Segment I
Crimson:
Chapter 1
Those looking for salvation shall find none here.
It was a cool autumn’s eve, and the night air was alive with the sound of leaves drifting from their perches atop the large oak trees of the Everfree Forrest and being carried off in the midnight breeze towards the dimly lit, cobblestone streets of Ponyville. Though I have relived the moment countless times in my own head, my blood still runs cold, my hooves freeze unresponsive, and the hair on the back of my mane stands on end when I think back to the events of that night.
I was alone then, a veteran resident of the town. It was late over at the Quill and Sofa, and I had volunteered to work after hours to finish producing the wooden framework to a futon I had intended to finish three days earlier. I was behind on my work and I knew it. More importantly, Davenport, the store owner who allowed me to live in his workshop in the cellar I was dwelling in, knew it. And if I continued to dally, I was sure he would lay me off without a second thought. I was determined to have the seat finished before that next Friday, which proved harder to do that Tuesday night than I had expected. My wings were aching from remaining folded behind my back all day, pinned behind a heavy jacket I had used to hold my various tools. While most pegasi work to keep the skies clear of clouds or preforming civic duties like transportation, I remained condemned to the ground, working of my a debt I owed for the shelter.
Born in Ponyville, I’ve never really had to use my wings. As a result, I never taught myself how to really fly. I can glide a few feet before landing softly on the ground, but I could never really propel myself with enough force to join others of my kind in Cloudsdale. To keep myself in the loop with what’s what up in the sky, I decided to work with the trade system so I could keep in contact with other ponies that have to fly supplies from one town to another. Boxy Brown and his delivery service often come to the shop to move some furniture out to large cities, keeping me in touch with my kind. Even still, being a pegasi among earth ponies is a fate little can bare. To have it assumed you are like other pegasi, loners with no need for the company of others, is one of only a set of challenges I had faced within the town. Even Davenport shows prejudice, assuming I hadn’t finished my work on my furniture due to personal disinterest, as most tend to do. Sure, I could have gone off to a big city like Fillydelphia where they have ponies and doctors than could help me with my flying issue, but I had a life in Ponyville. And so I made sofas.
Every hit of my hammer drove my chisel deeper into the wood frame in front of me. My carpenter vest weighed heavily as I pulled out two nails from one of its multiple pockets and drove them into the framework. With one last heavy blow, I struck the end of one of the nails, sending it deep into the cedar that sat before me. With a loud crack the frame gave way from the force, sending splinters in all directions. Shielding myself from the flurry of wooden shrapnel, I tucked my head beneath my hooves, uttering a silent curse. When I looked back at my work, I was sure that I had destroyed the sofa, rendering the frame unusable despite the countless hours I had put into its creation. In a huff, I picked up one of the large pieces of lumber and threw it across my workshop, letting it shatter on the opposite wall. Who really gave a care if Davenport fired me!? I was done for the day and needed to leave, no matter what he said, no matter if I need to start all over again. I ascended the stairs from my basement home into the main show floor, my hooves clopping on every wooden step as I entered the candle lit shop.
Davenport was asleep at the front desk as usual at that hour, roughly eight in the evening. We had closed shop over an hour ago, leaving the two of us to our work. It was freakishly quite as the flame from the candles danced across the store’s walls, tracing every couch in the store in inky black shadow. I hated it. I hated the store, I hated the candles that lit it, and I hated the shadows that dwelt just out of sight, lying in wait to become one with my inner demons. If I really wanted to at that moment, I could have walked off with every quill and sofa in the store, left Ponyville, sold them to some dealer in Manehattan, and lived a life without ever needing to look back into those darkened corners of the room. The creaky wooden floor shifted and squawked from my own weight as I approached the front door and left out into the cold streets of Equestria. The only thought I had at the time is when Davenport will wake up, and how many overtime hours he will mark me down for when he notices that I had left.
It was a brisk night out in the town, and the streets were just barely lit well enough to guide my way to the Sugarcube Corner. It had been a long day, and unwinding with some sweets sounded like my own sort of paradise. Nothing big, just a small muffin that I could enjoy and forget the daily struggles I faced. Each step I took on the path that lay before me through the sleeping town echoed of the surround homes and projected into the night air. In some dark, secluded part of me, I hoped that the sound of my one set of hooves resonated out into the skyline so that even the ponies of Cloudsdale may hear my own four legs shuffle through Ponyville without a single friend.
I wished right then that one pony would have the heart to hear my solo set of hooves and find the kindness to join me to the bakery so that, if only for a while, I would know what it was like to have a true friend. But alas, my metronome fell on the deft ears of neighboring houses, the occupants inside knowing none the wiser on the crushing sorrow I felt at that moment. I pressed onward to the bakery, where I would enjoy the company of other ponies, basking in the friendship they share with one another and pretend for a slight moment that I was part of that happiness.
When I arrived at the Sugarcube Corner I found a striking contrast to the dark gloomy streets that enveloped it. Inside I could hear the laughter for friends and the sweet rhythm of music. The earth pony everyone knew as Pinkie Pie was undoubtedly throwing on of here fabled parties. I figured there was no harm in checking in, so I entered through the door and into the light of the bakery.
