Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don’t, who will?⁣ – Unknown

Time was truly never on my side, was it? Today was strange to wake up to, no bad dreams or nightmares. Neat. But something appeared off, I wasn’t sure how to describe it, but things seemed to move in slow-motion almost, not completely still but just moving much slower than usual. Within the blink of my eye, the same odd effect vanished. It was rather strange, but I chose to ignore it. Today I would begin class off with starlight, it was a strange time given my past few days, but I tried my best to work it off, better to hide yourself away and lock up those feelings tight I thought. Arriving in the same room as before, I was surprised to find that Starlight and Sunset were there. Greetings with a smile, I got to work as per usual, though Sunset and Starlight (still unaware of my true origins) decided it would be best to go over the basics when it came to magic.

As a reminder, some people might imagine magic to be a simple conjuring of objects, an effect or any variation there of, but shockingly, it was much deeper than that. For a basic look, from what I could gather magic was not just something you conjured but more like a life-force for the equines and the many creatures that inhabited this world and even some from their ancient past. Think of it like Ki from some martial artists on earth, they used Chi/Ki to bend and surpass their natural limitations and control the heat in their body, allowing them to even achieve feats that could be considered superhuman.

Magic was the basis for many things, rather than go into the basics I would like to explain it as my teacher did. Sometimes it shocks me just how different my world is, truth be told. The world was full of magic, quite literally. Things breathed and created magic just as they moved, talked and wandered the world. Magic was full of most creatures and most objects even. Simple objects such as scrolls have small traces of magic fused into them by the weaving of creation. It was fascinating all the same, maybe I wasn’t the worst at history, but it got me excited learning of how magic worked. Sunset would guide me on the basics of learning to tap into my own magic. For all creatures, magic was more special than it appeared for each pony. That pony could be unique all their own, this went for other creatures as well. Some ponies were masters at pyromancy and were able to use this innate talent of magical fire to create a dazzling show. Turbulent winds with enough practice and command heat as well as their own body, allowing them to survive temperatures usually inhospitable.

Mastery of magic was typically treated as just a filly’s tale, no one had been born with the talent of magic in several thousands of years. Only a select few even existed to begin with, so the time for my talent being such was practically zero. That kind of sucked, honestly, it would’ve been cool to be this master mage with innate talent. Though that wasn’t the extent of magic and its history. For one, Alicorns were considered the beings with the most innate magic of all kinds within Equus or the Empires, even lands outside the Empire. Like the oddly Germanic Griffon kingdom, who solely depended on their medical and technological process but used magic nonetheless. Diamond dogs and their mining expertise and lust for gems and magic made them hated despite their good leaders. Then came the Hippogriffs and their mastery of both sky and land, their magic despite being more rudimentary and less refined than even infant Unicorns was hailed as the peak of the mix of land and sky.

Beings composed of all three components known as Alicorns like Cadence could not only utilize more special magic to themselves such as elemental magics like gravity or time in some extreme cases in the past. Eques, or the Love Empire as it is now, was once a beacon of both science and magic but turned to abandoning science in favor of more reliable magic. Magic became something that both treated and expanded into unknown horizons, though just hearing it all was still confusing regardless. I could only fixate strangely on the idea of magic and what my magic could be internally, what was my magic, and what was it to be?

For some time I took the basics of these lessons to heart, I used that same drive that got me into so much trouble as a kid. I put more effort into the spells I tried to conjure and despite my work to better levitate, Sunset assured me that the simple trick was just the basics of magic and that I was capable of more. She believed in me. I continued to impress as much as I could, this wasn’t simply bending like in those TV shows but using a finite source of energy within me. Although the progress was slow, Cadence had given me plenty of time and money on hand to do as I wished, so I truly wished to spend this time learning.

Simple was the spell of conjuring messages, I decided to play a bit of a prank on Adagio and Chrysalis and propped two messages to both of them. Later that day, they rewarded me with a swat on the head, such good friends, am I right? Next was at least mastering basic spell casting, the first was a spell to conjure up a glass of water, simple enough right? That was my thought despite struggling to conjure water and ending up conjuring more obstructive objects such as a bunny, parrot, sunset herself, and some other failed attempts.

The basics of conjuring were a bit more complicated, much of my remaining lessons focused on harnessing the aspect of my magic that was noted as “Your true self”, The idea of this magic was that much like a cutie mark it was your talent and yours alone. No two beings had the same talent, no matter the age or time, no matter what. However, they have mentioned some of the most proficient magic users who just so happen to be on the world’s shit list. Some included the Deadly Chrysalis, Hellish Siren Leader Adagio, Trader of Chaos Discord, The Centaur of the Nine Circles and Tirek among others.

Much of this list outside of Adagio and Chrysalis was off-putting, that many magic users who were considered angels of death? Had to at least scare a few foals when these stories were mentioned. In my mind I knew I had no chance of being as notorious as them be it for good or bad reasons in the future, but I would do what I could, it was my drive to make it up to them. Helped Adagio and Chrysalis and do what I could to survive. Though, something interested me, Dark magic. What was it? They didn’t exactly outright tell me but considered it even more dangerous than Chaos magic or Wild magic that the dragons possessed. This was said to be more corrupt in nature, even corrupting one of the older rulers of the Empire.

