Evening to change fate

Two days had gone by since the events in the Castle of the Two Sisters. Jerra and Silver stayed at Jerras house to rest. They stayed inside her house for most of the time except for one uneventful trip to Sugarcube Corner for a tasty treat. On the morning of their third day reunited they decided visit Jerras mother and talk to her about their idea.

“It's been quite a while since we last saw us, hasn't it Silver?” Mrs. Hearthfire asked with a warm smile as they sat by the fire place of her house.

“Yeah I guess it's been two years or a little over it. Are you still in contact with my foster parents?” Silver replied with a small smile of his own.

“No. No I don't, I only ever talked with them when there was something happening at your school.” The older mare answered reassuringly.

“I see. Well there's something Jerra and I discussed a little while we were in the library of the old castle. I told her what I was doing for the past few months and what I did ever since you moved here.” The Unicorn started to explain.

“And we talked about the luxury of flying and I suggested to travel around equestria looking for ponies who can help make flying available for everypony and not just Pegasi and Unicorns like Silver here.” Jerra finished the explanation of their idea.

“And you wanted to ask me for permission? Jerra I have to admit that is surprisingly mature of you.” The light blue Pegasus said with a little bit of surprise in her voice.

“Actually I was the one demanding it.” The grey stallion added with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Mrs. Hearthfire was taken a back by that as she said “That is even more surprising. Um sorry.”

“No problem. I was kinda surprised by that myself.” Silver brushed the statement off as if he was used to it.

“So mom what do you say may I travel with Silver? Or do you want me to stay around here in Ponyville?” The younger Pegasus asked a little shyly.

“As much as I love to have you around, I know that there comes a time in a young ponys life where you just need to go out on an adventure. In other words go out and have your adventure, but be aware that I'm not around to help you the only one that can help you in this is Silver.” Her mother answered with motherly calmness.

“I know mom.” Jerra acknowledged.

“If my life has taught me anything so far then it's that at some point Jerra will be the one who has to bail me out.” Silver exclaimed with a chuckle.

“That wasn't funny.” The blue Pegasus commented.

“It wasn't a joke. I was serious for once. I mean you do know I blew up a classroom because I was bored.” The Unicorn in the room countered.

“Right you did and I still think you should have attended Celestias School for gifted Unicorns.” Jerra said to change the subject.

“I agree but my foster parents never gave me the chance to do so. It makes you wonder what would have become out of me if did attend it.” Silver trailed off in thought.

“We will sadly never know, but with your knowledge of magic it would have to be someone important. Like a teacher at Celestias school or even a Royal advisor.” Mrs. Hearthfire decided to join in on the topic.

“Might be but the probability of him in a stationary position is slimmer than the legs of a daddy long legs. He just loves adventures too much.” Jerra said jokingly.

“She's right I'd rather do the fandango with a bunch of Changeling than to teach or be in a dusty office for the rest of my life. But that's beside the point, the point is I'm not cut out to be in any respected position.” He said jokingly as his eyes trail off towards the ceiling.

“That's not quite true. To me it looks like you're actively keeping away from chances. How many opportunities did you have to live a stable life?” Mrs. Hearthfire deducted curiously.

“Depends on the definition, because according to mine I've had none.” The Unicorn stated in an dismissive motion.

“So what's your definition then?” Jerra questioned with new found interest in the topic.

“Well a mare at my side and a decent job and an affordable flat or house.” Silver complied and gave her an honest answer.

“Wow that is quite reasonable but in two years you never met somepony you could imagine your life with?” Jerra got closer to Silver and looked at him intently as she dug for further informations.

“And you didn't have any job options either? And here I thought a Unicorn has all the possible option that don't require flying.” Mrs.Hearthfire said with a little disappointment in her voice.

“Well you know that I've got an reputation in Manehatten and once I started to travel around I never stayed in one place long enough to make friends, to be completely honest these past few days are the longest I stayed in one place and got to sleep. As for the matter of Bits, I worked as a courier from time to time it gave me enough to sustain myself and my travels and it actually made travelling easier.” He explained calmly.