The inside of the building was adorned in classic party attire. Streamers ran from the rafters of the bakery from one end of the shop to another. Balloons drifted lazily across the room to wherever there was enough space to come to rest. Several ponies criss-crossed the area, some waiting in the dessert line to gather some of their favorite treats, while others took to the dance floor. I recognized the tune of the record that was playing, but the name escaped me as I tried to recall its title or who it was by. I noticed that quite a few beautiful fillies were out enjoying themselves, waiting for a good stallion to approach them and say hello. I felt my confidence rising as I prepared myself to enjoy the night while it was still young. Suddenly, the mare of the hour materialized from the from the dance floor and made her way toward me.
“Hiya!” the young pony exclaimed with a youthful enthusiasm, “Welcome to the party! I don’t believe we’ve met before. My name is Pinkie Pie. And I would know if I never met you before, because I have met everypony in Ponyville, and I mean everypony!”
I felt a slight tug at the pit of my stomach. I had lived in Ponyville all my life, but have gone unnoticed by most of the residents of the town. I was unsure what to say. My carpenter vest still weighed heavily on my chest, pinning my wings tightly to my back. I was nervous, and this was the first time I had ever made a point in talking with any of the townspeople, especially earth ponies.
“Um… No,” I spoke, my nose twitching in a nervous fit, “I don’t believe we have. I’ve lived here a while now, but I’ve never been to a party before. In fact, I was just here to pick up something sweet then be off on my way.”
Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment she stood stunned, ignoring the other ponies as they danced and trotted their way past and around her as her jaw hung open wide, almost comically enough to make me chuckle. Eventually, she came to and lunged towards me, gripping my shoulder tight so I was looking directly at her.
“You’re telling me you have never been to a Pinkie party before!? That’s outrageous! I’ll tell you what, this WAS a party to celebrate my one-hundred-thirteenth party, but now I am dedicating this to you! Congratulations, from this moment on, you are the guest of honor here! Feel free to do whatever you like.”
Just as I was beginning to feel comfortable and welcomed, Pinkie Pie stood up on her hind legs, cupping he hooves over her mouth so the entire bakery could hear her.
“Listen up everypony! We have a new guest here, and he’s never been to a Pinkie party! Let’s show him what all the buzz is about!”
I knew Pinkie Pie meant well, but as the attention in the room shifted towards me, I could hear whispers fade in and out of the room as scrutinizing eyes of other ponies picked me apart. All the stress weighed heavily on my soul, but I had little time to be bashful. I had come for snacks, and I wasn’t going to leave without any. As I got in line, I found each pony in line before me graciously steeped out of the way, allowing me instant access to the front. It felt odd to be treated with such kindness. Feeling better, I took a plate and loaded it with all of my favorite foods; chocolate cake, marshmallow filled candy bars, a few cookies, and a cup of hot chocolate for good measure. Such treats were rarely available for me on the salary I was being paid making furniture. For the first time in a while, I smiled. Things felt right in the world. As I took my first bite into one of my candy bars all of my troubles seemed to fade away. Davenport, my inability to fly, it all melted away, warming my soul and making me truly happy. In utter bliss, I sat in the corner of the room munching on the delicious confection, watching other ponies enjoy themselves. I shut my eyes for a brief second to take it all in, to cherish this moment. When they reopened, I found myself staring into the face of a blue filly with a rainbow mane.
“Hey there,” she said, proud and confident, “You must be the new colt Pink was yammering on about. I figured I better say hello! My name is--”
“Rainbow Dash!” I cut her off, “Your name gets around. I heard you are one of the best fliers in Equestria.”
“Well,” she countered, impressed with that I knew of her, “I guess I’m a bit famous after all.”
She was famous alright. Famous for being the most sought after pegasus for every colt in town. I had a horrible crush on her, though I always knew I would never stand a chance with a girl like her if I can’t even fly. Still, she seemed so nice. What would have been the harm in being nice back?
“Famous, but not a Wounderbolt.”
She eyed me unamused.
“Which you really should be!”
Her face didn’t budge. I had messed up and knew it.
“You really think I need to be a Wounderbolt to be a good flier?”
“Nope.”
“Really?” she shouted, her voice cracking a bit, “Is that really what you think? Of course not, just look at you. I bet you are just saying whatever you think will sound good so you can impress me, aren’t you? You know how many times I get hit on by colts in a day? You think I enjoy this?”
She began to turn her back toward me. I shot up, grabbing her shoulders and pulled her back to face me. Just as I was about to begin to deliver a snappy comeback, I froze where I stood. Instead of turning away, she turned inward to face me, her pink eyes staring deep into mine. I couldn’t speak. Just as well too, because in that very moment I forgot what I was going to say. The party seemed to stop around me as I fell into those magnificent eyes. Rainbow Dash stared straight back, her expression now showing a bit of embarrassment. Or was it frustration? For a moment, I thought she was going to hit my right in the face. Sure enough though, her icy exterior melted away into an uproar of laughter. Flying backwards in giggles, she struggled to pull herself back up off the floor.
