Twin Souls

Chapter Eight

Shadow

Soul awoke to the sound of hoofsteps from a few feet away. He tried opening his eyes but was only met with a dark embrace. He saw various vibrant lights shining through what he assumed was snow covering his entire body. Yet he laid still, curious as to what was outside. Without sight, he relied solely on his sense of hearing. His eyes instinctively darted around to where the sound was being made, some from his left, others to his right. No voices, just steps coming from someponies.

Soul hadn’t the slightest where he was, but he knew from instinct that in his current state, he was most likely camouflaged from the other pony’s view. Soul calculated the amount of hooves moving at the time to be an exact number of twelve, meaning three ponies were around him. Two of them moved to his right, somehow managing to get higher in elevation until he heard a small slam of what he presumed to be a door.

He then remembered where he was. The inn. He cursed himself for spending the night on a bench outside instead of in the comfort of a warm bed. For the strangest reason, he felt no desire to move his body, just only to stay where he was. He knew there was a single pony left behind, only he wondered where it was, and what is was doing? Perhaps it noticed him?

A few seconds passed before he felt a small hoof poke his leg. A muffled voice came from the other side, which he recognized to be from the little filly from last night.

“Mister!” She yelled, wiping the snow from his face. Soul looked at the little ball of cute with wonder. She smiled awkwardly, “You’re kind of strange, Mister. What are you doing out here?”

Soul coughed, shaking the ice from his body. “I fell asleep, accidentally of course.” She giggled.

“That’s funny! Do you like falling asleep where it’s freezing?” She asked, curious as to the weird habits of the human. Soul smiled.

“Yeah, I like the cold. Don’t you?” He asked. She nodded. “I’ve lived here all my life. It always snows here in the mountains.” She clawed at the snow on the ground. “You get used to the cold after a while. Especially when you got these enchanted necklaces!”

Soul froze. Did she just say enchanted? Perhaps he was hearing something? No, he was almost completely sure she said what he thought she said.

“..Enchanted?” He asked slowly, choosing his words carefully. She nodded, switching her gaze upwards to the mountain behind her. Soul looked as well, gazing at the gigantic mountain that stood before him. The peak was far beyond the clouds. It was amazing.

“Yeah! Don’t you know? Mister Arcane who lives on the mountain enchants these things for us so we don’t feel the cold! It’s so cool! Too bad I’ve never seen him, though my uncle Scales has, and he’s a dragon!” She shouted excitedly, much to Souls confusion and amazement.

“A dragon? How can you have a uncle as a dragon?”

She sighed, “A lot of ponies ask that, but what makes family, right? I don’t think it’s by blood, but by who you love. He’s the mountain guide, taking supplies to Mister Arcane, which in return we get enchanted stuff, or goods, as mommy says.”

Soul smiled warmly. “Such wise words from a small filly. I think you’re right.” He nuzzled Cerulean, which giggled in response. He thought to his friends, which he presumed to be inside. The Professor, Spike, and Far. If anything, Spike saw him as a full-blown brother. Soul had to be honest, so did he. They both shared the same abilities, though slightly different in effect. The Professor stuck out as a faint father figure to him. His wisdom was immense, and he always seemed to know how to handle the situation right. He felt thankful to have him guiding him.

Far? He didn’t know what to think of her after that incident. He just hoped she was okay.

“Do you know where I could find your uncle?” He asked the little filly, who now sat atop his lap. He looked down at her icy colors, noticing the small necklace around her. A simple leather string with a stone. He was shocked. Upon the stone was a tiny inscription of Rotmulaagge which read, ‘Resistance’. This was the real deal.

“He was in Canterlot just yesterday. He’s probably in Ponyville as we speak. If you want to go to the peak of the mountain you’ll have to wait another day. Man, I’ve always wanted to go to Canterlot.” She aimlessly spoke, dreaming about the various riches of the capital. “I’ve heard the streets are paved with gold, and I don’t even know what gold is! Sounds nice though...” She giggled.

“Yes, she’s always wanted to go there...” A small chuckle voiced, surprising both Cerulean and Soul. The hearth’s mare approached Soul, smiling. “I see you two have made friends.”

Cerulean nodded furiously, hopping from her spot, running to her mother's embrace. She nuzzled her mother's leg, giving small ‘purrs’ as she went along. Her mother smiled warmly at Soul, which simply stared back in response, void of emotion.

