Darkness.
That's the only thing that gazed in front of me.
The only things I heard around me was the slight rushing water beside me, the wind brushing through the oak trees and messy bushes. I looked about, not even a single bunny was out in the chill of the night. Things were serene, but cold. But I'd never feel cold again. At least not physically. I can't feel any outside pain, not ever since the accident that occurred two years ago. I'd long to even see myself bleed again. But, I'm just an empty shell. A shell that can never see the light again.
I sat down, I wasn't tired. But I was bored out of my mind. I wish I had my trusty pet over my shoulder. But, she's long gone. I took out a picture, sighing sadly as I looked upon my past lifetime. My past seemed perfect, but I should've known. Perfect isn't real, neither is good. It's all just heartbreak.
Heartbreak and pain.
~~~~~~
I wasn't always the mare I am today. I used to be a carefree little filly. Just like you. I lived with my two parents and three siblings; a brother and two sisters. My older brother and sister are twins, while my other sister was younger. But they all had one thing in common, they all were pegasi. My mother is a retired pegasus who used to be a Wonderbolt in her prime. She broke one known record in the books for distance, before her wing was crippled in a wind current mishap, and she hasn't been able to fly ever since, forcing her into retirement. But, just as she had given up hope, she met my father, a unicorn with a special gift. He was finished with his magic studies and was looking to settle down. Luckily, he met the pegasus who would be his very world. In no time, they had the twins, shortly after their marriage. Another five years of time, they had me. The only one who could carry her father's legacy.
Growing up was pretty normal. I studied magic like everyone else, and did what other fillies and colts did. I had flaws, certain hobbies and a sense of rebellion as I entered teenhood. I wanted to carry my father's legacy by studying hard, being the only unicorn child they ever conceived. My father always supported me, helping me master spells and even to coax me
through life. How gullible I was...
I was pretty good at a certain video game when I was younger, beating every other filly at it when we had free time back in school. It's convenient because, it's also how I got my cutie mark. Being good at Pokémon. Huh, go figure. Whenever I wasn't doing games and other things I was good at, I liked to watch those Wonderbolts fly by. Even though I'm not a pegasus like my mother and siblings, I could always imagine myself flying over those fluffy clouds, letting the wind hit my face as I flew into the sunset. I'm kinda like a bird who can't fly.
Though, everything seemed perfect when I was accepted into a fine magic school at 12 years old. They told me they heard so many stories of my father and were amazed at my application. Without second thought, I packed up my things and set out for my future in magic.
~~~~~~~~
"Entry No. 23, you're up!"
I skipped to the judges view, all of them looking at me with watchful eyes.
"State your name and major."
"Evangeline Star. Transfiguration major."
One stared at me sternly. "Show us your ability. Turn that egg into a bird."
I looked at the egg beside me, it was a good jet black. Strange, it doesn't look like a bird's egg...
"Um, I hate to interrupt-"
"What is it?"
"That egg doesn't look like a bird's egg. It's way too big." I told them. "It looks more like a... different egg."
"We don't need it to hatch, we just need it for testing." One told me.
I looked nervously at it. It looked... so full of life. I've never even seen this kind of egg before! Why waste it's potential on a little entrance exam? Maybe, I could hatch it now. I mean, I've seen Dad explain these kinds of spells a few times. It can't be that hard... right?
"Well, Ms. Star?" One of the judges asked me, growing impatient.
I took a breath before my horn charged with magic. I just need to focus... Focusing my energy on the egg, I sent out a beam of magic, hoping to set the poor creature free from the egg shell. Once I heard a crack in the egg, I stopped. I leaned n close to see if it would hatch.
"Ms. Star, that's not what we requested of you." One of the judges told me, all of them jotting down notes.
I gulped nervously. C'mon... hatch! I stared at it nervously, until...
I saw something pop out! A leg!
"Yes!" I exclaimed, everypony on their seats. "C'mon, little guy... Come on out..." The egg finally cracked open to reveal... a creature I've never seen before! It had the paws of a small cat, but it's tail had spikes, like a dragon, it had a blue spot on it's forehead and two horns tilted backward next to it's cat-like ears. I decided to hold it, it was incredibly soft despite it's many spikes.
It opened it's eyes, they were a shiny emerald green, and it looked right at me.