“Wow,” she spoke, clearing the tears of laughter that had formed in her eyes, “You are the first colt I’ve ever met who can stand up to me. Well... Tried to stand up to me. What’s the matter? Cat got your tong?”
All of a sudden I felt my jacket grow heavier on my wings as they struggled to pan outward. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I stood there in a dumb silence. I realized that my legs had gone limp and that my jaw hung open before me just a fraction of an inch. I couldn’t be sure, but I swear Rainbow Dash even blushed a bit as we looked at each other without saying a word. She was the first to break the silence when she got a view of my flank.
“Oh,” she expressed, “You… Don’t have a cutie mark.”
I stared down at my blank leg, feeling an odd mixture of dread and comfort. I explained to her how after I was left alone in Ponyville, I had to work where I could. As a result, I never had to leisure of free time to discover my true self. I wasn’t a bad trait though. It left me a blank canvas to show to the world instead of an actual image, allowing the world to see me not by what is my symbol, but by who I am. I didn’t expect Rainbow to listen to me entire story. In fact, it was less for her and more for me, allowing me to repeat my oldest proverb to keep it in my heart. And yet sure enough, when I finished my story she was still standing before me, eager to hear more. I felt like such a loser.
“At least, that’s what I tell myself,” I told her afterwards, taking a bite of a chocolate chip cookie, “But I bet you think that is pretty lame.”
“Actually,” she spoke, running her hoof through her mane, “That is one of the smartest things anyone has ever said to me. That was really cool. Most ponies don’t think like that anymore. It’s like... You’re different. Like I can actually talk to you.”
She placed her hoof on my face, brushing away a chocolate smudge on my cheek. I started to feel embarrassed. The load I was carrying began feeling lighter, and the only thing that really mattered was seeing Rainbow Dash looking at me the way she was at that moment. Once Rainbow realized what she was doing though, she quickly changed character. She reverted to the proud pegasus that she was, dropping that split second of her normally hidden disposition. She retracted he hoof a stomped it back down on the ground with all her force.
“Well”, she spoke triumphantly, “It was nice talking with you, but… I’m just not into earth ponies... or stallions.”
She bolted out of the room and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me scratching my mane puzzled. How could she think I was an earth pony? That was when it occurred to me. My carpenter vest didn’t just pin my wings down, it covered them up. That was why everypony was treating me so well all night. Had they know I was a pegasus they would have had no quarrel with me sitting alone at a party. Pegasi are supposed to be solitary creatures, they would have left me to my own thoughts, never to think that I might actually enjoy the company of others. The same crushing loneliness began to loom over me. What was I to do? Show Rainbow that I was in fact a pegasus pony, face rejection by all of Ponyville, then face the embarrassment of being the only pegasus in Equestria that can’t fly at my age, or allow them to believe I was one of them? I had no choice. Instead of being brave, I folded inward and continued to finish the last bit of my chocolate cake as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
Time passed as the party continued around me while I sat in solitude, cursing my own cowardice. While friends danced away before me, time seemed to come to a halt. I didn’t cry, colts don’t cry. Still, as I took another bite of the treats I had come to enjoy, they turned bitter in my mouth. The hot chocolate I had hoped would clear my throat became watered down with a small whimper, which I made sure no one but I heard. I had my dessert for the evening, just as I wanted, and the residents of Ponyville finally saw me as one of their own... But then why did I feel so alone?
By the time to party reached its final hours, few ponies remained as energetic as they had when I had entered. It was rounding ten in the evening, and a cool wind shook the sides of the shop, a constant reminder of the world outside the safety of the Sugarcube Corner. The waning amount of party-goers alone was an ominous image, and while only a few fillies remained, Pinkie Pie was as playful as ever, shifting in and out of sight as she went about her various guests, ensuring all was going well. If anything, ponies were leaving rather than joining the nightly romp. This was part of the reason almost everypony fell silent as three loud knocks landed heavily on the shop’s wooden doors. While they all stared in shock at the door, none of them had the courage to answer. All except Pinkie, who, to the obvious discomfort of her guests, sauntered over to answer, eager to have another pony join the festivities.
Immediately after opening the door, two unicorns sprang in and threw themselves down onto the bakery floor. The both were fairly young unicorns, probably school age. The first had a sea-green mane and a coat of golden fur. The second was far shorter and fatter than the other with a pale blue mane and orange hair. They looked awful, as if they had just ran all the way from Canterlot to reach the party. As various ponies gathered around to get better views of the newest members of the party, I stood in silence off to the side, watching the event unfold. While I had never seen these two ponies before, the other residents of the town seemed to be familiar with them, growing slightly annoyed and frustrated as they circled around, demanding an explanation for their arrival so late in the evening.
“Snail, Snips, what are you doing here?” a pony from across the room hollered.
“You know these boys?” I questioned.
“Unfortunately we all do,” another pony, Carrot Top, whispered over, “These two are always messing around. I bet they stock their noses somewhere they shouldn’t have been and need help... Again.”
The room erupted into more chatter. The two young colts, tired, worn out, and mud stained from running all the way to the party to tell their tale were powerless to stop everypony in the room from crafting their own stories before they even got to tell them why they had come all this way. At first the two seemed nervous, then the pony named Snails (at least I assumed he was Snails... the escargot on his flank sort of gave that away) nodded to his friend and stood tall.
