Chapters The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
The beginning of the ending
Author's Note
So this is my first fan fiction I'm new and hope it's entertaining. I've always loved writing stories and adore the character Discord he's a cool character to use since he has unlimited story and development that you can imagine.
The beginning of the ending
Smoke circled through the embers that use to be the homes of my friends. Ponys who somehow had become special to me. I had friends for the first time in a very long life time and somehow it was gone. Sparks filled the air as Rarity's shop tumbled to the ground. I turned around desperately looking for a sign of life but saw nothing. “If Ponyville looks this bad … what about the Castle … what about the sisters?”
Fire and ruin, charred remains of ponys, buildings torn down, rubble covering the streets. Bile raised into my throat the smell, sights, the sound of destruction at every turn greeted me with a cheery hello. Chaos the whole world was chaos and where the idea would normally excite me right now I was terrified. Who had done this?
Not daring to look too hard at the new reality in front of him, running, leaping, flying towards the husk of a castle. Not tall and proud any long not a beacon of light and love instead, broken, hurt, dark and full of despair. “Have to get to Celestia and Luna have to help have to fight have to save them. Too late am I too late?” Through the doors and running to the throne room, where are they... there! Oh Equastria, oh Gods no... Tia... Lu...
A whimper a slight movement .. she's alive! She's still alive it's not all lost not all gone. Looking down on her, she's so small so still her hair has stopped floating and moving long had gone the magical wind that whipped her hair so artfully. Where's Luna I look around spot her some distance away her body broken wings unfurled at odd angles horn cracked... dont' look don't see.. focus on Tia .. here and alive...
“...D..dis..cord.....”
My attention is brought sharply back to the Princess before me, “shhh shhh it's ok we'll be ok shhh don't talk I'll fix this I can fix this...” Panic … what has happened she sounds so weak she's so strong she's weak how can this be?
“I .. I have to speak... let me finish when I start.... it hurts....” Her eyes roll skyward and then back to meet mine. She still has that passion that fire there although dulled with pain my stomach drops seeing such a look from her.
“ He came through a portal .. I .. I didn't know didn't sense him.. his magic... it's pure black magic.... he wants our land …. he waited for you to be in the chaos realm .. he knew.. you ...a... threat.....kept you out....”
“I couldn't sense a thing nothing was amiss Tia, until I was tired … I knew it was magic but my very essence felt drained I had to sleep I needed to recharge... I woke up and knew time had passed wrong even in my realm it felt wrong I ..”
“He kept you away... not... your … fault... no one understood what was happening... he came so fast..... killed so many so quickly..... taken over.... his magic..... necromancy …. he rips souls from their bodies.... kills …. I need to tell you Discord... he is still here … this is his world now.... he has control. Not strong enough to defeat him.... eater of souls... Necromancer of Tamelon... Grogar.”
I am the very embodiment of chaos I have lived and will live on and on … I knew his name. Knew him from old when he was defeated and thrown back into the shadow world. He was strong very very strong but the amount of destruction here doesn't feel right there's more to his power now. His necromancy has grown … eater of souls.... my Gods what had he done... where were the elements … my Fluttershy … Pinkie, Twilight, Rarity, Apple Jack and Rainbow … eater of souls....
“Discord... the elements.... they're,” her breath caught I couldn't tell if it was physical pain or just what she was about to say I knew then... “they're gone... I did what I could I helped ease their passing … he ripped their souls from their physical bodies … I was able to stop him from eating them... they were thrown in another dimension...”
I cried .. I didn't know I was doing it until I saw the tears drop to the cold stone floor. What a terrible end... Fluttershy.... she really was the dearest creature to me. My whole new world began with her. Soul ripped from her body... ripped.... no.... “I will kill him.” I said through gritted teeth hatred coursing through my veins... “I will destroy every ounce of his being.....”
“Discord.. no.... he's .. he's far too strong even for you now. You can't not yet. Listen to me...” She broke off coughing her body shaking in the effort. I reached out and put my paw around her frail body letting her head rest on my lap. Tears in her eyes, even at the end she was thought of others pain before hers. “ Their souls, they will meet and combine … they will come together and be born unto a new vessel. They will turn into one entity. This female will embody them all they will be reborn as one. You.. have to find her Discord. She will be able to help you... with her …. you will be strong enough to avenge this world and protect the others. Travel through the portals, transfigure into this other race... blend in and find her... you need to fight but fight with the tools I can provide you with... she will be with you... they all will be with her......”
