rainbow Dash realizing that it was useless to try to avoid Pinkie. /// Pinkie didn't explain what she was doing all she said was if Dash could do a favor for her. "Okay now a little to the left," she said as Rainbow moved it, "Now a little to the right." Dash complied and did so. "Now a couple millimeters to the left," by this point Dash had started to lose her patience but did so, "Now a few inches to the North." "Pinkie Pie!" Dash yelled impatiently. "I mean perfect," she said a little nervous, "Now, wait for my signal." Then she she looked to see Spike gathering scrolls for Twilight. When he left Pinkie signal Dash, who struck the cloud causing lightning and thunder. The prank worked as Spike screamed and dropped the scrolls. Then the two started laughing at the dragon, who now was hiccuping. Then as he picked up a scroll he hiccupped a green flame that sent the scroll to Celestia. Worried about him now Pinkie asked, "Are you okay Spike? We didn't hurt you didn't we?" He reassured them by saying that dragons are fireproof and when he finished he hiccupped again sending a handful of scrolls. Then Pinkie and Dash went off to the towns joke store. /?/ It was night, and he was walking away when he looked back to see a castle in the distance, he had just escaped from there. Away from the strangers that said they knew him. How could they, he had only appeared yesterday. Here he had no friends here. The two alicorns and a pegasus who claimed to know him, he asked who they were but they only wondered what he was doing, calling him by some other name. The actions of the previous day were still replaying in the pegasus' mind. "What are you doing, you need to calm down," the white alicorn said. "Calm down, you can't calm down me down. Insanity's the game, but you know my name," the stallion said laughing hysterically. Then a darker alicorn, shorter than the white one, had said, "Sister, what's wrong with his eyes?" then she looked at the taller one and asked, "Shall I call the guards Celestia? He may be a threat in this state." "Might as well. Go get them now Luna." Celestia said, and when she said it there was a sullen look on all of the their faces, but the pegasus had a greater look of pain than the others. The pegasus ran out of the room when several guards came in the room and grabbed him. "I wouldn't do that," the stallion said as he was being dragged away, "you won't be able to hold me long, give it 5 days or less you'll see what I mean." He laughed as he was put in his cell, stone brick wall barred doors and windows. The only thing he need to do was find the softest area of the wall. This would take several days with sleeping, but the one thing he didn't want was to stay here. He had continued humming the same song over and over to help him concentrate. It took 2 days to find the weakest part of the room. He found a multitude of crevices within the wall parallel to the door. The only thing they didn't expect him having as much strength as several earth ponies, and he punched through the wall with ease. He was different from the rest of the ponies, he was created to be unpredictable, with attributes of all of each race. He had the strength of the earth ponies, speed of the pegasi, which improved his flying, and the intelligence of a unicorn. But, there was this song that kept playing through his mind over and over again. Now he looked forward to his next destination. The place that the two alicorns called Ponyville. There he may find the answers he needed. The last thing he needed was to hurt anypony else, like the pegasus that was with the two alicorns. They knew he wasn't normal because of his mental state and mannerisms. 'Get ready Ponyville here I come,' he thought, and laughed to himself as he continued toward the path to the unsuspecting town. /// After yesterday Pinkie wanted to pull more pranks with Dash. When she got to Dash's house she said, "Rise and shine Rainbow Dash we got a-," she trailed off as a bird's head appeared instead of Dash, "Oooh." Then Dash flew down with the creature following behind her. When they landed Dash introduce her friend, "Pinkie I'd like you to meet my old friend Gilda. Gilda meet Pinkie." Pinkie looked at Gilda and asked, "What are you exactly?" "She's a griffon," Dash explained, "she's half lion, half eagle." "And 100% awesome," Gilda finished. "We met at the junior speedsters camp that I was enrolled in when I was a filly." she explained, then she turned to Gilda and asked, "Hey, you remember the chant right." "Of course I do we were told to do it every morning, how can I get it out of my head." Gilda said "Can we do it for old time sake?" Dash asked "Fine, but only for you Dash," she said then they started singing the song the camps song. Dash may have had more fond memories than Gilda because she was a little more enthusiastic about the song than Gilda. When they finished the chant Pinkie laughed with delight at the song. "That was great," she said walking to the two, "It even gave me the for a new prank!" "Sorry Pinkie, but Dash and I were going to fly around town." Gilda said before she took off. "That's okay," Pinkie replied, "we'll do it next time." "Yeah