It was nightfall and the sky has never been alive than it is. The stars were dancing and twinkling as an aurora passes over the land. It shines brightly as beautiful as it ever was, this day was special. Because today was Borealis Day. To those who don't know what Borealis Day is; Borealis Day is a holiday much similar to Hearts Warming Eve, but this holiday is eons older. Instead of celebrating Equestria's foundation, this holiday celebrates the aurora borealis and all of its beauty. Everyone stayed all night long till daybreak and will enjoy the wonders of the night sky being painted by the colorful lights that nature has to offer.
This was not happening in Equestria however, this day is happening eons ago. It took place in a small village not so far off near the capital of a proud kingdom, ruled a by a fair and just queen. Though the century was rough and difficult for the past decade, this holiday is not going to be wasted on the events that caused so much stress. Everyone was wearing colorful and bright robes or sweaters, even the soldiers get to have their armor decorated for this very special occasion. The clouds were thin and weren't causing any nuisance to spoil this night. The village was light up with all kinds of color from teal to hot pink to symbolize the aurora borealis. Ponies were laughing, Griffons were caroling, Changelings were busy decorating the stalls.
You heard right. Changelings, celebrating with the other races. You see, in this era, Changelings didn't need to feed off of the power of love to survive. Instead, they live like everyone on the planet, without the nauseating color pallets, though they were more of a dull color, fewer holes, smaller fangs, and different types of insect wings ever known. Even their mane gave off their personality and their eyes almost similar to their Queen. and they're not the only ones who live among the others. Alicorns, Sirens, Centaurs, Draconequus and other supposedly ancient deities are also the norms as well. For you see, this kingdom is not just inhabited by ponies and griffons; it was housed by ALL races. Dragons, Diamond Dogs, Cattles, Sapiens, Taurus, Sub-Ponies, etc. you name it. They're everywhere. This kingdom has a name. A name that has been long forgotten. Chaon: The Amalgam Kingdom.
A hybrid unicorn was walking down the lane to see all sorts of colors and races enjoying the holiday. The unicorn was a Dracony, half dragon and half pony, look to see all kinds of scenery playing right in front of him. His dark blue and platinum blonde mane, tied into a ponytail, was being blown in the wind. His steel blue scales and navy blue claws blended in with all the other colorful races, each unique in their own respective way. His grey eyes could behold the wonders of the beautiful holiday that has bestowed upon the small river town. Sounds of children laughing and playing, couples that can make someone vomit by their cuteness, families spending time with each other. All of it was present in the eyes of the dracony.
"I know you're there X-Wing." the dracony said without taking his gaze off of the scenery.
A dark grey changeling with a scar on his right eye, dark ruby mane, and sharp insect-like wings stood behind the steel blue hybrid, looking at him with his pink and red eyes. His fanged mouth smile almost smugly as he walks next to his fellow hybrid.
"Aawww Leo, you're no fun" X-Wing jokingly complains, "How did you know that was me?"
"No one in the world smells like a rotten dead oak tree mix with a Timber Wolf's odor like you do." Leo said all sarcastically.
The changeling chuckles lightly at his compadre sarcastic mood, knowing that it's true that he does have that sense of strange odor. With being able to raise a Timber Wolf cub he has in his house. The two stared at the festival's beauty as the smell of candles, food, and the fresh smell of after rain was present. The two walk around the festival as many greeted them "hello" and "Happy Borealis Day!" with such hope in their souls. This was truly a day no one can top.
A sight of a blacksmith was spotted by the two males as they recognize the owner to be a muscular female centaur with green fur and brown skin. Her mane was dirty seaweed green, with water buffalo horns adorn her head as her ruby eyes look down at her customers with such happiness in hers as she waves goodbye and thanks them for her service. She wipes her dirty hands on her apron when she spots the two boys.
"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Leo Crescent and X-Wing! How are my favorite boys doing?" the female centaur said.
