“Ugh, where is that damn mirror? Why do those princesses never have one of their thousand guards to ever clean this place out? It’s insanity and coming from me is something. Ahh, here it is!” The being smiled wide as he threw a sheet off the mirror and it pulsed with power. “This world was so boringly devoid of my presence for centuries and this other world must also be dull so I will take this and sent them some fun.” The being grabbed a nearby statue of Celestia and changed it into one of himself before throwing it into the mirror…
. . .
“Hey, Twi! What’s up? Why call me back to this place?” Spike asked his best friend as he rode up to the old construction site where they first used their powers. Twilight was there leaning against the wooden fence while reading a book. Seeing that it was a hot day, she was dressed in knee-high purple shorts and a sleeveless pink T-shirt. Spike had also changed from his usual dragon jacket to a more comfortable red short-sleeved shirt with a fire pattern and worn blue jeans.
“Spike, we have been wasting too much time looking for the items when they usually end up coming to destroy us or those around us. Not only do we need to refocus on our studies as the Shadowbolts are looking to us now for the Friendship Games in a few months but these fights are getting harder and our tricks aren’t enough anymore.”
“I’m not sure if I wanna go against my mother’s school… so you brought me out here to train our powers more? New tricks and things?”
“Yes, we have been getting more friends and while I love that… we are putting them in danger over and over again.” Twilight sighed, tired at looking back and not being able to protect them and him but Spike gave her a small smile and put his hand on her shoulder.
“I know you’re right, so let’s deal with this and get stronger together!” She smiled back and nodded before they entered the construction site, not noticing the girl watching them nearby. Twilight prepared herself as she decided that their training would start with sparring with each other. Spike rushed in first and started blowing fireballs at Twilight who used her magic to reflect the fire back to Spike who put his arms over his face as the fireballs all hit him and pushed him back. He yelped and put out the tiny fires that had started burning his shirt, the skin in his arms seemed just fine despite the soot on them. “Hey watch the shirt! I didn’t bring any other clothes!” Twilight rubbed her neck and blushed a bit before they went on again for the next hour, sending attacks at each other and learning a bit on how they can manipulate their abilities.
“Hmm so I can use my magic to reflect the attacks but if I can focus that into more of its own thing…” Spike looked around and smashed his foot into ground, sending up fist-sized chunks of rock and sending the rocks at Twilight. She tried to reflect them but seeing that they weren’t magic they sent her flying onto her back and rolling on the ground.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!! Twi you okay?” Twilight got back on her feet and held out a hand to him to stop before starting to use her magic and twisting it, making it thicker and able to actually be seen.
“Send all the fire you want Spike because I am so getting you back for those rocks.” Spike blinked a bit and hesitated before throwing several fireballs but Twilight expanded her ball of magic into a bubble around her which the balls of fire stuck to. Spike spit out a bit of fire before running at her and blowing a hand of fire at her, ready to stop at a dime if it looked like the shield would fail. Once his fire stopped he saw all the fire as swirl around the bubble. Twilight was sweating as she moved her hands and the bubble folded on itself, keeping all the fire inside the bubble and she threw it at Spike. He groaned and put a foot behind him as he was prepared to catch the bubble but it slammed into him and pushed him hard into the ground. Spike yelled and forced his fingers into the bubble causing it to explode and flames to rain over his body. As the dust settled, Twilight was jumping at being able to use a new power but stopped and had an embarrassed smile as Spike walked out of the smoke cloud, his shirt burned and entire pieces were gone, and his hair was a mess.
“Oops… my bad but heeeey I have force fields!”
“Congrats Twi now let’s see what I can- what the hell?!” Spike shouted looking at his hands as they had a more claw-like look to them. His nails were long, sharp, and thick.
“Hmm… it may have happened when you tried to stop the magic ball. My powers improve what my mind can do and depend on my mental strength to improve. These powers that you have, the fire and super tough skin, all seem to be improving your body and relies on your physical strength. When I sent that ball of magic your body must have decided that these claws were needed to survive so it adapted.”
“So I have claws now… I wonder how tough they are.” Spike looked at a fallen metal beam and back at his hand before swiping at it and finding that the claws were able to make a clean cut on the metal. “Not very long but very dangerous. He smiled and turned back to Twilight and she giggled giving him a thumbs up in return. The two decided that that was enough for now and spent some time laying next to each other and saying what passing clouds looked like. “Twilight, I think you need your glasses cleaned because that thing does not look like Godzilla!”
