Starting Over 4: The Rough Years
Written By CrystalHero97
"C'mon, Rose! I gotta catch my breath!"
Tenebra panted heavily as he ran across the fields following his older sister, who was flying through the skies above him. She looked down to her brother and giggled.
"Come on, lazy flank! Dad won't like it if we're late!"
Tenebra's eyes widened and he started running faster.
"Oh come on, Rose! We have to get there soon!"
Rose nodded and looked back up to the sky ahead of her.
"You don't wanna anger an all powerful being, do you?"
Tenebra laughed and continued running.
"You know he doesn't like that name!"
Rose shrugged and flew down to her brothers level along the ground.
"Do you wanna be a pegasus now?"
Tenebra shook his head and grinned.
"Nope! Because I can do this!"
He spun his head around and aimed his horn at Rose, dispelling an electric shock. Her wings seized up and she crashed into the ground ahead of Tenebra. Rose sat up and shook the dust out of her hair as Tenebra ran ahead.
"Hey! Mom said to never do that!"
Tenebra turned his head around and poked his tongue out.
"Better catch up, sis!"
Rose dusted her coat and shot up into the sky, quickly catching up to Tenebra. She flew above him as they reached their home town, Ponyville. They charged through the streets, getting happy greetings from ponies left and right. To see these two running around wasn't and odd sight at all. They ran through Ponyville until they reached their destination, Sugar Cube Corner. Standing outside the front door, wearing his eye patch and his yin yang cutie mark was Spectra Speed himself. One of the most powerful yet dangerous ponies alive. Spectra turned to his children with a scowl.
"You're late."
Rose and Tenebra reached Spectra panting heavily. Tenebra straightened up and scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry, dad. We got carried away."
Tenebra didn't have his cutie mark yet, but Rose did. Hers was a red lightning bolt. Spectra chuckled and shook his head.
"Alright. Fine, but you better make it up to her."
Spectra opens the door to Sugar Cube Corner and allows his children to enter. He follows behind as they enter the bakery. Inside, was a birthday party for Rainbow. Streamers were everywhere and sweets were all over the place. Rainbow was sitting in a chair on a very large table surrounded by other ponies, who all looked bored. There was a massive cake in front of Rainbow which had lit candles on the top. She looked up to Tenebra and Rose and adopted a smile.
"Rose, Tenebra! You finally made it!"
The teens smiled nervously and laughed.
"We're sorry we missed the start of the party, mum. But honestly you didn't have to wait for us."
Rainbow shook her head and stood up.
"It wouldn't be a good party without the two most important ponies in my life!"
Spectra huffed and cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry Spectra."
Spectra smirked and nodded his head. Rose walked around the table and up to her mother. She closed her eyes and they glowed dark red.
"Hang on, mum. I'm trying to get your present."
Rainbow looked at her daughter with worry.
"Are you sure you can handle Black-Rose now?"
Rose smiled and nodded with her eyes still glowing.
"Of course. I was trained by the best, wasn't I?"
She cringed for a moment before a box appeared in front of Rainbow in a flash of red light. Tenebra walked over and made his horn glow.
"Hang on. I'll get mine to."
Another flash and another box was next to the one Rose got. Rainbow smiled and hugged her children.
"Thanks a lot, you two!"
Spectra smiled and chuckled lightly. Rainbow looked over to him from across the table. Spectra waved a hoof.
"I'll leave mine 'til last. Go ahead."
Rainbow grinned and grabbed Rose's present. She opened the box and reached inside. She pulled out an orb. Rose giggled and tapped the orb, which made lights of all different colours burst out and dance across the room. She tapped it again and the lights flow back into the orb. Rainbow grew a massive smile and wrapped Rose in a tight hug.
"This is amazing! Thanks Rose!"
Rose smiled and moved aside for Tenebra. Rainbow placed the orb back inside Rose's box and grabbed Tenebra's box. She opened it and reached inside. She pulled out a small ticket. It looked very old, almost ancient. Tenebra scratched his neck.
"It's the first ever ticket sold for a Wonderbolts performance."
Rainbow stared at the ticket for a few seconds in shock before reaching over and grabbing Tenebra in the infamous hug-o-death.
"Thanks, Tenebra!"
Tenebra shrugged and smiled.
"It was worth it for you, mum."
Rainbow released him and looked over to Spectra. His eye patch glowed dark red and he held a hoof towards Rainbow. Another box appeared in front of Rainbow. She opened it and reached inside. She pulled her hoof out from the box, holding a mirror. Spectra reached behind him and pulled out an identical mirror.
"If you say my name to the mirror, you'll see me and be able to talk to me as long as I'm holding the other one."
Rainbow looked up to her husband in disbelief.
"How...?"
Spectra grinned and pointed to his eye patch.
"Did you forget who you're married to?"
