Chronicle of Equus: A Earth Pony Dream

Chapters

[Characters Sheets]
A World Of Possibilities
Meet the family
A Father and Son Day.
A Mother's and Daughter's Day.
A Mother's Roots, a Father's Fury
A Storm is Coming.

[Characters Sheets]

Hello, friends,
I'll put here the status of the main characters as the story progress. Because of this, this entry will be updated anytime a new chapter is released.

Regards.

PS: As a base for the status I use the RPG system GURPS as a base, if you have any question about the power system, ask, and it shall be answered.

Just for clarification on the skill's part:

The skills to use in day-to-day life have to be between 9 and 11.
A pony who uses a skill to get its living should have the skill in between 12 and 13;

When some Ponies go over 14, it means the character is a specialist in its area.

If they got even further, beyond 20, it means they are masters of their craft.

Basic attributes representation:

ST (strength)
Physical Strength of the character

DX (Dexterity),
The agility of the character

IQ (Intelligence)
Mental the capacity of the character

HT (Heath),
The resistance of the character

Will
The mental resistance of the character.

HP (Health Points)
How much damage a character can resist.

FP (Fatigue Points)
The Fatigue, energy and capacity for magic..

======================

Characters Sheet

Blank Slate Power level < 5
Main character, an earth pony with six yo.

ST: 8 HP: 8
DX: 4 Will: 11
IQ: 11 Per: 11
HT: 4 FP: 4

haracteristics:

Magery +1
The Normal for ponies

Easy to Read;
The ears didn't help in hiding emotions.

Talent (Green Thumb) + 1
All Earth Ponies have this attribute.

Stubbornness
Yes, when he put an idea in his head... it's hard to change his mind.

Pacifism

Cutie Mark (Blank Flank)

Skills:
Research:10; Acting:10; Search:10; Linguistics:9; Literature:9; Speed-Reading:10;.

Emerald Aura - - Power Level < 15
Emerald Aura, a 10 yo unicorn mare considered a genius, being incredible strong for her age.

ST: 7 HP: 7
DX: 10 Will: 9
IQ : 9 Per: 9
HT : 7 FP: 7

Magic Feature:
Distinctive Features (Horn)
Telekinesis + 2
Magery +3 - She has more magic affinity than the average unicorn.

Characteristic:
Curious
the majority of unicorns are.

Unfazeable

Easy to Read

Fanaticism (Princess Celestia)
All ponies love her.

Gullibility
She's young, and learning.

Pacifism: Can fight but not kill.

Chummy
The herd nature.

Combat ability:
Combat Reflexes

Enhanced Parry (sabers) + 1 - Yes, she can use a saber parry attacks with easy.

Skills: Swimming:7 ; Search:8; Observation:8; Leadership:8; Jumping:10; Housekeeping:9; Hiking:6; Climbing:9

She is just a Genius in battle, learning really fast how to fight.
Swordsmare Apprentice (Class): Saber-12, Shortsword-10, Acrobatics-11, First Aid:9, Armory (Melee Weapons):8

Cutie Mark: Blank Flank

Emerald Forest Power Level = 186
Captain of the Fillydelphia guard core, former member of the royal Guard and Father of Blank Slate and Emerald Aura.

ST: 10 HP: 10
DX: 14 Will: 11
IQ: 11 Per: 11
HT: 10 FP: 10

Characteristic:

Magic:
Magery + 1 - The normal for a pony
Telekinesis + 2;
Distinctive Features (Horn);

Mental Characteristics:
Curious; Easy to Read; Chummy; Fanaticism (Princess Celestia); Overconfidence; Sense of Duty to the Nation; Bloodlust For dangerous enemies;
Cutie Mark:A Saber Over A Emerald;

Class Magic Fencer:
Combat Reflexes; High Pain Threshold; Increased Enhanced Parry (Saber) +1; Extra Attack +1;
Fit; Code of Honor (Soldier's);

Skills:
Primary Weapon Ability:
Saber:17;
Fast-Draw (Saber):15;
Special Technic: Emerald Soul: 12
An Aura envelop the user, giving him a temporary magic armor. Enhancing the user strength, mobility and weapon damage. To use this ability the user need to use 2 PF to activate and 1 PF to maintain per second.

Secondary Combat Ability:
Axe/Mace:12; Broadsword:16; Short sword:15; Spear: 13; Thrown Weapon (Spear):15; Armory (Body Armor):12; Connoisseur (Weapons):11; Knife:14; Brawling:15;

Military Ability:
Leadership:11; Strategy:10; Tactics:10;

Other Skills:Climbing:13; First Aid:11; Intimidation:10; Observation:10; Stealth:13;.

A World Of Possibilities

I was never something special, just a guy that loved to read about conspiracies and to study about the many wonderful things of our world.

But, one day, everything changed.

My memory from these past days is at least shaken and unreliable, and the only thing I really remember is that guy with a straw hat asking me about books in a library and questioning me about the meaning of seeking the truth.

I don't know my answer, but I remember feeling dizzy and falling into deep sleep after speaking with the stranger.

When I woke up, I couldn't move, but with much effort I managed to achieve the difficult goal of turning my head, I was on a type of crib, and my hand was small.

* What is happening to me? * — I thought, as fear was overtaking my mind *I need help! *

And so I tried to scream for help, but what I heard made me even more frightened. It was a cry, a baby cry to be more specific, and it was coming...from me.

