Prologue: The Smile Fades
The Smile Fades
Equilibriun looks at his alarm clock. Seven AM? Best get up. I've got work to do. Equilibriun lifts his head from it's previous location, a pillow, and looks around his room. His walls are covered in papers of significance to his current assignment. Sure, somepony could find these here. But they couldn't read them; the documents are bewitched so that you have to look at them while wearing some special glasses. And then, the text is written in Svanessa, a language devised by his own order.
He peels his blanket off, and gets his hooves on the floor. Equilibriun then groggily walks to his mirror, which was directly in front of his single-bed. He examins his own features, looking at the long stretch of flesh poking out in the midst of his coat. Equilibriun had got that scar from some un-important representative who came from a decrepit little country out in the east. Equilibriun foolishly let his progress go to his head, and therefore comprimised his cover by trying to take out all of the guards at the party.
He chuckled at his own youthful clumsiness. (Equilibriun is about twenty-two in human years) He checked his mane, combed it back to it's spectacular sleekness, and opened the drawers. Equilibriun searched through his various belts, looking for the one that carried his favorite extending blade. He found it under three belts (one carrying a long falcata, the other two holding throwing knives) and strapped it on his back. Shutting the drawers, he promptly rounded on his cloak rack, choosing a simple brown cloak. He threw this over himself, making sure it covered his weapon. Keeping his hood down to "expose his luscious mane," as he had called it, Equilibriun walked to the door, forgot about his watch and went back for it. Making doubly sure he had everything, he opened his creaky door and stepped out into the hall. He hurried down a flight of stairs and made it outside.
The sun was just rising in the east, spreading beautiful colors outward. Shaking the drowsiness from himself, Equilibriun starts a purposeful canter in the direction of the town's fair. Playing the part, Equilibriun joyfully nodded to every pony that he saw on the streets. Another wonderful day for another smashing mission, Equilibriun thought as he passed a group of Pegasi. Their heads turned as he trotted by, curious why this pony was wearing a cloak in the middle of summer. Shaking their heads and muttering something about "young ponies" they continued walking to the ice cream shop.
His destination was a few hours away now. Equilibriun passed various assorted stores and markets stalls selling products such as: "Bern's All-Purpose Formulas" and "The Ultimate Magical Creatures Care Book: For All Your Monstrous Pets." There was even a stall that was selling what looked like moldy bagels. According to the vendor it would cure any ailment. More like cause a widespread disaster. Equilibriun looked with much distaste at all of these ponies absent-mindedly buying packaged calamities. One good thing came out of this though. The market district was adjacent to the open district, where jousting and other fairs cropped up every year. Of course, they had to pay a heavy "incentive" to the town's boisterously corrupt mayor. Equilibriun would take such good care of that mayor. But alas. He must stay within the boundaries of his current contract.
The sun had achieved a record height right in the dead center of the sky. Noon. It took him quite a while to walk across town and reach his target destination. Especially considering that every begger and vulturous pony on the streets had wanted something from him. But ah, enough complaints. Equilibriun was here, and HE was near. His target was laughably an entertainer. It was a petty job, but somepony was paying enough coin to have this poor guy wiped off of existence. And so it was his order's duty to perform this service, no matter how miniscule. The only reason Equilibriun was here was because the client wanted the pony to commit suicide. Wanted it to look innocent. Well, innocent enough, that is. So that is why Equilibriun was here now. He is the Senior Instigater, and he was hoof-picked by the order's leader for this assignment. He had to do it.
Equilibriun gazed at the many amusement attractions briefly, then slowly walked to the entrance. The whole fair vicinity was roped off, and it was illegal to just step over the pathetic barrier and into the fair. He could have done that, but he didn't want too much attention drawn towards himself. So he payed the two bit entrance fee and roamed the park, looking for that buffoon of a pony he was supposed to deal with.
He found the fool on a stage in front of a large attentive audience. Ah, looks like I'll have to wait a while. Equilibriun didn't mind none too much though. In his line of work, patience was a key element of success.
And so he waited. And waited. And waited. For several hours, Equilibriun stood there and falsely laughed (along with the crowd) at this idiot's crude and tacky jests. After the sun had passed the mid-sky, and began it's slow but sure descent, the "entertainer" hopped off stage and walked to his costume trailer. Equilibriun sprang forward and began a conversation with him.