Dark magic was an aspect of both emotion and nature fusing into one. Those that used Dark magic could seemingly do as they wished, but the trade-off was just as deadly: whatever was created, cast or generated from the magic would always come back in the form of a trade-off, a live-for-live situation. Some Alicorns have even become gifted in the past of Dark magic and have called it the force of creation itself, though this was considered just rumors and blatant lies. Some users even named it their magic, calling it something that they could make unique all their own. I decided on a similar name myself, I could cast golden magic, right? Then maybe the name would be something I could see as uncool and kinda stupid, but “Storm Clairvoyance” sounded cool to me. The two of them get me odd looks, but I simply shrugged that off, I’d use this power and make my friends happy. Whatever it took me.

Different elements of magic were key to not only casting more advanced spells but less of a hassle in Starlight’s opinion. Magic was not only a part of one’s soul but something that could be even drawn from the air itself, it’s what gave the original rulers of the sun and moon their power. If I used this well, perhaps I could be a decent mage someday. Potentially enough to help Cadence. The first few lessons passed and soon ended. My first day of true magic training had been a success and I couldn’t wait to improve. At first, I asked for more classes, but then Starlight got an idea and outright asked if Sunset wished to be my tutor. Although surprised, she wasn’t in the slightest opposition and smiled at me, nodding.

For some time, instead of pure magic lessons. Whatever I learned would be refined and improved upon when Sunset had the time, she was a busy mare, and I was more than happy to learn from her when I could. She’s a good magic caster like Starlight and I appreciate two sets of teachers, even if it were a bit opposing. As I wandered down the hall to my room, there it was again.

Nothing seemed off, but my mind seemed a bit fuzzy. With everything slowing to a crawl within seconds noticed, maybe this was some nightmare or day-dream problem arising? Whatever it was, it was kinda cool. It felt weird to touch the glass and poke it, as the shadow of my finger could only seconds away pass as it landed. Soon enough time seemed to resume almost like I controlled it? Odd. It probably wasn’t, but it was cool nonetheless. Though I did somehow keep count, about 5 seconds had passed as that perception of time seemed to still occur but slowed dramatically. Potentially my mind and soul were becoming more attuned with my progress of magic and in turn making things seem slower than they truly were? I’d have to ask the others about this sometime. I was more worried about dealing with the throbbing headache I could feel coming on.

***

My time for the day was spent with my friends, I got to spend more time with Chrysalis and Adagio though they seemed to be in brighter spirits than I imagined. Chrysalis had explained that due to my better mood she’d better explain herself a bit, Changelings could feel on emotions and though love was preferred for how easy it was to cultivate other emotions could bring them just as much food as love. Though my good mood was a food she’d not enjoyed in a long time, the times we shared she noted seemed to feed her more than the love and emotions she could feel from her wife, it was truly strange. I just smiled and was glad to help her I replied, she merely shook her head with a snicker.

We spent our time going from shop to shop, though Cadence did ask me where the money went and I only told her that If I told her I’d have to have her neck, she rolled her eyes and chuckled at that. I was glad to at least keep them secret, maybe it was wrong to hide that from them but them knowing these two’s true origin could mean I’d put them in more danger than I thought possible. This became my main drive for learning to magic, to protect them. Maybe that was selfish and in some cases rude to do for two powerful mares but they meant more to me than they knew. I had to at least repay their friendship in kind and do what I could to look out for them, anyway I could.

The times I spent with these two just reminded me more of home, the splendid times with my sisters, these two were like those two, always scheming and always by my side. We may have only met roughly 2 weeks ago now but it still felt like yesterday. I’m always glad to have them as friends and maybe one day we could go out in public as they truly were. Maybe that was just the folly of a dream, but who knew honestly, history always seemed to favor those most desperate.

My day ended with some good talks with Cadence, we talked about the usual that being her boring times in court and the many boring cases to hear despite the amount of good ones under the floorboards. Though something that came to my mind was about my mind. I was only prepared to say what I could.

”Cadence, if we want to drop the topic I want to bring attention to something I’ve been dealing with ever since I got here, you know how I’m a human right and just somehow ended up in this fantastical world and well? I can’t lie saying that this has been some of the best times in my new life here, I’ve made some amazing friends, you, sunset, Starlight and those two Unicorns I mentioned earlier but I’ve had a devil of a time. I want to go home, despite my wishes to stay. I don’t want this body, I don’t want this life....”

She in turn seemed just as shocked as one could imagine hearing this from a friend and most of all the person she came to treasure as her best friend. She swept me in a hug and merely smiled despite the small tears in her eyes:

”Eon, no matter your choice, always know that as your best friend I can support you in any way I can. I can’t take your pain away but what I can do is my best to support you anyway I can, I may not be able to bring you home, I may not even be able to give you the grandest treasures in the world. I can only offer my hand and tell you as we all treasure you in our hearts, I can do what I can to save my friend.” She smiled brightly, tears fluttering down her cheeks as the two of us embraced. Letting my heart cry out to the unknown that was my brightly colored friend. After a while I sat down letting go of my own problems temporarily to try and ease the tension.