"Hi there," I said to it. It made something that sounded like a raspy meow, until it purred and rubbed it's head on my chest. I had never been so in love.
I looked back at the judges, they were in awe.
"Amazing..." One of them gaped.
"The egg belonged to a half breed?!"
"I thought they told us the egg wasn't healthy enough to hatch!"
I looked in confusion. "Does this mean I pass?" I asked them.
They all talked amongst each other before going back to me. "Evangeline, you just did something we didn't expect out of a newcomer like you, so..." She smiled at me. "We'd be privileged to have you as a student here."
I gasped and cheered so loud. "Yes! I did it!" I kept jumping around like crazy, while the creature was still on my back. The then stopped and looked at the poor thing. "Sorry buddy. Wanna stay with me?" It blinked twice, but just passed out on my back. My cheeks flustered with the thought of my new little pet. At least I won't tackle this alone.
~~~~~~
It was about a month since I began my studies, and we were let out for our long anticipated Spring Break. I haven't really met many friends since I moved to Canterlot. It wasn't as bad as some have said so far, besides, I had my trusty little boy to keep me company. I decided to name him Binx, after my favorite cousin. He seems to be a half wildcat half dragon, but he doesn't seem to breath fire, so that's a relief. His favorite food is pickles, which is handy if someone puts pickles in my hayburger.
I was trotting along the busy streets, humming a little tune as I enjoyed the amazing sunlight and breeze. Unfortunately, this kept me from looking where I was going. I rammed right into a taller pony, making us drop our bags.
"O-Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" I apologized, getting back on my hooves.
"N-No worries, Madame! It's okay!" I looked up to see the stallion I bumped into. He was a unicorn, and had a silky, well brushed blue mane and tail, an amazing white coat, a striking gray jacket with a purple bowtie, crystal blue eyes behind a pair of small glasses, and a cutie mark comprised of three crowns. "Are you alright?"
I was entranced by this handsome face. "I'm fine..." I was blushing immensely. Holy mother of Luna, he was so good looking!
"Oh, no need to blush, my dear. You didn't see me coming." He assured me.
Oh man... keep it together, Kiara. I laughed nervously. "Again... really sorry!"
"No worries, dearest. You are forgiven." He politely responded. "I'm Fancy Pants, and you might be?"
"E-Evangeline Star...." I stammered. Gosh, I sound like a freaking idiot!
"What a lovely name! Pleasure to meet you, Evangeline." Fancy replied, smiling.
I rubbed the back of my head, trying to turn the blush off. Fancy was so polite, it was almost intoxicating! And that amazing mane and matching little mustache! He was just so attractive... I wanted him...
"Um... why are you looking at me like that?" I snapped out of it when I heard him talk.
"I-! Uh...!" I babbled, before smiling nervously. "N-Nothing! Just spaced out!"
He laughed. "You are quite the amusing one. Perhaps we could arrange a time to get to know each other?"
"L-Like a... date?" I asked.
"Oh, no no no! I meant as a way to introduce ourselves, seeing as I've never seen you in Canterlot before." Fancy assured me, seeing a tiny blush from him.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" I laughed. "Soooo.... it's a plan?"
"Indeed, how about this Friday?" He asked.
"Donzo!" I piped.
He laughed at my words. "How funny! See you again!" He then trotted away, leaving me to my own thoughts. I sighed in a romantic trance.
"What an amazing stallion..." I sighed, my pet looking at me. "What? I'm a teen!"
How young and foolish I was....
~~~~~~~~~
Many years had passed. I had finally graduated from school, with a big major on animals and good spells. After recieving my diploma, the Princess herself congratulated me and saw myself off. I was instantly tackled by my Mom.
"Oh, Evangeline, I'm so proud of you!" She smothered me.
"Moooom!" I blushed.
"Come on, Faline, stop smothering the poor thing." My Dad piped in, Mom letting me go. "Wow... you actually did it."
"Couldn't have done it without you, Dad." I smiled, both of us hugging.
My older siblings came to me shortly after, both of them looking like they could cry.
"Oh, K-Star! You graduated from nerd school!" Prilla exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes at her exclaim. "Hah hah, Prilla."
"It's like every best day just fused into one! You could achieve so much with all this magic knowledge!" Blade said.
"Like a witch!" Everyone just smacked Prilla upside the head.