"Uh--excuse me mr.--?" Equilibriun cleverly executed his move. The brown Pegasus turned and faced Equilibriun, his face full of laughter.
"Jokali. Call me Jokali." Jokali beamed and thrusted his front hoof out.
Equilibriun took it and shook it vigorously. "Pleasant to meet you. Many call me Clarse. Look, I just wanted to say that--" Equilibriun began, but was cut short by Jokali's booming voice.
"It is an honor, Clarse. Listen, I've got to go and freshen up. Why don't we continue this down at the carousel, later tonight. Then we can talk all we want." Jokali abruptly turned and walked away. He left a disgruntled Equilibriun in his wake.
Blast it! Equilibriun angrily thought. He reminded himself the importance of patience, and walked to a lemonade stand, where he bought a drink for three bits. Then he proceeded to plant himself firmly on a beaten wooden bench and slurp his beverage.
As time wore on, Equilibriun gained a nice headache from all of the screams of ecstasy and erratic children yelling at their mothers to let them get big pink or green stuffed turtles and rabbits. He shook his head sadly, pulling his hood down to drown out the racket. Rubbing his temple, Equilibriun was approached by a magenta Unicorn. Her mane was an icy blue, and her cutiemark was a red envelope. And her eyes were a special kind of green.
"I haven't seen you around here before." She happily announced. Waiting for a reply, she examined this hunched figure. Not receiving one, she continued her interrogation. "What is your name?"
Equilibriun had sensed her coming. Not wanting to deal with any of these raucous locals, he had tried to remain silent. When that failed, he responded. "Clar--" As he had started to say Clarse, he had looked up into her eyes. Something made him stop. Feigning a cough, he said, "Excuse me. Equilibriun." He didn't know why he told this stranger his real name. He reasoned with himself that he wasn't going to be here much longer, so it didn't matter anyways.
"Hello Clar--Equilibriun." She giggled a little at her own joke. "My name is Strossella. I saw you rubbing your temples, and wanted to help."
"Help?" Equilibriun was confused. How could she help?
"Yes, help." Seeing his bemused face, she elaborated. "I'm a Unicorn. Not to mention I'm good with Restoring Spells."
"I appreciate the offer but--" He jerked his head at the clock hanging up in the candy store.
She looked dissapointed. "Oh... I understand." Her voice grew less cheerful. "I'll let you get back to it." She turned and trotted away. Equilibriun watched her until she rounded a corner. He sighed. Then he got up and began making his way towards the carosel.
When he arrived at the brightly lit carousel with it's many fixed carts rotating with gleeful children in them, Jokali wasn't there. Equilibriun was fuming. This whole assignment has just been a game of wait-and-see. He was tired of it. Wishing that Jokali was here so he could strangle him, a brown Pegasus arrived and looked around. Spotting Equilibriun, he jogged over.
"Hello friend!" He said when he reached Equilibriun.
"It is important we get right to business." Replied Equilibriun, loosing his outward anger and conveying much sorrow.
"What is it?" Genuinely interested, Jokali waited with bated breath. It was unusual for ponies to have such high enthusiasm for him, and he could never get enough attention.
Equilibriun spoke gravely. "It is not a happy matter. I'm am sorry for bringing this news to you, but your wife was killed in a fire accident two weeks ago." Jokali's face fell. Winding Jokali ever tighter around his hoof, Equilibriun continued. "Everything in your apartment was destroyed, including an ornate wooden box." Jokali's previous attitude vanished. It was replaced by a pony on the verge of mental breakdown.
"Two weeks?" Jokali mouthed unbelieving. "But, I've only been gone for fifteen days! I was to return tomorrow!" His eyes widened in bewilderment. Then...he broke. Jokali's heart couldn't take it. For just before he left he and his wife had gotten in a sore arguement. He had left his apartment with his wife's screams following him all the way here. And he had regretted all of the hurtful things he called her. Tomorrow was the day he was to come home from the festivities. Jokali had bought a large cluster of lavenders, her favorite flower, and was planning on giving them to her upon his arrival.
"Was it--Was it quick?" He desperately asked Equilibriun.