Pinkie, we'll prank the others later," Dash said to her as she followed Gilda, "see ya later." "Yeah, see you later, I'll catch up" Pinkie said a little disappointed at the current predicament. Then, she got an idea. Dash and Gilda had seen the entire town in just several minutes so they decided to take a break. So Dash raced Gilda to the nearest cloud with Gilda winning the race. "Just like old times," Gilda said when Rainbow Dash landed "Yeah, but faster." Dash replied after landing and gave Gilda a hoofbump "Hey there," Pinkie said after her head no poked through the clouds then fell back down. The two soon looked at each other then her head came through again. "It's later, and I caught up," Pinkie said between her head disappearing and reappearing again. When they looked down they saw that Pinkie was bouncing on a trampoline. Dash found this amusing chuckled and said, "Pinkie you are so random." Gilda, however, didn't find it amusing she just found Pinkie annoying. So the only way to get away from her was to get higher. "Hey Dash race ya to that cloud," she said. "You're on," then the two sped off and left Pinkie behind. When they both landed Gilda said, "I won Dash!" "No, I beat you." Dash proclaimed. Pinkie was rising by the use of dozens of balloons when she reached them she said, "It was a close one, but Dash beat you by an itty-bitty teeny-tiny hair, or should I say feather." She laughed at the end of the sentence. Gilda showed annoyance at her, which Pinkie and Dash thought was because she lost the race. Then she thought of another way to lose Pinkie Pie. "Hey Dash last one to that cloud is a gnarly dragon egg." She said and then sped off with Dash after she accepted her challenge, but Gilda had really stayed behind. She said to the floating pony in a menacing tone, "I think the high altitude is making you dizzy," then popped several of the balloons helping Pinkie stay airborne, when Gilda stopped she slowly descended toward the ground. Gilda then quickly rejoined Dash, when Pinkie appeared moments later with some flying machine powered by two sets of pedals.the Before Pinkie had a chance to speak Gilda quickly asked Dash, "So Dash make any new moves or are you still going old school?" Dash who immediately wanted to show off replied to her, "Are you kidding, hold on this may take awhile." The she took off to show Gilda what been doing. Gilda then turned to Pinkie and asked, "Pinkie could you come here?" Pinkie did so and when she was in arms length she grabbed her machine and growled, "Don't you know the meaning get lost? Dash doesn't need toned hanging out with dweeb like you, now get like a bee and buzz off!" With that she grabbed the blades of the vehicle and Pinkie went spinning. Then when Gilda let go of Pinkie's machine Pinkie was spinning towards the earth away. /?/ When he was several miles away when it was dawn and he realize he might be seen by the guards in Ponyville. With what he had found in the caves near the route he'd taken he found several gemstones. With those he bought a heavy black cloak, the only one that covered his face and cutie mark. The clerk said it seemed like it wasn't the kind of weather for something that heavy, but the way he went was in the woods near the roads but far enough so the stayed in the cool shadows away from sight. He paid for the cloak, put it on and went back on his way. When he got to the hill outside of town he decided it take a nap on one of the clouds so he wouldn't be disturbed, he hadn't slept in three days and he wasn't going to not take a nap. If those soldiers got him so what he could easily lose them in the Everfree Forest. Then he lost consciousness and fell asleep. When he woke up the sun was still up, now with the rest he won't be as quick to anger as he was. He flew to the ground and went towards Ponyville. When he got to the market he saw an assortment of stands, mainly fruit or vegetable, and a griffon that seemed to stand out amongst the town of ponies. Another thing that stood out was a yellow pegasus leading a family of ducks she had her face toward them so she was walking backwards toward the griffon. When she ran into the griffon it was going to get ugly. "Hey!" The griffon said angrily at the pegasus "Excuse me I'm-" "I'm walking here." The griffon interrupted "Oh.. U-um I'm sorry I'm just-" 'Fight!' a voice his head screamed, 'stand with Fluttershy! Fight with her!' 