“Well that's something. Well to change the topic how do you like Ponyville so far?” Mrs.Hearthfire changed the subject to something more endearing.

“It's nice and quiet, even though I haven't seen much of it other than Jerras house and Sugarcube Corner.” Silver said with an relaxed smile sneaking across his face.

“So you met Pinkie Pie and still say it's quiet around here?” Mrs.Hearthfire communicated her observation with surprise.

“Pinkie who?” He said with an questioning look plastered across his face.

“Pinkie wasn't there when we went for a snack.” The young Hearthfire tried to explain.

“Oh okay that explains it.”The older Hearthfire accepted the explanation.

After a few hours of talking and reconnecting with Jerras mother, Jerra and Silver made their way back to Jerras house to prepare and pack for the upcoming journey.

“Well then what do we need for this adventure? I mean you do have a plan, don't you?” Jerra asked her now travel companion.

“What do we need? The most useful are usually rope, a sharp knife and duct tape but we can pick that up on the road or after we were in Canterlot. And please as if I had a plan for any future stops yet, you can ask for that again after I compared the old map I copied to an up-to-date one.” Silver stated with a straight face while sprinkling in some sarcasm.

“I have to say you're pretty fixated on this old map. Is there something you want to share with me? Some location maybe?” She released a series of question on him as she tiptoed around the room.

“Well I can't say it'll be an destination in the future, but I have to verify it's actual location first it's marked on the old map as Puppeteers Curse but I have not a dang clue about the terrain or what the location might be nowadays. So map first then decision.” He explained with uncertain certainty.

The blue Pegasus fluttered her wings slightly as she said: “Okay we'll visit the Canterlot library and then make our way there.”

“I'd prefer the royal archives, but the library is a good choice too.” The Unicorn stated his preference but agreed with her choice.

“Are you kidding me the archives? Are you aware how crazy that is?” She questioned as she looked at him petrified.

“I'm aware of that. That's why I settle for the library. Because you're with me on this one otherwise I'd totally take the risk.” He explained and nudged her to get her out of her petrified state.

“Why don't you consider it now then? I mean you know me.” Jerra inquired, while acting as if she was hurt by his nudge.

“Well lil'J my reason is quite obvious. I just don't want to drag you with me in eventual imprisonment and that's a risk not worth taking.” Silver stated with a small chuckle.

“If I didn't know any better I'd say you somehow developed feelings for me.” The Pegasus said with a cocky grin.

“Nope I just dislike to risk the freedom of my friends.” The Unicorn said with a straight face.

“We'll see about this. By the way how do you really make money on your travels?” She finally gave in to her curiosity

“Of course you don't believe what I told your mother, even though it was partially the truth and since my love for old magic leads me into ruins I occasionally sell trinkets I find to the highest bidder.” He said with a sly little smile.

“Sure and now the truth.” The blue one said with a knowing grin.

“What I told your mother is the whole truth nothing sketchy nothing borderline legal. My mind and my skills might be heavily based on chaos but I'm not a criminal.” The grey one admitted defeat and told her the truth.

“Okay. So how are we going to get by now that we are travelling together.” Jerra asked with a slight frown.

“Well I guess we just have to wing it from now on.” Silver said in a laid back tone.

“We wing it then. But you should keep the selling trinkets line in mind, you might be able to impress some fillies with it.” She said in a teasing tone.

“Sure but only if I get a new face along the way.” He countered sarcastically.

“Hey you never know maybe you meet somepony with no standards at all or a nice blind one.” The nocturnal Pegasus assumes jokingly.

“Whatever, you should get to packing. And lil'J thanks for accompanying me.” The chaotic Unicorn said in a soft voice.

“Maybe now you'll notice how important you are for my life, but since we both changed a lot you probably won't.” Jerra whispered to herself as she walked to her room.