Equilibriun had him just where he had hoped. "The fire was started by the open hearth. We think she had been sleeping and hadn't awoken until it was too late. She had suffocated from the smoke and her body was completely burned." Equilibriun said this in a matter of fact sort of way. Jokali started sobbing. He bawled, drawing all of the surrounding ponies' eyes towards him. Jokali then sat on a bench, and buried his head in his hooves.
"It really is a tragedy." The words were comforting, but Equilibriun's voice was flat. He stood up from the bench and walked forward a bit. Then he turned to the devastated Pegasus.
"Please, just try and move on. It could've happend to any pony." With that he walked away from the crying brown Pegasus, with sad blue eyes.
Equilibriun inwardly smiled at his success. That was far too easy, he thought. I'll make sure to look in to the papers for the results. As he walked by the many shops and attractions on his way to the exit, he saw that same magenta Unicorn again sitting outside a coffee shop. As he walked by she looked up from the book she was reading and saw him. She snapped the book shut and ran to catch up with him. He hadn't stopped.
"A chance seeing you again." She panted as she slowed to his pace.
"I don't believe in chances." Equilibriun said.
"Still, I hardly thought that I'd see you once more." She said. Then, "And I'm glad I did."
Equilibriun suddenly stopped. "Why?" His voice was severe.
"Because I want to know more about you." She had been surprised by both his tone and his abrupt halt. "It isn't everyday that I meet some pony that looks as interesting as you."
"Looks like this dull cloak doesn't work anymore." He said under his breath.
She heard him. "What was that?"
"I said, where do you come from?"
She looked deep into his eyes, searching. Then she said, "I come from Vriddle Wood. Its a small settlement about three thousand leagues from here."
"Oh really? And what brings you here?" He wanted to keep the conversation as far from himself as possible.
Her brilliant emerald eyes became sorrowful. "Bandit raid." Strossella's voice grew fainter. "My whole family's estate destroyed. My ma and da, dead." She remembered that hot summer night. She remembered her father's hoarse voice, screaming for her to run.
Equilibriun was taken aback by this news. "Bandit raid? Bandits were all disbanded when King Sol came to power."
"Yes, here they were. But not out there."
Equilibriun was alarmed that he felt truly sorry for this young mare. Losing all of her family in one foul swoop.
"I'm sure your family were good ponies."
She just looked at him and ruefully laughed. "My ma beat us and my da was a cowardly thief." She paused. "But yes, they were good ponies."
Equilibriun felt a yawn come up, and suppressed it. "This has been lovely, but I really need to get back to my room."
She looked distraught. "Can I--Can I come with you?"
"What? No!" The nerve of this mare!
Strossella nervously looked around. "I know we just met (almost literally) but I don't have anywhere to go. I've had to sleep out in the open on most nights."
"Sweet Celestia." Equilibriun breathed. "How long have you been here?"
"Seven months. I got here seven months ago and have barely scraped by. I mostly just hang around the market district and--" She suddenly stopped.
"And what?"
"Well, let me just say that my dad was good for teaching us how to survive."
"You stole!?" Hissed Equilibriun. He was mostly surprised. This pony seemed so innocent.
"Yes I cut some ponies' purses and stole food. But it was only a little here and there! I had to do it to survive!"
Her emerald eyes pierced his green eyes as he rolled his choice around in his head. He really felt sorry for her. It reminded him of a small starved pony that he had seen two years ago. This pony was a light green Pegasus, her small body so weak from lack of food. He had gave the small little filly fifteen bits, and bought her food out of his own purse. Sure, Equilibriun was an assassin. But he had a weakness for the defenceless. He had made his decision.
"I suppose it would be f--" Was all he could say before she rushed forward and hugged him, causing his hood to slip down.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" She cried. Looking a little embarrassed, she rushed to grab her book and rejoined him. Equilibriun glanced at the cover of the book. A Complete Study of Magic: Beginners' Guide was what was printed in gold ink on the front cover.
"A Complete Study of Magic?" He asked.
She blushed. "It was a book my father gave to me as a gift on my last birthday. In it teaches me how to do so many things." Her face lit up. "Magic is fascinating!! Did you know that there is a spell to increase fortitude and improve reaction capabilities?" She said this all rather fast.
"Er--no." He said half-heartedly. She is going to keep me up all night, isn't she? he asked no pony in particular.
