Chapters It was a cool and breezy morning and Rainbow Dash was practicing her stunts, zooming and swooping in the sky and through the clouds. Of course, this was normal routine for Dash and every pony in Equestria lived out their days in routine. Yet something's can never be expected in Equestria since the land was so peaceful being isolated from foreign lands.
Yet just docking itself on the shore was a small boat and on it was a large lizard, he could not us magic or blow fire for he was no dragon but he did not care. He was a bit larger than the stallions on four legs, with fire orange scales, lime green eyes and large black stripe that ran down his back. Over his shoulder he carried a tan satchel of what he needed. The frill on his face raised up in curiosity.
"What is this land?" The lizard said," I must find out."
He quickly raced forward and jumped into the trees; swooping and swinging like an ape. a small cliff was just short distance from him and he swung on a branch up into the air. Even though he didn't notice his satchel was caught in a branch and fell off of his shoulder into the trees. He landed on it looking down at Ponyville.
A nice place , He thought, But still what is this place?
Glancing around looking everywhere, he saw Rainbow Dash just a yell's distance away.
"Hey you over there!" He yelled to Rainbow Dash stopping her in her tracks.
"Who said that?" She said looking around.
"I'm over here!" His voice made Rainbow Dash turn her head in his direction," Do you know what this place is?!"
She looked at him in confusion then flew toward him so he wouldn't have to yell," Don't you know this place?"
"Of course not, if I did I wouldn't be asking you."
"You don't look like you're from around here."
"Well I'm not I just got here on a boat after sailing for six days."
"Cool! Where are you from?"
"I'll tell you but first I need my question answered."
"Oh, well you're in Ponyville."
"Ponyville?"
"Yep."
"Okay then... I'll tell you where I come from, I'm from a very far away land hidden in a thick fog."
"That's awesome, I would like to see it."
"I'd rather you not."
"Why?"
"Bad things have happened," He said with despair running through his voice," Oh!... but where are my manners my name is Aeon."
"I'm Rainbow Dash."
"Well then Rainbow Da..." He stopped after realizing his satchel was gone," No, you've got to be kidding me."
"What?"
"It's gone my bag is gone," Concerning himself," I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but this conversion is going to be cut a little short."
"It's alright."
"Well then back to the trees," Aeon began climbing down the cliff back in to the forest and Rainbow Dash went back to doing what she did.
In the woods Twilight and Spike were walking back from looking for materials for a potion. Spike noticed Aeon's satchel hanging in a tree.
"Hey Twilight," He said trying to get her attention.
"What is it Spike," She said acting like she was in a hurry.
"It looks like there is some one's bag hanging in that tree."
She turned around and looked at the tree," I guess there is."
"Maybe some pony lost it, we should return it."
"We should but to who?"
Twilight's horn began to glow and her magic surrounded the satchel, it began to move out of the branch into the air. Just before it could even reach her Aeon landed right in front of her raising his claws into the air and his frill opening up out of instinct, he let out a loud and screeching roar at her making her jump back.
He turned and saw his bag floating, he reached over and grabbed it.
"Is that yours?" Twilight asked.
"Yes." He opened it looking inside to see if nothing was taken.
"We weren't going to take it, we were going to return it to its owner," Spike said trying to support Twilight.
"You were? It would have taken me weeks to find it if you took it, I'm a horrible tracker."
"Are you a dragon?" Twilight asked.
"No."
"Then what are you? Because you look like you're not from around here."
"I'm a zenthain."
"Zenthain?"
"Yeah, I come from a place called Lacerta, the land covered by a wall of fog."
"I've never heard of such a land."
"Well just like I said it's covered by a wall of fog so travelers wouldn't come to the land."
"Interesting, it sounds like some kind of magic."
"Magic? No, where I come from magic is forbidden, a forgotten art, the fog has always been there."
"Really? You can't use magic where you come from?"
"No and those who do would be punished beyond belief."
"Then you must be really intelligent."
"Ehhhh... Some what I'm not that smart."
"What is your home like?"
"Let's just say it's much different than yours."
"Oh! I never asked for your name."
"My name is Aeon and yours is?"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"And I'm Spike."
"Well nice to meet both of you," Aeon said throwing his satchel on to his shoulder.
"Do you know where you're going?" Twilight asked him.
"No, I don't because I just arrived here by boat."
"Why don't you come with us then," Spike was saying eagerly.
"I guess I could come along, it wouldn't hurt."
Aeon followed behind Twilight and Spike towards where Ponyville was, yet Aeon felt a bit uneasy about being here. It didn't take very long for them to arrive at her tree house.
"Well here we are."Twilight and Spike went inside but Aeon stood outside not knowing whether to go inside or not. Twilight turned around and generously said," You can come in if you want."
Aeon walked inside and set his satchel down by the door and closed it behind him. He felt like a fish out of water inside her house but he was glad that she was generous enough to let him in. Continuously Aeon looked around at all the books, Twilight had went upstairs and Spike was in the kitchen. He walked over and leaned onto a wall to sit down.
He slowly went down until he sat on the floor, setting his head on the wall behind he felt comfortable to maybe get some rest. His eyes were heavy from his lack of sleep over the past few days of traveling, so he decided to rest just for a bit but fell into a deep sleep.
Aeon began to have a dream that soon turned into a nightmare. In the dream he was back home, the sky was red and the ground turned black and all of the bodies of his family were lifeless and what stood in front of him was a tall black figure with huge bat like wings and body twice and big as his with beady orange eyes.
"We will find you," the figure told him," You cannot hide forever." Aeon tried to move but he couldn't; the figure got closer and closer making him breath heavier and his heart pound like a drum. With each step smoke would come from the ground and with each step Aeon felt like he was going to die.
"Aeon," He heard Twilight's voice,"Aeon." Then he woke up; he was breathing heavily and he put his hands on his head. "You okay Aeon? You were having quite a dream there."
"Yeah I'm okay," Being quite surprised that Twilight didn't notice the hilt in his lap; he calmed down and quickly wrapped the hilt in its cloth setting it back into his bag.
"Come on," Twilight said.
"Why?"
"Well I have a get together with my friends and I want you to come along."
"Okay, I'm getting up," He got up and followed Twilight near Sugarcube Corner where Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash waiting. Aeon was slowly following behind Twilight walking on all fours.
"Finally!" Rainbow Dash said," It felt like forever Twilight, I was just about to leave."
"Now don't be like that sugarcube you know Twilight has things she has to do," Applejack told Dash.
"Yeah, but I've got better things to do."
"No you don't silly," Pinkie Pie came in to the conversation," All you do is nap all day."
"Hey I'm a weather pony, it get exhausting," Rainbow Dash lashed back.
"Okay now settle down girls," Rarity trying to stop the conversation from becoming an argument," As long as we're all here is what matters an...." Rarity stood frozen in her words from seeing Aeon out of the corner of her eye behind Twilight," Twilight what's that behind you?" Rarity hesitantly speaking.
"Huh?" Twilight responded to Rarity's question.
"That big lookin' scaly lizard behind you sugarcube."Applejack explained.
"Oh, I met him in the woods he just arrived here from another land."
"Hey! I've seen him."
"Ho..How do you know that you've seen him Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy finally coming in to the talk.
"Because I talked to him while he was standing on a cliff."
"You know, you can just ask me what and who I am I can talk you know," When he said that he spooked Fluttershy and made her jump behind Pinkie Pie.
"Alrighty then what's your name darlin?" Rarity built up the courage to ask him.
"Aeon," He replied.
"Well I'm Rarity."
"I'm Applejack sugarcube."
"I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie jumped on Aeon's back and he could fell her hooves hitting his tail.
"Would mind getting off, I don't need my frill to rip off."
"I'm Fluttershy," She said under her breath.
"Could you say that agian ?" Getting closer to Fluttershy. She saw his fangs and started hesitating cause of how sharp they were.
"That's Fluttershy," Twilight speaking for her," She gets nervous around new people."
"Aw... I see don't worry Fluttershy I'm not goin' to eat ya." He put his hand on Fluttershy's head. She felt better after hearing that.
"Then what are we waiting for, we introductions out of the way lets go," Rainbow Dash saying impatiently.
"Alright alright we're coming," Twilight told Dash.
So they headed off to where they were going for their get together.
A lot of ponies were heading toward a big field where a music concert was being held, Aeon was quite unsure about this cause he sticks out like a sore thumb. Yet he just felt out of place being the only zenthian there around all these ponies and stallions. He looked at the stage in an odd fashion cause when he usually saw a stage it was going to be a draft or execution.
"What's going on?" Aeon asked.
"Why it's a concert," Pinkie answered.
"Concert?"
"Yeah!"
"What's a concert?"
"You don't know what a concert is sugarcube?" Applejack being flabbergasted.
"No."
"It where ponies with musical talents sing and play instruments in front of alot of other ponies," Rarity explained to Aeon.
"Oh... I see," so they all stayed in a spot where they got a good view of the stage. Throughout the concert there were many ponies dancing and even Twilight and the gang were even spike was when he got there but Aeon wasn't he just stood there listening to the music not really caring about it. Vinyl Scratch had jut finished her tracks when the announcer came on to the stage.
"Alright everypony how was that!" The announcer said into the microphone; all the ponies were screaming wanting more,"Unfortunately that's all for tonight, please come back tomorrow." So everyone started turning back into town to go home. Twilight and the gang stopped by Sugarcube Corner to say their goodbyes for the evening.
"Alright see ya tomorrow," Rainbow Dash went zooming off ino the clouds.
"I'll see y'all later," Applejack went trotting off to Sweet Apple Acres.
"Good night everyone," Rarity started heading to her house.
