Portals: Shattered (Book 6 alt)

ooooooooaaaaaaahhhhhhhh -

        Blizzard Blast yawned, baring his teeth like a lion. At first his eyes squinted shut. With a stretch they melted open.        Until his adventure with the Elements of Unity, he’d never had a true, permanent home - he went where the wind took him. With the help of Ponyville - mostly of his love, Twilight Sparkle - he was able to build himself a place to live: a lean-to shed just inside the Everfree Forest.        The scenery before him was that of his new home. A folding table centered the shed. A filing cabinet, adapted into a dresser, was built into the wall at one side. A hat rack stood beside it, occupying various coats and hats. The structure was built of beautiful maple wood. Blizzard Blast was now occupying a blue sleeping bag in one corner, sided by a burnt stub of candle. The air was as frigid as one could expect at morning in the forest.        Blast teleported from his resting place. A flash of light dissipated as he appeared before his dresser. Green auras summoned a number of items to life. They picked themselves up and floated toward the stallion.        “Got to look good,” he told himself. He was leaving for the greatest way to start the day: taking his mare for a refreshing morning walk. A comb floated to his aid, sweeping his mane into perfection. A snow-white vest put itself over his back, buttoning itself with flashes of green. Simultaneously a bow tie of the silkiest blue came to life, tying itself before his eyes. Over that came a fine black blazer.        Before he knew it he was fully dressed and ready to meet his love.

Knock, knock, knock.        The door opened.        “Blizzard Blast?” asked the baby dragon that answered it.        “Hi, Spike,” answered Blast, smiling pleasantly. “And yes. If I may ask, is Twilight home?”        Spike appeared confused. His dragon eyes blinked and he seemed lost in thought.        Blast politely repeated himself. “Is she here?”        “ . . . I just thought she already went with you.”        “You mean she’s gone?”        “Yeah.”        “That’s . . .” Blizzard Blast searched for the right word, “odd.”        At exactly that moment, a mare of mint fur dashed to him. Her frightened eyes darted around like some dinosaur was going to come eat her. “Blizzard Blast! Oh thank goodness you’re here!”        “Calm down, Lyra,” Blast reassured her, still unsure what was happening. “What’s the problem?”        “Have you seen Minuette? My mom? I can’t find her and I’m afraid!”Okay, Blast thought. Twilight disappearing was weird, but this . . .        Before he could finish the thought, a gray blur tackled him to he ground. It was Octavia. “Do you know what’s going on? Vinyl’s missing!”Suddenly ponies started flooding him and all sense melted to chaotic chatter.        “What’s happening?”        “He’s a Blizzard. Maybe he knows.”        One stallion in particular, a respectful earth pony, nudged through the crowd to reach Blast. Octavia got off of Blast and he stood to meet the pony. His trademark green tie hung from his earthen coat. His blue eyes filled with concern, looking into the Blizzard’s. It was the Doctor. “I’m so sorry,” he began. “The portal . . .”        It was not until precisely at that moment Blast fit the pieces together.        “Oh no.”        His eyes swept over the crowd before him. Ponies of every color and race were present. Here and now, each of them felt pain. Each felt the loss of somepony dear to them, a hole in their hearts. In every pair of eyes there was suffering, there was a scar.        He had failed every single one of them.        Hanging his head, the shamed Blizzard said only, “I’m so sorry. I can’t help you.”        The crowd fell dead silent. They watched, longing for some rescue, as Blast paced away in silence. He made his way out - the crowd parted around him so it wasn’t too hard - and followed the path back into the Everfree Forest. He waited to fall out of sight of those he hurt, and made a mad dash for somewhere - anywhere. Just to have the illusion he was accomplishing something. Anything for that illusion.

        A lone white pegasus gave chase.        What was that Blizzard thinking? He didn’t cause this tragedy - no one did! He had no reason to blame himself for the hurt everypony now felt. And besides, what was this going to do about the task at hand? Kevin thought about what he had to say.        “Ah, Kevin,” said Blast’s voice.        The pegasus whirled to find the voice’s owner. Was he really thinking that hard? Was he paying no attention to what surrounded him now? He halted and searched for Blast.        He found the blue form through some trees beside the trail. How did the Blizzard see him coming?        Kevin scrambled through the trees toward him. He found himself standing by Blast at the shore of a forest pond. The ground came high and overhung the water, and this was where the two perched.        Blizzard Blast was a mess. Dirt stains rattled his once fresh blazer coat. A button had come loose on his silky white vest. In his reflection could be seen his solemn face. His closed eyes were eerily tearless. His scar burned as brightly as ever.        “Why?” he finally spoke. “Why, friend, did I let this happen? Why did I let my guard down? What did I do wrong?”        Kevin responded quickly. “Nothing. This was an accident. You did nothing to cause this. No one did. These things just happen on their own.”        Blast was silent.        Kevin sighed. He waited a minute for the words to come. “You can tell a lot about somepony . . .” he said finally, “by the way they treat books.”        Blast kept his eyes slid closed. Where could he be going with this?        “Ponies like Twilight, for example, know how to respect books. Like the priceless pearls of wisdom they are. Likewise, she is a priceless pearl.”        Blizzard Blast finally opened his eyes. Was Kevin trying to remind him of his loss? In a calm but stern voice he replied “You’re not helping.”        “Just hear me out,” Kevin patiently maintained before he continued. “Then there are the monsters. The ones that burn books for their amusement. But the really tricky ones, are the ones that find a book already hurt.”        Against his unsurety of where Kevin was going with this, Blast’s interest perked. “What does that say about them?”        “Nothing.” Kevin stamped a hoof as if making a point. “Yet. That pony did nothing to cause that book pain. The situation had only come upon them. It is what happens next that defines who they truly are. They have not yet failed. It is their call to action.        “Do you remember when Twilight was captured by Mane-iac? What did you do?”        “I . . .”        “You followed your instincts. You came to her aid, and saved her. Not only that, she alongside you and your family defeated every shred of evil on the planet. You saved everyone.        “What about when Bellus returned? What did you do?”        “I failed,” came the answer with a voice flat as a rock.        “Perhaps you’re not omnipotent,” Kevin replied. “But you did teach Bellus a powerful lesson. You taught him the pain he brings down on everypony beneath him. Not only this, you also transported Sunset Shimmer back to Equestria. She, in turn, saved everyone. So you, in a way, saved not only your love but everyone in Equestria.        “You’re always telling yourself what a failure you are. I am telling you now, not only for yourself but for Twilight and everypony you love: stop lying to yourself. Step beyond your shortcomings, and open your eyes. Deep down, I’ve really looked up to you. You’re such an amazing pony, Blizzard Blast, and you don’t even know what you’re capable of. Now is your call to action, royal warrior. You have seen what has come upon Equestria. Will you pass by, blaming yourself for this tragedy? Or will you do something about it?”        The piercing green eyes of Blizzard Blast had finally opened. They were deep in thought now, a plan forming somewhere in the labyrinth of his soul. The silence persisted. The forest around them had quieted. Not a sound pierced the air.        Blast turned to his friend. “Thank you,” was all he said before walking away.        “Wait,” said Kevin. The blue unicorn halted, his back still to him.        “Let me come with you.”