I don't know how many hours I cried, but I did it for a long time. I cried because of fear, hunger, cold and... to my total displeasure, poop.

And while tears were still dripping on my face, I fell asleep once again.

When I woke, I felt warmer, with some kind of blanket around his body. I felt clean but still hungry, and as if some reflexive action, I cried.

Then I saw something around that made all my body shiver, as a big woman (?) with some kind of horse face made her way to me, holding what looked like a baby bottle.

Of course, I cried harder out of fear, but when she put the baby bottle next to my mouth, I instantly bite its nipple and hungrily drunk its content as the horse woman coddled me.

"There, there... see, no need to cry..." Her voice was soft and maternal, and for some reason I felt safe in her hands.

"Is this my little brother?"- came a voice next to me, it was a girl, I mean, horse girl with a horn in her forehead, and she looked at me with interest.

"Yes, honey, he is your new brother"

"But, why he is so white?"

"Your little brother is special"– she still held me tightly in her lap, feeding me with one hand and with the other petting the little horse girl — "That's why we are taking him in."

"Ahhhh"

"Now Aura, go sleep. Tomorrow we will talk more."

"Okay" — She toked her mom's hand and kissed "Goodnight, mommy"

"Goodnight, honey"

I was hearing, with my belly full, sleepiness took over me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I was woken again by the voices of two adult beings, horse people, I assume, talking, and it seemed that I was the subject of the conversation. Because of this, I tried really hard to stay quiet in the crib I was in and listen.

"Forest, what you wanted me to do?" — The soft voice from the horse woman was angry— "A foal, alone, left to die by the side of the road. What you wanted me to do?"

I heard a loud sigh and a male voice followed.
"I know... To think they abandoned him just because he is like..."

"Special, Forest, he is special, and I'm taking him in, you wanting it or not."

"What? I was thinking you would be taking the foal to an orphanage!"

'No. I know how hard it can be in a place like that... So, what do you say?"

Silence filled the room from where the voices were coming from, and stayed that way for a time.

"Hearts, you win." I heard a female giggle, followed by a male voice "So, what's his name?"

"I was thinking... He is starting fresh with us, so... what about Blank Slate?"

"Hum... I like. Now I have to introduce me to our new family member"

"Ohh, NO. He is sleeping now. The poor thing cried so much... Don't you dare to wake him up!"

I heard everything, and because of this I knew I should pretend to sleep, and not much after I closed my eyes, I felt the eyes and whispers of my "parents"... Well, I can't help it.

*Okey, I barely remember the things before being here, but it seems that I'm in a baby body, and some horse people have been taking care of me. It will take time, but... I will need more information *—I yawned— *but before that... a little nap won't hurt...*

Meet the family

Time sure flies by.

One day I was a little foal left in a crib by the road to die, and now five years have passed, and I have a family, a house and, most importantly, an education.

Who would believe that the family that has found me was a good family.

We live in a little hamlet, south of Fillydelphia... why do all cities names in this land have to be a horse pun?
But as I was saying, our house is good and big for a family of four, plus, we have orchard of pears. It's lovely!

Let's talk about my family. First of them is my dad, called Emerald Forest, he had a Beige Coat and a green unkept mane, a typical unicorn born from a minor noble family that abandoned everything for love. And yet, he is probably a big fish in the Fillydelphia, being something called a magic-blade. Because of that, he had to be there at least four days a week.

My mother, a lovely Earth Pony named Prism Hearth, was a teacher in the city, but decided to abandon the city to live in the countryside after the marriage and cultivate the land, but she still loved to teach, and I was so willing to accept her education. — furthermore, there was no school in our hamlet, so the other option would be go to the city with dad, so...no. All I have to do is work with her when she needs.

My sister, well... she is everything I'm not.

"Blank, come here!" — I heard her voice coming from outside the house, this caused me to shiver— "You came now, or I will go catch you!"

It's exactly as she said, I had no choice in the matter, so I just followed her voice, taking care not to fall in the stairs, fuck, how I miss my toes... hooves are terrible.

After some struggle, I reached the first floor of the house and the courtyard, where my sister and father were training.

"Blank, look" — her voice was filled with smugness — "I want you to see what I can do!"

"O'k big Sis" — her name was Emerald Aura, but I always called her big sis, maybe her name and my father's name are similar because both are unicorns, not that I care much.

My father seems to noticed my "Excitement" about what my sister wanted to show, so he knew next to me, with a calming yet stern voice.

"Blank, i know that you don't like doing things, but it will make your sister happy. Do you understand?" — I nodded, my sister was a genius in anything she tried to do, and she loved to show off to me.

"Now Aura, to your position." - my father ordered, and my sister complied walking into a makeshift training field that my father had made.

Both read their weapons, wooden swords that, even being made for training, hurt a lot.

The first movement was from my sister, with a soft green glow into her horn, she jumped really fast and swung the blade in a downward motion.

My father was prepared and adjusted his stance to counter-attack, kicking my sister's little body backwards. But, when she was almost touching the ground, she spun her body and stopped the fall.

"You are too eager to show your growth to your brother, Aura" — said my father, lowering his stance — "Before you use the magic to enhance your movement, you should analyze the opponent for openings. At least you protect yourself from my kick. Good."

Aura was panting. As she lowered her stance, she looked at me, eyes full of tears. I knew what was coming, but there was no time for me to react. And as her horn glowed again, she jumped at me while crying her eyes away.