"Will I see you guys tommorow?" Pinkie pie asked in her exciting manner.
"Probably," Twilight said.
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie skipped to her house and accidentally stepping on Aeon's tail.
"Aaaayyyyeee!" Aeon screamed then Pinkie stepped on it. Twilight turned to look at him, seeing the sight of a lizard three times bigger than Spike holding his tail made her giggle a bit.
"Well uhh good night," Fluttershy said.
"Good night Fluttershy," Twilight said, then Fluttershy started home.
Twilight and Spike started off to the tree house and Aeon was following behind. After a little bit of walking they made it back to the treehouse. Twilight opened the door and Spike and Aeon followed in.
"Well unfortunately I don't have another bed so can you find somewhere to make yourself comfortable," Twilight told Aeon.
"Yeah I should be able to," Aeon said. Doing some searching around Aeon found a chair to sit on and sleep. He sat down and made himself comfortable and he quickly fell asleep.
The next day he woke up having the same nightmare as yesterday. He got up slowly stretching his back and his arms. The sun was barely out so he had gotten up pretty early. He walked into the kitchen and went searching the cabinets and found nothing he really wanted.
"Well I'm not very hungry," he told himself. Aeon walked out of the kitchen into Twilight's library; standing there wishing he could read one of those books about whatever was there, but he can't read the pony's language. After a few seconds of standing he decided to take a walk just to get a general feel and sense of the town since he didn't know didn't know where anything was; just so he didn't always have to follow Twilight around. With his decision made he went back to the chair, opened his bag and grabbed his small sack of coins. He walked to the front door, slowly opening it so it would creak to wake anyone up.
As soon as he was outside he stood in an aw feeling envied. That he was here in a place full of such life and color to him seeing this felt like a privilege; for his home had grown dark and lifeless turned into a place such despair and such death it was a living hell compared to Equestria which to him was more like paradise. While pondering on the beauty of the land, he chose to go into Ponyville. While walking he kept looking at the colorful buildings and the feeling the nice paved road under his feet. Aeon eventually found himself in the center of Ponyville at the fountain. He turned around and sat on the edge of the fountain just having that feeling of such life and peace around him, for Aeon it was quite the sight to behold. He rested for a bit and went the same direction as he was going.
Passing a small shop with a silver horseshoe above its white door with a small bell hanging on it, the shop was no bigger than a small house, its stucco was a sky blue color with white on the trim of the large windows on each side of the door. The windows showed off different colors and sizes of horseshoes ranging from the typical grey color to something like pink, green, blue, red, well any color.
Aeon opened the door, the little bell rung when the door swung open; he went inside and the little bell rung again as soon as the door closed behind him. His head was turned to the door, he turned his head around to look ahead of him. Stepping off the hard tile his feet hit the soft carpet. It felt like stepping on a blanket to him; the shelves in the shop were like the windows they were full of horseshoes but each shelf had a different size on it. He walked to the shelf nearest to his right. Up on his hind legs he grabbed a horseshoe off the shelf it was grey. With the horseshoe in his left hand, he used his right hand and flicked it with his claw. The horseshoe made the same sound like his blade when he flicked it
"Hmmm," he was telling himself," I could melt this down."
"Could I help you with something?" A soft feminine voice asked him.
"Woooaaah!" Aeon quickly jumping and throwing the horseshoe in the air. Hitting the ceiling the horseshoe came down and smacked right on the head.
"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?" The mare said.
All that could come out of Aeon was a dazed out hum noise. After being dazed for a couple seconds, he shook his head a bit. "Sorry, I'm just a little jumpy that's all."
"Oh I'm sorry that I scared you," the mare moved her head down to pick up the shoe that Aeon threw.
"No it's my fault," Aeon went down to pick up the shoe with his hand. Her nose and his hand touched eachother just and inch above the shoe. She looked up at him with her big violet almost magenta colored eyes he looked at her with his lime green eyes. Then he moved his pointer finger and hooked around the shoe and picked it up.
"Ummm,uhh well," he stood fully on his hind legs with the horseshoe in his hand," I still need to keep looking."
"But my shop doesn't open for while," She was rubbing her eye with her fore hoof," How did you get in?"
"Well the door was open so I decided to come in."
"Oh!... my I must have forgotten to lock my door I was so tired last night."
Aeon chuckled a bit," Maybe, but I don't think anyone noticed," Looking at this mare her coat was light blue, with a blue grayish color mane that had two curls on her head a small curl then a big curl almost covering her right ear since she was facing his direction, the end of her mane had a large curl at the end of her neck hanging off her neck touching her the right side of her back, her tail is also the same color as her mane with three curls at the end of it one was higher than the other, and her cutie mark was two horseshoes interlocking eachother the big one was yellow and the smaller one was grey," Oh where are my manners the name's Aeon."
"I'm Shoeshine, but your name is very interesting," she said.
"Well it's better than being named Scales," they both started laughing at the joke. Aeon turned around and grabbed five more horseshoes that were the same size and walked over to the counter where Shoeshines had followed him. She went behind the counter.
"That will be sixty bits."
Aeon's eyes shot up as big as dinner plates," sixty!?"
"Yep."
"Oh come on," picking up a horseshoe off the counter," Something like this is only worth two coins a pop where I come from, so cut me a deal twelve."
"Sixty."
"Twenty."
"Sixty."
"Twenty five."
"Sixty."
"Twenty eight."
"Sixty."
"Thirty."
"Sixty."
"Forty."
"Sixty."
"Forty five."
"Sixty."
"You really drive a hard bargain," Aeon pulled out his sack of coins, opened it and pulled out one," Okay then lets play a game of chance heads I pay you full price tails you give me a discount."
"Okay," Shoeshine went along with this; he put the coin on the counter and spun it. They both were focusing on the spinning coin and when it started to slow down they didn't take their eyes off it. The coin finally stopped spinning land on heads, Aeon looked up at Shoeshine who had a big smile on her face.
He sighed while lowering his head," Well a deal's a deal I'll pay you full price," Giving her the sixty coins he closed his little sack which only had five coins in it now.
"Thanks for doing business," She said but before Aeon could even turn around she asked him," Are you a dragon?"
"No, no I'm not."
"Then what are you?"
"I'm a zenthain."
"Why I've never heard of such a creature it's just I thought you were a dragon cause you kind of look like one."
"Well zenthains are creatures that don't leave their land."
"Oh! I almost forgot to put these into a bag," Shoeshine bent down behind the counter trying to look for a bag," hmmm... maybe they're over here," She turned around," There's got to be one around here somewhere," Bending down her flank was up in the air and Aeon was trying not to look down. Then Shoeshine raised her tail and it started rubbing Aeon's nose . Doing this would stimulate a colt but with Aeon it was tickling his nose so much it made him want to sneeze.
"Ah-choo!" His sneeze scared Shoeshine making her hit her head on the shelf above her. Sniffling," My bad Shoeshine," He apologized
"It's okay," pulling her head out of the shelf with a bag handle in her mouth, setting it on the counter," At least I found one."
Before she could even try to put the horseshoes into the," Don't worry I got it," He put the horseshoes into the bag, with the bag in his left hand he started off to the door. Before he left he told her," Thanks I hope to you around again."
"Bye I hope to see you around too," Aeon went outside the little bell rung again. Starting to head in the direction towards Twilight's house he could but think about that mare Shoeshine and how she didn't seem too curious about where he came from but there was something about her that made him interested. Yet whatever this feeling was towards her he didn't feel like shaking it off.
Walking to Twilight's house Aeon felt a bit more comfortable being here in Ponyville. Even though more than half the ponies think he's a dragon. The sun was out now and everypony was out doing their work around Ponyville. Aeon was quite surprised it seems like everyone knew their place here. Just seeing this sight he felt like there was no place for him in this world. Passing by the school in Ponyville the little fillies were heading inside for class with Cheerilee holding the door open. Education was a rare occurrence out in Lacerta. People either had to be rich or you had to know someone smart. For Aeon he knew no one smart nor is he wealthy. Though he is skilled at a few thing like metal crafting, wood working, jewelry making, and weapons combat; but reading he has a hard time with since he was hardly taught, he can write but only small words, and he doesn't know a thing about math. Seeing that there was education here made him feel uneasy and unintelligent, but he just shrugged those feelings off.
Continuing down the road he saw a sapphire just a few feet in front of him on the ground. He went over and picked it up; he thought it might belong to Rarity, since her cutie mark were gems and this is a very valuable gem here. He wanted return it out of common courtesy but he doesn't know where she lives. Knowing that she was Twilight's friend he knew she would know. Putting the sapphire into his little sack of coins he pressed on to Twilight's house. Arriving he opened the door but coming in he saw a curious Twilight going through his bag. In the air using her magic she was holding his short sword still wrapped in Its cloth.
"What is this?" Twilight was asking Spike not even noticing Aeon at the door standing angrily.
"I don't know just unwrap it so we can find out," He told Twilight.
Aeon his bag on horseshoes on the floor and closed his left hand into a fist," What are you doing?" He said," What do you think you're doing!" He was now yelling. Scaring Twilight she dropped it onto the floor. Stomping he got closer to them," What do you think it's okay to go through peoples personal belongings?" He was looking at her," Do you!"
"No-no," She starting trembling in fear of him.
"So were you curious again?... cause that's what it seemed like," He lectured at her," Next time if I see you going through my things I'm going to rip that horn right off your head."
"Hey just calm down," Spike said.
"And you want to try making me," Turning to Spike his eyes flashed into a grey color for a spit second and starting walking over to Spike with the intent to kill.
"Stop it!" Twilight screamed," I'm sorry for going through your things I- I just..." she was so consumed in fear she couldn't speak, Aeon just realized he just let his emotions get to him. He turned away from Spike and picked up the blade.