“Tia what have you done?”
“Given you the power .. given you them all back the only... way... I could... I – I know what they meant to you.... how much Fluttershy meant to you... I'm so sorry Discord.. You have to go you have to travel now! He will come for Luna and I …”
“I can't leave you! I can save you!”
“NO!... Discord live …. find her.... fight..... this can not happen to another world... who knows how many have dissolved underneath him..bring me to Luna, I will encase us in a material even Grogar can not break... we will not be eaten by him... our souls can not be touched by the necromancer.”
“Luna's alive?!”
“Just, she has worse injuries than my own... we will heal behind our homemade barrier... but not be able to leave... when you come back... we will join your battle.... restore balance... and destroy him.”
I lay her next to her sister and she looked up at me horn glowing brilliantly with the inner light of her power. “Discord, one last thing I can leave you with is the knowledge of what you are to face. So... so you may live in this new world... so you will know how to find her.... so you will be able to succeed where... I …. haven't....”
I looked down into her violet eyes as she brought down her horn to give me a last parting gift. “ Now, go... and find her when she shows herself to you.... live... so … that … we can meet again....”
“Celestia … wait I know I've been the bad guy … I'm so sorry …. for what I've done in the past and for not being here for you now, for not being there for any of them....” She kissed my cheek, opened a rift and pushed me through, “Find her, come back and fight I will be here Luna and I will be here to fight with you... come back to us.. good luck!”
Then... blackness....then blackness turned to nothing and I was gone.
The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
2- Coming to Earth and coming to terms
I woke with a fine sheet of sweat over my body. My hair sticking to my skin, sheets torn this way and that. I hated sleeping, hated knowing I would see her again. The memory haunted me but, what was worse was having dreams of tea parties and picnics in the sunshine. Those, I couldn't handle they tortured my very soul.
Deciding sleep was done for the day I turned over to look at my clock, 6:45am clearly time to start a new morning and be done with yesterday. Walking to the kitchen I snapped my fingers to start the coffee machine. Caffeine is always a welcome sight. Sitting down with a mug in my hand I sighed, such a mundane and boring existence. Everything feels so normal I could scream. There were times I wasn't even sure if the other me was even real. Or if he really was a myth like they teach children in this place. Over the smell of strong coffee I drifted back to when I had came through the portal.
Coming through the portal I crashed to the ground. Curled up exhausted from traveling and the memories and history Celestia had given me. I couldn't move. I was alone in an alien world, a human world. I went to stand and had to catch myself. I wasn't in my true form any longer and should have realized that as soon as I was here on the ground. I stood on two legs now, had hands now, was now with a human form. I held on to a tree to gain my balance and conjured up a full body mirror to see what I had been transfigured to be.
I had full knowledge of the human world and through Celestia knew everything from jobs, money, housing, and social interactions. I also knew deep down she would have never given me a body I would hate. She always knew how confident I was about my appearance and made sure my transition here would be as smooth as it could have been. Even with everything else going on around her she was still thinking of how to help others.
I was tall for human standards nothing outlandish but enough that I could see over a crowd. Long legs, small hips moving up to a flat stomach and broad shoulders. A graceful neck, full lips, a slightly crooked nose again nothing too perfect don't want to stand out. Then I looked at my eyes. One blue, one brown.... something to remind me of chaos I thought, something to remind me of Discord. My hair was long almost down to my shoulders, smooth and shining silver and black. I looked impressive for a human. Just enough features I could either be intimidating, exciting, or just a nice guy. Someone who could walk through this world and bring attention to himself easily or hide in the shadows. I at least felt like myself in this body as odd as that seemed.