"I'm sorry,I'm so sorry, I'm so weak!" — she hugged me tightly, crying even more... I sigh, she didn't know that some ponies can't do what she did even at twelve years old — "but I promise, I will get stronger, and I will protect you!"

This is too sweet for me, and as an albino Earth pony, I just wanted to get out of the sun, enter my home and read some books, primarily about magic — a wonderful subject. — Really, I don't give a crap about all this fighting... I just wanna stay at home.

One thing I know for sure, they are not horse people, they are ponies.

A Father and Son Day.

Emerald Forest — POV

My son is a mess, no matter how many times I call him to join his sister to train, he just rejects it and stay indoor reading some book.

Up until now, I could not do anything to change his slothful behavior because every time I tried to drag him to the training ground, my wife would interject or my daughter.

For Celestia, he's already six years old, he needs to start his training ASAP.

But I'm powerless in my family... at least Aura loves to train.

But I have decided they protect him too much, and I'm going to correct this today.

Because, even if he screamed, my sweetie and Aura would be in the city, far, far away from our home. For a while at least.

=====================================================================

Indeed, I'm really fortunate.
If any pony could hear the screams of protest, my little son gave, probably the royal guard would come and knock on my door.

But no pony heard, and when we got to the training ground, he seemed to have accepted his fate.

"Dad, why are you so evil?" I can't believe that he could faint so much innocence.

" Why can't a father spend a little time with his only son?"

"But... dad, you just want to hurt me with a stick!"— crocodile tears drop from his eyes.

I sigh... he is an egg hard to crack, but let's do the explanation one more time.

"Blank, you need to be fit. I don't care what road in life you take, but you need to know how to defend yourself"— I put my hand in my muzzle and took a deep breath—"I know you hate to exercise, but, please Blank, is the only time we can be together..."

I put all my emotion in the last sentence, I fear for him and all my family. My work is dangerous and I made many enemies in the past... if something happened to them.... I don't know what I would do.

Breath in, breathe out. Stay calm.

I prepared myself, then looked at my son's red eyes. He was smiling.

I'm so happy, my son will learn... from me!

Blank Slate — POV

I was so fucking happy, my dad was desperate for me to train under his guidance, so I needed to make the game hard for him.

Now, every piece was in its place.

"But dad ... I don't want a sword like yours!"

"Blank, fencing with a saber is a family tradition and..." — He tried to use some excuse, but there is no way I would let it happen.

"But I'm different!" — I cut him off, and with my right hand I point to my forehead— "I don't have a horn!"

My father sighted again, he knew I was right.

"OK, Blank, OK... what kind of weapon do you want?"

I feint ignorance and look around to the place I, conveniently, had hid a short staff a day earlier and pointed there. The old man sure is predicable with his words.

"A Staff?"

"Yep."

"Okay, son, I can teach you how to swing this piece of wood, but ... are you sure?" - he was really skeptical.

"Yep, I am"

"Okay then, go grab that stick and come to the training area and ..."

"Hum ..." — I tried to mimic my sister's puppy eye look, I needed more than wood.

"What now, Blank?"

"Can I ask for another thing?"

"..."

"I want a crystal like the one on the light poles!"

"..."

"And to watch Aura learning magic!"

"..."

"What's up, dad?"

"You want too much, you know..."— he shakes his head before continuing—"Let's do like this: I will teach you about sabers AND staffs, you do as I say, and I will give you a good staff and a simple crystal. What do you say?"

"Deal!" — I said happily.

"So go grab that cheap stick, and I will teach you why you shouldn't be a demanding child."

=================================================

Why did I have to accept the deal so quickly?

I'm in the body of a six-year-old, and I was thinking that dad would be going easy on me, slowly teaching me how to swing a weapon and defend, but he just made me hold the staff and attacked me.

"First, I need to know your potential, so... Blank, I will go 'easy' on you, and you just have to defend yourself, OK?” — he said at first, and I tried to refuse his method of teaching, but then he said — "You want your staff and crystal, right? So do as I say!"

And because of that I have received many strikes, in... well, everywhere. Who would thought that the bright red from where I was hit would be visible even through my fur?

And he didn't even try to hide his smirk on each strike.

But this doesn't matter now.

If I keep this act and learn something, I will get my hands on the great prize: The Crystal.

Who would have thought that three days ago, I would start seeing colorful patterns in the air — like some kind of particle or dust — that would float and concentrated in some ponies and objects.

At first, it scared me, but when I was looking around, I saw that the particles would concentrate more when someone used magic or with objects related to magic procedures.

Then I knew that I could literally see the "magic in the air".

Then I noticed something curious.
The pattern of the magic was different in each species of ponies.

We, the earth ponies, had our magic flowing more inside our body, enhancing naturally the muscle strength and bony structure. And I do believe that this magic could be expelled by our hooves and hands in small quantities — that is why we are so strong and good with plants.

Although I am kinda an exception, being smaller and weaker than the majority of the surrounding ponies.... But this doesn't matter at the end because I will be a wizard.

The few Pegasuses I saw made me believe that they can project their magic outward through their body, this would help them fly and reduce the air resistance around them..., but this is only a theory for now.

And for the unicorn's, they are FANTASTIC!

Their magic is constantly focused inside their body, but they can use their horn as an antenna, gathering particles of magic from within and projecting it outside. That's why a unicorn could use magic outside their body and create magnificent feats.

For God, I would kill a giant for a horn...

But this is not the end because I learned fast that there are things out there that work as perfect magic conduits, and the majority of these things are biological. That's why I concocted another theory...

