Silver's ''Choose Your Adventure'': Book One - Mirror

Music...

It always had a way with emotions. It sets an atmosphere. It embraces us... Makes us reach other realms, known only by our imagination.

Luna was wandering the always of the Canterlot Castle. She was lonely... Being back, after only a few weeks, from her banishment. From the pain and sorrow, guilt, and remorse she made her Sister endure...
Don't misread this. She didn't feel like she didn't want to be here, with her Family, back to herself thanks to the new generation of Heroes. Heroes that will take Equestria's fate in their hooves.
Just like she failed to do that last time. She thought she could control the nightmare. Make her obey.
But no one can fully comprehend the Night. This beautiful, Seductive Mistress. She had her way with lesser, mortal creatures. And immortal ones alike.

She felt her heart rise into a song. A single guitar could be heard echoing, thanks to Equestria's Magic.
''See the animal in his cage that you built
Are you sure what side you're on?''
She sat down, and looked at the Moon.
''Better not look him too closely in the eye''

The guitar's strings vibrated, and the Lute-alike instrument carried air, and a sorrowful melody. Slightly off-tone, but still as melodious and... Pained. It could be seen in the Everfree Castle, Roughly at the same time. It was nearing Dusk, and the Sunset looked beautiful with his pinkish, gorgeous purple hues. The darkening red past theses colors was reflecting in the Pony's face, strumming an instrument, and his voice joined the Princess'.
''Are you sure what side of the glass you are on?'

''See the safety of the life you have built
Everything where it belongs''

The princess' heart skipped a beat. She could hear him, singing to her Night. She whispered a small thanks, before keeping up the Song. The soul she thought she had lost had started... Opening, again. Like an old wound after being purged of the Infection, only leaking a little plasma, to close the gaping wound.

''Feel the hollowness inside of your heart
And it's all right where it belongs

What if everything around you
Isn't quite as it seems?''

The monochrome Stallion's hooves danced on the Mandolin's Handle, pressing only the right chords, leaving plenty of room for the other strings to flow their magic in the air. He was heartbroken. It could be felt in the music... And the notes shifted slightly off-beat for a second, as he got momentarily distracted. Remembering his part, his job in this world, he sighed before letting out his deep voice sing.

''What if all the world you think you know
Is an elaborate dream?

And if you look at your reflection
Is it all you want it to be?

What if you could look right through the cracks
Would you find yourself find yourself afraid to see?''

Almost screaming that last part, his baritone voice resounded with his empathic magic, and the bass was carried all the way to Canterlot, or so it was told on this sorrowful night of Melancholy.

The princess almost weeped when the magic hit her. She ran to the edge of her gardens, taking the view of Equestria. Of the Everfree down below. From where the blow came... From where a kindred soul was weeping away too. She rose on her hindlegs, supporting her weight against the Gilded, Golden fence.

''What if all the world's inside of your head?
Just creations of your own

Your devils and your gods all the living and the dead
And you really oughta know...''

The Stallion heard his Princess. He heard her Plea. He pushed away the stool he was resting his hindlegs on, and teleported to his abandoned Castle's roof.

As he took in the crisp, refreshing air, he could see waves of tender emotions floating his way. He drank them happily, and Sang for his Princess. To giver her Courage.
To let her hear what was in his heart.

''You can live in this illusion
You can choose to believe

You keep looking but you can't find the ones
Are you hiding in the trees?''

They both went for a duet, only for a few seconds.

''What if everything around you
Isn't quite as it seems?''

The princess' heart poured freely, all the negative emotions that rested in her mind where purged towards the Everfree. Towards her Past. She will find the Stallion. She will find solace... In a like-minded, Broken Soul.
Her voice, piercing the air, the duet having been ended for now. It was so Liberating!

''What if all the world you used to know
Is an elaborate dream?''

She saw the Dreamscape. She felt his presence, out there, out of reach. The pony never slept, so she could never visit him. It was most annoying! But her thoughts were directed to the song, as their hearts combined again for the last echoes of their hearts.

''And if you look at your reflection
Is it all you want it to be?

What if you could look right through the cracks
Would you find yourself, find yourself afraid to see?''

That last note was carried, and held, until their energies somehow made contact. The Stallion, in the slight confusion, slipped and fell through a hole in the roof, and his neck visibly bent the wrong way as it impacted the top of the Throne. His body dangling on the back, his head looking outside.
At the beautiful, Warm Sun. He was feeling cold, and shivered as his lasts thoughts directed him to his Son.

Silver.

He etched a rune against the Throne's back, using the gushing blood, flowing from a cut on his neck. The bone... was visible through the cut, as he could feel the cool air blowing on it gently. Giving slight relief. It will all be over soon.