”I know its a ton to ask from you Cadence, I’ve only done this and here I am requesting practically the impossible to go home, I always knew that it was a long shot anyway. But I feel this pain, this drive to rid myself of this body. I can only question myself and hope that things improve, I’m all the more grateful to you for my saving grace for helping me. I cannot thank you enough for this Cady...”

She only giggled ”Oh you’re “Saving Grace” Huh? Maybe I should tell Sunset and Starlight that the bright and talented Unicorn friend is thinking of his Empress in such a haughty manner? Eh?~” She winked at this, only getting me to chuckle. It felt good to relax. Even if only for a while.

"Yeah yea, sure Cady. But truthfully, I don't know how to thank you girls and how to make it up to you most of all to improve myself. Maybe it's selfish to want to improve for your friends' sake, but I want to, even if it means that one day I'll have to go beyond what I thought possible and do something my friends wouldn't normally do" I smiled, It felt good. Talking like this had me relaxing even as the fear crept into my soul.

"It's weird really, I've always watched shows that would have this idea. Being thrown into some super strong character's body or being put into a world where you can reign king but truth be told, I don't wanna be a king, I don't wanna be super strong, I just wanna make you guys proud of me, however this dummy I call my brain can" I leviated some tension, a little self-depricating here and there couldn't hurt.

For some time we just talked, I talked of my nightmares, my fears, my whole mindset. In return, she just listened and gave the best advice she could and that was nice enough for me, someone I could uphold myself onto and just let them listen. It felt great in all truth and I left her room feeling better than I had in sometime. Maybe it wasn't the perfect answer I had been searching for but it was the start of something new, this life. My new life.

***

Waking up the next day was surprisingly not that bad, sure I had the same nightmares and headaches but it felt better than before. Maybe that talk did more than I had imagined, alleviated some of the pressure I guess. For my second day with magic, my lessons mostly came from my tutor Sunset. The first was to go over whatever I had learned from days prior which was the afromentioned leviation and my messaging magic. Creating scrolls was easy from wood and paper but this spell would be able to conjure a message and scroll from the magic you use, it was difficult. The magic required to make something from nothing wasn't a novice spell but most mages could at least do this, rather annoying to know if you ask me. It's not like I have bad self-esteem issues, I just keep bringing up my faults.

The prospect of it seemed useful, maybe I would get some use out of this sometime. Though Sunset seemed to be more innate when it came to my personal weaknesses when it came to magic, it wasn't so difficult as it was strange to feel. My body and mind worked fine but the magic only seemed to come out in short bursts and would only magnify under very specific circumstances, at least that's what sunset thought. She guessed that my magic due to my origins must be more a dormant source of magic as opposed to the same magic that most Unicorns possessed however that worked she wasn't sure but what she did know was that it was different.

Projecting the message was my first choice and shockingly I had managed to do with some difficulty. It wasn't an easy thing I assure you, think of it like trying to split your head while you had to hold up a heavy object like furniture. The second lesson was to start casting normal spells. I had only learned the basics of conjuring objects so spells were a bit fast but Sunset reminded me that I was quickly adapting to magic despite my origins. From the doorway I could hear the disguised Adagio and Chryalis despite my intinal rejection of them meeting sunset Adagio promised they would keep the illusions to the highest degree they could. I never truly explained just who they were as the disguised couple of unicorns.

Chryalis became a thin and dainty mare named Wind Waker, her eyes a blazing emerald and her coat that of that same emerald shine just as beautiful as her true form if you asked me. Adagio made a form similar to her original one, a firey organe mane dashed with bits of green and purple along her mane's edges, her coat was a bright purple and though she appeared normal her horn was large, due to her siren body. I was glad that they and the susnet seemed to hit it off well.

I tried to divert Sunset back to my lesson to which she seemed to realize this and chuckle, waving at the two unicorn mares who had left with some of my money to go out today it was close to their first meeting and they wished to celebrate it. It felt nice to know my friends valued each other this much, made it easier to tease them and mess with them when I had the time.

I was beginning to feel like these tutors became lessons to which Sunset noted that Starlight was out due to seeing a young stallion today for a date, so I was a bit surprised Starlight? Her? Sunset noted my funny look and merely chuckled. Apparently they had met up from an old acquaintance of Starlight's and she wished to see where things went. My lessons would continue from here and I couldn't help but be more enthralled than before, maybe that was my ADHD talking but it was exciting.

Next were the next lessons in the steps of magic I had learned, from magical scroll creation to messages to some basic conjuring. It went pretty much as you would expect with a big failure personally, I am glad I had Sunset to encourage me. Sunset had to explain the tiers of magic and what could be considered normal for Unicorns and in my case me if I were to appear more normal to the public. 1st tier magic is usually considered very basic things like pulling objects or moving things around. 2nd and 3rd tier magic usually implies simple defensive, healing and offensive magic like calling upon a shield to protect yourself or one to cushion your fall off of something. 4th and 5th Magic was usually more advanced forms of teleportation, sealing, curse, emotional magic, and some other forms of magic usually more powerful than anything in the previous tiers.