If I have a good conduit like a wooden staff, and something that could sync with me and draw my natural Earth pony magic, maybe, just maybe, I could project the magic outward the same way a unicorn would.

It was a gamble, but I had nothing to lose. Besides, the answer for the magic conundrum was literally outside my window — the light pole crystal. An item that would drain the surrounding magic to create light.

So, if I could have a crystal and attune it to my own magical frequency, I would have a magical antenna, MY artificial horn.

Because of this, I tried to rob one of the crystals next to my house, and it was a complete failure... But, why not just ask my parents for what I wanted? — And it worked!

And finally, watching my father's teachings about magic to my sister, I would be able to learn the magical theory and, probably, able to replicate it when no one was looking, I could even train in secrecy.

My parents, who ever told me that it is impossible for an Earth pony to use magic as a Unicorn, would be amazed, and they would be proud of me as they are of my genius sister.

If everything go accorded to my plan, I will be the first Earth pony capable of using the earth magic and the unicorn way of magic!

I would be a LEGEND!

But before everything... I will ask my dad for some ointment... hell, it hurts to move!

A Mother's and Daughter's Day.

Emerald Aura Pov

"Mommy, I'm ready!" I said to my mom with the best dress I could, plus the small sword my father gave to me on my last birthday.

"OK, dear, I'm coming." —My mother responded, coming from the second floor wearing her full dress. — "Blank, do you really want to stay?"

Bland Slate, my little brother was looking around, as if he was seeing things, but after some seconds he appeared to gather himself.

"Nah, finishing this book, and I don't want to lose any time"– then he raised a book about magic runes, one of MY books on magic runes.

My brother is such a bookworm, but I can't become angry at him. The way his coat and his mane are of a unique pearl white made him so cute, and his dumb dream of becoming a mage and all his efforts put into it made him an inspiration... That way I must be a model to him, the best older sister.

To help my brother to be some pony, or he could grow to become a lost cause.

"Fo-Fo, can you take care of the house while we are out"— my mom called for my dad, and the response came loudly from the bedroom from the second floor.

"Take care. Everything will be okay here." — he spoke loudly

My mother then put her hand on my shoulder, and we both walked out of the house in the direction of a fantastic day in the city.

*************x*********x*****

"mommy, this is beautiful!" I was fascinated by all the beautiful items and buildings in the city.

I looked like everything I would dream of, dresses, weapons, armors and more weapons. It was totally beautiful.

But then I stop, hearing the nice song of a hammer hitting metal. When I looked around, I saw that the sound was coming from a workshop where a Minotaur blacksmith heartily worked.

"Aura, Why have you stopped?"

I was entranced by the sound, I couldn't even move or speak.

"It seems you found something that you like, hum..."

"...y-yes"

"hahaha this really brings back memories..."

I looked at my mom, I didn't understand what she meant, but she just smiled.

"When I was dating your dad, the same thing happened"– she blinked at me with a smile — ", but I was on your hooves."

"Hum?"

"But you are right, he has some skills..."

Prism Heart Pov

The scene in front of me was beautiful, seeing my daughter fascinated by the sweet song of a hammer hitting metal brought warmth to my heart.

*'hehe, Forest may be of the same race as you are, but you are just like me...'*

And yet, something was off.

The melody of the song was wrong, his rhythm was out of compass. That weapon when finished wouldn't cut even a fruit. — I really can't forget to buy some fruits later...

"Aura..." — I was a little apprehensive to let her stay alone by the workshop entrance, but a trusted Forest training, and she's already ten— "Do you want to see mommy do something cool?"

"Really?" — her eyes brightened with my words— "What will you do?"

"I will teach new tricks to an old bull." With that said, I entered the workshop.

Bob, the bull POV

My hammer was getting heavy, but I had to press on working.

It's almost impossible to believe that the thugs really try to rob the last cargo of weapon for the Fillydelphia guards... they are getting too bold, and it's frightening.

And because these ruffians seceded, the guards made a request for many weapons to be made, and as I'm one of the few blacksmiths in the city able to do it, I was chosen to fulfill said request.

But it is too much for me...

And as my hammer was hitting the hot metal, I heard the clops of some pony hooves approaching me.

"Hello, Mister Minotaur"

It was a strange sight indeed.

A small earth pony mare, wearing a full-dress and a hat was standing in front of me, near the furnace. Her coat was gray and her mane was divided into three colors, red, olive and black.

This is no place for a mare, I really need to get her out before something bad happens to her.

"Oh... Hello, miss" — I started, putting the hammer aside and indicating to her that I was leaving the workshop to talk to her, but she didn't move.

"Why are you so desperate?"

"mu~?"

"The rhythm of your hammer is off, the melody is wrong." Then she pointed to my furnace and my work— "your work won't be enough to serve as manure."

What, this Mare — no, this WHORSE is talking about my work and my living!

"" Sorry, miss, I didn't understand what you said..."— Yes, maybe I was just hearing things.

"I said your work is manure. Trash. Worthless."

"Mu~?" How can she speak like this?

""Sorry, mister, I didn't want to be indelicate, but there is no way you would understand in other words"– she tried to remedy her words, but I could clearly see she was not sorry. — "A long time ago I worked in the capital, and I learned some tricks there about smiting."

"mu~?" — I was confused, is she saying that she was a blacksmith too? It can't be, she is just a small mare!

Then she did something I didn't expect, grabbing my hammer and easily lifting it with just one hand.