“Hold on everypony!” he spoke in a simpleton's voice. At that exact moment my prejudges got the better of me, causing me to snicker slightly to myself, assured that anything coming from a pony who sounded so dim witted was sure to entertain. “We just came from outside town. Me and Snips were out lookin’ for fireflies and we came across Trixie! She’s traveling Equestria, sayin’ she knows how to bring back the dead! Pretty cool, eh?”
“Yeah!” Snips, the fatter of the two conjectured, “We were out in the forest when we ran into Trixie’s cart! She told us she is showing everypony in Equestria how to bring dead ponies back to life! She was practicing magic outside of town when she discovered how. Trixie is still pretty sore from us laughing her out of town though. She told us to run out and tell you ponies that if you want to see her magic, you’ll have to follow her to Canterlot!”
With this the room burst into chatter. Several ponies turned toward one another, all trying to decide whether Snips and Snails’ story was genuine. They all seemed nervous, paranoid even. I didn’t sound possible. Dead folks stayed dead, and that was the fact. Even still, everypony in the room grew flustered. What if they were telling the truth? Could Trixie really raise the dead? The first pony to speak out was Starlight, a blonde, carefree pony who grew increasingly annoyed with every second she had to look at the two unicorns who had crash the party.
“What a joke!” she hollered, “You honestly expect us to believe that? Trixie is a total fraud! Raising the dead? She’s a complete liar if she told you that! All she can do is a few parlor tricks!”
The majority of the room thundered in agreement. All but perhaps three ponies seemed to be in agreement that this was most defiantly one of Trixie’s acts for attention. The three that remained though grew silent, refusing to join in with the rest of the crowd. An older pony, Bonbon seemed especially torn, biting her lip in silence.
“What’s the matter Bonbon?” her friend and roommate Lyra, a green and white unicorn, spoke, “You look a little upset.”
“Well,” she began, “It’s just... My mother passed away this June. I never thought I’d be able to see her again. I know that Trixie hasn’t been that reliable in the past, but... What if she is telling the truth this time?”
“You can’t be serious!” Lyra shouted, “This is Trixie! Don’t go wasting your energy chasing her down just for her to break you heart when you expect so much.”
Carrot Top looked just as uncomfortable as Bonbon, and Derpy Hooves, the town’s cross-eyed mail-mare simply stared down at the floor with her one good eye in a miserable silence. Whether or not it showed through on a daily basis, everypony had lost a friend at some point in their life. Now here came promises of bringing them back. While none of them considered the consequences, all secretly craved the result, a new chance at life. All but me. I never had any pony to lose.
Every guest at the party began to turn on each other, claiming how shallow they were for believing the boys’ story, while refusing to admit that deep down, they too wished to believe that it was true, that some pony could allow them to live once again with those who have passed. The air ran thick with hatred. Hatred for ones self, and hatred towards others. Why would one filly think that they were any different for having lost a loved one? Before the room degraded into all-out chaos, a new pony materialised from the crowd to calm the storm that dwelt within the shop. She was a white unicorn with a thick mane of fabulous violet. Attempting to keep to her proper disposition, she cleared her throat like a lady to gain the rooms attention as she approached the two ponies who started this all.
“Now, now,” she began before neither Snips nor Snails could get in a word, “No need to start upsetting these nice ponies. We all just came here to enjoy ourselves. I believe you. I believe that Trixie told you she could do those things, but you must understand that she isn’t to be trusted! Now clear you heads, go home, and go to bed. I’m sure this will all be a laugh in the morning. We’ll all stay here and apologise to each other for getting so crass. I’m sure we’re all just tired from a long night, and would to well to remember that we are all friends here.”
Lies.
The two seemed belittled, and more importantly, betrayed. No pony tried to comfort them or support their claims. Instead, the guests seemed to push them more and more, insisting they were far too slow to ever be taken seriously. As more and more ponies leaned into a large circle around them, berating them for their story, Snips and Snails began to retract inward. Deep down, I knew what that was like... But why help them? No pony ever helped me. Instead I sat to the side, watching their patience run thin. Eventually, Snips shouted over the crowd.
“Enough!” he pleaded, “Snails and I are going to go find Trixie ourselves, then we’ll bring her here so you can all see for yourselves!”
The two turned toward each other, and then tore out the door and into the icy night winds, leaving a quite shop behind them. Pinkie Pie turned to the white unicorn who had spoken earlier, slightly astonished.
“Wow Rarity!” she chimed, “They seemed really upset. Do you think we should have believed them? I mean, that really seemed to hit home for some of the ponies here.”
“And then what?” called Rarity, “And then have them continue with their antics while we all start to turn on each other like animals? Believe me, it’s better if we just break the truth to them now. Last time those two almost destroyed the town!”
No.
I froze. I hadn’t just thought that word. I said it out loud. The entire room turned to face me, surprised by my outburst. They all eyed me, expecting an excuse. I scanned the room for any sign of Rainbow Dash, some pony to support me, but to no avail. She was nowhere to be seen. So I began to speak.
