Mirror: Book I - Mind

The lanterns posted among the plaza flared and spiraled to life, a haunting, greenish-blue glow flickering within their foggy casing to fit the theme of the attractions set out before the square. Ponies poured in from their homes to join in on the festivities, many draped in black and blue as a sign of respect towards their nightly Princess, and most others catering to the sillier side of Nightmare Night. Candy and cake laid in bountiful amounts among the many tables, prizes were set out as the children bobbed for apples, the filly with the vampire teeth proving more of a match than any of her friends. Their games were loud and their songs were heard, and the celebrations reached each and every inhabitant to the party, all except for one.

David and Starlight waltzed about the scenery, several ponies regarding their presence dearly, some even considering to applaud the young Equerry and his assistant in their efforts during the trial. Alas, the boy’s mind hung on those lasting thoughts.

“We never did determine who the culprit was.” He noted.

“The culprit?” Starlight replied.

“To who started the fire.”

The pony rolled her eyes. “Okay, I think being an attorney for the day must’ve done something to your head.” The unicorn laughed. “I’m gonna have to teach you how to switch off, pal.”

“I’ll admit, it did a number on me. I’ve never used so much brain power in my life…” He rubbed his temples. “Though, something tells me it’s not over just yet.”

“Why’s that?”

“That Iron Will guy.” The boy cautiously looked around. “Whatever happened to him?”

“Iron WILL-” A voice boomed from behind.

The boy and the unicorn jumped and spun in a one-eighty, once again on the defensive.

“-not be attending the next trial.” The minotaur finished, removing his mic and gingerly stripping his tie from his neck.

“You’re…leaving?” Starlight wondered.

“That’s right, little pony.” The bull looked ahead. “This minotaur has had enough of these peachy, cotton lands you call home. It’s time that the Will returns to his own.”

“So if there’s gonna be another trial after all, who’s going to take your spot?” Prodded the boy. “Mikado is gone, and the trial might as well be said and done for anyways. All that’s left is to find the culprit for the fire.”

“Iron Will has made his negotiations with the judge, she has permitted to withhold the subpoena on the condition that a suitable attorney takes over.”

David looked down, seeing that the tie Iron Will had taken off was now being eaten by a goat, wearing another tie. He burped and baah-ed in satisfaction. Suitable indeed… He thought.

“I didn’t even think that was possible.” He said.

“Where there’s a Will, nothing is impossible!” The minotaur declared.

“No, I meant because I don’t even know what that is.”

“Iron Will finds it amusing that studying the law for three months straight gave little to no advantage over a clueless ape like yourself.”

“Um, thanks?” David shrugged.

“You’ve opened up this minotaur’s eyes. You, and your assistant, that is.” He nodded to the pony. “Know your enemy first, but know your allies better. That’s the lesson ol’ Iron’s pulled out of our experience together, and the lesson I’m taking back home.”

Iron Will gave a nod and turned to make his departure, broad shoulders swinging from side to side as every step was a stomp that rumbled the earth below him. David and Starlight prepared to stand back and watch as he waltzed off into the sunset, but the bull took one last look over his shoulder.

“Iron Will never did get your name, ape.”

The boy held out his hand. “Call me Da-”

“And I have no need to.”

With that, the big, brawny bull snorted and turned back around, walking down the path.

A warm, orange glow showed upon the purple tint of her hide, shining from down below as the unicorn stood atop the Town Hall balcony, overlooking the expanses of Ponyville and the celebrations of the season. Her mind wandered upon the building behind her, the times she had spent within, and all the time she had spent fighting horn and hide to get the career that she had always wanted. Quietly and reverently, her eyes traveled skyward to the countless little white dots revealing themselves along the canvas of black, purple and blue. Among them all, the moon shined far more bright and brilliant than ever before. The name echoed in her mind, over and over…

“Senkō.” She breathed.

“It means ‘light’.” Ronin informed.

The young colt strode down the rotundus path of the balcony, coming to a rest next to his friend, wordlessly joining in on the view. For a long moment after, the awkward spell of silence and uncertainty had returned to the two. The feeling was more than familiar, reminiscent of their first meeting at the train station all those weeks ago. Not a word had been communicated between the other, at least nothing coherent, and Amethyst seemed to find herself at the receiving end this time around. Her stomach swelled with butterflies and her face flushed to a bright red. Ronin gave no notice.