She then approached the hot furnace, smiling as if she was seeing an old friend.

"Your heart is in another place" — she started, striking three times the metal above the anvil with cadence and determination. I couldn't help but remember my old master — "If your strikes are hollow, so will be the blade."

She smiled at me and presented the hammer back. I was still wordless.

"Take this lesson to your heart. If you, the next time I'm in the city, I'll buy something."

And then she got out.

She was right, I was losing the reason why I became a blacksmith.
But now, I'll do my job properly. With heart and meaning.

Emerald Aura POV

Amazing!

When my mom started hitting the metal, the sound was different.
More clear and beautiful, with fantastic rhythm.

I was mesmerized, even more than before.
But something calls my attention.

A unicorn mare was running through the street in my direction carrying some kind of bag, and behind her there was a guardsmare yelling for her to stop.

I didn't have to think much to know what to do, it was in my blood.

With a swift movement, I drew my sword and stood in front of the burglar, pointing my short sword to her.

"My name is Emerald Aura, surrender NOW or suffer the consequences!" — I declared loudly to the mare, my mother was still speaking to the Minotaur at the workshop and didn't hear me.

I looked at the mare running in my direction, she was clearly looking down at me, but I will make sure she changes her mind.

One
When the mare was approaching, I took my stance, pointing my sword at her and putting my hooves in position for a quick move.

Two
She entered my range of attack, and I advanced, and for a split second she was in surprise at my action. Too late for regret.

Three
I felt my sword hitting the flesh of her right leg as she was trying to evade me, the cut was deep and clean.

Her blood squished in the ground as she fell by my side, screaming in pain. She was weak and chose the wrong lifestyle.

When I looked around, my mother was by my side with a satisfied look, and the guard's mare had finally caught up with us. She was a Pegasus, how couldn't she catch her?

"Ah... this was unexpected..." said the guardsmare with a widened eye.

"It seems that you didn't work properly, Ms. guard"was my mother's response, she looked at the burglar and continued talking calmly — "Take her to the prison, I will inform my husband of this incident as soon as possible"

"Ah... Okay" — she said, but then something clicked in her mind— 'Wait, who's your husband?"

"Emerald Forest."

"Wait, the MAJOR Emerald Forest?"

"Is she in the prison yet?"

"No..."

"Then you should work faster"— my mother's tone was cold, leaving no gap for questioning. Maybe this is why the guard mare almost ran with the burglar to the jail.

My mother then looked at me with a shining smiled.
"You did a good job today Aura"— I was feeling really proud now—"let's eat something and go home"

PS: Prism Heart had forgotten to buy the fruits....

A Mother's Roots, a Father's Fury

Blank Slate POV
Morning

I woke up to the sound of many hooves walking frenzied in the first floor, and that was a completely new occurrence in our household.

Because of this, I choose to silently come down the stair. I needed to know what was happening.

"I can't believe that Aura did this..." — my father's voice was crackling with anger.

"Yes, she did, before attacking" — *What did Aura do this time? *

"So, that's why you sent her to Canterlot early today, but what about you and Black?"

"The wagon will come at midnight" — I heard a movement, they were probably getting close to each other — "When it comes, we will go."

"That's why I married you, you always know the right way to do things..."- His voices seemed nervous, estrange, it's not like him- "But, it is still dangerous for you both..."

"Forest... look at me... I always knew the danger of marring an officer" — I heard a slurp of something, and by the smell, it was coffee — "I'm strong. Besides, I swear to protect our children!"

"Prism, my heart... I love you..."

"I love you too, Fofo..."

"Don't worry... I won't let any danger befall over you" — His voice was not of confidence but of decision — "I will finish them today... ALL OF THEM, no matter what!"

"Fofo..."

I didn't know what was happening, but I assume something serious was transpiring... that's why I returned to my bed and tried hard to sleep again. That was not my problem.

====
Early afternoon

I was walking through the pear trees, my thoughts lost with the failure of my plan.

The wood from the staff plus the crystal did not give me the ability I was seeking, and even if I could see the magic flow around the crystal, I couldn't control it, I couldn't even pour my own magic in the crystal to try to "sync" it to me.

In the end, all my dreams were broken as if made of glass. I knew it, deep down, I knew this would happen, and I tried to deny it.

And so, among the pear trees, I kneeled and started to cry; the staff with a crystal tip a few inches from me. My tears were flowing to the muddy ground as I started to wail in distress.

Ever since I was reincarnated in this world and learned about magic, I was consumed by the desire to become a mage, to cast a fireball and fly around, but... it was but a shallow dream.

All the time lost studying about magic, runes, purification circles and conjuration was for nothing.

And the knowledge of this made me cry harder, louder.

Until a small hand touched my shoulder and embraced me. A warm embrace of love, an embrace that I could use as a refuge from my anger, fears and failure.

"There...there... I here now." — I hugged my mom harder, her soft voice was bringing some comfort to my mind.

I said nothing, letting the moment last up to when the tears stopped coming down from my eyes.

"Are you okay, sweet?" She asked calmly, I could just manage a half nod... I knew this day would come— "Tell me what happened?"

"Mom..." — I took a deep breath while trying to clear my face — "I failed..."

"In what?"

"I was trying to become a wizard, but nothing worked..."

'Hum..."