“All I’m saying is,” I began, running my hoof through my mane and adjusting my jacket, “That there comes a time to forgive. Don’t you think that we should have at least given them a chance to prove their case before we all harassed them like that? They gave the town hope, even if only for a moment.”
Rarity eyed me very cautiously, unsure of what to think of me. Eventually she decided my statement was harmless enough and came up to approach me. She drew herself in close before speaking. I felt uncomfortable, violated even, to be this close to a mare I didn’t know. She spoke sweetly, attempting to cover her bitter words will a lady’s voice, words that still rattle my skull to this day.
“Oh, you naive boy,” she began, “I would have thought a big, strong stallion such as yourself would have figured it out by now. When it comes right down to it... Some ponies just don’t deserve second chances.”
For the second time that night I looked into another pony’s eyes. There was no compassion in Rarity’s eyes however. Where any love or understanding might be tucked away, the only thing that returned to me from those cold eyes was a look of deep hunger. She didn't just see me as a boy to be ignored, but as her clay to form. I wanted no part of it. I broke eye contact with her and thundered back, face towards the floor.
“No second chances? Is that really what you think? Are you all really that shallow minded? Those two children are out there in the cold, determined to prove to you that they can be taken seriously for once, and here you are condemning them before they ever return. It’s not right... And if none of you are going to go out and stop them from getting hurt out there by trying to prove themselves... Well then I guess I will.”
I turned to face the door. I couldn’t believe the words that just came out of my mouth. These ponies had all just welcomed me in, and here I was pushing all their grace back in their faces... All for the sake of two schoolboys I never knew until a few seconds ago. As I trotted over to the door of the Sugarcube Corner, I pretended not to hear the dull roar of ponies conversing over what I had said. I took one last look behind me. Pinkie Pie was looking directly at me from the rear of the room, slightly confused about my sudden outburst. Several others were gathered in small groups and whispered over to each other, all the while making gestures over towards me as I stood in the threshold. And then I turned to Rarity. At that moment, it hit me that while I was looking into her eyes, she had done the same to mine. I couldn't tell right then what she saw in me, but in that moment she stood, still looking directly with an unbreakable poker face that prevented me from detecting an form of emotion. One thing was certain though. She has seen my soul, and at that moment, knew more about me than I ever could. The concept alone left me mortified, as a turned back to the door and ducked out into the icy night.
Again I was alone... Yet I felt something stir within me. Maybe it was all the hot chocolate and cake, but I felt a sense of honor and mission on my search for the two boys. I had stood up for myself! By Celestia, for the first time in my life I had stood up for something I believed in! There was no Davenport to push me down, no deadline I had to abide by. I felt free, which was exactly what I was as I galloped to and fro across the cobble streets.
I knew of maybe one person who would know where I should start my search for the children. A young dragon named Spike would always come into the Quill and Sofa to purchase quills for his dear friend Twilight Sparkle. Quills, but never sofas... A little odd even in hindsight... Regardless, I had seen the young dragon go about his daily chores through the town from the shop in between the times he would come in to buy more quills. He seemed to know everypony who lived in the town, and took special care to keep informed on local antics. I was willing to bet that if these boys reputation was to be believed, Spike probably knew a fair few things about where they might go at a time like this. I just hoped it wasn’t too late into the evening for me to arrive at his home.
Spike lived in the town’s former library. I seem to recall a time ago when it was open to the public for all to use. Once Spike and his mentor Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn from Canterlot, moved into town the building became the two’s personal quarters. No pony in town really minded it though. Reading was a leisure the citizens of Ponyville (which I must admit included me) were not accustom to. If anything, a personal residence within the library saved it from falling into a weakened infrastructure and collapsing. When I arrived to the structure, I took a second to observe the door. It was interesting to say the least. While the lower portion seemed two double-hinged parlor doors that swung in and out, the larger portion above those sat a solid oak slab to conjoin the two lower portions into one massive enterance. I paused at this, unsure how to knock on a door like it. Furthermore, how did the hinges even function in such a manor? I felt my attention shortening, and quickly disregarded the functionality of the egress.
I knocked on the door vigorously, hoping someone was there as equally as I was hoping I wasn’t waking any pony up at this hour to avoid an awkward situation. A wave of relief washed over me when a young dragon arrived at the passage to greet me.
“Oh, hello there!” he spoke, “Is there something you needed?...”
I paused awaiting the moment he would address me by name... Which never seemed to come. When the pause turned uncomfortable, I began to reply to the young dragon.
“Yes, hello. You’re name is Spike, right?”
He seemed interested at the fact that I knew his name even though I was a stranger to him. I swallowed the pain that brought and continued.
“Yes. Yes, your name is Spike. Sorry. You do a lot of orders with me and Davenport over at the Quill and Sofa. Anyway... I’m not bothering you at this hour, am I?”
“No, not at all!” he spoke from the doorway, “Twilight was just working on some studying and had me up anyway to help her with her books. You said you were from the Quill and Sofa right? Well, you probably need to talk to Twilight then.”
