New Plantation

New light

I woke up to the sound of my alarm, meaning the it was seven thirty in the morning, I have thirty minutes to get to the school next to my apartment complex, I am the teacher for Equestrian history and natural sciences. No meal this morning I usually don’t eat this early so I skip right to lunch during my break around twelve o’clock, this is every day for me: wake up, get my stuff, teach three classes in the morning, eat, three more class in the afternoon and the rest of the time grading homework.

Today however there is something different, I walk to my mailbox to find two items, one was my monthly bill, I am never happy when it shows up but I know there is one every month, the other one is a scroll, neat in yellowish paper tied with a maroon riven, it had a golden wax stamp keeping it sealed meaning that it haven’t being open in the delivery, some of my mail get open for some reason but this one was different, this was from royalty, so I knew it was something important.

I open it up to find careful lettering describing a new job opportunity:

To Shadow Spark.

Grades and performance from the School of Advance Studies of Manehattam shows that your students have a great potential, after further studies and interviews we have discovered that your classes are some of the favorites among the young and that your students or students that have taken any of your classes show a greater level of retention that those of different schools or different teachers of the same school.

We are here to offer you an opportunity to come teach at our new facility in Ponyville, the new branch of Moon Light University located at the Night Stone Castle. Feel free to study your possibilities and contact us by Friday in order to make the preparation for your arrival to the town of Ponyville.

We have studied your teaching abilities and we have designed a set of classes for you to teach, as well as a lab facility for research. Please take in consideration that this is a onetime offer whatever your decision may be you will not be judged over it.