I sat down on the ground and stared at the mirror as Celestia's parting gift started to form in my mind. I closed my eyes and let her magic take control of me. A human form of Celestia came into focus she smiled at me, “Discord. I will only be able to do this once and then the rest will be up to you. I'm happy you were able to take a form of your liking. I must hurry though and speak about how to find the barer of souls. The souls of our ponies will be a female. The barer will be young and she will not know that she has powers. She will be drawn to them though, always looking for another story, another answer to the world around her. She will not fit in with this world although people will be drawn to her. She will never be without friends and love ones. She will have the bearers characteristics all that they were she will have inside her. You will sense her Discord, she will be extraordinarily powerful. Befriend her, remember friendship is what made you all so strong here. Be patient and learn, her magic will not show itself if she is made to help she must want to come and fight of her free will. You will know what to do. Trust yourself and be the hero Discord.”
The rest had turned into a blur. I spent a year just watching the world around me and seeing how humans worked and interacted with their world. It was very interesting to see what was the driving force in this world. I was able to transform back into my true self but, became afraid to. Humans had caught sight of me more than once and I know I had let them at the beginning. I just wanted to see their reactions. It was interesting until they tried to hunt me and kill me. Not fun these humans knew nothing of magic they were dull, generally stupid and shortsighted. It got easier for me to blend in. I found some land made a home for myself and then I waited.
Four years. I didn't know how long the time had gone on but nothing had happened. I wandered the earth moving in and out of different towns and cities. Always watching but there was nothing. I was lonely I needed something. Time was sliding away and my limited sanity with it.
Another four years went by and I found myself a daycare teacher. Hilarious I know but, what better way to surround oneself with chaos than to stand in the middle of a group of two and three year old children. Chaos seemed to naturally be part of them and I loved it. I was able to feel more myself and started to settle into this life. I exchanged banter with my co workers, coxed extra energy from the children who found me to be quiet fun. I was Mr. Darren and slowly my identity became more human. More years passed and I faded into human existence.
The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
3 The Storm Brings Clarity to Light
The first sip of coffee was heavenly. I had been here with the humans for twenty seven years. I left the daycare job once people started to notice how well I aged. I began to bring unwanted attention and slid into the shadows to watch. Another few years had came and went and now I was a local photographer and teaching a college class in the evening. So boring but at least I could challenge how these humans thought. Pictures were a way to look at this world and humans through a filter. I hadn't stopped looking for her but, I doubted I would ever find her. Taking another drink of coffee I snapped my fingers and was dressed grabbing my camera I walked out the door to see what the day had in store for Darren the photographer.
The early morning had been slowly transformed from bright and fairy tale like to something dark and exciting. A storm was making it's way across the sky. The clouds dark was a huge contrast from the sun shining from the east. A rainbow arched across the sky and every few moments would have a chain of lighting cross it's path. Rushing to get a better vantage point I snapped myself to a field where there would be a clear sight to take pictures. I never saw anything except the lighting, rainbow and swollen clouds that were waiting to burst forth with their flood of rain but then, I heard her.
“Oh..”
I whipped around and at the edge of the clearing just by the fence that ran around the edge of the field and the forest behind was a young woman. A fairly startled looking woman. She had a camera which she held forgotten probably due to this person just showing up in the middle of the field most likely right in her viewfinder when she was lining up a shot.
“Shit...” was all I could think. Humans always spooked so easily and sure enough she took two steps back turned and ran to the path through the woods. As she disappeared through the trees I finally felt magic for the first time. I fell to my knees, that feeling was home. She was real... she was the elements humanized. I had to go after her to at least make her not be scared of me. I decided against magic and ran through the woods. Luckily she had stopped not too far in and was checking her camera. I slowed down and walked towards her.
“I'm sorry for startling you my dear. Did I ruin your picture? My name is Darren, I'm a local photographer around this area you may of heard of me I've had a few of my nature photos published.”
She looked up and into my eyes and with a whispered voice squeeked “ Darren Quin? As in the Darren Quin?? I love your work! No no you didn't wreck my shot you just surprised me I must have been so focus on lining up my camera I didn't even notice you come through the field.”
She sounded like them. Somehow she sounded like all of them together. “Well, I'm glad I didn't scare you since you left so quick I just wanted to apologize if that was the case. Can I see what you shot?”
“Really, you want to look at my photos … I'm sure I didn't catch anything that would interest you but, of course you can look at them.”