'Shut it I will! And if you know the pegasus who's the griffon?' He thought 'Now's not the time, show that griffon who's boss,' the voice said, 'Go now!' And with that he went to the griffon as she was inhaling to roar and gave her an uppercut that caught her by surprise. He turned to Fluttershy smiled and said, "You should probably leave. Its not going to be pretty." She just nodded, walked away a couple steps, and trying to recognize the familiarity to his voice. Then everypony who was there felt a faint uneasy pressure of a bloodlust, which emanated from the stranger. When Gilda got up she rubbed her jaw and yelled, "If you wanna fight, let's fight!" Then she ran toward him,jumped and slashed at his face. He barely had time to get out of the way and throw his cloak. Then he looked, with a crazed smile, as his cloak was being torn to shreds. /// Pinkie saw the whole ordeal. Gilda yelling at Fluttershy and the cloaked pony hitting Gilda right in the face, and then him accepting to fight the griffon. When his cloak was thrown off it showed his red hair, and the face of Crimson. Though something was off he held himself higher than usual, and his eyes weren't red they were brown. Another thing was that there was a pressure of insanity coming from him. The only thing she thought to do was tell Twilight. So, she ran to the library to get Twi. When she got there she yelled at Twilight, "Twilight, Crimson is back and he's fighting Gilda!" Then she saw that Twilight wasn't alone, Myst was there and she looked like she'd been crying. "That's impossible Pinkie, Crimson is still in Canterlot, he was taken to a cell for dangerous behavior." Then Myst wiping her eyes said to the purple mare, "Actually Twilight, Red broke through the cell's wall and escaped three days ago. And whoever's fighting Gilda is not the Crimson I love!" She signalled Twilight and Pinkie to follow her and show her what she meant. When they got to the market they knew what she meant his eyes were brown just as Myst had told Twilight, and he had a crazed smile of bloodlust on his face. Twilight and Pinkie couldn't believe the state their friend was in, scratches along his body and a missing piece from his left ear. Gilda didn't look as good either, as a small trail of blood went down from her mouth and bruises all over her body. "This isn't Crimson this is the personality is calling himself Viceman," she explained, "the princesses don't know how he came to be, but considered about what he can do he is dangerous and highly unpredictable. And that's not it, he's patient, highly intelligent, and fast." "I don't see the last part," Twilight cut in, "but it takes speed to beat a griffon in a race or fight, and Red's not that fast." "Look Twilight," Myst said pointing at Gilda, "he already landed several blows on her, and that may not be as fast as he can go. He's toying with her, just look at his expression." Twilight hated to admit it, but Myst was right his smile was uncomforting, and he didn't look the slightest bit exhausted. "So, what should I do. If we know Crimson is in there, I don't want to hurt him." Myst turned to her and said, "Knock him out. There's a spell to do that, right? That way he won't get hurt and we could try to get him back to normal." Her voice cracked as she said it but she was serious about it. Twilight did as Myst asked and readied to cast a spell to knock Viceman unconscious. When she released toward him, Viceman dodged it and the spell hit Gilda, who lunged to his spot. He turned to the trio and said "Thanks, but let me tell you, if you got me first she would've killed me," he then spotted Myst and then said to her, "Oh, I remember you from the castle. I already know what you're thinking, yes your boyfriend still exists, I'm the insanity and rage of the original personality before I came here. In other words I'm half of the first personality, but I have my memories." Viceman said still with the sadistic grin. "Red, is the lamer half with all the predictability and sanity. So go ahead knock me out, I'm already out of energy so-" he never got to finish the sentence because he passed out and fell asleep there on the ground. Twilight cast a levitation spell to lift the pegasus and said to Pinkie and Myst, "Get Gilda to Rainbow's house, she'll take care of her until she wakes up." So, Pinkie and Myst carried Gilda to Dash's house and when she saw Gilda she was worried about her and furious at who did it to her. "Oh my gosh Gilda what happened to you," Dash said to the still unconscious griffon. "Crimson beat her up," Pinkie said bluntly, she had completely forgot what Myst and Viceman said. "Pinkie! Please, let me expl-" Myst tried to say, but was cut off when Rainbow Dash flew off to find her former friend. "Well let Twilight explain it. I'm going to put Gilda inside and go see Red. See ya Pinkie." "Okay Myst, will I see you at the party I'm throwing for Gilda?" Pinkie asked "It all depends if Red will be okay," Myst replied flying toward the library. She was too worried about Crimson to ask why she was throwing the party in the first place. /// Twilight had just finished bandaging Crimson's wounds, when she applied medicine he just mumbled in his sleep but didn't wake up. She placed the sleeping pegasus on his bed and looked at the bandages. 