//------------------------------// // The Pegasus // Story: Traveling Souls // by Vason Silversword (pen name) //------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Pegasus It was almost seven. Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow Dash had finished cleaning up the library a while ago. Spike, Twilight's assistant baby dragon, had been napping when Fluttershy had gotten there. He had decided to pass up on the opportunity to meet an adventurer, mostly due to the fact that adventurers and dragons did not mix well. They began to head to the clinic, and along the way, passed Sugarcube Corner. They decided to say hello to Pinkie Pie, and see what she was up to. Upon reaching the door, it was swung open by the party pony too quickly, as she was wasn't actually looking outside when she first opened it. Then she turned to see that Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were there in the doorway. "Oh, hey you three! What brings you here? Me and Applejack here were baking, and just finished." Pinkie Pie explained to her friends, happy to see them. "We were going to go meet this new pony that Fluttershy and Applejack helped. We were going to see if you wanted to come with us." answered Twilight, "By the way, did Applejack mention him to you?" "She sure did. We actually spent a little while planing a party for him, but we already finished. I plan sooo many parties, it almost seems they plan themselves these days." Pinkie pointed out, smiling because of her new friend she had never even met. "Why don't you two come with us, and we can all see if he is up. Twilight here thinks here is an adventurer." Rainbow Dash asked. "Well THAT explains why the fella's as big as Big Macintosh, an' well Ah got nothing else to do fer the rest of the day, Ah'll come." answered Applejack. "Of course I'll come silly. Why WOULDN'T I want to meet out new friend!" Pinkie responded with a great big smile. "Alright, let's go meet this adventurer then!" Twilight proclaimed and the five were off to the clinic, Pinkie itching her forehead, wondering if it was her Pinkie senses, but passed it off as she had never had it before. --- The five chatted along the way about their week, but since it was all rather dull compared to what their weeks have been like. It felt like it took almost no time at all for them to make it to the clinic. They headed in as soon as they got there, and were immediately greeted by Nurse Redheart. "Oh hello girls!" Nurse Redheart said as she saw five ponies, and was only expecting one or two of them, "I'm guessing this is about that stallion that Fluttershy, and Applejack brought here earlier today?" "Yup, Twi here wanted to meet him, suspects the fella's an adventurer, or somethin' o tha sort." answered Applejack. "That I do, Princess Celestia has mentioned them a few times." added Twilight. "Well," Nurse Redheart started, "I agree with you Twilight, the adventurer theory works, as he has some scars on him. Though they discolor his coat a bit which is odd for scars. Normally scaring either doesn't let the coat grow back, or it's only visible on the skin, if it's a minor scar. That also explains his staff, large bag, cape, and the exhaustion that's made him sleep without moving for all these hours. oh, and don't worry about him too much, his vital signs are fine." "I hope the silly sleepyhead gets up soon, I have to throw him a party!" Pinkie Pie called out, "How long do you think he'll he out?" "I'm not sure, he could have little stamina, and just hasn't slept since yesterday. That would mean he would likely wake up in a few hours or less. However, if he has been walking for longer than that, without rest, then he could sleep until this time tomorrow." Nurse Redheart paused for a moment, "but, he could be worse than that. I can't see any reason for that, but it's possible he will be out for a much longer period of time than I had expected, but I don't believe this to be the case." "Well when somepony needs their rest, they need their rest," mentioned Applejack, "Ah suggest we all check in on him tomorra after lunch, an' see if he's up. If not, we'll jes see what happens then." "Aounds good, but could those of us who haven't seen him see him?" asked Twilight, who had not gotten to the point of the visit. "Oh sure, go ahead. He is just resting after all." Nurse Redheart smiled, and brought them to the stallion. --- The next little while was rather uneventful. The stallion was exactly where he was placed, armor, bag, staff, and all. None of the ponies had much else to say about him, so they just kept chatting for a while, and were about to head off. "Thanks again fer everythin' Nurse!" Applejack called out cas they left. "Yes, thank you!" added Fluttershy, happy