//------------------------------// // A Feathered Friend Part 1 // Story: Secrets of a Wanderer // by Nero_Nova //------------------------------// Chapter 14 Feathered friend “Are you OK. Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked her purple winged friend as their little group watched her fidget in place waiting for the train to come. “OK.? I m more than OK. We're finally going to one of the most amazing kingdoms on earth! I can't wait to see the library, the castle, try the scones, it's going to be amazing!” Pinkie's ears popped up at the mention of the library, “Yeah.... about that.... we may have exaggeration a teeny weeny bit about the library.” “Who cares, I just can't wait to get there!” The purple mare stated with a little jump of excitement, “Now if Spike can just get back here soon then we can all get going as soon as... There they are!” Coming just around the corner Spike and Jax walk up to join the group, “What took you two so long?” she asked the little dragon. Spike points behind him to the half asleep stallion, crimson eyes still drooping wanting to sleep. A snap of the baby dragons fingers brings him close enough to the waking world to ask a question that had been pledging him all morning. “As much as I like to be rushed out of bed by a little dragon promising adventure.... is there a reason for it?” He asked just before yawning. The six mares then looked back and forth at each other realizing they had forgotten to tell Twilight's house guest what they had planned for the next two days. “Well,” spook Rarity, “yesterday we were all chatting about the little trips Twilight's map sent us on to help other ponies with friendship and we thought of a good friend of ours that we have all been dying to go visit.” “So we all decided that there's no time like the present and got ready to leave at first light.” Apple Jack added. “I see, and why do you want me to go along to visit an old friend?” Jax asked. “Well we know how you like to travel, and this place is rather special in Equestria.” Answered Flutter Shy. “Maybe this will give you a hint...” Twilight said pulling out a book from her saddlebag. Still tired it took Jax a moment to focus enough to read the cover, “Wait, really? We're going to Griffonstone?” The princess started shaking her head yes in excitement fast enough to give her whiplash. “Wait a minute...” he thought for a moment, “you're telling me that you just decided to put aside everything and take a trip to a place just outside the border of your country?” Jax watches as everypony shrugs and nods. “Huh, royal duties sure are different here....” “I completely agree.” Jax jumped at the new voice coming from behind him, but after looking all around, no pony could be found. “I still wonder how they can still throw all of Pinkie Pie's parties day in and day out, and manage to not only keep up with work but also not go bankrupt.” The voice sounded so close he could feel someponies breath in his ear, yet there was no face to match the voice. “Now Discord, it's not nice to tease friends, especially ones you haven't properly met yet.” Flutter Shy stated in her firm but friendly tone. “Oh alright...” it was at this moment Jax noticed something sitting on his shoulder, a dragon-like creatures no bigger than his hoof. Each section of the little things body seemed to have come from a different animal as if stitched together by some mad pony. In the blink of an eye, it was gone in a small spark of light and then reappeared standing nine feet tall, its goat face curled in a smile like Opal, Rarity's cat, when she finds a mouse to play with. “Charmed to meet you, Jax, Flutter Shy has told me all about you... well at least what little is known about you, which is nothing.” The now very tall creature shot his arms out in false excitement as he pointed out the saver lack of information anyone had on Jax. This in no way amused the green stallion who just stood their nearly half asleep again. “I am Discord, Spirit of Chaos...” He said taking a bow and staring into the stallion's eyes at his level. Discord stood there eyes half closed waiting for the usual questions he had come to expect from new ponies who had never seen a draconequus before. “Nice to meet you...” That was it, Discord stood back up confused and set off by the dull and somewhat exhausted reaction that reminded him a lot of Pinkie's sister. “So... What bring you here Discord?” The country mare asked wanting to break the seemingly awkward confusion Discord was feeling. “Oh, well I was just looking for Flutter Shy.” Another spark of light and He was now floating around the yellow pegasus holding two train tickets. “The Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures is having a small convention in Manehattan, and Flutter Shy and I will be attending.” The timed mare made a small gasp, “oh my, is that