The air was thick and foggy. One pony stood amongst a pile of ash and rubble. His dark red mane was ablaze with life. His white coat of fur ruffled in the wind. His bright velvet eyes glistened with tears. I couldn't have done this, He thought. This wasn't me. I… I… He bawled out crying as he fell to the ground. His mourns fell on deaf ears. This pony, this unicorn, had done something terrible, something he couldn't comprehend ever doing. He murdered his marefriend. He destroyed his village. Everyone he knew and cared about, gone. This was his doing, yet he refused to believe it.
_______
Vex Ether woke up from a nightmare, hyperventilating as he did. His eyes were moist from tears that started welling up in them. Vex stifled a few sobs before pulling himself together. He did not want to plague his mind any further from the thought of that horrible dream. After crawling his way out of bed, he trotted to the bathroom. As he looked in the mirror, he swore he saw his sclera's turn black for a moment. He shuddered at the image and turned the faucet on. After splashing water on his face to help him wake up, Vex turned it off and took a towel in his hoof to dry off.
***
Vex was sitting on a bench at the park in Trotford, his hometown. It was evening. The day went by like any other, although the thought of his nightmare came to his conscience again. The image of his marefriend lying on the ground, dead, scared him. Vex wanted to puke. Why didn't Princess Luna help me in that dream, He asked himself. She helps other ponies when they have nightmares, so why didn't I see her come in mine last night? He was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts as his marefriend, Aqua Heart, nuzzled his cheek.
Aqua Heart was a beautiful pegasus. Her eyes were a glimmering emerald color, her mane was a dusk-like purple, and she had the most luxurious ocean-blue fur Vex had ever laid his eyes upon. Aqua was sweet, kind, gentle, and very forgiving. She was everything he ever wanted in his life, and so much more. She was perfect.
"Are you okay Vex?" Aqua asked. "You don't seem to be in your usual chipper mood today."
"Yeah, I'm fine." Vex sighed.
"It doesn't sound like you're fine. You know you can tell me anything," Aqua responded with a gentle voice.
Vex was slightly hesitant at first, but reluctantly sighed and agreed to share what happened last night. "Okay. I… I had a nightmare last night. I killed… I killed you and destroyed the entire village in it."
Aqua Heart gasped at this. "What? Do you know what could have possibly caused this nightmare to occur?"
"N-no… But it was just a simple nightmare. I don't want to lose you. I couldn't live without you by my side."
Those words calmed Aqua, and she slightly blushed. "The feelings mutual. I love you Vex."
"I love you too Aqua."
A few moments passed as they cuddled with each other, watching the sunset. Suddenly, Vex' stomach grumbled. "Heheh, you want to go out to eat somewhere?" Aqua asked.
"Yeah. I'm starving," came Vex' response.
***
As Vex and Aqua walked into the local restaurant, they stopped to admire the decorations. The walls were painted blue with many fancy paintings and gems adorning them, and the ceiling had the most wonderful violet color, pleasing to the eyes.
"It's beautiful in here," Aqua exclaimed.
"Not as beautiful as you, my love," Vex flirtatiously replied.
"You're such a flatterer," Aqua giggled. She laid her head against Vex' neck as they walked up to the counter in front of them.
The stallion behind the counter, a unicorn who served as the host, spoke up. "How may I help you two lovebirds this fine evening?" He asked in a heavy French accent. His voice was deep and pleasing to the ears.
Both Vex and Aqua blushed at this. "We'd like a table for two, please," Vex answered.
"Right this way." The host led them to their table. As the couple sat down, the stallion couldn't help but smile. "We'll have somepony with you shortly."
"Thank you," Vex and Aqua responded at the same time. The two of them giggled at that.
As the host walked off, Aqua was the first to speak. "So how have you been lately?"
"I've been doing pretty good. How about you?" Vex responded.
"Well, I bumped into an old friend last night on my way back home. We had such a great time catching up!"
"Is that so? Would you by any chance be willing to share this friend's name?"
"Her name's Radiant Burst. She is such the energetic type. Radiant always seems to get me to laugh too."
"She sounds wonderful."
Their conversation went on for a few more minutes before an earth pony waitress arrived at the table. "Good evening," she said with a gentle voice, almost as gentle as Princess Celestia's. "What would you two like to drink?"
Vex, having forgotten to look through the menu placed on the table, decided that he would just order water. Aqua had other plans though. She spoke up, ordering for the both of them before Vex could say a word. "We'd like to have two glasses of wine, please."