I took her camera and starting flipping through her pictures. She was actually very good which I knew would be the case. The main reason though for taking the camera was to get a better look at her. She was petite but, muscular. She looked like a dancer. Her hair was so blonde it was close to being white. Her heart shaped face had a dusting of freckles and when she looked up at me I was taken aback by her eyes. She had the same coloured eyes as Fluttershy. Her power sparked around her how could she not feel that?! It was such a rush. I wanted to put my hand through her aura just to touch something that felt of home. I slowly pushed through her power and handed back her camera the waves it sent through me was intoxicating. She looked up waiting and I realized she was hoping for a reaction about her pictures. Right, because we were looking at pictures of the storm she had no idea she was the storm and the rainbow and the lightening all in one glorious package.
“You have natural talent Miss....”
“Light. My name is Light.”
“That's a rather interesting name”
Laughter, it sounded of bells her power flickered out around me. “ Ya well, my parents were kinda sappy. I am “The Light of their lives” so they picked the name. Apparently when I was born mom looked out the window and saw a beam of light flash to the ground and she said it was a sign.”
I smiled fighting to keep everything together. “I see, well Light I don't usually see too many fellow photographers chasing the same type of things I do. You should come to one of my classes at the college. You never know you may learn something.”
“Oh really, Mr. Quinn or should I just call you professor then. When is the next one and maybe I'll sit in the back and take it in.”
“Three O Clock on Monday. See if you can make it on time I don't just invite anyone.” I stepped around her, “Until then my dear” and I walked down the path until I was out of sight and was able to magic myself back home. She would come I thought she has to come …. Light.... what a perfect name if only she knew how perfect.
The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
I watched him walk up the path towards the road until he was gone. I finally was able to breath a sigh of relief and let me feelings of excitement rush through me. I knew who he was as soon as I saw him through my camera. He wasn't just a small time photographer he was world wide famous. I knew he lived in the area a lot of his pictures were around the city and natural spaces that boarded it. Except he always had a way to make the most calm and serene spaces look full of energy and so different from how you normally visualized them.
He teaches at the college who would have ever guessed that I thought to myself. I wonder if he does it under an alias people would be swarming him if he didn't. I headed back to my car and took the fastest route home. I just couldn't get over my luck to even have met him I had to admit I was a little star struck. Hopefully it didn't come across that way he was actually quiet easy to talk too. For once a conversation wasn't hard it had felt almost like he wasn't a stranger and someone I'd known my whole life, which was so weird.
I took the stairs up to the third floor apartment that I called home. It was a nice size, one bedroom with a full kitchen and good size bathroom the best part was that I was able to paint the place and place things on the walls as long as I painted it back white and filled any holes before leaving. The entrance was a soft lavender colour that kept going into the living room. Grey furniture with dark grey and purple throw pillows helped balance it out. I loved the peace this room filled me with. I grabbed my laptop and flopped on the couch hitting Google to search for our local college. I had to figure out what he taught, it had to be something with photography since it was Darren Quin.
I found the college site and looked up classes that started at three on Monday. There wasn't anything about photography at all. Perfect, I rolled my shoulders and started to read through the descriptions of what the community programs were about. Everything seemed so not something I could see him teach. I had followed his career since pretty much the beginning and his work and interviews showed an intelligent man who had so much talent and passion for the world. Flower arranging 101 was not exactly the class I thought he had invited me to. Nor was sociology , woodworking.. maybe... but still didn't seem like him.
Myths Meeting Reality taught by Mr. D Quinton
That's it!, and he was going by an alias I figured as much! This was perfect and so in line with my own interests it was almost scary. I had loved myths and legends since I could remember. I started taking pictures when I was young to see if I could catch something no one could see with their eyes with my own camera lens. My favorite books, movies, tv shows were something to do with fantasy. My parents always complained that I never grew up and that I had one foot in the make believe at all times. They started saying it as loving prodding but it slowly began to be more of a kick to get into what they considered a productive lifestyle.
My phone alarm went off and I was set back into the real world that I was living in the one where I had a job to get my butt too and not the one where unicorns and dragons lived and famous photographers taught lectures on them. I stepped into my bedroom to grab my name tag and purse before slipping out the door to get to my shift, all I needed was to be late.