Celestia

Over all however, my class this morning was first and I was going to take till the evening to make my decision, except that I know exactly what I am going to do.

~~~

Teachers where shifted, students gave me a party and two days later I was on my way to Ponyville, it was going to be a long trip specially because I could not buy a ticket for the train, the trip was going to take a few days but I was happy to finally be away from this city.

Ponyville was nice at first site, yep just upon arrival a set of five fillies come up to me as soon as I set food in the main plaza, I was used to have young ponies around me but this bunch was a bit invasive.

“Excuse mister, you are new here aren’t you?” a white filly started

“Sir, so how come you don’t have a cutiemark? A young orange pegasus asked without giving me chance to answer the first question.

“Will you like to join our club… we help ponies get thir cutiemark” a yellow one with reddish mane asked equally fast, the other two were quiet to my relive.

“Ok girls… here I am from Manehattam so not I am not from here, I don’t know why I haven’t a cutiemark yet I do have many talents so it doesn’t bother much and I am new here, and for sure way too old to be running around with a bunch of fillies so I don’t think that I should join with you” I said with the nicest face that I could show them as they turned down their gazes in disappointment “sorry girls you should know better than to go talking to random people on the streets, next time it could be some weirdo and for sure you should be careful of whom you talk to” I said with an apologetic tone.

As soon as I finish my little explanation a purple unicorn mare approached us, as soon as she reached the children she said in hushes “Nyx come on don’t talk to estrangers, get your friends and lets go, you have tons of homework to do and I am sure the others to” the black little unicorn nodded and signaled her friends to fallow her, so they did and I was alone facing the unicorn now.

“Hello mam, May I ask you a question” I said politely.

“No sorry I am busy, please stay away from the children, if you keep walking that street you will find the edge of town, have a safe trip… try to avoid the Everfree Forest” she said as she started to walk away.

Ok I was starting to get frustrated, as soon as I arrived children assaulted me with questions, some random mare actel like I was some kind of deviant and pretty much asked me to leave the town and I have already lost my lunch designed time and haven’t any idea where to go get my schedule nor my apartment key.

I walked the street starting to think that I made a mistake coming here when I saw what looked like a big carrousel with windows, everything neat and girly colored all over I was thinking it was some sort of day care yet, inside there were all sorts of dresses and manikins, I was at a dress shop.

“Excuse me mam?”

“Not now I am creating” she said before I could finish

After five minutes of shuffling different types of fabric she finally turned with a smile on her face, I would have said that she was very pretty except that she had horrible manners, as soon as she saw me she said “Oh dear Celestia you are horrible” to which I answer “likewise” and as fast as it toke me to walk in she was throwing me out, the door shot behind me and I was on my way to town once more.

If there is one thing I would suggest to any one is not to talk to pink ponies… I don’t want to get to the details.
Finally of all people I have being talking today no one was kind enough to tell me where the library was, I just need my schedule and my key but apparently being of dark coat is a sin around here, or may it be the fact that I am from Manehattam, may be my old saddlebag was way too old, or my voice something regarding my way of talking, whatever it is I don’t need this if I can’t find today what I am looking for tomorrow I am on my way back.

Finally some decent looking mare, she was of blond mane and orange coat, she had a hat that really brings up her personality and a way of talking that I have only heard from them folks of the south saying perhaps Applelusa region why not?

“Mam I am looking for the library, nopony around here have being able to help me, I am looking to get my class schedule so I can prepare my class at the Moon Light University… can you tell me where to find the library” I asked trying to keep myself calm, I am not used to talk to such beauties.

“Oh, don’t worry sugar cube, classes don’t start till next week, now can I interest you in some Apple family apples, if you travel you would know this are some of the best apples in all of Equestria” she said showing a set of apples to me.

“They sure look good, but I haven’t any bits at the time mam, and I need to get my schedule to see what classes I am teaching they didn’t tell me that on the scroll that I got inviting me to work here” I said hoping for a better answer.

“You? A teacher? Golly… and you haven’t any bits?... well I am sure you have your reason to be here, so go to the end of the street and find a big tree house that is the library… but it should be close by now” she said without even looking at me. It was around three in the afternoon, I haven’t eaten anything and they are telling me that the library a “tree house” is closed… I will try but I think I should have never come here.

On my way I get hit by a dashing rainbow… funny I used those words for the fact that we she stood up she introduced herself as Rainbow Dash, in the whole day she was the only one who told me her name, she was from my point of view even prettier than the one with the apples.

“Wow you are as fast as you are pretty; I am Shadow Spark nice to meet you Rainbow Dash, can you tell me how far am I from the library” I said trying to hide my pain.

“Pretty!? I am tough, strong, fast, I am the fastest pony in Equestria” she said to my complement

“Ok you are all that that does not mean that someone like me can’t think that your awesome attributes aren’t pretty… may be pretty does not make it justice… a better word would be beautiful” I said clearly flirting.

To that she just smiled and laughed a little, “you are funny dude… any ways I take you to the library I was on my way there to see my friend, it is better this way she is closing early so that she could make the preparations for the teachers that will come for the opening of the university... are you one of them?” she asked smiling a bit, I think I am getting to her may be the trip wasn’t a waste “I am one of the teachers, I am going to see the librarian to get my schedule and ask about my apartment, all paid and picked by Celestia herself I am feeling a bit important by just walking around here it is supposed to be some sort of big deal” I said filling myself with some hope.

We walked and soon the tree house was welcoming out journey and we both quit our chatting when I began knocking on the door. When it opened I was welcomed by one of the fillies from the plaza, she was all black with purple mane, pretty glasses and a vest; I knew her to be Nyx, meaning that the unicorn that set me off was close by. Sure enough she walked to the as soon as she saw that it was me standing outside “sorry sir we don’t have anything to give you and the edge of the twon is the other way if you keep going down the street you will get to…” I cut her off before she kept going with her insulting assumptions. “I am Shadow Spark teacher at the Moon Light University, am I to assume that you are the librarian”

“Oh yes I am Twilight Sparkle sorry about the miss understanding, I was expecting the teachers to be a little more… well more” she said looking at my old saddlebag.

“It is fine I just want my schedule and the address to my new living quarters can I have them”

“Yeah just show me your scroll”

I looked on my bag, it was almost empty for I used must of my stuff to get myself rooms at the inns of the towns on my way here, the scroll was easy to find, I pulled it out and showed it to Twilight who’s eyes widened.

“Oh sorry I… I am really sorry it is just that you don’t have a cutiemark and well a stallion your age is kind of weird… and talking to children… you just seemed off I am sorry I should not have jump to conclusions” she said as she opened the door and allowed me to walk in “Nyx if you may can you please find mister Spark’s papers… girls this is Shadow Spark teacher at the university he will be part of our community for some time try to be kind to him” Twilight said to the girls who were all seating in a circle working on some homework.

I wave to all they did the same and we all got to our business, Twilight and Rainbow got talking I got reading my schedule and studying the map of the town to find the Sunny Days apartment complex closest to the university.

After talking a little Twilight and I understood that the other was indeed smarter that what we had given each other credit of, and that we had a lot in common we had some pleasant talks before I was done with my papers and I was on my way to the complex ready for my first night at Ponyville.

