Chapter 1: It Begins With Hi...
Darkness, Darkness, and Pain are all I could remember. All that mattered. But that was before I woke up in this place. Oh forgive me, I haven't introduced myself yet, I am Dummkopf, Anthony Dummkopf at your service, or I will be as soon as I get out of this forest. Anyway on with my story.
The pain was the thing that woke me up., The only thing that I could sense around me. However, as I listened and waited, stretching my senses around myself, I heard more. The wind in the Trees and the swish and sway of the grass. I opened up my eyes, and the first thing that my brain registered was the bright light filtering through the green foliage of the trees above me.
“ What the hell happened to me?” I Muttered and even that much movement hurt. After a few minutes, I tried to move again and was met with little pain. As I gingerly got to my feet I noticed my surroundings. They reminded me of a forest I had visited when I was young with...someone. I couldn’t quite remember it exactly. But, before I could continue my pondering on what had happened, I felt a head-splitting pain that crashed upon my brain as if I had just stood up under a metal pole and smashed into it. I could feel the pressure constricting my Brain. As I clutched my head in pain and fell to my knees, I felt the flesh of my right knee and jeans slide smoothly through a blade until it hit Bone. I looked down and Screamed. I had knelt upon a sword and I could feel the blade slowly being warmed up by my blood. Collapsing to my left, I Felt the blade remove itself from my leg and felt the gelatinous ooze of both blood and cartilage slide out of the gash.
In a fevered haze, I clutched the gash. Thinking quickly, I took off my shirt and used my arms to tear strips of cloth from the bottom of my shirt, then used said strips to bind and bandage my knee. Soon with a final tug and a muffled scream, I finished binding my leg.
I could feel the adrenaline in my system, flowing through my entire body and a throbbing in my brain as I looked at what I had done. Without hesitation, I had stopped the bleeding and bound a wound worthy of a doctor's own work, in less than five minutes. As I tried to rise to my feet the pain that shot up my leg was too much and I collapsed again, thankfully not into the sword. Looking around I spotted the sword and actually looked at it for the first time.
Its edge was still partially covered in my blood, but even with that detail, the sword was beautiful. The blade was made of dark silver, titanium alloy, the cross-guard was small like that of a Katina's but in a spiral shape. The Hilt was made of purple-heart wood and had a midnight blue sapphire and emerald inlaid grip, and the pommel was made of a black metal that looked stronger than the blade itself, it also had a solid black metal chain of the same material and had two, inch wide rings in the chain, one in the middle and one on the end. The scabbard that lay beside the sword was just as noticeable. Embedded in the black leather there was a blood-red metal that was in a rhombus grated pattern.
I crawled towards the sword and sheath, picked up the sheath and used it as a cane to get up. Then after regaining my balance, I attached the scabbard to my belt and then reached down and grasped the grip. As soon as my fingers closed around the grip, time seemed to stop. A disembodied voice thundered through my head.
“WHO DARES TOUCH MY BLADE, THE BLADE OF ASHES !?”
“ Wha-Who-Who are you?” I shouted back.
“I AM ASHEN RING, WHO ARE YOU ?” Thundered Ashen Ring.
“I am Anthony Dummkopf...” and trying to remember any sort of achievement that I could have completed realized. “and I can’t remember anything about myself !” I replied lamely.
“REALLY? Now that is interesting, very interesting indeed, Is there anything that you can remember, Sir Anthony?” asked Ashen Ring in a quieter voice.
“Yes, I remember a forest that I visited when I was young with someone, or something, that and darkness.” Anthony solemnly replied
“Hmm, well I think that you were taken from your world by some very intense dark magic, based upon the trace residue still in your cells. Also, I can sense that you have an insatiable desire to protect others in your soul...But I can also sense that you have no idea how to do that, short of giving your life.”
“ WHAT?! How can you know that!!? No one could have known, I have never told anyone!” Screeched Anthony in befuddlement.
“I have just told you, I sensed your virtue, also you told me on another plane.” Replied Ashen Ring patently.
“In another plane, what the hell do you mean by that?... And, How on earth could you just ‘sense’ my virtue?” Exploded Anthony.
“My dear boy, you are displaced in an alternate dimension and are not on earth anymore, you are on the planet Equis. As for how I ‘sensed’ your virtue, I can see the magical potential inside your own body and soul through my own magic, and I must say, you have an inconceivable amount of it.” explained Ashen Ring.
“So you are telling me that I am not on earth or even in the same dimension anymore, and there is ‘Magic’ in this dimension.” inquired Anthony sarcastically.
“MM-HMM. AND YES THERE IS MAGIC.” replied Ashen Ring.
“Right, I believe that along with Flying ponies and The tooth fairy! And there is no such thing as MAGIC!!” screeched Anthony.
“THERE IS SENTIENT PONIES THAT CAN FLY AND SOME OTHERS THAT USE MAGIC IN THIS WORLD. THERE MAGIC, AND TO PROVE IT EVEN FURTHER I WILL ENCHANT YOUR NECKLACE TO TURN YOU INTO YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL AT WILL.” Declared Ashen Ring.
“Whatever. A black panther is my favorite animal. And when it doesn’t work I get to make you do one ridiculous thing in front of the entire world and if you are right then I will kiss your feet in front of everyone, and do one ridiculous thing of your choosing.” Stated Anthony
“ALRIGHT THAT SEEMS FAIR” agreed Ashen Ring in a smug tone.