"Well--" Then she launched into a full account of all of the spells she has learned thus far. Including: Alleviation, Petrification, Illumination, and an apparently difficult one that if you didn't perform just perfectly, could lead to loss of hair. It felt like years, but it was only three hours later of incessant yammering that found the two outside Equilibriun's temporary home.
"We're here." Equilibriun stated, cutting Strossella off mid-sentence.
She gazed at the brown brick building. "Doesn't look like much."
"That's because it isn't." Equilibriun said tiredly. He opened the front door and went up one flight of stairs. He then found his door and found it unlocked. Must've forgotten to lock it, he thought. Pushing the door open, Equilibriun trotted into his room closely accompanied by Strossella.
Strossella turned her head to and fro, amazed by all of the papers hung up on the walls.
"And I thought I liked reading." She muttered.
Equilibriun showed her to the bathroom. "Stay in here while I change."
"Change? It isn't like you're wearing much!"
"Just stuff it and stay in here." He said doggedly. Then he shut the door before she could make another obvious point. He walked to his cloak rack, pulling his brown cloak off as he went. Then he walked over to his mirror. He stared at his exhausted, but handsome, features. Equilibriun pulled the straps loose and stuffed his extension-blade belt into the drawers. Then he retrieved Strossella.
He knocked on the door. "You may come out now."
"Can I?" She scoffed.
"No."
"What?!" She lost her attitude immediately. "C'mon, let me out!"
"If you say so." Equilibriun unlatched the door. He stood back as she swung the door open. She came out and looked around once more at all of the documents covering the walls. Equilibriun noticed where her attention had been fixed.
"Those are just some papers for my--er--job."
Her eyes narrowed. "Right." She said this very slowly. Then, "Where do I sleep?" Equilibriun hadn't considered this. He quickly cleared a spot on the floor and told her that was where she was sleeping.
"On the ground?" Once more she played his tune so well. "But I've slept on the ground for months! Can't I sleep in the bed?" She indicated the single bed against the wall.
"Not likely, no. That is where I intend to sleep." He was really getting irritated.
"Can't we just sleep in it together?" Her eyes seemed to grow shinier and even more beautiful.
Equilibriun sighed. "Fine." He then pointed to the bed. "After you." He mocked.
"With pleasure." Then Strossella crawled into the single bed. After she had gotten in, Equilibriun had one final question.
"How old did you say you were?" He asked.
Strossella responded frankly, "I didn't." Then she turned towards the wall and closed her eyes.
He wasn't the most comfortable with this, but he wasn't about to sleep on the floor like a pet. And he WAS very tired. So Equilibriun trotted to the single bed, and climbed in. As he lay his head on the pillow, he thought of everything that he had done in his life. He thought of the many ponies he had killed. Of all the lives he has ruined. And then he thought of Jokasi. A twinge of guilt crept into his heart, along with a seed of doubt. Is what I'm doing, the right thing?
Chapter One: The Midnight Ride And Stories Of Old
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Chapter One: The Midnight Ride And Stories Of Old
The Midnight Ride And Stories Of Old
Two weeks later...
The shadowy orginization that Equilibriun is part of doesn't have anywhere for the group's employee's to meet. Every assassin in this order roams freely. Meaning that they don't have to report in or even tell the leader that their contract was completed successfully. Only in special circumstances would they send direct letters to the leader. They don't want to risk them being intercepted. In this assassin order, there aren't any assassins who are Unicorns. Most assume it is because their leader doesn't want competition. It hasn't been proven yet, but the way they receive their pay and next assignments implies that their leader is a Unicorn. There also weren't any Pegasi in the order. Equilibriun couldn't think of a good reason for that.
Equilibriun had stayed in this town for two weeks. He was waiting for a dismissal note and another contract. Over this course of two weeks, Equilibriun had come to like Strossella. She was charming, and he found that they worked well together. She still hadn't told him her age though. Just the other day, Strossella had properly shown Equilibriun how to pick somepony's pocket, and how to cut a purse ever so meticulously. Equilibriun enjoyed the experience. Perhaps it would be useful.
Equilibriun wakes up early one morning, his back stiff. Wondering why, he gets up and walks to his mirror where a note had been stuck in the upper right corner where his mirror-frame meets the wall. He stretched up and yanked it free. It was written in Svanessa. So Equilibriun scanned his disorginized room, looking for his special glasses. He found them under a pile of paper also written in Svanessa. Carefully lifting them on to his head, he read the letter.