"There's just somethings you don't need to know about or even see," he said putting his blade away," Cause somethings are better left to unknown to some." He reached inside his bag and pulled out a locket, it was a faded silver, shaped into a seashell, and about as big as his palm. He pressed a small button on the side to open it. Inside was a black and white picture of his parents holding him as a baby. The open locket was also playing a small tune; Aeon just looking at it.
"Who are those lizards?" She asked him.
"They're my parents," He answered her.
"They must be really worried about you."
"They died when I was very young."
"I'm sorry to hear that, how did that happen?" She asked.
"I don't want talk about that," Twilight could tell in the way he was speaking he still misses them," Look I'm sorry for lashing out at you like that, it's just I've been through a lot and seen a lot of things so I my emotions tend to best me."
"It's okay, I understand," Aeon closed the locket and put it back into the bag.
"Oh before I forget do you know where you're friend Rarity lives cause I wanted to return this to her?" He pulled out the sapphire.
"Yeah I do she just lives down the road east from here," she told him," it's a big boutique it should be hard to miss."
"Thanks for that," Aeon went out the door; heading down the road he accidently went west. Getting towards Sweet Apple Acres he saw Big Mac trying to fix the gazebo that was tilting in the tree. He looked like he need an extra Han there. Aeon decided to help since he really isn't doing much. So he walked over to Big Mac.
"Need to help there big guy?" Aeon asking Big Mac.
"Nnnope," Big Mac answered.
"You sure?"
"Eeeyep."
"It's tilting again." The gazebo was about to land on Big Mac. Quickly Aeon jumped into the tree grabbing its edge holding it up he saw inside," I see one of the support beams are broken, I'll just pull it up so you can get it," He pulled on the gazebo Big Mac fixed the beam back together," want to help me get straight again?"
"Eeeyep," Both of them were able to get it flat on the tree again. Just as they finished Applejack came over.
"Well hey there sugarcube didn't expect to see you here," saying to Aeon," I see you've already met my brother Big Macintosh."
"I was just passing by and I saw he need help with this gazebo."
"Well ain't you helpful."
"Just being courteous," came out of the tree down to the ground," But I was looking for Rarity's place."
"You're on the wrong side of town sugarcube."
"I am?"
"Yep your on the west side of town."
"Oh bullocks, I don't have a good sense of direction, thanks for telling me."
"No problem your welcome back anytime."
"I'll keep that in mind," Leaving Sweet Apple Acres and now heading in the right direction towards Rarity's. It took Aeon almost two hours to get there. At the door he saw some dresses in the window.
"A tailor didn't see that," Telling himself. He walked inside the boutique and quickly saw Rarity. Walking over to Rarity who was in the zone making a dress," Hey Rarity."
"Not right now," she said carrying prices of colored fabrics in the air," ah... here we go she said she wanted a white color," she started looking through her bag of gems," where's that sapphire."
"I think you're lookin for this," Aeon handing her the sapphire," I found it on the road and I suspected it was yours."
"Oh why thank you Aeon, I thought I'd have to go by another one."
"No problem," Aeon looked up," Did you ever notice that?"
"Notice what?"
"Do ever repaint you're door?"
"No."
"You got a can?"
"No."
"Darn," Unfortunately Aeon didn't notice how close he was to the door. It swung open smacking him right in the face.
"What?" Shoeshine asked closing the door and saw Aeon fall down to the floor with his eyes spinning.
"I want go find the bat that took my money," A dazed out Aeon weirdly saying.
"Ohh... I'm so sorry," Shoeshine apologizing to him.
Aeon was slowly getting up shaking his head, stopping on all fours," It's okay I've taken hard hits then that..." He stopped himself," hey."
"Hey."
"What a coincidence, huh."
"Yeah I guess it is."
"Do you two know each other?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah we had met this morning."
"Yeah but we met the same manner again," Shoeshine was looking at Aeon.
"What?"
"I thought you were taller?"
"Why, does me on all fours tickle your fancy," He was just as tall as her now.
She started to giggle," No, it's just you have very pretty eyes."
"And I'll say the same for you too," Being generously flirty with her.
"Alright love birds I got to get some work going, you're here to try on your dress Shoeshine?" Rarity breaking it up.
"Ah... yes I am."
"Then I'll show it to you first," Rarity grabbed the hanger with her magic showing the dress. It was white with a blue at the bottom of the skirt, the middle was laced with gold buttons, the neck of the dress had lavenders on it and in the middle of the neck part was where the sapphire was put," So how do you like it darling did mommy do it right?"
"Why yes- yes you really did."
"Well that's good to hear now go try it on." Rarity hung it in a changing room and Shoeshine walked in there closing the door. Aeon was on the front door fixing the hinges which only took him about a minute to do with his hands not even needing a tool box, now done he came off the door and walked to where the changing rooms were. After a couple minutes Shoeshine came out with her dress on.
"How do I look?" She asked shyly.
"Why you gorgeous darling," Rarity told her," What do you think Aeon?"
"Well I ummm... uhhhh," Seeing her in that dress made heart pound like a drum, he tried to look away but he couldn't and he started blushing," I think you look uhhhh," He was confused on what to say since he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Aeon?" Shoeshine told him.
"What," he looked like a deer in head lights,"Well I ummm.. I think you look great in that dress," After saying that he felt comfortable.
"I'll take it," Shoeshine changed out of her dress and Rarity covered it in plastic so it didn't get dirty.
"Comeback again," Rarity said handing her the dress.
Before Shoeshine went out the door Aeon followed behind her," Mind if I walk with you?"
"No but you mind holding my dress?"
"No I don't mind," Aeon took Shoeshine's dress over his shoulder and they started walking in the sunset,"I must say, I like the sunsets here."
"They are nice aren't they."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure Aeon, what is it?"
"When we met this morning you were more curious about who I am more than what I was and why aren't you wondering about you know where I came from?"
"Well cause I like to know people for who they are not what they are or where they came from cause to me it's who that person is that makes them unique not what they are."
"Huh... I never thought of it that way, maybe because a lot of ponies are suspicious about me cause you know I'm an outsider."
"An outsider yes you are one but it doesn't mean that you can't become a part of our community."
"Well it just here everyone knows their place here and I- I don't know don't really have one here to keeps things moving and that everyone has a place to keep things moving just makes me feel uneasy that's all."
"Well we all find our place one way or another cause only time will tell that."
"How come you don't have someone you know ummm... special?"
"Maybe cause I can't find the right stallion for me most of the ones I've gone out with are jerks, uptight, or they are too needy but you there's something about you something that clicks for me something that I want to find out.
"It's the same for me with you, it feels like I know you even though we've never met until this morning but what it is I don't know."
"Yeah, maybe we can find out together."
"Maybe," Arriving at Shoeshine's house Aeon gave her back her dress after she unlocked her door. Then he asked her something, something he's never asked anyone," Umm... Shoeshine?"
"Yes."
"I was wondering if there was anytime you weren't doing anything that you might want to go do something like walk or umm..."
"Aeon."
"Are you asking me out on a date?"
His hands were behind his back and he was sliding his foot on the ground," Yes."
"I'd love to."
"So uh..."
"My friend Bonbon is having her party tomorrow want to go?"
"Sure, where should I meet you?"
"At the fountian at sunset."
"Okay, I'll try not to be late."
"That's good then see you tomorrow," She looked at him it almost a sparkle in her eyes, he felt his heart racing again and he felt like kissing her but he held himself back. She closed her door and made sure to lock it this time.
"Bye," Aeon started walking to Twilight's house again with his heart fluttering and his head in the clouds he was going to make the best of this new relationship and the best of Ponyville for now.
It's the next day and it was also Aeon's date with Shoeshine. Yet he's never been on a date before and he is extremely nervous about it. He was so nervous to the point where he could sleep after getting back from walking with Shoeshine. All night he was pacing in circles in the library, but now he was so nervous that he wanted to rip his frill right off his head and bite his claws off. He went to the chair to try and calm himself down. He grabbed his bag off the floor pulling his wrapped up blade and another wrapped object. Unwrapping both of them his blade was a short sword no bigger and eighteen inches; the other object was a small shield no bigger than his forearm. He took his sword out of its case and held it. The blade still shined like it did when he first received it almost eight years ago.
"This blade is your life, you lose this blade you lose your life," Remembering those words from his trainer back home. Not noticing Spike had came over.
"What are those?" Spike was asking.
"Huh... oh these well these are my weapons my sword and my shield," Aeon explained.
"A sword and shield?" Spike was confused," aren't those kind of things used at a time of war?"
"Yeah.
"Did you fight in one?"
"Not really I was an arena fighter much like a gladiator."
"Did you fight for money?"
"No, I fought for survival," Showing Spike his missing pinkie finger on his left hand.
"Oh, it must of been pretty rough then."
"You could say it was a living hell," He grabbed the sword with his left hand with the hilt facing Spike," Want to hold it?"
"Sure," Spike grabbed the sword from Aeon's hand. To his surprise Spike was able to hold it perfectly.
"I thought it would be heavy for you."
"It is a bit," Wiggling it around a little," how long did you do that arena fighting for?"
"Six years."
"That's along time."
"You bet it is," Holding out his hand," Can I have my sword back?"
"Yeah," Spike gave it back," Holding it kind of makes you feel different."
"Hey Spike?"
"Yeah."
"Is there someone you like?"
"As in?"
"You know you have a crush on."
"Yeah I have a crush on Rarity, why are you asking me this?"
"Cause there's a mare I have a crush on and I asked her out."
"Did she say yes?" Aeon nodded his head,"Well just be yourself cause that's why she likes you."
