Mirror: Book I - Mind

The castle’s map room was flooded with a bright blue glow as Twilight scanned across the globe from one location after another, keeping the magic in her horn alive to continue her searching. The young Alicorn had recalled the map table’s magic abilities, in the sense that it could acquire the location of a pony via their cutie mark and pin point any location on the planet that which it wished to assign them to. Mysterious as the map was, it almost seemed to have a mind of its own, but in spite of its unexplained intricacies Twilight knew to apply a simple reversal incantation in order to determine where somepony or something had come from. In this case, the amulet from the night before, the very item which her faithful assistant and oldest friend, Spike, had used hovered loosely above the center of the table. Once again, the Princess scanned over location after location, every site and seeing, every nook and cranny, and still she had come up empty hoofed.

She stared at the amulet floating a distance from her as though staring back in mockery, and with that she rested the object to the surface of the table and ceased her incantation. The illusive geography flickered away and left only a reflective plane for Twilight to stare back at. She pawed for her notebook and conjured a quill, scribbling away into the pages as she decided to give the newly found item before her a proper name.

「Negater Stone – Lost Amulet Artifact
Origin: Unknown
Material composition: Unknown
Properties: Capable of nullifying a wide range of spells, including mobility
Notes: Starlight Glimmer fell victim to its use, reporting a lack of magical energy and her inability to move for a duration of at least twenty-two minutes. The wielder of the amulet is not required to possess any manner of knowledge or abilities in the field of sorcery prior to its use. Though it has only been “tested” once on a unicorn, it is assumed that no living creature is invulnerable to its effects.」

Twilight’s eyes hovered across the page of her work, nonchalantly reviewing her grammar and punctuation and relaying the mysterious workings of the amulet back into her mind. Her horn flared alive and she flipped from one page to another to find a small slip of paper folded and tucked away into a forgotten page of her book, to which she carefully levitated before her and undid to review its contents. The first words hit her like a hammer to her chest.

「Dear Princess Celestia...」

The letter meant to inform the Princess of David’s arrival still laid incomplete and unsent, a forgotten script lying in the depths of some tattered old notebook. The young Alicorn wondered for a moment if it was the nerves within her working themselves up for not having written to her superior and former teacher for so long, or if it was the fact that she felt the contents of the letter itself were simply too devoid of details she was looking for.

You’re a Princess now. Twilight forced herself into a fixed mind set. It’s been this way for five years now. When you send something to the Princess, she must expect it to be worth her time. Do not fail her, at least not anymore than you already have.

Twilight’s mind called back to the dilemmas that had plagued Equestria in recent years, how each and every outcome had set herself on a thinner and thinner thread with the Princesses in Canterlot. She could already feel the tension bracing upon the last few hairs that was her royal connection with the only other Alicorns in the entire kingdom, some sparring over an alien entity lost on an entirely different planet had to be taken more cautiously, more seriously, relaying far more details than Twilight had even begun with in her letter. That feedback, of course, would come from the Equerry himself, and so Twilight promised herself to wait and see what the young boy would show to the ponies of Ponyville.

The sun set past noon in the sky, forcing hot rays of stark-white and gold light onto the ponies and the only human of the village in the valley below. His bare feet stung against the heated cobblestone walks, and so he opted to tread through the grass whilst steering clear of more ponies whom were delivering to him their fair share of dirty looks, hisses and scowls.

“Some Equerry you are.”

“Go home, chimp!”

“Even if you were a pony I still wouldn’t serve you.”

“No hooves, no service.”

The bottom half of the stable door to the small perfume and scents shop slammed shut. The mare inside stopped dead in her tracks and looked back at the door, noticing that David’s upper half was still visible. He waved feebly with a broken smile, trying once more. The shop mare huffed, slammed the top half of the door, and hung a sign at her window.