~~~

When I opened my eyes I saw Shine, with an upset look on her face, next to her was Dust he had more of a worried face and I was about ten inches above the ground, my body completely parallel to the ground. “You had him kill, you broke him, and you showed up when I was punishing him for being evil… how dare you, why are you here” Shine said to someone I could not see, apparently I was him and I was being punished by Shine so I am sure she is talking to Celestia who must be the one keeping me floating in the air. Sure enough she spoke from behind me “Yes I woke something inside him but that is not reason for you to hit him senseless, in any case it is me who you should be upset with” she said calmly, then I knew what was going, I wasn’t arriving to Ponyville, that happened long ago I was just dreaming or remembering, Shine had hurt me bad I can feel the pain on my face, she must have bucked me hard, and I deserved it, just a few hours ago I was done killing a Night Guard and I was doing Celestia the whole time, drunk with the sounds of death that ran in my ears as the singing of angels that only made the carnage more desirable… I knew now Shine and I may not be able to get over this.

“Cely… let her be, she is right, I am a monster” I said as I was shifting to land my hooves.

“Cely… you have nicknames for her?” Dust asked perplexed

“She is a Student now so I guess I do…”I said with indifference

“So what now… this place have being flattened, the new theater will be build next week there is nothing here” Shine said flatly

“Yes but you guys understand biology, is there no way you can find organic matter in all this stuff” Celestia said with hope

“Well yes but there are plants and everything… better idea, Dust use a locator spell to try find large items that are made of anything from metal to plastic, exclude wood and fabric, focus on metal, plastic, ceramics, and glass… once you have located the large concentrations test for any biological matter attached to that… Cely? You sure Hooves didn’t try this” I said looking for the most logical searching method that I could think of.

“Perhaps but he is an earthpony so I am not sure he was thinking on using magic to find things hard to see” Celestia said looking in the direction that the water toke most of the pieces of the theater, that was Twilight’s last spell before she killed Cheerilee on the alley next to my home.

“I am and earthpony, Cley” I said a bit insulted.

“You honestly are comparing yourself to Hooves” She answered to my statement

“Guys quit, I have something” Dust said looking a bit worried “I don’t like where this is going but I found a plastic cylinder, it is a bit broken but I am sure it is a cylinder, in it there is traces of bio-substances, rich in iron.

Shine’s eyes widened and I could feel mine fallow on the same motion

“So?” Celestia asks

“Big possibility that we may found blood Cely was Twilight ever inside the theater during the incidents” I asked as I moved closer to Dust for the next set of instructions.

“She was during the play” Celestia said low as I found my way above the readings of plastic.

“Ok Cely you are strong with magic, the cylinder is about five feet deep right under me, is the only hard structure under the dirt Cely you have to pull it up”

Little by little the dirt began to shift, and the half a cylinder came to view, it was dirty but there was a clear mark of something that would have being liquid that left a mark on the wall of the container, it was brown, faint but clear to all, iron filled liquid it was blood I could feel it.

“Shine did you bring you sampler kit?”

“Yes… you are a bastard you know… how can you help her after all that she did, and made you do?” she said still upset with me… I was having a good time; I was using my intelligence to prove that I was smarter and more equipped than the pony that tried to take me down no more than just a few months ago.

“Look Shine what happened, Happened and I can’t change it, you can forgive me and get thru this with me, or you can hate me, and work with me till we are done here and then you can leave, I will be sad and may never recover, but it is your happiness and freedom that I am doing this for, hate me if you will but that won’t change that I am good at this, I don’t like it, but I do like it, I don’t want to cheat on you, and I haven’t what happened last night with Cely does not mean that I love her, I was drunk, or high, I was something… I did something that got me there, I am not happy about it, but Cely is, and she holds our freedom, you can have it when we are done, you can share it with me or go alone, but I will finish this for you and Dust, then we can all go separate ways, now please test for blood and try telling me what caused it to spill” I said as composed as I could but I knew that things were going to be the same not after this not ever I knew inside that I was going to kill again and that Cely was going to get her pleasures again so I focused on the only important thing, my friends’ freedom I will never be free from this but I least they will.