“Why did you really come back?” Amethyst asked him.

“How many times are you going to ask me this?”

“Until you give me the real answer.” She tried.

Ronin felt his response weigh on the tip of his tongue, his hesitation the debate on whether or not he should really say it. The journey to this village was a mere mission, it was all he had ever told himself, and all he had ever deemed it to be…until now. Alas, she and the colt were thrown into yet another awkward quiet, even Ronin himself felt that he should turn to cover the blush rising to his face. Amethyst, however, was a forefront mare. Her prodding would one day get her into situations that she alone could not get out. This was a mare to admire, a mare to look after. It had nothing to do with his mission, Ronin simply felt it was so.

“I’m sorry.” She suddenly apologized.

Ronin blinked. “What for?”

“About the flowers, I mean.” The young mare fidgeted. “I…really did think they were pretty.”

Ronin blinked again, his blush growing all the brighter.

“Do you think we could…go get some more, sometime?” She asked quietly.

And the colt nodded. “Yeah.” He said. “I would love that.”

“I really am glad you came back, Ronin.”

The two hadn’t even realized their faces were only inches apart.

…

“Amy~!!” Came a distant, crying wail.

The occupants of the balcony jumped and turned to find that a little, gray unicorn had made her way to their spot, tears streaming past her cheeks as she pounced on the older mare and swung her hooves from side to side.

“You big, dumb, stupid idiot!” Dinky cried and cried. “You’re the worst big step sister in the history of big step sisters ever!”

“Good to see you too, Dink…” Amethyst deadpanned.

“Why didn’t you tell me you got better as soon as you woke up? Mom and Doc were worried to death about you, too!” The filly broke down into a mess of slobber and snot. “D-Don’t…don’t do that ever again! Okay?” She sniffled. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Did I really upset you guys that much?” Amethyst suddenly realized. “Oh no…how long was I out for?”

“Almost three days.” Came the Doctor’s voice. “But you pulled through after all, dear Amy.”

Derpy trotted from behind, the pegasus and the earth colt greeting with warm, inviting smiles. Amethyst nearly felt herself crumble altogether as she fell into their embrace, the family of four reunited once again. From the loving bundle of fur and feathers, Amethyst peeked out towards her partner, a content smile stretched across the young colt’s complexion. Quietly, the ponies broke away, and Derpy held her daughter’s face in her hooves.

“I knew you would make it.” Tears welled up in the mother’s eyes. “I’m so proud of you, my little Star.”

“Yeah…” She fell back into the pony’s wings. “I love you…mom.”

In the midst of it all, Amethyst’s eyes returned to the moon in the sky, and the name echoed in her mind once more.

As the boy watched the ponies of Ponyville prance and party away into the beginning Nightmare Night festivities, his eyes glanced over to the one pony he had been meaning to speak with for the entire day. Ever since he had come upon such daunting revelations, to be exact. There was Twilight, mingling and providing her Princess speeches to the ponies who so dearly wished to speak with her. He stood afar, allowing the citizens their time and their peace, saying whatever it was they wanted to say to their Majesty. He was the Equerry, after all. Ought he make a good image? The unicorn next to him could see right through his gaze.

“You look like you want to stab somepony.” Starlight mentioned.

David flinched, looking down at his friend. “I-It’s nothing.” He mumbled.

“Bull. I know that look.” Starlight furthered. “I’d seen it a thousand times back at my old village.”

He gave the unicorn a wary stare, if only for a moment. She simply brushed it off.

“Those feelings are better spelt than stored.” She waited in anticipation.

The boy sighed, shaking his head. “It’s about Twilight.” He began. “She’s…she’s been hiding the truth from me this entire time. Ever since I had arrived in this world, she’s done nothing but lie to me.”

Starlight blinked with disbelief, glancing across the crowd of equines and seeing her teacher. The mare’s gaze tightened. “Twilight would never keep anything from you, not unless she had good reason to.” She attempted.

