Chapters Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
Author's Note
Largest chapter I have ever written, which was very fun to write for this contest.
Feel free to comment down below what you think after reading, and I will answer to the best of my ability since the contest will be over by the time y'all read this, or it could still be going on when I publish this book.
Speda and A very average Anon out!
Initialization - Ch. 1
I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the unexpected light, filtering through a forest's canopy, which had blinded me at the first glance.
'What..? Where am I? Where's my bed, and those oh so lovely pillows of mine? Did something happen?' I thought, raising a hand up to block the light. I froze. It was not a hand that was lifted. Instead, it was a light blue, no, a cyan colored hoof that was in front of me.
I let my eyes travel down the new appendage, hoping it wasn't connected to me. Only when I saw it did connect to me, I started panicking a bit. Until I thought, what if I was still dreaming? Had I become self aware in one? No, that couldn't be right, my eyes still hurt from the suns rays, and I felt warm, a nice warmth all over my body.
So, I attempted to get up. As I did, I staggered forward, managing to catch my self at the last second. Okay, so this will be difficult to do now that I have a new body to work with.
I looked down, and yelped as I saw something completely unexpected to me. And when I heard my new voice, it only confirmed it more. I had breasts, small as they were. My voice was feminine, though like a tom-boy. I didn't want to check further, but I could guess that I was now a female.
I looked around, until I saw a lovely looking meadow in the distance, a nice clear pool of water in the center of it all, with a pretty waterfall dancing over a small cliff into the pool below.
I walked, or at least tried to, towards that pool of water. It seemed that it would be extremely difficult to walk like I always did, now that I appeared to be a horse. No, I seemed smaller than that. A pony, maybe? Yes, that seemed the most plausible one.
So, I stumbled towards it, finally making it to the water, but fell face first into it as soon as I got there. The water was nice on my warm face, and since I was thirsty, I took a gulp. With that done, I picked my self up again, waiting for the water to settle, and when it finally did, I stood mesmerized in place at the face staring back at me.
It was indeed a feminine face, with three small freckles dotted on both of my cheeks. Up higher, there was another three freckles between my eyes. And then the eyes.... They were a beautiful dark midnight blue, and they seemed to literally glow, with wisps moving slowly up and down. My face was the same cyan color of my hooves, and my hair, or mane, was a luxurious black, with a ponytail in the back, perfectly framing my now equine face.
"I'm glad you still think I'm so beautiful, love~", I jumped quite a bit at the same voice that I had which had spoken.
"W.... Who's there? Show yourself!", I announced, looking around frantically, when suddenly, a transparent exact replica of me appeared in front of me, bearing a quite beautiful smile- wait, stop, I don't even know who she is!
"If only you could remember me... And the one who put us here. Well, you could say I am you, but that's not entirely true. You are in my body. Yeah, that doesn't sound weird at all. Hehehe.", the mare giggled softly to herself, and I couldn't help but relax around her, she seemed... Like someone I knew before, but I couldn't tell where, and that frustrated me.
That's when I noticed something else about her. She was sporting wings. Yes, wings, on her back. I turned my head to look at my own back, and sure enough, there were wings, that of pegasi shape, like from the greek and roman times. I couldn't help but gain some small excitement at the prospect of flying. I've always wanted to fly. I think anyways, what's up with the weird memory, like I feel I remember some things, but when something that should be important comes up it's just... blank.
That's when I noticed something even weirder. I can't recall if I had a name. I know I should have one, but it felt just as blank as the stuff that should be important felt.
I had just sat down at the edge of the pool of water, when I heard a noise that caused me to get into a weird stance automatically as if I have done this before, and could suddenly 'feel' my eyes glowing, as something hovered in front of my face, which stunned me further. Telekinesis is a thing here?
Suddenly I heard the joyous voice from my invisible companion again, and I could tell she was very close to me, as if whispering in my ear.
"So you already figured out how to use telekinesis huh? That's great! Now you just need to be able to transmute that rock of yours into a suitable weapon just in case it's a powerful enemy! I will help you with that.", and suddenly, I felt the knowledge of how to do that flow through my head, and when I felt through the rock for a suitable component, I shaped it into a medium sized sword, it seemed as if it was like an Iron Sword from a favorite game of mine that I can recall, called Skyrim. I decided to stylize the shape and design to my liking, so it was a bit thicker in shape, and longer in length, but sharper, and for the hilt, I made it embed a small gem that I could find deep within the rock.
It was now a beautiful piece, but beauty and power are two very different things, as I knew it wouldn't be very powerful anyways. But it was a weapon I could use.
As I waited with the Mare only I could see, hear, and feel, we stood staring into the forest where the noise came from. It wasn't long before a creature burst out from the undergrowth, a wolf, but it was weird, it looked as if it was made of wood. If that's the case, then it seems it will be a much more difficult fight ahead of me. Especially since three more jumped out as well.
My eyes blazed as I felt the power form even more around my new weapon, making it dance back and forth with speed I didn't know I was capable of performing, already tearing down the first wolf in front of me. But since I could only focus on one, I was in danger of the other three tearing me to peices, so I got ready to back up. That is until my companion whispered something into my ear.
"You can use flame magic if that will help you Love, though it's not very powerful as of now, and it will only keep them from reforming for a bit. Ready?", she asked, and as I nodded, new knowledge burst from within me, as several small fireballs burst into existence around me, so as soon as I had finished off the first wolf, I threw two of the flames at it, scorching the wood that was already starting to float up and reform, but when it was hit, it dropped back down.
I immediately readied my sword and flames for the next one, and as I repeated what happened to the first it was soon gone, but not without a price as I felt my back right hoof get chomped on by one of the remaining beasts, making me yelp in pain. I felt blood trickle down my hoof, but I focused and grabbed a large rock in my telekinesis, and dropped it on the beast, instantly making it crumble down, then with my flames, it stayed down for a bit longer.
Now it was just me and the last one, but it seemed larger than the others, I could tell it was the boss of the group. So in shakiness I stood up, and brandished my blade again, as even more flames danced around me. Suddenly I felt good, and my pain was gone. I turned around, seeing my companion kissing my wound, and it seemed to have healed, even if just a little bit. She smiled at me in reassurance, and so with new found strength and resolve, I steeled myself for the next battle ahead.
It stalked towards me, and I stalked towards it, grabbing another large rock, but this time forming another Sword, though it appeared different to the first, the first difference it was a shinier metal, which I guessed was steel, second, there were more gem stones to work with, so I styled the blade to my liking just like I did with the Iron one, making it longer and thicker as I had done before, giving it a sharper edge, and sturdier handle using some of the wood of one of the wolves, and then I embedded the gems in the hilt. The stylization in the center of the blade was a pony head with wisps traveling from the eyes, with wings protruded towards the sides. I named the blade 'Exodiuous', and suddenly it hummed in power like it was alive.
I seriously didn't expect this, as I just wanted to make it a fancier blade than others, but then I thought maybe it was the name along with the items used that caused it. I looked towards the Iron Blade, seeming like it was waiting in anticipation for its own name. I gave it the same stylization of the steel blade, then named it 'Protruditious', and it too hummed, but differently as an eerie blue wispy glow protruded from the blade, which now seemed shinier, and more elegant than any Iron Blade I've seen before, and so I smiled. These two blades will help me very much in the near future I feel.
And so with that out of the way, I stalked ever closer to the beast, as it stalked towards me in turn, before we burst towards each other with great speed I didn't know we were capable of. The twin blades danced in the air as I attacked, flames dancing around them in turn to attack the Wolf of the Woods, who had striked at me many times, but only got a good few hits in as I dodged from them.
Finally as if we both felt this next attack would decide the battle, we both looked at each other, and the wolf seemed to have acknowledged me for my new found strengths. In one final attack, my blades and flames hit the heart of the beast, seeming to have shut it down entirely, but not before I suffered a new wound to my eye, gaining a scar from the battle.
As I huffed in exhaustion I felt I had gained something new, not noticing the absence of the wood of the wolves, and when trying to access that feeling, a transparent screen displayed in front of me, which caused me to feel irritated somehow.
"What kinda SAO bullshit is this?", I asked, not knowing where the name came from, but it felt right to say in the moment.
Name: Speda Hooves, Egg of a Alpha Timberwolf , and gained affinity in Wood Magic !
Skills Learned-
Predatory Gaze- Whenever you are outnumbered, you gain this skill, and can intimidate the group into leaving you alone! Or it can backfire and make the enemy want to fight you even more than it already did
Alpha's Call- After managing to assert dominance and over power your enemies, you will gain respect from the particular species you have defeated, granting a bigger chance at being challenge to a fight by bigger and badder enemies, in turn, chances for greater loot!
Flames of Origion- These flames are sacred, and will infinitely improve with use, but only during times of great stress, or during a fight ATK- 15
Telekinesis- Infinitely improves with use, can carry more and more objects that are heavier the more you use it, and the more you study
Transmutation- Infinitely improves with use, making it possible to make any property usable in a seconds notice with only the mind and imagination being the limits
Well this was kinda surreal, but it looks like I did gain some fantastic abilities, and items too. Hey maybe I have an inventory as well!