"But it's just I've never dated before and I'm extremely nervous."
"I never have either and don't ask Twilight."
"Why?"
"Cause she has no clue about that stuff."
"Oh, but thanks for the talk Spike."
"No problem," Aeon left the treehouse to find something to do to ease his mind. He went to Sugarcube Corner to buy a breakfast pastry. Except he didn't know Pinkie Pie worked there, while he was looking through the display cases she jumped behind him.
"Heeelllloooo Aeon!" She screamed in excitement.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Aeon held his chest," Gosh Pinkie, you just gave a heart attack."
"Hehe... So what you doing here?"
"Just getting something to eat that's all."
"Really, you weren't here to hang out."
"No I've go... things I need to do," Which he just told pinkie a flat out lie.
"Awwww... I wish you could we would have so much fun together."
"Sorry," Aeon looked on his wrist and realized he forgot his sack of coins," darn I left my money."
"That's okay," Pinkie went behind the case and handed him a cupcake," It's on the house."
"Thanks Pinkie," Aeon ate the cupcake whole in one bit with the paper still on it.
"Wow! I've never seen anyone eat the paper too."
After letting out a belch," Well that's just one of the perks of being a zenthian," He started off the the door," See ya Pinkie."
"Bye!" Getting out of the door of Sugarcube Corner.
Leaving Sugarcube Corner Aeon spat out the cupcakeHow can they eat this stuff it tastes horrible .
Mr. Cake seemed like he was having some trouble with something because he was messing with some kind of generator.
Aeon walked over to him," are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Nope," Mr. cake said.
Aeon looked at the generator with the up most curiosity," Hmmm... How do work this..." Aeon stuck his finger into the wires.
"Wait don't do that!" Mr. Cake warned.
Aeon felt a huge jolt through his body and fell down. The generator started working again.
"How did you do that?"
"I...Have... No... Idea."
The conveyor belt started taking the flour bags into the shop, but it was piling them in the storage. Aeon got up and thoughtI could do something about that . Taking some extra parts from the conveyor belt, he constructed a multi handed catapult. It grabbed the bags and shot them across onto an empty shelf.
"Success," Aeon gloated pleased that it working.
"Hey thanks, now I don't have to drag them on to the shelves."
"Well I'm just doing what I can with what I know."
"Can you tell me what that thing is you constructed?"
"An automatic catapult like shooter, It uses a belt attached to a gear to keep on throwing the bags."
"Well that is neat."
"I appreciate that... now what time is it?"
"Why the sun's going down right now," Mr. Cake was looking at the window.
"Oh no... I'm late!"
"Late for what?"
"Something I have to go to.... I'll see you around," Aeon raced out the door.
"Alright then see you some other time," Mr. Cake waved.
Aeon was sprinting to the fountain as fast as he could. After ten minutes of running he made it there with Shoeshine waiting already in her dress.
"Sorry that I'm late," Aeon resting sitting on the fountain," I'm making a bad first impression."
"Don't worry about being late I suspected that when you were helping Mr. Cake."
"How do you know?"
"I passed by."
"Oh... I guess I didn't see you," He looked at Shoeshine," You know I don't have a suit."
"Don't worry I got you one," She pulled a suit out of a bag.
"How do you know my size?"
"Well my head was at your waist when you were standing up on your back legs.
"Oh! Ummm," He started blushing," I guess I didn't know I was that tall."
"Awww, don't feel embarrassed just try it on."
"Okay," Aeon put on the suit, it was perfect in size, but he needed help with the tie," Could you help me Shoeshine," Aeon struggling with the tie.
"Yeah, but I need you to sit down," So he sat down and Shoeshine lifted herself using her mouth and hooves to straighten his tie. Aeon could feel his heart pounding like a drum again cause she was so close to him. She finished and went down to her normal stance and Aeon went on his fours beside her.
"You lead the way cause I have no idea where to go," Aeon said and they started walking together side by side," So why are we having to dress up?"
"Well it's an engagement party for Bonbon."
"Oh wow... to who?"
"To Lucky."
"Oh... then he must be a lucky guy," Shoeshine looked at Aeon a bit confused," bad joke I know."
"It was but it's understandable."
"Well if you told me that it was an engagement party I would have bought some flowers to congratulate them."
"Sorry, I guess I forgot."
"We all forget sometimes so don't be."
"Thanks Aeon."
"You must be quite happy for her... that she found someone to be with for a very long time."
"I am."
"Have you ever thought of getting engaged?"
"What!?"
"Oh! No, no I'm not asking you to marry me or anything, I'm not that quick on the ball, I'm just wondering?"
"I got close to."
"Oh, must have been shocking that you didn't."
"No... what was shocking was that I found him cheating with another mare."
"Huh... must have made feel horrible."
"I did, I felt like I was unwanted... that I was nothing more than a boy toy."
"May I ask who this stallion was?"
"His name was Caramel."
"That's quite the name," Aeon looked at Shoeshine," the other mares must have thought he tasted like candy."
His comment made her giggle a bit," maybe so but he didn't taste like candy to me," She looked at Aeon who was looking forward," What do you think you taste like?"
"Me, if I were eaten I'd taste like chicken, but kissed I don't know every time I smell my breath, it smells like fish," He turned his head still seeing Shoeshine staring at him,"What?"
"Nothing I was thinking that it would be crazy that if there was a pony married to a zenthian."
"Oh yeah, that would be cause it seems like something out of a book."
"Yeah it does," They both chuckled a bit about that idea. They finally made it to the meeting house where formal parties were always held and seeing out of the corner of his eye were the mane six.
"Well there you are Aeon, we've all been wondering where you were at." Twilight stopping Aeon in his tracks making him turn around.
"Yeah, Mr. Cake you just raced out of there saying you were late for something an...," Pinkie pie saw Shoeshine next to him," Oh my gosh are you two on a date!?"
"No no, it's not like that," Aeon trying to lie.
"Well that's what it looks like," Fluttershy said.
"So that's why you two were all lovy dovy at eachother yesterday," Rarity tried to conclude.
"What!" Rainbow Dash being optimistic," Well I can't tell if they're dating."
"Well you should have seen the way these two talked to each other yesterday in my boutique, they were just all over each other," Rarity explained to Dash. All six looked over at Aeon and Shoeshine who both were blushing.
"What! Are you two really dating?" Applejack asked. Aeon and Shoeshine just nodded.
"Well why didn't you say anything?" Twilight asked.
"Well cause I didn't want to," Aeon answered.
"Oh."
"Well I guess we should head inside now."
"Yeah we should," They went inside together, heading down the hall to the ball room. The door was open and there were many ponies dressed up having a good time. With elegant decor, a orchestral band and singer, finely made plates of food on a buffet table, and it almost looked like a party set for a king.
Strolling in Bonbon saw Shoeshine.
"Shoeshine you made it," Bonbon came over and hugged Shoeshine.
"Awwww... congratulations Bonbon," Shoeshine acknowledging her. Bonbon looked at Aeon.
"So this is Aeon?" Bonbon asking.
"Yep."
"My... I know he has an unusual name but I didn't expect him to be a dragon."
"Oh... he's not a dragon, he's something called a zenthian."
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," Aeon bowed as if he were greeting a noble.
"Hello there... it's wow you're just quite unusual coming from somewhere else."
"I'm getting use to stickin out like a sore thumb."
"Well then welcome," Bonbon turned to Shoeshine," Can I talk to you for a second?" Bonbon and Shoeshine walked off to another part of the room.
Aeon sat in a chair waiting.
"Shoeshine is there something wrong with your head?" Bonbon seemed concerned.
"No why?" Shoeshine was getting confused about what Bonbon was asking her.
"Well do you see that he's a giant scaly lizard thing."
"Yeah so," Lyra had come over wondering what was going on.
"Hey girls what's going on here?" Lyra asked eagerly.
"It's Shoeshine's new relationship," Bonbon told Lyra.
"What do you mean," Bonbon pointed her hoof at Aeon.
"That's who she's in a relationship with," Lyra looked and saw Aeon just sitting there waiting.
"Wow Shoeshine is there something wrong with you?"
"No! There's nothing wrong with me."
"But you're going out with a lizard."
"So I'm just tired of looking for relationships through looks, it never works out with me but..."
"But what?" Bonbon and Lyra asked at the same time.
"With him it's different."
"What do you mean Shoeshine?" Lyra asked.
"Even though he's a bit of an odd ball, he has this sense of heart and charm to him and even though he seems like he's hiding something, but it's something I want to find out."
"Look Shoeshine we're not trying to be mean to you, but of course we want the best for you."
"Thanks girls I really appreciate that."
"We know you've had a hard time keeping a good relationship."
"I know but what I see out of him is not his looks but the way he is," Shoeshine told them," He's unlike any stallion I've ever met cause he's just really easy to talk to and he can really understand me and I understand him."
"Come on girls let's just enjoy the party I believe we've let Shoeshine speak her mind about this," Lyra said, Shoeshine went back to Aeon and Bonbon and Lyra went their own ways.
"What was that all about?" Aeon asked her.
"Oh you know just girl talk," Shoeshine told him.
"Oh."
"Aeon?"
"Hmmmm," Aeon looked down at her.
"Do you like me?"
"Course I do I wouldn't have asked you on a date if I didn't," Some music started playing and the couples in the room started dancing.
"You want to dance?" Shoeshine asked.
"I don't know, I.... I really don't know how to dance."
"Oh it's easy," She pulled him out of the chair onto the dance floor. Both were now standing on their hind legs," Put your hand in my hoof," Aeon put his hand on Shoeshine's hoof,"And put your hand here," Placing Aeon's other hand on her hip,"Now just follow my lead," Shoeshine started to slow dance with Aeon. He caught on quickly and soon was leading. Looking at each other Shoeshine had that sparkle in her eyes like before and Aeon didn't want this moment to end.