It was at this moment that Anthony Dummkopf felt a shiver of fear runs down his spin because unknown on to him magic really did exist on Equis.
“NOW, I HAVE THE DESIRE TO RETIRE AND I THINK YOU MAY NEED THIS SWORD IN THE FUTURE SO, I FIND YOU WORTHY OF POSSESSION OF MY BLADE, AND SINCE THE BLOOD HAS BEEN GIVEN THE BLADE IS YOURS. YOU MUST PULL THE SWORD OUT OF THE DIRT IMMEDIATELY OR YOU WILL DIE IN TWENTY THREE SECONDS. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, GOOD LUCK ANTHONY DUMMKOPF.” declared Ashen Ring, before time resumed to normal speed.
“Well that was weird, But what the heck” I muttered, “I would prefer not to die so ...” I pulled the sword out of the earth and felt a warmth and tingle in my fingers as if they had fallen asleep. It was heavy but not too heavy. I looked at the blade in my hands and noticed a reflection of the blade behind me. I spun on my left leg and came face to face with a creature that looked to be a manticore.
The manticore was easily five feet and had huge wings that were open to their twelve-foot wingspan. The lion head growled at me as I stumbled back. I started to walk back slowly, once I was a good ten feet away I spun around and started to run, every single step I took there was a throb of pain in my leg but thankfully not a crippling jolt of pain due to the huge amount of adrenaline in my system. However, that was not enough to hide nor stop the pain that burned across my back as the Manticores Claws sliced my back to ribbons. I heard the SHLEEK of the claws dig into my back and bounce off my false ribs in my back over my scream of pain. I swung my body around and with a yell of pain and furry cut the manticore’s neck and chest open with a mighty SHLAKE! With a giant gurgling spray of crimson blood I was covered from head to toe in the gore but before the beast died, His scorpion tail shot forth and stabbed me in the right thigh.
The beast fell to the ground with a thud and I pulled the tail out of my thigh with a wet squelch I could already feel the poison taking effect it was like a thousand bee stingers being stabbed into my leg at the same time as a thousand more were stabbed into my veins.
“ Shit, I really need to get out of here and get help now or I’m probably gonna die,” I swore I could also feel the strips of skin on my back burn as the blood slowly dribbled down by lower back and start to soak my pants in red splotches.
‘I WILL ENCHANT YOUR NECKLACE TO TURN YOU INTO YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL AT WILL’.
“That’s right the old dusty said that I can change Into a Black panther” and with that thought, I put the sword away and brought out my necklace It was a bronze shield with a green marbled stone set on it. I took the necklace in my right hand and ‘willed to’ become a panther.
The Pain that erupted through my entire was unimaginable as my muscles rearranged themselves underneath my skin. As they contracting and expanded the wound on my back started to gush and spray blood across the trees and forest floor behind me, while my bones broke and rearranged themselves to fit the form of a panther. When the process was complete I let out a feral howl and gazed into the dark trees.
My hearing and smell and sight were all enhanced and sharpened I could hear the twigs snapping a mile to my left, The sword was across my back and this made the gashes burn even more. Then a voice that screamed for help as well. Without a moment's hesitation, I bounded off in that direction. As I flew over the ground, I hoped I wouldn’t be too late and jumped over roots, lunged above the low hanging branches and on to the trees. It was amazing. It was like I was born a panther my entire life. As I climbed the trees in a pinball-fashion of jumping from one trunk to another, I was soon reaching the cries for help and jumped into a clearing where there were, to my surprise a group of wooden wolves, now surrounding me as I landed into the middle of their semi-circle.
I looked behind me to see six horses or ponies I couldn't tell, the blood loss was starting to affect my vision. I shook my head to refocus and I turned my attention to my stunned enemies. I Roared with all my might. It sounded like a dragon, If I do say so myself and then I touched the necklace with my paw and transformed back into a human, which didn’t hurt at all to my surprise. I heard six gasps of shock and horror from behind me as I drew my new sword and said
“ Come on then, Who’s first?” The pack parted for a much larger wolf that must have been the alpha. “So you want to start this off? So be it.” I lunged, Plunging the sword into its chest. The wooden wolf had some pretty ‘interesting’ claws I thought as they sliced and skinned my arms and shoulders as they left Long, thick splinters in my flesh, clawing fruitlessly as it gurgled ...tree sap? from its mouth and chest. Within moments it died and slumped off the blade with a sticky crunch.
“Who’s next?” I asked the remaining wolves. They all glanced at each other and then at the body of their leader and turned-tail. Running off into the underbrush. “Dam right.” I said as I turned to the six ponies, I put the sword away, and said “Hello, My name is Anthony Dummkopf, and I am at your service if you could tell me how to get out of this forest and to the nearest hospital.” before I collapsed to my knees and then faded out of consciousness.
Author's Note
Hello This is a new story that I have begun.
I hope that you enjoy it.
~EMBER SPIRIT SHIELD
Chapter 2: Um...Wait,What?!
