//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Jumper // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// “Good Afternoon and this is Equestria Daily, I’m your host Summer Storms and todays breaking story goes as follows: Last night twenty-five-year old Char Blaze was arrested for impersonating the deceased Ivy Bloomstar. Blaze, a changeling immigrant, served as Bloomstar’s sick maid for the last six months. Bloomstar was an elderly Equestrian socialite who’d been suffering from poor health for the last three years.’ “ Friends and family thought it strange when the older woman miraculously seemed to recover from sickness leading doctors had not been able to cure. This is the second case of changeling impersonation here in the local area within the last six weeks, marking ten in this year alone. Taurus Fields, the deceased’s only child, was quoted saying, ‘had we known Char was a changeling, we’d have never hired her. Now I will never know what really happened surrounding my mother’s passing.’ Local authorities do not suspect foul play at the moment, but only time will tell. More on this story tonight.” Chrysalis lounged in the back of some unknown bookstore ignoring the people and sounds around her as she studied her phone. The shopkeeper flicked off the tv with a scoff. Only one or two patrons seemed to be mulling about, which felt like a godsend to the Halfling. “You’re skipping school!” Luna screeched from the other end of the phone. “Relax, Luna. I promise it’s not a trend. I just needed a day to get used to everything.” “Mmhmm.” Silence. “Well, school isn’t the same without you guys.” “Yea… Baylot’s okay. Is my Mom still angry with me?” Luna sighed. “She’s just worried about you… We all are.” “Do you know when she’ll be back?” “I haven’t heard anything, but then again I’ve been busy with practice.” Luna played basketball, ran track, found time to be on the school’s chess team and fenced. While she enjoyed her extra-curricular activities, she hated being so busy all the time. Chrysalis actually smirked at that. “Alicorns are supposed to be gods on earth, right? Showing us lessers how to grasp our full potentials.” Luna groaned in annoyance. “You’re an Alicorn too…” “Yea, but your dad sits on the throne, so you have to set a good example.” “Whatever!” There were squawks of disapproval in the background. “I have to go! Break time is over.” “Miss you, Lulu!” “Later Chryssie…” With a sigh, she ended her phone call and thought about what to do with herself. She had a few hours before she needed to be home. She had texted her sister earlier, telling her she’d walk home. Even without the lack of response, she doubted Cadence cared, but thought to be somewhat responsible anyway. All in all, her first day of school hadn’t been a complete waste. Maud and Fluffle were actually quite friendly. It turned out the two were in a handful of her classes. Tomorrow, she’d make a real effort, she vowed as she left the store, but not today. *** “So...” “So what?” Shining Armor rolled his eyes as his sister baited him into an unwanted conversation. They had just dropped Cadence off to her home in a neighborhood about 15 minutes away from where they lived. “What did you think of Cadence?” Twilight groaned as she rested her arm on the window sill of the candy apple red sabre turbo. She popped on a pair of shades as the wind whipped through her hair. She loved riding in her brother’s car not that she’d ever admit it. While the sporty model didn’t coincide with her environmental views, it was a nice ride. The older teen sighed. “She seemed nice.” Celebratory smoothies had been fun, but the elder was loathe to say that out loud. “That’s it?! That’s all you can say?” “She’s cute?” He knew where his sister was trying to steer the conversation but was honestly not interested, even though he thought Cadence was a really nice girl. “Cute?!” Shining Armor groaned in exasperation, “She’s a total knockout! Is that better?” ”She’s also smart and clearly talented.” “Do you have a crush on her or something?” He looked at her out the corner of his eyes. Twilight’s cheeks flushed bright red. “What?! No! I just think you should ask her out… I mean after the whole Fleur thing…” “Don’t remind me…” He griped tensing as he stopped at a light. One of the most attractive girls in the school had asked him out only to use him as a way to make her boyfriend jealous. To say that Shining Armor had been embarrassed was an understatement. “But that was forever ago.” The light turned green. “Still… I really like her.” Twilight mused thoughtfully. “I think I’ll invite her out next time me and the girls hang out.” “That’s good, Twiley.” While his sister seemed to have lots of friends now, she wasn’t always a social butterfly. “I’m glad moving here helped you get a grip on reality.” “Hey!” Ten minutes later, the duo had arrived at their home. Twilight hopped out the car and made a bee line for the front door. “I’m going for a walk!” Shining Armor called out after her. “Okay!” She yelled over her shoulder wanting to finish up her homework. “I’ll let Mom and Dad know.” Shining Armor shook his head and smiled. Twilight was something special he thought walking into the night. *** “I am the thing that men denied, The right to be, the urge to live; And I am that which men defied, Yet I ask naught for what I give…”** Exhaling as she watched a freighter ship swallowed by the night, the halfling loved poetry. Thinking of the lines she’d read at the bookstore, she thought the words aptly described the wonder the Great Gold Bridge had become despite people’s original opposition to its existence. Chrysalis relaxed as she dangled on the bridge’s rail. She never feared falling as there was a bit of scaffolding below. Eventually she’d make her way home, but for now she just enjoyed the stillness of the night in a spot she could be her real self. With no one’s thoughts or concerns but her own, she relaxed feeling at peace. At least for a little while anyway. People had been passing by all night. But this person lingering behind her was different. She could feel his anxiety before he even approached. “I’m not going to jump…” She called over her shoulder once he was within a few feet of her. “Then why are you up there?” “To enjoy the quiet.” Was her pointed reply. Bright eyes continued to look out into the horizon as the minutes passed. The person was now standing right next to her, leaning slightly against the rail. “Is it working?” “…Sometimes.” His relief felt like a rush of coolness to her changeling senses. Chrysalis caught a glimpse of snow colored skin and cyan streaked hair. “You got a name, Jumper?” “Fuck off…” She griped sullenly. She could feel his eyes trying to work out who she was. He could look all he wanted but he’d never see her face in a crowd. Being a changeling was hard. “My name’s Shining Armor.