"What is it, mom?"— tears still dropping from my eyes

"I had a feeling you were trying something like that, but I feared cutting your dream off too early"—she then looked at my eyes, clearing some tears that still fell from my eyes— "I'm sorry, dear, I was waiting for you to learn this lesson alone, but it seems I failed too with you..."

Between my sobs, my mom comforted me with her warm smile, hugging me every time I almost fell into despair for the dream that couldn't be.

I didn't know if it took minutes or hours, but eventually I managed to calm down. My mom seemed to notice, then she rose up.

"Blank, come with me."" —she started walking through the trees— "let's go for a walk"

I could not speak yet, so I just followed her.

"Every pony is like a tree, some are the same type as others, but each one is unique in its own way"– she made a smooth turn, it seemed he had a goal in mind — "A Pear Tree can't produce an apple, as an apple tree can't produce grape. And yet, we are different because we have the will to fight our destiny."

She still walked but slowed the pace. Soon I saw a place that I never had the curiosity to enter. A decrepit looking cabin in the middle of our land.

My mother slowly entered the place, and the dust flew from all the sides. Inside, a complete metalsmith workshop waited.

"When I was young like you, I wished I could fly like the Pegasus. Because of this, I started learning about smiting... In my mind, it would help me archive my dream in some way." — her voice cracked a little, but she continued — "In time, I was able to enter the Royal Army as a specialist smith and even meet your father...but..."

Her gaze, before fixed on me, changed to the cold furnace, as sadness entered her voice.

"I could never fly as I wished. I failed." — she then turned again to me — "but you Blank, are a completely different story."

"Mom...how do you know?"

"I have been keeping an eye on you ever since I discovered you dream."

"What...?"

"Blank, you are an earth pony and no matter what, you will never be like a unicorn"– her words hit me in the heart, even being thing I already knew — "But you are more intelligent than every pony I see. I read your sketchbook about magic, I even copied some of your magic formulas and theories and showed to a some of my friends for them to tell me what they think."

"Wait, you look at my sketches!'

"Blank, they were flabbergasted by what you wrote."— she then gave me a sly smirk—"And then I took your notebook for them."

"Mom..."— what is the point of all this? I was getting confused!

"I couldn't realize my dream, but you, my son, can."— she kneeled and looked in my eyes, touching my shoulders— "not with unicorn magic, but with the one you already have. Earth pony magic, the power to be one with the earth, the plants and, in some cases, even the animals."

"But mom..." — Is it possible?"

"For you, Blank, anything is."- she rose again, clearing what looked like a tear in her face —"Never doubt your dreams, believe and one day, maybe not in the way you expected, it will become the truth."

A hug, a warm hug brought a smile back to my face. My mom has always known what to do or say.

"Now, Blank, let's go back home"– she starts getting out of the cabin —"We had some problems, and because of it, we will go to Canterlot for a while, Ok. Take only what is extremely necessary."

"Okay, mom, ”- I ran to get my staff back. It was worthless, but I had put some time into making it.

Nevertheless, I had much to think about.

Emerald Forest— POV
Early afternoon
Fillydelphia Guard's Garrison

I was walking through the dungeon, between the bars of the jails.

The clops of my hooves in the cold stone floor made me more angry about the entire situation.

* Aura, why did you have to do that? * — It was the looping thought in my mind.

"If it isn't Major Forest" — came the female voice from the cell I was getting to — "Why do I have the honor?"

There was my goal, the unicorn mare that my daughter had captured. The reason I feared the storm that was to come.

She was sitting in the farthest part of the cell, leaned to the wall with her head downward. The magic nullifier was firmly placed in her horn.

"You don't need to know anything. But I do have a question to you." — I discretely nodded to the jailer, and she swiftly departed the dungeon, the unicorn mare prisoner didn't notice— "Did you tell any pony?"

She smirked with malice. She knew I was afraid.

"Maybe I did, maybe not"– inside the cell, she struggled to get up from the wall and look in my eyes — "The little rat you call your daughter is the reason I'm here like this, you know!"

For a moment I examine her, then I see the wound in her right leg; a thin but deep gash was barely contained by sutures, a strike with the intention of stopping some pony without killing them. For a second I felt proud of Aura, but it wasn't enough to make me lose the vision of my goal.

I approached the cell door, in one hand a key and, in the other, the hilt of my saber.

"I will ask one more time"— I put the key in the hole, without breaking eye contact—"Did you tell about my daughter to any pony?"

I walked into the dinning hall with resolve, I knew what had to be done. As I walked through the many tables, some of my friends waved to me, but I didn't have time to lose.

Where was he?

Then I saw him sending a letter to some pony via magic. I had no time. I had to act fast.

Wild Wind Pov

I was eating a flower sandwich when I saw Emerald Forest and waved to him, but it seemed that he didn't see me. It was strange, he was always friendly, something was off.

Then he started running, his hooves so fast that I almost lost him of sight. He was going direct to one of our specialized guards, an unicorn called Black Mouth, who was sending a letter to some pony.

Everything after this was a blur.
First, Forest drew his saber in an upward arc, slicing the tip of Black Mouth horn in one strike, but the letter was already sent.

Then every pony got up, some of them raising their weapon for a fight.
But no one moved. No one could move.

Emerald Forest's aura was overwhelming, his fury could be felt all around and the most experienced guards knew he was ready to kill any pony, if needed.

Every pony knew that he was the strongest in the entire garrison, and I knew that he would never do something like this without a reason.

But, what reason would drive a great guard such as Emerald Forest to act in this way?

"To whom was the letter sent?"