He thought about his son... About the magic they shared. He hoped he would be ready for his role. Being the elder, now...
He was only twenty one. He might get crushed... But he couldn't waver. He will be seeing his son soon enough. He will be able to guide him.

As the spark of life died from his eyes, the emotions he had drank started to swirl within him. Unknown magic rose from his chest... And the body disappeared in a flash of ashes and light.

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'Silver, wake up.' The commanding tone tore me from the embraces of sleep.

I was floating around in a void of some kind. Under me, I could see nothing but a circular shape, and more void. No light, apart from the swirling arcanic patterns, painted on some ribbons floating over, under, and around Me. The runes and arcanic symbols resounded with an unknown power, giving a weird purple color to anything that could be visible.

I suddenly took conscience of the voice. Looking down, i saw a shape under me. It was... Me? The circular shaped lit up, and i recognized some kind of Mirror.

The one Dad told me about. Suddenly, I started to tear up. I knew what this meant, after all.
But i wanted to be sure. ''Are you... The past me?''

The shape nodded. He rose and flew towards me... Until the mirror's surface undulated not unlike water, and he emerged in a shadowy, aetherical form in front of me, stopping at my height. So that i could speak to him.

''Indeed, son. I am... Departed. You know what you have to do. You're the last generation, and you know what that means. Your filly will hold extraordinary powers.''

I let a few moments of silence settle in between us. I almost never saw my father. It was the rules, we had to be our own person. Apart from a few childhood memories haunting my nights, this was the first time i saw him in years.

''You... You Jerk! Do you know how much mom was hurting after you left? Do you know just how much i had to work when she fell in a depressive state so intense i had to... To loose my life away! To Kill! To Hunt and to- And i just... Fuck You!''
I moved to hit him, but the tendrils of Arcanic energies just flowed around my hoof. I couldn't touch him.
I moved my hoof back, and lowered it to the ground. I locked my eyes with my Father's. He was an empath, like me, and he could feel the seething rage flowing from me, emanating from my heart. My empty heart.
But... He could also see the relief. The love i had for him had never faltered. He was still my Mentor, my Idol. My Ideal that i had to... Surpass.

So that my daughter might become... ''So, it has worked. It's in my hooves now. And... I could... Birth a god? An Alicorn?''

My father nodded. The resentment and hurting in his eyes, following my punch, had subsided. He was always calm, collected, stoic. His expression was always hard, even if he cared for everyone with all of his heart- he didn't show it. He teached me that. You could never look weak, even if your goal is to help the weak. Even if, deep inside, you're weaker than them. Don't ever let it show. Control the conversation, and put them at peace with their inner demons. You can kill them. You will Kill them. Don't ever hesitate. Don't get too scared.''

The memory helped calm me too. It was my memory of his face then- his eyes- that were engraved in my mind. ''I could never forget the Face of my father. It was the very first thing i learned when i told my Dad i wanted to become a fighter like him. He had simply held me, and... Are you still that same person? Are you still... You?''

He shook his head. ''I became one with my father, and his father, and all o' that. We're merging. We're all the same person anyway. Just like i know you understand me when i say this. It isn't as dark as the first thought. It's all... Calm. Soothing, even. I don't even get lonely! I think of you and... Of your... Mother. And I'm okay. I float and think about happy stuff. Really... Thank Luna it worked! I couldn't wait to see you... To tell you how much...''

His voice had started to break down. He moved a hoof, instinctively, to wipe a tear, and sniffed. I'm pretty sure he couldn't cry, but don't ever tell him that.

''Yeash, give me a break will you! It's only been years since i last saw how handsome my son was. Is. You've grown so much. I'm proud of you, Silvie.''

I blushed. ''Dad! I told you i hate that name! Drop it!'' And then, my ears perked up. ''Wait. You can hear my thoughts?''
My Father, Monochrome, or Mono to anyone really, nodded. ''Yes. We're already merged, you and i. I merged with the Spell Core at my death. I wish i could've perfected the spell, but as it is, the only sensation we aren't linked with is touch. So... He walked around me, and inspected me more closely. ''Luna, Heavens, you're so much looking like me! That ritual will always amaze me. And, best of all, I don't even need to become your Tulpae. I can simply exist, here, within you...''
And then he saw under my tail. ''Hum... Sweetie, I know you've always had trouble with gender swapping spells... But this-''

I silenced him with an hoof. ''Dad. I'm my own person. And, if you must know...''
I thought about Crunch. His face. His smile. His beautiful eye... Reflecting like an Ember.

My dad blushed. ''Wait- this is incredible! You've... You've become what i always wanted. You're not ashamed of you abilities... And you're perfectly balancing that sexuality spectrum, son- I mean, Silver. He looks like quite a catch.''