"Hello Mrs. Mint Thorn, we're doing good. Just enjoying the scenery is all."
Mint Thorn laughs like a sailor as she slams her hands down on the stand, lightly shaking the ground around her. "Well, it only comes once a year and it helps me a lot when I ain't working on some armor or weapons to the damn government. But I'll let bygones be bygones and enjoy this beautiful day."
"No argument there. Can you believe that we're in one of the worst years in Chaon's history?"
"More like Chaon's Golden Year as those stupid higher-ups call it. Can you believe that they made the middle and lower class a living hell while only the Equine upper class live in style, while the minority upper class is struggling?!"
"Can we just forget about the whole ordeal and just enjoy the holiday?"
The two didn't argue the steel blue dracony's request, since it is, after all, a holiday. A holiday that can really get everyone's minds off of the stress they have to deal with. The three look at the scenery in front of them to see children of all kind playing, couples cuddling and kissing, and everything else that shows all positive emotions on their faces. They could see sirens and seaponies singing a beautiful melody with instruments playing alongside the hypnotic melody. No one was having a negative feeling inside them but were in a trance of the music. Their heads sway side to side as the melody continues throughout the small water village.
They look up to see the night sky has not yet been colored by the northern lights yet, but it won't be long till it arrives and everyone will turn off all lights to allow to see the beauty of the aurora borealis. All was well as no signs of discourse or ominous feeling was ruining this day for anyone in the village. It was a beautiful sight to behold when all of the sudden a teal drake with a bright neon purple tie around his neck walk up the stage when the sirens were done singing their melody and tap the microphone with his claw.
"Hello everyone, you all know me as Mayor Scales! Are you all having a good time?" the drake spoke.
The crowd cheers with enthusiasm with some whistling while others clapping. Mayor Scales laugh at the excitement in the heartwarming cheers and it made all the while happy to see the smiles from everybody.
"Well then, let's have a wonderful time as the Aurora Borealis will arrive in 10... 9... 8..." the drake mayor said as he begins to countdown with everyone begins to join in.
"7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... HAPPY BOREALIS DAY!" everyone cheers.
All of the sudden, the sky light up with bright streams of colors as the Borealis dances across the skies. Every race that witnesses the phenomenon cheers and praises the holiday with the utmost roar of excitement and laughter. The beauty of the night sky caught the eyes of both young and old, smiles across the water village before going back to their enjoyment of the festival. Mayor Scales smiles widely as he sees the small villagers embracing the wonders of festival and holiday, before walking off the stage as the sirens continue singing their melody.
The teal drake walks through the village as many children run and play through the docks while couples snuggle each other for warmth from the chilling breeze blowing through the wind. He spots the three particular villagers talking to each other, recognizing them as Leo Crescent, X-Wing, and Mint Thorn.
"Greetings Mr. Crescent and X-Wing! I bet you are enjoying yourselves!"
The three stop talking and look at the mayor of the small water village. Leo smiles lightly as he reaches his claw hoof towards the teal talons of the mayor.
"Hello Mayor Scales, we are doing just fine. I'll be just going to be on my way to visit my parents." Leo says.
"Well, I hope you give them my regards then." he said with a smile.
The steel blue unicorn hybrid nods his head before leaving the three alone as he walks across the floating docks of the water village. X-Wing watches his dracony friend with concern and knew that his time with the unicorn dracony for twenty years, gave him experience about his behavior.
"I worry about him. He rarely shows himself to his parents since..."
"We know honey. Twenty years from Lily Cove can change you greatly." Mint Thorn said solemnly.
"Just give him time X-Wing, many have dealt with this in their lifetime. But to be fair, I suggest that you should check up on him. After all; he is your brother." the mayor told the red hair changeling.
X-Wing smiles at the teal drake and the green and brown centaur. He thanks them as green flames engulf his body as his form was now a black and red hawk as he soars through Lily Cove. Mint Thorn and Mayor Scales watch the now-hawk changeling following his surrogate brother.