Black Mouth put one of his hands in his broken horn, and his eyes widened as the tip of the blade touched the skin in his neck.

"Sorry, Forest, I don't know what you are talking ab-".

"10"

"What?"

"9"

No one was breathing while all this was happening, even I was holding my air. It was clear that Black Mouth was afraid, no, he was terrified.

"Forest, please, lets ta-"

"8"

Black Mouth was sweating profusely.

"I -"

"7"

The tip of the saber started piercing his skin. Not even the archers among our ranks could do anything to stop Forest if he intended to finish the job.

"It- IT'S NOT MY FAULT!"

"6"

We all could see the pressure under the saber point getting higher, we could see a drop of blood running down his neck.

"OK, I TALK-"

Forest was unmoved, not moving the blade an inch.

"You have five seconds!"

"SHE FORCED ME TO PASS INTEL TO HER!"

"4, Who is"she""

"MADAM RED LIP'S!"

"... The one I was investigating...3, and what do you send about me?"

"Sorry, Forest I send to her information about your famil-" he was stopped by Forest fist, drawing blood from his muzzle and, fast, he returned the tip of the blade at his neck.

"2, WHERE is this"Madam Red"is located?"

"IN A WAREHOUSE, AT THE NORTH OF THE CITY!"

"1... do you have any last word?"

"PLEASE DON'T KILL M-"

Emerald Forest horn glowed, and the saber moved. It moved so fast that no one couldn't keep up.

When everything was over, Black Mouth laid on the floor with his horn completely cut off from the base of his skull. Above him stood Emerald Forest, in all his fury. He looked at us, and no one could say anything.

"You, you and you"-he pointed to three Pegasuses relatively next to him- "Sent some medic to the dungeon, there is some pony there who needs help"

The trio of Pegasus quickly moved, his eyes then turned to two earth ponies that were eating some salad.

"You two, take this mole to the dungeons."
As the Pegasus, they quickly took the hornless unicorn.

And then he looked at me, directly in the eyes.

"Wild Wind, go call the chief." — and continued as he sheathed his saber — "We have a Madam to meet."

(?) POV

She was lying on a comfortable couch smoking a cigar while all around her, stallions of every races worked hard, every pony focused entirely on work because behind that voluptuous and beautiful red coat and pink mane was a monster in disguise.

I knew this from the very moment I put my eyes on her, but in my line of work, we don't choose our customers.

"So, I want you to deal with my pesk problem"

"This wouldn't be a problem" —I responded it was something normal for me — "Just stick with your part of the deal."

"I am always trustworthy" — then she blows some smoke in my direction... why do every bad guy have a need to show dominance?

Then, something unusual happened and, in front of the Madam Red, a letter formed from ashes, which she rapidly took and read. A letter sent by magic.

"It seems, miss Lighting that your fight with mister Forest will have to be...'- she licked her lips in pleasure as she talked —"earlier than expected. I believe the results will be fun... Very fun."

A Storm is Coming.

Afternoon
Road to Canterlot

The wind grew cold as Emerald Aura looked out of the window of her chart, her chest tight with concern for her family.
She didn't know why her mom almost pushed her to go to Canterlot in the morning, but the way her mom looked at her made her worried.

To make everything worse, she saw an enormous dark cloud approaching, probably something from the dreadful Everfree Forest.

No matter what, a storm was coming.

Afternoon

Emerald Forest mane was flowing with the wind as he was trotting to the north part of the city. His only objective was to enter that warehouse and catch this 'madame'.

* No pony will harm my family, EVER! * — this thought was repeating in his mind, almost at a point to the point of driving him to madness.

Nothing could stop him now.

But the sound of wings flapping rapidly coming from behind caught his attention, and swiftly he turned and drew his saber.

It was not an enemy, but his junior at the garrison, a mare named Wild Wild. Still, with the blade still on hand, he spoke loudly to her.

"What in Tartarus are you doing here?"

The yellow pegasus slowed down as she was reaching him, and he could see that she, in completely opposition to him, was fully geared for a fight. A full set of standard guard armor, a small sword and a small shield.

"Do you really believe that I would let you go alone there?" — The confidence of the pegasus was incredible, even more than what Forest remembered — "I heard you talking which the chief and about your family, so I'm in."

"If you heard the talk, then you know that she didn't want to help... So you can't go..."

"Buck her!" Wild Wind was clearly furious, Forest shrugged – "let's go kick some ass!'

Forest sighed, he knew how that pegasus thought, and she would not budge if he tried to reject her offer, then he did the only thing he could if he wanted to arrest the 'Madam'.

He put his hand on her shoulder, a small smile in his muzzle" — Wind, you may come, but only do what I say to you to do."- she nodded —"now let's kick some rears"

And so, both the unicorn and the pegasus faced north and started trotting while debating the best strategy they would use.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wild Wind flew above the area, quickly scouting the area as Forest prepared himself for what he presumed was an impending battle. He noticed how he was being impulsive trying to fix the problem without having the bare minimum intel and equipment for the task ahead.

* For Celestia, I even forgot to take my armor! * he was thinking as he watched the movement ahead.

From where he was, he could see the warehouse and some carts coming on and off the place, being pushed by some ponies, the majority of which, he could see, were Earth ponies.

The carts were then left out of the warehouse where some unicorns made some kind of magic with the content, an content that Forest could not see.

"Forest, this will be thought" — spoke Wild Winds as she landed by his side — "if we count the three unicorns in front, four Earth ponies with the carts and two pegasus above the place, there are nine enemies for us."