'There'll be no scarring, thank Celestia,' then she looked at the torn piece of ear, winced and thought, 'but that's never growing back.' Then she left him to rest, but as she was closing his door she was pushed out of the way by Rainbow Dash. "Crimson I know you're here," she yelled before entering his room and seeing him in his current state, "explain why you- Oh my gosh." That's all she could say when she saw him. She sorta felt sorry for him, even though he did fight Gilda. "I know you're angry Rainbow Dash, but he needs to rest!" "Not until he tells me why he fought Gilda," then she shook him and said, "Wake up dumbass! Time to talk!" Then the pressure Twilight felt from the market started getting more prominent and stronger every second he was shaken. "Rainbow stop this!" Twilight yelled at her. Rainbow, still angry, did so and backed away from the stallion but he didn't fall back down. Crimson just slowly opened his eyes, and to Twilight's fears the eyes were brown. "Well," Viceman said and turned to the mares, "Who woke me up? Whoever did interrupted the conversation between Red and me. Will you deprive him of that?" The two just shook their heads. The pressure grew fainter when he closed his eyes and when they opened again the red eyes of their friend. They relaxed when they saw his eyes. "Please don't wake me again I have to do this." He said, "When this is over I will be completed. Viceman and I are two sides of the same coin, we were made from one personality, I just got the calm collected half of the original." "Well, if you have to do this I won't stop you Red." Twilight and Dash moved and Crimson saw Myst, "Just promise me you'll be the same when you wake up again." "Sure thing Azure." Crimson said, before kissing her cheek, "I promise you I'll be the same." "I feel the same way," Twilight said, "please just be the Red we know and love." "Me too," Rainbow Dash said, "but I want a race you, for beating Gilda." "Fine, when I'm healthy and well, I'll take you up your offer," Crimson said, "Now go, you need to take care of your friend Gilda." With that he laid back down and fell asleep. Myst ended up crying after he fell back asleep. "Don't worry Myst, he be fine this is all he needs." Twilight reassured the crying mare. "I know Twi," Myst said between tears, "but I'm afraid that he won't be able to keep his promise. If that happens I don't know what I'll do." Then Myst leaned over Twilight's shoulder and cried even harder. Rainbow Dash just scoffed and said, "He still tell me why he fought Gilda." /// Pinkie waited a day for Gilda to recover to throw her the party. Everypony was there except for Myst who, Twilight said, was waiting for Crimson to wake up. She invited the entire town, but only twenty or so showed up due to having free time or a day off. When Rainbow Dash arrived Gilda followed close behind, and Red sure did a number on her. She was covered in bandages, and she walked with a slight limp, which she tried to hide. Then Pinkie went to Gilda and introduced her, "Hey everypony this is Gilda, a long time friend of Rainbow Dash." Gilda just smiled and waved awkwardly at the crowd. Then Pinkie held her hoof out to Gilda as a symbol of friendship, but when she grabbed it she was met with a shocking surprise, literally. Pinkie just laughed and flipped her hoof to reveal a hoof buzzer. Rainbow Dash laughed with her and said, "The hoof buzzer classic. Hey G you're not mad a little prank are you?" Gilda looked at her and said, "Naw, I'm always up for a good prank." "Feel free to help yourself to anything at the snack table." Pinkie said walking toward the table covered with bowls with different assortments of candies. "Ooh, vanilla lemon drops don't mind if I do," Gilda said picking up one of the candies. When she ate it she got a flash of sour followed by a large wave of heat. Her face felt like it was on fire while she looked back and forth for something to drink. "G, the punch," Dash said pointing to several cups of punch. Gilda rushed to one grabbed and drank out of it. It took a few seconds, but she realized there was no punch coming from the cup and that the cup was a dribble glass. Pinkie pie laughed at Gilda along with everypony else. Until she got a normal glass. "Ha, punch in a dribble glass I wonder who did that," Pinkie said in a suspicious tone. "Yeah I wonder," Gilda said annoyed at the joke. Then Dash called out to her at another covered by gifts of all shapes and sizes. When she got to the table she grabbed a gift in the shape of the cylinder. Upon opening it there were several paper snakes that sprang out of the can, followed by more laughs from the crowd. Applejack, seeing the can laughed and said, "Spittin' Snakes, somepony pulled that prank on me last month!" Gilda staring at Pinkie said, "Yeah, I wonder who that was." Several minutes passed of Gilda talking to Rainbow Dash. When everything had calmed a little Pinkie brought out a giant cake that had several candles lit at the top. Spike was amazed at the sight, " Can I blow out the candles?" he asked Twilight "We should let Gilda blow out the candles, she is the guest of honor." Twilight answered As if on cue, Gilda shoved the dragon out of the way and said, "Yeah I'm the guest of honor." With that said she inhaled deeply and blew out every candle with a proud look on her face. But that pride was short lived as the candles relit themselves. Her surprise caused another uproar of laughter among the crowd. She then tried to no avail as they started themselves up each time. "Relighting candles, I love that prank what a classic," Spike said with amusement at the harmless joke. "Gee, I wonder who pulled that prank," Pinkie said with the same suspicious tone and look on her face. Not paying to Spike he dug a tunnel through the cake and