After finishing packing the two of them made their way to Canterlot via train shortly after they arrived at the Canterlot train station they spotted an strange and seemingly out of place entity at the other end of the station.

“Hey mister mythical creatures ever read about something like what's standing over there?” Jerra asked as she poked Silvers shoulder to draw his attention to the other end of the station.

“Maybe, but only one way to make sure.” Silver stated as he started to make his way over.

They swiftly made their way through the crowd of ponies over to the mysterious stranger. As soon as they reached him Jerra started a conversation.

“Excuse me. My friend and I were wondering if you'd be willing to answer us one question?” Jerra asked curiously, but still polite.

“Okay you may ask your question, but it sure is a strange way to approach someone.”The stranger commented as he agreed to answer their question.

“Would you happen to be an Peryton?” Silver asked without any hesitation.

“Funny I didn't expect anypony would know the name of my kind these days.” The now identified Peryton chuckled slightly as he took a bit of pride in his kind being recognised.

“Well there isn't much knowledge about your kind left nowadays all, there is to go on are the name and the title guardian of the forest. Oh and a rough description that varies from source to source.” The grey Unicorn explained quickly.

“We are lost from history then. What a shame.” The unnamed Peryton deducted by the quick explanation.

“The reason is probably that none of your kind show up anymore.” The Pegasus hazarded a guess.

“That might be, but then again we weren't needed after the princesses showed up, so my ancestors went far to the west. They kept the stories and teachings the different equestrian inhabitants shared with them. And those old stories are the reason why I'm here. I tried to convince my tribe to work close with ponies once again but everyone thought of it as ridiculous and since I was quite persistent about it I kinda got kicked out.” The brown coated half bird told them in an quick and informative manner.

“Would you look at that another one that got kicked out of something.” She commented excitedly.

“Yeah but you can hardly compare him with me. He got kicked out of his tribe while I got kicked out of an bad school.” The Unicorn discarded her comment in an deadpan manner.

“What did you do pinched your teachers flank or played a prank on the principle?” The half deer poked fun at the Unicorn.

“I blew an classroom up so yeah. I got bored one day and pulverized a lot of chalk, spread it in the air and let a spark of magic do the rest.” Silver nonchalantly retold what he did to get expelled.

The Peryton was shocked to hear such a thing and said: “Wow just wow. I never expected to hear a pony tell about something like that, but I should go now.”

“Wait can you tell us your name before you go?” Jerra asked quickly.

“Sorry I can't.” The Chimera said after a short moment of silence.

“Interesting why would that be?” The chaotic Unicorn asked with peaked interest.

“Well it's kind off a culture thing my given name is only known among my tribe and I don't have a name among the equestrian population yet.”The young stagexplained his situation.

“How about Vis as your name?” The grey stallion offered.

“Vis that should work, even though I didn't ask for it. Does it mean something?” The now named Peryton asked as he accepted the name.

“If my memory serves me correct it's an ancient word for nature.” Silver translated after a short moment of thought.

“Very well then the two of you may call me Vis from now on. But still I need to go now. Good bye.” Vis told them as he spread his massive wings and took off into the sky.

“Bye!” The two Ponies shouted after him.

“So a Peryton is a mix between bird and deer, kinda like a Griffon.” The Pegasus said intrigued by the encounter.

“Not quite like a Griffon that would be a Hippogriff, but they are just a matter of myth, but then again they are all part of the same family. Any ways let's go to the library.” The Unicorn explained as he started to make his way to the library.

They decided to take the route along the Canterlot Castle garden. It's a quite busy street so they both decided to fly low above the crowds to avoid getting separated from each other.

“Say Silver, what are you expecting to find at this Puppeteers Curse place?” Jerra asked and when she got no answer, she started to look around for Silver “Silver? You got to be kidding me! How the buck did I lose him? I have to find him before something stupid happens. Silver where are you?! If you can hear me get your dang flank back to me this instance!” She shouted in an attempt to hopefully grab her friends attention.

