The Flow of Magic

How many years has it been? It has seemed like an eternity since I've seen the light of day, yet it's only been a short time. How could I know? Every night it's the same thing, it's so consistent now it's to the point of where I know it's a dream. Or maybe this is real, and when I think I wake up is actually a dream. I looked it up everywhere via books, internet, anything but having the same dream every night for five years straight just doesn't happen. Why me? What's the point? Is this dream supposed to tell me something? So many questions that I've wanted answered, but cannot find any solution.

I've always wondered if I was actually already dead, and was living out a constant loop in this 'afterlife'. Everyone always told me you went to heaven or hell after you die, but I'm not sure which this is, well considering the fact that I might not be dead. One of these phases is a dream, and I need to find out, for everything is just a dream to me now. What is real? And what is fake?

Most people would be confused, and miserable. I was at first, but I soon learned to deal with it. For some reason, it's comforting, no longer a terrifying experience every time I come here. I am standing in a room, or so I think, yet I can feel the ground with my feet. Even though I look down and see no floor, it's evident that something exists there, otherwise I would just be floating, which shouldn't be considered impossible since this kind of place is kind of impossible in realistic standards in itself.

For some reason, I didn't feel alone. It was odd, for I could see no other person around. But I couldn't shake the fact that something was there, watching me. Yet, this is the first time I've ever felt something watching me. I've been here countless times and felt nothing but the same feeling of an empty shell but this time, this specific time I feel like something is here with me. It's odd. As I walked through the void, I started to hear voices, no, whispers from people. It sounded like they were in the distance, yet I could not see them. This made me even more curious as the voices became much louder.

The voices became even louder, and in the distance I could see a form starting of something starting to appear. A human..No, a pony? What does this mean? I questioned myself endlessly as the pony came closer, a smile planted on its face. It looked...So familiar, but why?

...Get...Work....Late...

Funny, it sounds like my brother, but he's...

SPLASH

The wonderful sensation of cold water woke me up.

"Damnit John, what the hell!" I hollered.

I looked around, then realizing that no one was there. There was also no water on my face. "Oh yeah...That's right..."

My brother disappeared a few years back with no trace of where he could have gone. There was no warning, no evidence. It's like he vanished off the face of the earth.

I sat up out of my bed, pulled on my trousers and walked to the glorious room of cleansing, otherwise known as a shower. I quickly turned the nozzle with haste, remembering the event that previously just took place a few seconds ago. I was late for work. Yet, it didn't fully process in my mind how important it truly was. Perhaps the warm water would wipe away the spell put on my mind.

After my shower, my brain came to terms with how serious the situation was. My shift started in five, which I was going to be late regardless due to the time it takes to even drive there. I quickly dried myself, dressing in the required clothes for work. Everything was set, other then my shoes. Luckily I remembered, and found them without a search needing to be conducted. Buried underneath books, upon books of theories, and ideas of a world which could never exist. Every since I was but a small boy the entire idea of this energy intrigued my interests.

Yet, though I studied these ideas and theories endlessly, it would make no actual affect on my life whatsoever, for it doesn't even exist. This fairy tale energy known as Magic. I've studied many things in my life, many different thoughts and ideas of famous philosophers about the possibility of an unknown force. It's very similar to gravity, a force we cannot see, but scientists have proven gravity exists first hand, not magic. Magic led me to many things in my life, such as spending hours on end playing popular MMO's and reading books and stories of limitless adventure of fantasy.

As though magic led me to those many useless things that would have no real affect on my life, it also led me to something special. A little cartoon: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. To be honest, I still don't believe that I am a fan of it, but something caught my attention within it. The very aspect of transforming emotions, or these elements into a form of magic inspired me. I payed less attention to the show and it's characters but mostly on what it meant. Every episode had it's own little pinch of magic, each coming in a new color and form.

Yet, even though I envied them in their little utopia, I wondered to myself what made this world so peaceful? It was without hate, crime, pain, and even suffering. How could this even be? I shook my head, realizing that arguing over a TV show was pointless, and would only waste more time. Still though...The very thought of using magic...

I pulled myself into my car, turning the keys and pulling out of the driveway. The extreme chances of finding a roommate that was also a fan of the show I deeply liked was so slim, it's almost unbelievable. I guess I can can myself the one percent.