I tried thinking on trying to open the Inventory, and when it did, I started giggling with joy. The Wood of the Timberwolves was stacked at ninety nine, and the Egg of the Alpha Timberwolf was quite menacing in looks, but at the same time, I felt like it would be a powerful ally if hatched in the future ahead.
I heard my companion giggle along with me, as she spoke. "You certainly learn fast Love! Well, now that you know my name, and in turn as it is also yours now, it is nice to meet you, even though I already know you.", Speda Hooves said with that gorgeous smile of hers, that made me blush a bit, as I smiled nervously back trying not to think about it.
"I'm happy to meet you too, Speda. I wish I could remember my actual name, but unfortunately I don't. Anyways, since we have finished up here, do you know where we are? Like do we have a map of some sort that we can use to get out of this forest, as beautiful as it is?", I asked, and she smiled, and nodded, putting a hoof against my head, when a map appeared in front of me, but it was almost completely blank, aside from around me, and where I had traveled from in the first place. It seems I might be in the center of a large forest system, but I did appear to be close to what is called a Castle of the Two Sisters. So I clicked that as my destination to travel to, and suddenly a marker appeared, activating an HUD like from a game, Skyrim specifically, as I saw three, no, four bars now in front of me.
The fourth bar seemed to be something specific to me, and I felt glad it was different in a way, even if I don't understand what it is yet.
I turned towards Speda, and offered my hoof, as I attempted to stand on my hind legs again, and when I felt comfortable enough, I stood proudly, before blushing in embarrassment, covering those special places, but Speda giggled in plain humor, standing up as well, not embarrassed at all to showing her goods towards me, which I knew something would rise if I was male. A good thing I wasn't as I covered my face.
"Aww you're embarrassed! It's not like this isn't anything I haven't already seen as this is my body, Love~ If you are that embarrassed, then try fashioning up some clothes! You have some things that can be used already, you just need something comfortable to serve as a base!", Speda said while giggling at first, clearly flaunting her body at me to embarrass me further, but ended in looking like she understood. She was indeed quite helpful in the idea though, so I thought up some ideas. So with that, she grabbed hold of my offered hoof, which made me feel warm in a good way, but not warm in temperature. Odd.
We looked around on our way towards the castle, finding a few things along the way, which I did make a canteen to hold some water from the small lake from before. The Wood of the Timberwolves held up well in holding the water, but the canteen felt weightless even after I filled it, and that's when I found out something fantastic. I just made an infinite water source from within the canteen using just the wood, and some twine I made from some odd looking reeds.
Finally after what seemed like forever, we arrived at the Castle, with a rickety looking bridge connecting from a cliff towards it on the other side, where I assumed that a town could be in the other direction, luckily for us, we were on the side that the castle was on.
We walked as steadily and quickly as we could til we made it to the front of the castle, where once we walked in, I suddenly felt super comfortable towards one side that had pictures and tapestries of the moon in all it's glory, with several star filled blankets covering up one side of the castle's windows.
I used my new found magic to bring it down, cutting it and forming it into underwear, which felt weird for a bit in a certain place, then made some form fitting tights and a tight shirt.
I felt comfortable, and now I could use the wood of the Timberwolves to make a sort of armor around my breasts, my back, and fore-hooves. Once that was done, I grabbed another tapestry of the night, and formed it into a sort of cloak, making sure to use more of the wood to fasten it into a great piece, and soon after the new clothes seemed to glow in a small bit of power, which made me quite proud with myself.
Speda seemed quite impressed with my work as well, looking over all the tiny details, I had made sure to make it sport a tom-boyish style in clothes, rather than girly.
"I gotta say, Rarity would be impressed with your work. And while it looks beautiful, I feel it fits us quite well! Thanks for making it not girly though hehehe, I probably would have nagged otherwise. Okay, so, we got clothes, very protective clothes at that. What do you feel we should do next?", She asked me, and I felt compelled to go to the Night side of the castle, and see if we can find anything of use. Which we did for the next three hours, til we found a bedroom. We would sort through the loot gained tomorrow. I just felt so at home here, I couldn't help but lay down immediately, followed by Speda, as she draped her form over me. I couldn't help but blush, and smile as I fell asleep.
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
The sun shone through the ruined rafters up above, signifying a new day. I groaned in annoyance, pulling up what was closest to me in a hug to sleep more, til I heard that familiar giggle.
I looked up instantly, my eyes bearing sight to the beautiful mare once again, who while I may be now, I am not her, so I'm allowed to find her attractive in that way. Getting off track, I rubbed my eyes with my hooves, now coming to terms that this will be my reality from now on, and while some people may freak out and want to return ho- to Earth, all I do know is I had nothing to go back to. So I felt content, happy even that this was real, and so I pulled her into a bigger hug, not caring if she was in the buff.
It lasted a few minutes as she ran her hoof through my mane, until finally I decided that since I'm here, we might as well explore, or at the very least head to the town that was nearby, which had shown itself on my map.
But before all of that, we need to sort through the loot gained. Heck, I haven't even searched the Sun side of the castle, though I felt like I should wait on that for some person, er pony to be here with me. I don't know who though.
So, I took a look at what we found yesterday that we could easily move. It was a decent haul, and just based on their qualities, it more than made up for their quantities.
Loot Gained-
Silk of the Night Tapestries x24 - a high quality tapestry made up of special silk, that is easily given an enchantment when combined with some items, mainly for clothes or banners. Quality of enchantment is based off the materials used.
Mirror of Desire*- A special mirror that hides things you want kept safe, except if the being only wants to find it , but doesn't want to use such item. Able to be shrunken down to a hand mirror if wanted as just a normal mirror for the owner. Unbreakable in properties.
Night Blade Ingots x20 - A special ingot made up of a unknown property, giving it an additional special power when used in the night, especially under the light of the full moon. Can be made into anything you want with the right know how, and a certain forge, enchantments depends on the pony using them, and with what materials are used. Cannot be used at a normal forge.
Preserved Medicine of Old x10 - A special medicine with properties unknown to those today, if researched can gain great knowledge under Healing and Alchemy. Heals 10,000 HP
?Magic Book? - Is a mystery, pertaining to the pony wishing to read, it only shows some of it's magic unless a pony is skilled in many elements. Knowledge within is very powerful, allowing many common mages to rise to being great Wizards, or Witches throughout history. <???>
Everything that was found were great additions to my Inventory. Especially the last one, as it's ranking was unknown, which means according to who or what you are, you could gain a lot of knowledge or only a little, to maybe even none. The magic contained within taunted me, but I knew I shouldn't open it yet. So I stored it, and marked it under Favorites, along with my first S class Item, the Medicine.
I was giddy with excitement, imagining what I could create with these items in the future, but I calmed down and decided to take another, more thorough look around the castle as we didn't search everything on this side. It was a huge castle that I planned on fixing to be my future home.
I arrived in another room, and just as I took a step in, I felt something calling to me. So I walked ever nearer to the thing calling out, and when I found it, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of this weapon. It was a black, no, a dark midnight blue sword, and it just radiated with the power of the night.
I picked it up gingerly in my hooves, and it seemed to hum even more, so I tried looking at it's properties, but it was weird.
???????????????- Unknown in Material, Unknown in Power, Unknown. <????>
I looked closer at the blade after turning off the screen. I felt I had to do something important, so I attempted at what I could feel around me as I sat down at the desk which held the beautiful blade, along with a sheath, and some very ancient looking armor, but it seemed to worn down to be of any use, sansing this blade.
After what felt like hours, I finally felt a tug around me, from the blade itself, as if it was calling to be accepted, and used, to be molded into a perfect blade for a new user. I intended to be that user. So after a few seconds of concentrating on where to place my magic, to access it, I felt a new pull, coming from the sky.
That is when I noticed it was night. So I pulled some curtains back, storing those for later, and felt new information flow into me from an unknown source. It felt so familiar to me some how, that when I felt that new energy, feeling, or magic, whatever it was, it was like many doors had opened. I suddenly remembered something, as an image appeared before my eyes, showing two boys, talking with each other. I heard familiar names, especially the name Speda Hooves.
They were talking about some kind of story, of two sisters not unlike the two sisters from the paintings in this castle, but different. Speda Hooves was one, and the second was called something else, but suddenly I felt it blur, as if blocking that name, and pony to me directly. I would have to look into this further later, as for now, I felt a new feeling, and when I accessed it, the powers of the night flowed through my very soul, though I could feel as if it was saying this was only borrowed magic for the time being until I finished connecting to the blade.
What I could feel was that it was different towards one particular pony, or 'Alicorn' I could find information about from here. Her magic seemed to be from the moon and the night. My new power felt similar, but different in that I could extend beyond the moon. Towards the stars. And beyond even that if I focused enough, but only a little it seemed, as this was only borrowed magic, even if I don't know who it came from, but I had a feeling that it was that 'Alicorn' from before.
I got side-tracked, but once I got focused again, after another hour, I felt the sword hum one final time before falling silent, and when I touched the blade, new information burst within me from within it, as I felt it accept me as it's new owner.