ended up at the top of the cake. "Spike!" Twilight said annoyed at the rude behavior. "What, it's good," was the only thing he could say to her. Dash then asked Gilda, who was showing slight annoyance, "Hey you're not getting upset over a couple candles are you?" "What? No. Like I said I'm down for a good prank," she said, no longer showing annoyance. "Great! Now let's get some cake!" Dash said as she went to the cake. As Pinkie took a bite Gilda grabbed her neck, not choke her but get her attention. "Hey," she whispered menacingly, "And I'm watching you like a hawk." "Why? Can't you watch me like a griffon?" She asked jokingly. In the background they both heard Applejack yell, "Hey everyone it's time for 'Pin the Tail on the Pony'" Rarity, excited about the game asked, "Oh, can I go first, can I have the purple tail?" Gilda quickly swiped the tail just as Rarity was about to pick it up.and proclaimed, "Well I'm the guest of honor and I have the purple tail." "Alrighty then, let's put on the blindfold!" Pinkie said as Spike walked to her and put on the blindfold. "Hey what are you doing?" Gilda asked "Well we put the blindfold on and we spin you round and 'round," Pinkie said as she spun the griffon around and when she stopped she continued, leading her to the wall with the poster on it, "Then you try to place the the tail on the poster in front of you." "‘Just stick the tail on the pony’," she mocked Pinkie, thinking it was another prank, "This is another prank is it? Well, I'm going this way!" she finished walking the opposite direction from the poster. "B-but the poster's that way," Pinkie tried to get her to turn around, but she had slipped on icing on the floor and ended up crashing into the kitchen. When she was covered in cake batter and icing with the tail on the top of her beak. "Gilda you put it in the wrong end." Pinkie said to her, which caused another fit of giggling among the guests and caused Gilda to lose it. She released all her rage in one loud roar. "Is this your idea of a good time?" She yelled, "I have never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life, and you Pinkie Pie are queen lame-o with all of your weak party pranks. Did you really think you could lose my cool? Well Dash and I have ten times as much cool than all of you put together, come on Dash let's go," then she started walk towards the door she turned to Rainbow Dash, who wasn't following and growled, "Come on Rainbow Dash I said we're leaving!" Dash just looked at her and said, "You know Gilda, I'm the one who set up those weak pranks." "What you're joshing me Dash, it was Pinkie Pie, she set this up to make a fool of me." Pinkie said to the enraged griffon, "I only threw this party to improve your attitude, I wanted to turn that frown upside down." "And you sure didn't need help making a fool of yourself, and didn't think this is how my old friend would treat my new friends." Rainbow Dash said angrily, "If being cool is all that matters to you maybe you shouldn't be here." Gilda just stood there a moment and replied, "Yeah well you're such a flip flop, cool one minute lame the next, if you don't want to be lame anymore call me." With that she left, slamming the door behind her. "Not cool," Dash said as Gilda left. Then after several seconds of murmuring about the events that had occurred, after that Dash said to everyone, "I'm sorry about bringing Gilda here I didn't realize how rude she was. And I'm also sorry about her ruining your awesome party Pinkie." "If you wanna hang out with a party pooper that's your business," Pinkie said to Dash, "and who said this party was ruined, it's still fine by me." Then they continued with their party with Twilight writing her lesson on friendship and telling where Red is and what's happened to him recently.
Chapter 6The Views of Sanity /// Crimson woke up to find himself in a giant plain. It seemed to be noon, but he couldn't tell. Wherever he looked he only saw the tall grass flowing through the wind. So, he started to walk forward. Hours seemed to pass as he walked through the plain, yet the sun stayed at the same place. The plain seemed to be flat and the only change in the landscape was a hill that was about half a mile away. Walking there took what seemed like another half hour, and when he got there he saw someone was already sitting there. Whoever it was wasn't a pony it wore a gray robe with a hood that covered the top of his head, a blue shirt that matched Crimson's fur, and pants that covered his hind legs. "Who and what are you?" Crimson asked. The creature only turned his head, still covered by the hood, showing only the end of brown hair that covered his eyes. "Isn't that obvious dumbass, you know who I am!" His voice belonged to Viceman, "What I am, however is another story. Now, don't you want to know our origin and learn, or do you want to stay in the dark?" Crimson didn't think about finding his past since he met Myst, and if he learned it would he be the same pony? The only thing that ran through his mind was of it was a choice to remember so he asked him, "Do I have to remember my past, and if I do will the previous personality take control of my