knowing that the adventurer was safe. "Your welcome all, and it's nice to see you all when one of you ISN'T on a bed, so stay safe!" Nurse Redheart called. Dash smiled, and laughed half-heartedly, as she was often 'scratched up' from tricks gone wrong. As they went outside, they saw that Rarity was coming to the clinic, and three fillies known as The Cutie Mark Crusaders; Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, were following her. The group was often found doing anything that could lead them to their cutie marks, and rarely trying anything completely safe. "Hey Rarity, what brings you here?" asked Twilight, who was the first one to notice her. "Hello darlings. I was watching the Cutie Mark Crusaders today, if you didn't know. They decided they were meant to be tightrope walkers today. As you can all probably tell, they clearly are not." explained Rarity, who was irritated from too much time with the cutie mark crusaders. She was even letting her mane be far messier than she normally allowed it to be. "Why, you three put yerselves in too much danger, too often fer anypony's preference. Now y'all better keep away from doin' stuff like that, or we might have ta keep y'all separate. Ya hear?" threatened Applejack. "BUT SIS!" "BUT APPLEJACK!" "COME ON APPLEJACK!" the three fillies yelled in disapproval. "I for one agree with Applejack," Rarity pointed out, "and I'm sure your parents would too Scootaloo. Now, I suggest you three try some normal activities for school fillies like yourself for a while." the comment was sure to get the disapproval of the three fillies, however before they could say anything Fluttershy spoke up. "You know I agree with Rarity. You three spend far too much time hurt from all your crazy... adventures." Fluttershy walked up to them and patted each of them on the head. "How is THAT supposed to help us get out cutie marks?" Scootaloo called out, not liking the idea enough to go along with it. "It wont right now, but later on, I'm sure having had a moment to clear your silly little heads will help you find your cutie marks easier." she explained, and smiled at the three fillies. "Yes Fluttershy!" they said in unison, not wanting to provoke her into using 'The Stare'. "I'm glad that you all understand. I'm sure you three will have a good time." the yellow pegasus replied. "I guess we can do something normal for a change..." mumbled Sweetie Belle. None of them really wanted to go along with the idea, but she knew that she couldn't really do anything else. "Yah, it can't be all THAT bad... Right?" replied Applebloom. "It'll be fun for you three, but can you three go in and explain things to Nurse Redheart, I would like to chat for a bit." Rarity asked the three fillies. "Sure Rarity, come on Crusaders, let's go see Nurse Redheart!" Scootaloo said, as the Cutie Mark Crusaders headed off to the clinic, though slower then they normally would. "Ugh, they are so much work." Rarity said as they left, her head drooping, "I don't know HOW you can do that Fluttershy. I didn't know it would be possible to get them to agree to something like that." "Well, as I said; I guess I'm just as good with kids as I am with animals, a-and are you feeling okay Rarity?" Fluttershy explained, and noticed that Rarity's hair was not as well made as it normal is. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I'm just, out of it. It's from filling an order, then watching them the next day. I just need some rest... *sigh* Well, anything interesting happen any of you girls today?" "There's a new pony in town Rarity!" Pinkie Pie blurted out, "Fluttershy and Applejack helped him over to the clinic and he's been asleep since..." Pinkie tilted her head, and looked at Fluttershy, "When did he fall asleep Fluttershy?" "Before lunch, I didn't check the time." answered Fluttershy. "My, somepony just came into town and fell asleep, what manners!" Rarity called out in disapproval, Applejack then decided to explain the situation better. "Actually Rarity, the fella kinda COLLAPSED, right outside the Everfree forest no less. Ah don't think what y'all might have gone and thought up would be true." "I think that's because he is an adventurer. He has this armor on, a cape, was-IS carrying a giant bag of stuff on him, and has these weird scars that discolor his fur, or something like that." Twilight added, this caught Rarities attention. "My my, an ADVENTURER! How heroic..." she smiled at the though of him being an adventurer. "Sorry to point this out, but remember the LAST time you fantasized about somepony you never met like this." Twilight mentioned, "You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover." Rarity sighed at this. "Your right, I should... Anyways, I