She smiled and shook her head.
"I'm married to an amazing pony."
Spectra winked, or tried to wink anyway. When you only have one eye it looks like you just blinked.
It has been 10 years since Spectra Speed defeated King Cruor in combat. Rose was now 15 and Tenebra was 14, his birthday coming up soon. Spectra was now 45 and he felt the age affect him. Although, that didn't stop him from being a great father to his two children. He has used his magic to do wonderful things. He has been the protector of Equestria, occasionally fighting off stray monsters from time to time. Due to the after effects of his battle with Cruor, him and his dark side became synced. His mind, body and soul are in perfect harmony.
The rest of the party went great. A few minutes in and the doors opened. In walked Shadow and Aeb, the duo of the forest. Spectra smiled and walked over to them.
"Glad to see you could make it, guys."
Shadow shrugged as Aeb ran over to Rainbow with a box.
"We wouldn't miss this for all of Equestria."
Few more minutes later, the door opened again with three mares walking in.
One was a unicorn, another a pegasus, the other an earth pony. Rose and Tenebra ran over to the three with smiles.
"Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo!"
The three mares smiled as the two teens ran over to them. Scootaloo reached forward and grabbed Rose in a hug.
"So, hows my young flier doing?"
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom hugged Tenebra.
"So, hows it going Tenebra?"
The party was going great. Only one pony was left, and unfortunately he wasn't showing up. Spectra sighed and walked over to the door and walked out. He continued down the streets of the small town towards Twilights Library. He saw the 5 friends at the party earlier, dealing with setting the party up. Spectra opened the door and saw Nitro running around looking for something.
"Oh, oh. oh. OH! Spectra!"
He ran towards Spectra and started shaking him.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't find a present for Rainbow!"
Spectra used his magic and wrenched Nitro from his body.
"Look, N. Rainbow really doesn't mind if you don't bring a present."
He blinked for a second before grabbing Spectra in another hug-o-death Spectra is so used to.
"Thank you!"
Spectra rolled his eyes and wrenched him away for the second time.
"Can we go now?"
Nitro nodded and followed Spectra out the door and towards the bakery. They headed inside and saw everypony was having a good time. Spectra had an idea. He walks over to Vinyl, who was now setting up the DJ equipment and tapped her on the shoulder, leaning in and whispering to her. She grinned and nodded. Spectra jumped up to the mic as Vinyl went to the DJ table. Everypony looked to Spectra expectantly. The music started and Spectra started bouncing his head to the beat.
Tonight I kinda get the feeling,
My girl is up to something,
Something that is no good.
She said she only had a meeting,
But she is dressed for something,
Something that is no good.
Now I'm not saying that she's cheating,
But seeing is believing,
Can't believe it,
What I'm seeing when I stepped inside.
She's so wasted,
Acting crazy,
Making a scene,
Like it's her birthday.
Drinking champagne,
Going insane,
Falling on me,
Like it's her birthday
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
This ain't the night I thought it'd be
.Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And she ain't shy, apparently.
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
She's in the crowd and everybody sings.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Like it's her birthday.
She turns and says don't be surprised,
It's gonna be a good night,
A good, good night.
She's showing me a different side,
One I've never seen before
That I ignore.
Cause when I'm up she's all about me,
When I'm down,
She spins around me,
Now I know I'm one and only,
So I might as well enjoy the ride.
She's so wasted,
Acting crazy,
Making a scene,
Like it's her birthday.
Drinking champagne,
Going insane,
Falling on me,
Like it's her birthday
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
This ain't the night I thought it'd be.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And she ain't shy, apparently.
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
She's in the crowd and everybody sings.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Like it's her birthday.
Like it's her birthday.
Like it's her birthday.
Like it's her birthday.
Like it's her birthday.
She's so wasted,
Acting crazy,
Making a scene,
Like it's her birthday.
Drinking champagne,
Going insane,
Falling on me,
Like it's her birthday.
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
This ain't the night I thought it'd be.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And she ain't shy, apparently.
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
She's in the crowd and everybody sings.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Like it's her birthday.
Everypony cheered for the pegasus as he walked away from the mic and went over to his wife with a goofy grin.
"Happy Birthday, Rainbow."
Chapter II - Class Has Started
Spectra walked through the hallway of the highschool with a large smile and eye patch on his face. Spectra had achieved his dream. He was now a professor in archaeology and worked at the highschool as Professor Speed. He had a fairly large amount of students, most of which showed great enthusiasm to learn. Others showed none at all. Spectra knew right from the beginning that there would be students like that.
Spectra reached his room and entered. Inside there were students sitting on desks chatting, until he entered the room.
"Morning, guys."
He received mixed responses.
"G'mornin', Prof."
"Hello, sir."
"Hey."
