Author's Note
Hello dear viewer. some of you may remember me and some of you may not however, I hope you just enjoy the story, and if you do know my work, let me know if you would like to see one of my other stories have a rewrite.
(Prologue)
(Prologue)
Darkness was all that I could see. Endless darkness. There was nothing I could do, nothing I could see. Am I dead? Or is this Purgatory?
I could not remember what happened to me. I have faded memories of my hands. Yet no matter how hard I tried I could not move them. They were people in my memory too, but they were too blurry. I can only remember one name. Lee.
Suddenly one of the memories became very less blurry. I could easily see myself running through thick woods. There was something chasing me… No Us… There he was. Lee was running beside me. He had brown hair with brown eyes, along with a scruffy beard. He had some sort of black cloth as clothing along with some chain mill. There was a sword on his right hip, with his hand, held on the handle.
However, Suddenly he stopped as he turned around. “Go your majesty I will hold them off.” He yelled at me as he drew his sword. It took me a second to stop and turn around, looking into the darkness that was the forest. I could feel whatever was chasing us getting closer.
My mouth started to move on its own. “I'm not leaving you. I’m not losing you too." Suddenly I drew my own sword. my arm is covered in black leather armour. “I wouldn’t get any farther than you anyway. The whole kingdom is falling. If we fight, we fight together.”
So there we both stood ready for whatever was going to face us. However instead of a fight, all we got to see was a blinding light appear out of the darkness of the forest. and then nothing.
Is that how I ended up here? Is that how I died?
Wait, no, there is the same light I can see it getting closer I can see-
Trees…
My eyes slowly blinked as the leaves of the tree were blocking off the sun only once in a while. but I just laid there breathing. I was alive, But I still don’t remember anything else.
The sun was starting to annoy me with its constant jabs into my eyes, so I decided to get up straight. Only to find myself in nearly the exact same spot as my memory. A few things were different, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.
I got up quickly, “Lee.” I called out I didn’t know who he really was, but my memory of me seems to trust him. However, no matter where I looked, he was nowhere to be found.
As I tried standing up, but my legs gave in, and I fell. My body felt so weak. so hungry and so thirsty. I also felt a little pressure from behind, and when I turned around I looked. I realised I had a whole fox tail. The thing moved as if it had a mind of its own swing from left to right. However, my attention was brought away from my tail when I heard the sound of running water. There was a River nearby. I quickly got up again, even to the protest of my body. Started making my way over to the river. Stumbling and falling only a couple of times.
However, as I was making my way closer and closer, I could hear the sounds getting closer, but I felt like I wasn’t getting there. I continued to push my body and eventually after 15 minutes of walking, I stumbled upon surprisingly a pretty calm river. Even though it was pretty loud. I didn’t care as I quickly dove my head into the river. The water looked so clean and fresh, and when I drank from it. It was amazing.
Popping my head out of the water, I allowed myself to look at my reflection, And that’s when I noticed that I also had fox ears on the top of my head. I was still wearing the armour for my memory, along with the sword attached to my hip. However, the strangest thing was to my left hip There was a book attached to it. I proceeded to grab it, but that’s when I heard a noise behind me. I heard the sounds of a kid scream. Then a loud “HELP”
My heart began to race. I began to hesitate and wonder what I should do. I don’t even know what’s going on fully and I might only make the situation worse. or just get myself killed. so perhaps-
“You know what you need to do?” my eyes widen at the familiarity of the voice. I proceeded to look at my reflection, and I saw myself staring back only this time he didn’t share am I surprised to look.
The reflection stared back into my eyes, almost directly into my soul. “Get up!” it spoke to me.
I heard the cry again as I turned around to look for the source. However, I couldn’t see anything through the thick forest. when I turned back to look at my reflection, it was back to normal, as if it never spoke to me.
However, the words of my reflection stung to my heart, as I felt my body react without my permission. The next thing I knew I stood up and ran towards the sound.
That little bit of water seemed to help my body get back in the focus as I felt myself running faster and faster. Soon the rocks and sticks on the ground were tripping me up due to how fast I was going, but I did not stop. A child was in danger and I was going to rescue them.
But no matter how far I ran it felt like I wasn’t getting any closer. However, the noises were getting louder. I could hear the sounds of running, however, they did not sound similar to me. there had to be at least two if not three people running due to the uneven sounds.
Finally a loud scream broke through the forest as I felt myself getting close. I could hear the sounds of a sword being unsheathed while my heart was beating faster than my steps.
I don’t know why, but I had a feeling behind the next bush in front of me. I will be in front of my target. And without hesitation, my body reacted without my input. I unsheathed my own sword as I swung as soon as I made my way out of the bush.