should go make sure that the Cutie Mark Crusaders aren't giving Nurse Redheart too much trouble. Anything else anypony has to say before I'm off?" "Actually I do." said a voice, when everypony looked, it was sompony in a cloak carrying a large bag. The six stared at him for a while, every pony thought he seemed vaguely familiar, but none of them could tell who he was. "I am here for one by the name of Vason. I have asked, what seems to be, every single pony in this town, and none know his name, or have seen him." The cloaked figure paused for a second, his cloak covered his eyes but they could see that his coat looked like a dark grey, however, the cloak covered everything else they could see. "I am running out of patience, and time. I know he is here, and-wait a minute... what's that aura..." he looked at each of the girls, studying each carefully, having noticed something. He used his hoof to move his hood up just a bit, they could see his eyes were glowing slightly yellow, he squinted them blinked, and covered his eyes before anyone could see them in their natural color, if it wasn't glowing yellow. "I know five of you have seen him, and two have moved him. Tell me where he is, this day has not gone well for me, and every moment I am delayed, the higher the chances of the worst happening for this town." the cloaked figure finished, his voice filled with irritation through the whole speech. "We don't know any 'Vason' now I recommend you leave sir, this is no way to treat a lady." Rarity answered, light grey feathers became visible at his sides, likely from his unnoticed wings getting ruffled, and then he tilted his head downwards. "This... This is not the time for games, nor manners. Bad things will befall this land if I cannot find Vason. Where IS HE!" the cloaked figure was now clearly a pegasus, as he had extended his wings outward, "This has been quite a week, I travel all the way here to this foreign land. I fought a hydra in that forest, lost him AGAIN, had to talk to a town full of CRAZY PONIES, WHO ALL HAVE TO BOTHER ME WITH THIS OR THAT, and now... Now I am being stopped by six of them, one likely capable of beating me if she knows the right spells, and is experienced in combat, plus so, so much more." the Pegasus had sat down, and was rubbing his forehead most of the time, but he then stood on all four legs, and continued. "Now, I am now on my last nerve. So tell me, where. HE. IS!" on yelling 'is' he flapped his wings and they burst into flame, like those of a phoenix. "We don't know any 'Vason' already, so just go you crazy pegasus!" yelled Rainbow Dash who looked ready for a fight, the two stood off. Applejack readied herself as well, but after a moment the Pegasus' fire calmed down, and he tucked his wings back in. His wings were also extinguishing before they hit his sides. "This, is not the time... This is not a fight to fight... I must be off... There is no reason for such actions..." and with that the pegasus started to walk away, then flapped his wings once, and was gone in a flash of light. "Well what in tarnations was that all about?" asked Applejack, who was very confused. "{H-he was s-scary...}" whispered Fluttershy, as she tried to hide behind her hair. "And was very rude if you ask me, but you have a point Applejack, what WAS that all about?" asked Rarity. "My forehead's not itchy anymore, was it that?" Pinkie Pie asked herself, but no pony noticed. "He-he used magic..." Twilight said as she stared at where he had greeted them. "And what does THAT have to do with anything Twilight? He just looked like he was ready for a fight. I bet I could have taken him on my own just fine." Rainbow Dash boasted. "He DID use magic, an' clearly had wings... Perhaps he's like Princess Celestia an' Princess Luna, who both have winds an horns?" suggested Applejack. "No, he could not have been an alicorn, his cloak had no signs of there being a horn Applejack. It was almost flat against his head." Rarity explained. "Nor any glowing came from under the hood itself when he did any of that. Sure, his eyes glowed, but the glow would be stronger if it were from a horn, and higher up on his head." Twilight pointed out, trying to think of an explanation but could come to none. "Look, we'll try and figure it out tomorrow. I have to go check on the three fillies, and make sure everything is fine night. Good night everypony." and with that Rarity left to go to the clinic. "It's getting late y'all, Ah really think that Ah should be getting back ta tha farm as well, see y'all tomorra then. Sorry about having ta go so quick, Ah got ta get some apples in the cellar, since Big Macintosh is out of town, an' get's back in two days." Applejack explained, then started off to Sweet Apple