Walking in to the Office Copy Print store I had five minuets to spare luckily. I helped run the copy and print department. Some days it was awful boring and others were kinda fun since I was able to help design different documents and get creative.
“Hey Light! Happy to see you made it, we are swamped today everyone and their Uncles are printing something that needs to be done “EXACTLY THIS MOMENT”.”
Rolling my eyes I said hi to Jack, “Well that sounds like the best way to start my shift. I think I'm going to just head back home and call in sick... you never saw me.”
“Um. No.. not happening get your butt on the floor and help me out ok Light, there's a few invitation orders that came through I left them for you.”
“Well now we have a deal let me drop off my stuff and I'll be right up. It's not like I actually have a choice bills need to be paid people need to work.” I said laughing as I marched back into the staff room to drop my things.
Up at the front we were able to sort out a few over eager customers and the day became a bit more calm and we were able to enjoy a few moments to catch up about the weekend. Jack let me know about the baseball game he had went to with his new girlfriend and little sister. It sounded like he was moving past just dating to something serious if he was bringing her around his family. Jack and I had been friends for years and it had taken a really long time for him to open up although I'm the same way so I can't judge. “So, Light did you get a chance to get out and take your pictures this morning? The storm was cool when it rolled through I totally thought of you.”
“Hmm, ya it was something,” I said looking up from the computer where I was designing a first birthday invitation. “Actually I did get some cool shots until someone got in my way and not just someone Jack, I met Darren Quin. He just sort of showed up out of the blue and was in the middle of my shot with his camera. It was crazy how fast he was there.”
“Wait, you met Darren Quin oh wow Light that's super cool he's photographed so many celebrities and different models.”
“Oh ya I know I honestly like his natural work more than the modeled shoots...”
“Was he nice? He's super quiet hardly does anything outside his work.”
“Ya he was very easy to talk to he actually teaches at the college and invited me to his class. He took a look at my pictures and said I was talented … it was kinda cool!”
“No way! Are you going to go?”
“I think so I mean its at three this afternoon I'm done work at two so I have time to get over there. I think he's teaching a class on myths and reality it seems too perfect for me to pass up.”
The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
Discord
Walking away from her was so hard to do. I wanted to grab on and never let her out of my sight again. She smelled like home, like magic and power. Oh she was perfect I just wanted to keep her with me. But, I couldn't that wasn't going to work out for anyone in the end. I didn't want to scare her and make her run. I truly wanted her to accept me clearly first as Darren Quin and then hopefully she would be able to see through to the me no one on this plane had been able to catch more than a second glance at when I was bored and needed to watch their panic in seeing a monster. I needed her .. twenty six years of waiting for her … I needed her and everyone she had inside her.
I made it to the college and set up for my lecture I had changed into a royal blue dress shirt with dark grey slacks. It looked pretty snazzy and I wanted to make sure she watched me so I had a chance to watch her. Today's lecture was actually the closing of my semester of Myths and Reality and one of my favorite to talk about since it was all about the idea of mythical beings living in other planes of existence and what the implications of that would mean for this world. I also got to talk about me freely without giving away any secrets. The classes always ate this up and I got to have open discussions about magic, power, mortality and the idea of creatures that you believed in without proof that they were actually real. It was one of the only times I got to feel like myself. I couldn't wait to watch her reaction to everything. I would be able to gauge so much of her off of this class. The first few students started to file in talking in groups and picking their seats. As usual most of the girls got as close to the front as possible. I knew what I looked like and really I loved the attention but I wasn't in the mood today I was waiting for her. My mood started to spiral down the closer it got to 3:00pm. Maybe I had been wrong and she wouldn't show, how long would it take to find her again... she must be in the area I would find her again … where was she? Then, she stepped into the world her hair wore loosely in a bun on the top of her head. True to her word she sat in the back of the lecture hall and gave a small smile with a nod of her head to me. I sent her a salute of the hand and began the class.