The blade changed somehow, now sporting my unique pony stylization, with new gemstones sprouting from the hilt. The handle seemed to fuse with some of my Timberwolf Wood, causing it to gain a purplish shine, while the blade turned a dark purple in color, then for a final touch, it's length extended a bit more, though it became thinner in width at the base, but not too much. Finally it hummed again, and a purple ruby embedded itself between the few gemstones that had already appeared, beautifying the already beautiful sword.
I shook at the feeling spreading throughout my being, even as a new screen popped up into existence, gifting me newfound information.
???????- Does not have a name to finalize it's transformation, but once it has one it will be your most loyal weapon in your arsenal if you so choose. With this, it marks you as a Princess of the Night, though of what is unknown until it shows in your magic as it develops.
Main Enchantment <1> - Under the sky of the night, whenever the stars are abundant, it's power will flourish, granting a transparent shield over the body for a short time once activated.
Main Enchantment <2> - Once the first enchantment activates, grants the user a unique buff that last for 10 minutes once activated
Main Enchantment <3> - Final Enchantment passively grants the user affinity with Night Magic the moment this blade has accepted you as it's owner. Depending on who you are or who you want to be, it will branch off and give you many abilities along the way. One path was taken. There are few paths left to choose. Which will you choose.
Sub properties: ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???
This officially marks the user a Night Princess, granting her official domain with areas offiliated with the night, sansing the Moon.
I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was staring at the screen for an hour before Speda appeared in front of me wearing a distressed look, before she calmed down, until she saw the blade. She too balked at it, as she raised a hoof to touch it, and it hummed at her presence, signifying it also accepted her as a user of the night.
We couldn't speak for a good while, as we sat there, with the blade sat on our laps. Just staring at it. That's when I knew we should come up with a name for it, but each one I thought of quickly felt wrong, as if it wasn't worthy for the blade.
So the silence continued for a good long while, until I gingerly slid the now changed sheath over the gorgeous blade, and hooking it to my sheath beside my two blades I had made just yesterday., And they each felt like they weighed only very little from the unique enchantments on them aside from my newest one which felt heavy, but not too heavy. I looked around for anything more of use, spotting something underneath a knocked over book shelf. I decided to just store them both into the inventory, as I was gonna need to decorate my new room until I had money to gain new furniture, and refurbish the entire castle.
We walked back towards the entrance of said castle, and as we stepped outside, the moon slowly started drifting towards one horizon, as the sun started also rising, signifying the time was around four o'clock in the morning, maybe four-thirty. So with that, we both trecked our way across the rickety bridge, which I planned to fix into a decent one in the near future, and headed towards the town.
I could tell there probably wasn't any machinery aside from maybe trains in this world, which meant coal was being burned, in turn causing eventual harm to the planet like it did for Earth. I remember that much, even with how advanced people became, it's always caused problems for the world. I would need to find a way to fix that.
Finally I spoke to my companion. "So... Do you think you could figure out a name for our new weapon? Anything that sounds nice to the ears?", I asked her, and she seemed to gain a look of thought.
"Well not at the moment no. But I'm sure I can think of something Love. Just need to get over that mental trauma of how you even gained access to something like that. Makes me feel proud of what you accomplished already!", Speda smiled at me, making me blush again in embarrassment, and not a small amount of hidden love for the Mare that I had no clue as to why I did, but it felt right, and she was a very pretty Mare, if not gorgeous.
I felt a headache coming on since I 'was' her at the moment, and I had no clue as to how the towns ponies would react to a pony standing as a bipedal, while talking to something they couldn't see, or hear, so they would probably veiw me as insane, or at the very least crazy.
Finally after a hour of travelling in the Everfree Forest as it said on the map, we made it to the end, where a Farm showed on the horizon as soon as the sun reached mid-sky, the farm itself beautiful looking in the early morning.
What happened next was a bit confusing, as I saw an orange colored Earth Pony walk out of one of the houses with three others, one of them just barely shorter than her. The red stallion seemed to be the tallest one, and the final one seemed to be the eldest among them, as she was quite a wise looking old mare.
They were all different colors among the rainbow, but it didn't seem to matter as they appeared to be family. And that's when the Elder Mare turned my way, gaining a confused expression upon her face as she stared at my form, and my clothes.
The youngest burst forth with unexpected excitement from the group towards us, and once she reached us she appeared to be looking for something on me.
"Oh my gosh, you look so cool! Where did you get that cloth?! Why are your eyes Glowing like that, hey can I see your Cutie-mark?! Is it secret, and that's why you wear clothes? Oh I have just so many questions! Oooh those swords of yours looks so pretty too! My name is Applebloom, and I hope we can be good friends-", suddenly she was silenced, making me sigh in relief, as I turned to the one in question who silenced her. It was the Orange Earth Pony, who looked positively confused as to why I came out of the forest for some reason.
"While Ah don' know you, or why you suddenly walked out of the Everfree walking like Pinkie does at times, Ah would be very pleased if you could be careful when walking alone out there, y'hear? If ya didn't know, there be Timberwolves out there, and they will stop at nothing to get a pony once they've seen yeh.", She said, and I appreciated the concern, but I felt compelled to tell her what happened, and not lie about it. That's a bit weird, but okay, I was gonna do that anyhow.
"I appreciate the concern, but I already fought off one group of Timberwolves. In fact, I gained some interesting prizes from them there after I did so. Do you know where the direction of 'PonyVille' is? I don't know the landscape here", I asked in pure curiosity, and she seemed satisfied with my answer, if not a bit intrigued as to how I fought them.
"Jus' head down that way, take a right, then straight on til you see the first sign, after that take a left, and there you go. Now I do hope you have a pleasant day, Miss, but we gotta get back to work. I hope to see y'all again soon now! Applebloom, Big Mac, let's get right on to it!", Said the Orange Mare, and once they left, Speda popped into existence with me again.
"Y'know, I have the strangest feeling our luck with these items is going to end soon. What do you bet we'll only have common luck for a while? I know, I should have said earlier, but still, I think our luck is spent for quite a while.", my Companion said out of concern, and I agreed with her. At least for when we aren't talking about the castle, as I am sure there are more things we haven't found yet, but so far we should be good. The only thing I wish to find as of now is that 'Special' Forge to make some actual quality armor.
After another twenty minutes, we finally managed to arrive at the town. What greeted us was a lot of quadrupedal ponies walking around doing everyday things, that is except for one. A pink pony was walking towards me with excitement on her face, walking exactly like how I was, and when other ponies saw me doing the same, they seemed scared like I was spreading some type of disease, but at the same time they didn't freak out, just seemed massively nervous, so this should be sorta normal.
The pink pony mare finally made it to me, and I couldn't help but put my hooves over my eyes, blushing at the sight she was displaying. These ponies don't seem to understand the concept of clothes, unless they do these things on purpose because of tails or something.
"Hi there! My name is Pinkie Pie, and it's super nice to meet you! I love those clothes of yours! Ooh, and your eyes are super pretty, is there a reason as to why they are glowing like they are? What is your name by the way?", She asked super quickly, causing me and Speda to blank a bit, before Speda started giggling.
I filed a future conversation with Speda for later, and smiled back at the cute friendly mare, and then introduced myself, or ourselves.
"It's nice to meet you too Pinkie Pie, my name is Speda Hooves, and thank you for the complements, I made them myself! For your second question, well I don't know, it's always been that way. They allow me to use magic like a unicorn if that helps", I added with a thoughtful look, not noticing the look of pure shock on the nearby ponies around me, while Pinkie smiled in excitement, and got super close to me, our muzzles nearly close enough to kiss, causing me to blush instantly.
"You CAN?! Can you show me please?! Ooh, can you float me up? Oh ooh, what about changing my hair a different shape or color!", The pink pony said, in plain glee, and I did not want to disappoint such a cute pony.
I focused, and suddenly she was flying, while giggling uncontrollably. Though instead of just using telekinesis like sane ponies would do, I thought, why not make her a pair of wings, if only for a few minutes. And as suddenly as two pink wings popped into existence, all of the towns-ponies freaked out, claiming I had unknowingly set a enemy out amongst them all. Sounded weird to me, so I paid that no mind, as I watched the mare gracefully fly, causing my cheeks to heat up once again, as I heard the teasing voice of my hidden companion next to me.
"Aww, isn't that sweet, you're crushing on her hard! Y'know, I'm willing to share, but you have to confide in me first, y'know!", she exclaimed, not caring how red she was making me, as the towns-ponies looked concerned after taking a look at me.
I didn't realize how much chaos a single pony could cause, as I soon found out later on the small mistake of giving Pinkie Pie a set of wings. But some things are worth the chaos caused. One thing in particular is one of them, and I would definitely do it again if I was given the choice to have a redo.
Author's Note
Chapter Two done, chapter three coming right up! While I can guess I probably won't rank very high in the contest, this is fun, and I will definitely be continuing this after it's over. Once I reach the limit, of course.
I'm gonna make this story sort of like a Displaced story, when I give our protagonists, Yours Truly, and Speda, an item to summon them, but I will only accept those who ask in the future. For now, it will just be my SOUL Sister, Emerald Breeze, who will be the first Displaced character
Any questions, comment down below, and I will see everypony next time!
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
After cleaning up a giant mess, due to who it was caused by, Pinkie led me out through town, greeting everypony in turn, then turned back towards me.
