Daniel Book Four- Zebrica

Daniel groaned as he woke up, slowly rubbing his head. He stood up and examined his surroundings. He was in a mirrored room, and his reflection was everywhere. "What in the name of Equestria?" He asked his reflections. They didn't answer of course. But somebody else did.

"Welcome to the world of the living Daniel, now, come we need to be going," the voice said, Daniel whipped around, only to see his reflection. The voice sounded familiar somehow.

"Who are you?" Daniel asked.

"You know me, for we have battled once before, but fear not, for we are not enemies. Come, quickly we must get going," The voice replied. Daniel thought back, and realized why his voice was familiar. It was his own, only dark, and sinister.

"Tenebrae? What are you doing here?" Daniel asked, confused.

"I am your guide, and if you complete your training, a very powerful ally. Now please, come quickly, it is not safe to stay in one place here." Dark Daniel said. Daniel nodded, and looked around. Finally spotting a door, he ran to it, and grabbed the handle, and walked through, and found himself face to face with Tenebrae. Daniel instinctively kicked him in the gut. He collapsed but quickly stood up.

"Sorry, but you nearly scared the Faust out of me," Daniel muttered. Tenebrae just nodded, unfazed.

"Daniel, this is going to hurt. A lot, and for that I am sorry," Tenebrae said calmly. Daniel raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to enter your body. This is not permanent, yet, and your body will try to reject me. But I am telling you right now, don't fight me yourself, or you will not survive. I am going to give you some enhancements to your body, but trust me, you will not like the process." Daniel nodded and swallowed hard. Tenebrae flew into him, and immediately, he heard his heart thorbbing into his ear, as his body felt like it was going to explode, and it might as well have, for it was expanding ever so slightly his blood vessels were strained, and could be seen bulging on his skin. He could barely breathe, and with his exhales, he screamed, and he had to force the screams out, as his air passageways were closing slowly. His nerves suddenly felt like fire was burning them, and he managed to scream louder.

"Daniel, you are fighting me, you must let the pain take you, or it's going to kill you," Tenebrae's voice was in his head. Daniel could barely hear him. But the voice's instructions were clear, and Daniel collapsed down, and let the pain take him. And as quickly as the pain had started, it was gone. In it's place was a voice in Daniel's head. "For now, I must go dormant. But remember, if you need help, be it physically, or mentally, I will be there," and with that, the presence in his head, seemed to fade away. Daniel found himself in a mirror room once again. Looking at it, he saw a few changes in himself. His eyes for one, were a lighter shade of blue, (yes that is possible), and they seemed sharper. More alive, almost as if a fire was flickering behind them. His teeth felt a little sharper, although no noticeable change could be seen in his mouth. He examined his hair, which had stayed the same for the most part, but had one rather noticeable change in it. There was a streak of light blue, almost like lightning, going across the black. Daniel turned slightly to see if there were anymore changes, and something glinted in the corner of his eye. He quickly drew his sword.

It had changed. It's hilt was now a jet black, and the blade itself, while in looks had not changed, seemed somehow, darker, more, sinister. It seemed to suck away the light of the room itself, and inflict fear. Daniel quickly sheathed the sword, and went towards the only other door in the room. Upon opening it, he was met with an odd sight. Ditzy and Gilda were sitting at a large table, along with both of the zebras that Daniel had hoped he had left behind. His entrance had gone unnoticed. Gilda and Ditzy were talking.

"Where is he? that damn zebra promised he would arrive here unhurt," Gilda growled.

"I swear, if I learn that somebody hurt my stallion, er, man, I'm going to be ripping somepony's, or zebra's, head off," Ditzy said, venom pouring out onto the ground.

"Uh, no need," Daniel said sheepishly. All eyes turned to him. Ditzy rushed up and tackled him with a hug.

"Thank Faust you're alright, you had us worried, it's been four hours since they told us you were going to be here, something about old memories." Ditzy said, holding Daniel close.

"Uh Ditzy, could you maybe let me stand up so I can breathe?" Ditzy obliged, but not before giving Daniel a quick peck on the lips. Once she pulled away, the two zebras came up next.

"Look Sir Daniel! They let us in, so we could serve you!" Blueberry said excitedly, with Candy Cane nodding. Daniel face palmed. Hard. "You look as if you are not pleased to see us. did we do something wrong?" Candy Cane said sadly. Daniel sighed.

"No, it's alright. I just don't really know what to do with you two. I mean, I have no need for a slave, let alone two, I mean what am going to get you to do? I don't need much," Daniel said.

"Well, we will be here if you do need anything!" Blueberry said, smiling brightly as Gilda walked up and gave him a quick check.

"Uh boss, what happened to your eyes and hair?" Gilda asked. Daniel shrugged.

"I'm not entirely sure myself. I'll explain it at another time," and as he finished the sentence, another familiar face entered.

"Daring?" Daniel said.

"Hello Fifth. Apparently you don't have the sight yet. Well we will work on that," Daring said, as she burst into a green flame, and changed into a changeling.