The 6th and 7th tier magic was considered not only rare but difficult to cast, things like warping objects, transmutation, portal creation and even further advanced forms of teleportation. Some of the spells cast from this ilk were some of the many spells that made the legendary star swirl the bearded an extremely renowned mage, he was considered one of the if not the only mages to ever go beyond 7th tier and was considered a legend for his research into magic. Though Sunset explained that the further tiers were only available to those who had spent a life-time's worth studying magic such as star swirl, the higher tiers could be considered magic of the gods in that sense. They mostly called upon the forces of both nature and sometime reality, dark magic was also in this tier due to the sheer amount of things they could achieve.

For a few moments though, that same thing happened again. Time slowed to a crawl almost as sunset continued to talk but it was like she was barely there. This same loss of time, what was it? My body seemed no different aside from my perception and my mind was doing ok, just what was this? As soon as those same seconds passed everything returned to normal. I wasn't even sure what this could be called and I didn't want to burden the others with this, it might be something I need to deal with on my own. Whatever it was, it could wait.

The furthering of my magic seemed to have to do with this weird "Time loss" effect, whatever it was it was tied to my magic and I was only more confused. Not only did my nightmares continue and while the conversation last night with Cadence helped, I still knew that it'd be a tough road ahead. My magic was improving and whatever the influx was this time. Causing even more of a problem for me in the future combined with the meddling of both the Empresses of the sun and moon? My life was only just beginning to get hectic. After getting called from my room, a guard informed me that the Empress wished to see me. Something about "helping out", I arrived to Cadence's room to find her waiting for me for which I sat in one of the spare chairs awaiting her response:

"So Eon, I've been thinking. You've heard me complain about the courts and that little display of those ambassadors could prove useful in deterring that sunny empress and her sister away from you so...well....if you wanted you could become my personal guard. I know it's a lot to ask but I want your true opinion on this, it's just. I don't want you to become distant so much that they try to do something against my wishes to you such as taking you in or claiming I have "no use of you" or something similar. They want something from you and whatever it is, I want it far from their reach"

"Cadence...." I was thinking this over as the thoughts bounced into my noggin, yea it would be good to be in the position of the crown's guard and let them know indirectly I wasn't to be messed with but was antagonizing them really worth it? They weren't stupid, far from it. They could just as easily use my origins as a means of thwarting any intention that Cadence or I could come up with if we weren't careful.

"I'll do it, not because I want to be some big shot but seeing as I kind of get that by this point, that dinner, the talk and possibly whatever else in the future I've gotta try something to deter them, just hope I get those two off my back because let me tell you. It's not fun having the thought of two women seeking something from you that you have no idea of-" I stopped to see her chuckle at this and snicker:

"And here I thought some stallions wouldn't mind being wanted by two mares and an Empress, poor eon the stallion with a flock of women at his beck and call perish the thought~" She feigned innocence merely smiling at my blush

"Oh jesus, not this me and romance bullshit. Cadence is flattering, but I can't imagine most stallions having to deal with a good friend and two whack-job empressess.'s who control the celestial objects in the sky, I would think most stallions would high tail it and run away as fast as possible if anything" She and I both shared a good laugh, it felt good to at least ease my mind of the responsibilities ahead.

"Since you've agreed as per the law you would normally be considered a noble but seeing as I don't imagine you'd want such a title I'll simply let you stay my friend just know sometimes I might call upon you to help me in court, be it with minor disputes or using your infamous kindness to ease the vicious nobles" I smiled, nodding as she patted my back

"I want to say thank you eon, not only have you given me the best highlights of being a friend I'm just truly glad we met even if it was only 2 months ago I'm glad that we met at all. I perish the thought of remaining alone. Some of us need some good friends here and there" That was a bit cryptic but I ignored it, only nodding as I left soon after.

***

It always felt great to talk to Cadence, maybe it was because I was her friend or maybe because she was the one that helped me all that time ago but I truly felt indebt to her and I wasn't sure how I'd repay such a kindness. Maybe one day I'll find that answer. But for now I am going back to hanging out with with Adagio and Chrysalis and even Sunset today, since I was her student it basically didn't hurt to go out every so often to ensure that I got some time out and not just huddled up in my room with my books.

Today was a weird time, we went to see the Lunamoon's and surprisingly I could see that smirk form on Adagio and Chrysalis as the two of them and Trixie vanished via one of mrs Lunamoon's illusions, she was glad to see her daughter making friends with two lovely unicorns. The mare informed me that trixie had called the three of themselves "The Crusaders of the Empire" they were going to be elite heroes or so they said and loved to play pranks on some ponies, strangely due to trixie's odd personality it drove some new business to Lunamoon's her father who she said was studying abroad and had come to the shop rather than go without seeing his family. Though Mrs Lunamoon made sure to let me know she appreciated that I had come by, someone seen as a close friend of the royal had its benefits. It had me go a bit red in the face, I never did great with praise. My sister would love to tease me about it just as much as my father said I took no credit in my work sometimes and it was frustrating when he'd try his best to praise me for my accomplishments at work or at school.

Still to this day, I'll never let it down that it was from my tutors and friends at that time that I had the will and reason to push forward to do my best in class. Though Mr. Lunamoon was rather surprised to see the list of fresh money coming into the shop, he had sent a letter to the royalty to thank me personally for helping his wife and daughter. I was only glad that people saw the value in what they had been using to charm people. It was fun, even if a little decietful. One thing I noted was the strange pressence of the Nobles I had not noticed before, they seemed to be more keen to touch something that the "royal friend" or "Royal guardsmen" could see as valuable then they had assumed it must be something interesting.