"HEY, I JUST REMEMBERED! I need to plan your 'Welcome to Equestria, and Ponyville Party'! Oh ooh, I'll go get started on the cake, while ordering some dark colored napkins! What's your favorite color, oh who am I kidding, you loved the colors black and blue, you did say you liked it before!", She yelled out in excitement already too far to hear my confused words, as I never said anything about my favorite color, she just somehow got it right. Well, beats me how she did it, but I won't complain!
After another minute of walking, Pinkie Pie started acting weird, spasming several times that in general lasted for a few minutes, 'til finally she gasped, and yelled out excitedly.
"I sense ANOTHER new pony! Oh this one is tough, I can't even sense where they are at the moment! Oh NEW PONY! Where ARE you!", Pinkie yelled, and ran off in a random direction, leaving me behind, that is until I heard some soft snoring from somewhere but I couldn't tell where. Huh, weird. I'll come back here in a minute, I'm going to look for something.
I walked into a nearby store, noticing the brick work from the outside, and on the sign, I couldn't pass this chance to maybe fix part of the castle. So, the bell chimed after I walked in, letting whatever pony was inside know they had a customer and before long, a white stallion walked out from behind the counter.
He appeared to have a gray-ish steel mane and tail, though he didn't look too old. It appeared his name was Stone Cutter from the name tag he had on his apron that looked dirty from clay or whatever it was he was working on.
"Howdy, what can I do for you. Need any new walls done in a fire place- wait, you're new! Ha, well darn tootin', thought Pinkie would notify me and the towns folk before you walked any where. Maybe she didn't catch ya yet. Well, what would you like?", The Stallion said clearly a well humored guy, so I just went right to the chase.
"Well, I did meet a Pinkie Pie, though she left me earlier saying she 'sensed' another new pony. Don't know how that works, but whatever. What I need, and would like is if you can help me rebuild a castle I'm working on fixing. Do you know it? It's just up the path through the Everfree.-", As soon as I started speaking, the Stallion seemed intrigued and confused, that is til he took on a slightly scared expression when I mentioned where the castle was located.
"You're tellin' me, that there is a castle in the Everfree, one of the most dangerous forests known to pony kind, and no pony has seen it? You've gotta be pulling mah tail.", The Stallion said, cracking a nervous grin, though when I didn't smile, he frowned. "That there is a dangerous job proposition, Miss. Do you have a good amount of funds?", He asked, and when I said not yet, he sighed in relief.
"But I might have some things I can sell to get some money. I just don't know who to go to for that.", I said, pondering what I should do now that I need a lot of money, not that I didn't know I needed money, I just didn't know how much.
"Well.... When you do manage to come up with it, come back here, and we will talk about going through the Everfree. For now, is there any thing else you need? By the way, I just now noticed the craftsmanship of these blades, where did you get them? They look beautiful compared to the weapons Celestia's Royal Guard uses.", Stone asked, and so I decided to answer truthfully.
"Actually, I made them. Two of them anyway, and the third, I just changed the design to fit me. Thank you for the compliments!", I said as Speda nodded her head towards the door, probably cause she heard the laughing outside the door, before yells were also heard, quite loudly in fact.
I nodded my head to Stone Cutter, as he nodded in return, and I stepped outside to find the funniest looking scene in front of me.
A purple Unicorn who was quite peeved at the moment glared at a hot- er pretty rainbow maned individual who was on the floor laughing her heart out next to a dragon equally laughing. What reason exactly?
It was her mane. While it was super curly, and didn't seem to fit her too well, it was an oddly pretty look for her as well. I feel so weird with all these pretty mares about, I aught to keep to myself. But whatever, I'll deal with whatever hormones that comes to pass later, right now, Speda was chuckling to herself at the Unicorn, though I felt sympathetic, so I stepped towards her, though I caused her to yelp in fright at how tall I was when standing like this compared to her.
" Oh my Celestia, how are you walking like that?! And-", the purple unicorn let out a small eep at the sight of three swords, and was about to run, when I spoke to her with an apologetic tone.
"Sorry for scaring you. Here, I'll put them away.", I said, and pulled the swords out with my magic, further making the mare's eyes widen in alarm, before I made my weapons 'disappear' in front of them, this time intriguing the mare.
Suddenly I was grabbed in a new form of magic, purple or magenta in color, before I had my peripheral vision filled with the sight of the unicorn.
"How in Celestia's name did you do that?! You don't have a horn, this is impossible. Tell me how you did it please, I just need to know!", And suddenly I was pulled away from the space-invading mare by the dragon from before, who looked equally appalled by my display, but seemed annoyed with the unicorn.
"Twilight, when will you learn to ask from a distance of at least four hooves instead of taking up all their space? Celestia got upset with you the last twenty times you've done it so far, do I need to send her a letter?", The dragon asked in a slight annoyed voice that cracked the more he spoke, like a teen the first day his vocal cords change. Though he did gain an amused expression again after looking back at her mane.
The mare in question eep'd again in what seemed to be embarrassment, as she stood up, bowed at me, and uttered a few apologies, which I waved off.
"No need to feel sorry, just be more aware next time? I'll be happy to tell you later, but just gonna say, I don't know much more than just I've had it since forever. It's a very handy ability when I'm in danger. Or for anything really.", I said, smiling at her, then turning to the now quiet mare who was staring at me for some reason.
"- Something wrong?", I asked, and when I did, she pointed at the visible skin from below my cloak that was still concealing everything else other than my wings, which she pointed to next.
"Why do you have scars like that? And how did you get that one on your eye, if you don't mind me asking, it looks fresh.", She said with a bit of small alarm present in her face, but she seemed to calm down after a short few minutes.
"Well you are indeed right that it's fresh, though I don't expect it to scar up too bad. Battle with a group of Timberwolves, traveling through the Everfree, was a nice nature walk. Wanna join me next time?", I ask, gaining a new shocked look on the Rainbow mare's face, though excitement seemed to bubble through.
She was about to respond before the Twilight pony coughed to get our attention, and then she gestured to the sky.
"So, as I was trying to say before, after that big shock, thank you for your hard work Rainbow Dash, even though it only took you ten seconds to get it done, which I'm still puzzling on how that was possible but aside from that, we have another stop to go to, so I'll be out of your hair.", She said, which was rewarded with a few giggles, which she gained the annoyed look on her face again, dragging the dragon with her.
I turned towards Rainbow Dash, and offered my hoof, which she shook awkwardly, since I was still standing too high for her to reach, as I introduced myself to her, trying to be quick so I can catch up with the purple mare and her dragon friend.
"It was nice meeting you Rainbow Dash, my name is Speda Hooves. I'd love to get to know you more later, but I'm gonna head with that Twilight pony, as she seems to be going in the direction I need to go as well. See you next time!", I said, smiling at her and before she could respond, I ran after Twilight.
She jumped a bit as soon as I stopped by her, but she relaxed, and smiled nervously. She didn't really seem like she had that many friends so I decided there I would do my best to become one of her firsts. I mean, I might be looking too much into it, maybe she does have friends that I don't know about, but she doesn't seem like the type to want to get to know new ponies. Okay random topic in my head, back to main focus.
I smiled at Twilight, and reached down to pat her back, then stood back up, continuing on our walk to what was now indicated in my HUD.
"So, what have you two been doing all day anyways, you don't seem like you're from here, like me. Well, sort of like me.", I asked them, and Dragon-boy seemed ready to respond right there, but Twilight beat him to it.
"We are here to make sure everything goes to plan for the upcoming Summer-Sun Celebration. Isn't that why you came, for the Celebration?", She asked, and I shook my head in confusion as I never heard of that before. That's when the dragon spoke.
"AND We are here so Twilight can make some friends, Celestia know's she needs it. Literally. Anyways, my name's Spike, I dont know if I said before, but it's nice to meet you.", Spike smiled at me, and I smiled back. He seemed nice.
"Ugh, Spike that is NOT what we are here to do, besides what good are friends anyways when I can properly study in piece?", Twilight asked. Yeah, definitely needs some friends.
Finally we arrived at our destination, and when we walked in, we found a single mare in there tidying up the room. Spike seemed smitten already. She's kinda cute, but not as pretty as Speda, Rainbow, or Pinkie, at least in my opinion.
Finally when the mare turned around, not noticing me quite yet, she gasped at the sight of Twilight, clearly making her uncomfortable as she asked questions about her mane.
The white colored Unicorn grabbed hold of Twilight and dragged her off towards the back, even as she visibly begged me to help her, but I didn't know what to do.
It took a few minutes before they were back, or Twilight at least, now with a pretty looking saddle, and hair in a proper shape I presumed, and she also looked very pretty now that she wasn't roughed up. Purple was a common theme with her it seemed.
She stopped and decided to hide behind me and Spike, though Spike was just standing there with a grin plastered across his face.
After another moment, the mare peeked out from behind a door, and spotted me at last, and seemed a little upset that her project ran out on her, but then she gaped at my form. No idea why.
"Remember when I said 'Rarity would be proud'? This is her. Questions later love, for now enjoy the funny.", my Companion spoke up again, even as the white mare zoomed up to me, with a wide eyed expression upon her face.