A loud noise rang through my ear as I felt my sword, strike metal and cut through
(Diamond Tiara POV)
(Four hours earlier)
Today is my birthday! And it’s going to be one of the best days ever! Everypony will congratulate me. and this day will be about me! I get to be the centre of attention without trying and finally father is going to take me out on a vacation to Canterlot!
All I have to do is wait until school is done. and I swear it couldn’t go by any faster. It didn't help that Scootaloo was practically falling asleep during class which didn’t help me focus and made me tired as well.
However, I made sure to stay focussed so that way I didn’t have grades like a blank flank. if I had grades like her, my mother would kill me.
Thankfully, the bell rang for us to go home. so I quickly packed up my things. I noticed Silverspoon approach me. I smiled and greeted her. she had already given me my gift earlier, a brand new silverware set and a good thing to my other one who was about to be a month old.
However, I had to see her off as her family had already made plans this week as well. I bid her farewell as I left the school.
I noticed the cutie mark crusaders, or the blank fling group, cheerfully run out of the school at the same time as me. I felt something inside me grow bitter as I felt like I needed to say something. “See you when the weekends are over blank flanks” I felt satisfied with myself, however unlike normal this time Apple Bloom and sweetie Belle didn’t pay me any attention this time and said they were running towards… their sisters…
Something bothered me about the way they were looking at each other the way that they were smiling at each other… I felt… a bit jealous…
I shook my head, trying to hide my frown. sure my mother isn’t as affectionate, but she still cares…. And yeah, my dad is busy all the time, but he spoils me with gifts.
I tried turning away and making my way back to my house. However, I did not notice the eyes that were looking at me as I left.
After a bit of a walk, I made my way over to the more fancy and upper part of ponyville, which isn’t that big. there’s only a single street with such rich houses and civil folk. I made my way proudly towards my house, making sure to keep my head held high.
I opened my door as I said “Mom! Dad! I’m home!…”
Yet to my surprise, I was met with a dark house and silence. I was a bit confused at first but I guess that must be working a bit later than expected. I’m sure he’ll show up soon.
However I didn’t realise soon would be one hour. I had everything ready and packed to go. And I could see my mother walking up to the house. I felt my heart flurry with excitement ready to spend the weekend with my mom and dad. when she opened the door, I was ready to pounce on my mother and hug her. However, my mother stuck out a hand preventing me from giving her a hug.
“sorry darling I don’t have any time for hugs right now I’m going to miss the train… oh, where did I leave it?”
“What are you looking for Mom? Maybe I can help you find it.” I offered.
“My second purse sweetie… Mommy left something important in there and I need to get it before I go.” I remembered seeing her purse when I came home and I was about to go get it when something just clicked in my head about what she said.
“before you go… Don’t you mean before we go?” I asked, however, deep in my heart, I already knew the answer.
“Oh, no sweetie, I guess I forgot to tell you, but there’s been a last-minute change of plans.” she spoke in a half hearted tone.
“But today’s my birthday…” my words, pleated.
But were met on deaf ears. “That's no excuse for your slacking in school. Did you see the last test you got? I’m starting to think you didn’t study.”
I felt my heart breaking. “But I got a B+ on the last test…”
“Ha.” My mother scoffed. “You might as well consider that B an F. You had a perfect streak going of A’s, and A+’s. Now it’s all ruined. Thanks to that one B.”
“But…” “Don’t talk back to your mother, I'm not finished!” She interrupted me. “It wasn’t just the fact that you got a B. It’s the fact that you got a B in the easiest class! How did you not get an A in language!? You’re currently speaking it right now, are you stupid!?”
I felt myself on the verge of tears… “No mother…”
“Are you sure because this B is telling me that you failed language! Is this how you repay me after everything I’ve done for you!? You get lazy and stop studying!” She said with rage.
I couldn’t even reply as she was ranting at me.
“That’s why I convinced your father that we’re going without you, You need to take this weekend to study. You really should be thanking me, I even got you a dictionary for your birthday present.” She smiled at me however I felt nothing but a sinister look from her.
“…Thank… You…” I whispered
“What was that? I didn’t hear you.” my mother said. still giving me that sinister smile.
“Thank you, Mother” I repeated a bit louder.
“Good now if you excuse me, I need to- Ah there it is.” Without too much thought. She grabbed her second purse and walked out the door. And just like that she was gone.
I silently moved towards the fridge as I opened it. I noticed there was a single slice of cake from one of my favourite shops in canterlot. I noticed a note from my father that said, ‘Happy Birthday Sweetheart. I’ll miss you while we’re gone.’
