Still In The Dark

Symbols

By the time I woke up the sun was just touching the horizon still obscured by clouds, a dim blue glow filled the room as a result. With a quick look around I saw that Noir and Charon were gone, by the sounds of it Charon was just outside the room talking to someone. I felt Finna laying next to me but I couldn't see her face through her frayed out hair. With a quick kiss I slid out of the bed, picking the rest of my clothes up as I did. Just as I finished adjusting my coat I heard the door to the room open. Charon entered first but was followed by a rather thin Equestrian man. He wore a black three piece suit complete with a black top hat.

"Good morning Elijah, I was hoping you were awake." Charon said quietly as to not disturb Finna.

"Morning to you as well, may I ask who your friend here is?" I asked giving the still man a nod, which he returned.

With a simple wave from Charon he stepped closer and held out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Foster, I am Gentle Quill lV and I will be traveling with you while you'rein Equestria." He sounded younger than he looked, not sure why but it was a bit unnerving.

"And what is the reason for you're company, I thought we had cleared up any previous issues with our occupancy in Equestria?" It didn't really bother me that we had caretaker but I still wanted a reason.

The man chuckled and grinned "There is no problem with your presence directly, however many of the citizens in this area are not use to foreigners. Much less a band of well armed messengers as yourself."

I nodded, it was understandable that we would be seen as strangers given our appearance. "Fair enough, will you also be a witness to the duel between me and your princesses?"

He nodded again. "You are correct, Princess Luna should be arriving at dusk. I do hope you know what you're getting into." He said with a smirk.

"Don't worry about me, I've seen more open combat than most. This will be an interesting fight no doubt." I returned.

"Well I hope to see the two give it your all, I let you and your mate get ready then. When you're ready to leave I will be outside" He gave a quick bow and quietly left.

I meanwhile sat against the bed my face slightly red. I could hear Charon holding back a laugh as his snickering was the only sound in the room.

"I don't smell do I?" I asked him unable to look in his direction.

"While your kind may have impressive predatory skills it seems evolution decided not to gift you with a sense a smell." He gibed.

Being a human meant I was unable to smell certain pheromones, that includes long lasting ones resulting from more intimate actions. While Finna and I only been together once it was more than enough to leave a mark.

I sighed and began to collect the rest of my things, with a few quick checks on my holster straps I was ready for the day. I gently woke the sleeping foxkin before helping her get ready as well. Once the three of us had our gear ready we left the inn to finally go about the plans we had made on the airship. Noir had already gone to wander about the town, Charon and Quill departed to find the local smith as well as Noir leaving Finna and I to find Zecora.

As it turned out Zecora was a rather popular source of herbal remedies and spiritual advice. She was a common request by anyone who had some sort of illness or other pestilence. From what Finna had showed me she was also a very powerful shaman, I was very interested in the possibility of learning a few things from a soul weaver. I was also impressed that none of the townsfolk knew about her powers either, from the level of recognition she got it was a surprise she managed to hide such a big secret. While she was at first seen as a scary witch doctor a young girl of the Apple family managed to get the town to realize she was actually a nice person, even if their first impressions weren't far from the truth.

Getting the location of said shaman was also very easy as the locals were more than happy to recommend the talented Zebracan. She lived in a hut a good mile into a forest known as the Everfree, recently a lit path was made to the shelter as the wildlife would be dangerous otherwise. While I wasn't really intimidated by monsters it would be nice just to have a peaceful walk in the forest. I'd had enough trouble over the past month and I was ready for the downtime.

"It's been ages since I've seen these trees." Finna said as we approached the start of the path, she placed a hand on the trunk of a tree.

Just the contact of her magic seemed to cause a recognition in the forest as the branches ever so slightly leaned in a sort of embrace to her. No doubt the latent magic of the area remembered her, it was not uncommon for spiritual people to leave an impression on an area they've spent long periods of time in. The entire scene was actually rather touching, the seemingly wild and harsh forest welcoming back and old friend. I doubt we would even have need of the path.

