//------------------------------// // Dark Forces // Story: In Another Life I: Week One // by Bateman66 //------------------------------// Alistair stood evenly with straightened legs on the darkened forest grass, his left foot placed slightly ahead of the other in a leaned forward stance. Twilight Sparkle stood off to his right, close to the lip of the clearing they both found themselves in, with the trees of the Everfree Forest surrounding them on all sides. His fists were balled tightly at his sides as he grit his teeth in concentration, mentally preparing himself for the magic exercise Twilight had planned. He wished to peer over to where she stood, to anticipate when to begin, but he fretted that his focus would be stifled and would then have to start all over again. “Now,” said Twilight simply in a commanding fashion, as one might beckon a race to commence. Alistair’s eyes flashed themselves fully open from his concentrated grimace as he leaped forward from his spot. As he was in the air for a few moments, his clenched fists immediately ignited into two glowing blue auras of sparkling energy, focused directly into the palms of his hands. Landing on both feet, his muddy-brown cloak fluttered behind him in impact as his hands swooped upwards from his sides. Making both fists into open palms, he promptly rose them into the air, above his head, and channeled his energy outwards. Several nearby stones, as well close to the threshold of the forest line, were suddenly surrounded by auras of light energy that resembled significantly the power held in his hands. Thrusting his arms higher above his head, the stones lifted in unison, all symmetrical to one another in both height and rotation. Without skipping a beat, Alistair tightened his palms back into fists, and shot his right arms forward in a brisk strike. The rocks rocketed forwards into the depths of the woods, some impacting and crashing against the sides of trees, while others continued to fly into the dark depths, never to be seen again. Falling to the ground in a planned kneel, he pointed his left arms towards the early evening sky and focused the last of his energy into it. On cue, a white bolt of lightening shot out from the tips of his fingers and rocketed upwards into the sky, visually piercing through the small clouds that slowly rolled by. Visually sagging from his spent energy, his head drooped down upon his knee as he began to breathe heavily from his large exertion of strength. Beads of sweat formed along his brow and he could feel the tighter regions of his clothes mildly damp from his own perspiration. “Good. That was very good,” complemented Twilight as she trotted over. “You were able to nail the lightening this time. That’s an improvement over yesterday.” Alistair face was pinched as he struggled out a response, his own breath getting in the way of his words. “You think so?” “Of course. You didn’t even need the spell book this time too. Why wouldn’t this be an improvement?” He shook his head as he slowly struggled to his feet. The redness in his face was still apparent but he tried his best to wipe off the sweat from his forehead. “I wasn’t able to do the ground shaping tome,” he protested indignantly. “Or the self-flight or the protective shield. I got tired too quick.” Twilight chuckled. “You can’t expect yourself to do everything when you’re still a novice. I still need to use a spell book every now and again.” “It’s just frustrating,” he said as he clenched his fists once more. “We’ve been at this for two weeks and things are still going so slow. I know I can do it, I can feel it. I just need to be stronger.” “You are strong in your magic,” comforted Twilight. “But one has to wait for some things. Even the greatest wizards started at the bottom the ladder. Such is the way things go.” Alistair was not convinced and exemplified it with a shake of his head. “But there must be some way, to learn and gain power much faster. Surely there have been wizards who have done it before.” Twilight’s faced darkened at this, a touchy subject now being grazed across. Looking down at the ground for a moment, Twilight slowly shook her head in agreement. “Yes, there have been wizards who’ve chosen that path, a most destructive and self-deprecating one, but a path nonetheless.” “How could something that improves one’s abilities and bolsters their strength be considered destructive?” asked Alistair with a raised eyebrow of suspicion. “Because I have seen it,” answered Twilight simply. “Those twisted by their own ambition and lust for power. Twice I have come across individuals, one much worse than the other.” “Who were they?” Twilight sighed, as her face seemed to age before his eyes as she recounted the tale. “The lesser of the two was a boastful mare by the name of Trixie. She thought that by wearing a cursed amulet, her own power would be increased ten-fold from were it once was. And in a way, she was right. She bested me in battle, and it was only though trickery I was able to turn her back towards the path of good.” “And who was the other?” “King Sombra,” whispered Twilight softly, not even wishing to say the dark lord’s name aloud. “A most powerful and wicked tyrant who formerly ruled over a land known as the Crystal Empire. It was through mere luck that my friends and I were able to stop him, but not before I had my own horrid brush with his power.” “How so?” he asked with a perplexed look, but one that was absent of fear. “His magic got into my mind, fooled me and distorted what I saw as reality. He made me see my worst fears unfold in what I was tricked into believing was the real world. What he was trying to accomplish out of this I do not know, but I have reason to suspect it involved me and the path he had already chosen.” Alistair shook his head. “But say, you were able to look beyond that and—” “Alistair,” interrupted sternly Twilight as she stepped forwards and placed her hoof on his shoulder. “I can see the look in your eyes, you are curious in what I’m telling you. I can understand that, anypony would. But you must listen to what I tell you. Never even consider what I speak of. Just because you are different from those in Equestria does not excuse you from what that darkness will bring. No matter if you’re a griffon, or dragon, or pony, it was always corrupt. Always.” His eyes looked down at the ground in shame, regretful of his ignorance. “But I know you won’t,” added Twilight quickly, “you’re a good person. And I know that you’ll never lose yourself to that evil. I just needed to tell you for your own good.” “I’m sorry,” he said dismally, “I didn’t mean to…” Twilight shook her head. “It’s not your fault. Don’t hold it against yourself. Consider this another one of my lessons to you. Now let’s get going, it’s about to be dark soon.” Alistair and Twilight walked side by side out of the small clearing and into the dense forest growth. They did not speak as they moved, the evil Twilight spoke of hanging heavily in the air.