“The Professor told me all about you, Soul. I must admit, you are quite the hero.” Soul blushed for reasons he couldn’t define.

“Mommy! Uncle Soul wants to see Uncle Scales!” She shouted, pawing at her legs.

Soul coughed. “U-Uncle?”

The filly giggled, running back inside the home, leaving Soul and her mother to speak. Soul felt slightly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry for the unwanted addition to a family.” She chuckled sadly. “Ever since her father died, she’s been trying to make up for empty holes, one could say.” Her smile faded, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Soul felt his heart wrench, feeling for the small filly. Feeling bad for the innocence, he nodded.

“That’s alright. She taught me that family is not by those of blood, but who you love. If she loves me as much as real family, then it would be heartless for me to decline.” He said warmly, the mare wiping a tear from her muzzle.

“Thank you. It’s been rough these past few years. It’s good to see Burning stop by every once in awhile, especially bringing a gift such as yourself.” She gestured at him. He laughed gently, switching his gaze back to the white void.

“By the way, that dragon of yours kept telling me about how much of a role model you are for him. He called you his biological brother.” She chuckled. “You must be some strange kind of dragon.”

“Mama! I need help starting the fire!” A voice called from inside. The mare apologized, and excused herself. Soul got up to follow her, curious. He followed her inside where The Professor was tending to the fire. Well, if there was a fire. Cerulean smiled when she saw Soul, but changed her attention to her mother.

“We’re out of kindling...” She mumbled. Her mother sighed, distressed.

The Professor, unnoticing Soul, sighed deeply. “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get it to work without a kind of material to start...It” He finished slowly, a coy smile growing as he gained sight of Soul.

“Say my boy, would you mind giving us an ember to work with?” He asked, much to the confusion of the mare and filly. Soul shrugged, uncertain, but didn’t mind either way.

“Yol,” he whispered. A small ball of white flame danced from his mouth to the base of the wood. The mare nearly jumped in surprise, as the filly squealed with excitement. The wood ignited instantly, sending the logs into a full blown fire. It burned as bright as white, if not brighter, nearly blinding to the sight.

“W-What was that?!” The mare asked. The Professor laughed, “that would be Soul, my dear. Let’s say he’s a very talented creature.”

The mare laughed lightly, patting Soul on the back. “Well then, it seems your little brother wasn’t as crazy as I thought. What kind of dragon are you?”

“I’m not dragon.” He said in response, confusing the mare to no end.

The Professor coughed, “He’s an entirely different species, though closely related!” The mare nodded slowly, occasionally giving strange glances to Soul. He, in return, simply stared back.

The group sat around for a few more hours, The Professor and the mare discussing various things ranging from travel to studies. Soul ignored most of it, as he was too busy staring off into space. He worried for Far, but knew she was in the care of somepony capable. Regardless, he never opened his mouth to express his thoughts, even when the mare asked him.

Growing increasingly bored, Soul stood up. He walked past Burning and the mare without a word, and headed out the door. Soul heard the calls of worry from The Professor but ignored it. Once outside, Soul immediately picked up on the scent of fire, along with the sight of a black pillar of smoke rising to the east, deep in the woods. Curious, Soul ran after it.

The snow fell harder the deeper he went, but the smell was getting stronger. Running faster, his feet barely had enough time on the ground to make a print. The trees became thicker and thicker the deeper he went, but soon enough he could see the smoke leaking from within the trees. It was strange. Soul heard no fire, but there is was. A deep, black as night flame danced upon a lone bush in the center of the surrounding trees. Soul approached carefully, knowing this wasn’t natural.

The flame flickered lively. The bush, for some reason, was not being consumed. Soul watched the bush closely before it snapped out at him. The fire scorched his hand, but he felt no pain. The fire laid there on his hand, dancing freely. It almost didn’t even seem real to Soul.

Already increasingly curious, Soul held out his hand to touch it again. The fire spread all the way up his arm before he yanked away. Still no pain, just...flame. Was this even fire? Soul couldn’t understand a single thing that was happening, but was still entranced by the flame’s behavior and properties.

The flame suddenly spread across his whole body, shrouding him in shadow. Soul was surprised, but didn’t show it. He was awestruck at the properties of the flame, wondering just what its purpose was. His thoughts were interrupted by a chuckle from behind him. Surprised, he turned around to face the foe, but was only met with something that both confused him and shocked him.