Vex seemed content with Aqua's choice, as he just nodded in agreement. The waitress smiled and said, "A fine choice. I'll be back with your drinks momentarily." With that, she trotted off.
The two ponies sitting at the table went ahead and started looking silently looking through their menus. A particularly delicious looking salad caught Aqua's eye, while Vex was willing to have whatever she was having.
A couple minutes pass and the waitress returned with their drinks. "Here you go," she said.
Thank you," Vex said while Aqua simply nodded.
"And what will you be eating tonight?" The waitress asked.
Vex and Aqua stared at each other for a moment before they both simply nod. "We'd both like to have the Spicy Jalapeno Salad." Aqua requested.
"Another fine choice." As she took the menus, she exclaimed that their food would be ready in about 5 minutes.
Silence befell the couple as they simply stared deep into each others eyes longingly. Words did not need to be said to express their love to one another. They just sat there, the sound around them being drowned out.
Author's Note
This was a bit of a slice of life chapter, but the story is going to mainly focus on adventure and romance. It might take me a while to figure out where I'll go from here, but I'll keep working on it nonetheless. Any constructive criticism and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Just make sure you aren't rude in the comments.
As Vex Ether and Aqua Heart sat at the table, they were both lost in thought, reminiscing how they first met.
___
Vex, attempting to save ponies from the fires, was covered in ash, blood, and sweat. Houses were burning down, ash and smoke billowing up in the air as they crumbled. Panic stricken ponies were running wild down the streets, bumping into one another as they tried to escape the burning town. Vex was on the verge of tears from the smoke stinging his eyes, yet he paid little attention to them as he ran from house to house, rescuing one pony at a time.
As he came to yet another house, he heard an ear shattering scream come from inside. He immediately took to action, ramming through the door as he entered the house. Using his magic to protect himself from the fire, he traversed through the rubble of the building as he attempted to find the area he thought he heard the scream come from. What he saw next shocked him to the very core.
Vex was no stranger to the sight of blood. He had been in countless fights back in his old town, always ending up with either him or the other in the hospital. What lied before him now, however, sickened him. A pony was stricken by a support beam that fell on top of him, caving in his skull. His brain was visible too. Blood was splattered across the floor around the poor soul, clearly from the fatal injury the pony took.
Vex then noticed a Pegasus trying to save the pony, risking her own life even though she knew he was no more. He quickly ran to her side, expanding his magic shield to protect the blue pony he saw so desperately trying to lift the beam off of the deceased pony. He could tell that this pony was possibly a friend or family member to this poor mare.
The blue Pegasus turned to Vex as she noticed the red magic aura surrounding her. He plastered an understanding sad expression on his face, not knowing what to say to try and comfort her. The blue mare, whom had been trying to hold back tears, suddenly lurched forward, hugging Vex and sobbing loudly. Realizing that the house was about to collapse, He teleported the two of them outside.
They both popped back into existence about one hundred yards from the town. Vex sat down on the grass, letting the blue Pegasus cry on his chest. Seeing her cry tore him apart. "I'm sorry for your loss," He said, but he immediately regretted saying that as the sobs grew louder. Deciding not to say anything to upset her any further, he let her continue crying.
After a few painstakingly long moments, the mare's crying died down into soft sobs and hiccups. "Are you okay now?" Vex tried.
"I-I hic think so," the Pegasus responded.
Vex sighed in relief. "I need you to get to safety. It's far too dangerous for you. Too many ponies have already lost their lives from this terrible catastrophe, and I don't want to have another ponies death on my conscience."
"But I want to help!" the blue mare yelled. "I don't want to be just another bystander again, not after last time..." she trailed off.
Vex sighed, not wanting to start an argument. "If that is what you wish. But please be careful. The name's Vex Ether by the way."
"Aqua Heart," she replied.
For some odd reason, Vex' heart fluttered when she told him her name. It was a strange, yet relaxing feeling. He pushed that aside, however, as there were more important matters to tend to. The ponies needed his help, and he wasn't going to sit idly by and do nothing about it.
***
Vex headed back into town, but not without a newfound companion by his side. Aqua Heart flew a few feet above the ground next to him.
Author's Note
Still having trouble with writers block. Any help in continuing the story would be greatly appreciated. I think I fried my brain at some point this past week, 'cause I got nothing good coming to my head.