today?” Discords look of confusion returned, “we were all going to visit Dash's old friend Gilda today. It been a long time since Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were last there and we wanted to see how she was doing.” Discord let out a laugh and sparked away appearing where he previously stood. “Oh come now Flutter Shy, would you really proffer to go so far from home when you can go to Manehattan with me?” He asked waving the tickets I front of her wearing a cheeky smile. “Well...” His ears shot up to what he knew was going to be a yes to his question, “The convention is going to be all week long, and we will only be in Griffionstone for two or three days. We can still have plenty of time there when I get back, after all, the main events aren't until the last two days anyway.” The mix-mash of animal parts replaced his confident smile with a disappointed frown for just a moment, having been excited to go. Just as fast he stuck his nose high trying to appear uncaring to the situation. “Vary well, we only planned this all weeks ago, but if you don't want to go, we don't have to,” he turned his back to everypony and facing Jax and Spike. “Is he always like this?” The stallion whispered to the little dragon who shook his head yes. “Oh Discord, you know I'd love to spend time with you at the convention, but we have all week to go, and none of us have seen Gilda in a long time.” Flutter Shy said in a soft tone, trying to get Discord to understand, all he did was huff to himself. Flutter shy took to the air to fly at his head level, “I can come back tomorrow instead so we can leave sooner...” Discord huffed again turning away. Flutter Shy thought for a moment and came up with an idea, “You could come with us, then we can head straight to the convention when we leave Griffonstone.” Flutter Shy could tell the idea was appealing to her mischievous friend as his ears perked up and he brought his lion paw up to stroke his short goat beard. “well...... It has been ages since I last saw Griffonstone... oh what the heck...” another flash and Discord was sporting a fur hat and two suitcases covered in travailing stickers. “If you can beat them, join them.” A hug from Flutter Shy and the decision was final, seconds later the sound of metal brakes fills the air as the train arrived. “Yes! It's here!” Twilight said jumping in place again, “But wait...” She said stopping for a moment and looking over at the cargo carts of the train. “Rainbow Dash, are you sure Griffionstons library will need all these book's... or even have room for them?” She asked the blue pegasus as she pointed to the thirty loads of books being wheeled on to the train by castle guards. “I mean, I'm happy to donate these old books, but will there be enough room?” “Trust me Twilight, there will be room to spare...” Dash said wearing a big smile with Pinkie pie, both trying to hide the truth about the Griffionstone library for as long as they could. Twilight shrugged her shoulders and imagined the new books she could find as she boarded the train. Each of them followed one by one with Jax at the end thinking only of going back to sleep during the train ride. Not looking and drowsy, the green stallion bumped into a gray mare as she stepped off the train causing her to nearly drop what looked like a cello case she had on her back. After stumbling around for a moment to regain her balance the gray mare opened her mouth to give Jax a Piece of her mind. Just before she could utter a word, another mare, a white one with electric blue hair and violet sunglasses stepped in, “Wow there Octy, simmer down, we just got here and you promised not to be all uptight when we moved.” The gray mare cleared hear throat and adjusted some out of place strands of hair in her mane. “Excuse you...” she said in a soft British accent just before walking off with her snout held high. The blue haired mare stood there shaking her head though Jax couldn't tell if she was doing so in reaction to her friends comment or just following her swaying hips as she walked off. “Sorry about her, she's just nerves moving to a small town, we've both lived in the city all our...” The mare went deadpanned and silent as she looked Jax in the eye, for a moment, he felt uncomfortable until she smiled and lifted her glasses. “WOW, you're eyes are red too?!” Just as the mare had implied her eyes were indeed the same crimson red as his own, “Wow, I've never met any other pony with red eyes before.” “Me either! This is so cool! Wait, could we be related?” The blue-maned mare asked. “Haha I don't think so miss, I'm not even from this country.” “Really? Where are you from?” Jax paused trying to think of what to say to the red-eyed mare staring at him, smiling from ear to ear. Just before anything more is said the mares ears twitch, “actually I should get going before