「TWO LEGS? TOO BAD!」

David leaned backwards and distanced himself from the shop, groaning in frustration as he hung his head low in defeat. It was almost funny how comical the townsponies appeared when in deep rejection of the boy, but it didn’t help the fact that he could not get what he wanted. Every serious question of his was shunned and laughed off, every offer he made was treated like the plague, and worst of all…he felt hungry. Weak, as though a phantom weight had fallen upon his shoulders.

As he lumbered away from the store and down the sidewalk with heavy legs, he rounded to the entrance of a small alley way and slumped with his back against the wall. The beating sun still reigned down upon him with harsh streaks of stinging white, and along with it his breath began to escape him.

What is this? Fatigue? The boy thought. It doesn’t make sense. I’m still in a dream, aren’t I? Some sort of hallucination?

Whatever was happening in the real world, he assumed, must’ve been relayed back to his mind within this dream. It was then that he realized for days on end he had gone without his most basic diet, essential nutrition that the ponies of the town might literally cast him out for. Meat. It came upon his mind. I haven’t eaten any meat ever since I got here.

“David?” A familiar tone had come.

The boy raised his head quickly and looked outside the alley, noticing a rich brown mare with a silver mane. She carried a satchel bag at her side, uncharacteristically filled to the brim with gardening supplies instead of the usual mechanical jargon.

“Silver Spanner…” David expelled his breath and struggled to stand.

“What’s the matter? Are you hurt?” The unicorn fretted.

“No, I’m fine.” He finally got to his feet and leaned against the wall. “Just a little tired, is all.”

“You look so…pale.” She noted quietly. “Come and sit down.”

The boy obliged and stepped out of the alley way, resting to the bench nearby as Silver tucked her satchel beneath the seat and got comfortable. David braved a few more glares shot in his direction as he hoped his friend would not notice, their gazes turning to confusion as they noticed the mare sitting next to him beginning to speak.

“Don’t pay any attention to them, they know nothing about you.” Silver provided.

“They must know more than I do.” David stared at the ground. “And I’m beginning to agree with them.”

“What makes you say?” The mare wondered.

“Believe me, I’ve tried to cope but I really don’t belong here. My arrival was a mistake from the very start.” He shook and hung his head low once more, mumbling beneath his breath. “It would’ve been better if I were slaughtered by those timber wolves.”

“Don’t say that!” Silver held his arm. “If you were never meant to be here then I wouldn’t be speaking to you right now, but I chose to.”

“And why do you choose me instead of your own kind?” David’s eyes wandered across the street. “Look at these ponies, they know what’s going on. They look down upon me for the simple fact that I am a human, I am different. Why don’t you join them? If you stay with me, you’ll have nothing to lose.”

“And if I go with them, I would lose you.”

The boy could tell that there was a strange, innate kindness to this young mare’s heart. For whatever she did it was never for her own gain alone, but out of unconditional respect and kindness did her outstretched embrace invite all who were willing to accept. It was the sort of kindness which David recognized to betray him once, both from the receiving and giving perspectives, and though the memories of his own world were vague upon the matter, the feelings and emotions stuck with him all the same.

“You can’t keep this up…” His voice was ragged, he sighed drearily. “You have a reputation, Silver, a life to live. Don’t let me ruin it.”

“If that’s the way it has to be.” She accepted.

“I’ll only hurt you, even without laying a finger upon you.”

“There’s nothing you can do to harm me, I promise that.”

David only chose to stare at her for a while before blinking and resting his back to the bench. The mare was stubborn this morning, it seemed, it was best to leave the conversation and let a new one spawn from the longevity of silence. The sun’s rays began to emit a soothing sort of warmth, and the boy allowed for the moment to at least warm his skin and calm his nerves as his friend beside him reveled in the familiar display of the roads of Ponyville. It was, for the most part, like nothing David had ever imagined, filled with so much more merriment and mirth than any observer from the other side could have hoped to believe in.