Light-
Getting through traffic turned out to be not as quick as I had hoped and I found myself racing up the stairs to the lecture class just like a was a highschool sr. again. Too funny I thought wonder if he'll call me out if I'm actually late. I stepped into the room with a few minuets to spare and found a seat at the back like I said, I didn't want him to bring attention to me being there or maybe he just always gave an invite to people he randomly meets taking pictures.. I could think that if I wanted to right? He's eyes met mine so I gave him a small smile and nod he gave a salute/small wave and then asked everyone to settle down.
I sat listening to every word he said. He was incredibly good with words and brilliant. This turned out to be the last lecture of this course which was disappointing I wanted to hear more of his theories. The way he talked about mythical creatures made me feel like it wasn't just a “what if” but that he had actually walked among them and was sharing memories not just stories. It was such a cool take on a subject that I loved researching and following. I couldn't believe how fast the time went and as quickly as the lecture had started he was concluding. I was emotionally torn. So much had happened today meeting him in the field was amazing it really was a celebrity sighting and something in my own photography bucket list. Him asking me to come to his class after the complimenting my work was a dream.
Then, here listening to him describe different magics and their relationships to the creatures who use them and how serious he had gotten when someone had asked about the different types of dragons and would he consider a dracquoneous part of the dragon family or a chimera of sorts. He answered that a dracquoneous was simple that and more magic than either. Even from up here I could see his posture change, his eyes harden something about that creature struck a nerve in him. I loved the theory on the Dracquoneous race they were one of my favorite to study on my own since they seemed so plausible at least, to me.
Chairs were being pulled out and footsteps of people leaving brought my thoughts back and I watched him clearing up papers from his lecture. I sat and waited for everyone to leave I wanted to say thanks for inviting me and ask when the next time he was offering this course was. I wanted to hear more from him. I wanted to see that passion work it's magic in the lecture hall again. A pin could have dropped in the middle of that lecture and it would have sounded like a volcano erupting everyone was so intent on what he was saying. I got up and walked to the front of the room, he looked up from putting things away and quickly swept over to a seat falling into it with a cat like grace I knew I would never have.
“Ah, Light take a seat and let me know what you thought.”
Ok, I can do this butterflies ran through me sending electric wings fluttering. Something about his intensity made me feel so nervous but so excited. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn't just so silly girl like the ones at the front of the class. He was good looking, really good looking and famous which I'm sure those girls knew. Beyond that though, there was his aura and how he talked. There was totally a reason so many girls sat at the front and why I found him just a slight bit intimidating. I sat down in the seat beside him turning to face him. His eyes were so unusual with one being brown and the other blue they were burning through mine as he waited for a reply. Ok I thought I can do this mirror my thoughts for seconds ago.
“ Thank you for inviting me honestly Darren it was extremely interesting. I actually really enjoy this topic and have enough of my own personal time invested on the subject of mythical creatures I could probably run a lecture myself.” I said with a nervous laugh. Maybe too confident to lead off?
Eyebrows lifted “ Oh really, are you ready to talk to my superior and replace me then?” He let out a smooth laugh. “ So you enjoy the subject of mythical creatures. I will admit it's a favorite of mine as well. I love telling and explaining my theories on the subject.”
“I noticed that, you seemed very passionate about the topic. I didn't mean to offend you, I loved the fresh perspective on the subject. You made the creatures seem real like they were old friends. You're pretty impressive with your public speaking skills.”
“Well thank you my dear. Now tell me then if you are so inclined to answer why did you come down to talk to me now? I invited you to come and listen I'm surprised you stayed.”
“I wanted to say thanks for the invite -”
“Which you did, is that all you wanted to say to me Light?”
I paused and took the whole situation in, he was baiting me but for what reason? Did he actually want to talk to me, or was I boring him and he wanted me to get to the point so we could both leave? I pushed forward I wanted to know more about his theories and I wanted to hear him speak again, “No I wanted to know when your next classes are starting up. I want to sign up.”
“Ah, well sorry to say this one is my last for I would guess another year or two. I have other things I need to attend to.”
“Oh.”
“Although, it's not every day I meet a fellow photographer who also enjoys looking at the world through a more colourful lens would you care to join me tomorrow? I'm planning on going to Sage Falls to do some photography and update some of my shots.”
“I'll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning. Make sure to wear something suited for getting dirty I'm planning on exploring while I'm up there.”