miss posh and perfect gets impatient, but we should meet up sometime, see you around town.” With that said the white mare runs off and Jax boarding the train. minutes later everypony finds their seats and waits for the train to head for the border of Equestria, nearly asleep on his feet Jax takes a seat in the back of the train car eager to get back to sleep. To his surprise, the others did not pester him to go sit with them, most likely due to being distracted by Discord as he danced on the ceiling going off a joke he clearly missed while talking to the white mare outside. Curling up under his purple cloak, the green stallion laid his head on the wooden seat and went back to sleep. A moment later the stallions eyes opened again to a dark old room with rotting wooden floors and rough, stone walls covered in moss, cracks and holes in the ceiling let in dim lighting cast by the full moon just overhead. Jax looked around feeling strangely weak and had trouble moving, “Jax? Are you up here?” Called a mare from under a trap door on the floor. “You better not be sleeping up here again, you're mom is going to kill you if you come home covered in dust again.” The mare continued in a light-hearted tone coming closer mixed with the sound of hooves climbing up stairs. “Jax?...Jax?...” The call of his name persisted until he felt a nudge on his shoulder. Before he knew what was going on, the stallion found himself standing on a wooden seat on a train with his face inches away from a purple mare. “Twilight?” He said as he recalled this morning's trip. “Sorry to wake you but...” she said taking a step back, “We are almost to the border, we will have to walk from there.” “Walk?” He questioned for a moment before remembering what he had read about, “Oh, that's right, Griffonstone is high in the mountains, no train or road has been built to get there any other way.” Looking out the window, Jax notices the position of the sun indicating that at least five hours have passed since boarding the train. “That's right,” Twilight replied, “We will get to hike the whole way and take in the beautiful snow covered mountains.” Rummaging around in her bag Twilight retrieves her Griffonstone book and opens it to a page illustrating the mountain trails. Jax, however, continued to look out the window seemingly distant. “So... you were starting a bit in your sleep, what were you dreaming about?” The question snaps him back to reality, “oh... it was nothing really...” “So... what do you think it will be like?” Twilight asked taking the seat across from her green friend. “Well if it's anything like the rest of Griffon Firfdoms, we should be in for quite a treat.” “You've bee to Griffon Firfdom before?” Twilight asked surprised that he would even hint to where he had traveled. “Yeah, a while back, it was rather different from other places.” “Wow, is there anywhere you haven't been?” “Not sure, like I've said, it's not like I plan my trips, I just hop on a boat and go,” He said returning his attention to the window. Twilight's curiosity kicked in and she was compelled to ask more about his travels. Where had he been? What did he do? How long was he there? When did he..... Before the first word escaped her lips, a signal phrase played in the back of Twilight's mind, sharing nightmares. That was how Jax described talking about his past, since that night between him and Shining Armor, Jax seems to be quieter at night and is sleeping through the night instead of staying up in the library. The look of disrepair Jax hid behind his mane that night as he turned away from them was framed in her mind and forced her silence. Instead, she just looked out the window with him and waited for the train to come to a stop. An hour passes and the train comes to a stop at the end of the tracks at the furthest end of the crystal empire. Stepping off the train everypony dawns their winter hats and scarves and prepared themselves for the long hike up the mountains. Twilight gazed upon the snowy hilltops full of excitement, so much so she could not feel the icy snow freezing her hooves. Spike noticed and waved his hand in front of her trying to get her attention, seeing the futility of this he instead lifted each of her hooves one by one to put on her snow boots. Only after throwing her scarf over her eyes did the princess come out of her trance startled by her lack of vision. She epped and waved her head around to get the scarf off, only to find herself blushing from reacting in such a way in front of her friends. With everyone dressed Twilight was ready to get started until she saw Jax standing in the back still wearing only his cloak, but now with the hood pulled over his head. “Ummm... Jax... Aren't you cold?” “No, why?” He asked genuinely puzzled by the question. For a moment she thought he was just being tough, but that didn't make