Dear Equilibriun,
It has come to my attention that you have had company these last few weeks.
Equilibriun looked guiltily at the sleeping Strossella. He continued reading:
I would recommend it to be false. Also, your contract has come through completed, therefore you receive three-hundred bits.
As he read this, he looked to his mirror once more and saw a large purse sitting atop Strossella's book. He didn't notice it before, and so he guessed that this letter was enchanted. He found his place, and continued reading:
I personally congratulate you on your mission, and ask you to continue leaving emotion alone. With that being said, I have another mission for you. You are to ride the train to Canterlot. There you will find a professer from the Univeristy of Magical Studies. Somepony wants this poor sod dead, and so you will kill him. Outright. The client wants it to be public, so leave the weapon in his body. Then, escape through the sewer system underneath, and run west. You will meet one of my most trusted associates. He will give you more instructions.
Do not fail,
Solar Shade
Equilibriun walked over to his desk and set the letter down, deep in thought. So they know about Strossella? Hmmm. I wonder what else they know... No matter. Equilibriun slowly walked over to the sleeping magenta Unicorn, and looked her over. Her body was no longer so skinny. Though, it wasn't too skinny to begin with. She had been taught well, thought Equilibriun. He reached down and shook her shoulder. It was unsuccessful as she just turned and grumbled.
"Strossella. We've got to get a move on." He tried reasoning with her. She just feigned deaf, and remained unmoving. She finally woke up when Equilibriun had ripped the blanket from her, and proceeded to pull the pillow from her head.
"Ugh! I'm awake, I'm awake!" She said as she failed to keep hold of the pillow. Strossella then sat up and rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"And where are we going?" She said irritated.
"Canterlot." He replied. "I have reasons to go." Equilibriun said as she opened her mouth in another question.
She closed her mouth. Then, "C'mon, you can tell me." She said reassuringly.
He thought for a moment. "No I can't, not yet. All you have to know is it is because of my job."
She studied his eyes for a brief moment. "You never told me your line of work." She said surrepticiously.
"Ya know, I never did." He said sarcastically. She didn't pick up on it as she waited with increasing eagerness. He saw her face. "No, I'm not telling you." Her lovely face fell, defeated.
"Well, I don't mind anyway. At least I'll get to go to Canterlot." She brightly thought. Strossella thought of Canterlot and it's towering walls, with it's spires scraping the blue sky above. And she thought of the majestic castle, it's pearly white columns and stained windows. Then, "Do you think we'll meet the Princess?"
Equilibriun's voice was almost a whisper. "No, we won't. Twilight doesn't have time for two rough ponies from all over the world."
Strossella was dissappointed. But she was content with Canterlot alone. She'd never been to such a large city before. She was positively bursting with excitement.
And so they ate a small breakfast. Equilibriun pulled his brown cloak and handed Strossella the gray one he'd bought for her a week ago. They then left the dull brown building. Equilibriun left all his equipment where it lay, including the papers. His orginization would take care of moving those to where they needed to be.
They walked left from the building, and headed west. Equilibriun was leading them to the train station, the very train station that he got off of almost a month ago. They passed many who where confused as to why a couple of ponies were walking around in heavy cloaks in the middle of summer. And many nodded to Strossella, she nodding back.
"Who are they?" Equilibriun asked as Strossella nodded towards a red Pegasus.
"They are my friends." She said. He looked at her surprised. "I CAN make friends you know. I only met you two weeks ago and we're good friends." She pointed out.
Equilibriun laughed. "We are--mutually beneficial partners."
"I didn't realize you were getting anything out of this." She said slyly.
"I--I'm not!" He protested.
She chuckled. "I didn't think you were!"
Equilibriun just shut his mouth and put on his best stony face as the magenta mare beside him giggled. They walked past a few stalls, and the train station came into view. The station was a large, white brick building. It was rectangular in shape, and had marble steps leading up to the grand front entrance. You had to pass throuh a security check, (another good reason for leaving everything behind) and then came out to the platforms, where the trains were.
Equilibriun put his cloak back on after being checked, and walked to the ticket vendor. There, he bought two first class tickets (a total of sixty bits spent) and trotted with Strossella three quarters of the way to platform nine. He then sat with Strossella on a bench, waiting for the train that was to arrive in one hour.