Twilight POV
As the Creature known as Anthony Dummkopf slumped to the ground, unconscious, The ponies gasped at the eight long deep bloody gashes in his back. Fluttershy leaped forward and began looking at the gashes adorning the strange creature's body. The black cloth that covered his upper body was in shreds. The back was in ragged strips across his back. There was blood leaking everywhere from his back and arms. Fluttershy looked up from her work and beckoned for Rarity’s help in removing the ragged clothing. The group gasped at the wounds and scars adorning Anthony’s bask the eight claw marks along with an old scar running along his spine that seemed to pronounce his backbone even more. The rest of his back was covered in a bright red slime, concealing anything else from sight. As Fluttershy continued to examine Anthony’s body for injuries, she discovered a puncture wound on his right thigh. Fluttershy paled with realization.
“Twilight, We need to get him to the hospital now, or he'll die,” Fluttershy said matter-factly.
“What’s wrong with him!?” Twilight asked.
“He’s been Stung by a manticore, Not to mention he’s suffering from severe blood loss!” Fluttershy explained while gesturing to the wounds covering Anthony’s body. Twilight bit her lip as she calculated the danger of telporting her friends and this unknown creature to the hospital.
“Alright, everypony gather round, I’m going to teleport us there now,” Twilight said as her horn lit up. Pinkie pie nodded and started hopping over to where Anthony lay and grabbed his sheathed sword and put it in her hair, before hopping towards Twilight, followed by the rest of the group. Suddenly Rainbow Dash rushed forward.
“Wait! Twilight won't that kill you?! You can’t do it, you’ll die!” Rainbow Dash said as she got in Twilight's face. The rest of the group stopped in fear.
“Rainbow, If I don’t He’ll die, and No I won’t die from something like this,” Twilight said as she pushed Rainbow Dash gently away, mentally adding, ‘Hopefully’ The group gathered around Twilight as she summoned her magic, before releasing it, teleporting them all to Ponyville General Hospital.
~~~
Anthony’s POV
My eyes opened, a soft dim light greeting my eyes with friendly ease, I blinked and looked around. Trees surrounded me, were they Spruce? Yeah, Spruce trees, and… Fir trees? That sounded right. I continued to look around, I noticed the road beneath me, unmarked and fresh. A soft sound reached my ears, like lapping water. I looked around trying to locate the source. It was somewhere off to my left. Maybe a river or stream? No too small. A Lake perhaps? A lake was small enough to not make too much sound, like an ocean, but big enough that there wasn’t a fast-flowing rumble, like that of a river. A lake it was. With that mystery solved, I Turned around and gasped stumbling backward, falling on my butt. Spread out before I was a view through the trees of a grand mountain range on the other side of the lake, beneath a slightly overcast sky.
My eyes slowly traveled down the Mountains, eventually coming to rest upon a small group of people. A woman and two men, one younger than the other. The younger seemed to be older than me, he had red hair, just like the older man. The older man and the women were walking together holding hands. My attention focused on the younger man again. He seemed to be running towards me, calling out to me.
“He’s waking up!” A voice said.
‘What was that? What’s happening?’ I thought confusedly, as the world around me began to shimmer and fade away.
“Help me hold him down!” Another voice said.
“Blood pressure is dropping, I need another bag!” cried a third.
“DAMN IT, WE’RE LOSING HIM!” The first voice called in frustration.
‘What is going on?! What are they talking about?
My focus was drawn back to the lone figure slowly approaching me. I looked around him and saw that the rest of the world had faded away and only we remained.
“Brother, You must live, don’t ever quit.” the young man said, as he reached his hand out and grasped my shoulder.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean brother? I can’t remember anything!” I practically screamed at him.
“Anthony, calm down. You can remember. Look deep inside yourself and breathe. Your heart will show you what is true and what is not.” He said. I hesitantly nodded and closed my eyes and breathed.
I focused on breathing. In and out. In and out. I could feel my entire being calming down. Letting my confusion and misunderstanding fade away as I looked at the situation and followed the instructions of my mind. Who is he? I open my eyes and saw him standing there calmly, smiling patiently. I close my eyes again. I looked into myself. Into my heart. Who Is he? With that, a flood of images and memories came flooding back. Me and him laughing together, playing together, taking care of each other. My eyes snapped open. I know who he is.
“Owain.” I breathed. My brother smiled.
“See Anthony, all you needed to do was calm down and breathe. Now, you are probably wondering what is going on, right? Well, you are on the verge of life and death, that is why you are here. You need to fight for your life right now, You need to live. You can’t die yet.” Owain said.
“Wait, What?!” I screamed.
“What do you remember before you woke up here?”Owain asked in annoyance.
“I woke up in a forest in Equestria and cut myself on a sword, make a deal with the said sword or at least the spirit inside it, then I was attacked by a manticore, and then I saved six colorful ponies from a pack of wooden wolves,” I told him counting the events of on my fingers.
“Well, you sure haven’t wasted anytime being a hero. Hehe, You are such a Big Hero to Six. Hehe.” Owain said as he struggled not to laugh.
“What are you talking about?” I asked utterly lost. Owain's smile fell in shock.
“You…but...argh, Nevermind,” Owain said pouting slightly as he crossed his arms and turned to the side.
“Hey, Owain I just thought of something. If I am on the verge of death, then why are you here?” I asked. Owain tensed up before sighing and faced me again.
“I suppose that I should have expected that you would figure it out eventually. I am here because, More or less, I am both alive and dead. I believe I am in a coma on earth but am awake or active in Equestria, maybe we are in the same dimension, but either way, part of me is stuck here.” Owain explained.
“Damn, Owain I’m sorry to hear that. But you know what, if we are on the same planet, dimension thingy then I promise to find you. So you got to stay alive for me alright.” I declared.
