Chapter 1: The Mare, the Amulet and the Wardrobe
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Chapter 1: The Mare, the Amulet and the Wardrobe
As I run through the forest I'm gasping for air. My lungs feel like they are on fire. I stop to face the oncoming threat.
"It's coming again. Everyone get out of here." I yelled as a huge wall darkness slinks closer consuming everything in its path ,plant and animal alike, into its endless void. "Get going! I'll hold it off as long as I can." Reaching for the sheath at my side I pulled out my sword as it shone brighter than any star i had ever seen with me ready to make my final stand. One of the six shadowed figures behind me as I now face the black wall stopped.
"What!? You know that we are not gonna just leave you here to fight that thing all on your own." ,a young female voice speaks to me.
"Please go." ,I say "You are the only ones that can stop it for good." Even though I can't see her I can tell she is saddened by this knowledge.
"Fine then but you had better come back to me.",she demanded as she took off after the others. I caught one last glimpse of her hair as she faded into the darkness of the trees behind me purple hair with a pink stripe running through it. I let out a sigh of relief that she got away safely as I turn around to face the impending wall of nothingness headed my way. Every fiber of my being is telling me I have no chance of winning but I stand sword in hand ready fight the darkness. I charge forward jumping in the air and bring a huge strike down on the dark wall.
I jerk awake breathing heavily, sweating profusely and heart rate going a hundred miles a minute staring at the familiar ceiling of my bedroom. "That dream again." I said to my self but this time it was really realistic. I looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand 6:00 was on the display still a couple of hours until school but I got up anyways knowing that trying to get anymore rest after that dream would be pointless besides he needed a long shower to remove the sweat drenching his body. As I stood up my hands were still shaking. Wearily i walked to the bathroom to wash my face and hopefully calm down. Turning the facet on in the sink I splashed some cold water on my face and looked at my reflection. Silver hair with bright yellow eyes donned my face. "Get a hold of yourself Shade." I said, "It was just a dream." I took off the only piece of clothing that I actually wore to bed which is my boxers and went into the shower. I was looking myself over and it seemed that i was getting a little more muscular by the day. Hmmmm...... must be all that intense training with my master coupled with the long and busy days as the head chef for the restaurant that I work at. The restaurant job was to pay for living expenses. I am currently living in a dorm room on campus at the university where I attend under full scholarship but that still only goes so far. I hop out of the shower get dressed for school putting on some clean boxers, a pair of jeans and a grey shirt with a thundercloud and a lightning bolt coming out of it spreading out to the shape of dragon. After I got dressed i grabbed my duffel bag shoved my books into in and headed out the door to school.
I stared off into space during the teacher's monotonous lecture thinking how beautiful that hair was in my dream until the teacher noticed that i wasn't paying attention to him.
"Mr. Storm." he said. I wonder who that girl was and why did she want me to come back to her I though to my self not noticing the teacher walking right up to my desk looking rather irritated. "MR. STORM!" he boomed making me jump and snapping me back to reality.
"Y-yes?" I replied trying to play it off , needless to say, it didn't work. The teacher sighed heavily before saying "Mr. Storm. Just because you are on a full scholarship program with an IQ of 200 doesn't mean you can shirk your studies in class. You should be the one setting an example to the other students of what they can achieve not daydreaming of girls and what not." The class started chuckling at my expense.
"Sorry sir.", I said with my head hanging low and shrinking back into my seat my face red with embarrassment. The teacher sighed once again and continued his lecture with me listening intently so to not end up in the same situation.
With classes done I decided to go stop by the laboratory and check in with the professor as sometimes I swear he would forget to even eat if I didn't stop by. I came inside the lab to see the professor writing multiple equations on blackboard. "Catch." , I said as i threw a wrapped sandwich ,which I made for lunch but had already eaten mine, to the professor who caught in which surprised me thinking he had not seen me come in.
"Ah Shade my boy thank ya much." he said as hit bit into the sandwich. "How have you been?"
"Good." I responded, "How goes the research Professor Brown?"
He sighs, "I thought I told you to call me Alton when we were alone. I mean we are partners in this project."
"Sorry Professor Bro..........I mean Alton." Old habits die hard . "Anyways, how goes it?" I asked.
"Shade my lad. I'm close, very close."
"Um professor? Isn't that what you said the last three times that led to dead ends?"
"Hrmph" he said sticking his tongue out at me. "You'll see one of these days."
I rolled my eyes at his antics thinking he had a strange disposition for a teacher as he finished the sandwich. "You know professor Multiverse theory is not something that easy to prove."
"Maybe not", he responded, "but that's what will make so worthwhile when I finally do."
I laughed a little as I could agree with that. I loved the concept of the multiverse ever since I had heard about when I was ten years old. Ten years later and here I am with my professor and friend trying to prove it. "Hey professor?" I asked in an almost downtrodden voice looking over the equations he was chalking down. "Do you ever feel like the world you are in isn't the world you meant to be in. Like there is some kind of higher purpose that you just don't realize."
He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Hmmmm? What brought this on?" he asked.