Spectra walked over to the front desk and placed his bag on the table, giving the row of students a glance. In the first row sat his son, Tenebra. In the row behind him sat Applebloom, and the back row contained Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, chatting away as if Spectra wasn't in the room.
"Diamond, Silver! Pay attention!"
The two fillies groaned and turned to the front. Spectra grinned and turned to the gigantic chalkboard behind him, using his magic to pick up the piece of chalk and start drawing.
"Today it is my task to teach you about an ironic topic, considering almost everypony in Ponyville remember them."
He lowered the chalk and turned to the class. On the board he drew up a sketch of a unicorn with fangs. Next to the sketch was a wall of text.
"The Darkane. I'm meant to tell you about their past, but I believe the basics are known by everypony here?"
Everypony nodded, except Diamond Tiara, who was talking to Silver Spoon once again. Spectra sighed and smashed his hoof down onto the floor, with a magic boost. He sent a shock wave rippling through the room, alerting Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
"Because of you two, I believe I WILL go through the basics."
The fillies groaned and Spectra smirked. He turned back to the chalk board and read off what he wrote.
"The Darkane are a breed of unicorn born from the chaotic energy of Equestria. Back when Discord was in control of Equestria instead of the two alicorn princesses, the land was always chaotic. When the princesses took control, all of the chaos got diverted and collided with the landscape, creating Ghastly Gorge."
Applebloom raised her hoof. Spectra turned and nodded to her.
"Yes, Applebloom?"
"Was the creation of tha Darkane the princesses fault?"
Spectra shook his head and turned back to the board.
"It was nopony's fault. The Darkane were ruled by a king who thirsted for power. They opposed the princesses to try and take the kingdom for themselves. They were armed with a horrifying ability. They had retractable fangs for which they used on their victims. They bit into their victims necks and drained them of blood, gaining their special talent."
Spectra chuckled and picked the chalk up, drawing another sketch.
"They are similar to another species, The Sky Dwellers, in blood lust. The Sky Dwellers, which we have already covered, were what....Dinky?"
Spectra pointed to a unicorn filly with a light violet coat and slight gold mane.
"The Sky Dwellers were a race of warrior pegasi."
Spectra winked and nodded to the filly.
"Correct. The Darkane were similar to The Sky Dwellers because they were a race of warrior unicorns, bred for combat. Although Darkane were born in Ghastly Gorge, any unicorn can become a Darkane. All a Darkane Drone had to do was use a certain spell on a unicorn and he would forget all about his past life and become a Darkane. Buuuut....."
Spectra dropped the chalk and looked up to his chalkboard, which now had a picture of a pegasi.
"There is only one Darkane in existence to have been born naturally. Who that is..."
Spectra turned to his class and smiled.
"...is kept a secret."
Spectra chuckled and turned back to the board, continuing to write.
"Anyway, 10 years ago the Darkane rose to power. Their king, Cruor, was out to get me for my power."
Spectra lowered the chalk and revealed a picture of him fighting Cruor.
"You see, to fully explain this I must tell you of my power. A very long time ago, I attained Princess Luna's friendship. In return, she gave me the Alicorn's Blessing. An ability that gives ponies amazing abilities based on their personalities. My ability was protection. Each ponies ability is different. Anyway, Cruor was told of the previous king obtaining the power of Star Burst, Luna's old coltfriend. He had the same power as me."
A colt raised his hoof.
"Yes, Pipsqueak?"
"I thought you said everypony had a different power? Then how do you and Star Burst have the same power?"
Spectra frowned and groaned.
"Well, you see, I am Star Burst."
Everypony gasped and Spectra nodded.
"I'm the reincarnation of him. Before he died he cast a spell enabling him to return as a different pony. He came back as me."
There was silence for a few seconds, before a loud resounding "Woah!" echoed through the room. Spectra smiled and turned back to his board.
"Cruor was after my powers. He actually had them for a short amount of time. Until me and Dark-Red united and synced, then we kicked his flank."
He raised a hoof to his eye patch and sighed.
"Unfortunately, one does not simply have their mind and soul in perfect harmony without a price. That's how I got this."
Spectra lifted the eye patch, revealing his dark red eye. He lowered the patch and looked to his flank.
"It's also why my cutie mark is half red."
Spectra looked back to his students.
"Right, so when I defeated the king the Darkane didn't show themselves again. All I have left of Cruor is his team of assassins. The Umbra Triad."
Spectra grinned and tapped the chalkboard with a hoof.
"I want all this on paper by the end of this class."
He heard a collective groan from the students as they flipped open their books and began writing. Spectra chuckled and opened a book he had been reading for a while.
~After Class~
Tenebra exited the classroom with a smile on his face, heading straight towards his locker. As he walked, a certain student noticed him.
"Hey, Tenebra!~"
Tenebra frowned and sighed at the all to familiar voice.