From my day forward it was mostly spending time with Sunset to let those two have their fun with trixie, it was good to hang out with Sunset though she seemed out of her element I tried to ease her by taking her around the city. Some of the nobles around us seemed to whisper and give us odd looks but I didn't see the point in questioning it. If one of them has an issue then they could bring it up with me or Sunset.

For the remainder of the time she had, before my next set of duties that being introduced to the court of nobles for Cadence. We spent our time mostly talking about whatever came to our minds, maybe she wasn't the best in public but I wished to do what I could to make it feel better for her even if it was a bit bombastic on my part. Just as we finished she had realized I was nearly late, rushing back to the castle the guard only snickered at the sight of us, our hairs a mess from just how much we ran with a bit of sweat. After a quick shower and dress I was prepared to do this, I hoped.

I was instructed by a guard to the room, though he reminded me that though I was a commoner by all measures he had some hope that I'd do some good. Good Pegasus, that guy, I believe his name was Big Mac. Entering into the room I was greeted by a massive room full of varying colors and shapes, the windows were shaped like ovals, the glass brightly colored from top to bottom. The most striking thing was her regal attire, a black encrusted chest plate covered with a small crystal heart, the color of it was a bright magenta. Her lower half was covered in what looked like straps across her stomach, covering up to the leggings on the armor that sat on her legs, the crystal heart this time replaced with a symbol of herself or a symbol of her kingdom and people. The nobles all looked to varying degree's what I had expected.

The nobles all wore varying fashions of gold and blues all over, some were daring enough to even use some magenta but they looked nice. I noticed a seat next to Cadence and she merely smiled and motioned for me to sit to which I did, feeling rather embarrassed with all the stares that could be seen from each noble. One decided to speak up, one named Hallow Blues as I recall. Strange name The mare looked to me with some suspicion like I was going to draw a knife any second

"Your majesty is it far from it to question your motives but may the court of nobles ask for the identity of this commoner? It is not every day that you entertain the masses, and we simply wish to err on the side of caution," Cadence nodded and motioned for me to speak up.

"Miss, I apologize for my intrusion but my name is Eon, I am but a humble unicorn learning under some of the Empressess's hand picked teachers, I am an Unknown even to myself due to former incidents I wish not to speak of but to be honest with you ma'am I am just the friend of her highness and wish to be treated as such if you would"

This was a bit surprising but she did seem to give me a genuine smile and responded in kind: "I thank you sir Eon, I understand that things may have gotten off to a bad start us nobles don't have the best of reputations but I hope my kindness can be returned in the future" She bowed to me not even giving me time to tell her not to. Cadence could only stiffle the giggle in her throat at this as I tried my best to respond

"Ma'am No, Hallow Blues please do not bow. It's just kindness after all ma'am I just don't want any special treatment or anything of the sort alright? Please raise your head" I sighed deeply, she did indeed raise her head and giggled just like Cadence. Mares, what odd creatures. For some time it was mostly random jargin I couldn't understand, I tried but from what I could gather the first few petitions were just requests for tax breaks, more land, the usual from what Cadence had told me.

From varying plans to dictate how some of the lands of the kingdom would be better utilised by the workers on these properties to some claims of rights from others, to the menial task of approving or denying claims, I could Sorta see why she was so worn out all the time. These tasks were truly menial. Why not just propose these things to the public to have them vote on? Not only would people er Ponies not have to pine for her favor, but they could also get a wider range of voices. Guess some people just wanted to kiss up to royalty rather than let some vote. Maybe more nobles like that Hallows woman would show up more often, she proposed something worthwhile. A bill that would allow for the workers on the land to receive pay no matter the task but in order to get it past the nobles who refused such a basic request, the pay was extremely small in comparison to the pay of the work itself.

It was a worthwhile request and I just hoped that Cadence would approve of it, baby steps always laid the foundations for greater gains later. Unfortunately, and to my surprise she did not, requesting that Hollows better suit silly requests to the other nobles if it meant having this slop in her court. This was a shock to me, I had assumed that Cadence would approve but that cold look in her eyes said something different. I felt it best not to question her decision and while Gallows gave me that look, hoping I'd speak up I mouthed to her to wait. She seemed to get the point and sat down, looking rather upset given this would only benefit the working class.

It was rather scary to see Cadence like that, terrifying really. It only reminded me just how Adagio and Chrysalis spoke of her family and her rule "The Bloody Empress" "Empress Impaler" "Bringer of death" so many names from two people, what did this have to do with this family, was this why Cadence wanted me to not talk about her family? Was she scared I'd find out the true horrors hidden beneath and if that was the case....I had to be careful. If I was a betting man, she may even have alterior motives for keeping me from the Empressess's who's to say they were any better or worse than Cadence even if that was true?

For some time I watched, only voicing my meager opinions from Cadence or some of the nobles when asked, though some of them truly were good people just in a bad spot. It seems the group was split down the middle, some with good intentions and some who sought nothing but their own benefit. Things are truly weird sometimes, never understood why some politicians just sought more power for power's sake.