“Reason or not, I’ve got to draw the line somewhere.” A new resolve filled the boy’s eyes. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

“Need me to back you up-?”

He held up his hand, gesturing her to rest. “This is between her and I.” He deemed.

Starlight willed herself still, and watched as the boy weaved away and into the crowds.

David sat upon a barrel, really the only suitable seat size for him, beneath an awning on one of the store sides of the edge of the ongoing ponies partying into the night. It seemed as though they had an almost infinite capactiy for sweets and treats all year round, all day, anytime. Such an appetite had gotten old for the boy, this world and its interests growing thin and weary to his liking, and so he went to scratch that same wound beneath his shirt, upon his chest, over his heart. He rubbed at it calmly and tenderly, yet the memory of the wolves in the castle, their snarling green saliva, their stench, it all stung deep in his mind. Then…there was a blast of rich violet, and a beautiful, winged unicorn of purple coming to his rescue. That same pony who was responsible for beginning all of this was standing idly by at a vendor with her friends, chatting and giggling away into the night as though nothing at all was wrong.

He ceased his scratching and stood, huffing irritably as he followed a path winding around the many ponies, headed straight for the Princess. Only a few feet away from her now, the mare’s eyes went wide and a bright smile strung across her face. David already knew this was going to be difficult.

“Well, if it isn’t the Ace!” Twilight cheered, the encouragement of applause passing all around. “I was wondering when you would finally show up.”

“Okay, okay.” He raised his hands. “Save the praise for Starlight, she did all the work.”

“Oh, c’mon, you were amazing in there!”

“All in good intention.” He settled.

“Care for some punch?”

“Er, no-”

“Or how about the carrot cake?” She offered. “Mrs. Cake and I made it, I made sure to save a slice for you. You deserve it, after all.”

Her face beamed once more, the aforementioned served on a plate ready for his tasting. Alas, the boy dropped his hands, delivering a solid stare her way.

“Twilight.” He uttered, a bit more coldly than he would have liked. “We need to talk.”

The pony’s ears flexed, her gaze swaying left and right. “Is…Is this about the Equerry’s status thing?” She attempted. “You know that I would never actually see you as my property, right? Everything I do for you I mean it for your own good. You mean so much more to me than you realize.”

“If not your property, then what am I to you?” He asked.

“You’re my friend.”

The sharpest, and sometimes the most cunning part of a pony, lied not in a unicorn’s horn, nor a pegasus’ wings, not even an earth pony’s hooves. It was within their eyes and upon their tongues. They possess an erratic sense of discerning between friendly, and not so friendly. When a pony was confronted with a human, what then were they to do? Twilight could hardly notice the pupil dilation in the small of David’s eyes, much smaller than a pony’s, and at this she failed to sense that spark of sympathy that lied within. It was only something she always told herself.

“Is there something bothering you?” Twilight appeared innocent. “What is this really about?”

“Stop acting like you don’t know.” He pressed on. “I saw you, Twilight. The spell, the ruins, the tree…I saw everything.”

The pony’s eyes shrunk to dots, and she knew now what he meant. Her words were caught in her throat.

“It was you. You were the one who brought me here.” His gaze did not waver. “That’s why you showed up in the ruins that day just in time to save me. You knew I was going to be there.”

Twilight remained silent.

“Why did you never tell me?”

“I-I…I couldn’t…” She choked.

A sharp, exhale of annoyance escaped his nostrils. He wanted to be calm, he wanted to be patient, but all the time wasted had bore a deep sense of urgency within, the desire to set things straight. Slowly, he tugged at his collar and pulled towards his heart, until the part of his chest where the scar laid was shown for her to see. David began his tedious and painful trail of speech.

“I don’t care if it’s tacky or edgy or whatever, but this scar right here…it meant something to me.” He told her. “Every morning I would wake up, I would look in the mirror and still see it upon my chest, and it reminded me of something. It reminded me of the pony who laid waste to those timber wolves in the dusty pits of those forgotten ruins, the pony who saved my ass from certain death because I was too stupid to know any better, the pony whom out of the gentle kindness of her heart did everything she could to mend my wounds, give me a place to sleep, food to eat and clothes to wear. It was a gift, and I had walked these streets thinking each and every day that this was all a gift, and it was all because of you. But now…now all I see is…”

The pony remained silent. David struggled forward.