"What do you want, Tage?"
The orange coated, yellow maned pegasus filly leaned in from the side and began walking along side him. Tenebra didn't hate her or anything, but she had a habit of getting on his nerves a lot of the time. She's almost on par with Pinkie Pie, which Tenebra assumed to be impossible.
"I just wanted to know how class went today. Your dad is a good teacher."
Tenebra laughed and shook his head.
"Yeah, unlike the other teachers here my Dad actually knows how to handle the students. Guess they must be afraid of him. Can't blame 'em."
They reached the lockers and Tenebra opened his one, placing his books inside. Tage opened hers just because Tenebra did. Oddly enough, hers was right next to his. She was still wearing that massive smile on her face.
"So?"
Tenebra closed his locker and leaned against the lockers nonchalantly.
"So what?"
"I'm still a rock star."
Tenebra rolled his eyes and waved a hoof, signalling for her to continue.
"So how was your class?"
"Oh."
Tenebra laughed and leaned away from the lockers with a smile.
"Dad taught the class about the Darkane. They're a race or something that tried to take over Equestria."
Tage just continued smiling and blinked. A few seconds passed and not either of them spoke. Tage kept that smile on her face and Tenebra was just kicking at the dirt.
"Hey, little brother!"
Tenebra was both disappointed and relieved, which became visibly obvious at his sudden frown.
"Hey, Rose."
Rose flew right up to Tenebra and landed next to him.
"Ready to head out? Dad won't like it if you're late for your lesson with Twilight and Mom will be furious at me for letting you be late."
Tenebra chuckled lightly and gave a small smile to his sister.
"Sure, Rose. See ya later Ta-"
Tenebra looked around for Tage only to not find her anywhere. He groaned and facehoofed.
"Just. Like. Pinkie."
Rose laughed and nudged Tenebra. He looked to her and nodded with a determined look.
"Race ya!"
Tenebra broke out into a full sprint and heard a groan behind him as he exited the highschool.
"Not again!"
~
Later That Day~
It was near sunset and Tenebra was in the library of Twilight Sparkle, the towns librarian and an old friend to Tenebra's family. Twilight was watching Tenebra as he stood in front of her, horn sparking and preparing a spell. Twilight nodded to herself, having high hopes for him.
"Good Tenebra, good. Just a bit more."
Tenebra nodded and concentrated harder. He was trying to perform a spell Twilight had assigned him to learn, the Aqua Apparition spell. In his previous classes with Twilight he had learned and acquired many spells, one of which being a teleportation spell. However, he had not yet mastered it and could only do short distance teleports.
Tenebra scrunched his face as the spell got to the difficult bit. In front of him appeared a small, growing glob of water. It eventually grew to the size of his head. Twilight was now nodding vigorously with a large smile upon her face.
"You're doing it, Tenebra! Just a bit more!"
Tenebra went all out, and began exerting more energy than he had. His horn sparked massively, sending him falling back on his flank and the water glob dissipating. Tenebra closed his eyes tight and thumped the floor beneath him in anger.
"Damnnit!"
He sighed and opened his eyes to reveal Twilight holding a hoof out to him. He accepted the hoof and stood up, anger still present in his eyes. Which unlike his sister or father did not turn a shade of red. Twilight smiled at Tenebra.
"Cheer up! You're still doing way better than a lot of ponies your age!"
Tenebra grumbled under his breath. Twilight frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Tenebra looked at Twilight with anger.
"What's wrong with me?"
Twilight was slightly taken aback by this.
"Nothing! Why would you-"
"Why does my Dad have powerful magic and I don't?! Why does Rose have powerful magic AND I DON'T!?"
Twilight gasped and backed off slightly. Tenebra was fuming and huffing in frustration.
"T-Tenebra, your father has explained how he got his powers. And with Rose well, most of us didn't even know Rose had any powers until she was a little older!"
Tenebra started breathing slower, clearly still angered.
"I'm sorry, Tenebra. I don't know what more to tell you then to keep trying."
Tenebra stopped huffing and breathed out. Without a word he walked past Twilight and out the door to the library on his way home.
Along the way ponies waved to him for a greeting, but he ignored them. Even Vinyl Scratch had said hello to the colt and still he ignored.
"Stupid me. Stupid magic. Stupid....everything!"
Tenebra halted and punched the nearest thing, which was a bin. He recoiled in pain and looked at his hoof. Blood dripped from a small cut in his skin.
"Aw ponyfeathers. That hurts."
He started walking on three hooves and began sucking on the cut, trying to make it go away.
Tenebra stopped in his tracks, hoof still in mouth. he noticed something weird. Something....odd.
He pulled out his hoof and looked to the cut. Blood began oozing once more. He placed the hoof back into his mouth and sucked once again. His eyes grew wide as he made a realization.
Blood tastes awesome.