“Just look at it this way.” Silver began. “You really don’t know how lucky you are. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had all sorts of different people and creatures pass through Ponyville before. Some were treated better than others, even tolerated more than they should have been. Others were, well, not so lucky. What I mean to say is, it’s not your fault what they think of you and it’s not like you should pay too much mind to it anyways. You are their Equerry. Believe it or not they look up to you.”

“Well, I find that very hard to believe.” The boy replied loosely. “But I think you’re right, I shouldn’t let their words get to my head. There’s too many mysteries popping up now, I can’t afford to let it get in my way.”

“Maybe you should learn to just relax for a day or two?” Silver suggested.

“No, you don’t understand. This is urgent now.” David furthered. “I feel like I might actually be getting a step closer to solving this problem, and that was thanks to a dream within a dream.”

“A dream within a dream?”

“Do you remember the night prior when we were walking to the tavern?” He quested. “When you and I were talking about Princess Luna?”

“You saw her?” The pony was ecstatic.

“She spoke to me, Silver. In my dream.” David relayed. “She said so many things, but I can’t remember what about. That’s why I need to have another dream, I need to be able to control my dreams so I can speak to her again.”

“Then it’s true that you were meant to be here!” Silver jolted with excitement. “Princess Luna’s presence is an extraordinary happening, only very few ponies have met her in their dreams. If the Princess decided to speak with you then it was destiny for sure.”

“I can only hope so, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.” David cautioned. “All I need is a way to contact her again.”

“Right, let’s head to the bar.” Silver nodded.

“Wait, what?”

“You said you wanted to meet her again.” Silver reminded. “You must’ve gotten so drunk last night that Princess Luna herself carried you home.”

“Although appealing, I can assure that is not what happened.” The boy reconsidered his approach. “Look, you’re friends with that flower pony, aren’t you? The one that owns a shop here?”

“Rose Luck? Oh, of course.” Silver was enthusiastic all over again. “I’m sure she’d love to talk about Princess Luna with you. She’s an avid fan, y’know.”

“If she is, then great. Surely she knows about some flowers or scents that can help someone get to sleep? I’d try chloroform but I’m already on a thin thread with the police.”

“You must be talking about lavender.” Silver reminded. “I haven’t quite memorized the seasons for certain plants but I’m sure Rosey can get you something.”

“Erm, you wouldn’t mind getting them for me, would you?” David scratched his scalp. “I’m kinda walking on eggshells here-”

“You want some lavender but the ponies don’t like your monkey face, got it.” Silver hopped from the bench and began trotting away. “Watch my bag for me? I’ll be right back.”

“Sure thing!” David tucked his friend’s satchel beneath his arm as he called out to her. “Thank you, Silver.”

The cream-yellow, scarlet maned mare in question had just finished resting a basket of flowers to turn her sights, watching the scene from afar slowly unfold as a disgusted pinch adorned her face.

“Oh, Luna on high.” Rose Luck sighed, face-hoofing. “Here we go again.”

“What’s the matter?” Daisy lifted her head.

“She’s talking to it again.” Rose nodded in the direction of Silver and the boy from a distance.

“That’s weird.” Daisy cocked her head in confusion. “It doesn’t even look like she’s afraid. Does she even feel the slightest bit frightened?”

“I don’t know she see’s in that thing. Ugh, Celestia help that mare.” Rose recoiled then snickered. “I bet she’s tried to-”

“She’s coming this way!” Daisy hissed.

“Hey gals.” Silver chirped. “What’s up?”

Rose Luck whipped around, lazily meeting the unicorn’s eyes, delivering a meager shrug.

“Just talking.” Daisy responded cautiously.

“I see.” Silver continued. “Say, Rose, I’ve begun to notice a few sprouts growing in my new garden. Did you wanna come over this afternoon and-?”

“Yeah yeah, maybe later.” Rose flicked her hoof.

“Oh, um, is everything alright?” Silver questioned. “Did I interrupt you two?”