sense. Looking closer she realized, even in the icy wind sitting in the snow, Jax seemed to be calm and still as ever, as if the cold could not touch him. “Are you sure sugar cube? Looks a might chilly up there?” Asked the country mare sporting a brown jacket with her scarf and boots. “That's putting in mildly,” Added Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie hopped over to Jax and pressed her hoof against his cheek, “Oooooh, your really warm!” She exclaimed feeling a soft radiating heat come off her green friend under his hood. bringing her hoof down, she felt it nearly ice over before she could put her boot back on. Onward and upward the group started their hike through the snow. Twilight kept her nose in her book while Pinkie and Dash lead the way having been there before. Rarity and Apple Jack talked the whole way while Discord scooped up snowballs every so often and turned them into snow cones for Flutter Shy and himself. They talked idly while looking through the brochure Discord had for the convention they were missing. Pinkie Pie suddenly gasped and ran up ahead and around the turn on the path, Twilight followed after thinking they had arrived at Griffonstone, only to find Pinkie finishing a snow pony and then speeding off a few more feet to start another one. No doubt her intention was to line the path with snow ponies. All the while Jax stood in the back of the group just behind Discord and Flutter Shy as images played back in his head. The memory of a cold wasteland came to mind, in the distance, miles away stood a small town like a beacon of hope glowing in a vast empty field. The blistering cold cut deep as he tugged through the deep snow, drenching his legs. A mare held tight under his arm, shivering uncontrollably desperately trying to stay warm. Her teeth chattered, her black and gray mane slowly became covered in ice and snow, “C-come on yo-you j-jerk.... can't we walk any f-faster, haha.” The pony joked knowing they were too tired and hungry to be attempting this walk in a blizzard in the first place, it was suicide. “Hello, anyone there?” Jax was snapped back to reality once more by Discord, “Well?” He asked hovering in front of him. “Oh um? What was the question again?” “I was just asking what you're getting out of all this?” “What do you mean?” “Come now don't be coy,” Discord marked snaking his way in the air to hover just over Jax's head in an arch so to talk quietly into his ear. “You just happen to meet the princesses and five other mares out of nowhere and started living with one of them and working with another. To spite being so close to them all, you have yet to tell them a single real detail about yourself. You act like a friend but do nothing to actually show it, so I ask again.” The mischievous spirit pulls his head up and snaps his fingers, making a pint-size version of himself appear on Jax nose, “What are you getting out of all this?” Asked discords little copy sounding like a playback on a tape recorder. “I suppose that's as good a question as any other,” Jax replied kicking his head back launching the little copy into discords hands. “But the question is simple, I have good work, I roof over my head, a kind host, and best of all, no pony asks me questions.” Discords shoulders suddenly became covered in snow from small clouds that appeared just over them. “Yes Flutter shy did say you were not one to talk about yourself, she also said you still have nightmares about your past. Is that right?” He asked flying alongside the green pony once more. “That did come up before, yes.” “How convenient, that you just happen to have the kind of background no pony would ever ask you to relive, seeing how it gives you nightmares and all.” Discord said sly as a fox, “Perhaps I could simply, oh I don't know, pop inside your head.” He said taking off the top of his head like a hat and tossing his little copy inside. “Then we can learn all about you without you ever saying a word.” Discord went to place his lion hand on Jax's head but was stopped. Discord's eyes were locked with the crimson red gaze of the green stallions eyes for what felt like an eternity, something the immortal spirit of chaos knows all too well. Those blood red eyes full of rage stared him down like that of some kind of beast that would not hesitate to strike a lethal blow if he inched even the slightest bit closer. Jax turned away for just a moment, lifted his hoof, and removed his hood. To Discords surprise, Jax was wearing a gentle, friendly smile. “Actually Discord, I'd rather you not go looking around my head.” All traces of anger were gone as if imagined, the stallion even closed his eyes when he spoke as if to hide his rage that might have still shown through his eyes. Among the many who desire to know just what lies in the past of the green stallion, Discord was now one of them.