I slowly took it out and sat at the kitchen table. I grabbed one of the new forks that silver spoon got me today as I began to dig in.
However, something was ruining my cake. As I was eating, I noticed that my cake was starting to get soggy and wet. It took me a minute to realise that I was crying on my cake… Today was my birthday. Ponies have congratulated me and given me gifts. today was supposed to be about me and now I eat here all alone.
(Knock) (Knock) (Knock)
I let out a sharp gasp as I heard the knock at my door and at first I thought it might’ve been mother coming to pick me up to take me with her but I quickly realised she would’ve just walked in. I let out a sigh as I made my way over to the door. “Whoever you are, you just missed my mother and father” I said, as I began to open the door.
However, to my surprise, it was the blank flanks Scootaloo. The words left in my mouth as I looked at her and she looked back at me.
“Hey.” Scootaloo, said in that brash voice of hers.
(Scootaloo’s POV)
I noticed Diamond Tiara making her way towards her home. she looked bitter when she was looking at my friends, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. If I had to guess she was probably thinking of some mean joke about blank flanks. But at the same time she looked more bitter than usual maybe even a bit Jealous. Although if she was jealous, I don’t know why. it’s her birthday today isn’t it? Scootaloo couldn’t go 15 minutes without being told by one of her classmates that it was Diamond Tiara‘s birthday.
Normally, when Diamond tiara has a birthday, she invites most of the class, emphasis on most. me and my friends are normally excluded due to us being ‘blank flanks.’ However, from what I’ve heard she wasn’t doing that today. from what I’ve heard she was going to canterlot for the weekend.
However, what I noticed was strange is that I saw her mother and father, making their way towards the train station without her. Her father, Filthy Rich expressed worries about leaving their daughter home alone; However, her mother seemed to reassure Filthy Rich that it was the best for her to study.
I’m not gonna lie on most days. I wouldn't feel bad for Diamond Tiara... on most days… However, today was her birthday, and I know better than any pony out how it feels to be alone on your birthday…
So here I am standing in front of the door with a chocolate bar in hand as a birthday gift. she’ll probably call me a blank flank and to get out of here but at least I tried. I felt anxious, but I decided to just get it over with and knock on the door.
It took a minute, but eventually Diamond Tiara open the door. “Whoever you are, you just missed my mother and father.” Only for her to stop in her tracks when she noticed who it was. At first I had some snarky comment that I was going to make, However, I immediately noticed her eyes were a bit puffy and red from crying. so my mind said the next thing that I could think of. “Hey.”
Immediately, I could tell that she wanted to close the door so I decided to act first. I held out the chocolate bar as I said, "Happy Birthday.”
I could see the surprise look on her face. Her hand hesitantly reached out and grabbed the chocolate bar as if it would crumble into dust within a second.
“listen, I know we don’t get on the right foot most of the time… Tartarus I don’t even know why i'm still here… I guess I just wanted to wish you happy birthday and I hope you enjoy it…” I felt very awkward, looking towards her before I slowly began to turn around and walk away.
“Wait!” diamond tiara shouted. I was surprised by the tone in her voice, and it was showing on my face when I turned around to look at her.
She looked at me almost a bit afraid. and it seemed like she was debating on what she was going to do. When she finally spoke, I wasn’t expecting what she asked.
“Do you wanna come inside?” We both stared at each other for what must’ve been like 5 minutes. before I finally said “what?”
“Inside! You know, my place!” she yelled a bit irritated. then something unexpected happened. all of her anger, annoyance and irritation left in a blink of an eye as she looked apologetic and sad. “sorry… I didn’t mean to yell.”
Diamond tiara apologises to me… to me… a blank flank…
“Are you sure you’re diamond tiara?” I say, in a teasing tone.
“What’s that supposed to mean!?” She Yelled. Stomping her hoof.
I couldn’t help myself. “I mean you’re not acting like yourself, you could be a changeling.”
Her face went from pink to red. “If you didn’t want to come in, just say NO!” As she was about to close the door I quickly placed my hand on the door, and stopped her. “But I didn’t say no.”
She gave me a look of surprise, and it took her a second to respond. She shook her head and looked at me. “fine you can come on in but you better not dirty the place.” she said as she opened the door. To my surprise, the house was quite dark. All of the magical light bulbs were currently turned off.
“thanks… Where is everyone?” I asked as I walked in, not noticing the sad look.
“I umm… didn’t… want to party this year…” she said,
However, I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “What are you kidding? You were talking about going on the canterlot weeks, gosh, you wouldn’t shut up about it.”