“A mistake.” He said. “I’m just a mistake.”

“No…” She finally mumbled. “No, you’re not a mistake.”

“I don’t belong here, I never did.” He looked around. “This isn’t my home, these aren’t my people. I have no family here, I have no friends.”

“David, please.” The pony shook. “You are not a mistake.”

“Then give me one good reason why I should think otherwise. Right here, right now.” He demanded. “I don’t care what you do. Say something, show me something. Anything that will make me believe…that all of this isn’t a mistake. That this is real, this is genuine.”

Only then did he notice his hands trembling before him. His gaze glossed over his shaking limbs with pity, and past his palms he could see the broken and weary figure of the mare, standing before him as though a child were confronted by her parents. The pony’s head hung low, and only a mere mumble or two could escape past her lips. David’s gaze softened, his hands trembled all the more and began to creep forward as if he had just dropped a delicate piece of art on the cold hard ground and it had shattered into a million, tiny pieces. Hoping to scoop up the bits and fix everything he could, but the damage had already been done. The boy quietly closed his hands and held them at his sides, looking towards the ground. What have I done? He thought.

“We got a problem, Twi?” A southern dialect crept up on the two.

The boy turned to see Applejack standing by and at the ready, as though she were prepared to pull out that lasso from God knows where and string the boy up all over again, just as she had done so right here in the plaza many times now. David decided he wouldn’t fight it this time, what was the point anymore?

“No, Applejack.” Twilight lifted her head. “There isn’t any problem.”

“Sure don’t seem like it.” She snorted, eyeing the boy daringly.

“There are plenty of things left unsaid between you and I, and deep down I know you feel that way, too.” Her eyes hovered back over to the human. “But for right now, this is between David and I.” She deemed.

Applejack’s eyes tightened and her snout scrunched as she looked in the direction of the boy. She maintained her concentrated glare as she turned and walked with her tail swishing back and forth. The mare glanced over her shoulder and called back to the Alicorn. “We’re waitin’ on ya’.” She said.

Twilight muttered back a “be right there” before lowering her gaze once again, gathering her will and her wits together as she prepared to deliver to the boy what he had been waiting to hear since the very day he had arrived. Her gaze traveled up his figure and stopped at his chest, and after a lengthy exhale of strife, she found the strength to look him in the eyes. Her voice a shaky and ragged return.

“You’re right, I did bring you here.” She admitted. “Your bringing unto this planet was entirely my doing, and for that I am sorry. More sorry than my words can even begin to carry.” Her glossy gaze danced between one eye and the other, her focus wavering. “All of this was my pitiful attempt at keeping you from the truth, because I wanted you to be safe. I wanted you to be happy, I wanted you to feel like that you belong, because…” She blinked, shaking her head. “I-I…I don’t know how to send you back.”

Her chin quivered and her lips wobbled, forcing her eyes back to the ground. David stood there in pain and shock, gazing about aimlessly before the question hovered at his lips. “The spell that you cast…?”

“The spell was never meant to be completed.” Twilight returned. “It was impossible. But, that’s why I chose to pursue it, I wanted to make the impossible, possible. That is what I told myself at the time. Maybe you’re right, maybe I did make a mistake, but you are not a mistake.” She looked pleadingly into his eyes. “You…are the best spell I had ever cast.”

A spell that was never meant to be completed. He thought over in his head.

And that was the day it all began. He remembered. The day it was cast upon us…

A ride that will never end.

“I think I understand now what you’ve done.” David said quietly.

He was calm now, seemingly unfazed by the happenings and the situation all around him, as though he were beginning to accept it all at once. Twilight swept past wet and bleary eyes, looking back up at the boy.

“Understand what?” She asked him.

David bent down and held out his hand to the mare. She studied it for a second or two, suddenly realizing the gesture that was laid out before her. For reasons she could not understand, she lifted her hoof and rested it into his palm. They shook, and the boy looked deep into her eyes.

“Goodbye, Twilight.” He said.

He let go, and walked away.