“Hey, I was going to say the same thing. You can’t go stealing my promises before I have a chance to make them!” Owain exclaimed, before staring intently at me. I blinked and started staring at him in turn. After a few tense moments, we started laughing, no longer able to hold our composure. We continued to laugh heartily until it hurt. As we were catching our breath, I walked over to him and embraced him in a hug.
“I missed you. I missed you when you were in college and I was still in High school. God, I missed you so much.” I said as tears slowly welled in my eyes. He embraced me tightly.
“I missed you too, some days it was hard to keep going on, but now that doesn’t matter. We are going to find each other. We are going to find each other and when we do, we will then figure out our next move together.” Owain said as we released each other from the hug.
“It’s a promise then,” I said holding out my hand, a cut appearing across my palm, weeping blood. Owain nodded and extended his own hand, A cut appearing on his hand as well, also weeping blood. We clasped each other's hands and made a blood oath to find each other.
“Anthony. I love you, please be safe. Now go wake up and fight Anthony. Do it for me.” said my brother.
“I promise I will, and Owain I promise to find you,” I said before the wonderful world around me disappeared with a snap.
~~~
I awoke to the sound of mumbling and a continuous beeping from a heart monitor. I sat up suddenly.
“Where the hell am I? What’s going on!?” I said leaping out of the hospital bed. The heart monitors speeding up before flatlining as the heart rhythm patches were ripped off and there was slight pinch as the catheter was yanked out from my sudden and violent movement.
“Whoa calm down! If you move too much the stitches in your back will be torn out.” A voice said to my left. I whirled around and my jaw dropped. What was talking to me was a purple winged unicorn thing.
“What? Where? Who are you?” I stuttered, to confused to understand what was going on.
“Sigh, First of all, My name is Twilight Sparkle. Second, You are in Equestria. Third I am an alicorn pony. Now my turn Who are you? Where do you come from? What are you?” asked Twilight Sparkle.
“My name is Anthony Dummkopf, I come far from here, and I am a human,” I replied rattling off the answers with ease.
“Interesting, however, you need to get back into the bed before you hurt yourself more,” Twilight said as moved towards me. I looked at myself and noticed the bandages around my arms and my chest. There was a little bit of blood on the bandages where the catheter was, and the bandages on my chest were slightly messed up from where the heart rhythm patches were ripped off. I then looked around the room, taking in my surroundings before focusing on Twilight again.
“Um, yeah I suppose that that wouldn’t be a bad idea,” I said as a moved back towards the bed and sitting down on it. “To be honest, I am a little lost. What’s going on and by that I mean, how did I get here?” I asked Twilight. But before she could respond the door of the room burst open, and a flood of doctors rushed in.
“Get a defibrillator spell ready!” the one in the leader yelled at a blue unicorn. Before turning to another yellow pony. "You, get the halls clear in case we need to get him to the operating room!” The pony nodded before leaving. The lead doctor continued forward before halting, staring at me. The rest of the doctors and nurses halted as well, staring as well. I stared back, blinked once and then raised my hand and gave the gathered crowd in the room a small wave, with an impish grin. The head doctor shook her head and sighed in relief.
“Alright everypony, go back to your posts, It was just a false alarm.” the group stirred and filed out the door, leaving Twilight, the lead doctor and me.
“So that happened,” I said out loud to the room. Twilight just sighed, before turning to the doctor and started to explain.
“ He woke up and jumped out of bed Removing all the monitoring equipment in the process.” As Twilight talked I looked at the doctor. The pony was smaller than Twilight and had wings poking through its doctors' coat. My view from the side provided evidence that the doctor was female. She had a nice cream colored coat with a red and pink mane. “Is there anything else I can answer for you, Doctor Blossom?” Twilight asked, snapping me out of my trance.
“No, Thank you for filling me in Princess Twilight.” Doctor Blossom said before heading for the door.
“Um, excuse me, Doctor blossom, can I ask you a question?” I asked tentatively, causing her to stop and turned back.
“Yes, what is it?” She asked
“Well First, how long was I out and what’s your whole name?” I asked bluntly. Doctor blossom blinked and smiled.
“My name is Dr. Aurora Blossom and you have been asleep for almost two days,” Aurora said. I smiled and said.
“I like your name, It suits you. Also, I assume that it was you that saved my life in the operating room so Thank you very much.” I said.
“I was but how do you know that?” Aurora asked intrigued, a slight smile gracing her lips
“I could still hear your voices, So when I heard your voice the memory clicked,” I said.
“Oh okay. I’ll just, be going then go then.” Aurora said as she backed out of the room. As the door shut, Twilight trotted over to the chair that she was sitting in before hopping up into it and turning around and sitting down.
“Now back to our previous conversation, you wanted to know how you got here from the forest, correct?” I nodded. “alright well before I tell you I am going to cast a spell that will provide some privacy. " I blinked, then nodded my head interested to see the magic. Twilight lit the horn on her head and after a second there was a faint field that expanded around the room starting and ending at the door. Satisfied now that they could talk freely Twilight began to talk. "After you fainted we brought you here to the ponyville hospital by teleportation.” Twilight started.
“Wait, Teleportation, how did you do that!?” I asked.
“Oh uh well I used magic to teleport which is the transport of molecules of an object, objects, being or beings through the natural lay lines of magic that encompass the world. I did this to transport all of my friends and yourself to the hospital safely... well safely for you guys.” Twilight explained, before finishing quietly. Unfortunately for her, I heard the added last part.