With my simple hate rant over with, I arrived at work. An average job for a sixteen-year old would be to work at an ice cream shop would it not? Besides, who wouldn't? Especially when you get a free cone of whatever you want at the end of each day you work. I mean, come on now, common sense. You know you want this job right? Well guess what, it's mine; so go find something else.

_________________________________________________________________

After a good few hours of working, I was released from my chains and lunch was just beginning. I casually walked out of the building, ice cream in hand, with a sack lunch. I made myself something quick. I pulled the objects out from the bag, pizza leftovers and some chips.  I didn’t have to worry about a beverage since I just made myself one from within the building. Advantages for working at a place selling food was getting free food in return. It was quite nice actually, and I enjoyed it.

Being the ravenous animal that I am, I plowed through my lunch is mere seconds, not even giving a thought to what I was going to do next. Once I finished, my mind was cleared of everything. I sat and wondered about many different things, most of them being pony related. Why am I so sucked in to this universe? Why am I so interested? These thoughts struck me deeply, and I couldn’t really think of any reason why other than…Magic.

Still, why bother? Magic isn’t real, and there is no way to even use it. Maybe I could conduct some of those…No what am I thinking, those dark rituals are a gateway for spirits, and I don’t feel like being possessed thank you very much! If so, then is not the world of Equestria swallowed in darkness? I am extremely religious, and it's only natural to take these things seriously. Being religious, most people expect me to enforce my beliefs on others, yet I'm usually silent about the topic. It's not that I'm selfish or anything, it's just that I know the world would rather die then hear my 'nonsense'. Still, their fate is not my problem. We cannot choose another's path.

Putting that thought aside, I focused on my drink. The thought of trying magic passed through my mind, but I instantly threw it away. But throwing away the thought only gave it more confidence in coming back. It returned again and again until I decided I would just give in. Worth a shot? Probably not, since I know it won't work. What makes it so persistent? Magic doesn't exist, and Equestria is just some made up land...So why do I keep getting this feeling that it just isn't that way?

"So be it," I said, "I'll try this magic..." I had no confidence in what I was thinking of doing, but honestly, what better way to get rid of this annoying thought then to prove it didn't exist. Then again, I have no idea how to use magic in the first place. How to cast it, or channel any magic through my body. The first, most simplest form of magic is the use of telekinesis. Just by watching the show, it seems to be the first thing they teach to young unicorns. This however is just a theory. A theory ready to be put to the test.

I always imagined magic being focused for humans through their hands. Although most of the magical power must come through mentally, a course of redirection to a certain point of your body is also needed; as with unicorns and their horns. There is nothing magical about the horns, it's just a hard piece of bone that was specifically designed for the use of magic. Realizing I was getting off topic, I turned my attention back to my cup. It was an average plastic see-through cup, perfect for what I had in mind.

I reached my hand out to the cup, putting my hand just around the edges of the cup, not touching it but close enough. I focused all my senses on the tips of my fingertips, hoping for some disruption in the energy fields around it. These energy waves would, at least in theory, cause the water to become restless, moving around like the raging sea. Nothing was happening and I was getting impatient. I started getting angry like a fool, as if I was expecting it to work. Realizing I was only making myself look like a weirdo, I stopped.

Impossible, completely impossible. What was I thinking? My heart closed, realizing that it would never be real. Magic would never exist, only in some fairy tale. It's only natural for someone of my age to dream is it not? Sixteen years and still haven't accepted the 'real' world. Some may call me pathetic, but I think I'm just different. Everyone gets brainwashed by society, and learns to accept that. I won't.

I will find a way, Equestria or another, this life or the next, I will find it. I waved my goodbyes to my fellow co-workers and headed home. As I drove home I started to wonder why I even live life? I mean, what's the point? This world is so boring, so why? Recognizing the fact that I have already asked myself this question hundreds of times, I instantly forgot it.

I pulled into the highway as any driver would when something struck me like lightning. "Shit!" I yelled, remembering that I have to go to the library to return those books I've been keeping for so long. I looked around the highway, noticing it was dead as the country. A smirk crawled onto my face and I took an illegal turn across the ditch and onto the road leading back. It was exciting and fun, good thing no one was there to see me....Or so I thought.

The all to familiar sound of sirens filled the sky and I looked in my side mirror. I cursed myself mentally, seeing a cop tailing right behind me. He double popped his sirens, telling me to pull over. I did so accordingly, not wanting any trouble. I was breathing deeply, feeling faint. This wasn't the first time I was pulled over, so what am I breathing so heavily for? The police officer moved out from his vehicle, closing in on my position. Should I drive away now? No, I can't afford to do that.