"Nothing really." I casually said. "Just thinking out loud." I looked outside and noticed the time. "Shoot! Sorry professor, I've got to go. I just remembered I need to go do some food shopping for my place.
"All right. Take care lad." he said.
I waved bye to him as I looked back one last time to see him hard at work on his equations again.
I finished my shopping just as the sun was setting and the street lamps were just starting to turn on. About halfway home I noticed something glinting on the ground in a dark and rather unpleasant looking alleyway. Cautiously walking towards it I bent down to see what it was. It was some sort of weird looking necklace or amulet of some kind. Made of dark looking metal in the shape of what looked like a menacing looking unicorn with wings and a red eye. In the center of the piece was a rather large diamond shaped red gem. The whole thing radiated an aura that sent shivers up my spine. I ran my hand along the surface of it when the horn of it pricked my finger causing me to gasp and pull my hand back and a drop of my blood dropped on the gem which seem to glow. I rubbed my eyes with one hand while the other had a finger stuck into my mouth to stop the bleeding. I looked the amulet again to notice no blood on it at all.
"Strange. I thought I bled on it a bit." I said to myself. "Hmmmmm..... I guess I am more tired than I thought." I looked around to see if the amulet belonged to anyone but there was no one in sight.
"Take it!" said a mysterious gruff and wispy voice causing me stand up quickly looking around to see where the voice came from.
"Who's there? Show yourself." I demanded. No answer came and I couldn't sense anyone around. "Yep. Definitely more tired than I thought." I knelt back down and cautiously pick up the amulet examining it then putting it into the side pocket of my duffel bag and headed home to drop off the groceries and pick up the equipment I would need to train with my master.
I unlocked my door to my dorm room walked inside and set down the groceries for a sec to head to the bedroom. I took out the strange amulet putting on my nightstand and packed few more things inside the duffel bag I brought from school. I put my laptop with a mouse connected to it, my Ipod almost full of songs, a potable game system that i got ahead of everyone else on account of my help in the development stages and a few games and a few changes of clothes just in case I decided to stay at my masters place which I did on occasion. I grabbed my katana ('Mitsuhide' I called it.) and a couple of wooden practice swords and stuffed them into the bag. I also put my phone in my back pocket. I walked back to the kitchen put away the food and make my self a little something for dinner before I head out to my master's house.I made a tomato, lettuce and mayo sandwich ( I am actually a vegetarian). I headed out in the cool night air remembering to lock my door carrying my duffel bag walking to my master's place.
I arrived at the house a little before 9 o'clock and knocked on the door of the Japanese style house for a good ten minutes with no answer so I got out my key and unlocked the door. I walked inside almost forgetting to take off my shoes at the entrance before stepping onto the tatami mats lining the floor.
"Sensei!" I called out probably a bit too loud considering the time of day "Where are you at?" I said just as I spotted him out in the garden meditating. "Oh, I'm sorry Sensei Master Chen. I didn't mean to interrupt your meditation."
"Quite alright young one. Come sit and talk with me for a while before we begin your training."
I bowed once before kneeling down to sit on the back of my heels.
"So what troubles you my young pupil? he questioned.
"Am I that easy to read sensei?"
"Ha ha ha" he laughed heartily. "I've know you since your were still in diapers.You think I would not notice your mood."
I let out a sigh at the diaper remark and said "Embarrassingly true master" as he laughed once again "but yes there is something."
"Go on." he said.
"I keep thinking that maybe the world I live in isn't the one I was supposed to end up in."
My master stood up and clasped his strong but calming hand on my shoulder, hands that have protected those he loved from danger but also supported those he'd believed in.
"Let me tell you something Shade. Everything in this universe happens for a reason. You were born into this world because you were supposed to born here. You are who you are because of this world and I for one cannot be prouder of you just for being who you are spending time with me in this world."
"Thanks sensei."
"On another note" he added "you really should try to find a nice girl and settle down."
"Sensei!" I said as a slight blush went across my face.
"Sorry sorry" he said as his laugh returned. "Well your training awaits. Let us be off to the arena to test your mettle."
"Yes sensei!" I said as I jumped to attention following him inside to the arena. I took out my practice katana and tossed the other to my master who caught is quite expertly while not looking in my direction and eyes closed. We stood face to face and bowed to each other taking our stances.
"Begin." my master said as went walked around each other in circles trying to gauge what the other would do. Then I saw it a moment of weakness which I tried to take advantage of by attacking at that very moment as I lunged at him. Sensei shown a small grin on his face right at the last second. Oh no I thought, a feint. Too little too late as my master dodged easily causing me to lose balance and that's when he struck at my legs. Next thing I know I am staring at the ceiling. My master standing overhead reached his arm down to help me up which I grasped being lifted to my feet.
"Okay young one. Are you ready to tell me what else bothers you?"
I sighed heavily and nodded. I told my master that i'd been having that dream more frequently than ever and how vivid it had become.
"That dream again eh? Well, like I've told you a many a time dreams can be a window to your soul. It is up to you what you make of them."