Twilight gave no chase, but simply watched his tall, skinny figure disappear behind the sea of ponies and into the dark veil of the night. Within seconds he was gone. Within that short, silent moment, the pony felt the shroud around her heart deepen, and thus she stood stagnant as ever, plunging into a deep, sightless and soundless nothing.

An eruption of cheering and hoof stomping sounded from the far end of the plaza. Nightmare Night festivities were taking off, and everypony had joined to gather around the presentation stage in anticipation of a worthy introduction followed by a series of performances and charades. The stage itself sought its resemblance with a certain show mare’s stage some couple months ago. The townsfolk had found use in the remnants that Trixie left behind and made do with their celebrations. Alas, as the minutes went by and not a single pony took to the boards above, yawns and moans of displeasure rolled about the crowd.

“Where in the hay is the Princess at?” One mare hollered.

“She should’ve been here by now!” Another shouted.

“Who’s running this gig anyhow?” The crowd became shaken. “I want a refund!”

“None of us paid a single bit for this…”

Seconds later, a certain little dragon poked his head out from behind the curtains, delivering an apologetic grin to the many ponies standing about.

“Don’t you worry, folks!” Spike attempted. “Her Highness will be ready, er…momentarily!”

The lizard dove behind the curtains, barreled over a set of crates, and pattered down the path towards the Lucky Clover. He knew deep down that he wasn’t aloud back in there, and neither was he aloud in there in the first place, per Twilight’s restrictions. However, it seemed he wouldn’t have to worry about that any longer, as the strange feeling of magic took hold of his tail and left him running in place. He looked down, finding that his little claws were still pounding against the dirt, yet the earth did not move. The dragon was yanked backwards, whipped around, and came face to face with a curly maned, pink-coated pegasus filly. The symbol of a rook laid upon her rump.

“Y-You’re…!” Spike alarmed.

“Ssh…” The filly hushed, holding a hoof over his fangs. “That old magician didn’t know a card from a trick. If I show you what I got up my sleeve, I promise I’ll make it worth everypony’s while.”

Meanwhile, Lucky’s bar had never seen so much business from a single customer in ages. Not after a magician in blue had taken the counter for quite some time before leaving, that is. Deep down, Trixie was a good mare, Lucky knew that much. He was more than certain that every bartender across Equestria would see the same, hopeful light in her that he had seen. Of course, it would take a while to get there, perhaps another bartender or two. Lucky wanted to be sure to send her in the right direction, after all. Why? Because he’s listened to practically everypony’s story. He was a bartender.

“If I were just your average, ordinary, everyday pony…” Twilight mumbled over the counter. “Where would you send me?”

“Quite frankly, your Highness, I’m not sure.” Lucky muttered on. “There’s tons o’ places on this earth you know of that I don’t, that I know for a fact.” He shrugged, wiping the counter down with a rag. “’Sides, it ain’t like you’re not already another average, everyday pony to me. At this here bar, everypony’s my customer.”

The Alicorn lied still, shifting the hardly drank glass in her hoof from one to the other.

“And to answer your question, I don’t think you’re ready to leave this town. Not quite yet.”

“Why is that?” She asked him.

“Well, ain’t it obvious? Everypony knows why.” He gave a chuckle. “You got friends.”

“Friends…” Twilight mumbled, peering deeply into the reflection of the glass. But I think I just lost one of them…

“Twilight~!” The doors to the bar swung apart.

She hardly batted an eye as all five ponies squirmed their way inside. She knew their faces, their scent and their smiles, but she would not turn to look. Not yet, at least.

“Why are you all alone?” Fluttershy was the first to call.

“There’s no reason for anypony to mope about on Nightmare Night!” Rainbow Dash added.

“If you’d like, you’re welcome to some of my ice cream instead.” Rarity offered.

“Don’t be a party pooper, make the night super!” Pinkie Pie hopped.

Applejack stepped ahead of the others to finally take her turn, resting a tender hoof to Twilight’s shoulder. At that, the pony in the stool finally turned, gazing over her friends.

“I don’t exactly know what’s going on in that big ol’ brain o’ yours, and neither am I going to pretend that I know.” The earth mare sighed. “But we all make mistakes from time to time. I know I messed up, big time.” She removed her setson, and looked up to the purple pony. “If’n you would look into the kindness of your heart, maybe we could talk about it…?”