“It does your just not trying to see it! Tilt your head and squint.”
“Oh wait… I think it’s coming. I can see it!”
“Really?”
“Nope.”
“Bonehead.”
“Bookworm.”
“Shrimp.”
“Witch.”
“The sexiest witch you ever saw!” That did get a laugh from Spike as Twilight had said it in a mock tone and she snapped her fingers at him while moving her head.
“Hey looks like you do watch movies between all those books, yet you have said no to coming over to my dorm and watching some of my collection. That’s so unfaaair! Two nights ago, I snuck the girls in and we had a fun night eating popcorn, apples, reminiscing memories…”
“Spike I usually spend the night finishing my studies and sleeping. I want to go through a marathon with you but I’d have to find the right night.”
“I know and you’re right, I just don’t want you to never relax with good friends. I never made a single friend because of my sole focus of impressing my family when all they ever wanted was-”
“For you to grow up happy… my parents are the same way. I should visit them soon. You should have heard how happy they were after they first met your mom and aunt when Shiny and Cadence started dating.”
“Wait I think I heard that from my room… oh my gosh, I remember now, my mom and aunt Luna pulled out the destroyer of worlds and humiliator of gods… the photo album!!” Somewhere Spike imagined it was thundering and lightning struck when he spoke the name. Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes.
“A photo album? How bad can it honestly be?” Spike gave her a deadpan expression as his face was red just thinking of it. “Wow, that bad? Why not try to get rid of the book?”
“Cadence and I have tried but even together our powers were not enough and I think that she actually has multiple copies! She has Cadence’s baby photos, her first haircut which she did herself, Cadence eating her first food, her first day with braces (One of Spike’s favorites), and a lot more.”
“Wow, that does sound bad… and what does she have on you?” Spike groaned at the thought and blushed worse.
“...bathtime with my sister, me buying my first book and game with my own money, my first roller coaster, and lots of other stuff she was able to get when I wasn’t looking. I’m telling you, it’s a book of horrors that we tried to destroy.” Twilight smiled knowing that her mother had a book like that but also knew that she had taken all the embarrassing photos of herself (or so she thought).
“So how long before you think Shining and Cadence tie the knot? Heh, I give it a few years, Shining might try a few times but break before going all the way unless he gets us to help him or something.” Twilight asked thinking of her brother freaking out over something like a ring.
“I believe in my bro, Shining will ask her sooner I think. Those two really have something special.”
“They do don’t they? That is what I want, someone that through all their flaws and mistakes will always hold you in their heart and just… love you for you...”
“I think we all want that… someday but for now I don’t think we should worry too much about it.”
“You sure Spike? I mean, think of all the possible things that go wrong! I mean we have powers now and who knows what they have done to our bodies?! What if when either of us decided they wanted to marry and have a family the children are born like this… Not to mention all the danger that comes with dating…”
“Twilight! Relax… let me tell you something an old friend of mine once told me.”
“I thought you didn’t have any friends before me?”
“Ouch and that is mostly right, I had my babysitter. She was tough and could come off as cold but all the guys around would always call her hot. I didn’t understand back then what they meant but now I find myself agreeing heh. No, she was kind to me and taught me a lot that I didn’t understand until now. She always noticed how hard I was dedicating myself to my studies and told me that my family loved and will be proud of me no matter what. She tried to get me to take slow down and enjoy my life day by day. We may not always win but day by day we can take things as they come and we show the world that we’re living right and true. She believed that this was the only real way to live and she stuck to her word, never letting anything get to her or worry her.”
“She sounded amazing… I don’t if I could live like that, I just get too anxious and scared of something going wrong. ”
“She was… I miss her from time to time. Imagine if she saw me now, I wonder what she would think? I know it’s not easy but I think you could manage it.” Spike smiled softly and extended an open hand up at the sky before letting it close and pulling it to his heart.
“How touching…” The deep voice made them both jump to their feet as a man stood there. He had long black hair, piercing red eyes, a black suit and red tie despite the heat, and a somewhat kind smile. A car behind him showed that he must have snuck on them when they were focused on their talk.“I don’t think I had the pleasure of being properly introduced to you two. I’m-”
“Sombra Black, father, school teacher, and mayor candidate. If you don’t mind me asking sir, why are you here in such a place?” Twilight questioned while pushing her glasses up, not fully trusting the man after what Beezen had done to the two. Sombra bowed his head to the two and nodded but ignored the question.