I sat on the bench by the arena to rest my body and bit and think.
"Maybe seeing that girl's hair in the dream really is a sign? Hmmmmm.....?"
" What kind of sign master?" I said in the most serious tone I had ever given him.
"A sign that you find yourself.....................
a girlfriend."
"Sensei!" I said slightly angry and blushing again.
"Sorry, sometimes you are too easy my pupil." he chuckled to himself. "Let's stop for today."
I tried to protest saying that I could continue on but he would not have that saying
"Your mind is not in the fight right now and that can lead to dangerous situations young one. Like our motto says."
"Strong mind and strong body equal strong heart." we both said simultaneously.
"Right! Now off with you so you can gather your thoughts and rest your body.
"Good night my pupil." my master said as he walked me to the door.
"Good night sensei. "I said and started thinking about the multiverse theory again imagining what worlds could be out there. "Another world?"
(Meanwhile inside a castle in a kingdom further than you can possibly imagine two young female voices are chatting both sounding a little panicked.)
"Another world ? Now I don't need no fancy book learnin' to reckon that's bad Twi." the first voice said sounding of a southern accent.
"I know. I know." the second voice said pacing around enough that it was starting to wear out the stonework floor. "I'm not sure what to do now."
"Well, can't ya cast a counter spell or summin'?"the southern voice asked.
"Oh how I wish I could AJ but the spell wasn't supposed to teleport the Alicorn Amulet to another world. It was supposed to destroy it for good."
"What happened to yer spell fer it to do that?" the southern voice asked.
"Thanks to a little purple dragon that shall remain nameless for now," looking at a purple lizard creature that was trying to look all innocent whistling to himself. "with sticky candy hands touched the Starswirl the Bearded's spell book causing two pages to get stuck together. I did the prep work for a high level destruction spell and the tail end of a teleportation spell."
"What are ya gonna do then?"AJ asked.
"Lemme think for a minute.............................Ah ha, I got it!"
"What is it Twi?" said AJ.
"Well, since I can't cast a counter spell to the first spell I'm going to combine two other spells instead."
Wha'cha mean Twi?"
"Okay, you remember the mirror that leads to Canterlot High School right AJ?"
"Sure." she responded.
"I'm gonna combine the power of the mirror with a locator spell I created just for the Alicorn Amulet after we got it back from Trixie just in case it was ever stolen.
"What'll that do?" AJ asked.
"Well it should allow the mirror's portal to adjust enough to come close enough to the amulet that I could just reach through and grab it and pull it back through."
"Okay well git to er then."said AJ
"Well there is a slight problem. I'm gonna need a lot of magic to pull this off. I need you gather the other girls so we can gather the power of the Elements of Harmony to give the spell the boost it needs. Please AJ. I really want to get the amulet back before Celestia finds out what happened? Pleeeaaassseee."
"Now you know I don't like keeping secrets from Celestia but for you Twi, Allrighty then."
"Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou."said Twilight almost crushing AJ with a hug.
"I'll head to get the girls then." popping her back into alignment after Twilight's bear hug
"Allright then I'll get started on preparation."said Twilight rummaging through her bag
(Meanwhile back at Shade's dorm room.)
I walked wearily into my bedroom and collapsed onto my bed passing out from exhaustion as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was sleeping peacefully til I heard a strange but familiar voice.
Gruff but wispy it said, "Don the amulet to get the power you seek."
I woke up in a daze looking around to see if anyone was around but nothing but darkness. I turned on the lamp in my room and looked at the time 12:30. I looked at the amulet while laughing at myself.
"Power? Yeah right." I got up grabbed the amulet putting around my neck and walking up up to the mirror carrying my full duffel bag to see what it would look like while walking around the campus.
"Hmmmmm.......not bad" I said to myself thinking it would tacky. "It almost feels like it should have been there the whole time." Strange though it may seem,the amulet started to glow then pass through my shirt and sink into my body. As I am freaking out about amulet that is now somehow inside me another strange thing is happening with my mirror. It started to fluctuate and ripple like a pool of water. I was so mesmerized by the mirror I totally forgot about amulet. I reached out to the mirror to touch it as my hand passed through it a bit. It felt kinda strange like if you could stick your hand in molten metal without getting burned. I was rubbing my eyes with my hand when a purple hoof came out from the other side of the mirror I froze shocked at what I was seeing as the hoof moved around like it was searching for something til brushed past my hand then it started to feel around the shape of my hand. Then a purple sparkling aura surrounded pulling my whole body and pulled me through the mirror as I blacked out. My head hurt a bit when I finally came to. Thinking of all the strange things I had seen until I fully opened my eyes to see something that blew all that I had seen out of the water. Sitting in chair at the foot of the bed I was a purple unicorn with the same hair as the voice in my dream casually reading a book that was floating in front of her surrounded by the same purple aura that had pulled me into the mirror earlier. She must have noticed that I was awake as she closed the book and placed it on a nearby table and she spoke.
"Hi.....nice to see that you are okay. Ummm.......My name's Twilight Sparkle. What's yours?"