Later after the party Aeon walked with Shoeshine to her house," Well I guess I'm not the best," Saying to Shoeshine while she opened her door.
"Well your not great at a first impression," She turned and kissed him on his left cheek," But you're the best date I've had in a while."
"Really," Aeon was rubbing his cheek, his blush was bright and his heart felt like it just melted.
"Yeah, I had so much fun with you," Shoeshine went inside and before closing her door she said," Goodnight Aeon."
She closed her door, and Aeon stood there. Then he smiled walking away.
Three weeks have passed since Aeon arrived in Ponyville and both Aeon and Shoeshine have been seeing each other on and off now. Today Aeon was over at Shoeshine's fixing her smelter, but she was using this just so she can spend the whole day with him cause when they see each other it's only for a couple of hours and the most time they've spent together was the night of that party and she still wanted to find out more about him the things she doesn't know.
"Why didn't you tell me you had one of these," Aeon's upper half was in the smelter and his back half was sticking out,
"Well I thought you didn't know how to fix one of these," Shoeshine responded.
"You know you could have asked me, I know to fix electric smelters."
"Do you see what's wrong?"
"Yeah, a few of your pilot lights are out," He told her," And this thing looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years."
"I don't clean it very often."
"I can tell cause I got a ton of soot on my arms already."
"How many lights do you need?"
"Oh, let's see two, three, about five."
"Okay," Shoeshine went to a covered filled with pilot lights she would get from a supplying company.
"Alright all I got to do is take them out," Aeon looked around inside the smelter for the ratchet," Darn I must have left the ratchet out," Aeon started to feel around the ground with his tail since he didn't feel like coming out.
Feeling around the ground his tail found Shoeshine's back leg and rubbed up to her rump,"oh!," She went when his tail touched it then she pushed his tail," Watch where you're feeling."
"I can't see you know so it was an accident."
"Right Mr. Touchy feely," Setting the five pilot lights by Aeon. She wanted to get Aeon back so she grabbed a ribbon and tied it to the end of his tail.
"What are doing?"
"Nothing," She saw the rachet by his foot, she put it into her mouth and set it on Aeon's tail.
"There it is," Aeon brought his tail inside, grabbed the wrench and saw the ribbon on his tail. He took it off and smirked deviously," Okay if you want to play that game then," He reached his tail out and wrapped it around Shoeshine's," I'm going to tug on your tail until you squeal."
It only took Aeon a few tugs to make her squeal but she didn't mind Aeon getting this rough with her," Okay you win."
"Ha! I always win," Aeon took all the screws out of the five broken pilot lights, he grabbed the broken ones and threw them out," Duck," Shoeshine saw them and ducked as they hit the wall.
"Watch where you're throwing those Aeon."
"Darn I thought I got the can," To get even she pushed him from behind touching his back side," Ohhhh... whose touchy feely now Ms. Shoeshine."
"I am not!"
"Well you touched my backside," She turned around and kicked him this time," Ow! Okay you won this round," he felt the pilot lights with his left foot and wrapped them in his tail bringing them to his hands. It only took Aeon ten minutes to screw the new pilot lights in, but as soon as he was done a small amount of soot went in his nose and he sneezed shooting out a big puff of black smoke out of the smelter. Aeon rushed head out off the smelter coughing like an old man," I think it's *cough* clean now *cough*."
"What happened?" Shoeshine sticking her head into the room.
"I sneezed," She giggling at Aeon," What's so funny?"
"You just look funny covered in all that soot."
"Do I now," He smiled at her decisively then lunging at her trying to grab her,"Well maybe you should be covered in some too."
"No no no!" Shoeshine started running away from Aeon who was chasing her around the shop's lobby," Ahh!" She screamed when he grabbed her in his arms lifting her off the ground.
"Got ya," He was holding her from behind her front hooves above his arms and her head on his chest," Now it's your turn," He started laughing fanning out his frill and shaking his head having soot fall on her.
"Ah ha! Stop it," Shoeshine said in a playful and almost seductive way to him. With the soot on his arms rubbing into her chest, she was giggling seeing this side of Aeon was just eye opening for her. Usually when they went on their dates Aeon wasn't very flirty but alone he was a different. Then her giggles were starting to become slight moans as almost as she was being pleasures. Though he was swinging her around in his arms the feeling of his body rubbing agianst her back and rump was making her excited in a different way. Luckily before this could escalate Shoeshine told Aeon," Okay you got me."
He had set her down," Told ya," He looked at Shoeshine who was now covered in soot on her mane, head, chest, and back.
"I'm going to go clean up," She was blushing heavily but Aeon didn't notice.
"Yeah so should I," Shoeshine went up stairs and Aeon went outside and easily shaking off the remaining soot on to the ground. He started off to Twilight's treehouse to get his pack cause he felt it was the right time to show Shoeshine his past and tell her about the past. Yet he also felt that it would change her look at him and she might see him as something else but what happens nothing would make him change his feelings for her. Aeon got to Twilight's house seeing that his pack was where he hung it outside by the door. He grabbed it and began to head back.
Shoeshine was in her bathtub cleaning the soot off of her, she looked at the end of her tub seeing her rubber ducky there, leaning over she picked it up bringing it to her lifting it near her face.
'What was that feeling I had when he lifted me like he did,' She thought holding her rubber ducky,' I've felt it before but it's only when I was drunk but the feeling of him on me like the way he was or even getting close to me just sends shivers of excitement down my spine,' Setting it back in the water,' Maybe I'm falling in love with him,' She got out of her bathtub and dried herself. Then she went down stairs to her kitchen; opening one of her covers she pulled out a picnic basket since she knew he wasn't doing anything today nor was she, it would be a good way to really spend some quality time with him to get to know the things she doesn't know. So she filled it with sandwiches, drinks, other foods, plates, forks, cups, spoons, and a red and blue blanket. Just arriving back Aeon opened the door to see Shoeshine standing there with the picnic basket handle in her mouth.
"We going for a picnic?" Aeon asked.
"Mmmm hmmm," Nodding her head yes.
"Then I'll take that," He grabbed the basket from her and kept the door open for," After you," Being his generous self. After walking out Aeon locked her door and followed her. They went to a near by park that was only about ten minutes away from her house. Aeon laid down the blanket and Shoeshine laid down the plates and utensils. Aeon looked and saw the little fillies playing on the playground, flying their kites, or just having a good time with their friends; there were a few couples and families having picnic's also, but they were a little off in the distance. They both sat down across each other, grabbing the food they wanted to eat. The first few minutes they didn't really even talk until.
"Aeon?" Finally a conversation would emerge.
"Yes."
"Could you tell me about your life?"
"Yeah," He felt a bit hesitant," Well I was orphaned when I was young. I had lost my parents so for about four and half years I lived among the homeless. Until I was taken in eight years ago to do arena fighting," He set his food down.
"Arena fighting?"
"Yes. For six years I fought against other zenthians for survival never making profit nor did I feel regret until one day," Shoeshine looked at his face and saw he still had it driven into his mind like a nail, a face of regret," I was fighting agianst one of the top fighters in the land. It was a hard fight for me he ended up cutting off my finger," He showed Shoeshine his left hand," yet I prevailed stabbing him in the chest with his spear, then I took off his helmet and..."
"What?" Shoeshine concerned in her tone.
"He was just a young kid no older then around six or seven but that was also the same age I lost my parents and that was the last fight I took part in. Making me realize that if I want to find what there is in the world and find my place it won't be through the death of others by my hand."
"Wow, I never thought you were the type to take a life."
"I was, luckily I earned my way out and watched others to get the skills of metal and wood working, yet there are also things I try and forget even before they came back to finish the job," Aeon was fiddling with his fingers.
"Like what kind of memories?"
"Things I've done before, things I resent myself for now."
"Like what."
"Bad things to others, actions that really make me feel like a monster."
"Would you say what you did?"
"I'd rather not..." He paused"... looking back at it would make me do those things again."
"Oh, that's okay if you don't want to talk about it."
"Thanks for understanding, Shoeshine."
"You said something about,' they came back again,' what's they?"
"Creatures that destroyed everything at my home."
"Why did those creatures come?"
Aeon sighed lowering his head," No one from where or they came and did what they did but they were successful."
"At what."
"At almost destroying my kind."
"Oh my gosh!"
"I still remember on the day I left, all I could do was just watch as I saw my own kind getting slaughtered by them, as they came at us with no remorse, yet I ended up escaping out of fear and now I keep thinking I should have stayed behind to fight, I should have," Aeon grumbled with his head still lowered.
"Well what is it you want now."
He raised his head and looked at her," Vengeance."
She turned her head away and then looked back at him," I've always know that when revenge is held inside, it makes into something you're not and makes you do things that you regret."
"Maybe I should stop holding the vengeance I have think about knowing that they won't find me, because I still hold fear..." He paused trying to keep himself composed"... Now tell me about your life."
"Well I haven't gone through as much as you."
"Doesn't mean you still can't tell since I just told you about mine, I say it's fair you tell me about yours."
"Okay, well I was orphaned but I actually never knew my parents. So I was raised by some ponies who adopted me and raised me," She saw Aeon putting the plates,utensils, and food back into the basket but she could tell he was still listening. Since she's seen he has a keen sense for listening, even to the point of where he can hear a whispering conversation from five feet away," In school I was the mare that always tried to make friends with everypony and I was one of the top ponies in my class. So a lot of the friends I made just used me just to pass and I would always feel that I was worth nothing to others," Aeon was sitting listening with full extent to her story," When I got older I was in and out of relationships with colts cause I was always seeking for the attention of the right guy."