I was expecting some sort of comeback, maybe even an insult. However, when I heard nothing, I turned around and I realised maybe I spoke too much. she was looking down at the floor, and she looked like she was almost on the verge of tears.
“whoa, wait, I didn’t mean…” There was an awkward silence between us, as I didn’t know what to say. I kind of felt like a flackhole. “How about we do something fun.”
My question seemed to distract her from her sadness as she began to think for a moment. “Yeah sure what do you want to do? Makeup, shopping, gossip.”
I couldn’t help but just stare at her for a second. “I said something fun, not that stuff.”
“What are you talking about? That ‘stuff’ is fun.” she said defensively.
“Diamond you just turned 13 today you’re definitely too young for makeup. I’m pretty sure your parents have bought you everything you need and you definitely don’t need anymore clothes. You wear a different outfit every day of school for years. and I don’t care about gossip.” I said looking at her.
“First of all.” she countered. “My mother says I need to practise putting makeup on when I’m young so that way I’m a master at it when I grow up. and second of all of course I change my clothes every day. Once you use them they’re garbage.”
“I let out a long sigh as I looked at her and said. We can argue about that later. Why don’t we go outside? maybe you need to do something new.” I offered.
“Why would I wanna play in the mud and strain my body? That sounds like a lot of work and very little pay off.” she said, sounding disgusted at the idea.
“Come on, you gotta trust me on this one. all I’m asking is that you do one thing” I said to her with a smile
(Five minutes later)
“Here we are” I said, as we made it over to the area where I practise my scooter skills. There are a couple makeshift wooden ramps that I can go up and down.
“You brought us all the way here for that thing!” she said, dumbfounded and angry.
“That ‘thing’ is my scooter.” I shot back in annoyance. “listen, I invited you out here so if you don’t want to hang then I won’t stop you from leaving.”
She hesitated for a second for shaking her head, and letting out a sigh. “Fine, we’ll play with the stupid scooter.”
“Oh, come on don’t be like that” I showed in protest. “haven’t you ever done rollerblading, skating or maybe even biking.” The only answer I got was silence. Which was an answer in itself.
“Come on, I'll show you how to ride a scooter. It’s fun and maybe we can try a few ramps!” I said excitedly
“I don’t know. Mom said that I shouldn’t do anything that is too dangerous or they could get me too dirty.” She said looking a bit worried.
“Dangerous? really? It’s a bucking scooter. it’s not gonna kill you to try to get on it. Come on, I'll show you how to ride it and you won’t get dirty… as long as you don’t fall.” I couldn’t help myself at the end.
She looked nervous. However, eventually she gave in. “Fine.” she said as she went to pick up the scooter.
“not like that.” I said stopping her. “like this.” I put my hoof at the edge of the deck of the scooter. then I simply pressed down on the edge to lift the scooters handlebars up as I proceeded to grab them.
“All right, just place your hooves on the deck of the scooter” However, she looked at me confused. “You know how I ride the scooter. Just place your hooves here” I say, pointing at the deck.
“But I can’t balance on this thing, it only has two wheels.” she tried to protest.
“I’ll hold onto you, you gotta trust me. I’ll give you the push at the start and then you can start doing it on your own. It’s really easy once you get going.” Again she looked at me hesitant before finally getting on. I hold her by the waist, making sure to keep her balance.
“OK, are you ready?” I didn’t wait for her to respond as I proceeded to start pushing her.
“Wait-“ whatever she was going to say, she cut herself off and she tried to focus on keeping balance.
I pushed her around for a little bit, and at first, I didn’t think she was having much fun, however slowly, but surely that frown on her face, and look of worry, turned softer, and it looked like she was even smiling. After about five minutes of pushing her around, she started to laugh a little bit.
“Ha… This is fun…” she said, with a smile.
“All right, I’m gonna let you go and you gotta push yourself now.” I said to her.
“Wait, but I still don’t know how this thing works!” She tried to protest, but I cut her off.
“You already know what to do, just keep your balance and step on the floor and push yourself forward to get speed.” I said, as I kept pushing her as I felt myself getting tired running her around.
“I believe in you,” I say to her.
Before I allowed her to protest, I let her go, forcing her to act on her own. I was getting tired anyways.
And thankfully, she did, as I said, placed her hoof on the ground and pushed her forward. She was riding a scooter all by herself. and it looked like she was having a lot of fun.