Test came positive for blood and fluoridric acid coated the wall of the cylinder as well “ok so here is what happened here, at some point last week inside of the theater a room was equipped with acid containers, the acid was heat up to cause damage on skin and muscle, Cely if you remember the stallion’s muscled were consumed by the acid, but there was little blood, in this case there was a lot of acid, it was hot so it dissolved flash and muscle much faster than my room temperature last night… Dust do you have anything on the expertise of Twilight” I said as I was taking in all of the new found evidence.
“Yeah I am the record keeper, Twilight was learning some potions from Zecura a zebra who lives in the Everfree… not too deep but still in the forest… but no record of anything regarding hard chemistry or alchemy, on either party… but interesting note, a tank of the acid was ordered under a scholar ID generated and deleted the same day just for the order, the address was the one of the theater, said to be used for cleaning bad spots on metal surfaces, on the same ID there was a set of order from different places all over Equestria some for machinery some for pieces of sharp nature” Dust said as he held on the air half a dozen pieces of paper with information that he had called with a long range teleportation spell, he designed such spell to bring artifacts to him as long as those where within a mile range.

“Ok guys… Cely we have something in hand, my face hurts, and I am tired but I am also confident, that Hooves didn’t do his work right… we need a team to remove the dirt and investigate more” I said with an air of victory.

“Sorry, we have only half a day the construction crew will be here this afternoon... Luna is still keeping me on a leash thinking that I am sick on sorrow… she didn’t allowed my investigation, and she is now working on finding new guards to replace the ones that were under the Changeling attack that you and your friends helped me survive… she even performed a good scan on me before I was allowed to leave the castle” Celestia said annoyed yet proud of her deception

“You little… my kind haven’t come here since the banishment, you are going to start something if you don’t take care of your own wrong doing… I hate you…” Shine said letting a tear run down her cheek, she turned and walked away from us leaving about six feet before she stopped “Shadow dear… I wish I had never met you” she said as she turned around I saw the most heartbroken smile I had ever seen and I could do nothing else but think of our future, we are now what we had being fighting out entire life, I was a killer and she was the lover of a killer she loved me, and that tore her inside, I think she will leave, but I know none of us were going to be happy again, it was just a matter of time till Dust was dragged to our realization.

We walked in the dark, Celestia at my side and Shine at my other, Dust next to Shine we were on the way to my house, tomorrow we will officially re-open the “Scarlet Harvest” case and an entire team of solar guards were going to help clear the ruins at the Everfree. Cely comes with us to keep the guards away, they are all over Ponyville now looking for Changelings, and we had one on our team Cely was going to keep her safe, and us under her wing so that tomorrow we could set foot and trace the events of last week.

Alone in thoughts I saw Shine going to her door, Dust to his Cely walked in with me to my home, she walked to my bed and set herself down “Shadow, I told Luna that I wasn’t coming back tonight, that I needed air, if you don’t mind… can I stay here with you” she said to me here eyes watered, she had never heard somepony actually meaning the words “I hate you” much less someone important to someone who had just become important to her.

“Stay but understand, yesterday was something that if I can help it, it won’t happen again. You know?... I could have had Rainbow Dash, I was crazy about her, see her sexier than Shine, Dash is just all that I want if it was sex only, you… aren’t far you are just a bit tall for me, sexy all over that is for sure, and I think that I could have you now if I wanted to, but is not just sex Cely is… Shine loves me, and I love her, we aren’t an item yet but perhaps I have being waiting too long to make it official” I said feeling my own sorrow.

“Shadow, I… hated you because you challenged my nature, no earthpony should have the ability of magic, and then you come along being smarter than Twilight, beating Hooves and even me with your smarts, and now teaching me… you are becoming my missing piece, and I know what you are saying but I also know from experience, that love is not forever, it can be misjudge, and sentenced to death, it can be misunderstood and it can die leaving nothing but anger and pain behind, you are filling her spot, and giving me the tool to fight what toke her from me, Shadow… I will not take your love away but if it does not last with her you have a chance with me” she said, to this I smiled, not from happiness or joy just to let her know that I know, she had damage us enough for me to try, but not tonight, this will be done, Shine will be gone by her choice and my pain will bring me to her the only one who will understand me, even when we belong to opposite worlds, I the one in darkness and shadows and she the ruler of the sun, the future was going to be something interesting that is for sure.

“Sleep well Cely tomorrow we move to the ruins and if everything works out the way I think the day after we see hooves in court” I said as I walked off to the couch, tomorrow will be an important hard work day and I was going to build my name to be the smartest criminologist in Equestria.