"So, Miss Thorn. Since the boys are gone now—" Mayor Scales said flirtatiously before being interrupted.
"Nice try hon', But I'm not interested in dating you." Mint Thorn said smugly.
"Damn it."
Leo looked around as he made sure no one was following him, luckily no one was. He continues trotting across the acacia wooden docks while all in the while avoiding any physical contact with anyone due to the large crowds filling them up. He was quite surprised that the docks could handle so much weight of all race without collapsing into the cold waters. If he didn't it was magic that was able to double the pressure it could handle, then he doesn't know what will.
After the longest ten minutes he had in his life, he was out of the crowd and into a grassy terrain and some weeping willows dangling as usual. Leo begins walking towards the area as the sounds of laughter and music begin to fade away from the background as it was replaced with the sounds of nature, with the crickets chirping and owls hooting. He could a few fireflies flickering through the calm and peaceful night as the only noise was the faint music, the sounds of the large lake clashing with the shores, and the sounds of the night waking up from its slumber. This is something that Leo loved about the night. The night was so peaceful and quiet, whilst the day was active and seems that there is no way for anyone to take a breather. Though he can't live in the night for too long, after all, he needs his rest as well.
The moonlight that was once blocked by the weeping willows has finally revealed itself as he looks out to see a small graveyard with each gravestone shows the names of the once living. Some recent, some old, some have been here for a century. Two gravestones stood next to each other, catching the eyes of the steel blue unicorn hybrid.
"Here lies Orion "Belt" Crescent"
Birth Date: Sagius 12, 1985 DC
Death Date: Aquaris 25, 2017 DC
"Here lies Rebecca "Neon" Feathers-Crescent"
Birth Date: Gemnis 30, 1987 DC
Death Date: Aquaris 25, 2017 DC
Leo Crescent looks down on his parents' tombstones as their cutie marks stand on top of the gravestone. His father, a five-point star and a telescope in the middle. His mother, two feathers with a small heart in between. Many would try and move on when someone has passed away, knowing that they're in a better place. But to Leo; he has tried his hardest to meet them since he left to go to college and they died in a terrible accident. This was one of the few times where Leo has the chance to see them.
"Hey mom. Hey dad. Happy Borealis Day." Leo said solemnly, "I got you some gifts."
Leo's horn glows teal as it levitated some blue columbines and white lilies, placing them in front of the graves. A tear slowly crept out of his eyes and roll down his cheeks, falling freely to the ground. He never was told how they died but were said to be in an accident and that's all he has about it. He never even has gotten to say goodbye to them, as if fate was being cruel to him when he arrived at Alchiem State University. He regretted not ever saying goodbye to them before he left since he had to leave early and it ate him up for nearly five years.
Leo could feel something soft touching his back as he turns around to see X-Wing standing next to him with his horn glowing red holding a blanket over him. He was sharing the same expression as he was, knowing what the two have a lot.
"Hey bro, you alright?"
Leo wipes the tears from his face and gave him an assuring smile.
Yeah, no need to get your wings tangled up." he said.
"Same goes for you too."
The two remain silent for what felt like a whole five minutes, but they still haven't said anything. Sounds of footsteps could be heard from them as two figures walk towards the two boys. One was a pink pegasus with neon blue mane and tail, amethyst eyes and two blue thunderbolts for her cutie mark. The second figure was a griffon, half seagull, half lynx, slightly smaller than the pegasus but a bit bulkier. The two stood quietly as the two stepbrothers have their moment together. The pink pegasus decided to break the silence.
"Hey Leo! X-Wing!"
The two jolted and quickly turn around to see the two standing behind them. Leo Crescent sighs in relief.
"Thank the gods it's just you two." Leo sighs in relief. "Don't you ever do that again Firefly."
"Sorry, but I just have to get your attention somehow." Firefly said.
"V'hat, no 'hi' v'or me?" the griffon said jokingly accused.