“Deal.” I gave him my address and we walked out of the college together. Silence between us but not something that felt strained. I stopped in the parking lot by my car. He looked up and smiled.
“I'm glad I ran into you that morning Light, I have a feeling you and I are going to have fun tomorrow.” He turned around giving me a wave and walked towards the staff parking. I jumped into my car and quickly drove out of the parking lot. I needed to get some space between us so I could breath and take it all in. Tomorrow was going to interesting and I couldn't wait to see him again.
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The Coming of Darkness and Rise of Light
6- Why do cars make for such good conversations?
6 Discord-
The drive back home was gone in a flash, a blur of movements and rhythms that my body seemed to respond to of it's own choice and before I knew it I was stepping inside my home, my own space to breath and think about what to do now that I have met the Vessel. Light, she seemed to radiate power and intelligence. I truly enjoyed our exchanges and she felt like home.
I walked into my living space and flopped down on my couch. Not feeling at peace I quickly snapped my fingers and put the couch on the ceiling with me now sitting upside down to the world. “Much better,” I thought to myself. Here, at least I could be myself and use my magic. As long as nothing was seen in the public I could be myself. I had to honestly, someone who is chaos can not hold back their very being. By not using my power many terrible things could be caused simply by chaos taking over me vs me being the chaos. I let out a long sigh.. I just couldn't believe my luck. I never thought this was going to happen, I had actually found her. The bearer of souls.
My worry was now that I had found her, what was I suppose to do? Celestia had said she needed to come of her own free will. She needed to be introduced to magic but, how do I even cox her magic out? How do I explain to her what her path was? How can I truly be friends with someone who was like a cup filled with the very essence of my past. Her eyes, I could drowned in those blue aqua eyes. I have not felt this close to someone and so alone at the same time in all my years here. She was everything I had ever hoped to find, and yet, she terrified me.
Tomorrow needed to work out I had to keep her intrigued with me, learn as much as I could from her and gauge her potential all without losing my cool. I snapped my fingers and changed into my Dracquoneous body. I slept better when I felt like me and tonight I believed I needed some comfort of home. The thoughts she had stirred in me felt like ghosts chilling my soul and making me uneasy. I had to make this work. For all of Equestria, for Tia and Lu.
The morning light shone through and I quickly transformed back into Darren. Changed and ready to head out I grabbed my camera bag and drove to the address Light had given me. My heart skipped when I saw her outside on the street waiting for me. Her hair all but glowed in the morning light. I took a deep breath turned the car off and opened the passenger door for her.
“Good morning dear, please get in so we can be off on our photography adventure.”
Laughing she got inside, sliding her seat belt on she said “ so did I dress well enough to go exploring?”
“Hm, oh yes I didn't want you to get anything of value dirty or wrecked I have heard there is a delightful cave system that you can squeeze into. That is, if you are brave enough to go behind the water fall to do so.” I glanced quickly over at her to see her reaction. She looked up and rewarded me with a confident smile.
“ Behind the waterfall? That sounds like a challenge. How do you know it's behind and we aren't going to be swept down a river?”
“Research my lady, I wouldn't want to put you at risk but where is the fun in not taking some chances. Sometimes chances can lead to some of the most rewarding situations don't you think.”
“Well considering I'm sitting inside your car driving to a place off of what would be called the beaten path and I've known you oh, less than a week. I think we can clearly say that I'm ok taking some chances.” She watched out the window quietly for a second before turning around again to watch me. “Thank you for inviting me. I honestly don't spend a lot of time with well, anyone outside of work. It's nice to find someone I want to talk too.”
“ I can't see you not having friends Light, you seem very easy going and are easy to hold a conversation with, I could not see you not being a people person.”