"It's a different world without parents to help guide you."
"I know and about three years ago I ran into a stallion who said he was my uncle and he told me my parents had died shortly after I was born in a accident," Shoeshine started tearing up again," And I always kept thinking before I found out that my parents abandoned me cause they didn't want me. Plus later on the relationships I keep getting into got worse and worse and after Caramel I told myself I'm never going to be in another relationship until, until I," She was trying not to start crying but she did," I met you then everything changed," Saying between sobs.
Aeon sat seeing that it's better to find out what others went through to better connect to them. Slowly he moved near Shoeshine who was still crying, he kneeled behind her and wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers.
"Well that makes two of us Shoeshine because I too am alone now," He continued," But you don't have to be alone now because I'm here and I'll always be by your side and nothing can change that."
Shoeshine moved her head up and Aeon lifted his to look down at her. Both stopping their noses were almost touching, He looked into those magenta eyes and they had a sparkle in them that would make anyone fall in love.
"You really mean that Aeon."
"Every word of it," Shoeshine starting pushing herself up to him; Aeon's frill started to fan out. He started moving his head towards hers and they locked lips. Aeon had never been kissed before and it made this moment very special for him.
So this is a kiss He thought.
Her lips were so soft and tender that he didn't want to let go.
Shoeshine never knew a lizard's scaly lips would feel so different from a colt's lips. His lips were not too rough or too soft but they felt like bare skin, Is this a kiss of real true love , She thought to herself, yet to both of them it felt like time had stopped and this moment was here forever and nothing else mattered.
Their lips let go but they kept their noses touching," I love you. Aeon."
"And I you, Shoeshine," nuzzling her nose with his," With all my heart and soul."
"I hope nothing will separate us," She lowered her head to look at the sunset.
"And nothing will," Aeon unwrapped his arms from Shoeshine and stood up. Shoeshine had stood up after Aeon to get off the blanket. He folded it back up and set it back into the basket, taking the basket into his handand his pack also, they both started back into town.
Yet lurking in the trees of the Everfree Forest was something that searched for Aeon when he left his home.
"Didn't I tell you boy," Pulling down a branch with his dark grey hand seeing Aeon in the distance," That we will find you for you can't escape the past," His sickly deep voice and his beady red orange eyes looked out to Aeon. Now an old demon of the past has returned.
It's been just a couple days now and today Aeon was heading to Zecora's to help out Twilight. Walking in the forest he was a bit lost eventhough he had a map with him. Twilight had sent him to get some ingredients from Zecora's. Looking at the map and continuing to walk Aeon started smelling something and it was a familiar smell. He started looking around at the trees for the smell was of ashes.
Could it be them , He started thinking, looking around towards the trees and even behind himself to make sure nothing followed him. Feeling a tense paranoia thinking now that they found him, he felt like moving quickly. So he started fast walking trying to get out of the forest, yet his paranoia made him end up back at Twilight's, rushing iniside he slammed the door behind him.
"Oh you're back did you get the ingredients?" Twilight asked.
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's just I- I think something is following me that's all."
"Well that's no reason."
"It is for me," Twilight could tell in his voice he was afraid of something," I just think something is out there waiting for me."
"What is?"
"I don't know... I just hope it's not them," He walked to look out the window. For some reason he just had this feeling that he's being watched. He stood at that window for a few minutes looking out it as if he was paranoid," Maybe it's just my imagination. "
"What did you mean by them Aeon?"
"The things that made me leave my home."
"What? I though you said you left your home to start a new life."
"I did but to also escape the demons of the past, to forget that my home is now dead and I have no reason to go back."
"What do you mean by that?" She began to feel concerned.
"I have no home to go to my home is gone," He sighed in regret," gone along with my people."
Twilight gasped," Are you saying that you're the- the last of your kind," All he did was nod his head not even saying a word," Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Cause I didn't think had to tell anyone," He moved away from the window to the door," I need to go," opening the door and walking outside. He started to walk to Shoeshine's thinking about that they were here in Equestria and what they would do to the ponies. Making it to her house he reached for the door knob, but the knob didn't twist. Aeon immediately knew she wasn't there. So he went looking around town to find her, walking through town that same feeling kept creeping up his spine and now Aeon was Just terrified that they were here to finish the job and that he should leave cause he didn't want to put the ponies in danger of suffering the same fate of the zenthains.
"Aeon," Applejack said to him.
"Woah! Hey Applejack."
"Sorry did I scare ya?"
"No just a little confused about something."
"You sure? Cause you look really tense. You okay?"
"Yeah... anything you need help with."
"Hmmm. Nope just wanted to say hi," Aeon looked away for a second," Well see ya later sugarcube," Applejack started trotting off to her home.
A couple of hours have past and Aeon started growing worried and that death smell returned to him cause him to get to the brink of panicking. The sun was almost set now almost becoming night, near the bridge at the river Aeon saw Shoeshine.
"Shoeshine!" Aeon quickly went to her.
"Aeon," She saw the tense look in his face," Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fi..." His pupils shrunk and his eyes widened in fear seeing that they did find him. There were tens of red eyes staring towards him and the red orange eyes staring directly at him," Shoeshine, run," Aeon closed his hands into fists.
"Why," Shoeshine saw his hands.
"Just run!" He yelled, behind him a bunch of winged figures tackled him down trying to scratch at him. Aeon was holding back.
"Don't you remember, we said we would find you," one of them said with its sickly light sounding voice close to his face. Its red eyes glowing over his face and its bat like face showing its sharp teeth.
"Get off me!" He kicked it off him. Aeon jumped up on to all fours with his tail raised and his frill fanned letting out a huge roar.
"Oh scary zenthian, I hope your bite is bigger than your bark," Aeon jumped and tackled the gargoyle. Slamming it to the ground Aeon punched its face with full force, his fist caved into its face and when his fist hit the ground the gargoyle turned in to ash.
"Huh?" Another one landed on his back stabbing his claws into it. Aeon let out a yelp of pain; reaching behind himself he grabbed the gargoyle throwing it off his back. The gargoyle stopped in the air and saw Shoeshine standing there scared to death.
The gargoyle rushed towards her but Aeon grabbed it by its tail and pulled it towards him putting it into a headlock," Go now, run!" He yelled again and this time Shoeshine ran into town to try and get help. Pulling the gargoyle out of the headlock, it slashed him across the chest with its claws and Aeon grunted from the pain.
"you can't win no matter what you do," flying with it wings spread out in front of Aeon. Aeon looked up at it hold his chest. Its bright red orange eyes and small stature were above him laughing at him. Aeon tried to jump at it but he couldn't move since two other gargoyles had his legs. A gargoyle in front of him kicked him in his face, then another one grabbed his neck from behind. The two gargoyles holding his legs let go of him, letting the gargoyle holding his neck lift him into the air. The gargoyle swung Aeon throwing him at a tree as he hit the tree's trunk he became dazed.
In town Shoeshine was search for the guards to ask for help but she could see none in sight. Yet she kept running just to find that sign of hope for help.
Aeon started to get back up, then a hand grabbed from behind and slamming him in to the tree again, holding him against it. He saw a gargoyle coming at him flying at full speed to strike him with his its left hand glowing a red color. Swinging his tail he struck the gargoyle making it hit another tree and its glowing hand touched the tree causing it to set into flames.
Looking out of her bedroom window Twilight could see the light and smoke from the flame since the moon was full tonight," What's going on?" Asking herself. Turning away from the window to go downstairs to go outside.
Aeon pushed himself off the tree, using his tail he wrapped around the gargoyle's neck that was holding him. He whipped his tail swinging the gargoyle slamming it to the ground. As he was about to strike using his foot but a bunch of gargoyles tackled Aeon, hitting the ground he couldn't move, they overwhelmed him from how many were holding him. Most of the gargoyles let go of him leaving two gargoyles holding his arms and another two holding his legs; Aeon was squirming until he heard footsteps coming towards him. It was that same figure from his nightmares. Those beady red orange eyes, those large bat wings, his right arm covered in symbols turned into stone, those bat like ears, and that demon looking face aligned with rows of sharp teeth walking towards him.
"Well, well, well it really is you zenthian," His deep sickly voice said," I was just about to give up looking for you,"
"Liar, I know you wouldn't give up," Aeon lashed back.
The large gargoyle lifted his symbolized arm to the flaming tree, running his claws along the trunk the flames immediately disappeared. He pulled his arm down and walked until he was just inches away from Aeon. He lift that same arm putting a finger under Aeon's chin," Still the same," He chuckled," I thought you would have gone soft zenthian."
"Well if you're here to finish the job I'm right here," turning his head realizing the gargoyles forgot to hold his tail, so he wrapped his tail around the tree behind him pulling on a branch to use on them.
He chuckled deceitfully," So eager to die are we, you make this too easy," He pulled his symbolized arm back to strike Aeon," Minions."
"Yes my king," One gargoyle said.
"Hold him still," His symbolized stone arm started to glow red. Then Aeon let go of the branch, ducking his head it swung around hitting the gargoyles holding his arms. Aeon whipped his tail around striking the gargoyle king's face disorienting him but only for a second. Aeon then swung his claws at the gargoyles holding his legs making them let go, he ran into town.
"Should we go after him?" One gargoyle asked.
"No," He opened his hand letting a leaf land in his palm," With such life in this place we could take it for ourselves, but since he believes that we are just to kill him."
"What are meaning by this my Liege?"
"He'll leave," he used his power abosrbing the life from the tree ," And when he does these ponies won't even stand a chance," He began laughing knowing that his plan will work since he knows Aeon fears them.