"Who made your outfit, darling? And where did they get such magnificent materials?! I must know!", The unicorn, now named Rarity, spoke with a questionable tone.
"U... Uh.... I made them? And when I made them, I used some things I found in where I am now living.", I said, and there, she brought my face down till we were muzzle-to-muzzle.
"Tell. Me. Everything. I... I'll buy the material from you! However much you have left!", She said, with a weird desperation now in her eyes. Seemed a little crazy to me, but I decided to humor her. And besides, I'd only give her one, cuz I still need the rest.
"I... I'm sorry, but I can't. I can give you one, but I'm keeping the rest. You can ask me later for any info you want, but we gotta get going, so it was nice to meet you Rarity. I heard you when you talked to my companion here. My name is Speda Hooves.", I said, and she seemed crestfallen, but still smiled as I handed her the beautiful piece of cloth, she even held it as if it were a sacred treasure.
She came back with a big pouch of gold coins with a horse shoe imprinted on the middle of each coin, and a few large gem stones. I accepted them with a smile, and promised to return.
We exited the Boutique, as I found out the name of the building, and I followed Twilight on her way towards a cottage outside the town, which appeared to have many animals around.
There was a pegasus mare with yellowish skin, or fur, and she was speaking to a group of birds who appeared to be working on music.
This mare was almost as tall as me if I were standing on all fours, and she was a very beautiful mare, and I blushed a little as she caught my eye, at first becoming a bit scared, but then seemed as if she wasn't. She approached me slowly, and reached up to touch my face, and gave me a small smile, as if she understood something.
But then she yelped when Twilight yelled hello, causing the birds to fly away quickly. Geez Twilight, way to make an entrance.
Author's Note
Okay, chapter three done!
Go ahead and ask all the questions you want regarding the story, but I will continue on. Also, Tell me if I make mistakes, it is very appreciated.
Finally, there is something that will appear in the next chapter that will be from the past three chapters in passing. Can y'all guess what it is before I post chapter 4?
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
A choice to be made - Ch. 5
When we got to the library, Twilight instantly went to go search for a book, but couldn't find it until Pinkie popped up with it.
"How did you find that?!", Twilight asked as she snatched it away from her, already opening it up and scrolling through the pages.
"It was under Eeeeeee!!!!", The Pink pony yelled with a smile, bouncing along the floor towards the others. I chuckled a bit, but focused, knowing that we had a herculean task ahead of us, with a reluctant princess, which two spirits within desperately needed our help. Or at least mine and Speda's help, regarding Nightmare Moon, cause I had a hunch that those 'Elements of Harmony' would kill her if they decided she was evil in heart.
Even if she was for a time, people change. I believe that's true for ponies too, or whatever creature there is out there.
So, steeling up my resolve, I went to walk out of the library, but was stopped as Applejack grabbed hold of my waist, halting my progress to the door. I looked at her, as she raised an eyebrow at me.
"Now where in the Hay do ya think you're going, off alone?", She asked, and I felt a guilty pang in my chest, as I made up an excuse.
"I'm going home. Need to get that book.", I said, and I began sweating, when she glared at me. I sighed, hanging my head. "I'm going to go and try to talk to the Princesses. Try and convince them that they aren't alone. Cause I just have a feeling that if you really found those Elements of Harmony and used them on them both, you would inadvertantly kill Nightmoon. And I can't accept that.", I said, and ran before she could grab hold of me again, not caring about the cries of protest or the sounds of gasps coming from behind me, but before I got too far, Applebloom was on my tail, running ahead of me, and then stopped in my way.
"Ah heard what you said before, but Ah'm not lettin' ya go alone! If you are really sure about what ya feel, then Ah jus' gotta help ya, cause Ah don't want mah Sister to become a killer. Ah know that's not a really good reason to go with ya, but this 'Nightmoon' pony, as you have nicknamed her, scared me a bit at first. But the way you handled it, made me think. Do you know what she's been going through, like, have you gone through-", I interrupted her there, and flashed a bit of a smile.
"Something like that? Yes, sort of. Can you keep a secret, Applebloom? I'll tell them sometime in the future, but for now, I need someone to know, and I trust you the most as of this moment out of all of em. Not that I don't trust em, no, but I've technically known you the longest, with Applejack as a close second.", I asked her, and she looked at me in the eyes, before nodding.
"Ah pinkie promise, Cross mah heart, hope to fly, put a cupcake in mah eye!", She said, and while the promise sounded silly, it also sounded sincere, so I nodded in a appreciation, before beckoning her to follow, as I headed towards the Everfree.
"I'm not really.... This. I can't remember much of my life before today, aside from small things, but this isn't my origional body. I can't even remember my actual name. I share a body with Speda Hooves, my uh... 'Special Somepony'? She's something like that. Though she apparently doesn't mind sharing. But, back to what I was saying, all I do know, is that I am not origionally female. I wasn't even a pony before this, I used to be something else, a hairless ape if that explains it well, but with extreme intelligence compared to it.", I began, noticing Applebloom's shocked face, so I carried on, while Speda started walking next to both me and Applebloom.
"I sorta lied to the Princesses about when I arrived here. At the castle I mean. When I first woke up, I couldn't stand like I could earlier, it took me a bit to get the hang of it, what with my new body. After I had gotten used to it, the fight with the Timberwolves happened. It was pretty epic, if I do say so myself, but during that, Speda manifested, and helped me. That's how I got two of the blades I now have, as well as the wood for the armour. Fast forward an hour or two, we arrived at the castle, which was the day before yesterday, I think. We searched the castle for supplies on the right side, the Moon side, which is where we got some of the material for our clothes, and where I got my sword.
"What I learned is that she felt alone. Luna, I mean, and she felt abandoned. By everypony, by her subjects, her mentors. Her sister. So she turned to someone inside her. Her inner self, yet not a inner self. She was someone with a conscience inside a conscience. Nightmare Moon, or Nightmoon as I have come to call her instead, was everything she needed at the time. Care. Love maybe. A bond, I'm sure they shared with each other, untill something happened that caused them to be angered, or upset at her sister in particular. That's when the battle happened, at least I think so, and I am sure it was painful for them both to go through with it against someone they both cared for. So I sympathize with that, at least on a scale that I can understand, with Speda by my own side. And I still have that feeling, about what could happen to Nightmoon if they find a way to use those Elements, so I'm going to attempt to have a peaceful meeting with them alone. Or at least I did, before you came.", I finished, smiling at her a bit to lighten the mood, until I felt a body crush me in an iron grip.
"You.... Don't remember who you used to be? So.. that means you don't have parents, or any memories of them at all? What about this Speda gal, does she remember anything?", Applebloom asked, with a sad look on her face, as well as losing her accent a bit.
"No, no I don't. Like I said, there's only tidbits of information I can remember from my past life, that I was male, a story I made with someone that I can't remember the name or face of, that Speda was the closest being I could ever be with someone, and that she was just Made Up, there at first. And a few other things, like my likes, and dislikes, but only a bit, like my favorite games. But really that's about it. I'm not really sure if Speda remembers but you can ask her if you want. She's always with me.", I said, sitting down, causing Applebloom to sit as well, and when I pointed to my side at Speda, she turned to look.
"She is? Uhm, Miss Speda? Do you know, or remember anything?", She asked, and that was when my companion giggled a bit. Though she couldn't hear her.
"Yes, I remember some things. More than my Love can that's for sure, but I don't remember some things that I should, so I don't remember everything. ", Speda said, and as I relayed that to Applebloom, she brightened up a bit. I suddenly got an idea, and pulled out a notepad, handing it to my companion, and when she held it, Applebloom gasped.
"Before we get too lost into conversations, we need to get going, I need to find the Princesses, and convince them before it is too late. C'mon!", I said, getting up after putting away the notepad, with both of my companions not far behind.
It was an hour after our search that we came upon the Princesses, who's expression was that of confusion, as we approached.
"How didst ye find us, we made sure to stay in a hidden area! Wait. You? What didst you need of us?! We're busy, if ye can see.", The Princess states, and so I approach with caution again, this time without the weapons.
"I wanted to speak to you- Please don't leave! Look... I am in a similar situation that you have had since it first developed into what you are now, Nightmoon. Except, my inner self, isn't exactly that. In fact, I'm somewhat of an invader of her body, but it seems we knew each other before I can remember, so it's not intentional, at least I don't think. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I am sort of like you, Nightmoon. And Speda herself is like Luna, but in her happier times. Understand so far?", I ask, deciding to take the honest approach to things, and when I said that, I saw Nightmoon's eyes widen a bit, and then she glared at me, as she seemed to gain a suspicious look.
"How wouldst ye know what we hast been through, Little Pegasus, when you don't have a Sister to abandon ye! How wouldst ye know how we feel, when we can't be sure if ye are lying! HOW COULDST WE BELIEVE YE, WHEN NO ONE HAST DONE SO FOR US IN A THOUSAND YEARS!", the Alicorn mare cried out in anger, and something else as her wings flared up to make her more intimidating.
