Of Gods And Men

Of Gods And Men
Lumina And The Soul

--???--

I walked along a single path, I was in what looked like a stone forest. The path was of twisting grass with stones marking the sides. The night sky was visible along with the galaxies and stars, but the stone tree, me the ground all were bright as day even though there was no sun or moon.

"Hello!" I called out.

I heard the sound of quick hoof steps, I looked in the direction of the noise only to see part of a red tail dash behind a tree. I left the path and began the chase. "Hey come back here!" I was among the trees, but I could see no trace of the being. I began to run forward not knowing where I was going, I could see flashes of red and white out of the corner of my vision. I began to run faster my lungs burned and my legs cried out for me to stop. I saw a small patch of green a small ways ahead, I put the last of my energy into my legs and ran. At the sound of snapping twigs and crunching leaves I burst from the stone prison. I fell to the ground face down in a soft patch of tall green grass. I could hear the sound of birds and the sound of a thundering waterfall, finding the energy to lift my head my jaw meet back with the ground.

A small waterfall poured crystal clear water into a massive lake, surrounded by thick grass and moss. A small path way of stepping stones lead to a small patch of land in the center of the lake, birds of all kind congregated around the island and floated in the water. On the island was a true sight to behold, an alicorn sat in the center birds and animals cuddling against her. Her mane was ethereal it was dark blue and sunset yellow and looked like a galaxy, her coat was white with a slight orange hue, her wings ended in the same ethereal matter as her mane and tail. She looked up from a rabbit that she had been petting and stared straight at me. I very slowly got to my feet, using her wing she motioned me to go to her.

I began to jump across the stones, I could see alligators, fish, turtles, and many other forms of aquatic life swimming around. As I neared the island I could hear her singing, she truly was a goddess. The song was in a language I didn't know but it made me feel at peace. The animals parted and I sat next to her, as she finished her song she looked out over the water towards the fall. "You are wondering why you are here, correct?" She said, her voice was calm and gentle, it made you feel safe and comforted. "Well I am going to guess that we are in a dream." I said, I could knew I was dreaming but at the same time knew what was happening was real. The alicorn giggled, it made my heart stop. "No young human, I meant Equestria the world me and my husband created." She said, I let out an "Oh" to be truth full I thought i had died and this was heaven.

I nodded towards her not trusting my mouth to give a polite response. "Well, as you know Equestria is a peaceful place. Or, it was." She looked me in the eye. "I have been watching you for a while, before you came here. While your personality is snide and sometimes rude, your heart is usually in the right place." I didn't know how to respond to being told I had been stalked by a goddess and she thought I was a good person. "I saw through your struggle back in your world, you would fight for those close to you and never let anyone who is innocent be harmed." Again was she right, I was mostly thinking about what this whole conversation was about. "Pardon me Mrs..." I trailed off, I had not learned her name. "Oh, my deepest apologizes my name is Queen Lumina maker of the planet Terra and founder of Equestria." She said, I nodded. "Pardon me your highness but what is the reason you brought me hear. I know there were other survivors who are much more suited to protect this place than me." I said, she once again looked outward.

"While there were others I could bring I chose you because of something inside you." Her horn lit up in a bright orange glow. I saw a small sphere of black and white appear in front of me, a small strand of light connected to my chest. "This is what every soul looks like while other may have more on the black side or the white side, it all depends on the person or pony." I took the sphere into my hands, it was warm and gave of a small pulse. "Nikolai..." She put a hoof under my chin and turned my head towards her.

"I chose you because you are the only soul who has the power to til the coming storm in either two directions." She said, with a hoof she motioned to the white half. "You can either fight on the side of Terra and Equestria and stand by my two daughters...or..." She motioned to the black half. "You can fight beside those who are coming." I looked back to my soul. "Wait, if I could fight by either side why tell me. For all you know I could kill you daughters and fight for evil, so why take the risk and not just fight yourself? You are a goddess or the realm after all." I said, she let out a sigh looking at her reflection in the water. "While that is true the beings that are coming are also lead by a god of evil. Our powers would clash and destroy this realm killing us and everything in existence. But one who has a soul like your of true balance can use his own born powers to give either side the advantage and shape the new world." With another flash of light the image of my soul vanished.

"So what I ask you now is who do you fight for?" Her expression was blank, the choice was't hard. "Queen Lumina I swear to you I fight for Equestria." I stood and bowed to her. I heard her stand, she placed her horn on my right shoulder then my left. "Then Nikolai I hear by deem you a Galactic Knight of Equestria and you shall serve under me, but first I must show you what powers you soul truly has." Her horn light up as bright as the sun forcing me to cover my eyes.