“What do you mean Safe for us. Why were you not safe as well?” I asked sternly. Twilight just stared in shock.
“How did you hear me?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t know, don’t care. Now answer the question.” I said again, a little more harshly causing Twilight to flinch.
“Well, It's because of the number of bodies that are transported the more dangerous it is for the caster to keep the individuals separate. If a caster is to lose control and mix up the molecules of the different bodies it can cause death for all of them but if the caster gets distracted beyond the destination of their spell, by for example the other's bodies being mixed, their molecules can be distributed across the lay lines to become magic itself, Killing only the caster.” Twilight explained. “And I almost did that. You see It is likely that some molecular structure of my blood might have mixed with yours as I have never teleported with a creature like yourself before. As such I was afraid of trying to fix it in the chance that doing so would react dangerously while still maintaining the spell, So I just let it occur…” Twilight shyly continued. Seeing where This was going I interrupted.
“So some of your DNA might have mixed with mine on the molecular level and now we might be related in some way?” Twilight nodded slowly as she began to speak, "Potentially, I am not certain of this, and as such, I would like to run some tests on your blood to see if this is the case." I nodded in understanding, as I thought about any ramifications that might come of this.
“So in a way... We might be like brother and sister, right?” I asked. Twilight thought for a second before nodding her head again before her eyes widened as she started to tremble with fear. I raised an eyebrow at her reaction, wondering why she might react in such a manner. Could it be a cultural taboo? I closed my eyes as I thought.
“Hmm. Okay. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. It is interesting to have that possibility presented to me. ” I said stunning Twilight.
“Wait, What?!” Twilight screeched. Her scream startled me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked confused.
“You're telling me that you are not mad at me for possibly genetically altering your genetic code. You're not upset that I might have changed you irreversibly into what could be a hybrid being, Nor the fact that I might have forced you into my family without your permission or you and your family's consent?” Twilight asked as she started to get hysterical.
“Nope, not really. You didn't change me anyway. It’s the personality that makes the person, not the body. And I as I said before, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister.” I said with a kind smile.
“But...Well... you might… I guess, Thanks for being so understanding. Also what is with you wanting to know the doctor’s full name anyway?” Twilight redirected the conversation, covering her flustered expression with a small mischievous smirk.
“You want me to be completely honest with you? I thought it would make her look cute and thought that I might want to get to know her some time later after I finish the journey I will start soon.” I confessed.
“Aww, somepony's in love.” Twilight teased. “Also what do you mean by ‘ journey’,” Twilight asked confused by what I meant.
“Oh hush you, I am not." I rebutted. "You see when I was in surgery, I made a promise to find someone that I saw and until I do, I can not rest. I made the most binding of promises between us after all.” I said, gazing at my clenched right fist by my side.
“But You're still healing, you can't go!” Twilight said alarmed!
“Twilight, the promise compels me, I have to keep it,” I explained.
“You need to heal properly, which according to the doctor that I talked with earlier, you will need to recover for about a week minimum! So until then, your promise can stuff it! You need to rest.” Twilight said irritably.
“Twilight, It'll be okay. It's not like I am going to go run a marathon across the country. Additionally, as it is the only place I know anyone I am planning to return here to ponyville. I can even make a promise with you and if I need to, I will make the same promise to you as I did to my brother.” Twilight’s eyes widened in understanding.
“So that’s why, I… fine. However, You aren't leaving until the doctors give you a clean bill of health! Also, Pinkie Pie would stuff me to death full of cupcakes if I let you leave before you got your 'Welcome to Ponyville' party.” Twilight huffed crossing her forelegs in a pout. I laughed at her antics, she eventually joined in.
“Alright, Twilight I promise to delay my departure until I am healthy enough to travel." I smiled good-naturedly. As the tension left the room I noticed that I was missing a few things. "Hey Twilight, I gotta ask, who is Pinkie Pie? and where are my clothes, the sword I had with me, and My Necklace? I haven’t seen them anywhere in here.” I asked as I looked around the room.
“Oh, Pinkie Pie Is a friend of mine, and she has your sword, she put it in her hair. Rarity took your clothes so she could mend them. Your necklace is right next to you on the nightstand.” Twilight said, pointing to my right with her hoof. I looked right and saw my necklace. I reached for it and felt a burning along my back, but pushed through the pain and grabbed my necklace. I proceeded to unscrew the clasps and put it on.
“Thanks, Twilight. This is really special to me.” I said. I laid back against the pillows and sighed. “and thank you for answering my questions Twilight. Do you mind if I rest for a little bit?”
“Oh, of course, I will wake you later I have a few more things to ask you when you have more energy. I have a few errands to run, so I will see you later.” Twilight said as she got up from her chair. She walked over and hesitated before quickly kissing my forehead, before backing away sheepishly. I just cocked an eyebrow at her, smirking a little.
“See you later Twilight. Don’t go kissing everyone you see, ok sis? “ I said jokingly. Twilight blushed, shook her head and rolled her eyes. Twilight walked towards the door, removing her spell on the room as she reached the door.
“As long as you don’t start kissing the doctors.” She retorted as she left. My blush could have melted a bucket of snow with ease.
