Spirit's new life

There I was, laying on Twilight’s couch with that feeling again. It’s like that small voice in your head trying to tell you something, except this is a tug pulling on me from every direction. Thinking of it as nothing more than a migraine, I shrugged it off. It was pretty early and I felt stiffer than a petrified corpse. Upon getting off the couch, I stretched everything I could. I was able to hear every joint pop in the process. I was even able to stretch my wings, but that didn’t mean I knew how to fly yet. After stretching, I sat back done.

“Alright, my new house should be finished today. I have to remember to thank Twilight for letting me for the week. I still feel bad for hiding my wings from her, but it’s just not time yet.” I thought

While thinking about it, I cast the illusion to hide my wings. The only ones that knew so far were Keria, Celestia, Luna, and the royal guard. I made sure to Celestia and Luna promise not to make an announcement about my ascension.

I felt my stomach bubble as it growled at me. “Some tea would help,” I thought. I got back off the couch and walked to the kitchen. I dared not do any more than making tea. Not that I was bad at cooking. In fact, I found that I’m a decent enough cook that I could cook for others, but I also know that Spike takes pride in helping Twilight. That includes cooking.

A few days ago, I got Twilight to teach me the brew for the tea she made me once. I threw the herbs into a kettle and filled it with water. Then placed the kettle on the stove, turned it on, and waited for it to boil. After a few minutes, I heard a low whistle and turned the stove off. I then, using my magic, poured it into a cup. I didn't let it boil too much, so it didn’t take long to cool.

I levitated the cup with me as I went back to the main room. I took a seat and placed the cup on the table in front of me. I then levitated a book over to me that I was reading last night.

See, I was researching the history of dark magic users, and although I hid my wings, I didn’t hide my cutie-mark. Luna explained to me that mine meant that I was able to command magic last time I saw her. I’m not too sure what that says about my capabilities, but I do know is that dark magic is forbidden and taboo. I wasn’t researching how to use it though. I was looking for what happens to you when you give your heart to the darkness, more specifically to the vessel.

After scanning the contents of the book a little, I remembered that I had already finished the book before falling asleep last night. Unfortunately, I didn’t find what I was looking for. So I decided to look elsewhere some other time.

Upon levitating the book back onto the table, I heard footsteps enter the room. I turned my head over to see a small purple and greed drake standing at the base of the stairs. Just like every other time he wakes up, he looks like a mix between being beaten in hell and being ready to face the world. The drake noticed me and came over, taking a seat next to me.

“You’re up early, Spirit. Rough time sleeping?” he asked, his voice slightly scratchy. I nodded.

“Yeah Spike, something like that. Here, drink this,” I offered, levitating my tea to him. “Your throat sounds like it needs it,” I said. Spike grasped his claws around the cup and I released it from my magic. He gulped the precious beverage like there was no tomorrow.

After finishing, he let out a deep breath and placed the cup back on the table. I saw him looking at the book I had out. “Why were you reading this?” he asked.

“Just a bit of research. Nothing serious.” I answered. I didn’t like lying to him, but I couldn’t risk him letting it slip that I can use dark magic.

“Does it have something to do with your cutie-mark?” he added.

“As a matter of fact, yes. It does.” he yawned as I replied, stretching his arms and legs as far as they could, which wasn’t very far.

“I better get started on breakfast. Twilight will be up soon,” he stated as he hopped on the couch. He started walking over to the kitchen, but stopped about half way, turned toward me again, then asked: “By the way, shouldn’t your house be completed today?” I nodded.

“Yeah. Spending the whole week with the construction crew in order to customize it as it’s built has been fun, but it’s exhausting as hell.” I answered.

“You know, you keep mentioning this ‘hell’, but I don’t know what that is.” he pointed out, reminding me that they don’t have hell here, but a place called Tartarus.

“Right, I forgot. Hell is like Tartarus, except for the fact that it doesn't exist here.” I explained. Spike looked discombobulated. “Don’t worry if it’s confusing, that’s natural. Now, I think it’s about time you start making breakfast.” then spike just shrugged and went to the kitchen.

As if on cue, I heard Twilight yawn from her room. I levitated my book back in its place on the shelf. I took a few extra seconds to make sure it was in the right place. It’s one of Twilight’s rules and a damn good way to piss her off. Then I made my way upstairs.

Entering Twilight’s room, I found her still sitting on the edge of her bed, rubbing her eyes. I’ve rarely been in her room before. Once, maybe twice. Five or six days ago I asked her how she fixed the place so fast after Discord brought the place down on our heads. I got a stupid answer for a stupid question: magic.

I went over to her. “Morning. Hope you slept well.” I said. Twilight, after she finished tending to her eyes, looked up at me.

“Spirit? Good morning,” she responded with a warm smile. Then she looked slightly confused. “Why are you in my room” her tired face made me chuckle.

“How about you wake up a little more? Freshen up a bit. Then ask again.” I proposed. Against my better judgment, I conjured a glass of water with a bit of dark magic and gave it to her. Luckily, she didn’t notice the dark magic aura that was around my horn. She did, however, see the conjuration.

“Neat spell. Never seen it before. Don’t mind teaching me it sometime?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Sorry, but Celestia would do worse to me than just killing me if I taught you how to do that.” as I said this, she looked disappointed. I levitated the glass to her and she took it in her own magic.