"There is no way for me to explain, except for showing you. And actually, now that you say that, about a sister... Well... I believe I had one, once. I don't know where she is, I don't know who she is, because I can't even remember who I am myself, but I do know she's out there. Please, Princess, just... Try. Try to understand. Cause I don't want to see you die.", I said, my breath hitching up for some reason, as I held a hoof out to her, and as she stared at it, tears welling up in her eyes, she closed them tight, and then disappeared.
I sighed in disappointment, before turning to Applebloom, and Speda, smiling sadly. They wrapped their hooves around me in understanding, and after a minute, they let go.
"We need to find her again. But first, let's head to the castle, we need to make sure she's welcomed there. I don't want her feeling unwelcome at all, okay Girls?", I said, and both of them nodded, then we sprinted off towards the castle, which wasn't that far away.
We arrived at said castle, spotting the backsides of several familiar ponies. We might be too late, but I'm not willing to give up, I grabbed hold of Applebloom, as Speda held onto me from behind, and then I teleported us directly into Luna's bedroom, now our bedroom, before sprinting out to the main room. I found Twilight gazing at many spherical rocks in a circle around a small tower, which was in the middle of the room, while the rest of the girls were behind her, ready to leave, that is till I arrived.
"Speda? Where have you been?! We looked everywhere for you on our way here, we were worried! Wait, how are you here anyways, where's Applebloom- Oh. There she is. Now please explain why you-", Twilight began, but I interupted her, using my magic to seal all of their mouths shut, then having them all sit down, with myself included. They looked panicked for a second, until I started speaking.
I explained everything. Or, most everything, except for the most important things, that I would only share with those I become closest to that day, while I also explained why I wanted to defend Nightmoon so much, causing all of them to audibly gasp at the realization of what they could have done, if they didn't find out before-hoof.
After I was done with my explanation, I released them, though I didn't expect to be crush in a warm embrace, of AJ's, then Fluttershy's, and then Pinkie's. Rainbow joined in reluctantly, with Twilight after that, and then Rarity hugged me as well. My heart stopped for a solid ten seconds, not knowing how to deal with this, before I backed away, my face a little hot, from embarrassing, and confusion.
"Look, girls. All I'm trying to ask is, please, help me. Help me, help Luna, help Nightmoon. I don't want her to die, nor do I think Luna would want Nightmoon to die either. So, what do you say?", I ask, holding out my hoof, Applebloom being the second to join in, after Speda herself.
"Ah'll do anything Ah can, Sugarcube, you've got a pair of Apple's at your side forever if need be, anytime you need us, ya hear?!", Applejack said, planting her hoof in. I smiled and nodded at her.
"Anything to make sure the Princesses become happy again, we'll do all we can!", Pinkie spoke up, somehow having gotten into a serious attitude which surprised some of them here, but made me smile even wider.
Rainbow Dash was next, sporting a bright grin on her face. "I know they are hurting right now, but if she puts up a fight, I won't be afraid to kick her flank, so you got me in Speda!", She exlaims, and then slams her hoof down on the group of hooves between us.
" I..... I will do everything I... I c... C.. can to help, even if it may b... Be scary!", Fluttershy quietly yells out, with a determined look on her own face. We all smiled at her in turn, then we turned to the last pony to join in.
Rarity looked about ready to hyperventilate, but she eventually calmed down enough to set her own shaky hoof down into the group, before slowly speaking what she felt.
"I... I will do everything in my power to keep those princesses happy! For my sister, for our Princess of the Sun, for our Princesses of the Moon, for my... Friends. Let's do this, Darling!", Rarity yelled out, now determined to do this.
I was beaming in happiness for what they were doing for them. We got up, now ready for the battle ahead of us, though I barely noticed a ping sound as many names popped up in the side of my screen, as it was constantly on. They were now a part of my team, and we would share exp when gained. That was nice to have, but not useful at this moment, as a dark wisp blew in to the room, ahead of us, before solidifying into the Night Princesses that we knew since yesterday.
Still can't believe it's only been three to four days since I arrived here, even though I can't remember much else.
Author's Note
Alright, finally finished Chapter 5. Super annoying to have to think and come up with these things, but it's come out okay so far.
Anywho, Author and Speda out today! Good night, all!
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
The Lunar Princesses Retribution - Ch. 6
As soon as she appeared, the rest of the Mane Six tensed up, readying for the coming battle. I however, sheathed my weapons, and slowly walked towards her, trying one last time at reasoning with her, even though I knew it'd be pointless unless she had her sister reason with her.
"Please Princesses, I don't want to fight either of you. There has to be a better way to go about this, other than fighting!", I yelled out, but their expression was of grim determination. I tensed up, as I knew the oncoming force of an Alicorn's magic would be close, pulling out the weapons once more, presenting them in front of me to serve as shields.
It was not five seconds, before I was going across the room, smashing into the castle walls behind me, making a loud grunt of pain as I did so. I heard the girls yell out our name together in a panic, but I steadied myself, and readied my weapons, spreading my wings to take flight.
"If this is how you really want to do it, then fine, be that way, I'll make you decide to change!", I yelled, flashing forward in an attempt to keep her at bay for the others. "Find the elements, Girls! I don't know how long I'll last!"
As soon as I got to the Princesses, our blades slashed, hers merely a shadow, and yet so strong. I don't know what I would do if she had access to her origional blade. I shudder at the thought, but flinch as my cheek is cut, blood leaking down.
After an exhausting five minute fight against the Princesses, I'm finally flung across the room once again, this time bleeding out, but I smile weakly, as I see the girls. A bright light is about to consume the Princesses, but I remember the possibility of death, so I fling my injured form in to the trajectory of the beam, getting hit full force, wearing the blast slightly enough but it still hits them. I feel slight despair, until I see their form turning into two. And miraculously, I'm healed, instead of injured.
I look over myself frantically, and then around until I spot Speda, but she's smiling, while floating next to me. I breathe a sigh of relief, then pick myself up, walking over to the pair, who's starting to waken.
"W... What... Where am I? Wait, what happened to that-! You.. you're okay? You took the force of that in an attempt to save me? I... I... Don't know what to say....", Spoke the darker Princess, and then I turn to the lighter one. Luna Moon.
She looks okay, younger even, about my age, if not for the mentality. I slightly blush a bit, noticing how beautiful both of them were, but I quickly shake that feeling away, smile, and offer my hoof to each of them.
"I didn't want to lose the chance of getting to know the real you, rather than the pained and anguished you. I understand both of you were in pain all these years, but you don't need to be anymore. We are here for you.", I say, giving my best at the brightest smile I could attempt, but then I heard another, unfamiliar mare cough to get our attention, as both hooves were placed into mine, the mares faces filled with gratitude.
"We thank thee from the bottom of our hearts! If ye didn't do what ye did ... Our spiritual companion might have perished, and we don't know what we would have done. Thank ye, so much.", Luna said, her voice breaking mid speech, as I pulled her into a hug, which she gladly returned, balling her eyes out.
I understand how she feels. I don't know what I would do without Speda. I look at Nightmoon, and offer her a hug as well, showing her a smile, and she laughs, a bit of tears in her own eyes, before accepting my hug, and we just stayed that way for a few minutes, before we heard a voice from someone, in which Luna froze up, not wanting to look, but I did.
"P... Princess Celestia! How-", Twilight began to ask, but Celestia leveled her gaze on me, and Nightmoon who was sharing my embrace with Luna, in which I returned the gaze, protectively.
"I know you may be Luna's sister, but I won't allow you to hurt Nightmoon in the process of getting close to her again. Do you understand me, 'Princess'?", I asked, not caring if she was royalty, and the patriarch of Ponies everywhere.
Time seemed to stand still, as the girls looked about ready to panic from what I said to their Princess, but suddenly, Celestia lit up in a tear-filled smile, before bursting out laughing.
"Oh, my little pony, if you are so adamant with what you want to do for her, then... I will not protest. In fact, I leave this castle, and it's property, to you, to protect Ponyville, it's citizens, The mare named Nightmoon, and my dearest gratitude.", She spoke with a smile, leaning down to look me in the eyes.
I was stumped. I didn't expect that response, and neither did the others as it seems, especially Nightmoon and Luna, who looked up at her Sister with wide-eyed disbelief.
"..... What?", Is all I could say, before seeing within the amused eyes of the princess, their was deep relief. And also nervousness. I decided I knew what I had to do.
I looked down at Luna, before nodding at her, and back to Celestia, in which Luna understood. She got up, facing Celestia, on wobbly legs, before instantly both Princesses embraced each-other, silent tears for the both of them, and I decided we should let them have their moment.
"Let's go Girls. There's no need to be here right now, let's let them be alone for a while, and go back to Ponyville. Ya know, to Celebrate!", I said, and they all agreed, and off we went. They can have a night to catch up, it's the least both of them deserve to have, what with it being a thousand years and all.
Author's Note
Hoowee, I'm sorry guys, that this took so long, but I've been quite busy recently.
First arc done, and over with, here comes the next arc on the horizon!
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
New Day, New Name, New Plans - Ch. 7
It was the next day, and I was at the Castle of the Two Sisters, now with Luna and Nightmoon, helping me fix up her old wing of the castle, Speda and I's new home.
"I can't believe how our old home has pretty much ceased to be.", Luna said, a faraway look on her face, before she brightens with a smile. "But at least we are here to rebuild!"