It was my turn to blush. Never before had we talked about... Sexuality... Openly. And it used to be a pretty sensitive subject for me. I always looked like a filly, even younger. And those braids weren't helping!

''Thanks dad. It means a lot. But... You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Cause, you know, I'm good. I'll tell him you said hi, so don't worry yourself okay?''

He nodded. ''I'd love to. Maybe one day i could meet him, if i find a way to project myself out of your body. Insofar, I've been trapped in this mirror. For some reason, when you're here... I can dive on the other side. But something tells me one side or other is the same coin... Eh eh.'' He chuckled like an idiot. 'Like a pervert', i almost kept myself from thinking. But he didn't mind, he only perked an eyebrow. ''Hey kid. Let's make up for all of that lost time. Tell me about your friend... And I'll tell you how I met your mother.''

Fuck. That was a chance i couldn't pass... But at the same time, we did have other things to discuss. ''Okay, deal. But first... You have to tell me, what's going to happen now? I'm lost, far away from home. I think mom needs my help... Cause I'm not in Longhay anymore. I'm south of the Griffin Kingdoms... Should i go back home?''

Dad shook his head. His slightly darker mane shone a bit, and i could detect he was using magic. ''Nope. All we've got left is Daddy Sombra's scrying spell. But it could take a few days until it bounces back here. Do you want me to check up on her?''

I nodded. ''Please. And, also, care to remind me... What is my task, as 6th Generation?''
He smiled. ''Of course. I'll do the spell later. But, since you ask, why not make that little history lesson in song?''
At that, he cleared his throat, and a guitar fell from... I don't know where. It's a void. Shut the fuck up.
He took the guitar and counted under his breath. ''three, two, four-''

As the first few notes were strummed, my heart got swallowed up, and i could feel my eyes glow. Dad's magic was sharing images just like he did to share information back in my youth.

''Long ass fuckin' time ago,
In a town called LongHay-hall
There lived an Humble Family, Hoof deep in Spiritual's''

I could see our old house, and the vision quickly dived inside the Kitchen's window. I could see my family praying.
''But there was a black pony,
And he knew just what to'do~''

A black colt, a pegasus, came into view. He slid on his rearlegs, holding a lute, streaming violently an intro-solo.

''His name was AetherColt,
and he refused to step in line:

Going everyday, doing lame jobs, getting bored'
He wrote a tasty jam, And wrote a Spellbook, Wich he hid!
The pegasus strummed three notes in quick succession, and he aged up visibly.

''OH, The Dragon's Ball, They be Dancin'
As i Stepped inside the Cave!''

The kitchen swirled in a maelstrom of colors, and the interior became more... Dark?
''I Slayed them all, Pocket'd the Change, And then I ran Away!''

I could see a party of Dragons, as they were all having fun, sparring and drinking next to lava pits. A huge Dragon sat unto a throne. I could see the Pegasus, same as before, Bursting into the cave; Sunlight came through holes in the natural roof, and the blade carried by the Pegasus Shone wildly before the dragons all fell to the ground, in one slash from the Dexterous Pegasus, who zipped by every Dragon throat and slit them open. The blood's gushing around everywhere took the treasure hordes, and everything was washed away in a torrent of blood and lava, until The sun could be seen again. We were on a boat, at Sea. Treasures bulging from chests scattered on the deck.

''On the waves, i Be Rollin'
On the Boat, i be Rockin'

To Equestria, i be Venturin'
Everfree, i've been Wanderin' ''

''On the sea, Past Canida!
Leavin'-Longhay, Behin' Pawlan'
To Equestria, i aim my Hoof!'
To The Everfree, I'll Be Free!!' ''

While we were on the boat, we rapidly zoomed past our home, leaving the shore. Leaving Pawlan, our native town. Down to Cowrea, Bovine kingdom where our forefathers where known for their cheese, past the pass that was always stormy. We passed between the Ibex Empire, known as Ib'Xian, though we passed by the port of Hong Prong, and the Island where the mythical Neighpon and the Xian pass of Shanghay led us to the Archipelago under the legendary Kingdom of Haven. Haven's Pass and Haven's Archipelago are where i had trained with my Father. He always aimed for the Kingdom of Haven, city in the clouds. He wished to go there... And had found a way, as it seemed. I saw him with a weird... Shape over his body. Like a skeleton, with wings... And he flew towards Haven.

And then i saw my home in Longhay-Hall, village between Canida and Pawland. We where back where we started our boat Journey! What the fuck?
I turned around and saw my mom. She was, as usual since she was out of meds, FURIOUS.

And i was her only living target. She was holding plates in her telekinesis. She grinned madly and started rhythmically throwing them at me.

''You've Left me to die, son, why were you ever born?
Your Sister's ten times better than you, Luna loves him more!''