Aeon was running through town, stopping near Shoeshine's he sat down holding his chest. The wound was deep but not deep enough to cause major damage. Shoeshine turned around the corner seeing Aeon sitting near her house.
"Aeon!" She ran to him," Oh my gosh you're hurt," She helped him get up. Aeon was a bit dizzy now and was having a hard time trying to stay up. Shoeshine helped him inside her house, helping up the stairs to her bedroom," Sit here, I'll go get the first aid kit," She went inside her bathroom to get the first aid kit.
Aeon sat on the bed still holding his chest," I can't believe they found me, I can't..."
Shoeshine came over with a first aid kit and set it down next to him," What were they?"
"Gargoyles, creatures of the night, creatures of darkness and death."
Shoeshine opened the first aid pulling out some gauss to soak up the blood," We should inform the princess," She put the gauss on the wound on his chest. Aeon sat with his hanging down knowing that if he stayed any longer that he would put the ponies into peril," Do you know why they're here?"
"They're here to finish the job, they're here for me," Aeon was holding the gauss while Shoeshine was getting bandages out to wrap around the wound. Shoeshine climbed on to the bed to wrap the gauss, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Are you going to leave?"
"I don't know because I don't want to but, I don't want you all to suffer the same fate as my home."
"I hope you don't cause I believe you can stop them," She wrapped the bandages around his chest and back. When she finished, she put everything back in the kit's box and closed it setting it on the end table. Aeon got up off the bed to stand up.
"I should get going," Aeon started to move but Shoeshine grabbed his hand with her hooves and when she did that he looked at her.
"No stay, please" Aeon sat right next to her and held her in his arms all night, never letting her go.
It was early morning and Aeon woke up laying next to Shoeshine in her bed, she was still sound asleep. Yet that's what he wanted to be cause he was going to leave Equestria for it was the only way he would know that the ponies wouldn't suffer the same fate as the zenthians. Aeon got out of the bed and walked out of her bedroom, he walked down the stairs he grabbed his satchel that was resting by the front counter and tossed it over his shoulder opening the door he looked back inside thinking was he doing the right thing by running again. He turned his head back forward, he walked out the door closing the door closing it behind him. He turned heading the way into the forest leaving a place that now felt like home to him, a place where he found love. Trudging down the road he past the buildings, he looked at it knowing he was leaving the friends he made here, he was going to be alone again seeing an empty world in front of him. Passing Twilight's house the mane six were all there at her doorstep discussing something and Spike noticed Aeon crossing the bridge.
"Aeon!" Spike yelled and he turned towards them, the six plus Spike walked over to him.
"Where are you going?" Rarity asked.
"Leaving," He answered.
"What why?" Twilight asked.
"Because they found me and if I leave they might as well follow me out of Equestria."
"What do you mean by them?" Twilight asked again," Cause you talked about that yesterday."
"The gargoyles, I know they're here for me and the longer I stay, the more they'll be tempted to make you all suffer the same fate as my home did," He sighed regretfully under his breath," And I don't want to be the reason why the ponies are gone."
"What if we use the elements of harmony," Rainbow Dash suggested," It will make them go away just like Discord and Nightmare Moon."
"That won't do a thing or even work on them because they feed on death and they are driven by madness... using something that will give them the advantage by draining the life out of something will make them stronger."
"Then why don't you do anything?" Twilight asked.
"Cause my people fought agianst them and paid the price with their lives."
"So you're just going to run and not stand up agianst them," Applejack said.
"I have no other choice but to, because fighting them would have no point."
"So you really are just going to leave and run with your tail in between your legs and not stand agianst the obstacles not even caring that you made a home and friends here. So you're just going to throw that away," Twilight told him in almost a harsh tone.
"I don't want to leave but they've forced me to," He turned around," So goodbye."
"Twilight," Spike said," Aren't you going to."
"No," Twilight stopped spike from finishing his sentence.
Aeon walked into the forest walking the trail of a coward, showing that he would rather run from the things that kept him from being happy than to face them. Walking through the forest he looked to the sky and saw the rainbow that was always there was fading into thin air. There were clouds of grey covering the sky pulling it into darkness. He looked down and kept on walking through the forest; after walking for a couple of hours he found a log and sat on it. Sitting on the log he started to think about what Twilight told him and that he was looking like a coward for what he is doing. Seeing that they cared about him and he found much joy being here in Equestria, the friends he made and the mare he fell head over heels for and now he was leaving all that behind cause of his past demons. Aeon's eyes began to tear up and he put his hands over his eyes sobbing cause he didn't want to leave, he wanted to stay.
Then a noise came from the trees above; Aeon hand's moved from his eyes and he saw the trees and grass were dying now. The leaves becoming brown and the trunks shriveling up, the grass was turning grey now Equestria was suffering the same fate as Lacerta his home.
"Awwwww... shedding tears are we," The gargoyle king said walking towards Aeon from his right.
"Well I'm leaving aren't you going to be following me," Aeon responded.
"Oh yes I will," He chuckled," After I take all life from Equestria."
"You wouldn't!" Aeon quickly stood up.
"Ah yes I will did you actually think that your departure would cause me to leave too. Oh you are very naive zenthian."
"Just leave them alone, they have no part in this!" He lashed at the gargoyle king.
"Hahahaha. See now that's where you're wrong, you lead me here and now you're going to pay the price of the ponies destruction. Can you live with that burden on your soul?"
He was hesitant," I don't, I can't."
"I'll make sure to have something special for that one special to your heart; now what was her name?... Shoeshine was it."
"If you lay a hand on her I'll kill ya!" He lashed out in anger.
The gargoyle king laughed hysterically," you?! Your lowly people couldn't kill me and what difference do you think you'll make," He spread his wings and flew into the air," And now Equestria shall fall!" He flew away laughing. Aeon sat back down on the log, opened his bag and pulled out his parents locket and opened it.
In the distance the gargoyles flew into Ponyville in attack, the gargoyle king stopped above the center of the town with the gargoyles stopping around him.
"Attention all ponies of Ponyville!" Every pony looked up to the sky seeing the gargoyles above them," We have came to make ourselves at home here."
"So what are you going to do then?" A stallion asked.
"Easy, wipe your kind off the face of this pesky land."
"Not while the princess is still around."
"Oh, Now where is this powerful princess?"
"I won't tell you."
The gargoyle king grabbed the stallion's throat and started choking him," Yes you will," He tried to move but it only made the king's grasp tighter. The stallion pointed his hoof towards Canterlot and the king released his grasp off the stallion," Now was that so hard," The stallion only nodded," Now what is that place called?"
"Canterlot sire." A gargoyle told him.
"Canterlot hmmm, take them their so they can witness their all powerful ruler fall."
"Yes sire, but sire?"
"Yes."
"What about this one?"
He chuckled deceitfully," kill him," The gargoyles holding the stallion drained the life out of him until only dust remained.
"To Canterlot!" The king yelled. The gargoyles made the ponies walk towards Canterlot watching them like hawks to make sure no pony tried to run.
Aeon where did you go? Shoeshine wondered.
The gargoyles stopped and the king came towards them,"Why did you stop?"
"Sire, we can't get through this shield."
The gargoyle put his symbolized arm on the shield, it began to glow red absorbing the shield causing it to fade. The gargoyle pulled back his arm after the shield was completely gone," Now we can," Flying down the king opened the castle door he landed walking to Princess Celestia. The castle guards tried to get him but using his powers a red tentacle like appendages came out of his symbolized arm absorbing the guards to dust.
"Well a celestial being this place is full of such surprises."
"What are you here for?!" Princess Celestia asked defensively.
"I'm here to take over Equestria."
"Not on my watch," The princess used her magic and shot a beam of power at the gargoyle king. He raised his arm up doing the same thing. The beams clashed the king's power easily overwhelmed the princess' and his power hit her horn knocking her down and out of her throne. Her horn was black and smoking and her crown was by the king's foot.
He picked it up and crushed it in his hand. The ponies were coming inside the castle saw the princess already defeated and gasped in fear. A flash of lightning came and it started to pour rain; after the last pony was in the castle the doors closed.
"Make sure none come out and if any that didn't come try to play hero, kill them," The king told the gargoyles inside by the door. Outside the rest of the gargoyles were circling the castle watching inside at the same time.
Down in the forest Aeon closed his locket raising his head he knew what he had to do," If you can't escape the past. You can surely face it," Aeon quickly jumped to his feet, reaching into his bag he dropped his locket and pulled out and unwrapped his sword and shield. Strapping his sword to his back and his shield to his his left arm. He rushed himself to Canterlot since he can see the gargoyles circling it. Aeon wasn't going to let Equestria suffer like his home, as his fear was now overwhelmed by his drive for redemption.
He began climbing the mountain, even though the rocks were slippery his gecko like feet prevented him from slipping off the rocks but that just made his climb to Canterlot much easier.
Inside the castle the gargoyle king was setting his plan in motion," what are you going to do with us?" Princess Cadence asked.
"What I want is not to negotiate but to lure you all and you greatly complied," Quickly laughing," Now any volunteers?"
"We will not let you do this!" The princess told him.
"Oh we can and we will my pretty and you will be the first to go if you keep talking," He walked towards Cadence.
Aeon finally made it to Canterlot, hanging on the edge he ducked his head so the gargoyles passing by wouldn't see him. After they passed by he lifted himself up to the ground on Canterlot. Pulling out his sword he lifted his shield to his chest and banged his sword agianst it. The gargoyles looked towards Aeon now lifting his sword in the air.
"Alright! Who's first!" He yelled. A flash of lightning happened again, lifting his shield ready for attack.
"Wait I thought he left?" One gargoyle said.