body?" Viceman just laughed and simply said, "No. I would never do that, we would share it. My time is over and yours has begun." Crimson was confused by him saying they would share their existence and that he wouldn't take control. "What do you mean you won't take over? I thought that you were all rage and insanity." "Didn't you listen, he was just that, a split piece of me." Viceman explained, "I had to separate that piece to escape that damn cell. I can only separate pieces certain pieces of myself, let me show you." He got up and stood on two legs and just stood there then his rage split off, then sadness, jealousy, and last of all happiness. "You see this is what I meant, I split off a piece of my emotions and had it take consciousness of our body," Viceman continued. Then each piece went to the original and fused together with him. After that they talked about what he was.He called himself a human and they continued to talk until Crimson asked, "Why are you so calm, I mean you lost everything you don't even know if you family's alive or not." His smile faded at the question, "You're right time works differently here I don't know what day or year it is at home." He said tearing up then from his sadness turned into anger, "YOU DON'T THINK I TRIED TO FIND A WAY HOME! I MISS MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS. EVERYONE I KNOW AND LOVE IS THERE!" Crimson felt sympathy towards him, when he arrives here he had no one except for the ponies who took him in. "Look, the past is the past, we will find a way to get you home, but this is my home and there are ponies who love us here." "They love you, they only know me as the psychopath with a bloodlust," Viceman said wiping the tears on his sleeves, "and what'll you think will happen to us when this mission is done? You think we'll just stay here all cozy and live happily ever after? I've seen this one too many times in games and books, we do what we have to do, then we'll end up having to leave this world forever." Hearing this Crimson went back a couple steps. "No, that's not true! That can't happen I-," "Face it! We're disturbing the balance of this world if we stay here we may end up destroying it." he said , "I'm not as excited about it as you are. I hate humans, many of them are filled with greed. Individually they can be consider good, but altogether as a whole they have nothing but greed in their hearts." "Those are only your views, your opinions, humans cannot be as evil as you think," Crimson said as Viceman laughed throughout his sentence, "What's so funny?" "I don't want to do this but left me no choice," He said as he walked toward the pegasus, and put his hands on his head then Viceman's eyes emitted a white light, and Crimson saw images that were gruesome and disturbing. Pictures of humans that were unnaturally thin, weapons that slaughtered hundreds, nuclear bombs that mowed down cities making them uninhabitable for decades, and murderers that killed for pleasure. When he saw Viceman again, Crimson collapsed and cried. "I know it's painful, but that's not the only side of humanity. There is ugliness, but like it there's beauty too." Viceman put his hand on Crimson's head and the pegasus saw images of forests, mountains, a couple in love, children playing, and the atmosphere of a tranquility everywhere. "How do your people, live on from all this death," Crimson asked still crying. "We do just that, live on. We keep living because our ancestors want us to. We all fear death, but some search for immortality. Only, they don't realize it brings nothing but sadness." Viceman explained with no expression on his face, "Your 'princesses' are immortal, and they may not show it but they are filled with grief. All of their loved ones are gone, and they know the ones that live will wither away." "But they will never forget them," Crimson said wiping his face with his foreleg, "No matter how much time passes they won't forget them." Then they remained silent for what seemed like an eternity.The silence broke when Viceman removed his hood to reveal brown hair that covered the back of his neck and curled halfway at the end. "You know there is only one way I still exist right," Viceman asked "How?" "Magic, dumbass!" Viceman yelled annoyed at the pegasus, "How else could I have gained the attributes of each race. Whoever dropped us here didn't give it to us, it would've made us to powerful, and power always has a way to corrupt ones very soul. How we got it is because you've been exposed to one type and I, another. Take a guess if you're like me you won't be stupid and get it wrong." Crimson just sat there for awhile, the answer never came, magic came in many types. Then when he gave up he shrugged, and Viceman yelled in frustration. "Look there are four types of magic in Equestria normal magic which unicorns can use, alicorn magic which, of course, can only be used by alicorns, the Elements of Harmony which can only be used by your friends, and finally chaotic magic, the magic only used by this worlds entity known as Discord." Viceman explained said as he created images to represent each class of magic. He continued his explanation by