"A magician, Prill. Get it in your hollow head." Blade snapped at her.
I laughed. Who'd have thought that just graduated school would make my life a whole lot better? I felt Binx on my shoulder, nuzzling me. Family, magic, and everything else... My life was truly perfect.
There's no escaping your fate...
~~~~~~~~~
I gasped. I had just....
"Oh my gosh..."
"She actually did it..."
I panted as I felt my horn burn from the strain. "Sister! Are you alright?!" She ran to her sister's aid, her crumbling fur was silky soft once again.
"I'm... okay..?" I saw her Majesty look at me, the look on my face would've boiled milk to a solid. "E-Evangeline... did you do this?"
"I.... yes..?" I stammered. The Princess then approached me, then smiling at me.
"You... saved my life..." She then hugged me tight, my sudden strain was gone. My magic did this? It saved Celestia herself...? "Your magic was amazing, my dear. You've proven yourself ready."
"R-Ready...?" I asked, my fear suddenly spiking. Celestia nodded at her sister Luna.
With a glow from her horn, a light engulfed me as everypony in the room was blinded by it's radiance. Once clear, I stood on the ground as everypony looked at me in awe.
"What happened?" I asked, everypony still speechless. "What is it?"
"It's those wings! They're amazing!" My little sister chirped.
I gasped and looked at my back. There they were, a brilliant pair of light pink wings.
~~~~~~~~~
I admired their feathers in the mirror. Those... wings. Even though I was born in a pegasus majority family, never would I imagined I could fly like them. Much less be a princess. My coronation was in two days, and I was stressing about the whole princess idea. Healing a royal from a life threatening disease is a memorable feat, I will admit. But, am I ready for this responsibility. I can't even make a taco without screwing it up!
I took a breath. "Calm down Kiara. This'll be fine... I mean, how hard is it to be a princess? Just some paperwork, some royal duties... It can't be that hard... right...?" I gulped. "Why me?" I then slapped myself in the face. "C'mon! Get a grip!" I then got noble and tried speaking confidently. "You are Evangeline Star, the daughter of the wizard Ruby Flare, and the Princess of Light! And it will be my duty to watch over the light of hope in Equestria!" I then blinked. I then started laughing. "Wow, I sounded just like Princess Twilight!"
I then tried walking over to my bed, until I saw something on my brand new dresser. "A letter?" I questioned, lifting it with my magic. I opened it and read it.
Dear, Princess Evangeline
I request your presence in the Everfree Forest. Come quick, you must.
Sincerely, Zecora
Zecora? That zebra sorceress? Why would she need me? I shrugged it off, opening the window and getting ready to set out. Hopefully I can fly over to the Forest safely. Spreading out my wings, and took out into the night sky, heading for the Forest.
After twenty minutes, I made it there, landing in a random bush of trees. I tried looking for the hut in the woods, Twilight once told me that she lived there. I tried scouting the best I could, but everything was almost pitch black. I then ignited my horn with a bright blue light. "Much better!" Trotting a little bit faster, I tried looking around more closer. Until, I found a slip of paper on a single rock. Curious, I decided to look at it. It said...
Long Live Princess Evangeline...
What...? I heard growling behind me. That was the last thing I thought and heard, before something came up behind me. My end.
A claw slashed at my backside, making me scream before it died down from the pain.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAaahhh!!!!!"
~~~~~~~
Now you know...
A few days later, somepony found me, near death and completely broken. The doctors said that it was a manticore attack from the claw marks left. My injuries were more severe than they thought, which ended up having my whole backside replaced by.... a cyborg body. I even lost an eye. Absolutely humiliated and ashamed of this revelation, I gave up my throne and fled away from everypony. Zecora was the one who sent that letter... she tried having me assassinated in the process... Who else would try that now that I was a royal? I've just never been able to trust anyone from that horrible experience... I've just been on the run. I even left Binx behind.
Some might call me lost, or maybe a freak who's scared. But I'm not lost. I know what they did to me. Somepony planned that attack. And my fear died a long time ago. Now, it's pure rage and sorrow. I've been wandering around the outskits of Equestria ever since, not wanting to be anypony's friend ever again. I can't tell you how many times those ponies tried looking for me, to convince me to go back. That everything would be okay. But it's not... which is why I left everypony behind...
And I'm never going back...