--Ponyville Library 5 AM--

I shot out of bed, my head almost hit the roof. Landing on the wood floor I took a defensive position, looking around I realized I was back in the library. I finally calmed down after taking a few deep breaths, I looked out the window the sun was just now moving over the horizon. I decided to take walk and sort out what Lumina had shown me, in what seemed like second I knew so much. I could feel something inside me, on one half it felt pure and right the other hungry and filled with rage. I walked out into the cool morning air, I saw a few ponies in the town square just starting to set up stalls in the market. I simply walked towards where I had seen the park from aboard the airship. Knowing Twilight would have a few questions to ask me I left a small note. Ponyville was much large than it appeared, so after a few minutes of walking I came to and open park there was not a single pony in sight except the guards who walked along the wall.

Thinking about what Lumina had shown my with that light show, I walked into the most open area. looking around I only saw a few spread out trees. I thought back to the images that had flashed through my mind, I remember that for this to work I had to allow either dark or light hold temporary dominance over my soul. I mus keep the two in balance. I stood tall and still, my breath was barely audible and my head clear. "Blacken my soul." My voice was deep and rough, as I opened my eyes my vision had a red hue. I felt a weight on my back, with a grin I flexed my wings. I looked to my right wing (6 ft), it was a deep purple at the top and turned blood red at the bottom. My muscles were slightly large and my hands were covered in a hard yet flexible dark matter. I had to black horns protruding from my forehead. I gave a few quick swipes with my claws a black mist trailed behind each swipe. "Awesome." I practiced what little martial arts I knew for a while not paying any attention to the time.

As my arms and legs began to tier I could see the sun was already a decent height in the sky, I felt a great heat and so I took off all but my pants, the feeling was strange seeing as it was only late winter. I could see a few ponies a fair distance away, not wanting to be seen like this I let go of the energy and my body changed back. Of course it would never go fully to plan, and my wings remained. Okay... maybe I can play it off. I began to walk back to clothes slung over my shoulder. As always I got a some odd stares. Same shit different universe. As I got the the library I saw a large golden chariot awaiting out front, two royal guards hooked to the front. I passed by them, yet they didn't even spare me a glance, well trained. Upon entering the tree I saw Celestia and her sister Luna.

The two princesses and Twilight turned to face me, Celestia's eyes went wide, Twilight's even wider, Luna seemed to be looking me over. "Hello Celestia hello Luna." I said giving a small bow. "It's seems mother was telling the truth." Luna finally spoke. "Yes, and I and do believe she chose the right champion." Celestia said without taking her eyes from my wings.

I hung my shirt and jacket on a small rack and sat on the couch. "Um, Twilight what's going on?" I asked my purple roommate, after a few second of her jaw opening and closing she manged to answer. "I was just about to ask." We both faced the sisters. "Well, both me and Luna received a message from mother telling us of a champion she had chosen. I had a feeling it would be you." Celestia said, I looked to Luna who simply nodded. "I see you have already tested you abilities." She said, I put my wing in front of me observing the almost scale like material. "Has she explained what it means to be in the two different forms?" While Lumina had told me I will be affected by the two forms she had forgotten to explain how they would effect me. "She only told me I would be different she did not say how though." Celestia let out a sigh and looked a Luna. "Well in the form you are now, which is you Dark form your actions, judgement skills, and over all personality will have a more evil edge to them." Luna said, from what I had learned Luna was once an "evil" being known as Nightmare Moon who wanted to bring eternal night unto ponykind. So who better to explain and train my evil form than her.

Celestia spoke next. "While in you Light form you will have a more good edge to you decisions. While we know mother has explained you powers you still must learn what skills you can use and how to control them." She pulled out a small scroll and gave it to me. It read.

"To whom it may concern

For whoever holds this deed is the current owner of the Canterlot house hold 15 Mane Street.
Sign Princess Celestia of Equestria."

I looked at Twilight then to Celestia, this time my jaw was open. Twilight took the note and reread it a few times. "So, Niko will be staying in Canterlot?" It almost seemed as though Twilight would miss me, oh wait she would, crap. "Only for the duration of his training that will last until he can fully control his powers." Celestia nodded to Luna and they both began to leave. "A carriage will arrive in the morning to pick you up. Also I do apologize for pushing and pulling you from Canterlot to Ponyville and back." She said, and with that the two sisters took to the air and vanished from sight. "I only wish I could have had time to be better acquainted with your friends and see the town." I looked to Twilight who looked at the deed her ears lay flat, she perk up a bit before she spoke again. "Well maybe you can call us when you want to." She said, she began digging through a few cabinets and drawers. "And how could we do that, I don't think letters will be all that efficient or effective." She doesn't answer but simply pulls a small box from one of the many shelves. "With these!" Using her magic she pulls to small triangular stones from the box.