“ She hummed in acknowledgement. The two continued to look out at the ocean that the bay opened itself too. Chrysalis frowned when she felt the railing respond to an addition of weight. She really looked at the boy sitting next to her on the rail. “You’re either really brave or really stupid.” “Thanks, I guess.” His smile was soft as his eyes locked with hers. To her surprise, he seemed fascinated and not all disturbed by her changeling looks. “It’s not a compliment,” she deadpanned. He sulked to which the corner of her mouth twitched. “I could be a violent weirdo for all you know. You shouldn’t be so trusting.” “Lucky for me you’re not.” His tone was knowing. “Besides I can take care of myself.” She raised a brow at the proclamation, annoyed by his sense of pride. “Do you like constellations?” “What?” “Constellations,” he repeated. “Do you like them?” “Oh. I don’t really know any.” He reached out to touch her only for her to flinch away. “Please don’t…” Chrysalis asked with barely contained fear. He looked at his hand hovering above hers and slowly drug his gaze to her face. Chrysalis stiffened uncomfortable with his scrutiny. His concern tasted overpowering. She’d have to ask her mom how she dealt with being an empath. Shining Armor’s smile was reassuring as he dropped his hand. She could tell by his eyes that he was confused by her response. “Have you ever heard the story of Orion?” Relief washed over her when he didn’t press. “No…” “He was said to be a great hunter in ancient times. His prowess so great that even Artemis took notice. You’re looking at him and you don’t even know it.” She watched intrigued at the way he gazed at the star studded blackness. “Is he your favorite?” Shining Armor snorted. “No. Orion may have been skilled, but he was proud and dishonorable.” “Dishonorable?” That piqued her interest. “He attacked the Chioan King’s daughter in a drunken state and was blinded for his transgression.“ “What happened next?” Shining Armor smiled. “He was healed by Helios after Hephaestus’ servant led him East at the forge master’s order.” “They healed him? Why?” She asked outraged for the King’s daughter. She didn’t think she liked the hunter either. He shrugged. “Maybe they were too blinded by the gifts bestowed upon him. He was said to be a handsome man.” Chrysalis made a face to which he laughed. “Eventually, Artemis herself took interest and invited him on a hunt. Orion boasted that he would kill every living animal, and Artemis being a huntress with great respect for all life, took offense. Some say she was infatuated with him and her brother hated it. I like to believe that the Goddess had a sense about the kind of man he was.” “Artemis is said to be wise, I think. So maybe you’re right.” He grinned. “In this version, she and her mother, Leto, sent a great scorpion to deal with the arrogant hunter.” “Did the scorpion win?” “He did. The mighty Zeus saw the battle and was so excited by its fierceness that he raised the victorious Scorpius to the sky. He’s there,” Shining Armor used wisps of his magic to trace the tail and body of the scorpion. Magenta sparks lined the space before them, making her smile. “Then why is Orion in the sky?” “Artemis asked her father that the hunter be immortalized too so that others could see the dangers of pride.” “Do you think it’s true?” She asked after a while, eyes tracing the stars of the giant scorpion. “Maybe… They say that in the winter the hunter flees, wary of the great scorpion.” “Why’re you here?” She asked suddenly as she turned to look at him. “I like the company.” He seemed familiar. “The stars and the sea help me think.” She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the buzzing of her phone. She looked over the angry text from her father and winced. Shining Armor looked on curiously. “I have to go,” she huffed aggravated at her summons. Throwing her legs back over the rail, she dismounted and shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets as she readied herself to leave. “Hey! You never did tell me your name!” He called out as she began to walk away. She turned and looked over her shoulder, softened by his candid interest. “Maybe next time. See you around Shining Armor.” By the time Chrysalis made it back home, her father was waiting on the front porch. “Where were you?” “I took a walk.” “For four hours?” The teen’s frustration was obvious prompting the stern man to soften. “I worry about you.” Chrysalis sighed as her posture sagged acquiescently. “I know and I’m sorry.” “The bridge?” “Yea…” She tried to stifle a grin. “It’s quiet at night.” No one knew her quite like her father. “I get it.” Justinian sighed. “You want your space. But please tell someone where you are.” Chrysalis took a seat on the steps beside him. “Cadence made the team.” “I knew she would.” Despite how Cadence felt about her, she still cared about her sister and her successes. The girl had moves. Baylot High would be crazy not take her on the team. “We went out to celebrate. Missed you tonight.” He hated this rift that had interrupted their lives. “Dad…” Chrysalis complained. “It’s not like Cadence wanted me there anyway.” “How do you-“ He sighed. “Your sister will come around. How was school?” “I wouldn’t know,” She mumbled. “I basically skipped the whole day.” “Chryssie!” He moaned. “It’s as if you want to be grounded” She never liked lying to her father. “It’s hard…” She defended. “I feel like I can’t hear myself think anymore. Everyone else is so loud.” He pulled her closer in an one armed hug and kissed her hair. “I know…” He still couldn’t fathom having teenage girls, let alone teenage girls as lively as his own. “Maybe you should talk to your Mom.” The girl was silent as Justinian squeezed her affectionately. “I don’t think she’s forgiven me yet.” “Of course she has. But in her defense you really hurt your sister.” The sight of Cadence crying and bleeding still didn’t sit well with him. “She hurt me too.” “Maybe... But no matter how much you hurt each other, you’ll always be sisters. I just hope you guys realize how sacred that is before it’s too late.“ She watched as her father retreated inside, leaving her with a lot to think over.