“Thank you,” she said before consuming the beverage. She blinked a few times and looked over to a makeshift basket-bed and the end of her bed. “Where’s Spike?”

“He’s downstairs making breakfast,” I answered. I notice that she also started to look a little more like her usual self. “You’re looking better already,” I commented.

“So, again, why are you in my room?” she insisted.

“I thought we could talk for a bit before eating,” I answered. She looked at me with a suspicious look before her expression returned to how it was.

“What about?” she asked in turn.

“First, don’t mind if I sit with you?”

“Sure,” she answered. I sat down next to her.

“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you letting me stay here while my house is being built. It means a lot.” as I said this, Twilight looked rather pleased. “Guess she’s wide awake at this point.” I thought.

“It’s fine. That’s what friends are for, right?” she asked. I paused for a moment.

“I guess,” I replied. Twilight’s stomach growled.

“My guess is that Spike’s probably done with the food by now. Let's get going,” she said as she got up.

“Right behind you,” I commented, getting up to join her.

I followed her down the stairs, through the main room, and into the kitchen. Spike had just finished serving the food when we came in. he noticed us enter and looked at Twilight.

“Good morning, Twilight.” Spike greeted.

I tuned out the conversation as I looked on the table. As usual, Spike served himself a bowl of multi-colored gems. The only time I’ve seen him eat more than gems was desert, which was ice cream with gems in it. Twilight’s bowl had oatmeal with a teaspoon of sugar in it. My bowl had the same. Before I took a seat, I went over to the stove to reheat the kettle of tea I made earlier. When the tea was reheated, I poured Twilight a glass along with my own, just to be safe. I levitated the beverages with me as I returned to the table and placed them in their intended spots. Taking a seat where my food was placed and tuned back into the conversation. Twilight was just finishing telling Spike his chores.

“After checking inventory and making sure all the books are organized, you can have to rest of the day to yourself.” Twilight finished.

“Alright, I’ll get started when I’m done eating,” Spike replied.

I began eating. Fortunately, the oatmeal was still warm. It would have tasted rather plain if it wasn’t for the sugar. The tea still tasted great as always. When I finished eating, I brought my dishes over to the sink. I would have washed them myself, but Spike was pretty insistent about washing them. I didn’t argue and levitated them next to the sink.

I left the kitchen, heading to the couch to contemplate what to do next when I heard Spike belch and Twilight gasp. Last time I heard that, I learned what happened on the receivers end when Celestia sends Twilight letters. Then, I made up my mind on what I was going to do.

Deciding I should let Twilight know I was heading out, I returned to the kitchen. When I did so, I saw her reading the parchment letter she was levitating in front of her. I dropped my head down with a heavy sigh before lifting it back up.

“Let me guess. It’s from Celestia, isn't it?” I asked. Twilight rolled it back up and shook her head.

“No. That’s what’s surprising. Even more so because it’s addressed to you.” she stated, catching my interest. With a look of confusion, she added: “Do you know the name Keira?” and it clicked.

“Yes, I know her. I was waiting until she came to Ponyville to say anything and introduce her.” I explained as I approached a little closer. “Whatever’s in it is most likely private, so please don’t read any more than you already have. Just give it to me.” I added, taking the rolled parchment from her magic.

“Sorry,” she said in a guilty voice, her head dropping down a little. I did my best to balance on three hoofs as I wrapped my fourth one around her.

“It’s fine. I understand that you were just concerned with the safety and wellbeing of those around you. Thank you.” with this, she perked up a little. I placed the hoof I had around her back under me.

“Thanks. Should have known you would understand,” she replied. I chuckled.

“Damn right,” I added. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know it’s been fun hanging with the both of you,” I glanced over to spike to let him know I was talking about him too before looking back at Twilight. “But if my house is finished today, then I must bid you farewell.”

Spike hopped off the stool she was standing on to wash dishes, dried his hands off, then came over to me. “IT’s been fun, bro.” he hugged my leg. I looked down at him.

“Spike,” I began. He looked back up at me. “Cut that out. I’m still going to be around. I live in Ponyville now, remember?” I reminded him. He let go and after taking a few steps back, rubbed the back of his neck looking embarrassed. “Anyway, I better get going. Gotta meet with Mix-up soon.” Twilight perked her ears up at the mention of the name.

“Mix-up?” she asked.

“Didn’t I tell you? He’s the one building my house.” I answered.

“Oh, well, have fun. Tell him I said hi.” Twilight requested.

“Sure thing.” as I said this, I took the rolled letter in my magic and took it with me as I left, going through the main room and out the front door.

Upon leaving, I went to take a seat on the bench out front. After taking a seat, I levitated the letter in front of me and unrolled it. It read:

Dear Spirit,
I’ve missed you. It’s been quite boring without you around. The only real entertainment really is messing with some of the nobles. Actually, now that I think about it, I also got to know Shining Armor and he told me some stories about the training session you had with him. I’ll be honest, you don’t look like you could have pulled off something like that, but at the same time, you don’t look like you could beat a spirit of chaos either. Anyway, hope you’ll be done soon. I would really like to see Ponyville up close instead of from the balcony.

Yours truly

Keria.

“Well,” I mumbled. “You won’t have to wait much longer.” then I cremated the letter, letting the ashes fly into the air, and got up.