~~~
The door clicked shut and I breathed out a shaky breath. My heart was fluttering like I had taken on the world single-handed and had nearly made me pass out, in fear. I looked at the sheets covering me and slowly breathed in and out. Calming my heart’s frantic pitter-patter in my chest. I leaned back as I continued to breathe slowly. I looked at the ceiling as my head rested on the pillow, My breathing a consistent beat, In, Out, and again. I could feel my mind running a mile a minute, as I considered what I had learned, tiredly I focused on the positives that might have just gained myself a new family member, and with a smile on my lips, I focused on my breathing to relax, and soon I slipped into sleep relaxed and calm.
~~~
Twilight’s POV
I shut the door behind me, a smile across my face. Teaches him to tease me I thought smugly. I trotted down the hall, passing doctors and nurses, who acknowledged me as I passed. As I left the hospital I teleported my list to me, and unrolled it.
[] bread
[] quills
[] parchment
[] lettuce
I added visit Rarity to the list, before rolling it up again and trotted into town to run my errands. I stopped at Quill's and Sofas first and purchased my regular amount of quills and parchment, before teleporting them to the castle’s study.
“Thanks for your business Twilight, always a pleasure.” Said Davenport.
“Anytime, Thanks for cutting me the deal,” I said, Davenport laughed.
“I would be insane to charge you the full price, With the amount of material you use,” Davenport said still laughing. “300 quills and 5000 pages of parchment” Davenport chuckled. I rolled my eyes and waved goodbye. As I walked I pulled out my list with my magic. Checking off the two items I had done.
[] bread
[\/] quills
[\/] parchment
[] lettuce
[] visit Rarity
“Two down Three to go,” I said to myself, as I put the list away.
~~~
I trotted into the market looking around for the stall selling lettuce. I spotted the stall on the other side of the market and moved towards it, weaving in between groups of ponies, I eventually reached the stall and waved at the clerk.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hello, what can I do for you today?
“I need Two heads of lettuce please,” I said cheerfully.
“Of course, That will be fourteen bits.” the clerk said cheerily. I nodded and pulled out the necessary bits from my bag with my magic. I passed them over and took the two heads of lettuce.
“Thanks again for your business.” The clerk said as I trotted away waving. I navigated my way back through the noontime crowd. Once I was through I pulled out my checklist and checked off my errand.
[] bread
[\/] quills
[\/] parchment
[\/] lettuce
[] visit Rarity
I smiled and put away the checklist. “Two to go.”
~~~
I walked into Rarity’s boutique and was greeted by the tinkling of the bell.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, Oh Twilight darling, what can I do for you?”
“Hi Rarity, A few things actually. How're the repairs on Anthony’s clothes going?
“They are done, however, I just could not approve of their horrid appearance, so I used them to get his sizes, and have made him another two sets of clothing.” Rarity said with a hint of pride in her voice.
“Wow Rarity you really worked hard, do you mind if I send these to his room?” Twilight asked.
“Please do.” Rarity said. Twilight nodded her thanks, before teleporting the two sets of clothes to Anthony’s hospital room. Once Twilight was finished with that she turned her attention back to Rarity
“I’m sorry to ask this Rarity, but Anthony needs to do something and for that, he needs something special. He is going to need a traveling cloak-”
“A TRAVELING CLOAK?!! What on Equis would he need that for?!” Rarity interrupted. “I mean, Darling he still hasn’t even got out of the hospital.”
“I know Rarity but, he isn't going to be leaving for about a week” I said. “Now will you let me finish, please,” I asked irritated for being interrupted. Rarity nodded , signaling me to continue. “Now, He needs the cloak because he made a promise to his brother that he would find him, he said he made the most binding oath he could, so he has to go and find him now. I wanted him to have a traveling cloak so he would be warm on his journey, wherever it takes him.” I explained. Rarity raised an eyebrow, asking a silent question. “No Rarity It’s nothing like that, It’s something a little more complex, I’ll explain it later,” 'as the chances that he actually did end up being affected...' I said answering her silent question. Rarity nodded, content with Twilight’s answer.
“Alright Darling, I’ll do it, but I will expect the explanation of why latter.” Rarity said, lighting her horn as she began to clear a space for her to start work on the cloak. “I might need his exact measurements even though I have a good idea from making his other clothes, I suppose I will go and talk with him If I need to, other than that I do you want it to be a specific color?” Rarity's commented as she walked around the room, machinery, and fabrics rearranging themselves. I put her hoof to my chin in thought, before replying.
“How about black and maroon?” I said thinking back to the new sets of clothes that rarity had made for Anthony.
“Hmm, you know what Twilight I think you are right, That will match him perfectly!” Rarity exclaimed in delight, pulling an exceedingly thick roll of black fabric from her supply closet, shortly followed by a slightly less thick roll of maroon fabric. Rarity summoned two sets of scissors and began to cut away at the fabric.
“Also Rarity, do you think you will have it ready before he gets out of the hospital? It might make a good gift for the party Pinkie Pie will probably throw when he gets cleared by the doctors. ” I asked slightly nervous that I might have asked too late.
“Twilight, While a little short notice, I am sure that I can have it done before then with ease. However, since I have you here, could you please explain what is the reason that you wanted him to have a traveling cloak.” Rarity asked politely. I winced slightly, seeing that I had no way to avoid having this conversation, but also not wanting to explain how dangerous the teleportation spell was for me to cast.