saying, "You got the Elements magic when you landed at the Castle of the two sisters. There was still magic radiation when you landed and that made part of us." "But what about the chaotic magic?" Crimson asked, "Discord was defeated a thousand years ago." "Oh, you have been studying," Viceman said while clapping then he obnoxiously added, "but one thing, he was defeated, not destroyed. But close enough." "You don't have to be a complete prick about that." "Sorry, force of habit, I had a little brother back home and we'd tease each other about what we got wrong." Crimson wondered what the brother looked like, then blurted out, "Sounds like a pain in the ass." "Yeah," Viceman said hiding his pain, "but he's family and I love him. We'd always fight as children and we'd never get along, but before this happened, we're weren't fighting as much. Sure we'd get into arguments now and then, but we always apologize for it." They continued to talk about what Vicemans' world was like and how humans didn't have magic but relied on technology and science. "Welp, our time is up time for you to go home." Viceman said "But, what'll happen to you?" Crimson asked "I'll just sleep most of the time, but I will take control,or give advice every now and then," Viceman answered walking away, he only got several steps before turning around and threatened, "But if you ever become corrupt I will take total control. Since I don't want power, I'll share it with you." Viceman walked back toward him and put his index finger on his forehead. Then everything when black and Crimson woke up to see Myst lying her head on his bed asleep. /// It was the middle of the night when Crimson woke up, he didn't know if it was the same day or if several have passed since he fell asleep. He decided to walk outside and look at the night sky. He couldn't get back to sleep thanks to those awful images Viceman showed him still were in his mind. The only thing that he wanted to think about was what gift Viceman gave him. He carefully got out of the bed and walked outside without waking anyone. The only thing he wanted to do was to figure out how to use what Viceman gave him. He went to the hill out where he and Myst were the day he asked her out. When he got to the top of it he sat down, closed his eyes and meditated. An hour passed and he still sat there. The one thing Viceman told him was how to use magic to increase muscle strength when magic was applied, but it only lasted when magic was applied. This was what made him unique, but it could corrupt him and make him power hungry. 'Geez, I should have asked him how to use it properly,' Crimson thought, then heard the grass rustle from behind him, "Who's there? I can hear you, so just show yourself." "Somethings always stay the same about you," a voice said from the brush behind him, "Always on the defensive." Twilight appeared and continued to say, "You think you can get away so easily you are sorely mistaken." Crimson just chuckled, and said, "I never really changed in the first place, I just wanted some time to think." "Well your thinking time will have to wait. Somepony is pretty angry at you for waking up and leaving her all alone," Twilight said smiling at him. "Hey Twi," "Yes?" "My time here is limited, when what I have to do is finished there is a chance I may have to leave," he said facing the purple unicorn. "Why are you telling me and not the princesses or Myst?" she asked astonished that his time would end at any moment. "Twi, there is a saying in my world, 'ignorance is bliss'. I'm pretty sure you know what it means." he said looking back toward the town, "And if I go I want you to be there for Myst." "Fine, but she'll be mad at you for not telling her about this." "Let her. I just want our time together to be happy. Let's go back I need to get that scolding from Myst." He said laughing when he finished. Twilight asked as he started walking away, "Aren't you worried, what if the next day was your last? What would I tell Myst?" He stopped, looked back and said, "There's a chance I would go, it's not absolute yet. If I do however, tell Myst I'll always love her, promise me that." On their way to the library Crimson told Twilight about his conversation with Viceman about the magic that was inside him. "He said he didn't know where the chaotic magic came from though," He finished looking at Twi who had a puzzled look on her face. "Well, I've never heard of the Elements doing that, but no pony was around when they were used so it could happen." she said still with the puzzled look, "I still have no idea how he knows so much about magic for, what was it he called himself... a human." "I never really asked how he knew it. The question never really came to mind." Crimson said wondering how Viceman knew so much about this world. "Oh, by the way, how long was I asleep?" "A few days, we were all worried about you, Myst never left your side." Twilight said, "You're very lucky to have her." "I know. I think that to myself every time I see her," Crimson said half-smiling, "I can't believe she'd even go out with me, I mean I'm a hopeless amnesiac who can't even tell her what he likes and dislikes." "You're