"Seems the forest agrees." I gave back, she moved away and the tree shifted slowly back.

"Come on I can feel her presence already, she must be meditating for it to reach this far." She said as she started down the path.

Quickly falling in step beside her I felt her take my arm. I tried reaching out to see if I could sense the shaman's magic but the forest seemed to have a haze of magic that stopped me from being able to reach out very far.

"How can you know she's close, I can't pick up anything?" I asked still reaching out.

"The first thing Zecora taught me was how to communicate with the forest, once I finally managed it there wasn't a thing that could hide from me in these woods." I saw he looking at things in the darker parts of the forest, things I was obviously unaware of.

"How long exactly did you spend out here?" I had never seen someone use powers like hers and not be a devout shaman.

"I don't really know, I spent most of my time meditating or training and I never bothered to keep track of time. I wouldn't say more than a year and a half though." She said playing with a small bit of magic.

"You've spent a year practicing not only Hoodoo but Soul magic as well, remind me never to make you angry." I said jokingly.

She looked at me with a pouting frown, her eyes sparkling. She didn't say a word and that just made it even creepier.

"Alright sorry, knock it off." I chuckled but she just smirked and tried even harder. "Don't make me carry you over my shoulder." I teased again.

She immediately stopped and smiled. "Well since your offering."

Placing both hands on my shoulders she nimbly climbed on my back and held on. Thankfully she was very light and I was able to stand without much difficulty.

"When did I become a stage coach?" I deadpanned.

"When you decided to take a talented släkt räv as a lover." She said whimsically nuzzling the top of my head.

The Släkt Räv translates to fox kin as far as I could tell, it also seemed strange that their cultural name is derived from a lesser evolved ancestor.

"Lucky me." I hummed and kept walking feeling her cuff the top of my head.

The walk was rather uneventful beyond that moment, with Finna's very presence keeping any dangers away I allowed myself the time to relax. I listened as Finna went on about some of the details of the Everfree, she at one time lived with a horde of Manticore to better study them and she even went on to write a book. She also informed me about various medicinal flora in the area and what they cured, a couple of the given plants sounded very familiar.

"There it is!" She chirped nearly making me trip.

Just coming into view beyond the trees I could make out the definitive shape of a hut. It was surrounded by torches which lit up the clearing around the structure, at the edges of the light were a number of detailed totems. I couldn't tell if they served as any protection from the things in the forest, but they would most certainly scare off any Equestrian. The decorations didn't scare me as I had seen far worse, and Finna seemed to find them welcoming.

As we got closer I could here the shaman within chanting something. Before I could knock Finna hopped off my back and put a finger to her lips. Following her lead I kept quiet and let her lead, she checked the door handle and it's hinges before slowly pushing it open. With the door open the chanting was much clearer, it sounded like Swahili but I knew how deceiving this worlds languages were in contrast to my own. I watched as Finna quietly stepped closer to the shaman, she wasn't making a sound and she moved to a side so little of the light was disturbed. She reared back taking a deep breath, but just before she could shout the zebrakin launched her elbow back into her gut.

I watched as Finna let out a loud gasp before crumpling over. "I taught to many of the tricks you know, did you think I would not notice you?" The shaman said before turning to face the two of us.

The first thing about her I noticed was her eyes, one was a pastel green while the other was grey and marked with a scar tracing from her grey coat past her nose. She was far more toned than other shaman indicating she kept up her physical strengths as well as her mental ones, a trait not many other magic users shared. Under her cloak she wore a beaded long skirt and short beaded top, around her neck, wrists, and ankles were two golden bands as well. Overall she wore the look of a shaman well.

She took Finna by the arm and picked her up from the ground and into a tight hug. "I am most happy to see you again young one." Finna smiled as she returned the hug. "And who is the gawking one you have brought with you?" She asked focusing her gaze on me.