Handing one to me I noticed it had a rune carved into it. "Using these we can communicate long distances through image and sound, all you have to do is speak the name of the person you wish to see and a visual image will appear before you and them." She ran up he stairs out of sight, I could hear her door close. "Only hyper about books and magic that one." I thought aloud. "Hey! I can be excited about anything I want!" I looked behind myself to see an almost see through image of Twilight glaring back at me. "Uh...hehehe sorry I didn't mean it like that." I said, she snorted. "Anyways, these stones can be use anywhere, they only require a small 2 minute recharge time, so don't over use it and not have it available when you need it." Her image went fuzzy before winking out.

I felt the texture of the stone, even though the rune had been carved it still felt smooth untouched. I put it in my pocket just as Twilight came downstairs, she had a small book in her magical grasp. "Lastly, take this with you. It's about local customs so if you aren't sure about something publicly related check this." Taking the book I saw it had no title only a picture of the Equestrian Symbol. "Now come on while we still have the time how about I give you quick tour of the town?" Without waiting for an answer she walked out the door. I put the book on the table and hurried after her.

When Twilight said Ponyville was a small town I had expected a small settlement town, but while it lacked the technology it was almost the same size as my home town. "So where are we going exactly?" I said, we had been walking for a few minutes and didn't seem to have a set destination. "Well Rarity said that she wanted to make you some new cloths, and you may need them while your in Canterlot." She said, further down the road the building known as the Carousel Boutique stood proudly. "I've got a bad feeling about this." I said to myself.

Most houses around Ponyville looked to be those you would find in a very old fashion town, the boutique however was barely keeping within the villages rustic aesthetic. As we enter the shop my nose was filled with the smell of perfume, scented oils, and other beauty products. "Rarity, are you here!?" Twilight called out, light hoof steps were heard on the floor above us. "I'll be down in a moment!" The sing-song voice called back, as Rarity came from the stairs she smiled. "Ah I was hoping you would be coming. Please Niko follow me." Begrudgingly I followed the marshmallow to a small pedestal surrounded by mirrors. "Now please your shirt so I may take measurements." She says, I was going to be standing for a while.

It didn't take as long as I thought but my legs still fell asleep by the time Rarity had finished. Now began the long process of standing still as cloth, scissors, etc flew around my. "So Niko, I heard the princess was in town earlier, I assume it was you who she was visiting?" She says working on the torso of my new shirt. "Yes, she was here for me. Apparently they are going to help me in controlling my new powers." I raised my left arm, in the next few second a black mist covered my arm and it was replaced by the same black matter. Rarity stopped her work and stared at my arm. "Oh...um...well, that's unique." She said, my arm returned to normal and she went back to her work. "The princesses themselves will be training me. Luna, having been Nightmare Moon and therefore has more knowledge will train me in using my dark magic. Celestia will be showing me how to use my light magic." I looked over to see Twilight had passed out on the couch, she must have fallen asleep when Rarity was taking measurements.

While the rest of the work was done in silence I couldn't help but think about what Lumina had told me about being her champion it seemed so far fetched. Soon there after Rarity was done. "Ah, well darling don't keep me waiting how does it look?" I turned and faced the mirrors.

My shirt was made from hemp and cotton, it it had long sleeves, the most of it was black with grey marks, the collar and cuffs were a deep red. The pants were hemp and a darker version of my old cargo pants. "They how much do I owe you?" She simply laughed. "Nothing dear consider it a welcoming and farewell gift." She said, I gave her a light smile. "Well let me know if you ever need my help, I still do have a small debt to repay." I hopped from the stand and walked over to Twilight. Her chest rose and fell in a rhythmic motion as she slept in peace. "TWILIGHT WAKE UP THERE'S A MANTICORE!" I shouted into her ear. She shot from the couch her horn a blaze with magic, she looked around frantically until she saw me and Rarity giggling. "That's...not...funny." She said panting, I pat her back and tried to calm her down. "I know I just couldn't pass up the opportunity." She shook her head, with a small goodbye we left Rarity to do whatever.