"They got the numbers, but I have a better idea" — He side looks at Wild Wind — "Did you see the carts?"

"Oh...yes?" — she was so pumped to fight, she didn't think about the carts— "I even saw a loading going north. Why?"

"North..." — Forest's eyes widened a little as he reached the conclusion — "By Celestia they're going to Manehatan!"

"And..."

"Wind, I don't know what they're carrying, but it is not something good" — Forest them took a heavy sigh — "Our invasion to the warehouse will be postponed a little, first we will intercept this loading."

"Right, just follow me"

'You won't ask about why?" Forest was not confused by her behavior, but curious.

"Nope"– she smiled at him as she was taking flight –"you are my friend as well as my superior, so I trust you. But...what about the carriers?"

"Permission for the use of force...granted."

"Finally!"

Two earth ponies were pushing a big cart full of goods, which had three guards guiding and controlling them. One in the rear, one in the middle and one at the front, scouting.

They were already far from the warehouse, but not far into the journey that would take days, but the result would be fantastic for all the guards involved, more so with the bonus of selling these three earth ponies.

"" Hey, you"— came the guard stationed behind the earth ponies—"Stop."

"Why?"— Asked the middle guard, as the earth ponies stared at each other fearfully —"this will just delay us!"

"Shut up"—the guard, a unicorn in full-leather armor—"Where is the scout?"

The middle guard just shrugs, he was too focused in lashing the earth ponies to watch the scout. It was true, she got to go ahead to see the path and was taking too long to return. And it didn't help that the slaves he had were too slow.

The rear guard then sighed and drew his weapon, a sign to the middle guard to do the same.

Both guards retreated next to the cart, putting their lances in a defensive position as the Earth ponies were behind them.

"We know you are here, so cut the chase and show yourself!"— The rear guard shouted, knowing that this bravado wouldn't work.

But it did work.

From the side of the faint road they are using, from the side of the forest leaves, a Green Unicorn stallion left, smiling at them.

"It seemed class="mistake significant-grammar-remark">I'm worst at stealth than I predicted"— The stallion commented loudly enough for the guards to hear — "So, can you all surrender now?"

The rear guard frowned, this stallion was too overconfident, and this made him uneasy, something was up. How could a pony just approach them and ask them to surrender?

"We could do that or..."— The middle guard widened his eyes after hearing this—"I could ask you the name I should write in your grave. What do you think?"

"Hahaha, you're right, I should present myself first. Sorry."— the unicorn tilted his head a little—"My name is D, nice to meet you."

D? The rear guard didn't hear about some pony named D in his line of work, and it made his curiosity perk, and he decided to indulge this dumb unicorn before killing him.

"And what does this D stand for?"— he smirked—"Dumb?"

"I would tell you, but an idiot like you would not understand"

That's it, the rear guard had enough of this stupid talking, and he would end it, first, the rear guard released the defensive stance and pointed the tip of the spear to the stranger, then he advanced running.

He didn't think about the cart because the other guard was there, so he could focus everything to punish this insolent pony. But as he approached, the unicorn didn't move and still had the bucking smile on his face.

First, the Rear Guard released a flurry of attacks, trying to pierce the enemy many times, and he almost felt as if it he would do it, but all the times he got close to hit, the unicorn dodge in the last moment.

It didn't matter where the guard aimed, torso, shoulder, limbs or even the lower body, every time it missed. And as the battle dragged on, he started to get tired, hence why he back off a little.

That's when he heard the scream of the middle guard, and when he looked, a spear was pierced into both his thighs, stopping the movement of his legs as a yellow pegasus was flying directly at him. Both earth ponies, for their part, were just trying to run away, but the chains stopped them.

Now it made sense, he was, indeed, the D, of Distraction.

The rear guard then tried to compose himself in his fight, but it was too late, and the second he was distracted by the other guards’ scream, the green unicorn was already over him, finally drawing his blade in a horizontal arc and aiming for his neck.

~~Slash~~

The cut was clean and fast, and with a mechanical movement, Forest moved the blade in a way to clean the blood. After that, he looked and saw Wild Wind immobilizing the other guard.

"Wind, this is enough"— Forest approached her, and she rose from the unconscious middle guard. It seemed she punched him till his lights were off.

She smirked a little, seeing Forest fallen enemy—"Funny you say this"

"I... Sometimes I lost my head when in a fight, it was not my intention. Sorry."— he was ashamed for what he did, it was.

"To me, it seems that it was the guard who lost his head, but if you say so..." — she then proceeded to laugh loudly at her own joke.

Forest hated this side of her, every pony has in their essence a fearful and peaceful nature, but she was an exception. While guards were trained to suppress this nature, she didn't feel this need... in fact, she loved to fight and was delighted in the glory of the battlefield.

And yet, she was his most trusted friend and ally, so he couldn't help it.

His eyes then focused on the earth ponies slaves, and for a moment his mind drifted to his son, Blank Slate, and what would happen to him if people like this took him.

After which, he took a deep breath to compose himself as his mind brewed a new idea.

Approaching the Earth ponies, he smiled to them and spoke.

"No one will hurt you anymore." He pointed to the guard impaled by the spear in his legs "And I'll let you do anything you want with him after some question... but I have a direct question to you two."

Both Earth ponies were tense at this moment, awaiting his words.

'Do you want to free your friends? Do any of you want... Revenge?'