She had been using illusionary magic and shown me just how much my sister was better than me, covering her in jewels and praises, while she kicked my flanks and laughed at my exposed breasts when i fell. She invoked images of Nightmare Moon, our only representation of Luna. Mother's Deity. She was the Head of her Nightmare Coven. Now reduced to a crying mess of angry, sad feelings, and being an earth pony, with a certain nightmarish horn, she was beating me senseless with her psychological abuse.

''This music that you Sing for us comes from the depths of Tartarus,
And Equestria's The Devil's realm, he wants you to Loose your ways!''

She showed me what Matriarchal Dominance meant, by kicking me exactly in the middle of the crotch to make me want to puke. Had i been male, i would've been castrated by the blow.

She summoned images of Tartarus and countless nightmarish creatures, and malevolent spirits trying to kill me. Running around, still dodging plates mind you, i was overpowered and fell to the ground. I began sobbing slightly, and couldn't hold tears back.

''You'll become a mindless puppet, Nightmare The Old will pull the strings!
Your heart will lose direction, and Discord it, will bring!''

My only irrational fear, Discord, Enemy of Ponies, Chaos Bringer and Eternal Doom of Equus was shoved in my face, and my mother made it feel me in... Weird Places. I was about to let a squeak, but she made the illusion vanish and she pointed her Horn at me. A menacing piece of Dark crystal, making her turn mad unless she is brought some other, purifying crystal. Wich is too rare for us. Did i mention the only known vein in the whole world has been depleted by her, in a mere month?

''You'd better shut your mouth, better watch your tone
You're grounded for Months, now pay up your Loans!''

She had been harassing me for all of my job money, and whenever i would come Home from work. Even if i gave her the money gently and without making eye contact, she beaten me up with her sword. We were... A trained family, and my mother was a war hero. PTSD and Black magic crystal horn don't mix well, father used to say. When he was still around... He left when she became head of Coven, if you must know.

''Don't let me here you whine, don't let me hear you cry y'self' out!
You gotta Worship Me, when you're in mine's home!''

And then i was hurled in my room, a simple cavern of crystal under the house. Where the vein of medicine used to be. Since i was the only one knowledged enough in Crystals and Magic, i was the one who tried to revive the vein. With little to no success. When i would get a little mineral water out of the rocks, my mother would barge in my room, feeling it, and beating me up to get it. Even if unusable in water form, she gulped it down, and felt better for a few minutes. Crying and holding me, being sorry for the abuse. The guilt was killing her. But it was all she could do to stay alive.

I looked up at the Stars, out the little window I'd made, to let sunlight through. I needed to know if it was day or night in my room, after all, and the concept of hours and minutes was unknown to me until i arrived in Equestria.

Equestria... I remember longing for that Land. Where I thought everything was easy, sunshine and rainbows. No death everyday. No spirits to hunt. No mother to... Abuse... And i felt horrible. Other ponies appeared as aliens to me. Since animals had more emotions than them, i tended to have pets to keep me company. Friends. Other species were alright in my book too, but ponies where i grew up where nightmarish monstrosities. They prayed for the return of the Nightmare and the death of the Sun. Back then, I only knew Luna's name, since a star had shaped it out for me.

Quite literally. I remember that song, that song which changed my life. When i sang for the first time, and saw one of the mythical stars helping the Nightmare escape talk to me.

The song went a little something like this... (Dad's magic was making me a livid memory recollecting, though didn't bother showing up)

''Dear Nightmare can you hear me, I am Weak and Self-Loathin'...
I'm asking for your Guidance, Won't your rays Shine my way~?

I Need a real, sentient friend, who will teach me how to smile,
My father taught you to be Evil, but Fuck, he can suck a cock!

Equestria is not Tartarus, it's magical and Light;

I'll never be home as long as I am stuck here with my mom...''

And then i decided to Run away. And the Stars Shone, and a Mythical creature appeared before me.
Discord.

''I hear you brave young Silver, you are hungry for some Quests;
But to on your Way, Sacred doors you must unlock

Escape your family's Abuse and this oppressive Entourage
On a journey you must go to find your new inner circle~''

The Nightmarish mix of several Creatures appeared to me. And i saw where he came from. Could he be...? I stopped his singing with an hoof, ''Wait! You're... Actually Evil? You're not just Chaotic? Why would you help me out?'' and i realized as soon as the words left my mouth.

He wanted something in return.

''I can tell you where to be headed, pony, but not the way.
You can wander around, never finding friends; but I'll give you advice you cannot ignore.''
He grined Wildly. I was still slightly afraid, but excitement took over real quick in my head.
''I won't lie and I'll be clear on your destination. But it will be a quest; you must make your way there yourself. Deal?''