The police officer approached me, "Excuse me sir, may I give you a bit of advice?" He said frowning. Oh great, another speech from the elderly...

"I'm sure you know why I pulled you over..?" he asked. Like seriously, why do you even need to ask?

"Yes sir, I'm very sorry; I just remembered I left my wallet at home, so I turned around to go get it." I lied, it felt bad, but cops are usually cool around where I live.

Instead of any kind of speech from someone who seems to be like forty years older than me, he looked at me and said “Column B, Section 4, on the third.” As soon as he said that he walked away. I said nothing, too confused for what just happened before my eyes. Seriously, what just happened. My brain started to hurt from the confusion so I stepped out from my car to ask him a question.

Yet, as I left my car I noticed that there was nobody there. The cop car was gone, along with the police officer. I shook my head, “There’s no way, it’s only been like 15 seconds…You can’t disappear like that.” Logic, hello?

***^^***

The Void

***^^***

From within the space between both worlds, a figure clothed in pure white sat, looking endlessly into the horizon. He saw many things, some which the mortal eye cannot comprehend. In a flash another figure, completely clothed in black appeared just beside his friend.

"You do realize that this is breaking the whole free will thing we tried so hard to enforce, right?" The white said.

The black chuckled, "Destiny is destiny, what can be done? Plus, he needed a little boost. I mean, what's so bad about speeding things up a bit?"

The white looked at his friend, "A bit? Five years is a significant amount of time in humans."

"Well we wouldn't understand that at all would we?" The black asked, teasingly.

The white chuckled, "Yes, I suppose you're right."

_________________________________________________________________

"Was that supposed to be a joke or something?" I said aloud, parking into the lot of the library. "I mean, if it was, then what was the point? I don't get it. Must be from some movie from the seventies or something."

I locked my car, heading inside the library with the books I was supposed to return. I walk-ran to the front desk, setting the books on it. The lady behind the counter, which I recognized from the earliest bits of my childhood, was Mrs. Landers. She was always a nice, kind lady. I remember she would invite me over and make me French toast while my mother was gone.  I know I’m a couple years too short to be saying, ‘my childhood’, but everyone says I act much older than my current age. If getting into trouble, constantly disagreeing with everyone, and denying reality is what a kid my age specializes in; then I see no problem here.

Well the last thing, denying reality would have to be a little loss of my side. I’m still a kid who believes in magic. So I guess I haven’t grown up, have I? I was too busy thinking to myself that I didn’t realize Mrs. Landers was speaking to me. “You there? Helloooo…” She trailed off, trying to grab control of my subconscious.

Snapping back into reality, I said nothing and gave her the books with a kind smile. She smiled back, gently taking the books to do whatever librarians do with their books. I was too distracted by the forgotten amount of books that actually inhabited this jungle; otherwise known as a library. This place wasn’t your average library on the side of the road. It was huge, the walls towering as high as the heavens, or so it seemed. Abstract art painted on the walls, along with other renaissance paintings, favorite by the librarian owners. It almost had a grand Cathedral type feeling to it. Thousands of books recording history and actions taken place by human king. Of course history wasn’t the only genre of books that filled the grand library. There were other assortments such as fiction, science fiction, non-fiction, and so much more. To any nerd this would be heaven.

Again distracted by my own thoughts, I noticed the dismissing wave of Mrs. Landers. That being said, or should I say done, I left her with the people standing behind me. The thought that I was being a nuisance to the other people, staring around at the building must have been awkward, but I soon noticed they were doing the same. What is so different about it, especially today? It’s not like I haven’t been here before. It’s all the same, or so my memory says so.  My memory…

I shook my head, snapping back into reality again. For some reason I found myself in the left wing, column B. The nerves inside my brain snapped, for some unknown reason. I couldn’t figure it out, but decided to ignore it.

Familiar…

I felt strange, like some other-worldly force was pushing me to this section of the column. If felt like that all too familiar sense, of what is it called, déjà vu? But what the bookshelf wasn't what caught my attention, it was this single book. Unlike the others, this one stuck out much more. It was brighter, bigger, and much more...creative. I grabbed the book, and brought it down to my field of vision. The cover was vastly colored with symbols which I immediately recognized to be of arcane. The feeling didn't go away, and it urged me to open this book to read it.

Yet, with a simple flip of the page, I was gone.