Some of the requests were a bit interesting outside of the ones I noted, some along the lines of getting the Empress an heir or having her be endowed to one of the sons of the nobility to "preserve the loyal bloodline." this sorta creeped me out and at the time I didn't know why but I suppose Cadence didn't care to entertain it.

***

Something was strange to say the least, to me at least. I never felt weirded out by Cadence but that proposal something just struck me as off if that made sense. Maybe I was just overthinking, at least that's what I guessed. I wasn't one to simply disprove things but that just seemed off to me, maybe the air change or the cold look in her eyes at it, this young noble lady seemed nice enough so why reject it?

My bed felt off. Maybe I was just thinking too much. I wasn't even sure. Adagio and Chrysalis had been sleeping soundly and for those wondering while sunset and Starlight were weirded out I had made up some sort of story about them being from a bad-place and they just needed someone to rely on right now, not really wrong but I couldn't delve into them too much. I don't want anyone looking too much into this problem. Something just didn't feel right, I couldn't sleep. I walked into the night just as I had done nights ago and I ended up on that same bench.

Things were rough to say the least, too many questions and not even answers really. Things were beginning to click but it made no sense if her family truly did do these horrible things then why show me kindness? Why not brand me this alien and a dangerous being to others? It just made me feel weird, maybe things just weren't all sunshine and rainbows. Jesus, what world did I come to?

The time around me once more seemed to pass without me knowing, I quickly made my way back to bed without trying to stir anyone, trying to shake that feeling that I was being watched. Maybe tomorrow and the days after would be better, just didn't want to be near that political center for now...

***

I had been getting better, I think. I still had trouble sleeping but it seemed to improve over time, working on it wasn't easy but last night, Luna er Nightmare moon made another appearance. We talked for a while, well when I say Talked I meant listen to her talk while I just listened. She did seem concerned in some fashion, though I wasn't sure if I could trust that or even think that she meant it.

It was a similar dream to last time, the same memories and world crashing into my reality. Those same things breaking into my perception just as they crashed into my mind. There she was but she looked...different. Her hazy blue hair is full and grown just as before but she appeared, different. Like a mix of the two. Those same cat-like eyes are now more like daggers into my very soul, her armor was gone and before me stood no woman but a figment of my mind, at least I hoped. She wore only rags that looked battered and broken. Her eyes never left my own, her embrace was just as cold as before as I wept. My broken soul could not be mended could it? A broken mind and a broken soul come hand in hand. The cold touch of death before me.

Snap.

The world before me spins and then I wake up, my hands fine and my body seemingly fine. I checked myself in the mirror but I seemed to be ok, at least for now. I was scared, truly scared. I couldn't keep this going could I? This facade of smiles and joy. These thoughts raced in my mind over and over, time and time again. I wasn't sure how to explain this feeling, nothing at all. My body is not my own and my mind is simply just some creation of magic and chaos. Strange, I thought that discord guy used chaos as a medium and here I was, a soul full of chaos. I could see it to you know, Cadence, Adagio, Chrysalis, Starlight, Sunset. All of their smiles twisted into scowls of hatred and pure loathing. A human in its most bare state, a beast, a creature, to be feared and hated. They barked, scorned me, damned me, tarnished me. Condemned my dark soul to the pits.

There it was, my heart. A black mass of energy, a voice called from the void "You call upon the graces of an unkindeled soul, one fit for less than even a tarnished blood, cast to the coast " I grasped it just as I was commanded to, maybe deep down I knew this wasn't the right thing, but at this point? I could give a damn less. Tears flowed from my eyes, black liquid poured around me and consumed my vision once more. Next was a white room, there she was, Cadence. Though it wasn't the being before me who wore her skin but not her soul, it was weird. My own black flame, my black soul. It called to the void and yet all I could see was the bright light.

Snap.

I grasped at my chest, the burning pain inside writhed free from my grasp yet I tried evermore. The pain was eternal, my body was just as torn as my soul. Two halves, on one hand was my human self, the body I wished for evermore and the one I desired most. On the other, a black stallion, full of life and new joys and whims, he loved to read, he loved to hang out with a siren and Changeling couple, he loved his teachers and best friend Cadence. He loved that life but who was to say it was his life?

That voice called to me once more but louder this time "Who is this soul young mortal, who are you and who is he? Who becomes the stallion you await when you wake?"A second flash of light engulfed my senses as chains formed beneath my feet keeping me stuck to the floor, I grasped tightly at the air leaving my lungs. For the second time I woke up. This time my own body didn't respond, stuck like the chains coiling around my body.

"You will inherit the legacy of man young ash, Thy will be a hunter of the void and become the legacy of ash for man and for all kind. You will become the thing monster's fear, mortals fear, the world fears. You will become the representative of our world and our way of life. The legacy of the forgotten kind will become your home, we will craddle you as you have done for those in your former life. Awaken not as Eon or your former self, Awaken as the being needed for this-" The voice was cut off as a woman burst from the shadows, drabbed in dark armor and a blazing aura she looked to my desperate state.