"Yeah! It won't be gone for long, in fact, it should be better than ever!", I said, before using telekinesis, putting a bit of strain on my eyes, before finally getting the new bed frame in the correct order.
It took a while, but eventually, the room looked very homey, along with additions from Luna and Nightmoon, which I learned they would both be staying with Speda and I, while we finish rebuilding this half of the castle.
We went to bed that night, snuggling together so we could stay warm, the fireplace ablaze with light, as I realized, it was almost Halloween, or Nightmare Night here. I decided I would decorate the castle when we woke for the next morning.
The next morning, we woke up, quite warm, and comfortable. Good bye, comfy bed, hello breezy morning.
I went to brush my teeth, and fix breakfast, eventually settling on French Toast, Eggs, and Hashbrowns. I kinda missed sausage and bacon for a moment, but perhaps I could find those who would be willing to sell me some.
A pair of Lunar ponies walked down, yawning loudly, before gaping at what was set about, already drooling.
"I... It's been so long since we've actually been able to eat.... It all looks so delicious. A... Are we allowed to have some?", Luna Moon asked, slightly nervous, and starving.
"Yes, please allow us to feast with thee, oh great one", Nightmoon spoke with an exaggerated swagger in her voice, humor laced within, but also nervousness and hunger.
"Of course, dig in, girls, ye didn't think I'd let you all go starving did you? I made all this for us as a celebratory morning.", I said, smiling at them in reassurance, beginning to eat already.
Luna quickly started digging in, leaving the fork to the side, with a predatory growl. I blanched at the scene, before chuckling, soon joined by Nightmoon, who was eating with a more delicate fashion.
"I can tell there was a lot more to dig in to those words huh? For a thousand years? I'm sorry you had to go for so long without food. No wonder you were so quick to anger.", I said, still chuckling, which which caused Luna to blush in embarrassment.
"Sorry.... We didst tell thee!", She said in her defence, crossing her hooves in front of her, as crumbs donned her chin.
" It's okay, just take it a little slower, it's not going any where, and you might choke. So, on other news, do you two know where we can get some more goods to pay for refilling the rooms with furniture? Somewhere that could still be around after all this time? I've got a stallion for bricks and stone working, but we need a way to pay him as well, since this is a castle and all.", I said, finishing up my breakfast, and bringing it to the kitchen, already planning up a way to install a water system.
"No, though we could ask our sister for help on that. We can ask the Town's Ponies for help in rebuilding more rooms. By the way, from experience's yesterday, we can tell you are also like us in some ways, does it perhaps include there are two of you within?", Luna asked, tilting her head, which caused Nightmoon to do the same.
I nodded. "Yeah... see, this isn't my body, but the one I'm in knows me from before, I guess? I'm supposed to be Male. Was a pretty big surprise for me to wake up too. I guess that calls for a different name, huh?", I asked, looking up to the ceiling, thinking, before bringing a hoof up into the air.
"I got it! I'll go by Thomas. Or Tommy for short. I'll decide a last name later.", I say, catching the dual Princess's attention at the oddness of it.
"That is quite an odd choice for a name... But if that's what ye choose, who are we to judge", Luna says, Nightmoon echoing a similar response, before they approach the front door of the castle. "We'll be down at the end of the bridge when you finish up Tommy. Be quick!", Nightmoon exclaims, before following Luna.
"All right!", I exclaim, spreading my wings, before sailing up the stairs to the room we share. I then change into my undergarments, my dress, my plain saddlebags, and then fasten my sword to my side. I sail back out the door after shutting it closed, down the steps, out the door, and over the small canyon to the waiting alicorns.
"Phew.... Quick enough for ya gals?", I grin at them, causing them to roll their eyes, while chuckling at me. I find out why, when I see my mane has been pushed up, back, and all around like I was stressed. I groaned, straightening it out, before settling into a comfy style.
"Looking better. All right let's go, first stop, Sweet Apple Acres!", Exclaimed Luna, who was very much still like a young filly at the moment.
Author's Note
Exaggerated scream of pain
It. Took. So. Looooooooong . I'm so sorry guys! Had to get through a lot more than I expected, and I have to work on getting my GED, along with a job sooner rather than later. Again, I sincerely apologize for my long absence.
Friendship is Optimal - Lover's Code
I apologized for Twilight's outburst, even as Twilight stuttered out her own apology, while telling Fluttershy, as I learned her name, that the music was beautiful.
She was still a little quiet towards Twilight, that is until she saw Spike, and she practically zoomed towards him, with excitement clear in her eyes, and I had to suppress a girly giggle.
I followed them after Twilight decided she was heading home, and Fluttershy followed as well asking questions about Spike, and looking back at me here and there. Finally after an hour, we arrived at a tree house library, which was apparently Twilight's home.
"Well, it was certainly nice meeting you, but my poor young baby dragon needs his sleep! So I'm afraid that we will have to-", Twilight was interrupted from her small lie as Fluttershy gasped, and picked Spike up, ready to bring him inside. But Twilight used her magic to take him from her grasp, making it apparent that she was gonna put him to bed.
"Oh no, I am so thankful for your hospitality, but we must go. Thank you, and good bye!", Twilight instantly closed the door, leaving me and Fluttershy outside. She gained a small upset look.
"Oh I didn't say anything wrong, did I?", Fluttershy asked, her lips quivering, adding to her adorable look, making my heart tighten at her display, and I quickly hugged her, shocking her.
"No, I'm sure she's just not so used to being around ponies so interested in conversation. She might just be exhausted herself, I know it couldn't be you, you are just too precious to be annoying.", I said, smiling down at her, and Fluttershy's face went crimson red in color as she stuttered a response to me, making it hard to understand her.
It was a few moments before a bursting loud 'SURPRISE' was heard throughout the town. Fluttershy jumped a bit in fright, as she landed in my arms, which caused me to blush this time, but I didn't mind it, as I stepped up to the now open door, which had a pink pony peaking through, with a large grin plastered on her face.
"Hey! I was wondering where you went, you missed your surprise along side Twilight! Get on in here! Oh hi, Fluttershy, it's good to see you!", Pinkie Pie exclaimed, smiling wider than any person, or pony I had ever seen, as Fluttershy smiled back at Pinkie, as I felt her relax into my arms, which her appearance also looked relaxed as she started a conversation with Pinkie, which I am not even sure if she knew she was still in my arms.
Pinkie apparently didn't miss this as she grinned mischievously at me from under her bangs, like she was planning something. I felt a shiver run down my spine.
We walked in,as I finally, after hours of walking as a bipedal, set my front hooves down and I relaxed as I felt the earthy floor of the Library and it's wood press up against the bottom of my hooves.
Speda floated herself over, and shrunk herself down to fairy size, as we walked to the food table. We were quickly stopped in place however as we witnessed Applebloom from the farm walking unsteadily towards us, while as a bipedal, giggling as she kept tripping, but still managing to get here until she finally stumbled at the last second.
I stood back up on two legs, and caught her in my arms. I noticed that we seemed to be pretty close in height, maybe even age. She looked up into my eyes for a few solid seconds, which made me blush, and in turn caused her to heat up a bit, before I sat her down gently, and she giggled.
"Sorry abou' that, I jus'wanted ta see iffin' it would help any walking like you did, and it was extremely helpful in spotting things I couldn't spot before! Though it's still difficult, how'd you learn to do it so easily? It was extremely hard to keep mah balance. Nearly fell twenty times before this, before fallin' like Ah did jus' now.", Applebloom said with a faint embarrassed blush adorning her face.
"Well I've just sorta kept walking like that as soon as I could without falling myself, and got used to it. I had some experience before about it, so it was relatively easy to implement as soon as I got the hang of it.", I said, not bothering with wasting time answering more than that, as I stood back up, towering over everypony, then I offered my hoof to her.
"Should Ah be worried?", Applebloom asked, blushing a bit at my offer, and turning her head to look at everypony around us who were gaping a bit in amazement at the display of two ponies who can stand just like-
I suddenly heard conversation going on between two ponies, Pinkie and Twilight to be exact, though after a moment, the latter's mane and tail bursted into flames, and her coat changed white, then after turning back, she ran upstairs. That was a bit weird.
I turned back to Applebloom, smiled brightly at her, keeping my hoof extended towards her. She grabbed hold, and when I pulled her up to me, she turned a brighter shade of red than her mane, as our muzzles briefly touched. Technically a kiss. That caused me to blush as well, but I shook my head, then concentrated on helping my new companion.
I grabbed her hind legs, making her yelp a little in shock, spreading them out, and then I fixed her posture. After that was done, I transfigured some new clothes with one of my banners around her frame, and body in general, into a dress that reached half way down her hind hooves, so she wasn't showing everything off to anypony.
Shortly after that, Applebloom was walking with little to no trouble at all, causing her to smile, and test her limits, as she started running, but instantly tripped, and fell, on top of me, making me groan in a bit of pain.
"O...oh, Ahm sorry, Ah didn't mean to hurt you! Uhm, Ah can fix this, gimme a moment. Applejack, can you help me!", Applebloom exclaimed as she ran to get another pony, the Orange one from earlier, who winced a bit as she looked at me, then turned to Applebloom who was back on all four hooves, expecting an explanation.