I took a few seconds to think. The apparition smiled, and reached a lion paw for me to shake. I had so many questions... But it was no time to hesitate. A chance like this i could never find again. I needed to get the heck out of here. I needed to breathe and follow what father said. Become my own person... That started with personal, life choices right?

I took the paw with an hoof, and a surge of power erupted from my leg. A tendril of chaotic magic shot out and spiraled around my 'arm', and went for my heart. It didn't hurt, neither did it feel in any ways unpleasant. I just felt... Normal.*

''In The City of Fallen Deities, where the Mountain meets the sun's rays;
You will form a strong alliance, With six Chosen friends;

To find your fame and fortune, through Dream Valley you must walk
You will face your inner demons, now go, my, son, and Ruuuun!''

And so i ran away from my sick Mother. I ran away from my poor little sister, Silence, who couldn't do shit against my Mom. And she Hated our Religion just as me, so I hoped Mother wouldn't beat her up in my absence. But i discarded those toughts.

I had a long, and fastidious quest. I won't explain all of it. I'll just leave my travel itinerary somewhere... At the bottom** of my ramblings.

''So he bailed from fuckin' Longhay, with anger in his heart
And he journeyed far and wide to find the secrets of Discord's song

But in the end he knew that he would find his new entourage

And his new Familia~~
Yaaaah,
Rah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Raye-yayayayaye-yeah! ''

And i finished with a series of black notes, letting the sound slowly die in the night... And looked at where i was today. Now that i had heard other music genres in my travel, i was almost ashamed at how that all sounded like. But... It was a pretty defining moment in my life.

Yeah. That was it. I know, it doesn't make much sense. But so far from the pony Capital, songs had a weird beat and melody. And judging by Trot Reznor, only artist that i knew, tempo and dissonance didn't mean bad. It meant boundaries. And boundaries are meant to be crossed, as i learned while traveling.

Anyways. I think it was time to wake up and tell all of this to Crunch. My past. My father. My heart... Being a void with spells to keep me alive.

Drugs weren't to keep me alive, by the way. They were to keep me Sane. Thanks to my Mother! And fuckin' Genetics!

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I just knew, today, that my life was going to suck.
Crunchie wanted me to come clean about my past. After all that I told him, I could understand his... apprehension. I knew I made it sound like I was a bad pony. And I was. Probably still were.

No, Scratch that. I definitely Was a bad unicorn. After all, I left my mother and Sister. I left my old life behind... And I left Selene Behind too.

Oh, Sorry. You probably need some more context. You see, back when I first arrived in Equestria... I somehow ended in the Forsaken Woods, mistaking them for the Everfree, where my father had left. It was all that I knew; I had to enter Equestria through Dream Valley, and make my way to the Everfree Forest.

When I first arrived in New Seaddle, and walked through the plains leading to the somber, forbidden Forest, my first thoughts went to Discord's words. I had to find... Friends.

And THAT is how I met my first travel companion. You thought Crunchie Cookie was the first one I scoped out? He had been in my sights for a long time. War Hero. Martyr and Savior. And... Selene had pointed him to me. Metaphorically, of course. Her Father, Shining Cristal, told me that I had to find a Pegasus in the Everfree. Shining had been a friend of my father's, And Selene a long-known friend. When I turned 13, her family moved to Cloudsdale, or some other cloud city... And I lost sight of her. At first, we mailed... But her replies always took longer and longer to reach me. By the time I fled my household, I suspected she had forgotten about me.

But, somehow, Fate always finds a way to bring like minded individuals together. And that's how I found her on my way to the Forsaken Forest.

She had walked by my side, saved my hide and cook breakfast countless times. We knew each other inside and out. And... Selene had a crush on my sister, Silence, ever since she found out what the folds between her legs were.
And I loved her like family. Even more than that; in colder climates, we had to... tumble in the hay, only to stay warm enough to live another day.

Anyways. When I found the Everfree Castle, she just Got accepted in the Royal Guard, and those nineteen (more like twenty now) months had helped her rise in grade and responsibilities alike. Nowadays... She was no longer the shy Pegasus I once grew up with. She was intimidating; and her night pegasi wings were larger in wingspan than most griffons our age. She was fast, quiet, and likes to gossip a lot.
Her dark purple, "Midnight" purple according to her, was only outshone by her eyes, Golden pools of comprehension and kindness. Her dark red mane was always silky as a cloud and smelled of the richest of dark wines. Her now commanding, authoritative stance and glare demanded respect and submission. There was no asking questions when she was around. She had wonderful leadership and orginazational skills... But lacked in the social department a bit.