"So where are we heading next?" I asked, she gave a small snort still a bit grumpy with me. "Well, Applejack is pretty busy this time of day, I don't know where Rainbow is, so I guess we could stop by Sugar Cube Corner." I nodded, the building wasn't hard to stop from anywhere in the town, it's roof stuck out more than any other. Even from outside the bakery I could smell the treats that were baked within. Once I ducked under the door, I saw the inside looked as unique as the outside. Behind the counter stood a kindly looking mare. "Ah hello Twilight, this must be the new creature ponies have been talking about." She said, normally ponies were either scared and avoided me or gave me a mean look so her warm welcome was a nice change. "Yes Mrs. my name is Nikolai." She smiled back. "Well, I'm Mrs.Cake my husband is in the kitchen." She turned to Twilight. "Well, is there anything you would like?" Twilight looked over the menu. "Um, I'll have the chocolate shake. Niko what about you?" I gave the menu a quick look over. "I'll have a strawberry shake." I said, Mrs. Cake took our orders before entering the Kitchen.

Me and Twilight sat at a booth next to the door. "Hey Twilight back on the airship you mentioned you had a brother in Canterlot right?" I asked, she perked up and looked out a window towards the far off city. "Yes I do, his name is Shining Armor. He's the captain for the Royal Guard and husband to my old foalsitter Princess Cadence." She said merrily. I remembered Cadence from when I first woke up in Canterlot. "Well if I see him in Canterlot I'll tell him you said hello." Twilight smiled and looked back towards Canterlot. Mrs. Cake brought our drinks before returning to other customers. None of the ponies gave us a glance which was odd, the ones outside thought I was a monster these ponies don't even notice me. Uh oh. I looked towards Twilight. "We should get out of here." I said flatly, she looked at me as I chugged the shake. "Why what's going on?" She looked around nothing was out of the ordinary. "I can't explain it, but just trust me." I said standing up, she finished her drink and followed.

After waving good bye to Mrs. Cake we left the building, as we left the feeling of malice was gone. "So Niko what was that about?" Twilight asked, I looked back to see a pink blur move from the top window. "I don't know, and don't want to." I said, a few minutes later we arrived back at the library. "Well, as small as it is Ponyville is an overall nice place." I said, I grabbed the book about pony customs and sat down. "Yes it is, I'm glad I was sent here even I didn't want to leave Canterlot at first." She said also picking out a book at random. We both sat on the couch and read.

~~~ Equestrian Customs~~~
Chapter 1 Basics

If you are reading this then you must not know much about the local society that is Equestria. Well let me start by saying my name is Noteworthy. I was born and raised in Manehatten so I saw many different races come and go from the local ports. Most of them knew little or nothing about Equestria or it's traditions, so that's why I a writing this book. While there are some obvious things everypony knows about Equestria there are also some you may not know of. While things like crime and behavior should be pretty obvious things like physical gestures may differ from country to country. So there are a few basic things you should know.

First off is hoof/claw/paw motions. I shouldn't have to tell anything that putting a hoof on another's flank is pretty much frowned upon. Next, don't crouch down and look a pony in the eye that has a number of different meanings sometimes it's a challenge others it's more intimate. Lastly, DON'T touch a pegasus' wings this is either a sing or courtship or sing of trust. That's all the basic gestures you should know. Next chapter: Holidays.
~~~Library~~~

While the chapter was short it killed some time and gave me a bit more knowledge about how things work around hear. I looked out a window and saw the sun was staring to gain it's orange hue. I thought back to the sunset I saw back home, right before I died. Most guys called me a sissy for liking to watch the sunset, I don't really care though because the people who insulted me usually ended up with a few "scrapes" afterward. Getting up I saw Twilight still wrapped in her book. "Hey Twi." I said waving my hand in front of her, she woke from her trance and looked at me. "I'm gonna head up stairs and rest." I said, she nodded and closed her book. "Okay, goodnight Niko and if I'm asleep when you leave for Canterlot goodbye." I smiled at her and walked to my room. I saw my shield, my bag and the...coin.

The coin sat on the desk where i had left it, but it was glowing. I walked to it and saw it was glowing a dim white, I picked it up and a second light was visible. The other light was on the side with the rough design it gave of a dark purple light, it was brighter than the other side had been. I looked back and saw my wings were still scaled. "Light." MY wings became feather and the familiar white mist surround my hand. Now the coin began to grow brighter on the white side. An indicator? I put the coin down but balanced in on it's side. When I let go both side had the same brightness. Well I'll be. I decided to tell Luna or Lumina if I saw them in my dreams.