Strossella was bored. So very bored. She had sat here for thirty minutes, and had nothing to occupy herself with. Her book had been left at the building (Equilibriun explained that she would get it back, he promised) and therefore had nothing to occupy herself with.
She sat there for another few minutes, until she had an idea.
"Do you want to play Seeker?" She asked eagerly.
He just turned to her, confused. "Seeker?"
"You've obviously never met another Unicorn." She rolled her eyes. "Seeker is a game of cards. I can conjure them up." She then bent her head low in concentration. Equilibriun watched her with curiousity. Then, a small deck of cards appeared out of thin air right in her lap. Strossella picked them up. "Okay, so Seeker is a game about finding five cards in this deck of twenty-five. You have twelve attempts to find them. Each card you successfully find gives you a point. We take turns until one of us reaches ten points." She started shuffling.
"And what do you win?" He asked uncertainly.
She finished shuffling the cards and got up. Then she lay them on the bench. "My respect, of course." She said. Then they began.
Equilibriun let her take the first turn. She moved her hoof over one of the cards up, and flipped it over. The symbal was a green snake. "Blast!" She exclaimed. "Your turn." Sighing, she moved out of the way.
She reached over and flipped the card back over. Equilibriun gave her a weathered look, and chose a card in the lower-left corner. He turned it over to find a green snake. "HA!" Strossella blurted out. Realizing her mistake, she said "Sorry" and quickly covered her mouth, giggling. Equilibriun just stood up shaking his head.
Strossella took her precious time with this one. She kept hovering her hoof over each individual card, starting at the top. As she did this, she closed her eyes and hummed a tune. And just as Equilibriun started going into a stupor, she screamed, "YES!!"
He started and looked around, dazed. Realizing where he was and who he was (regrettably) with, and looked as she showed him a card with a brightly colored eagle on the front.
"One point for me!" She bragged.
"Then I guess you win." He said, dryly.
Her face was amused. "Giving up already?" She teased.
He just pointed to the train behind her, that had rolled up just seconds before she found the card. She wheeled around and just gasped. "How'd I miss that?"
Equilibriun got up and started towards the train. "You were concentrating hard, I'll give you that." He said over his shoulder to the open-mouthed magenta Unicorn behind him.
Stepping on the train, a mixture of sweet aromas met them. They walked forward to the front cars, and after giving their tickets to be punched by a severe looking Unicorn, they found an empty compartment. There they sat on the comfortable red seats across from each other. The train hissed, and started chugging forward. Strossella looked out the window at the station, watching as it all slid past faster and faster, until they came out into a great open field of grasslands. The tracks led the train through the prairie, and up past a dark forrest. The hills were like beacons in this relatively flat area of Equestria. Passing through a hole in a mountain, a rainbow colored Pegasus poked her head through the door. She introduced herself.
"They call me Rainbow Dash." She announced, shaking Strossella's hoof. "Listen, I don't have anywhere to sit, and you seem like nice ponies." Rainbow said a little akwardly. "Can I ride with you?"
Before Equilibriun could decline, Strossella said, "Certainly." She scooted over and let Rainbow Dash sit down next to her. "My name is Strossella." Strossella said.
Rainbow Dash took a bit to process this name. It was very weird. "Strossella?" She said, her voice rising in pitch. "Oh, that's right. You're from far east Equestria! Your names are so different from where I'm from."
"And where might that be?" Strossella politely asked.
"Ponyville. In fact, that is where I'm going after I meet with Twilight and catch up. It's been a while, you know?" Strossella's eyes widened, and Equilibriun studied Rainbow Dash's red eyes carefully.
"You know Princess Twilight?" Strossella breathlessly said.
"Uh-yeah. I know her. We're old friends, have been for about fifty three years now." (So, about fourty-five in human years.) "I was one of the first ponies she met back when she came to study friendship. I left about ten years ago to explore Equestria, just like Daring-Do!" She reached into the saddlebags she was wearing and pulled out a book titled: Daring-Do and Ruby Rendezvous. "It's the seventh book in the series. Twilight got me hooked when I hurt my wing one day." The whole time Rainbow Dash was giving this account, Strossella stared at her, mouth agape. Rainbow Dash turned to Equilibriun who had been looking out the window again. "Is your friend okay? She seems a little--"
"What is Twilight's favorite color? How did she defeat Discord? Has she ever had a boyfriend?" This and much more Strossella had sputtered out as she lost control of her excitement. Twilight Sparkle is Strossella's idle, to say the least. Strossella has read all of Twilight's books, and can recite the name of every spell Twilight has ever performed.