As we say, "you can get the pony out of the job, but you can't take the job out of the pony". She was constantly under her Officer Personna and won't let anypony talk back to her.
And I liked that about her. She had always been such an honest, if not a little brash person. But I knew that under all of that bravado was the kindest, softest of emotional mares. She enjoyed going to the spa or taking a relaxing walk in the nature over much anything else; and behind closed doors... She could be pretty alluring. I loved the way her hips swayed when she walked. How her tail would sometimes move and let me peek at the pinkiest of folds, and the sweetest aroma around. She once winked at me she caught me starring: and she now called me a filly fooler as an... embarrassing reminder that everypony thought of me as a mare.

Well, the new parts helped, I guess.

Anyways, I had to come to my senses and explain all of that to Crunchie... And hope he'd still be around by noon. Usually, ponies either puked at the beginning of my tale, and asked that i stop there, or they just listen to everything and turn tail.
I was afraid of what he would do. With the little time we already shared, i know he wouldn't just up and leave me. But we could loose what we already had. And I wasn't planning on that.

And so, I woke up with a delicious tongue invading my mouth, and hooves feeling up my sides and one of my ears. I smiled into the kiss and let myself get properly wakened up by Crunch. His lower Hoof slowly went to my flank, and i playfully bit his tongue when he pinched my cutie mark. I looked up to him, and his wonderful eyes. They almost looked golden this morning... Since my shining eyes reflected in his. Both blushing, we continued kissing, and exploring each' other's bodies with all manners of hooves, mouths and tongues.

Until the fun couldn't last anymore. It was getting late. We were... Getting hungry. And so, i looked up at him, after we had stopped wrestling with our mouths. ''Good morning... Care to have something else then me for breakfast? I'm about to starve out there... Not that you don't taste good.''

Crunchie chuckled. ''Pretty sure I couldn't get my coffee as you, even if i dropped as many sugar cubes as Celestia does.''
The cheesy pick up line worked it's charms, and i was feeling more than humid down there. I nuzzled him, before pushing myself slightly away from him, to help me stand up. As soon as my neck rose from the bed, however, stron hooves found their ways around me and pulled me back in the loving pony's embrace. I could feel his hot breath against my neck, as he covered it in kisses. I couldn't suppress a giggle, and we both fell in some companiable silence of half-laughs and kisses. After a few moments, he stood up, and slid me on his back. He was just tall enough, and my tail barely brushed the ground while he took me to the bathroom. Of course, as soon as i wasn't in a laying position anymore, the magic surrounding my erogenous zones would clean them. The only cheat to avoid that was for me to stay perfectly still; and let my new Coltfriend carry me around, even feeding me so that i would't ruin the romantic bath. It smelled like Valeriane and Roses, as well as a few hints of Poppy. That was why it was so relaxing...

''Look Crunchie. I need to... Tell you about my past. And about the last few days... Especially what I've seen of Equestria before you met me.'' And so i went ahead, and it took more than a few baths to get through the whole story.
I'll let you imagine what we did between each baths. Apart from me confiding, some sex and a little talk, i had cleared the air between us.

''Look, I'll take good care of you. I think I can understand your Condition, and even why you did all of this. But... You need to understand something. We're in this together now. Wich means... You won't be alone trying to figure all of this out. You've got me now... And I don't plan on skipping town on you. Just tell me what you want me to do!''

I looked up at the Pony's expression. He was still somewhat unsure about me, that I could tell. I didn't need any empathic powers either.
I could see the nervousness in his expression. ''There is still something I haven't told you. You know... When i talked about my father...

I had intended to keep this from you for a bit longer. I wanted to give us a chance. If you still want to be with me... You'll hear what i have to say.
And I don't expect your understanding. I merely ask that you keep holding me... And tell me again you won't run.'' Truth is, i knew he was going to be scared.
Scared as hay. Heck, I still haven't come to terms with it myself! And i've been 'doing' this for a few hundred years now!

''It's going to be okay. I'm broken too, remember? I'm pretty sure what you're about to say can't live up to what I've seen in the war. Go ahead, i'll be right here when you're done.''
He picked me up from my seating position, and laid me in bed next to him. He pushed against my sides until i turned on the side, and then he held me close.
Closer than what i deserved.

''Alright. You've been warned... It's unbelievable, Unconcievable, and to be quite honest... I don't know yet if I'm a friend or Foe to Equestria in all of this.
I won't ask you to follow me to tartarus and back... Heck, I couldn't even stay with my father when he left. I'm only good at leaving others behind...
But that is not the point to this little story. Maybe i should start with the hard facts first... And work around the context afterwards?'' I looked up at him with an inquisitive look.
He only nodded. He was going to let me talk, and i'm pretty sure he won't stop me, not even to ask any questions.

To be honest again... I think i needed that.