I left the room and walked to the bathroom, while built for a pony I could manage. hanging my cloths on a small rack I looked into the mirror. My body was more built than it had been on earth, my wings folded against my sides perfectly, my long black hair was hung down my back, my eyes had changed originally they were brown now one was a light blue the other a light red. Whatever Lumina had done to me was no very obvious. I was also taller standing at 6'2 from my original 5'9. I let out a sigh and climbed in the shower. It felt good, seeing as I hadn't had one since before the walkers came. I felt the warm water flow down my back, it felt strange on my wings. They were much more sensitive than my skin, that must have been what the book meant. My mind began to wander about how Lumina had brought me here, she said that she had been watching me, why. I know it has to do with my soul and all, but what could be coming that Celestia and Luna and their army would need me for.

I turned the water off and stepped out. Another thought crossed my mind. What about my world, what happens to it? I thought as I put my pants on. Leaving the room, I could hear voices downstairs. I quietly made my way towards the edge of the stairs. "Ah don't know Twi, Niko may be a nice feller and all but he seems a might off." Applejack's voice said, what did she mean had I done something wrong. "Look AJ I know Niko is different and he always has his distant look, but you weren't there for his story. He came from a world where... well I shouldn't tell you unless he wants me to but know he has gone through some rough times worse than anything we have ever been through." Twilight said back, well at least one of them is on my side. But what struck me the most is when she said distant look, I guess a year with dead as your only company can make a person distant.

"Well, ah may not know what he's been through and what he wants to share is his business. Ah'm just going by what ah seen." AJ said, I heard the sound of hoof steps. "Just make sure he ain't gonna hurt nopony before he goes off ta Canterlot." AJ said before the sound of the door opened and closed. I heard Twilight sigh and move into a different room, I made my way back to my room and into my bed. So they may be kind but they don't fully trust me. Should they? I thought, as I lay there my mind simply wandered about what was in store for me. How hard would training be, what was coming in they way of danger. I slowly began to drift off and soon fell asleep.

---The Garden---

Once more I walked along the grass path in the stone forest. I soon came to the lake and it was exactly the same as before. I saw Lumina once again surrounded by animals, but I also saw another pony, it was Luna. I walked across the stones to the island again, the godlike couple saw me approach and smiled. I sat at Luna's side this time. "Welcome back Nikolai, I see your already starting your journey." Lumina said, nudging my wing with hers. "Yes, and I believe I will have some help." I said, Luna smiled. "I do hope to see you in Canterlot soon Niko, also know your training will also be mixed with some of the Royal and Shadow guards standard straining." She said, so I am going to be a Galactic Knight, and be trained along side Royal and Shadow Guards... joy.

"Lumina, Celestia gave me a coin at first I thought it was simply a coincidence that it had what are Celtic marks but now I'm not sure." I thought about the coin and it appeared in my hand the light once again glowing a bright purple. When Lumina saw it her eyes went wide, that worried me. "Did my daughter tell you where she found this." She said taking the coin in her magic. "Yes, Twilight and her friends found it along side me when I first came here." I said, the coin shown a brilliant white in her grasp. "Niko this isn't an ordinary coin it doesn't have a name in your language but it's a device used to empower gods." She said handing to relic back. "Wait if it is used to give a god more power, then doesn't that mean it could make a mortal a god?" I asked looking at the small piece of metal. Lumina looked out of the water, Luna remained silent a look of deep thought on her face.

"Yes in a way, a creature like a unicorn would have godlike powers capable of magic beyond all others. To and earth pony or pegasus it would fill them with so much power but they have no way to release it." Lumina said, she shuddered at the last part. "But, for one like you Niko. As long as you hold that coin, you can never die by a mortals hand." She said, my jaw hit the grass. I stared at the coin, it seemed to small so unimportant and useless. But in reality it could make me a demigod, should I even have it. "Lumina, before when you made me a knight under your order you told me that I was needed for something, but what is that something what is coming?" I said, her gaze held on the waterfall. "War Niko war, I know not when or whom you will be against. All I know is that it is coming." She stood and faced both me and Luna. "Both of you and Celestia must be ready for what ever comes, me and Galactis will be arriving soon." Luna jumped when she heard that. "You and father are coming to Equestria!?" She said a smile on her face, Lumina gave her motherly smile back. "While it may only be temporary, yes." Luna hugged her mother while saying something that was unintelligible to me.

Once more my gaze turned to the relic, the purple side shown brightly in my grasp. "Lumina, about the coin the two sides, they represent whatever form I'm in yes?" I said, she looked at the purple glow. "Yes, while for most it shines the color that their soul is, but since you can change from being good and bad it will change depending on whether you are in light or dark form." She said, I stood up and switched my forms back and forth and as I did the coin's light changed colors. "Interesting, well Lumina it's been great to see you and I can't wait for your arrival , but I have to wake up and prepare to go to Canterlot." I said, I don;t know if it was my personality or my dark for but with a sly grin and a wink I woke.