The rest of her friends quietly gathered around her, giving their nods of approval and sights of comfort. Twilight turned back to the glass at her hooves, closed her eyes, and delivered a deep sigh as she wordlessly pushed it away. She turned in her stool, facing the five mares before her.

“There’s something I need to tell you girls…”

“Any sign of the culprit, Sam?”

“You tell me, your eyes work better in the dark.”

Ralph let a low, grumble of frustration slip past his fangs as he continued to beat his wings, soaring on into the shadow of the night. He and the earth pony below had scanned the innards and outskirts of the town twice over, thrice then when dusk had fallen and Nightmare Night festivities began on the horizon. A looming, yellow-orange glow emanated from where they had trotted, serving as a small lantern in the distance. Not that Ralph really needed it, though. His comrade was indeed right, the fact that his vision was more than amplified in the darkness, and that alone told the bat pony that if even he couldn’t locate this runaway ambassador they had been searching for, then perhaps nopony could.

And yet, there was something in the back of Ralph’s mind, something that told him if a search came up dry for even the first time, then perhaps it was a fruitless effort. A subtraction. Or, worse yet…

“A distraction.” He mumbled, slowly descending to the earth.

“What was that, Ralph?” Sam trotted up.

The bat pony was blinking rapidly. “What was the last thing Mikado had said?”

“Huh?”

“To that unicorn girl, the lavender one.” Ralph attempted.

“Er…nothing, really.” Sam was left scratching his helmet. “I don’t see what it has to do with anything.”

“That’s because he didn’t have time to answer her.” And the guard’s glance shot back towards Ponyville. “We’ve been searching in the wrong place…No. We’ve been searching for the wrong pony this entire time.”

The stage had been set out before the steps to Town Hall, looking over the plaza square, filled from street to alley way with the near entirety of the town. The Princess was meant to give her speech several moments ago, so where was she? The crowds of ponies were left wondering and murmuring amongst one another, some opting to go home, others choosing the games a mere trot and skip away. All was quiet up on stage, and all was barren.

Then, the lanterns lining the roads suddenly flickered into darkness.

A groan erupted across the audience, but some were filled with excitement. Perhaps the show was finally starting, a grand entrance for the equines across the plaza to behold. Indeed, as smoke and shadow filled the center stage, a spotlight was cast down the center row. The curtains were cast apart, and there in the midst of the shade approached a single, tiny figure.

Cozy Glow.

“Welcome all, welcome!” The winged filly began proudly. “A beautiful night, is it not? For Ponyville’s umpteenth, annual Nightmare Night! I don’t really care which one it is, they’re all the same anyhow.”

Everypony looked to one another in confusion, and the little pony at the stage continued.

“Before we begin, I’d like to give a list of a number of honorable mentions, to all of those who helped shaped this town to the humble village it is today. Now, let’s see here…” Cozy Glow pulled out a rather sizable scroll, letting the paper roll down the end of the stage and down the center lane. A seemingly excruciatingly long list laid out before them. She cleared her throat, opened her jaw in a wide smile, and threw the paper down. “Oh yeah, that’s right. ME!” Her hoof met the scroll as she stomped and kicked like wild, her face twisting and contorting into a bright, brimming red.

A number of the front row ponies began slowly backing away, glancing around with caution and worry. Cozy Glow didn’t waste another second as she lifted her head and brought Spike onto the stage. The dragon was wrapped up in a strange, transparent, scarlet aura. His eyes like pinpricks, speaking nothing but panic.

“Now then, onto the main attraction!” The wild little pony declared. “Watch in awe as I transform this pitiful little bag of sweat and scales into a raging, ferocious, demonic beast of my frustrations, my wrath, and my FURY!”

Past the waving, blue curls of her mane came a singular protrusion. A horn. The scarlet aura spiraled from its end and was cast directly onto the helpless little reptile. The dragon squirmed, fought and shouted, but to no avail. One second, and he was gone. The shadows returned, and all fell beneath darkness. The very next, a low, heart stopping, gut wrenching growl rumbled through the plaza.

Then, the stench of copper filled the air.