''Ok. First... I'm not a pony. I'm... Nothing, i guess.'' I cleared my throat, and looked away from him. ''My body is equal parts complex spellcraft, and void. Pure nothingness.
In fact, that's how i get to feel other's emotions. By suppressing mine... And reaching out to them. I think you can understand now why it's such a problem, and why i've been hated so much...
I'm not only a grievance counselor. I'm also... Well, let's start smaller. Do you know what happens when you die?''

Crunch only shook his head. I could see the questions burning in his mind. But he wasn't scared.

The only waves i could feel from him... Where loving energies. Positive emotions. He was trying to get me to open up.
He was doing a good job. ''Well, when a pony, or any sentient creature dies- that includes even the smallest of critters- Their souls...
Their souls end up roaming the world, and if they had unfinished business... I don't know how, but they appear to be able to interfere with our world.
Usually, they are trapped in Limbo. A dimension... I'm made from. I don't have a real mother... Or family. My father built me. I'm not even... Alive.''

''The reason I'm telling you all of this... Is because I was the only one able to see spirits where i came from. So, I helped spirits with unfinished business.
Killing bad ponies, setting the lost spirits' living relatives at peace with their mourning. Serving as a link between the living and the dead.''

Crunchie lifted an hoof, and caressed my cheek, begging me to keep going. I swallowed my nervousness and kept talking.
''Luna, this is the first time I'm telling anypony about this.'', i muttered under my breath. ''Alright. With that being said... I hunted spirits.
Evil doers. Heck, Discord himself offered me a way out. And, even if i sometimes regret it, he was right. I needed to get out of there.''

I cleared my throat. I was slightly thirsty and my dried throat wouldn't let me keep going down that lane. I shook my head softly, before looking back into the fiery orbs of my companion.
''Anyways. That's how i ended up roaming the world, looking for the one who created me. I still consider him as a biological father of sorts... Since I'll be merging with him when I die.''
I took a little pause ~~for dramatic effect~~ to let that sink in. It was a tough pill to swallow. The ~~stallion~~ Mare Crunchie has been sleeping with wasn't even alive.

''Let me stop you right there... Just for a second. You said you weren't alive. But the warmth, your blood pulse, your warm breath... How can you not be alive?''
I gave him a peck on the lips. To give me some courage, for what was coming next. ''How much do you know about... Imaginary friends?''

The question left him perplexed. He tilted his head, and a ray of sunlight got caught in the passionate flame in his eye. I held him closer, tighter.
''I know... Next to nothing, I guess. I had one when i was way younger... But I grew out of it when I made my first friends.''

I nodded. ''Good for you. You don't want to be caught with a Tulpae when you're not asking for one.''
Crunchie narrowed his eyes. ''Tulpae? Isn't that mind affecting magic?''
And... I nodded. ''Yes. It is still considered illegal pretty much everywhere around Equus. Zebricans used to have some, acting as Shaman counselors. But, over the years...
Tulpaes became... Connected to each others, just like we can connect together. Exchange words- pure magic, in a way. As we are, right now, when you kiss my neck... It is mind affecting magic.''
I started blushing, but I needed to convey my point.
''Just... On a lower level. Just like... When my teats surround your shaft. When our eyes meet. Heck, even when we arrived at the hotel; You asked the receptionist for our room. You did magic just then...''

He nodded. ''So... Magic really is around us. Neat.'' He nuzzled my neck. ''Have I been a good... Spell caster?'' He asked, slightly biting my neck.
I had to suppress a moan coming from down my throat. ''Yes, you've passed the test. With flying colors... And fluids.''
We both chuckled at that. ''On a more serious note... I need to tell you just how fucked my case is. Even I don't know much about this, apart from what I 'need to know','' I said while shaking my hooves in an 'air quote' kinda move.
''This story starts a few hundred years ago. Aetherpony... I guess it's how his name translates, found a peculiar kind of magic. By trying to tamper with it, he awoke a Tulpae.
One that had his own sentience, his own thoughts... The first generation. When he died, the Tulpae he created, named Amphiaraus... Possessed the body of his First Born. It resulted in the birth of no common child. One with unrivaled Intelligence
That pony was my forefather. Each time the loop was made, the resulting children had incredible potential. But they tended to die young...
And then, my great-great-something-grandfather decided to do something about it. By taking some drugs to heighten his mind, he affined the first Tulpae, and made something better out of it. He named it... Solon.
One of the wisest, most powerful of sorcerers. He was only rivaled by Starswirl the bearded, If they would've both lived in the same era. But for his time, Solon was the most powerful mage in the kingdom.
And he had only one wish. To ascend and join Celestia and on Equestria's throne. He wanted to expand Equestria... And create a peaceful land. For eons to come.
And... Here we are. My Father was the 5fth generation. I, myself, am the 6th. I only know that... My daughter will be a goddess. Nothing short of Celestia. I would become the strongest magical deity on Equus...
If only. Birthing a daughter will cause my death, and the spell will only allow me to merge with her. I will have all of my past lives memories... And powers, inside one being.
The complete god. The Domain-less God. The Supreme one... That is my fate. I don't know yet if my motivations are still to save Equestria. Is it to burn Equus down and start from scratch?
Is it to kill any other Alicorns? Only to be the last remaining deity figure in this universe? Am I... Going to loose you? Outlive you? Outlive everypony...?''