"And this is thy nightmare? Coddled by the forces of old and new huh? The Dark chooses not of this care or any care but of its own goals I hope you will live up to those expectations set by my sister, now begone dark." The world of void vanished just as quickly as it appeared, the very shadows peeling and leaking a black liquid like myself as the shadows wrapped and consumed themselves, I had no strength left. The chains branded both my wrists in a searing black flame.

The very earth trembled beneath me as she embraced me, pressing her hand on my back and keeping me close to her wings wrapped around me as the world was showered in that same black "Thou has experienced so much yet with so little time spent, Mine sister would be displeased to know such a future champion wrinkles and withers in the dark, we must leave this place now." A snap of her fingers was all that was needed, the world vanished as I shot awake from my tasteless dream.

For that day I knew little of my own existence but I came to fear not the dark but that light, what light would cause this kind of harm I wasn't sure but even the light of waking up terrified me. I trembled beneath my sheets and even as guards beckoned for me I did not respond. I chose to remain as I was, even as Cadence attempted to keep me company I spoke no words even as she hugged me and wished me well. Even as I recalled Luna, I couldn't help but damn her. She whisked me not to some saving grace but the brutal hand I was dealt, wrong with whatever that voice wanted from me and her sister's plans, all this planning and no measure of control.

Even as the days passed, I felt no hunger nor drive for thirst despite my friends please for me to speak. The eyes in my sockets are not my own, even as I look in the mirror, a black flame kindling the backs of them. The blackened flames of hell writhing in my soul, keeping me afloat but not alive. At least I thought so, I no longer wished to eat or drink until I desired that feeling. This was something entirely new, not human, not pony, nothing at all. A hollow soul. A Hollow being. I tried to talk but all my words sounded off, to me, I spoke in olden English like some stallion from the olden ages according to Sunset. I spoke of the beasts hiding, the ones toiling in the inner flame, the ones locked away by the Empress of the old world and the Emperor of all kind.

I began to document what I had dreamt of since I awoke, some of old beasts brandishing not just armor but the flesh built of a thousand kin, some brandished the swords of not men or stallions but the blades of the corpses of their fathers. Cadence wasn't the happiest with this change but any change was good at this point right? I looked no different but something to Adagio and Chrysalis when they were with me felt off, in their view it was like a feeling of not death or some omen of destruction but a draining. I was different, in a way I could not properly explain, I could eat, sleep, drink just fine but it did nothing for me, Doctors were marveled at this according to sunset, they had assumed I became some Alicorn and the form was just a change but when nothing did change the theory was discarded, she had searched high hell and back but nothing did support my condition. I wasn't even sure who to support myself, me or that flame.

The flames of dark were no better than the ones that supported the sun, blazing and scorching all the same. I decided to get up, though doctors found me to be physically fit I was going to try and screw that dark bullshit. I wasn't some pawn in their game, whatever it may be, I would break free of my chains and make my own fate. I smiled and then did my friends, I had returned, albeit changed.

For the next few days I spent a large amount of my time not focusing on magic or spells, I tried to spend it with them and though Cadence insisted on the lessons I told her that after my change, the best I could do was adjust before I rush this. She agreed but still wished for me to continue my lessons at some point lest I fall behind even more she didn't want her best friend becoming some husk right? That got me to snicker, then she smiled seemingly brighter than I ever knew and hugged me tight. We hugged but after some time I let go and simply smiled at her.

***

Like her royal friend and seemingly guarded in some manner, Cadence wished I could pick up a weapon but I refused. I was no fighter at heart, sure I would defend people but I never wanted to hurt others, even my worst enemy. I was more scared to hurt than I was that darkness or those Empresses funny how that worked out.

It felt great if you can believe it, for a time the nightmares stopped, the headaches stopped and even as I hung out with my friends those little things started to add up over time. That voice never seemed to truly go away if that made any sense, he/it/she who knew always seemed to replay those words in my head as my nightmares returned but just as I did I tried to survive, however long it took me. The feelings of thirst and hunger slowly waned, as if those were just pieces of the old me. Who was even me anymore? What was this game for and who was that voice? How did Nightmare know of them? this just created more frustration than answers and I knew it best not to question those things for now. I had friends, and for all the troubles in life those would help me right now.

My days of mozing about would soon end, just as much as those nightmares came back so did my lessons. I seemed more focused, less worried about the downsides, was this part of that touch with that dreaded black flame? My choice of weapon would not be some blade of metal and blood work, It would be my own and maybe one day I'd find that thing. To protect my friends, give them a chance at a life I never had a chance of gaining. Sunset noted that despite no changes besides not eating or drinking anymore, my magic seemed slightly off. It seemed more like a newborns magic and that was to be expected but what wasn't just how much I had drawn out, I had set some records for some kids I imagined. Starlight noted that even with my progress slow due to my recovery I was starting to get better it seemed which made me smile, I was even more meek than before it seemed. But I still tried and to me that's what mattered.

That day was full of smiles and I had begun to talk to Cadence, this time about the dreams of nightmares and black, we were in her room as before and were simply talking when I broached the topic: "Cadence, She.....She was in my dreams. Nightmare was there and I-" She looked to yell but quickly realized it best to allow me to continue and motioned for me "She helped if you can believe it, she helped me when all I could see was the clashes of dream and reality before me. I couldn't even begin to describe how it felt and yet it felt like I was just being given what I deserved. All my past sins, all my current ones, all of them crashing down like weights in the ocean. Each and every agony simply dealt to me then she arrived, keeping me like she cared, like she wished for this to end and wanted that peace I desired, she let me out and I can't help but still be wary, why does she help, why does anyone help me?"

