Nisarga

Chapter 3

“W-why do I have to do this again?” I asked Scootaloo as she fastened the apron around my neck. “Isn’t this cheating?”

“It isn’t cheating if you don’t get found out, now be quiet and eat.” She clapped her hands together and smiled. “There. Make sure you eat up.” She skipped away, Applebloom behind her praising her for her “ingenious” plan.

Their plan was to get me to win a hotdog eating contest. After just barely making it, and having to pay an extra fee, I was given a number, 77, and a spot. The point wasn’t to eat as fast as you could, but to just eat as much as you could without giving up.

It was only five minutes before someone threw up all over the floor. After that sight, most people would get up and follow suit. Good thing that’s what about three other people did. The chain stopped there, as the other contestants were ready to eat as much as they could.

It took another hour or so for another person to be eliminated. About 10 people put up the signal to quit, putting their hands together, and were escorted to the booths to watch. Although I wasn’t full, I was getting quite tired of the taste.

After the last twenty people were decided, and I finished what seemed to be my 7th plate of hotdogs, I saw something that caught my eye. The mare wearing the hood from this morning was sitting a few seats in front of me, engaging in another new plate of hot dogs. After her attack, I was convinced that something was off with her, and I was determined to find out.

It would be another 2 hours, at 9:30, that the last three people were decided. Me, my cloaked friend, and a large stallion apparently going by the name War. He had a good run, but by the time his 15th plate came round, he could take anymore and threw up all over his table. I called for my fifteenth plate, but the waiter was hesitant. He walked up to the announcer and whispered something in his ear. The announcer tapped the mic and began to speak.

“Unfortunately, we’ve… run out of hotdogs. Sorry folks, but this is draw!” In accordance to the announcement, there were uncertain whispers. “So, we will split the 500 bit prize money between our two front runners!” There was an applause as I stood up and stretched and as my cloaked friend left her seat. We both approached the announcer and accepted the large sacks full of golden coins. We both stood waved to the crowd, walking our separate ways at the end. After leaving the tables, I ran into Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo.

“Sorry about that,” I said rubbing my stomach. “I guess the competition was a little… tough.” Scootaloo waved her hand in a dismissive manner.

"It wasn't your fault. Who knew that there was someone able to match an infinite stomach."

"Its not infinite," I said shaking my head. "Just vast. That and sick of hotdogs."

"Whatever the case, I've gotta get back and count these bits," she said as she hauled the bag over her shoulder. "Applebloom, Sweetie Belle?"

"Ah have no problem. It is my house we're countin' at." Sweetie Belle shook her head at the offer.

"Sorry girls," she said apologetically. "But this day has gone all over the place. So much so that I haven't taken a shower today. And you girls both know that I need to take my showers."Both of the girls nodded their heads in agreement.

"Okay then," said Applebloom. "Ah guess ah'll see ya later." Her eyes flickered towards Scootaloo for a second who nodded with a devilish smile. As they turned and walked away, I could only guess what they were signaling to each other. I turned back towards Sweetie Belle to find the hooded woman heading in our direction. Curious to know who or what she was, I walked towards her as well.

“Bumi?” called Sweetie Belle as I walked past her. “Where are you…” She fell quiet as she saw who I was approaching.

“So, who exactly are-” I started before getting cut off. She gently rested her wispy hands on my shoulders and pulled me towards her, locking her lips with mine. As quickly as it happened, it finished, the mare moving a few feet away from me.

“So you really don’t remember me…” She said looking upwards. “What exactly happened since I left?”

“I-I don’t know,” I said, the red on my cheeks more apparent that the red of an apple. “Who you are or what you’re doing here?”

“I… I guess I’ll have to introduce myself again.” She unbuttoned her cloak and took it off, revealing herself to be a mare with the upper body of a normal mare and the lower body of a ghost, with a flickering tail to match. Other than the aforementioned cloak and a large sweater to cover the top half of her body, she was relatively naked. “My name’s Venera, the spirit of the planet Venus,” she said. “I am also your sister.”

“You’re my sister?” I said, trying to remember who she was. “But… but then why did you kiss me so… frivolously?”

“Oh, that’s just one of my abilities,” she said putting her hands behind her back. “Everytime I kiss someone, I can alter their memories.”

“That’s a pretty cool ability,” remarked Sweetie Belle. “I don’t know what I would do if someone could use that against me.”

“It works for everyone, babe,” she said sassily. “Would you like to test it?”

“Um, no thanks,” she said shyly.

“So, what are you doing here?” I asked. “I assume that if you’re coming from a different planet, you’re not here for tea and crumpets.”

“Well, not exactly,” she replied. “I’m here for a different reason, but, as you could guess, here is not a place I’d like to discuss that. We should go indoors.”

“I have no problem with you two going to my house,” said Sweetie Belle. “Just as long as I can take my shower in peace.”