“Excuse me miss. I don't know why you shout for me in that manner but here I am. Commander Silver Shield of the Royal Guard how can I help you?” Silver Shield asked after he introduced himself.

“Oh I'm terribly sorry sir. But there is a misunderstanding here I was actually shouting my friends name who coincidently is also named Silver, Silver Lining to be precise, and he seems to have this strange habit of falling asleep while levitating himself and float of to where ever.” The blue Pegasus explained the situation in an angry and slightly panicked fashion.

“I see that might be a problem. Where did you last see him?” The Commander asked her in an calm voice.

“Near the castle, he better not cause any trouble in the garden of the castle or worse.” She said slightly more angry now.

“What's the worst thing that could happen?” The armoured Unicorn asked, hoping to shift the mood.

“Well he might drop from the sky onto a guard or worse on the princess or he might crash through the window of princess Celestias bedroom or worse her bathroom.” Jerra answered now more panicked than angry.

“Okay let's relax for a bit. Would you kindly tell me your name miss?” Silver Shield requested to distract her a bit from the situation.

“Oh right I didn't introduce myself, did I? Well I'm Jerra Hearthfire and I really think we should get going before anything can happen.” The passionate Pegasus introduced herself with a calm facade but remarked the need for urgency.

“Yes and we should hurry.” The grey Unicorn guard acknowledged her remark and ordered her “Follow me!”

Silver Lining was levitating above the garden hitting some smaller branches from time to time, while Jerra and Commander Silver Shield were rushing towards the garden of Canterlot Castle. Jerra and the Commander could only watch in mild shock as Silver fell out of a tree face first towards a medium sized cake. The falling unicorn awoke shortly before smashing into the cake, but couldn't avoid it and landed face first in the cake sitting on a table in front of Princess Celestia, splashing her and a nearby guard with cake.

“Um hello Princess I'm terribly sorry for interrupting your afternoon tea, but I think I can fix the cake.” Silver said in an apologetic tone.

“And how do you intend to do so?” Princess Celestia questioned with curiosity in her voice.

“With an very old spell I found a few months ago.” The cake covered answered as he pulled out his notebook.

“Okay you may proceed.” The white Alicorn said intrigued by what she heard.

“Very well all I need to do now is find the right page of my notebook and here it is.” he said as he flipped through the pages of his worn out notebook. After finding the right page he concentrated on the cake and recited the words written on the page “Sit tempus unda supina.” As soon as the words were spoken, the cake rebuild itself as if time was flowing backwards for the sweet treat.

“That was impressive, I haven't seen this kind of magic since Starswirl the Bearded. Tell me how come a talented Unicorn like yourself never attended my school for gifted Unicorns?” The Princess questioned surprised by the display of old magic.

“My foster parents wouldn't let me. That's the whole reason but that didn't stop me from learning and studying magic. Speaking of which I need to get to the library and catch up to my friend. Oh wait there she is.” The grey Unicorn explained in an flat voice.

“Silver that was amazing! I can't imagine what else you learned in the past two years.” Jerra exclaimed completely astonished by what she just witnessed.

“Oh I haven't even introduced myself, have I? My name is Silver Lining and the mare over there is called Jerra Haerthfire. It was really nice meeting you princess and the cake was fun but my friend and I need to head over to the library.” Silver said in an polite tone of voice.

“May I ask what you're researching?” The rainbow maned Alicorn asked curiously.

“Of course, I need a modern map to find the location of an old curse of which I roughly know where it might be.” The chaotic Unicorn gladly provided the requested information as if he was simply sharing an homework assignment.

“A curse? I hope you aren't planing on using it on somepony.” Princess Celestia said in a worried but warning tone.

“I assure you I don't have any plans like that. Now it was an honour to speak to you and I'll bring you an copy of the curse for the royal archives. Goodbye princess.” He reassured the Princess as he walked over to his friend.