Finna quickly slid from the zebra's grip and back onto my shoulders. "Zecora this is my mate Elijah." She said hugging my head.

I chuckled and held out a hand. "My name's Elijah Foster, I'm a citizen of The Brink." She shook my hand and I felt a bit relieved as she sent a formal ping of magic.

Zecora's face brightened with a mischievous grin. "After so many suitors you finally decided, and on a man of high status no less."

I gave a small grin but I couldn't bring myself to laugh at her statement. "How might I be of high status Ms. Zecora?" I asked with a friendly chuckle.

Her grin turned more knowing as she began to stand. "I may spend most of my time in the Everfree but events in the world around it still make their way to me. I know who you are and I know why the Directors sent you to Equestria."

My hand was at my gun and if it wasn't for Finna holding me I would have had it drawn. "Who are you?" I asked, this time in a more acknowledging tone.

"I am Zecora, daughter to the high shaman Imamu." She said leaning against a staff.

I lowered my weapon and sighed. "You should have said that from the beginning, the Directors would have my head if they saw me pointing a gun at an Ascended."

"Maybe you shouldn't be so gung-ho." Finna giggled, looking down at me with a smug smile.

"Don't fret my friend, I wouldn't expect you to know me. I left my home at a young age, much sooner than my sisters and brothers." She waved for us to sit by the fire. "Tell me askari, how is it my student came to be under your wing?"

I felt my cheeks heat up a bit at the though of the night we spent on the ship, I felt Finna wiggle next to me as she found interest in the crackling embers. "Well, when me and the other agents of my Division returned from our assignments we were told we would be taking on a new recruit. It was then we first meet her in our bunkhouse, for the first few days we were only associates, but during our trip to Equestria via airship we got to know one another and... went from their." I said hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Oh, that seems rather mundane for two unique individuals such as you." She pulled a small deck of cards form her cloak.

Damn it!

Finna and I watched as she shuffled them around before throwing three down in quick succession. I recognized the three quickly, the first one was The Fool this one was know doubt my sign in the fortune. The second was The Empress, this one signifying the fruition and idea of what I only assume was our relationship. The final one was The Lovers, it's meaning was pretty self explanatory. As I looked over the cards I could feel a very strong magic emanating from them, this meant the fortune was almost bound to happen unless hindered by a more powerful force. And from the splitting grin on the shaman's face it meant she knew exactly what happened between us.

"My my, you couldn't have chosen a better suitor my friend. Such a passionate one." She hummed before collecting the deck.

I tried to think of something to say, but I was never very good at bluffing psychics of any kind. Finna on the other hand gave a mocking pout.

"You know I hate you peeking into my private life like that." She said slumping her chin on my shoulder and huffing.

"Apologize my friend, I just wanted to make sure you were being taken care of." She shot me a killing glare. "You are caring for her aren't you?"

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." I said with a nod.

She smiled. "Good, it is always a pleasant feeling seeing those closest to me enjoying the wonders of life." She waved a hand as she brought up here magic, a pot and a few cups floated over. "If you two are staying a while would you care to trade tails?"

"We have plenty of time." Finna said scooting closer.

I nodded and set my things on the floor beside me. "If you wouldn't mind I had a few questions about you training as a shaman?" I ask with a hopeful smile.

She smiled and nodded.

---Noir Leva ~ Market Area---

After spending years in the deserts of the badlands and those of her homeland, Noir had built up a tolerance to the heat. In the dead of summer should could wear heavy clothing and barely be bothered. But this natural resistance had a down side, any areas lacking the blazing heat felt far too cold. As a rather pitiful result in the mountainous regions of Equestria, the proud cat now sat huddled in a coat in the corner of the busy market.

What kind of market doesn't sell weapons or trinkets. She mulled.

