//------------------------------// // Dax: The Only Thing to Fear... // Story: A Parody of Light and Dark // by beastyfire //------------------------------// Canterlot. Home of the royal family posed with ruling over all of Equestria. The loving, caring family of rich snobs who aren’t even aware of the sick enterprises forming under their noses. My family is the perfect example of the evil seed growing in the depths of this city. The Mimus family has sponsored and ruled the spreading underground of Equestria for generations. Our iron fist portrayed in the form of black and blood magic. Mine is a family of inbreds, the idea is to keep our purity and perfection in the family. It is strange to say the least, having a dad that is your uncle and a mom that is your aunt. Don’t even get me started on the situation with my older sister. She is my cousin, my sister and, much to my chagrin, my fiance. Ponies don’t seem to believe me because genetics proves that we would be deformed if we have inbred for as long as we have been. I believe I have finally figured out how we have kept this a secret for so long. Through the teachings of my books, I have learned how to not only control other ponies through a thing called ‘Soul Magic’ but I can also change and control how I look by using certain kinds of blood magic on myself. I am hoping that my testament and my magic will be enough to bring down the Equestrian underworld for good. Sincerly, Dax Mimus Dax leaned back in his chair. He was excited, this was like his story and he was the hero. He would valiantly come forth and save Equestria, knowing the risks involved, and he would be praised by everypony around for bringing the Underworld to the ground. He could see the plot in his ‘story’ unfold. He would act the part of the loyal son, doing as told, until he found an opening. Then he would strike, running to the royal palace and telling the Princesses his tale of epic proportions before telling the two of them off and usurping the throne. He could see it all now, nothing was going to stop him, NOTHING! “ACHOO!” Except for maybe the flu, “Celestia dawn it! This dweadfol cold well noth geth thah besth o’ me!” He yelled to the ceiling, his words slurring nearly beyond comprehension. “Shut your trap before I shut it for you!” Bellowed his sister from the bathroom. “Y-yes si-” Was all he could get out before he was swatted upside the head, hard. “What did I just say? I said to shut your filthy little trap kid! Oh, and don’t you dare call me your sister, as a matter of fact don’t talk to me ever, don’t even look at me.” Said Moxie Mimus, Dax’s older sister. “Was he talking back again? That stupid child, he should be punished!” Yelled their father from the floor below them. “I-I wasn’t talking back...I swear...” Dax whimpered, shrinking under the intense glare his sister was giving him, her piercing blue eyes seeing every imperfection in the colt. “No father, even though he is nothing but a filthy, back-talking freak of nature, I still need him looking his best for tonight at the gala. He is going to represent the family after all, can’t have him looking weak.” She said, still staring at the cowering colt in his deep blue chair. “Oh right tonight is the first night he will be going there alone, alright, you’re lucky for having such a caring family for we will show you mercy for tonight.” Their father yelled back up. With a toss of her auburn mane, she turned and disappeared around a corner. Dax was left with a single thought that centered around his sister’s cutie mark. It was some kind of torture device and its name escaped him, and that irked him to no end, he liked knowing things and hated the unknown. It looked like a big, rusted, bloody screw, it's reds and oranges standing apart from the deep blue of her coat. He would have to read about it in the Royal Canterlot Library, the only place he felt truly at home. He cleared his head and wiped the tears from his eyes, it was time to get serious and professional. He had to remember his lessons in acting around other ponies, cold, heartless and calculating just like everypony else in his family. He had to think of things that annoyed him, things that he hated. “Nopony, dress me.” He said, standing up, trying to look strong and disciplined. “Yessir.” Said the butler, suddenly appearing next to him. With abnormal speed and precision, the butler Nopony grabbed a suit from the nearby closet and dressed the child. His cream colored coat and red mane blurring at the speed he was moving. All the while Dax was thinking about all the things he would have to do as to not upset his family too much. He had to act the part of the innocent child until his plan was ready and he would be able to watch as the underground crumbled before him. “Sir, if I may, I know of your plan and I must say, it is an intriguing idea, if incredibly stupid and reckless. What you need is somepony who knows everything about this hellhole, pardon the language. You need somepony like me to get all the juicy bits so you can give them to the authorities.” Lectured Nopony. “Why would you want to betray the family who has taken care of you for so long?” Asked Dax. “Why