“Oh, I always have people around me but, that's the thing it's kinda like white noise. I don't know how to explain it,” she sighed and looked out the window. “ just because there around me doesn't mean I want to be with them. I just never felt at home with anyone really.” She laughed and looked up at me, “now I just sound stupid but, it's one of the reason I love taking photos. I can look at people through a lens, I can be with people but not actually be with people. I always look like I'm socializing and I'm always in the middle of things but, I am always there with a camera. I love being able to capture the beauty of people but I just, can't actually be a part of them. I think you are honestly one of the first people I have wanted to reach out further to.” She stopped, turned scarlet and turned back to the window. “I'm sorry, I don't know why I just said any of that! You must think I'm crazy”
“Oh not at all my dear, not at all. I'm flattered that you want to grace me with your company.” She blushed again, not quiet what I meant to do it sounded harsher than I meant for it to come out. Trying again I said, “ What I mean is I do understand what you mean. I'm not a very much for socializing outside of my work. What I enjoy doing is exactly how you presented your case for photography. I love capturing moments. I intend to do that today but, this time, with someone else to share those moments with. I'm truly happy you decided to take a chance today Light.”
I couldn't believe how this was going. She had almost word for word described herself as Celestia said she would behave! She sat her so confident, so honest, and shy. She really was the embodiment of the girls. I focused on driving us to the waterfall. Asking if it was ok to turn on some music Light slipped out an MP3 player to hook up to the car's audio. Skipping through a few songs she settled for an instrumental piece that was haunting with it's beauty. The emotions filled the car as the song played.
“What is it about cars that makes conversation so much easier?” I asked her with a small smile.
Glancing up she smiled. “ Oh I'm not sure but there is something about cars isn't there? Maybe driving at 110 miles an hour and knowing you can't leave helps.” Giving me a smart smile and giggling she settled back into her seat. “ So, how much further?”
“Oh another twenty mins or so am I boring you?”
“No! I've never been here before and was just curious, besides now I know I have time to ask you some questions Professor.”
“Oh really, then ask away my dear ask away.”
“Why get into teaching if you don't like people? And, why mythology? Don't get me wrong your lecture was great. I loved it!”
“Yes, you had said that yesterday. I just like to talk and I like people to listen. I have always enjoyed a good back and forth conversation. But, there are times where I also want to just say my piece. I have become over the years. a fountain of knowledge of some rather odd subjects. Sometimes it's nice to share that with others. I suppose, someday I was hoping to find someone who shared my interest enough to follow me along a path lead by chance.”
“Oh. So is this really by chance then, if you had it planned out all along.”
“Clever girl, I suppose not since it was planned but, it was by chance I ran into you then that you accepted my invitation and stuck around afterwards for me to ask you to come. So planned yes, but still a chance wouldn't you think?”
“I guess you're right.”
“Well my turn now to ask you a question, since we are playing the ask and tell game. What is your favorite lesser known mythical creature. Since you told me yesterday you enjoy researching the subject on your own accord there must be something less standard than a dragon or a unicorn you find interesting.”
“ A Dracquoneous.”
I just about hit the gravel on the side of the road and had to correct my steering. Breathing faster I waited for her to say more I really wasn't expecting that answer. When she said nothing more I didn't know what to think and kept quiet myself. Lost in my own thoughts for the next few moments, I turned onto the dirt road that would take us to the waterfall. Parking the car I turned to fully face her and asked, “What about Dracquoneous' do you enjoy? That's a rather odd choice even for the less well known mythical animals. Most people don't even believe they were a real myth. Nothing more than a child's cartoon.”
“I don't think so. I know there is the character on the kids pony cartoon. But, I still think there's more to the myth. I think, they've been referred to as Chimera's as much as Dracquoneous. There are written accounts, even recently of people seeing one. The descriptions are always the same. I think that's where the idea for the cartoon came up. He looks like the real life descriptions. But, like you said you have to know how to research to find the real stories vs the cartoon versions.” She opened the door and got out stretching from the ride. “I don't know but, I just don't feel like the species is only a cartoon image. I think there's more.”
How did she just do that. How, out of everything did she pick up on the real tones in the cartoon I made happen. Oh, I didn't actually make the Friendship is Magic but I for sure made the thoughts appear in the right place for the right person. Then, the cards were able to place themselves and I was able to watch my friends and hope that the bearer of souls would be watching too and feel a connection to the characters. I had done it more on a whim for some company even in a very feeble form. I was so impressed with Light for seeing more of it and having the courage to say so. I followed her out of the car. Grabbing my gear I turned to see she had done the same.
“Ready?” I asked.
“Ready.”