Acres. "We should all get some rest. I'm sure we can get some answers on this 'Vason' tomorrow." suggested Twilight, though she did not leave. "Yah, it's getting late so I'll see you all tomorrow then, good night!" Rainbow added, before flying off to her cloud home. "W-well I-I'm going to go a-as well Twilight, i-if that's okay." Fluttershy said, clearly worried about the event that had just happened. "I'm going to go home as well, see you both tomorrow!" Pinkie Pie called as she bounced past them towards Sugarcube Corner. "T-twilight?" the remaining yellow pegasus asked. "What's up Fluttershy?" "I-I don't think that..." the yellow pony started, but stopped. "You don't think what Fluttershy?" "Well... I just, don't think that everything is quite as it seems... I-I just can't help, but think that that one pony I helped IS that Vason... And if so, then why is that one pegasus after him?" Fluttershy explained, and Twilight shook her head. "I don't know Fluttershy... All we can really do at this point is wait and hope for the best..." neither said anything for a moment, both thinking about what had just happened. "Well I-I'm going to go home, good night Twilight." "Goodnight." the unicorn replied, and the two then started towards their homes. --- Twilight reached home very quickly, but it had gotten dark by the time she returned. She was going over every book on unusual magic she had, but none had anything about non-unicorn magic like what the pegasus had done. "Geez Twilight what arei you researching this time," asked Spike, who took a look at how fast she was going through the books and the titles. "Why are you reading about theoretical magic?" Spike knew Twilight usually kept to spell books and things on proven magic. She said it was unproductive to research other ponies theories. "Today on my way back here with every pony we ran into a Pegasus. He had a cloak on, and was looking for somepony. He went crazy, and almost attacked us, but stopped and started rambling on about 'not here, not the place to fight'. The really weird thing is that he was using magic, something that just isn't possible!" Twilight threw the book down that she was leveraging into the air, "THERE'S NOTHING ON THAT, NOTHING!" she then slammed her head into the table she was sitting at and moaned. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are alicorns, maybe the 'pegasus' is one too?" Spike suggested this, not being able to think of anything else. "Ugh, there are only TWO alicorns in all of Equestria, and I'm VERY sure he had no horn. Especially since there was no glow where a horn would be, and even Princess Celestia can't use magic without her... horn... wait... Princess Celestia..." Twilight smiled and shot up from the table, "PRINCESS CELESTIA MIGHT KNOW! Spike, take a note!" Twilight called out and Spike quickly ran and got a quill, paper and ink and was ready to write whatever the purple unicorn needed to have him write down. "So, what is the note for?" asked Spike. "You'll see Spike, *ahem*," Dear Princess Celestia; There have been two odd events here in Ponyville today, the first is somepony coming to town through the Everfree forest, who had also collapsed, and was taken to the medical clinic. Normally, I would not bother to write to you about this, with the current knowledge available to me, however I suspect that this pony is an adventurer. With this I feel that informing you is better than not, and is simply in case this is important to you, in any way. The second event has a certain twist in it, and I humbly request any access you have on it. Today, a pegasus came to town looking for a 'Vason'. My friends and I encountered him, and Fluttershy suspects that 'Vason' is that adventurer she rescued. The real reason I write to you is not that he arrived looking for 'Vason', but that he appeared to have used magic without a horn, once to set his wings on fire to look similar to a phoenix, without doing harm to himself, once to make his eyes glow for a reason I cannot tell, and once to do what appeared to be a teleportation spell of some kind. I request any information you can divulge on the subject, and await your quick response. "Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Done, send the letter Spike." she finished. Spike rolled up the paper and put a tie on it. "A magic-wielding pegasus, that's a new one." Spike added, and breathed out a stream of magic green fire, sending it off into the wind, to be received by Princess Celestia shortly. "I know, I can't find an explanation to why a pegasus could have magic..." "Maybe, maybe HE'S AN... no aliens don't even make sense to me..." Spike called out, and Twilight giggled at him thinking his own guess was ridiculous. "Oh Spike, just