“Well, actually dude--”
I didn’t even have the time to finish my sentence before Spike was back inside the house, shouting for Twilight to come and greet me. He left the door open behind him and beckoned me to come inside. Chilled from the midnight air, I couldn't help but come inside to warm up. Once I followed Spike into the main library, I had to catch my breath in disbelief from the amount of literature that sprawled from wall to wall. In the very heart of this room sat a purple pony with straight hair that ran from her mane to her hooves. She laid in the center of a large circle of books, using her magic to move them about as she read between them. When Spike walked over to her, she lowered her items to focus on him.
“What do you need Spike?” she spoke in a kind voice.
“There is a pony from the Quill and Sofa here to see you, probably about that bulk order of quills you asked for!”
Twilight turned to me as I stood silent in the corner of the room. My carpenters vest left me looking heavy-weighted and clumsy as I tried to give my best forced smile. If I could have forced a “hello” or a simple squeak of approval, I would have. Instead, I just looked over at her as she waited for me to speak.
“Um hello,” I began, “I just wanted to come over and talk to Spike for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”
Twilight looked at Spike in disapproval, assuming he had done something wrong.
“No, no,” I caught, “Everything is fine. I just... Would you mind if I sat down?”
Without hesitation Twilight offered me a seat within a few feet of her and Spike. It always felt strange siting on furniture. You’d think selling sofas all your life you make the concept seem fine, but I always had the feeling ponies weren’t mean for furniture. Once I had a comfy stance, I continued.
“There was an incident at the Sugarcube Corner earlier tonight. No one was hurt, and it was all probably just a mix up, but it ended in two colts, Snips and Snail, running away. I became a little worried about them. Some ponies do stupid stuff when they are emotionally hurt, and I don’t want anything bad to come of this. The way things seem, Spike here is the only person in town who really knows the two, so I was wondering if you could provide any information that may help me find them.”
“Goodness,” Twilight fired, “What happened?”
“Nothing you should worry yourself about. They seemed to believe that some pony out of town named Trixie found some way to raise the dead. Does that mean anything to you?”
Twilight looked like someone had just made a bad joke. Spike took note of this and followed her lead, looking at the floor like I had done something embarrassing.
“Yes,” Twilight chuckled, “You could say me and Trixie have a history.”
“Not a good one?”
“Hardly,” Spike cut in, “Twilight showed her up at magic once, and Trixie never got over it. On top of that, Ponyville all hates her for nearly destroying the town in the process! I bet Trixie meant to tell them another lie so they would go into town and start talking about her again. If only just so her name will be back out on the streets.”
“I sure hope so, raising the dead isn’t something that just ends well without any consequences,” I muttered as I began to sulk in my chair. Twilight caught wind of what I said and shot up in response.
“That’s no understatement,” she began, “Necromancy is an ancient art banned even before Celestia’s time. Starswirl the Bearded wrote of it if I am correct in saying. It was thought that for every life you return into the world, something else had to be taken. Unless you yourself would be willing to trade years of your own time, the spell would fail, leaving the corpse reanimated with no soul to inhabit it.”
I reclined further, eyeing Twilight. She was a curious mare, almost seeming excited to speak of such horrible tale hidden in the ages. She seemed like she never really had the option of speaking to another pony about these topics... Which seemed odd considering she had a clear interest in them, and plenty of friends she could share her readings with. All of this left me confused about why she was telling all of this to me rather than taking note that two young colts had just gone missing. Twilight must have taken notice of my disinterest, something I typically try my hardest to mask. However, it had been a long night, and I was growing tired listening to stories when I had a job to do. Either way, her spirits seemed to sink as she turned away and lowered herself into a more serious tone.
“Sorry,” she spoke, angling her head off to the side to avoid making eye contact, “I tend to geek out like that a lot. You are probably in a hurry, what was that you were saying?”
Oh Celestia, here came the guilt.
“No, no, I was listening!” I bleated, “But, uh... Maybe we can talk about this when two boys aren't in trouble, alright?”
“Yes... Yes, you’re right,” she seemed to whisper in a hushed tone before turning to Spike. “Spike! I need you to go out and see if you can locate those two colts before they hurt themselves. I am sure they are around town somewhere. You know where to look for them, right?”
Spike nodded in approval before heading out the front door into the night.
“Don’t take too long!” Twilight shouted after him, “If you can’t find them within the hour, I want you home in bed mister!”
“No, no, don’t bother,” I began as I raised myself from my seat, “I came here so I could do this myself! Besides, you need Spike her to help organise your books. I can do this myself... Really. You don’t need to waist any time on my part.”
While the first few words came out boldly, they quickly faded off into a saddened tone when I realised I was just looking for an excuse to avoid being alone with another pony. What was I to do if I made a fool of myself? For some reason rooted within me, I did not want to be alone with any pony else but myself and... And....
“You stay right here,” Twilight spoke to me, “You look so very tired, I simply can not allow you to go out there at this hour. Do you even know what time it is?”
“Ugh... Really late o’clock?”
See did not seem amused.
“Spike knows Snips and Snails. They are probably back at the school or ran off to one of their houses. They know not to run off into the Everfree at night. Why I am sure Spike will find them and be back within the hour. Besides, if I really need help my pet owl can fetch me anything I need, no Spike necessary! You however look like you need somewhere to rest. That’s why I’m must simply make you stay here until Spike returns.”