Having been to the outer cities of the rich country Noir's experience of Equestria was only founded around it's lawless and unregulated side. A smaller and more residential town like Ponyville however, held absolutely none of these qualities. The most interesting stall belonged to the apple farmer who gave her a free pie as it was her first day in town. Noir knew the mare as Applejack the Element of Honesty and the most famous member of the Apple Family. Noir knew plenty about them as two members of the Intel Bureau were Apples. It was thanks to them the Divisions had any information on the Elements of Harmony at all.

Being so close to the bearers homes gave her more than a few ideas, although she knew better than to act on some. She quickly decided to gather information as disarmingly nice as she could. This involved going to the prime element herself, Twilight Sparkle. The castle took the place of the old library after it's destruction, so what better place to learn about Equestria and it's protectors.

The walk to the castle was quick as the streets all lead to a large path that lead straight to the crystal building. With a quick check of the door Noir walked inside a small bell jingling as it opened. Inside the front room was a large round table with a slightly smaller book on top of it. Seeing it was a check in and out book the panther signed her name and looked towards a side door labeled Library.Noir looked around to see if the princess was even home, with the quick deduction she was not Noir entered the library and began looking over the shelves.

"Theory on Teleportation, 111 recipes for pasta, Starswirl's Guide to Harmony?" The last title drew her attention, she pulled it from the shelf and brought it to one of the smaller tables. Carefully opening the book she scanned it's pages for useful information and any hidden intentions. Apart from a slight description of each element the book had nothing of real use. Putting it to the side she began her search again, this was a repeated process almost an hour until the sound of the large doors opening drew her attention. Looking up from another book Noir saw three different figures enter the room. The first was the princess but beside her was the Element of Honesty, Applejack. Beside her was the young wyrmling known as Spike.

Once the three of them noticed the cat they stopped, Twilight was the first to speak. "Ms. Leva correct?" She gave.

"Yes Princess, I apologize if I'm interrupting something." Noir more charming accent in play.

"Oh no, in fact I was hoping to see you again before you and your friends left." The three of them sat around the book covered table. "I wanted to ask you a few questions if you wouldn't mind?"

"I'll and answer what I can." Noir chimed giving the other two a quick glance. "May I ask you're names first thought?" While she knew well enough who they were it was best to get a judge of their character.

"Name's Applejack hun, I work the orchard down the main road. I was jus' here to grab books for the farm, but if'n you wouldn't mind I gotta few questions of mah own." She said politely, although there was a slight undertone of skepticism.

The youngling spoke next. "I'm Spike, I help Twilight run the library section of the castle as well as the kitchen." He said giving said alicorn a cheeky smirk which she shied away from.

"Well was there anything you wanted to know immediately?" Noir asked with a warm smile.

"Well I wanted to know a bit about you, I've never seen someone like you before. Were are you from?" Twilight asked.

"I was born far to the east in the city of Cen'Quetal, the city itself holds the largest majority of my kin, Panthers." Noir looked out from the window remembering her homeland.

"I ain't never heard of a place like that in Equestria." Applejack said.

"That's because it isn't in Equestria, it's across the ocean and on a continent that has no name as no one rule has ever been established." Noir said, she took a small pendent from her cloak and handed to the apple mare. "Do you recognize the language on the back."

Applejack stared at the symbols on the back, but they meant nothing to her and so she shook her head.

"Cen'Quetal is one of many cities in the east, it has it's own language due to it's age and it's things like age and size that give cities in the brink their individuality despite their proximity to one another." Noir said taking the trinket back.

"How many cities are in your homeland?" Twilight asked enthralled by the vast number of cultures to learn about.

"Within the region I'm from there are about twenty and I'm not sure about the rest. The deserts that make up my home are also inhabited by Lamia, Dragons, Snake Kin, Orcs, and Merfolk." There were more Noir knew that very well, but they were little more than tribals.

"We have dragons in Equestria are they different in the east?" The purple mare inquired further.