“Yes, that’s me though the paper got that wrong as well. I’m no teacher but serve as the school’s counselor. I’m actually a good friend to your mother and aunt mister Spike. I used to be a man who was not worth such a position much less one of a father but thank the stars above that your mother Celestia was willing to give me a chance to prove myself. With her help and kind words, I turned from my old life of drugs and illusions of grandeur to earn a degree in psychology. I turned my life around but I wasn’t yet happy and decided to take one more lesson from Celestia’s book, I adopted a child. The poor girl had lost her father after he met an unfortunate end. I’d like you to meet my daughter, Starlight Glimmer.” His smile grew a bit at the mention of his daughter and he gave them his card which was all black and had his name, job, and number in it. Out of the car came a girl dressed in sunglasses and wearing a dark blue tank top and purple shorts.
“Nice to finally talk to you two, after all that following you around and making sure no one else discovered your gifts. For two of the smartest people around you make a lot of mistakes.” The two stared at the girl, not so shocked that they knew about their powers but more than they had been protecting that fact.
“Making sure no one knew but-”
“Cameras and sites of your… actions have to be seized and cleaned up with people asking questions. You have to be more careful but all in all you and your little posse have done a fine enough job I suppose.”
“Be nicer Star, I bet it can’t be easy for them to balance studying and learning more about their own abilities.”
“No, it’s not easy sir but sorry for asking again but why are you here?” Spike asked while lowering his guard somewhat he was still confused and got an off-putting feeling from Starlight.
“I wished to thank you on behalf of the city and those you have protected, I know somewhat of what Mayor Beezen had done to you and why you were forced to put him down. You two have been collecting magical items and defending us best you could but I believe that together I would be able to help you with this mission of yours.”
“No… I apologize but I’m not sure if I could trust someone in your position yet. We have been doing just fine by ourselves.” Twilight said while taking Spike’s hand and the two began to walk away but Starlight stepped in front of them.
“My father is trying to help you two! Imagine what we could do together! We could call you right when threats happen so no one would be hurt, think of your little friends getting into danger and if you weren’t around to save them! We have a bunch of people around that work for us and are trying to help!”
“Starlight! Stop and let them go, this is a big offer and it shouldn’t be something they rush into. Authority hasn’t been good to them or you so try and see this from their view, maybe they see me as trying to get them under my control. We will have our chance to help them, after all, we all want the same thing. To protect Canterlot City and her people.”
“But… yes, father…” Starlight moved as Sombra walked to her and hugged her while smiling and nodded at Spike who had looked back while they left. When they were a good ten minutes away Twilight stopped and sighed hard.
“I’m sorry Spike… I lost my cool back there… I don’t know about trusting him. Having friends like you, the girls and others have been making me question if we are enough alone but I don’t want to trust anyone else because they could get hurt…”
“I understand and you’re right, we need to think this over not really giving him all we know. We’ll be fine, just try not to keep this all on your shoulders, we’re partners after all right?”
“Right, partners…”
. . .
“Okay Marble, you can do it this time! Just like Pinkie said, just be bold and introduce yourself and you’ll have a hundred and ten percent chance you’ll gonna be friends. Even if that is over a hundred percent and doesn’t really make much logical sense… anyway, all you have to do is say hi to Big Mac.” Marble Pie talked to herself in the mirror before splashing some water in her face and preparing herself to go talk to the older boy but as she had finally gotten the nerve and was exiting the restroom, she was smashed by the door.
“Oh, I hate those three and their dumb stories… all that talk about magic and their friends who are some kind of superheroes. How dumb do they think we are Silver?”
“I don’t know Diamond, they seemed to have gotten the class pretty convinced.” Marble rubbed her face and ignored the two other girls that had entered deciding that she should just go home and do this a different day. She walked out of the restroom and hit someone who was drinking water but the person grabbed her before she hit the ground.
“I-I’m so s-s-sorry… I didn’t se-” She was silenced by the sight of Big Mac there and he just gave her a kind smile but before he could say anything, Marble was gone only leaving dust behind and people questioning if they had seen a flash of grey or not. Marble leaned against a locker and breathed deeply as her careful plan of making a friend had combusted in front of her eyes. “Why do I get all the bad luck… Pinkie has so many friends and everyone likes her… I just want one…” A yelp from nearby drew the girl’s attention and she turned a corner just to freeze in shock and fear. A boy was on the ground sniffling as his eye was blackened and his lip was bleeding. He was covering his face from further injury as three other boys were standing over him but they turned before they could deliver any more damage.