“You said make me,” I ventured sulking even lower in my chair, “This isn’t optional, is it?”
Twilight shook her head no before showing a light smile and heading off to her kitchen to fetch us some warm drinks.
“Do you like cider?” she asked, “My friend Applejack makes it herself! Needless to say, she never lets me run low on it.”
I nodded as she poked her head out to check my response. Cider season only came once a year, and there was no way I was going to refuse a glass. She then gave me a smile that told me to make myself comfortable and at home. I was ready to obligie, if only to get my heavy vest off my wings. I unbuckled one strap, then the next, until I could easily slide it off my chest. When I stood to pull it off, I extended my wings in full, having them reach from one side of my body to the other. It felt great to finally have the weight removed and my wings open. So much so I let out a low groan of satisfaction as I stretched from wingtip to wingtip. I say back down into my chair, awaiting what was to my understanding going to be an outstanding cup of cider. When Twilight reentered the room however, she seemed taken back at what she saw.
Carefully, her eye traced my slender wings as they when through the many folds along my side until it all tucked away into an amazing pattern of bronze feathers that blended seamlessly with my copper coat. Her staring made me feel slightly uncomfortable. In a nervous tic, I ran my hoof through my equally bronze mane. I couldn’t understand why she was looking at me. She simply stood there in a mesmerised fashion, constantly tracing and retracing my form with her eyes. When the tone shifted from flattering to uncomfortable, I began to speak.
“That cider certainly smells outstanding. Made by one of the Apple family you say?”
“Huh?” she uttered, “Oh! Yes! My goodness, yes! That’s Applejack alright! Always making things with... Uh... Apples.”
There was the uncomfortable feeling again. That made it three times in one night. Not a record, but an honorable mention in my book for sure. Where Twilight had been eyeing me cautiously, she now stood skittishly shifting in place before using her magic to place two cups on the table between our two chairs. She took her place on the opposite chair before taking a sip of it, waiting for me to do the same.
“I’m... I’m sorry,” I stuttered nervously, “I understand if you don’t like pegasi. I know we can be a bit stand-offish, but that’s not me. I’m just--”
“Stop talking,” Twilight stated in the middle of my sentence, “I was just admiring you wings. I’ve never seen any pony with a bronze quite like that before.”
I had no idea what she saw in them. They were useless for me, just used to keep my balance half the time.
“May I... May I look at them again?” she questioned.
It was an unnerving question. For several seconds I stood there dumbfounded with no answer. When it became apparent to Twilight that I wasn’t going to give an answer, she walked up behind me and spread them apart herself to examine every feather. The bronze tones shown in the lights of her home as she traced the jagged vulture patterns along my seemingly molting condor wings. I could tell my torn feathers made her uneasy, but she continue to examine them, feeling them as if to find some way of understanding how they could form such patterns. She turned to me as if to say ‘what happened to you’, but instead remain gentle and almost loving in nature.
“These are... Some of the most beautiful feathers I have ever seen,” she fawned. “I’ve seen ones like these before. Such sheen... They’re... They are so amazing...”
Her voice dropped.
“A real gift,” she let roll off her tongue.
It left me feeling more unnerved than I had before. All at once, a flood of thoughts rushed my mind. About Rainbow Dash, about Rarity, about everypony else in that town. What had they all thought of me? What did they all know of me? I lowered my head.
“Yeah,” I grunted giving a mild shrug that worked to stretch my wings even further, “Davenport agrees I guess. The way he sees it, if I ain’t using them I might as well put them to good use.”
Immediately, her expression shifted. She tried to not let me see it, but I had already expected it. In a fraction of a second she flashed her eyes over to a quill she had left out on her table. When she snapped back to me, she could tell I had seen her shift in expression. Rather than saying anything, I simply nodded in silence.
“That's awful,” she spoke, mortified, “Does it hurt at all?”
I shook my head no.
“I bet you think it is kind of creepy, huh? Selling scavenged bits off a pony who can’t fly?”
“Well... Yes. But that’s not your fault,” she began, starting to run her hoof from the base of my wings down my back. I squirmed a bit, but as soon as I inched forward, she reached across me with her other arm and began pulling me inward. “In fact I think it it kinda sweet. It’s like I’ve had a piece the whole time I’ve lived here and never knew it. I think that is something special indeed... Thanks to your friend Davenport.”
I couldn’t help it any longer. I was growing tired and was ready to fall asleep there with Twilight. I could have just gone limp and lowered us down onto the couch, forgotten about the life I left back at the Quill and Sofa. In seemingly one night I was just thrown into a life I never thought I would get, one with friends... Were these friends? As we began to lower ourselves down, Twilight began to pull herself in closer. I had never had friends before. This was what if felt like, right? We were even closer now. Carefully, she slide her hoof from my back around my waist and locked it with her other, being gentle as she easily slide herself around from behind me to my front by the time we were both on the couch. That unnerving feeling came back. Without thinking, I pushed her way and rolled back over on the furniture facing inward before turning me head back toward her. Now she should there looking just as dumbfounded as I must have, quivering a little it what must have been shyness? Or was in angst? For the life of me, I couldn’t tell! I was clueless!