“O-Oh, uh, well you see, Um... He might now, kinda be, my brother-” I started, but was interrupted by Rarity.
“WHAT?! BROTHER?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S YOUR BROTHER?!” Rarity screeched. I jumped, startled by the volume of rarity’s voice. “HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?” Rarity continued to shout. I jumped forward and covered her mouth with my hooves.
“I’ll explain but can you please calm down, and please stop shouting!” I said as she released Rarity’s mouth. “Yes, there is a significantly reasonable chance he is my brother, the reason is because of when we teleported. I messed up and made a mistake that if I had tried to fix that mistake it probably would have resulted in my death.” I explained. Rarity's eyes widened in understanding.
“You mean that you almost-” Rarity started, shocked. In her shock she stopped sewing.
“Yes, I almost became latent magic itself,” I confirmed. The confirmation hung heavy in the air, shocking all in the room.
“So’ Yall telling me that, You almost died Twilight, Is that right?” a voice said behind me. My eyes widened in terror and realization that we weren't alone. I slowly turned around to see not only Applejack but Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. They had all heard me admit that I had almost died. I noticed tears welling up in Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie’s eyes.
“When-How much did you hear?” I stuttered, fear blazing in my veins, I didn't want my friends to know how dangerous the teleportation spell was the other day.
“We heard enough to get the gist of it sugarcube, and I only have one question for you,” I gulped. “Why did you lie about it being safe?” Applejack said. I sighed before answering.
“Well it was safe, for you, not for me. However, I believed that I would be fine and I knew that It was a risk with how many I was teleporting, along with the fact that one of the beings I was teleporting wasn’t a pony.” I explained. “You see if a caster is to lose control of the teleportation spell and mixes up the molecules of the different bodies it can cause death for all of them, but if the caster gets too distracted beyond controlling the spell and focusing on the destination of their spell, by, for example, the other's bodies being mixed, their own molecules can be distributed across the lay lines becoming latent magic itself, which can result in killing the caster. So you see, the molecular structure of my blood probably mixed with Anthony’s and I was scared of trying to fix it while still maintaining the spell, So I had to let it occur and some of our, Anthony and me that is, our DNA was more than likely mixed on the molecular level and now in that way, we might be brother and sister.” I finished explaining.
"What are the chances that you and Anthony are related now?" Rarity asked worry in her voice. looking in her eyes I could see that she understood the dangerous ramifications that such an action had legally. It was all I could do to hide my own fear as I had done earlier while in Anthony's Room.
"Um well, If I were to take a guess on the chances, 80-20 in favor that he is now my brother," I said, Rarity wincing at the odds. The others unaware of the potential danger I am now in missed Rarity's reaction.
“Wow, well I- I don’t know what to say to that other than, okay,” Rainbow said, slightly overwhelmed by the wealth of information that she had just processed. The rest of the group just nodded and said ‘uh-huh’. Silence permeated the room, nopony spoke unsure of what to say. Pinkie Pie perked up, looking behind her, Her eyes narrowed.
“Who?” She asked the room at large. Snapping everypony out of their stupor.
“What?” I asked utterly confused.
“Anthony knows of his party that I have planned, Somepony told him.” Pinkie said sinisterly. Her tone of voice only sent a shiver across my back, making me wonder how many ominous omens would come to light today
~~~
Anthony’s POV
My eyes fluttered open at the sharp crack of what sounded like a muffled firecracker sounded. I groggily looked around the room, until my eyes alighted upon a small stack of clothing in a char to my right. ‘The Hell? Well, might as well get dressed.’ I thought as I grasped the sheets and moved them aside. I rose cautiously to my feet, ready to grasp the bed for support should I fall. Feeling fine I slowly walked over to the chair and looked at the clothes. Both of the sets of clothes had black jeans, One set had a black T-shirt and the other had a white T-shirt, There were also two pairs of socks, One was blue and black stripes, while the other was white and red. I blinked at the white and red socks.‘Odd choice of colors.’ I thought before shrugging and setting them back into the pile, I shuffled the pile around a little more looking for underwear, finding at the bottom. There were two pairs of gray underwear. Thank the gods. I really didn't want to go commando. I Sighed in relief and set the underwear down on top of the pile, before reaching around behind me looking for a way to get the hospital garments off of me, By the looks of it the Garments had been stitched together to fit me. I found four different strings going down the garment, I started undoing them from the top down. Soon the garment fell to the floor I reached down and picked it up, folding it in half a few times and set it on my bed. The door opened abruptly, I focused my attention on it and quickly realized who it was.
“Oh, Hey Dr. Aurora Blossom, What brings you here? I asked as I relaxed.
“There was a loud sound in here, What was it?” Dr. Aurora Blossom demanded.
“Oh I think it was just my clothes, I believe Twilight sent them here,” I said as I looked to the pile of clothes. Dr. Aurora Blossom blinked and then Blushed fiercely, as she glanced at the clothes then focused back on me again. I looked back at her and noticed her blush.
“Hey is something wrong?” I asked snapping her out of her daze.
“N-No N-nothing's wrong it’s just…” Aurora said her voice fading off. I looked at her confused, then I felt the cold breeze across my skin. Oh. Well Shit. Fucking 'morning' wood. I blushed and turned my body towards the chair, trying to hide my embarrassment and my arousal. I quickly grabbed a pair of underwear and hastily put them on, successfully hiding my, ahem, family jewels and risen mast. I sighed at my own stupidity and grabbed the rest of the clothes, before moving them to the bed.