“Sure thing, babe. We won’t peek,” she said glancing over at me. “Or at least he won’t.”

“O-okay then,” she said turning around. “To my house it is.”

We walked to Sweetie Belle’s house, the darkness of the night settling in fast. Finally reaching the house, Sweetie Belle walked inside and disappeared up a flight of stairs, going to what I thought was her room. I sat down in the kitchen and beckoned for Venera to do the same. After she sat, I crossed my feet, ready to listen to what she had to say.

“So, if any of this is to make any sense to you, you’ll need to lean forwards,” she started. I did as I was told and was granted a kiss, making all sorts of images flash across my vision. After the show was done, my head was filled with all sorts of memories. “Some of them may seem blurry to you, but after thinking about it hard enough, it should come back to you.”

“So, why did I need all of this?” I asked, still a little dazed from the influx of information.

“What you really need to focus on is the memories of your other siblings. Especially the ones named Sani, spirit of the planet Saturn and Dias, spirit of the planet Jupiter.” I flipped through my memories until two pictures popped up in my vision. One of a female with orangish skin, dark brown hair, and eyes matching her hair color. The other was of a male, With light brown skin along with sandy blond hair and eyes.

“Yeah, I-I remember them,” I said confusedly. “But what about them should I focus on?”

“The past millennia have been hell for these two,” she explained. “They’ve been in a war because of something that they’re both too prideful to admit they had a hand in.”

“I…” I started. “I just barely can’t remember. Something was… destroyed?”

“It was our birthplace,” she explained. “ The planet that was called Yeri. It was destroyed somehow, and neither will stop blaming the other.”

“I see…” I said. “So, what is it you want me to do?” She sighed and looked away from me like she was coming to the worst part.

“I’m too weak to stop them from fighting each other, but you,” she said grabbing my hands. “You aren’t. You may not know it yet, but if this continues, they’ll end up killing each other, and… and I know you can’t live with that.” I closed my eyes and concentrated.

“Hey, Sweetie Belle,” I asked in my head. “I have a very important question to ask you.” I heard her jump inside of my head.

“C-couldn’t it have waited until I was out of the shower?” she asked trying to cover herself up. “What is it?”

“I know it sounds like a big responsibility,” I started. “But I need you to help me do something big.”

“What do you mean?” she asked. “Did Venera tell you something important?”

“There’s an intergalactic fight going on somewhere in space right now, and I need you help to stop it,” I explained. “If I don’t help these people solve their problems, It could cause widespread devastation and destruction, killing countless people.”

“Wait, what do you mean? Who’s in war?”

“Two of my siblings,” I said. “I don’t know how or when we’re going to stop them, but I can’t if you don’t help me.”

“I- I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I’m not a fighter, I’m a dress designer! How am I supposed to stop intergalactic war?”

“I… don’t know. But if I was to have anyone by my side helping me do it, I’d like for it to be you.” She rubbed her temples and made few grunting noises before settling on her decision.

“Fine! I’ll help you,” she said. “I just… really hope I get back here in one piece.” I extended my pinkie in her direction.

“I promise,” I said as I opened my eyes. “Okay, I just had a talk with Sweetie Belle-”

“In the shower?” asked Venera. As I nodded a small smile appeared on her face. “Looks like I underestimated your powers of perversion.” My face became red.

“Not because of that!” I exclaimed. “We both agree to help you stop this war.” She smiled wide and gave me a hug in appreciation.

“Okay then,” she said. “If we are really to stop this war, we’ll need to do some.. preparation first.”

After talking to Bumi, a flurry of questions flew around in my mind. Who were his siblings, What war was he talking about, and best of all, where did I fit into this? I told him I was only a dressmaker, yet he seemed to be intent on having me as his traveling partner. The flattery made me smile, but the danger was a rising threat.

I left the shower and went into my room. Resting the towel on the bed, I proceeded to stretch across the bed, taking in this moment of comfort before it was gone. I looked up at the ceiling in the near silence of the night, my thoughts running wild in my head. I was too tired to focus on any one of them, this lack of concentration the reason I was able to fall asleep as easily as I did.

Uncharacteristically, my dreams gave me no comfort. Usually, I’d dream of things that happened during the day. Interesting points of interest like making a really great dress, or meeting up with the girls and having a great time. Today, I had a dream about someone I’d never seen before.

It looked like a woman, but she was made up of a dark void. The only thing able to differentiate her from it was few stars that dotted her figure. Her eyes were pure white, no pupils to be found, and her hair was long, flowing all the way to her knees and the same color as her body. For a moment she just stared at me, no sense of emotion on her face, but after a few minutes, her mouth opened, her very voice enough to send chills down my spine.

“Who watches me?” she asked, pointing in my direction. “Show yourself. Now.” I gulped, unsure of what she meant. Her eyes narrowed and she reached out in my direction, pulling me further into this void. Once I was completely pulled out, her eyes locked with mine, a confused look on her face. “Why won’t you answer me?” If I hadn’t already been sleeping, I would’ve passed out from the pressure. Eventually, after a few seconds of trying to swallow, I finally got my name out.