"Hello there Gulliver." X-Wing chuckles at the griffon's heavy accent demeanor.
Gulliver puffs out his chest jokingly as the three laugh as if the sadness has lifted from Leo's chest. He has been their friends since childhood. Firefly lived in Lilycove just as he and his adopted brother had, while Gulliver moved away from a poor fishing town in Gryffindor. The four seem to get into all kinds of mischief together and they have grown up, pushing together and haven't changed one thing about their personality. Only adding new ones. Firefly became a pilot rookie in one of the flying academies, Gulliver became a fisher just like his father was, X-Wing help with the animals at the vet, and Leo Crescent went to college to become an archivist and historian. Despite to all of Leo's sadness was still there, he knew he has a new family with him.
"Anyways, Mayor Scales is about to reveal the winner for the new Borealis King and Queen."
"Oh right, I have forgotten about that." Leo remembers.
"V'ell, let's go bev'ore they v'inish it." Gulliver suggested.
The three nod as they begin to leave the graveyard. But then, the air begins to shift from cooling to instantly warm all of the sudden and a slight high pitch sound could be heard. Firefly was the first to pick up the sudden change of mood.
"Hey guys, do you all hear that?"
Before anyone could answer her question, a sudden loud bang shook the earth causing everyone to fall to the ground. The hot wind blew and shockwave past through them and the willows for a second before disappearing altogether. The four got up from the sudden action that just happened.
"V'HAT?!" Gulliver squawks.
"You said it, Gulliver." X-Wing agrees.
Leo didn't know what just happened, but it wasn't long till he saw something behind his parents' gravestones. He carefully looks as he sees a white hand coming behind it and grab it before falling down.
"Guys, there's something behind the gravestones!" Leo said before galloping.
The three look at each other before following the steel blue dracony towards the gravestone. They approach the opposite side of Leo's parents' resting place and were in complete shock on what they have found. It appeared to look like some sort of primate, but it didn't have the features of an ape and the only hair it had was on its head. Blonde to be exact. Leo can easily recognize it to be female due to her facial features. Her skin was a light tan of some kind, blonde hair tied up with a pink bow and seem to be very skinny for a primate-like creature. X-Wing took another step to inspect the creature.
"X! Don't go near it!" Firefly hisses.
X-Wing ignores his pink friend as he studies her features. Not only was she skinny, unlike most of the Taurus family that was muscular, but was also very young. Probably to her mid-teens. She also wore somewhat he could say were western style clothing; orange collared shirt with brown leather vest, blue jeans, brown belt with a golden buckle, and some brown western boots. He didn't know what she is or where she comes from and he was defiantly certain she's not part of the Taurus family. It was then her eyes begin to flutter open as it reveals blue eyes as she tried to cope with her blurry vision.
"Guys, she's waking up."
"She?"
"Yes, it's a she."
"V'hat are we going to do wi'v her?" Gulliver asks.
"I don't know, but people of Lilycove is going to figure it out one way or another. That explosion is most likely going to be heard all the way to Lilycove." Leo said.
The four continue to argue, ignoring the fact that the girl has already opened her eyes. They at first were seeing nothing but a blur but it wasn't long they went into focus to see the four arguing. Or in her case; they were roaring, hissing, neighing, and squawking. Never in her life has she ever seen this happening in her eyes. In a graveyard in no less and it didn't calm her down. One of them, a bug-like horse, took a quick glance at her before directly looking at her tilting its head. Her eyes widen in horror when looking at it. The bug horse hisses at the pegasus, griffon, and a dragon-like unicorn as they all stop screaming and look at the girl.
She back away from them as she stretches her arm out to keep a distance before backing towards a dead willow tree, kicking her legs at the ground to keep as much of a distance from them as possible. She has no idea where she was and it frightens her to the brink of fainting, hoping this was all a dream.
"S-S-STAY AWAY!!" she screams.