However, as I was catching my breath, I noticed she started going towards a bit of a slope back towards town. Before I could do anything, she was already taking the slope and increasing speed down the hill. However, she was doing good but the only problem was it looked like she was about to run right into a stallion…. Wait, is that stallion wielding a sword…
(Diamond Tiara POV)
I noticed I was starting to go downhill and at first I wasn’t worried. for once I felt free. The wind was blowing in my hair and I didn’t have a care in the world. I was truly free.
That was until I saw a Stallion in front of me that I was about to crash into. I panicked and tried to stop myself, however, I just proceeded to fall and tumble onto the dirty Ground.
Mother was going to kill me.
“Ow”, I groaned in pain.
“Well, if it isn’t my lucky day.” I heard a deep voice come from the stallion as I proceeded to look at him. However, I wish I didn’t as I realised what faction the stallion was a part of. The leather armour, the sword on his side. The scars on his face along with the banner of the rebel forces. however, the rebels were supposed to be far south east why were they in ponyville?
I froze as I looked at him. Father told me to stay away if I ever saw someone that was part of the rebel forces however, I just couldn’t move. my heart was pounding in my chest as I looked up at him in fear.
“You know you are worth a lot of bits. why don’t you come quietly and-“ (Smack) He was interrupted with the sound of metal smacking bone. A scooter came into my field of view and swung around striking right at his knee. “My Bucking knee!” he screamed in pain.
That’s when I noticed it was a Scootaloo that struck him in the knee. She dropped her scooter and ran over to me. immediately she grabbed me by the shoulder and said “Run!”
I felt myself breakout of trance when she said that as I immediately got up and began to run with her. At first we tried to go around him and back into town but we quickly noticed several other stallions along with griffins that were a part of the rebel forces blocking the street.
I felt dread as it looked like we were cut off from the town. but then suddenly a mare seemed to appear from the crowd, proceeding to extend her hands, striking the stallions in the jaw. In an instant two stallions dropped unconscious. I don’t even know where she came from. It was almost like she appeared out of nowhere. and I don’t think I've ever seen her before. She had a blue coat and a nice yellowish gold main. Along with bright blue eyes.
“Get out of here kids! The rebels are attacking the town!” She yelled at us as she used her magic to lift up one of the griffins, and slam them to the ground. Wait, wasn’t she an earth pony just a moment ago…
Scootaloo yanked me from my thoughts as she was pulling me by the hand. Scootaloo, Seem to have some sense, and tried to avoid the town, and she was leading me towards… the Everfree forest…. Buck…
“We can’t go in there! It's too dangerous.” I protested
“trust me, I know the way, I snuck into the ever for many times we just need to get to Zecora” she reassured me. I was going to protest again however, the first stallion was making his way towards us, however, not at full sprint.
I decided to trust Scootaloo as we began to make a way into the Everfree forest.
We kept running along the path trying to escape our pursuer however, they were beginning to recover and become faster. They were a grown earth pony Stallion too. eventually will lose the endurance, and will be caught.
We kept running as fast as we could, but he was getting closer and closer. Eventually, I let out a scream as Scootaloo shouted for help.
The stallion taunted us. “No one’s coming, just give up!”
I didn’t want to believe him, but I was starting to lose hope, and then I tripped. my leg got caught underneath a branch as I felt a twist in an awkward way as I let out a gasp of pain. I could no longer run.
To my surprise, Scootaloo immediately stopped and tried to help me. I felt my eyes watering as I looked at her trying to get me to continue running. All of those times I bullied her and was mean to her and now she was trying to help me. I couldn’t run anymore, but maybe she could get out of here.
“You have to run!” I said desperately. “I'll just slow you down. He wants me after all, you have a chance to escape and get to Zecora.”
At first, she looked at me surprised, and then a look of anger went on her face, but one of determination. “Are you Bucking stupid? I’m not gonna leave you here.”
“there you are.” I felt shivers go down my spine as I heard the stallion catch up to us.
Once again, to my surprise, Scootaloo placed herself in between me and him. I wanted to scream at her to run to get away and not throw her life away. but I couldn’t speak. My eyes were watering with tears, and I could barely catch my breath.
“Get out of my way.” he said, “or I’ll cut you down.” He was serious; he wasn't going to hesitate against a kid.
However Scootaloo’s only stood there, raising her fist in defence. “Buck you.” I never heard her so cold even against me.
However, the stallion only smiled statistically as he proceeded to raise his sword. I couldn’t watch as I had to look away.
But then there was the sound of metal scraping against the metal.
The stallion was just standing there, not moving, that is until his torso began to split into Two. His arms and head fell to the ground with a thud as his legs gave in and blood started spilling on the ground. Behind him is a creature I have never seen before.