“I-- That was... Where we about to--?” I shook out of my throat.
Twilight simply looked down, attempting to not show her own embarrassment, though she blushed so brightly it practically lit up the room around me. It was like basking in the sun for the first time... Warm... Inviting... Loving. And I never wanted to leave it. If I could just get closer to this warmth, take a closer look to change the pace of my world of darkness... What harm could have come from it? I drew myself in, closer to Twilight Sparkle. I could hear her breathing, trembling before me. Was she afraid? No, if she was afraid then surly she would have pushed me away by now. Then why did she shake with fright?
“Hey,” I assured her as I slid my hoof past her head, brushing away her mane as I did so, “It’s alright. Everything is fine. You don’t need to be afraid.”
We drew in closer still. By this point Twilight was becoming increasingly nervous, to the point that she began to take deep exasperated breaths, close enough for me to feel every single one kiss my face. Some might have found it uncomfortable. I found it wonderful. It was a reminder that this pony was alive, that she was really and tangible and wanted me as much as I wanted her. That feeling, sweeter than any honey, flowed down into my soul, testing my thirst for comfort from my daily life. But I didn’t want to just test my thirst, I wanted to quench it. I needed something more, something simply looking into each-other's eyes could not provide.
We went in towards each other, this time with me making the first move, wrapping my hooves around her as she pulled in so close I could hardly breath, which was just as well because I could barely remember to anyway, the comfort being too great. Her flowing mane wrapped around the two of as a we wreathed upon each other kissing, become a tangled mess. It was all too great. In one evening I had gone from being completely alone in life to this. To be with another mare and to share one another, and the thing was... I hardly knew her! What that what made the moment so grand? Was that danger the exact thing I sought? Or was it another danger? This mare genuinely seemed to care for me... Yet did I feel the same way in return? She forced her tongue further into the back of my throat, catching me off guard. For the second time that night I pushed her away and retreated into a curled-ball at the end of our makeshift bedding.
“What’s wrong?” she questioned, puzzled by my actions.
I said nothing. Instead I sat there in silent, muted by my own self-loathing. How could I have let any of this happen? I've been so stupid. I've been too hasty. What was I doing with this mare? What business did I have with her?
“Is there... Somepony else?”
My ears perked. I couldn't help it, they just did. She saw my tell, saw my weakness, and began to clamp down on it.
“I can be her you know. Let me be her... Just for tonight.”
She leaned inward on me, looking at me with her pure, purple eyes.
“Well... There is somepony...” I whispered softly, unable to control myself. She leaned into hear me, pressing down on my insides as she did so. I had lost all self control as her name left my lips. Her name twisted my stomach as it left my heart, just as they had coiled through my mind from the very moment I set eyes on her. There was no stopping myself as I uttered an almost silent, “Rainbow Dash.”
Now unicorn magic is a thing to heed when it works in illusion. Above all, you have to remember that when dealing with a mirage. Whatever you see is only in your mind. But I could care little at that point. As the name of one of her greatest friends found her ear, she drew back crushed. A single tear streamed down her cheek before she looked back at me with those purple eyes... Just as she looked back into mine. I felt her magic turn around me as it invaded and corrupted my mind. The feeling became so powerful that at one point I had to shut my eyes as I tried to fight against it. When I reopened them, I no longer resisted. Before me, in my eyes, was Rainbow Dash... Twilight’s single tear still streaming down her face.
A sudden wave of excitement came over me as I flew inward for another kiss. The salt of her tear mixed perfectly with her already delicate flavor. We struggled to keep upright as her knees buckled out from under her. I couldn't believe it. She was, for all purposes, my love, my Rainbow Dash. And for just this night, she was mine. At least she was, when then came a sudden knock on the library’s front door.
Rainbow Dash threw me back into the sofa as she scrambled to reach the door. When she arrived, the undid all of the latches and pulled open the door to reveal and exasperated Spike, tired from running directly to his home from the Sugercube Corner.
“What is it Spike?” my Rainbow Dash asked with a slight sniffle.
“It’s Trixie! I couldn't find Snips or Snails, but Trixie just came into town and crashed Pinkie’s party just as it was wrapping up! She’s boasting down there to everypony in town, maybe she will know where those two colts went!”
“That’s very good news Spike, thank you... Now try to get some rest.”
Spike almost protested, but my Rainbow Dash simply patted him on the head and pushed him in the direction of his bed. Without any more protest, the baby dragon sulked off to sleep. By that point I had recovered after being slammed into the couch and looked back at my Rainbow. Instead of her however, there stood Twilight. Rainbow’s beautiful rose eyes had reverted back to Twilight’s shinning purple. It was just a shame to see them reddened from her crying.
“He didn’t see anything?” I asked Twilight.
“No, he couldn't. Only you. That’s how that spell works,” she responded, “You should probably go and see if Trixie know where those colts are. Go... And never come back.”
I knew as well as she did that that last sentence was less for me and more for herself. She still wanted me. And I was bad for her. With hast, she had me gather my items up, replace my jacket, and forced me back out into the cold streets of Ponyville.
Once again, I was alone. Again, I made my way across the desolate streets, hoping for someone to find me.