The four look at each other with confusion before looking back at the girl. The steel blue dragon-like unicorn approaches her, only to scare her further. It tilts its head before roaring at her face, revealing razor-sharp teeth. The blonde instantly faint in front of them once more, only hearing a faint whining and neighing from the pink pegasus.
"WHAT THE HELL LEO!!" Firefly yells.
"What, all I did and said 'Hello'. What do you want me to do?!" Leo said defensively.
"The fact that thing obviously doesn't like to be in her personal space! Also, hasn't ANYONE has ever told you about personal space?!"
"Look, now's not the time to argue about that." X-Wing said, "Right now, we need to get her to a place where she can rest."
"I agree wi'v X-V'ing." Gulliver nods his head.
X-Wing smiles at his seagull griffon friend as he ready his horn to change into a giant horse to carry the unconscious blonde. But there was one problem: he can't. He tried to ready his horn again, but only got sparks coming out of it.
"What are you doing?" she asks.
"Trying to change, but..." he responded while struggling to change into a different form. "I can't."
Leo tried using his horn to pick up the female blonde with his magic, but it was also sharing the same result as his changeling surrogate brother. Nothing but sparks.
'What the hell is going on? I can't use my magic to pick this thing up and X-Wing can't change forms.
What's happening?!' Leo thought nervously.
Firefly looks at the two boys, struggling to work their magic only to fail. She groans annoyingly as she walks towards the unconscious body and pick her up with her teeth and place her on her back.
"Do I need to do everything around here?" she grumbles.
It was then she notice Gulliver was looking up, in a hypnotic state with his eyes large as a dinner plate and beak just dangling.
"Gulliver, what's wrong?"
He points his webbed talons up to the sky, making the three look up. They were in shock to see; the aurora borealis begins to lose its colors as it went monochrome before dissolving into nothing. They didn't know how to respond to this. Everything that just happened; the strange explosion, the new figure, and now the Borealis dying. They don't know how to respond to all of this and the last event was the final nail in the coffin. Loud screams could be heard, snapping out of their trance and realized that it was coming from Lilycove. Most likely they saw the whole thing happening. The four race out of the gravestone and quickly made their way to the river town.
Leo Crescent, X-Wing, Firefly, and Gulliver were greeted by the villagers panicking with only a few torches dimly lighting up the town. They could see Mayor Scales trying his best to calm down the screaming citizens with the guards preventing them from getting anywhere near him. Leo signaled his friends to follow him and the reluctantly did. Firefly and Gulliver took to the air only for a few feet as they followed the two brothers through the crowd. It was hard to find them with them merging with the angry and feared crowd when some scream, "What is happening?!" "Why isn't my magic ain't working?!" "What happened to the lights?!", the latter of those panicking questions.
However, they found the two already nearing the end of the crowd and they flew as fast they could, with Firefly trying not to drop the girl. They arrived at the hospital and entered the sliding doors, only to be greeted that it's shut. The two fliers landed, as the four looking through the darken lobby to see some candles and some nurses and doctors walking around. The four bang the door to get someone's attention and luckily, a female satyr with small ram horns spot them and went to the door. She grabs the keys and place it in the lock and turn it for the four to open the doors.
"What seems to be the problem?" the nurse asks.
"We found someone unconscious outside of town." Leo said with a half-truth.
The satyr looks at the four to see Firefly carrying the knock out female blonde on her. She has never seen anything like it before, but that wasn't the time to think that. This person, whatever it is, needs medical attention.
"I'll get on it right now. Follow me."
Firefly followed the nurse with Gulliver and X-Wing follow suit, with only Leo staring out at the entrance to see people panicking. He was lucky that it wasn't an apocalypse, but with the sudden explosion from somewhere, the female that appeared out of thin air or nothingness, and all of magic, electricity, and the aurora borealis went out is no coincidence. Something is happening and he needs to figure what and why it's happening.
"I'll contact the professor later." he said to himself.