“S-S-Sweetie Belle,” I choked out. “W-who are y-you?” Her eyes narrowed.

“After being so rude, you demand my name?” she asked, her eyes boring hoes into me. “I wonder what stops me from killing you this instant.” Unable to say anything in my defense, she let me drop to the floor of the void. Only then could I see how big she was, standing at at least 7 feet tall. This only made me more intimidated as I struggled to swallow.

“Sweetie Belle!” screamed someone behind me. Before turning around to see who it was, I was swept off of my feet and sent flying through the air. All too suddenly, I landed, almost stopping my heart. Looking up to see who it was, I saw that it was a woman I’d never seen before. “Oh my god, what were you doing there?”

“Doing where? Who are you?” I asked, my fear rescinding very slowly. “What is happening!?”

“Are you pulling blanks now?” she asked with a worried look on her soft brown face. “It’s me, Merkur!”

“Mer...ker?” I asked. “I.. I don’t know a Merkur.” She sighed and put me down on the ground. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ll have Venera finaggle with your memories after this. But for now,” both of her hands were surrounded with an orange aura before catching on fire. “Keep away from her. Far away, got it!?” her shout made me flinch a bit, but I nodded in agreement. Just as she jumped towards the larger woman, my dream faded into nothingness, another replacing it.

This time, I stood in a very bright place. Almost everything around me was bright yellow, almost white. Although it was hot, it wasn’t uncomfortable, rather, it felt as if my bones had been frozen and I was sitting in front of a radiant fire. As I surveyed the place in front of me, someone tapped me on the shoulder, making me jump. Turning around, I found that the tap came from a woman. Her skin was pale, not far from my own skin. Her hair seemed to be made of flickering flames and her eyes the same color.

“Hello, Sweetie Belle,” said this woman. “I assume you’ve just returned from a bad dream, yes?”

“I… I don’t know if it was a dream,” I responded. “She acted as if I was actually there. She actually touched me.”

“Well, bad dream or no, it’s over,” she said, a pair of chairs and a small table appearing in the yellow void. She took a seat and beckoned for me to follow her. I hesitated for a second, my sight switching between her and the chair, but I eventually took a seat. “My name is Sonne, spirit of the sun. I’m the mother of all other spirits.”

“The mother of all spirits?” I asked confusedly. “You’re the mother of Bumi and Venera?”

“Yes, actually. They are the closest of the siblings, but there are still others besides them.” She gestured to her left, a model of a few spherical bodies were present, none of which I recognized. “The one you inhabit, since long before you, has been called Earth. The one closest and the most resemblant of the Earth is Venus, it’s sister planet.”

“I don’t remember learning anything about this in school…” I remarked. “These things are called planets, right?” I asked pointing to the spheres. “They’re all brothers and sisters?”

“Yes,” answered Sonne. “In total, there are eight, Plura being a… special occasion,” she said, looking away from me with a slight smirk on her face. “Anyway, there is a reason I’m telling you all this.”

“Oh, okay then,” I said. “What is it?”

“You don’t know how it is to be a mother yet, so I don’t think you’d understand completely, but whenever my children get into serious conflict, I can’t help but cry.” She looked at me, her facial expression completely changed. “Recently, a huge fight broke out between two of my children because of the destruction of a planet special to all of us. It’s name was Yeri, and I was the one who made it. It was basically the birthplace of all of the spirits.

“But due to a misunderstanding, the planet was destroyed. Two spirits are in the middle of a war, one that could possibly kill all involved if someone doesn’t step in and stop it.” My eyes widened, as I remember Bumi talking about something similar. “I know that Bumi asked for your help, but I understand you aren’t prepared to take on such a task.”

“You’re going to help me?” I asked. She shook her head.

“I can’t help you directly, but I have a special ability that allows me to do something from beyond,” she said, holding out her hand, a golden light enveloping it. “I can heal any ailment, or simply resurrect those who are dead. But everything comes at a price.”

“What do you have to pay to heal someone like that?”

“I am forced to age, depending on the severity of the wound.” She closed her eyes. “A minor headache, probably a few weeks in your time. A game over wound could cost me up to 500 years. Whenever I resurrect someone… I’m lucky to get away with 2,000 years…”

“I see…” I said, looking down. “If it makes you feel any better, you don’t look a day over 21.” I could see her smile at my remark.

“Thank you, Sweetie Belle,” she said , her body glowing a golden light. “Unfortunately though, It’s time for you to wake up,” she said, the room filling with the golden light that nearly blinded me. “Always remember, no matter where you are, I will always be watching and protecting you.” The light started to fade as I opened my eyes, finding that the sun had risen and was shining in my face. I yawned and stretched, bathing in the light, ready to go and start my day with a new protector watching my back.