"Eon I- I can't even begin to understand what you went through for those days alone in your head, I can't imagine why my fellow Empress would help you, she's always been distant even with her sister and more like this working force of nature in the background. She'd never even helped her sister with internal affairs despite their alliance, they just sorta worked on their own thing and ignored the world and desired nothing but peace if that even is her goal..."

"I'm truly astounded she'd even come to your aid much less interfered in the dreams of someone not from this world, its truly a mystery even to myself and as to why anyone helps you? For one you're my friend, Eon whatever the storm or the dangers ahead I know in my heart that I wish to be your friend and support you however I can through whatever means I can no matter what, thats what being a friend is silly maybe I'm wrong for supporting you to others but I want you safe and happy! If that means that you're with this dark flame you told me about, or nightmare moon visiting your dreams I'm going to weather this storm and be there for you ok?" I couldn't even put into the right words what I felt, I hugged her tight and shook, she only held me and sat on her bed and let me cry. I just let it loose and soon both sunset and Starlight came in all three hugging me and keeping me safe, my friends. I grew up in that second not just cherishing them more than my home and former life but maybe even myself, they kept me anchored, hard at work, growing, learning, even without Adagio and Chrysalis I knew I'd have a talk with them sometime.

This feeling of not just caring but love for me as a person? it could be what I wanted one day and wished for upon on earth. Maybe life wouldn't be the worst, the storm was over and this was my aftermath. This was something I didn't even know if I was right to feel this way, was I just a depraved soul desperate for attention or was I some pawn in some big plan set forth by basically gods, that sounded less cool out loud and just downright terrifying.

The feelings of dread and hopelessness that had plagued me while not gone had softened somewhat, I knew it'd be best to try and not dwell on it Cadence assured me as such sure but what stuck to me in the back of my mind was this whole ordeal, what was it to these gods or these demons? Sometimes I feel like, I shouldn't want to know these things, they hurt me, cause me nightmares, turn me into some freak of nature. Who knows what else they have planned for me?

***

Today would be a good day right? It depends on who you ask. Sometimes people expect days to go bad and then they get worse but this? this was just downright annoying. Today was magic lessons, this time it was trying to conjure up my own magic, something that was similar to the magics I had done before. I noted that this seemed out of place, even for me. Why learn magic from my source but that was the confusing part I had no idea what the source of my magic was honestly. Maybe it was something more intrinsic to my personality like some of those cheesy Astrology-personality tests.

Magic was just against me it seemed, despite my best efforts it was one of the few things of this world I felt like I could never grasp that fact of magic. Sometimes, I really hated magic. Think of it like the biggest test you study for and still fail, if that analogy doesn't make much sense I'm not much of a man of words so to speak. The lesson itself wasn't the worst thing but drawing from my source was something I think I would never be able to pull off. I wasn't always sure of it but that effort, that draw of time, it was different now, it was just a black flame full of the same pulsing light brimming under the surface.

Following through on the motions, I have managed a few more spells but something happened once more, the same spell I tried to conjure seemed to charge up just as sunset instructed but the beam of light shone into a pure pulsing red color, almost like blood. Something felt wrong, my body was moving up and down, the breath in my lungs getting weaker by the second as I forced the spell to stop. Sunset couldn't help but quickly call for a doctor and have me sent back to my room...I just felt useless. my once bright mood had been ruined and I couldn't help but feel like I was just letting everyone down again.

For the rest of my day I was told to rest, whatever was going wrong with my magic couldn't be helped by say traditional medicine, the biggest reccomendation was not rest but that I stop magic all together to which I refused, the doctor in turn stated that if I continued to do magic I would need to take it slow, whatever happened to me is affliciting my magic rate of consumption. The doctor was sure that in time my wounds could be healed but that whatever the problem that was with me could be mended by rest and taking it slow. Cadence had since ordered that I not take magical lessons for some time until the doctors could clear me of this issue, it just made me feel terrible..

My eyes began to feel weaker as I stared up at the ceiling before me, my mind in a mess just as much as my body and I didn't know why. I could feel that same flame rage inside of me as it did before and the many nights before, my soul was a broken mess. I was some broken mess of a stallion now fearing for his own life and his own existence. Could I even have a normal life here? it seemed unlikely if the past few days had anything to tell me.

I could feel myself slipping into dreams once more, what horrors awaited me this time? I could only imagine the freevent dreams of a future madman would only be tortorous, maybe the world I lived in was just that nightmare I spoke of, I didn't know. I would try to sleep tonight, maybe I'd get some sleep and try to work on magic in time...

End of Chapter 4

Author's Note

I know it may seem cheesy to involve darkness and things like that, but I felt like making him an alicorn or a good mage would be too easy and too generic, so I wanted to spice things up. Humans are known for their versatility in situations, after all, so who's to say being touched by this legacy isn't something old from humanity or lost to it?

I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel per se, just adding my own little twists and plans for the future, but you'll have to wait and see buckaroos!