"Don't be too hard on her- Ow!- Ugh, I'm fine, I just need to cast a healing spell on myself-", I said slowly, until Applejack suddenly had my face in her hooves, staring me directly in my eyes.
"You be telling me that you're able to use magic, as a pegasus such as yourself? Can you prove it?", She asks me, with a weird glint in her eye, so I shrug, then focus on my bruises that were showing up, and on the one bone that broke when I collided with a table. After a moment, there wasn't any pain, and it was healed.
I opened my eyes, and saw her mouth agape as she stared at my now wound-less body, and as I cracked a small smile at her, she shook her head, then sat up and out of my face, letting me breathe.
I leaned up, and then chuckled at her still shocked expression, before I opened my own mouth to speak, before I heard that it was nearly time for Celestia to raise the sun, and that we needed to head over to a different building, the Mayor's specifically.
"Okay, so what is this for exactly? I need to head to my home soon anyways.", I asked them, and Applebloom asked me if I was living under a rock, or was I really not from around here. I decided not to answer that, as I walked with them towards the door, but then remembered Twilight was still upstairs. Applebloom volunteered to go with me, which made me smile in appreciation.
On our way up, I helped her walk up the stairs properly, until finally we arrived at a door. I knocked on it, hearing a groan of annoyance.
"Twilight, you okay? I just came by to grab you so we can go to where this supposed Summer Sun Celebration is supposed to take place. You coming?", I asked, and soon after I heard covers moving, and then the clop of hooves against the wood as she walked to the door. Said door opened as a bleary eyed Twilight stepped out, her mane a mess. I used my magic to fix her mane, patted it to make sure it stayed, then smiled at her, causing her expression to lighten a little. Progress is progress, I've always said! ..... I think.
We started walking back, with Twilight looking at both Applebloom and Me in curiosity, before trying to stand up on two hooves herself. I instantly brought a wing over my eyes, and focused, making her her own under garments, and a dress, quickly covering those places before she could even see what I did.
She wobbled, about to fall, but with me and Bloom by her sides, she stayed up. With that, we helped her along down the stairs and out of the library, Spike running our way gaining a confused expression as he slowed down.
After a few questions, he walked happily along with us as we kept Twilight up on her hooves till she could do it herself, and when she could, she smiled and was about to go a bit faster, but we stopped her in time before she suffered the same thing that happened with Bloom.
Finally we made it to the Town Hall, or the Mayor's place, and when we walked in, I could see several familiar faces. One of which was standing and walking like us, but seemed just fine. Pinkie Pie, I remember, as she seemed to be almost everywhere at once.
Second was Applejack, who I waved at, and she smiled at me, then looked back at the back of the building, the stage.
Third was Rarity, who was right by the stage, seemed appalled at the appearance of two other mares with the same material I traded with her, which she just admired the clothes, but still seemed amazed at the craftsponyship.
Forth was Fluttershy, who I didn't notice floating slowly, though ever nearer towards me, from the direction of Rainbow Dash. I smiled at her, and received one back.
Finally, Speaking of her, Rainbow Dash, who was snoring atop a cloud on the inside of the building, which seemed like something she would do.
I conjured up some chairs that I could remember from my past life, and an extra one that left my two companions confused. Speda sat right next to me, and smiled in appreciation, and when I tried explaining why Twilight couldn't sit there, she looked at me as if I were crazy.
When she did sit down, all fell quiet as the mayor walked up on the stage, then spoke into the megaphone, letting everypony around her, hear her voice, as she praised the 'Celestia' pony princess about her 'one thousand year anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration'.
I found that weird, since I found books that said she and her sister Luna were rulers for several centuries, if not a couple millennia back, wasn't she supposed to have been living longer than that? If so, why didn't it date back more than a thousand years? Questions for later I suppose.
It was when she seemed to try to introduce said Princess, that things seemed to go wrong for the ponies around us. The sky darkened considerably, so it was plenty dark, there was a howl in the air, even though we were inside, then of course the Princess was no where to be found. I prepared my weapons, my swords at the ready, which caused several ponies to be spooked into silence, as the wind seemed to solidify into a pony.
Another Alicorn, who was dark and scary in appearance, yet beautiful, as she seemed to carry a powerful presence as she glanced around the crowd, stopping at me, no, at my Nightblade sword, and gained an angered face, which broke into a grin as her magic activated, but seemed as if it did nothing.
She lost her grin, staring at me, as I stared at her, and everypony kept silent at our tense bodies, before she finally spoke.
"What hast ye done to our beautiful weapon of Darkness?! Why won't it return to us?! Who are you Pegasus. No, a better question, do you know who I am?! Has anypony here a clue?!", She said hostilely, whipping her head to and fro at every direction. When I saw the moon on her... Backside, I realized who she was relatively quickly.
"I believe I do, though you look a lot darker in color compared to your beautiful blue counterpart. Don't get me wrong, you are gorgeous in your own right, but I think the other you was prettier. That is you though, right, Princess Luna? Er.. you go by Nightmare Moon now, right?", I asked, which seemed to have calmed her appearance some, but not completely as she still seemed peeved at me for some reason.
"Well, at least there's that. How about anypony else? Does no pony here sans this one know about our selves?", She asked as she gazed around before Twilight hesitantly raised her hoof, then Spike did after a moment, but Twilight decided to speak.
"Y...yes. I know who you are too! I don't know how my friend knows about you, or why she owns a blade that you claim was yours, but I know that you, Nightmare Moon, almost wrought eternal night after you nearly killed your sister, Princess Celestia so long ago if it weren't for her using the elements of harmony, something that was called a fillies tale in an old book I found several days ago in Canterlot's royal library!", Twilight said, confidant in her knowledge, but backed down as Nightmare Moon seemed to sneer.
"Well, lest the past failures of ours, there are no ponies left to wield the elements against us. But what of this speak of this 'Canterlot'? That isn't a name that we knowest of!", Nightmare Moon spoke, and that's where I stepped in.
"I don't know where that is either, but I've been living in a castle not too far from here for the past..... week and a half. It was in ruins, but I've been fixing it up, and that's also where I got this beauty of mine. It changed when I gained access to it, I think to fit me, but if that's all you need to know, there you go. Now may I ask where this 'Celestia' is, as the towns-ponies have called your sister? You didn't do anything to harm her did you?", I asked as I cautiously took a slow step towards her, getting ready for the next as I tried to keep her talking.
"Where no pony shall ever find her! Since you can't get to the sun, even if you tried, you may know that much about your precious Sun Princess. She is not harmed, except from her being prisoned there. Now tell me, Pegasus, how is it you gained access to our Sionis Nocte, our Magic Blade of the Night, when not even the most skilled of unicorns could use it?!", She asked, as I was a few feet away from her.
"Like I said before, it just... Changed when I grabbed hold of it in my magic. Yes, magic, I'm able to use it with my eyes, I don't need a horn to do it, but I did feel a presence around me when I meditated on how to use it. A caring presence, but that of which I felt was aligned with the night sky. I believed it was you. Or at least your past you. We don't have to fight, but I must ask if you can restore your sister, and try to at least... Talk to her. Can you do that, princess of the night?", I asked her, and she scoffed but seemed to take on a troubled expression.
"Even if we did, which the likes of us would not under any circumstances, she wouldn't listen to us. Not especially after what we've become, little pegasus, for our Sister is not so trustworthy to others who have taken something from her. Luna..... That's a name we haven't spoken in a long time. Luna and I, we have been the only ones to be there for one another ever since We manifested within her. Things changed. I- no, we spoke too much. Just wanted to let you ponies know that yesterday was your last day. Our beautiful night will last forever from this moment forth!", She said, her expression changing back to slight anger, as she disappeared from view as lightning stuck around her, further frightening others, but making my resolve, and in turn my transparent companion's resolve, to help both Princesses of the Night, and the Princess of the Sun, to help with their past.
No matter what it takes, even if our lives were at stake, we would risk it. That's something we both knew we decided on.
Speda and I went to step towards the door, sheathing our weapons, and putting them away, when Rainbow Dash suddenly zoomed up to me, and Twilight, in a fit of uncontrolled rage, but I understood why since their princess was suddenly gone, and the only two who knew of the pony who did it, they seemed suspicious. Very understandable, but I decided to end it there.
"Rainbow Dash, while I understand why you're upset, you need to get your head together. Don't you understand? Those two Mares are suffering because they are afraid of confronting their sibling. I think that's because it might not have gone too well in the past when this all started. I finally know the situation, even though the book explained things, it was pretty one sided, not showing any of the Lunar Princess's side, and I want to find out the rest. Let's go to the library to regroup, and see what we need to do in case things get out of hoof. I'll explain what I do know, although it's not very much aside from just what I found.", I said, and that caused two ponies to nod, and Rainbow Dash to contemplate about it, before sighing, and following us to the library.
Author's Note
Chapter 4 is the final chapter for the contest, I'll be writing the rest soon after!
I hope you all enjoyed it so far, and would like to see where our protagonists go from here.
Quests have been activated, see if you can count all three instances! Even if it doesn't actually say it did or not, they are there.
See you all next time, Speda Hooves, and Author-san out!