"Whoa there! Just take it easy, okay." Rainbow Dash calmed Strossella down. When Strossella had regained her senses, she apologized for her extreme behavior. "It's alright." Rainbow said. Then she said, "I can't walk around Ponyville without Scootaloo and her 'fan-club' from following me around anymore." She chuckled good-naturedly. Then she turned to the gray Earth pony again.
"You seem familiar. Have I met you before?" She asked.
"N-no. You haven't." He said alarmed. Blight take me, she recognizes me. Probably from my younger days at castle Canterlot. He thought.
"I don't mean to single you out. It is just that you look like one of Twilight's old friends... What was his name... Fellstar!! That was it! Fellstar. You look just like him, except he was a Unicorn."
I hope she doesn't make the connection, Equilibriun desperately thought. She wouldn't! She couldn't! I was just a young colt then, no way she'd figure it out. But despite his reasoning, he somehow doubted that.
"He was a good colt, Fellstar. Went with Luna to where ever they ended up. Those were some troubled days." She finished her reminiscing. The sun had edged dangerously close to the horizon now.
"It is really very sad, the sun." Rainbow Dash said as it's bottom edge hid behind a hill. Her red eyes glowed, deep in thought of her history, and what happend so long ago.
Strossella took everything she'd said in, churning it around in her head. Fellstar? Who is that? I know that Luna was the sister of Celestia, but who was Fellstar? I've never read anything about him.
Equilibriun was in deep thought about Fellstar too. Fellstar is Equilibriun's father. Long ago, before Twilight became the Princess of Equestria, Fellstar had met Twilight. They fast became friends, and helped stop the rebirth of the Dreconi and the Mind Domination cultists. Then, Luna was faced with a very tough decision. In order to stop the Dreconi and to dissolve the Mind Domination spell forever, Luna had to go through a portal to some place else. This was a year after they stopped the rise of the Dreconi. And this was when Equilibriun was born. Fellstar had married an Earth pony from Ellipsa that he had fallen in love with. That was also when he decided to go with Luna, through the portal. And so they did, and left Equilibriun in the care of Twilight Sparkle. Then, seven years later, Celestia told Twilight the secret of the sun. And how it has been on the verge of dying for centuries. The only reason it hadn't is because Alicorns had been dissolving their souls and magical abilities to keep the sun powered. The rest of the Alicorns were dead back in Faerlahern (continent to the east of Equestria) because of a rogue Alicorn that had led the Dreconi in a genocidal campaign. They succeeded and killed all of the Alicorns still in Faerlahern, including the rogue. That left Celestia to perform the spell once more, and sacrifice herself so the sun wouldn't go Super Nova. Since then, Twilight has been researching a way to keep the sun going without Alicorn strength. She was found that sending large amounts of Hydrogen at a very high velocity had kept it powered. Her estimates say that it will stay burning for another millennia. Then Twilight broke at her core. Losing her mentor had been hard, so had the responsibilities of being the Princess of Equestria. So she tried to create a portal back to before Celestia had died. She just wanted to see her one more time. Unfortunately, she had accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal, and was sent to a place where there were bi-pedals called "humans." She had been helped by one human male, and now she was back, again researching the Hydrogen Theory. When she was gone, Equilibriun had run away. He was found by a bright red Earth pony, who taught him everything he knows today. He has been an assassin since then.
The sun had completely dissappeared now, leaving the land about them dark. He looked from the window and over at Strossella. She was sleeping soundly with her head resting against the window. Rainbow Dash had her head leaned back and had her red eyes closed. Equilibriun thought she was asleep, but was proved wrong and she said something.
"I know who you are, Equilibriun." She said as she tipped her head straight and looked at Equilibriun. "I know that you father is Fellstar. Why did you run away when Twilight was gone?"
She had caught him. He just had to play it cool, and act nonchalantly. "Because, I wanted to see Equestria." He lied. But Rainbow Dash isn't so stupid.
"C'mon, Equilibriun. You were so young when you left, you hadn't barely seen Ponyville. It doesn't make sense. And, boy, you don't realize how sad and angry Twilight was (and still is) that you left. She came back and found you missing. Did you not think of how that made her feel?"