“It was an honour. Goodbye Princess.” The blue Pegasus said her goodbyes politely to the Princess and shortly after they were out of the garden she asked her friend: “That was amazing, how did you do that cake thing?”

“That was just reciting the right words and then the magic just happens. But let me tell you time is easier than fixing a hair problem.” Silver explained with a small laugh at the end.

“But aren't you using magic on your hair?” Jerra asked him in confusion.

“Yes, but I'm not fixing an problem I'm modifying my mane colour and maybe to style it.” The Unicorn simply stated to clear her confusion.

“I see, so it's easier to create an problem than to fix it.” The Pegasus deducted with the provided information.

Afterwards they quickly made their way to the library, where Silver immediately sought out different maps of Equestria and compared them to the old one he copied at the old Castle of the two Sisters. In the meantime Jerra was wandering around the bookshelves near her friend, when she heard a familiar voice next to her.

“Jerra what brings you to Canterlot?” An emerald green eyed Earth Pony asked in an hushed but surprised voice.

“Emerald? What a surprise and to answer your question he did.” Jerra whispered back to her in a friendly tone as she pointed at Silver.

“Never thought you'd ever have a coltfriend and a handsome one at that.” Emerald teased the Pegasus Quietly.

“Listen Em it's not like that he's an old friend from my Manehatten days, there's nothing between us.” The gold eyed Pegasus explained in low volume.

“Oh lil' J sometimes I think I understand you better than you do. Now then why are you two here?” The beige Earth Pony asked with curiosity in her eyes

“Not much just getting a modern map to figure out the exact location of something ancient, you know the usual.” The blue Pegasus stated as if she ordered a coffee.

“Your interest in this kind of stuff fascinates me almost as much as your nonchalantness about it as if it was a trip to the bakery.” The ivory maned mare said while she nudged the other mare.

“I thought you were fascinated by the fact that I can function with less than eight hours of sleep.” Jerra said as the two walked over to Silver. She then proceeded to introduced her friends to one another. “Now then let me introduce you to Silver Lining. Silver this here is Emerald Dust.”

“Nice to meet you Silver. Have you found what you were looking for?” Emerald asked as she glanced over some of the maps spread out in front of the Unicorn.

“Yes I have it's two days south from Appleloosa, thanks for asking. So what's your weird obsession?” Silver answered her and shot her an rather blunt question.

“WHAT? I studied cartography, but I wouldn't call it an obsession. I don't think I have anything that might qualify as such. Why would you even ask something like that?” The beige Pony said slightly offended by the question.

“Sorry if I offended you by that, but it's just that I find it hard to believe that Jerra has a normal friend but I suppose it's possible.” The grey Unicorn apologized with a small explanation.

“What's that supposed to mean?” The Pegasus questioned her friend.

“Not much just that I'm your friend and I'm not normal neither were any of our or rather your friends back in the day.” He stated while giving Jerra a flat look.

“I guess you have a point. Anyways Emerald what are you doing these days?” Jerra admitted and threw a question to the other mare to change the subject.

“Not much other than spending my day here in the library ever since I stopped studying.” Emerald answered nonchalantly.

“So you're a cartographer now that's cool.” The blue mare assumed by her friends statement.

“Actually I'm not I just stopped. Say would you mind if I accompanied you guys?” The emerald eyed Earth Pony confessed and followed it up with a new topic.

“Uh...wh-why? I mean I don't mind but why would you want to do this?” The Pegasus stumbled over her words at first but came through in the end.

“I don't know for a change of pace I guess. And what's your verdict?” The beige mare said and looked at the stallion.

“I can't guarantee the place will be safe or easy to reach, so if you feel like you can handle it be my guest.” Silver listed and stated his conclusion with a smile.

“Awesome! Let's go then if get a train now we can be in Appleloosa by tomorrow morning.” Emerald cheered and exclaimed but got quickly shushed by other visitors of the library.

After a short while of talking they made their way back to the train station with a short stop at Emeralds flat so that she could grab some supplies. They managed to get on a train heading towards Appleloosa.