A glare sprung from within Rose’s eyes, and she sneered across Silver’s figure with the same disgust she had been watching with from earlier. “Not at all, Silver Spanner, everything is just fine. Let’s just keep your activity with that thing on the down-low, maybe then we can consider having a civilized conversation.”

“What…thing?”

“Seriously though, hun, I’m a little concerned for you. Celestia knows it hurts to look that thing in the eyes for more than two seconds.”

“He has a name, you know.” Silver justified.

Rose threw her head back and cackled. “Did you actually name that thing? What’s next, are you gonna put a leash on it?”

“What is the matter with you? We’re just friends!” Silver stomped her hoof. “We talk to each other, we help each other, we tell jokes and stories. How is that any different from a relationship with any other pony?”

“Silver, please, this is for your own good.” Rose pleaded. “You stay the hell away from that thing, you don’t know what it could-”

“David!”

Daisy watched from a distance, cocking her head yet again, and Rose was now doing the same. “What…?” She appeared perplexed.

“His name is David, and he is not a thing.”

“So blind…” Rose shook her head, rolling her eyes.

“Silver?” The boy approached from behind. “You said my name?”

“Huh?” The young unicorn flipped around and traded sights between he and Rose. “I mean…yes. Yes I did.”

“Huh?” It was Rose’s turn to look confused.

“Please, come over here.” Silver obliged her partner and presented him before the florist. “Rose Luck, I’d like for you to meet my friend, David. David, this is Rose Luck.”

The unicorn swung her head back and forth, eagerly awaiting for the conversation to unfold as a mighty, sure grin crossed over her lips. The two were staring in every other direction except one another’s eyes, until the boy finally found the courage to shatter the ice.

“Ahem.” He cleared, raising his hand. “Hi there, Rose, nice to meet’cha.”

“Ech!” Rose recoiled and spat at the ground. “Don’t say my name, cretin!” Her ears flat and tail whipping wildly, the floral mare turned and gave a final snort before trotting off and around the corner with Daisy in tow.

“Rose, wait!” Silver gave little chase before stopping and kicking the ground with a hoof. “Dammit…” She mumbled.

“See what I mean?” David followed up.

“I’m so sorry, Rose is a kind mare.” Silver shook her head again. “She’s just-”

“Scared? Hostile? Unwilling to try?” David listed. “She’s not the first.”

“I thought that maybe if I could get her to see, then…”

“It’s fine, Silver, if they don’t want to try then I understand.” The boy began to walk away. “Thanks anyways. Here’s your bag.”

Crouching down he lowered the satchel back on the pony’s back before giving a final, little wave of goodbye. Silver looked to the ground with a long, dejected stare, leveling her eyes up to Rose’s floral shop front until finally they met with the many flowers and plants on display. A wide arrangement of colors stretched across the stools, pots and shelves as though ripe and ready for the picking, and with that a devious thought entered the young unicorn’s head. At that moment a tinge of dread spiked the boy’s back as he turned around to find Silver doing something uncharacteristically terrible. David sped over to her side and held her hooves at bay.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What does it look like?” Silver shook herself free. “I’m getting your flowers for you.”

“Stop, this isn’t right.” He pleaded.

“It wasn’t right the way she treated you.”

“The feeling is mutual-”

“But it shouldn’t have to be!” Silver groaned and kicked the ground once more. “What right do they have to speak to you that way? You’re just a kid.”

The words struck a strange, almost hurtful chord within the boy as though devoiding him of all the strength and energy he had left for the day. He found nothing to say back to the mare as she continued with her argument. Alas, her words did not spill, and the boy cocked his head wondering if his friend was finally beginning to realize the ugliness he saw in himself. Only, she stared past the side of his face, slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

David went to imitate her sights as crowds of ponies began rushing by and piling down the street. In the distance towering high above the hay-roofed building tops, stood an alarming amount of smoke.