Equilibriun couldn't take it. "Do YOU not realize how everypony seemed to not care that my father was gone!?! That they had no sorrow!!" He was outraged.
"They were sa--" She started, but he cut her off.
"NO! They were not sad at all. They could give an arse if my dad was lost somewhere!" His face grew hot with anger. "They DIDN'T CARE!!! All THEY cared about was who would lead them if Twilight didn't come back!! When would Twilight come back? And did Twilight care!? NO!! SHE ONLY CARED ABOUT THAT CELESTIA!" He roared.
"Equilibriun! Hold on just one second! Twilight was very sad when Fellstar left. They were so close. And when you left, she was heartbroken!! Equilibriun! She didn't perform her duties for three weeks, she was so sad!!" Devastated by this news, Equilibriun's rage melted.
"No pony wanted me. I was an outcast in school. And when Twilight left, I pannicked. I mean, she was the only reason I still went to school and studied." His voice was full with sorrow.
"Equilibriun. Why wouldn't you just come to me, or Rarity, or anypony else? We would've helped you." Now that Rainbow Dash said it, he felt very foolish and just plain horrible. I've spent the entirety of my life killing.
"I had been in a--bad spot." He said. Equillibriun was on the verge of telling Rainbow Dash everything, everything that he had been through, and had put others through. But just then, the voice of the train directer announced that they'd arrive in the Canterlot station in half an hour. Equilibriun closed his mouth, and looked away from those pretty red eyes.
After about twenty minutes, Equilibriun roused Strossella. She woke reciting a fragment from her book, and looked around blearly eyed. After that, they sat and discussed Twilight because Strossella couldn't get her from her mind. Making Strossella the happiest mare in Equestria, (Equilibriun the most uncertain colt) Rainbow Dash agreed to take them with her to castle Canterlot, where they could meet Princess Twilight.
So, Equilibriun followed Rainbow Dash as they exited the station, Strossella bounding up and down next to them. They walked through the dark streets of Canterlot, Strossella craning her neck to see all of the interesting shops that were sadly closed. As they walked under a street lamp, Strossella's excited energy had dissipated, leaving her very sore and tired.
Rainbow Dash led them astray several times, "Place looks different since I left" until they finally reached a wide marble archway, it's silver frame inlaid with gold. The trio passed under this and made it to a path with grass on either side. And they followed this path until it led them to another wall with a lowered portcullis. Two Royal Guards were standing on both sides, each holding a long ornate halberd.
"Who wants admission?" The left one demanded.
"Twilight's old friend, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash replied airily.
The right guard watched the rainbow Pegasus with suspicion.
"And what is it that you want with Princess Twilight?" His voice was gravelly.
Just as Rainbow exasperatedly explained to these dull guards, a white Unicorn appeared behind the gate. Her mane was violet, and her cutiemark that of three diamonds.
"Hired guards should have the ability to think more than brigands." Her voice was regal. The right guard quickly turned and looked alarmed at the sudden appearance of this Unicorn.
"Er--I'm sorry--We were given orders to--" The guard fumbled with his words.
The white Unicorn rolled her eyes. "Just open the gate already!" With that, the guards magically lifted the gate, allowing the three to pass underneath.
"It is so very nice to see you again, Rainbow Dash." The white Unicorn greeted Rainbow.
"Same here." She said shortly. Then she lowered her voice. "Why the increased security?"
"Oh, Twilight will explain, I'm sure." She waved the question away. Then her eyes roved over the other two, in cloaks gray and brown. "And who are these--ponies?" Her eyes flashed towards the scar on Equilibriun's cheek.
"I met them on the train." Rainbow said. She didn't mention Equilibriun's past. "They were coming to Canterlot, and so I said I would take them to see Twilight. This one here," she jerked her head at Strossella, "is the biggest fan of Twilight I've ever seen."
"I--see." Was all the white Unicorn could say. "Well, my name is Rarity, and I am Twilight's friend as well." She held out her hoof, waiting for one to take it and shake it. Strossella lunged forward and gripped Rarity's hoof, shaking it up and down in a very quick motion. When Equilibriun failed to do the same, she akwardly retracted her hoof, and led the way to Twilight's chambers.