would you?” Replied Nopony who had just finished tying the final knot on Dax’s bowtie. “Hm, good point.” Dax stated calmly looking at himself in the mirror across the room. Calm yourself! If he had wanted to tell the rest of the family, he would’ve already. Besides, he has been your butler since you were born so you can trust him. Dax thought to himself as he felt his nervousness begin to fade. “Alright then Nopony, lets go to the Gala.” Dax said with a smile and he flew out the window and onto the street below. A lone pegasus in a family of unicorns who shun him for what he is, an extraordinary work of evolution. I never thought that inbreeding could produce such a thing, a pegasus that can use magic, who isn’t an alicorn? It shouldn’t be possible, but it is and that child never ceases to amaze me. Thought Nopony, a sincere smile coming across his face as he teleported to the waiting carriage outside. _________________________________________________________________________________________ As they were drawn closer and closer to the castle by Dax’s summoned spirits, the ponies that filled the streets parted to watch the strange carriage pass by. They watched as the curious lines and bulges morphed and changed to accommodate the large amount of magic coursing through it's chassis. Most everypony knew who it belonged to and resented the moment when they had to meet any member of the Mimus family ever again. Not only was the Mimus family creepy and strange, they were also an all about mean bunch. They thought they were better than everypony else, and they did as they pleased. They thought it their job to offend everypony they saw and no matter how illegal their endeavors they never seemed to get into trouble with the law in the slightest. Not even their ten year old was polite in any way, at least not in public. In truth, Dax was an honest gentlecolt who was just about the most polite pony you ever did see, but no one knew that but his butler, Nopony. Dax loved things other ponies thought of as boring. He loved reading, writing and the arts. He loved to dance and play the piano as well as other instruments. However, the thing he loved the most, was learning. He loved the journey into the unknown, discovering the new and recovering the old. The only pony who could manage to break the spell of enthrallment that knowledge seeking seemed to put on Dax, is Nopony. Nopony was more of a father to Dax than his actual father, making sure Dax was ready for nearly any adventure in his future whether Dax liked it or not. Nopony, who seemingly had no past. A mysterious figure who hid his presence in public, nopony knew his true identity only that he had only recently became the Mimus family's butler under suspicious circumstances. Dax lit a cigarette and took a long drag. A nasty habit he had developed over the past six years even though he was only 13. It worked as a numbing agent for his body and mind, it helped him think more clearly and plan ahead. He was almost never seen without one, just another reason ponies hated him. “Sir, are you sure you should be doing that? You’re sick and mixing mucus with cigarette smoke isn't the way to get better. In truth, I personally don’t like you going to the gala in the first place, but neither of us have a choice in that matter.” Said Nopony, nearly breaking Dax out of his trance. He had gone to therapy to try and quit, but as soon as he had succeeded, his father beat him for smoking in the first place. Not because his father cared about Dax's health, but because it was burning a rather large hole in his wallet, figuratively. After the whipping had stopped, Dax crawled back into his room and lit up another "Pain Killer" as he had taken to calling them. Ever since then, he had been using his family name to get cheap cigarettes for free, at that point his father didn't care, as long as they were free he wasn't going to stop Dax. Dax sighed deeply, further filling the carriage with smoke that he just pushed outside with his magic. This gave the carriage a sort of ghostly look as it approached the front steps to the castle. "We are here sir." Said Nopony, interrupting Dax's daydreaming. "Great," Dax replied sarcastically, "now onward to the library!" "You should speak with the nobles and such first sir. Maybe you can talk up the Elements of Harmony into supporting your family's franchise." Nopony suggested, offering a tissue to the sniffling colt. “Right, whatever.” Dax mumbled, climbing out of the carriage, but not before blowing his nose furiously on the offered tissue. The moment his hooves touched ground, his butler appeared beside him and the carriage that provided them transportation disappeared. The two of them walked up to the front door with no interference save for a couple snide remarks and sideways glances. Through his cigarette, Dax began whistling a haunting tune that caused the surrounding ponies to take a couple steps back and even shrink a bit as if they were being approached by a dragon. Strange, ever since the master began whistling that song, an overwhelming sense of dread has come over me, like no matter what I do, I will die sad and alone. Is he using some kind of magic, or is he just that good at writing songs? Pondered Nopony, keeping a straight face all the while. The guards ponies at the front gate split to let Dax and Nopony through, some even flinching as Dax made eye contact with them. The second the two of them passed, everypony relaxed and some even discussed returning home just so they didn’t have to deal with the Mimus family. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Celestia was bored. She was standing next to her throne talking to endless amounts of snobby nobles who treated those less fortunate than them like dirt, most of whom have reach their positions through unusual and highly suspicious circumstances. Celestia knew that something was brewing here in Canterlot, and she knew she had to stop it, all she needed to do was find the right time and place to strike as well as find out who she will be striking in the first place. The only thing currently keeping her sane was seeing Twilight and her friends enjoying themselves to the fullest. Fluttershy was strolling about the royal gardens talking with Philomena and the rest of the exotic animals there. Applejack was talking business with her fellow entrepreneurs as well as selling Celestia’s favorite apple pie. Rainbow Dash was conversing with her idols, the Wonderbolts. Pinkie was prancing around in her own section of the gala for die-hard party ponies, making sure they were all having an adequate amount of fun. Rarity was talking fashion to those of the highest caliber, fitting in better than she could have dreamed. Lastly, there was Twilight, or rather Princess Twilight. Although she wasn’t in the room, Celestia knew she was having just as much fun. Celestia also knew that their fun was one big facade. Not hours before the party, she had brought them together for a secret meeting where she had given them a super secret mission. They were to watch for, observe, record and report any and all suspicious activity among the nobles throughout the duration of the party. Celestia had told them to keep quiet about it, to act like nothing had happened, but they all knew something had because she had told them. She had once again put those most precious to her in harms way, and she hated it. But, The Underworld was turning into less of a myth every day. The Underworld was growing stronger and more pronounced, Celestia had even heard some of her guards talking about it, telling stories of varying credibility. She could tell something was up, she even knew a couple nobles that were involved, but she couldn’t do anything about it yet, she needed more evidence before she went around accusing ponies of treason. Then something unusual happened, the whole room went silent, even the intense party room had stopped all commotion.There was no movement and the silence was so intense the ponies could swear they could hear a slight ringing in their ears. Celestia looked around confused, wondering what could have caused her ponies to stop having fun so suddenly. She noticed everypony staring at the entrance and, following their gaze, she found out why they stood stock still, not daring to make a sound. The Mimus family had arrived. Dax was the most hated of the entire family for one reason, “Hey Tia, how’s the party?” He seemed to have no respect for the Princesses at all. The worst part however, "The party is all well and good Dax, how are you?" Is that the Princesses didn't seem to care, in fact they treated him like a little brother. "I'm quite alright thanks for asking, and yourself?" "Just fine thank you." "Don't lie to me Tia, I can tell when something is bugging you. Now, mind you, I won't force you to tell me anything, just come to me when you're ready to talk." "I hope you're not forgetting about me!" Said a new voice interrupting the conversation. "How could I possibly forget about the Mare of the Night?" Dax said, a huge smile spreading around the lit cigarette in his mouth as he brought Princess Luna into an embrace. "Well, I'm headed to the library if you need me." Dax said after greeting Princess Luna. "Aww c'mon, enjoy yourself, this is a huge deal, you coming alone like this." Said Luna, gesturing to the party around her. "Nah, I wouldn't want to ruin your good time with constant looks of disapproval and hatred being aimed at us." Dax replied, sadness creeping into his voice. As Dax walked away, his head slightly hung whistling an eerie and powerful tune. Princess Twilight Sparkle walked up to her fellow princesses, "Who was that Celestia? He has such a dark and lonely aura, that combined with the immense amount of magic thrown into the mix-" "Is a dangerous combination, especially when you take into account his heritage." Celestia replied. "Which is?" Twilight pressed. "He is part of the Mimus family." Luna finished. "Wait. Then that means-" Twilight began. "Yes, however, you must keep quiet about it alright? Don't want the general populace to get into a panic because the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of the most emotionally unstable child in all of Equestria." Luna finished once again. I can see why they would be panicked, Twilight thought, that kid is an absolute emotional wreck.