“Sorry about that Dr. Blossom, that was my fault, I should have put my underwear on before folding the hospital garment,” I said as I sat on the bed. I rubbed my eyes, embarrassed beyond belief.
“NO!” I looked up sharply, startled.
“Ahem, I mean No it’s my fault I should have knocked, It’s my fault for not doing so,” Dr. Aurora Blossom said blushing slightly, Her tail swishing slightly behind her as she walked over to me. “Besides it’s not like you knew that I was going to come in.” She continued as she hopped up on the bed beside me and whispered quietly in my ear. My blush went from pink to beat red in two and a half seconds, as she withdrew to a distance appropriate, of a patient and doctor.
“Now, what do you think you are doing anyway? You should be resting, not being up and about!” Dr. Aurora Blossom scolded going back into ‘doctor mode’. “How do you expect to go to Pinkie Pie’s welcome to ponyville party at the end of the week if you aren't healed,” Aurora said glaring. A moment later her eyes widened in realization at what she just said. “You never heard me say that either.” I blinked and laughed.
“Okay whatever you say, but I’m gonna get dressed now, so if you wouldn’t mind, No peeking,” I said as I got to my feet again. Aurora Blossom nodded, blushing a little, before turning around. I grabbed a pair of jeans as I watched her all the while, As I was putting them on I noticed that she had adjusted her body just enough to peek and not to be noticed, I smirked, 'well if that's how you want to be then fine,' grasping The candy cane colored socks and a white T-shirt. I sat down in the chair where the clothes were and pulled on the socks. Flexing my arms to give her a little show.‘And right into my trap.’ I thought mercilessly, as she turned her head a bit more.
“See something you like?” I said as I rose to my feet putting on my shirt at the same time. Aurora Blossom squeaked and turned her head back around. I smiled at her embarrassment. The clothes were fantastic, they fit as snugly as my previous ones had but were loose just enough. In my opinion they were perfect.
“I am done now, So what do I have to do to get out of here, anyway?” I asked as Aurora turned around again. Aurora blinked.
“Wait...what are you talking about? You aren't leaving yet, You can’t!” Aurora said, getting off the bed and moving to block my path. “You are not leaving. Your wounds haven’t healed yet, and not only that the Princess specifically instructed us to not let you leave.” Dr. Aurora Blossom said as she shifted into full-on doctor mode.
"Look Dr. I know-"
“Doctor Blossom.” She corrected, sharply. I sighed before starting again.
“Doctor Blossom, I understand that you have been instructed to not let me leave, however, you misunderstand, I only intend to take a walk to stretch my legs, they are sore from inactivity, and I only desire to ease that pain. If you do not trust me then, by all means, please come along to ensure that I don’t violate your instructions.” I said soothingly. Doctor Blossom blinked and was silent for a short time, before responding.
“I suppose that would be alright, but only if you follow the rules.” Dr. Blossom said cautiously. I smiled slightly.
“Understood, please lead the way.”
~~~
Third-person POV
Pinkie sighed, disappointed that Anthony’s party was no longer a surprise, then again she had felt this earlier today, Pinkie still wondered who had told him earlier and again just now, unknowingly standing in the same room as one of the culprits. Pinkie switched her thoughts back to the current topic and began speaking once again.
“So what now? Should we tell everypony about you and Anthony?” Pinkie asked
“NO! We can’t tell anypony yet.” Twilight shouted, Fear returning to her eyes. “If the nobles found out, Do you know how many problems that would create! There are some that might try to do the same thing just to be connected to royalty, more than they already are. Now that I think about it, They may even go a step further and try to do the same thing to anypony with royal blood!” Twilight explained.
“Well as long as everypony here Pinkie Promises that they won’t speak of this then we'll be fine.” Applejack said, calming Twilight down before she could have a full-blown panic attack. The group agreed, within moments the promise was made.
“Now with that out of the way, I must ask you all to please leave so I can finish this order.” Rarity said politely, as she began to sew again. The group acknowledged her request, and departed, returning to their previous activities, Twilight leaving with Pinkie Pie, in order to get bread and help plan the party, finishing her shopping list.
~~~
Anthony’s POV
The sun descended beyond the horizon, as the moon rose, shepherding the night. I walked down the hall tired and slightly sore as I looked for my room number. The walk had been pleasant, I think Dr. Blossom enjoyed it to, though when I asked she hadn’t said anything. I stopped in front of my room and opened the door, The room had been cleaned and the bed made. I shuffled inside and shut the door behind me. I contemplated sleeping in the bed or in one of the comfy-looking chairs. I shuffled over and poked the chair cushion, poked it again and then sat in it sighing in delight as I sunk into the cushions. I was asleep as fast as someone flipping a switch.
Author's Note
And here is the next Chapter! 
Sorry for the long delay, School projects and a lack of inspiration delayed this.
Hope you all enjoy, and as always
I hope you have a good day/night.
3/16/20- alright sorry for the long delay again, I did some editing so that might make things read smoother and ~~School~~ college papers and ~~the lack of inspiration~~ I found out that I messed up so I fixed the story as I corrected it as I had written myself into the corner accidentally So I should now be able to start working on writing this again. I am also considering bringing in some of my essays into the story at some point so we will see what happens.
see you all in the next chapter, hopefully soon!
~EMBER SPIRIT SHIELD