Before him stood himself. Or at least, a copy of himself. The human smiled behind the same shrouded mask, his whole body violently shaking like the flames. Soul, still covered in flames, tried to open his mouth, but felt resistance.

“I see you found my flame, and accidentally me.” It spoke, though its lips unmoving. “Don’t try to speak. You can’t anyways. Once you shroud yourself in my darkness, your form is lost. That means no mouth, lips, or just about anything. Of course, you keep the shape, just not the form.” It said, laughing a little.

“Let me introduce myself, creature. We’ve actually met before, but you wouldn’t remember. My name is Shadow. I am dragon, though my form was lost long ago.” He bowed, then pointed at Souls head. “And that hood is mine. Or at least, was mine until you stole it. No matter though. I’ll teach you how to use it.”

“Right now you are covered in my flame. Nothing can see you, despite the color difference. But they can see me! The only way is to see through the lenses of my flame, which you are.” Shadow said, still void of movement. “Oh here’s the best part.” He finished unexcitedly.

“That hood, cloak, or whatever you want to call it has a special enchantment. Oh wait, you already knew that, didn’t you?” He asked, tauntingly. Soul couldn’t respond due to his form not existing, much to Shadow’s amusement.

“Normally, I would have stolen this form and ran off, but seeing as how we know or knew each other at one point...Friends are special cases, I guess.” He shrugged, “Anyways, I’ve got things to do and places to be, so let me at least show you how to use something that I gave you. Doesn’t that sound nice?” Soul said nothing, just staring at Shadow.

“Want to know something cool? The hood you’re wearing is made from the hide of a dragon that you killed a long time ago.” Souls eyes widened in shock. Shadow just laughed. “No, it’s true! What was his name...?”

“Shattareth! Yes! Mighty fine dragon he was. Too bad he fell to the dark side though.” Shadow said, glaring at Soul.

“Bah, I’ve said too much.” He shook his head. “The reason I tell you that is to help you understand why you feel such resistance against natural weather. You’re as pink as a pig! Take those pieces off and you’re as good as a cherry popsicle!” He laughed.

Soul was slightly surprised at the humor of an ancient. He expected Shadow to be a little more...Dark? Instead he was just as normal and cheery as anypony.

“What? You look confused!? Hey, unlike my brothers and sisters, I’ve been spending the past thousand years with ponykind. You tend to stick to their cheeriness.” He said. “How you ask? Well, same way with you. Some unlucky little pony falls into my trap, and I steal his form for the body’s time. Sad, isn’t it?” Soul rolled his eyes.

“Yes, well, we’re getting off topic. Back to my hood.” He pointed at Souls head. “That hood is enchanted with my flame. When you shout my name, the seal releases, covering you in shadow flames. You will become invisible for a time until the flames wear off.”

He nodded. “Plain and simple, Human. Here, I want to see you try it.” He snapped, returning Soul’s body to him. The flames around him disappeared, revealing his armoured body. He turned back around to see the burning bush, still flickering as lively as ever.

Taking in a deep breath, Soul focused his Thu’um on a single verse. “Vul!”

Soul felt his entire body being taken over by the dark flames once again, this time sprouting from his body, not the bush. The flames soon covered his whole body, as he could once again see into a darker version of the world. This time however, he was met by a massive dragon dressed in flickering black flames with white eyes. The dragon had to be about as big as Void, if not bigger.

“I thought you said you had no form.” Soul whispered.

The dragon shook its head. “Welcome to my realm, Human. The realm of shadow. Take a look around.”

Soul scanned the area around him, noticing small blots of darkness that moved aimlessly around. They moved intelligently, as they floated around each other instead of colliding.

“Souls, Shades, or simply Ghosts. Those who have not met the requirements to leave Nevra stay here with me.” The ancient whispered.

Soul returned his gaze back to Shadow. “Here in my realm, I am trapped. My physical form was slain thousands of years ago. So I wander in shadow form, taking the form of ponies to live amongst them for eternity.”

Soul opened his mouth to speak but Shadow roared. “No questions must be asked. You will meet my brother soon, a master of modern magicks. Tell him of my fate, so that he may help me. That hood was the last gift I gave to our kind. You must help me.”

The flames disappeared off Soul’s body and the image of Shadow vanished in an instant. The burning bush stayed, ever burning. Soul sighed, heading back to the inn with newfound knowledge in mind. Though one thing in particular bothered him the most.

“He said he was thousands of years old. So then I must also be.” Soul shook his head. “Just who am I?”