"Very much so, you've seen Elijah's fiend Kodo yes? The scaly one." The two mares nodded. "His kind are very rare, and very powerful. He may seem little more than a means of transport and labor but that's because he chooses to be as such. Kodo's race are the precursors to the modern day Komodo dragons, Kodo himself was considered a deity to the tribe he once looked after."

Applejack sat back contemplating her previous thoughts of the dragon when she saw him sitting outside Twilight's castle. Said princesses was having to restrain herself as to not begin throwing a slew of questions.

Seeing their faces Noir laughed. "Look if you want to talk with Kodo feel free, he enjoys telling young people about history."

Twilight at this point was gone, by no magic other than her own two feet she had disappeared.

"Ta' think somepony so... strong was right outside our door." The apple mare stood and held out a hand. "Well thank ya for yer time Ms, stop on by Sweet Apple Acres net time yer in the area, my little sister would love ta meet ya."

Noir shook her hand and nodded. "That sounds nice thank you very much Applejack." With that the mare left leaving Noir once more to her books.

...

Dammit I never asked about the Elements... Noir quickly left the library and ran to find Twilight.

---Charon and Kodo ~ Somewhere outside Ponyville---

Having the wisdom to avoid such a pondering scholar like Ms. Sparkle, Kodo had earlier decided to relocate to a small sunlight grove outside of the town. Along the way her had come across the Berserker Charon who had been disappointed in his hopes of finding a decent smith or craftsman. The dragon had decided to follow his friend to his seclusion, the two currently found themselves sitting in the grove Kodo sunbathing on a large rock which Charon was leaning against. The two sat in a mutual silence neither wanting to break the piece and quiet, the sounds of the encompassing forest allowed for a natural melody to wash over the area.

Kodo stared off into the sky simply pondering over his single existence, something he did quiet often. Having once been a mighty deity the dragon knew the life of the empowered and respected. But such luxury came at the price of humility, after his inevitable departure from his people the dragon was unable to adapt to common life. Of course that changed when he meet Foster, a young man who cared not for his title or his power. A young man who did not fear him or worship him, he simply understood him. It was because of this that Kodo decided to follow the young man and help him on his journey in a world he did not know. During their travels the Komodo had made many adjustments to his normal life and in time, he had found his humility as just another soul on their planet.

In under a year after the two of them set out the dragon had become accustom to life as a laborer. The two did many jobs to that required dirty and difficult work, it help them both become stronger and gave them a sense of perspective for the working class. Seeing the honor and gentle pride in work Kodo had made it his goal to work with the young man for the rest of their days. For every task and every trial the two endured they found deeper and deeper meaning in a humble life.

Beside the philosophical komodo Charon sat with his eyes closed his mind ever battling with it'self. His violent and primal dragon instincts were constantly trying to break forth into his mind and overwhelm him with the desire to horde and feed, while the intelligent and calculating side repressed these urges. During their times of peace and tranquility the large dragon sought to strengthen his mental self as much as possible. However this was all but the case in battle, when blood must be shed his primal force won out and all who stood in his path would be cut down. This constant struggle left the dragon desiring nothing but solitude. But after a time spent with Noir in one of the more quiet settlements in the Badlands, the dragon began to see more of a reason to coexist with others. He had wanted to tell her since that day, but his mind simply wasn't made for conversation outside of business.

He made it a point to watch her back constantly and even when his mind was fueled by anger, the thought of her always brought him back. He attributed his currently lasting sanity to her, and he would do anything to see his debt repaid. At her word he would always follow without question or hesitation. It was for this reason the two would often be sent on the same contracts, any he may have shown mercy to on was in no such luck when the panther was at his side. Where as Charon was honorable and fair, Noir was willing to complete any contract to it's fullest. He admired her and her feared her, she was perfect in his eyes.

The two sat under the sun for a time longer before Charon's stomach broke the silence with a loud growl. Sitting up he gathered his axes and shook Kodo awake, opening one eye he looked at Charon.

"Hungry?"

The Komodo nodded and the two set off deeper into the forest towards the sound of a flowing stream.