"It doesn't matter let's kill him!" The gargoyles charged at Aeon and he started moving himself also. He swung his sword striking gargoyles and bashing his shield to push them back. He used every once of his energy to fight the on coming and what seemed like endless gargoyles.
Inside the castle Cadence was now getting under the king's skin and he was going to kill her first," Well if you're so eager to really aggravate me," Grabbing Cadence's neck," then you're eager to die first," he lick her cheek.
"Let her go!" Shining Armor was standing just a couple feet from the king ready to fight him.
"Oh, it looks like you're off the hook pretty one," He dropped her, Shining Armor tried to ram him but the gargoyle king quickly grabbed Shining Armor lifting him off the ground by his neck.
Aeon lifted his shield up again, the gargoyles though he was going to bash them again. Then he lifted his sword holding it like a spear and began running with every bit of strength he had. He rammed through the gargoyles until he made it to the castle doors bursting them open and killing the two gargoyles guarding it.
"Well my first volunteer ready to die. Oh I'm so flattered," his right arm was glowing," now prepare!" Then a sword came flying down striking the king in his arm holding Shining Armor. The gargoyle king let out a grunted scream dropping Shining Armor to the floor, he turned his head and saw Aeon.
"Enough!" The gargoyles behind Aeon stopped," this is between you and me."
"So you came back," He pulled the sword out of his arm and quickly healed it, he stabbed the sword into the ground in front of him and they stood ready to do battle with one another. Now Aeon was now truly fighting the demon of his past.
Standing eagerly to battle each other Aeon was finally going to face an old demon. The crowd of ponies looked at Aeon seeing that he was there to protect them. Shoeshine stood in awe to see that he really was going to stand up for the ponies.
Princess Cadence was helping Shining Armor up looking at Aeon who was wet from the pouring rain.
"They're not part of this. This battle is between you and me." A flash from the lightning outside struck as the rain kept on pouring.
"I thought you ran like the coward you are."
"I'm not running any more cause I'm not going to let you hurt them and I'll do it die trying," Aeon stood in a stance ready to fight.
"Well then if you're so willing to protect them, then die with them!" The gargoyle king flew at Aeon grabbing him by the neck and tossing him into a pillar," Your efforts are foolish and wasted on trash like them!"
Aeon got to his feet still ready to fight," They're not trash you are!" He charged at the gargoyle king using his shield as a ram to slam him into the wall. The king tried to strike but Aeon struck again with his shield making his hand miss Aeon's head.
Yet the gargoyle king wouldn't let himself be defeated so easily. Reaching behind Aeon with his wings, he used their claws and penetrated Aeon's back. He swung Aeon towards the ceiling throwing him like a ball.
He hit the ceiling with such force that it felt like his almost snapped in half. As he fell back down the gargoyle king slammed his stone fist into Aeon's stomach basically knocking every once of breath out of his body, then tossing him towards where Celestia's throne is.
The king leaped to the disoriented Aeon to finish this meager little quarrel. He landed on top of Aeon with his stone hand glowing prepared to give the final blow.
Yet in his time in the arena Aeon developed how to recover from powerful and disorienting hits. As the gargoyle king came down to strike Aeon's chest, out of a quick reaction he grabbed the king's hand. Even though the king didn't hit Aeon's chest, he was still slowly draining the life force from Aeon and he knew his strength overpowered Aeon's so it was only a matter of time until he gave out.
Aeon was trying to use his tail to reach for his sword just so he could still have a fighting chance since he could feel his arms becoming weak. Yet out of the corner of his eye the king saw Aeon's tail almost touching his sword but it wasn't enough to grab it. Bending his legs back Aeon kicked the gargoyle king off; now he felt weak from what the king drained out of him.
The gargoyle king smiled seeing that Aeon was in a weaker state, knowing this was his chance to give the killing blow. He decided this time to not drain Aeon but crush him with his powerful strength. As Aeon was struggling to get to his feet, the king grabbed Aeon by the head and slammed him into the ground using every bit of strength he had to finish the zenthian.
Now Aeon laid still.
The gargoyle king looked around seeing all the ponies and stallions were in fear now that the one trying to protect them has now fallen," Your efforts were wasteful boy, you fought a war you knew you couldn't win and yet you insisted on taking a stand."
Shoeshine had tears in her eyes seeing that the one she loved was now laying still not giving a single sign of life.
The gargoyle king took a few steps forward towards the throne raising his arms in victory," Now shall we shall begi...!"
With his guard down Aeon rammed him from behind into the throne, he raised his shield stabbing it into the gargoyle king's back. Though the penetration was little the king still felt the pain of his blood running out of his body.
The gargoyle king spread his wings back knocking Aeon off his back. As he got to his feet he turned around and grabbed Aeon's shield with his stone hand trying to crush his arm.
"I will not!" Aeon could see the king's arm glowing causing his shield to rust and become weak," Be defeated by a piece of waste like you!" With his strength he crushed Aeon's shield, then struck him in the chest sending him flying backwards towards the door.
Aeon was on the ground unable to get up since though he was trying to, the gargoyle king starting walking to Aeon.
"Don't you see. You can't win no matter how skilled or determined you are, for your efforts are worthless," Shining Armor rammed into the gargoyle king's side knocking him over but he quickly went to his feet," You really want to die."
Shining Armor stood ready to fight even though he knew he stood no chance against the gargoyle king," To protect my love Cadence and Equestria then yes."
He smiled," Very well then."
"Hey, pick on someone your own size," Aeon was slowly forcing himself to his feet," For if I go down, you're going down with me."
"You just don't give up," The gargoyle king flew towards Aeon laying a strike that knocked him out of the castle doors and into the pouring rain. Aeon immediately landed on his feet still ready to fight, all the king did was chuckle and struck Aeon again sending crashing into one of the buildings.
Twilight ran outside casting a spell freezing the gargoyle king in his tracks. The king tried to move but couldn't and this began to anger him. Twilight began to feel his power was increasing and she couldn't hold him back much longer.
He broke from the spells grasp turning towards Twilight furious with her interference. He stormed towards with the intent of her death by his hand.
Aeon lifted himself up seeing that the king was heading towards the ponies now, the sight did not sink in for he didn't want his friends to die. He became enraged and lunged towards the king tackling him down.
Spike was inside the castle grabbing Aeon's sword, after pulling it from the floor he ran with to where the fight was taking part.
The king's minions watched as they waited to see who would be victorious.
Aeon struck the gargoyle king behind his head then running his claws down his wings so the king can't fly. The gargoyle king wrapped his tail around Aeon's neck throwing him off. The king got to his feet and looked at Aeon, his back was hunched over with his arms dangling and one of his eyes was a blank grey color.
The king smiled out of amusement," Now things are looking good now."
Aeon roared at the king charging full speed at him, he swung and the king dodged it sending a strike at Aeon. Yet Aeon blocked it, grabbing the king's hand he threw him over his shoulder. The king was amazed at how fast Aeon was now and was going to see what else he had in store.
Trying to smash the king's head with his foot, the king grabbed it and got to his feet dangling Aeon. He tossed Aeon up and struck him knocking Aeon away from his reach.
"Is that all you've got?" The king laughed hysterically, "You may have to put up a good fight but this fight has lasted too long and now it's time for the finishing act." The king's hand began to glow an intense red to kill Aeon quickly.
Aeon eyes went back to normal and he saw Spike with his sword. He grabbed his sword out of Spike's hand and got to his feet. Pointing his sword at the king he stood ready to continue fighting.
"That won't do you any good," The king said.
Swiping his sword the king dodged it but that's what he wanted. Then he slashed his claws digging into the king's stomach and finishing it off by running the sword through the king's chest.
The gargoyle king fell to his knees," So this is what it's like to feel life slip away, such an odd feeling to feel my own blood running out of my body."
"Now you know the taste of death."
"I know you zenthain, I know your past, you maybe have protected them from us but can you protect them from yourself?"
The gargoyle king breathed his last breath and slipped into death's hands, yet his dying words struck Aeon. He turned and saw the gargoyles flying away in fear from seeing their king now defeated. Aeon took the sword out of the king's lifeless body, the king's blood began to melt the blade leaving only the hilt.
Just like the other gargoyles the king's body turned into ash, to be forgotten with time.
"Now my people can be laid to rest, now they can find peace," Aeon quietly said to himself.
All the ponies came out of the castle to rejoice in victory, to praise Aeon as a hero. Yet he did not feel like a hero, he felt as only he fought more to survive than protect.
Princess Celestia walked up in front of Aeon," Thank you for protecting us foreigner," She praised him.
"you're welcome I guess," He didn't feel like he accomplished anything at a grand scale," But I don't feel like I accomplished anything heroic."
"you have by protecting us."
Aeon turned and looked at Shoeshine, smiling slightly," Maybe I have gained something," He began walking towards her.
In front of Shoeshine, he came down to his knees, putting his hand on the side of her face. He smiled and she smiled back, a single tear ran down her cheek.
Rubbing the tear with his thumb," You won't have to shed tears anymore."
She nodded," I know because you're here now."
"Yes," Aeon got up to his feet," Now let's go back."
As every pony in Ponyville began to head back home, Twilight asked Aeon something.
"What are going to do here?"
"I don't know, but I'll find something."
In Ponyville Pinkie Pie threw a big party to celebrate the victory, but Aeon wasn't ready to celebrate just yet. With his parents locket and a small toy boat, he set it into the water letting the boat sail off with it.
"Now you both can see the world," He smiled.
With the hilt of his sword in hand, he dropped it into the water. He looked up from the water and saw life was back and he knew his peoples' spirits was within those green leaves. Aeon smiled and went back into Ponyville ready to merry make.
The old demons defeated and a new life has begun.