not hopeless look at what you've done," she said trying to cheer him up, "You have an apprenticeship, friends, and a marefriend who loves you, that is far from hopeless." "Yeah you're right. Thanks Twi I needed that." he said as approached the library. When he went inside he was slapped by Myst who yelled, "Do you know how worried I was? I thought you left me again." Then she started to tear up as Crimson pulled her toward him with his wings. "Don't worry Azure, I'll never leave," he whispered as he held her, "I'll have nowhere else to go if I left." /// The next several days Twilight gave Crimson lessons for the uses of magic as he recovered. He understood a portion of her lessons, but he still didn't understand the majority of them. Viceman wasn't much help, he still remained silent since they had their chat in his dream state. He was probably was still working with the lessons in his own way. During first lesson he asked, "Hey Twilight? If magic is one of the foundations of life here doesn't every living thing have it?" "Yes they do," she replied, "Most creatures that are considered magical have magic in their bodies one way or another. Every pony race even has magic in their bodies as you already know, and only unicorns, and alicorns, can use magic outside of their body thanks to their horns." She finished the explanation by levitating a piece of chalk and writing 'Magic 101' on the board. Crimson tried to do the same by extending his right wing, and focused the energy to move another piece of chalk of the board. He failed miserably though, so instead he used one of his feathers as practice until he could move it with ease. It was the same for Twilight. Crimson, or Viceman, would teach her their ways of using magic as payment for the lessons. It was hard for her because she was used to using it externally, but not internally. The magic also stained the muscles making them push themselves past their limits, and because of that Twilight practiced every other day. Crimson, however, used it everyday and never seemed fatigued from it the next day. Twilight never really understood how he could be fine, unless he was hiding the pain to not worry anypony. During the time he needed to recover he was working, he usually went before his magic lessons. This should have made him feel worse, but he still worked. When they asked what was so important that it risked his health he just answered 'You'll see in due time' for the past week. This lifestyle was uncommon to him and it worried his friends thinking that he might getting an injury that would affect his work or life. Then after a week and half this lifestyle he finished his work. He arrived to the library with something wrapped in a cloth away from view. He asked Twilight to get the others here in an hour after he got a needed nap. "This is what I've been asking you to wait for." he announced when everyone was there at the library. He put the parcel on his back on the floor and it landed with a loud thud. Then he removed the cloth to reveal a sword like the one he drew several weeks ago. "This is the fruit of my labor," he finished. The sword was simple but seemed more complex the blade was a light gray and reflective, the handle was wrapped with several layers of cloth, to prevent deterioration of the teeth, and at the end of the handle was a ruby that was red as Crimson's eyes. "Oh darling, it's simply magnificent," Rarity said observing the sword, "Your craftsmanship is remarkably better for it being your first blade." Crimson looked at her and said, "I didn't know you admired blacksmithing Rarity." "Any form of art ," she replied, "Each one holds their own form of beauty and elegance." "I agree completely," Spike said with affection towards Rarity. "I believe everything has beauty and elegance," Crimson said, "Even the ugliest of things, like war and death." Everypony looked at him, shocked and terrified. "What? Death can have a sort of elegance in somepony else's eyes, but not mine." Crimson said, with everyone giving a sigh of relief, "Do you really think that I enjoy death? Viceman has an extremely dark sense of humor not me. Those jokes are mainly from his world so you won't get a large portion of them." He nervously smiled and everything was normal again. Then he placed the sword in its sheath and placed inside his room by the door. /// Steel agreed to Crimson's apprenticeship after saying, "You're either a prodigy or had dumb luck. Anyway, you'll be a great student." "Great, and I know it's asking too much, but could I get a few days to learn magic?" Steel laughed as hard he could coughed for a few moments and asked, "Why learn magic if ya can't use it?" He just chuckled and said, "Well there are exceptions to that." He showed Steel why he was gone the past week and a half. His lessons with Twi have improved his magical skill. To show that he conjured a blood red flame from the tips of his wings. "Didn't believe it at first now," Steel said astonished then he calmed after a moment, "and honestly I'll never get used to it. This better be worth it and show in your work." "Don't worry it will Boss. I'll promise it will show in my work.