“Hey, you! Stay there!” The leader of the three shouted at her but her eyes were at the boy who mouthed the word run. She willed her feet to move and she ran, hiding in the unused science room as she heard the footsteps past by. She came out and rushed to the boy who was leaning against the wall. He had long grey hair with grey irises, an oversized black and white striped shirt, and black dirty jeans. Marble lightly helped him up and handed him a cleaning rag that she usually used to clean off the rocks that Maud would bring home.
“Thank you… Those guys wanted more money from me even though they know I barely have any… I think they only want to hit someone…”
“Who were those jerks? We should get you home…”
“They were the Diamond Dogs or that’s what they call themselves, nothing but a bunch of trouble makers… I just need to get to the bus. Thank you again for helping me, Miss…”
“I-I’m Marble Pie and I only wished I got there earlier… What’s your name?”
“Grey Matter, wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t remember it, the teachers barely do.”
“I like it… okay, Grey, I’ll get you to the bus and tomorrow you can bring this back to me.” She said while pointing at the rag and giving him a small smile. The boy stared at her unsure but nodded and relaxed a bit more. He thanked her as he climbed on the bus and took a seat in the front that was empty.
“Good job Grey… the first time you talk to a girl and she has to save you from getting beaten up I’m so sick of this… Someone has to teach those guys a lesson…” Marble smiled to herself as his bus left and she let out a cheer that someone could have confused as her sister’s but the moment she made it she hid behind her hair and blushed while getting to her own bus. A loud excited shriek shook the bus as she got on and was immediately pulled into a hug.
“OH MY GOSH, MY BABY SISTER HAS A FRIEND! MY FRIEND SENSE IS GOING OFF! I WAITED YEARS FOR THIS MOMENT!”
“Crushing me into gravel Pinkie…”
. . .
Grey slammed his door as he had just gotten back to the shack he called home. He let his book bag hit the ground and decided he would do homework later, after a short nap and before he had to get ready for work. He ignored the small stack of bills and rolled his eyes. He stretched and grabbed a banana before heading past the small kitchen and into his room. Most of the walls in the house were either an aged white or a dull grey due to not having permission to paint them. He wanted some color to offset the boring shades. He relaxed on his bed and turned his music as loud as his old speaker could get it and let his playlist run endlessly. He had to admit that being alone far from others in a shack had the one advantage of not having neighbors to bother but also left a lonely existence.
“I should rest, may not get any tonight if I miss the bus again…” The boy yawned and hugged his sheets close to his chest as he let the loud music take his mind to sleep. He woke just as the sun had set and stretched before groaning and rubbing his eyes tiredly. He ignored the mirror and homework and walked out of his house, looking up at the moon and feeling his anger of how the day turned out build up and he shouted curses at the moon and sky. He went off on his rant for a full five minutes before he cried and fell to his knees. “Please… I just want something… something more… I wish I had someone who could help me…” As if the sky itself was listening or trying to kill him a fireball rained from the sky and he jumped to his feet, trying to run as the ball smashed into the earth and sent the boy flying into the wall of his shack. He yelped in pain and held his back as he saw he had dented his wall. He slowly walked to see what had caused the damage and found something on the ground as the smoke cleared.
“Y-yoooou~” The boy tilted his head in confusion as a voice could be heard in his mind. A statue was on the ground, even after the fall from the sky it was in perfect condition and seemed to have been masterfully made.
“W-what are you?” Grey asked as the statue spoke to him.
“I have gone by many names but only one really matters to you human, you can call me your greatest wish granted. You want power, right? You want to make things right. Think of that girl from earlier, what if those Diamond Dogs saw her face and go after her? Who will protect her? You can’t do anything by yourself but if you accept me then you will have the power to save everyone. You will get the life you want.”
“What would I have to give up…”
“Nothing, all I ask is you share something with me…” Before grey could ask what he would have to share he grabbed the statue and he screamed as power filled his body and his hair began to stand and his eyes lost the grey look and took on manic yellow and reds. A twisted smirk grew on his face and he began to laugh as he looked at the statue and dusted it off. “Looking good. Well, kid now that you agreed to share, call me Discord…”