like you." Twilight looked at the stack of books that she had on the table, "Well since I'm getting a letter from Princess Celestia soon, I should probably put all these back..." Twilight started moving all the books back to their proper place, when Spike belched, and a letter was summoned from the flames. She then grabbed the letter with her magic, and brought it to her, "Okay let's see what Princess Celestia knows about this!" To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,: I am afraid that I have no explanation to this pegasus whom has access to magic. However, despite my lack of explanations on this, I do have a number of theories on this from what I know about the world, but none that I can explain in a letter. I ask that you prepare for a guest at your library, as I will be sending you company tomorrow. Please do not inform anyone of this letter, nor allow anyone to read it (except somepony who you know will not mention this to anyone for any reason at all). One last thing, nothing can read this letter as it is addressed to you, everything will read something else, and please do not mention this part. Princess Celestia Twilight stared at the letter, "No explanations..." She was dumbfounded, she had never seen anything that Princess Celestia didn't know about, ever. "Well sounds like even the Princess doesn't know, that else does it say Twi?" Spike was curious about this as well. "She doesn't know anything about this, or at least, nothing she can tell me in a letter. Also-" Twilight paused for a second quickly debating on telling Spike the rest or not. "Also what Twilight? Something wrong?" Twilight shook her head. "No nothing at all Spike, but we are going to have a guest over, and they sound important. Let's get everything ready for an important guest!" Spike nodded, and the two got to work. --- The pegasus that the six mares had encountered stood on a cliff, looking over the town and the Everfree forest, his hood was down, and his dark brown mane was blowing in the wind. Then something came up to him walking on two legs. "You almost lost your cool, never thought I would see the day you used the 'phoenix wings' trick again. Bua hahaha, so... why didn't you vent your steam on some little measly ponies G?" the pegasus, apparently named G, looked over at the cloaked entity. "We have known each other for a long time now, however that does NOT mean we work in the same ways, or think the same things. That should be clear to you almost more so than any of us, more than him even." the cloaked figure, laughed and bent over to look G in the eyes. "Bua, hahaha, good one! He's an idiot, he obviously wouldn't know anything like me. You're spending too much time around him, it's softening your brain, or it's this." the cloaked figure kneed G in the side, who then rubbed the spot with his wing. "At least I'M not risking a minor 'Eldritch Abomination' event should the worst happen!" yelled G, clearly irritated at the cloaked figure. "And you-hoo nearly got ready to blow up a whole town. What does THAT say about you?" G turned to the cloaked figure and looked him in the eye. "J, you would on a WHIM! You would threaten to burn it to the ground every time you asked one of the ponies..." his eyes squinted, "You really are masters darkness..." "Heh. That I am, that I am. So, what kept G. McFail from finding him." J had a smug look in his face, or so G thought. "He's asleep, I can't find his aura, and the shine on the town was that one purple unicorns magic aura, and another aura from the other five ponies shared by them all." G answered, and J had slouched in disbelief. "A UNICORN? You got beat, by a PURPLE unicorn? AH, HAHAHAHAHAHA, BUA HAHAHAHAHAHA, HAH HAH HAH! Haaaaaaahhh." J rubbed his eyes, "That's priceless at it's best man, or should I say *mmmmmmmf*, pony?" while J continued to laugh G turned around, too a breath then took a few steps away from the cliff, "Too much for ya? Aww did I make liddle poneee G cwyyy?" G had enough of this at that point, and bucked J in the chest, who flew off the cliff. "Go to hell J, I've had enough of you, and NO I was not beat by a 'purple unicorn'. No blows were even exchanged." G was visibly furious at J. "Man," G thought to himself, "THAT felt good to do, and besides, not even he will have a problem with me kicking J. Actually I'm the one who has the least problem with J." the pegaus told himself, then J jumped back up over the side of the cliff. "I know you did that knowing fully well I could survive, so I won't do the same, only after breaking your wings." J was pissed at G, but decided just to leave, and when he was gone G went back to his spot and looked at the town. "I'll find you tomorrow, you'll have to be awake by then..."