My eyes had started to tear up. I was crying, great! Bring me a bucket, for me to puke in, Damnit! ''I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not who you thought I was. I'm not innocent; I've already shed enough blood. I'm far from innocent.''
My eyes steeled themselves. I regained some kind of composure, being held by the strong hooves of my companion. I felt... Empty. But the good kind of empty, just like when you cry your heart out, and have no more tears left.
''My heart is actually a massive Spell Core. I can't make sense of it, but I can understand it. What it wants. It wants blood... To fuel the ritual holding my body together. In fact... I will need to kill soon, only to keep breathing.''

I shook my head, giggling nervously. ''And it's not even the worst of it. There's a mirror inside me. I can only see it when i sleep. And, inside the Mirror... Is my father. Merged with all the other past me's.
And by that, i mean, look. My family used to pray for Nightmare Moon's return. Only me and my sister ever liked the sun.
We used to escape my raging mom to gaze at the sun... And wish to be anywhere but out there, in Canida. There were only Diamond Dogs and Catfolk. We were the only unicorns... Among Pegasi, in our Pony village, halfway between Canida and Pawland.''
I looked into his eye. My expression was one you could see on bloodthirsty predators. ''The only way to refill my magic being with blood or emotions, i tended to scare away and kill dogs and cats. I couldn't come to hurt a Pony... But it's only a question of time. Of choice.
Of opportunity.''

Finally, Crunchie started to let out , tiny waves of fear. A small trickle of hatred down there too, but it was mostly toned out against the... Massive sadness?
''I'm so... Sorry you had to kill all this time. Sorry you had to run, only to have a better chance at staying alive. If only for a few weeks... Wich turned to be years thanks to the key she gave me. But now is not the point.''

I cleared my throat. My eyes were slightly puffy, and i lost that maniac look. I even let my ears droop a little.
''Thank you, i guess... But you still don't know about Selene. You shouldn't feel empathic for me... For what i did.''

He put an hoof against my lips. The warm touch was welcome, even though he silenced me. I've killed for less.
''Hey, it's okay. No need to add anything. Whoever Selene is, or was to you, I don't care. You're next to me now. You feel warm, and you love me. I wouldn't dare ask for more...''

We stayed like this for a while. We didn't need words.
We were just... Two broken souls. Glued together with Duck Tape or something. But we held to each other, like mountain flowers cling to rocky walls.

I hoped it could stay that way. If only a little while...
''But i still got to talk to you about her. Before I met you... She was the only other pony that i desired. We traveled together for... The biggest part of Two years. Maybe more. I wouldn't know, we had no calendars on my journey.''
I rubbed an hoof against his muscular chest and ribs, letting my hoof slowly caress the toned out muscles and solid bones. I could get used to him...
''Long story short... When we arrived in Ponyville... I had to kill her. She knew too much... And I needed the magic. She offered herself to me... And I...''

My eyes were leaking again. With little disdain, i realized there was a bit of blood. I hadn't smoked yet today.
''I just had to. And, I guess I'm thankful to her. Even though the times and adventures we shared were wonderful... It couldn't last between us. We were both... To aggressive. And she was head of the Lunar guard...''

Crunchie's eyes shot open. ''Wait, are you talking about Selene Moon? THE Selene Moon? But she ran away four years ago! And... You might not be ready for this...''
I scooted closer to his face. ''Tell me.'' My eyes shone a bright silver color, and Crunch's eyes narrowed. ''Hey. No mind control magic. I want to help you but... Not like this.''

My eyes toned out, and I gave him a sheepish grin. ''Sorry. Do tell me though!'' I gave him a peck on the lips as an apology. When he drew me back in for a longer kiss, I melted against his touch, and let myself calm down a bit.
Our fur matted in sweat. His coat was still so soft... And his ears, so adorable. I could never get tired of the way his tongue danced with mine, struggling for dominance. Going over my sharp canines. The way he slightly sucked on my lips, as if to draw me closer...
The exchange died down. We locked gazes. ''Look. I Love you, okay? But please try to stay calm. Cause I sure ain't.''

He swallowed a nervous lump (and some of my saliva, I'm sure) before adding, ''I saw her two weeks ago. She was still in command. At the Princess's side.''
My eyes bulged out a bit.

''She survived?''