First published
Keeping a secret can be a good thing or a bad thing. However, there are some secrets that can be both, you just have to know how to use them.
When a young stallion and his comrades discover the greatest secret known to ponykind, what will they do with it?
Will they use it to reform the darkness brewing in their hearts, or will they banish the light inside them forever? Or will they just stand by and watch as the world unfolds in a parody of light and dark?
Special Thanks to Wulfbane42 for Co-Authoring and Co-Editing!!!! Check him out guys!!
If you want a small taste of what's to come, check it out here. We're hoping to to use most of the characters on the list, but we wanted to post this to get you guys (the readers) to give us forethought on our characters. Please help us out by leaving some comments on our ideas.
Looking down on the helpless form below her, Mrs. Liebe couldn’t help but feel pity for the little colt wrapped in a dull brown blanket. It seemed that he had been abandoned by his parents, quietly mewling to be fed. Mrs Liebe loved children as it was, so she gathered up the precious bundle and carefully put the baby into her saddle bag. Removing some groceries to make room for the child, she quietly started comforting the colt as he became upset about the sudden movement.
“Shh shh shh. It’s ok. Here.” She handed him one of the carrots she had removed from her bag. He began munching quietly on his newfound sustenance. “There you go sweetie.” She walked the rest of the way down the street.
Through the smog she could see her street, Victory Road. A bit oddly named, but home none the less. It had been the same dismal street she had lived on for the entirety of her life, occupied by rows and rows of tenements with the occasional smoke-spewing factories. One of these buildings was hers, the one branded with the giant number 42 on it's front. She eventually found her destination, a building more worse for wear than the rest, seeing as it was owned by one individual instead of rented out by various tenants. Some windows were boarded, there were some holes in the siding, in truth, it was a shit hole, but it was still the most important building in Mrs. Liebe’s life.
Sighing Mrs Liebe talked to the child. “It’s not much but it is warm and you will always find love here.” The colt giggled not really showing a sign that he understood what she had said. She smiled, glad that the colt wasn’t crying anymore. Then she realized that this little boy hadn’t come with a note or for that matter a name. “Well that just won’t do.” She said looking intently at the boy.
Hmmm.
He had an orange coat and a copper brown mane. In an odd way he reminded Mrs Liebe of her father. Felix. Not a bad name. “Felix. That’s your name ok?” The young colt stared at her still holding half the carrot she had given him. She tried again, pronouncing each syllable. “Fe-lix.”
The colt laughed, and then tried saying the name he had been given, “Fell-iks!” Overjoyed by his attempt at the word he laughed and laughed. Mrs Liebe smiled “That’s right sweetie. Felix…”
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8 Years Later…
“I hate carrots!” Felix refused to eat his lunch...again, “I want oats!”
“Felix, you know better than to ask for those. The mayor has strict ration laws. And you used to love carrots! That was the first thing I gave you when I found you after all.”
Felix grumbled. Mrs Liebe was going to do it again, sharing his whole life story up to this point with the 17 other residents of Liebe's Orphanage. The diaper changing, the schooling, the buying and eventual opening of the orphanage. He was sick of hearing it.
“Katherine, we know what happened.” Felix retorted finally.
Mrs. Liebe glared at him. “Now what have I told you about calling me Katherine?” Her stare wasn’t letting up, Felix had to get out of the room, quick. Reluctantly he grabbed a piece of his carrot between his teeth and marched up to the little room that he owned.
Why does she have to do that? It’s creepy.
Finishing off the carrot, he went over to his cot. There was a pencil and journal waiting there for him. He flopped onto the bed and opened up the journal. There was a very long and extensive list of names. Most of them scratched out.
Felix didn’t like his name and some to the other kids at the orphanage made fun of his “old-timey” name. Saying they had never heard of anyone named Felix, they claimed it to be ancient and therefor lame. So he decided to change it. He had already gone through 273 names and wasn’t happy with any of them. Changing his name was harder than he had expected.
He crossed out 3 more names on his list and got up to tinker with some of the spare gears and sprockets he had. Mrs. Liebe had told him not to pick up metal left in the street but Felix ignored her and did it anyway.
His collection was quite large. It’s amazing how many spare parts he found in the streets of Lower Bitsburg.
Ding-a-ling!
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the orphanage bell above the door. Hoofs stampeded through the hall. The colts and fillies were squealing with excitement. Another pony had come to adopt.
Felix didn't bother anymore. He was never picked anyway. Despite even his best efforts, Felix wasn't ever adopted. He had tried at first but after failing 50 he gave up.
The ponies were always looking for something specific. Something Felix never had. Blue eyes, same mane and tail color, Felix didn't have any of that. He was starting to be called "unwanted" by the other kids in the orphanage.
This just discouraged him further. He no longer wanted to be judged by other ponies so he decided he wouldn't, and he stopped interviewing for adoption.
Believing he had no chance with who ever had walked in he sat back down and began absentmindedly playing with the pieces again. Much to his displeasure, memories from failed attempts at adoption began flooding his conscience.
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I slowly trotted into the room. I was so nervous I felt like I needed to puke. A mare was sitting at a table that had been neatly tucked against the wall. I was hoping she wasn't like the last adoption I had. The last one the lady found me 'incompatible' with her other two children.
I snapped back into reality. The brown coated mare looked like the one ready for this interview. Her blonde mane was pulled tightly back into a bun, and she sat straight up in a way that said “I am proud to be rich”. Yet another reason that proved she was from Upper Bitsburg was that she kept looking out the window in disgust. Why she even wanted a poor street rat I didn't know, but this was the only orphanage in the city, so she had to come here to adopt.
As she heard my hooves on the floor she looked over and mustered a painfully fake smile. "We'll hello deary! I'm Madame Cinnabon. I own a small bakery over the wall!"
‘A bakery?’ I thought, ‘That sounded nice and all but I'm not a baker I'm a builder.’
I now saw the Cinnamon Roll mark on her flank. She looked like she was about to break down, her words came out very strained and a little too happy, to the point where it became creepy. She didn't want a small colt or filly, she wanted a slave.
"My son recently left home, and I still want to raise a child. You look like a...strong little colt! What's your name deary?"
I didn't want to respond. Even as she was talking her eyes were darting across me, spotting every slight imperfection and I could sense her silently judging me.
"What are you mute? What. Is. Your. Name?" I smiled, amused that she thought I was stupid.
"Ugh! I'm getting nowhere with you.” Her demeanor suddenly changed, ”Katherine! This one will certainly not do!" Her ugly side was showing now.
"I think this one is brain dead!" Ok now she crossed the line.
"Well I think your a bitch!" I screamed, "Why do you even want a child? All you're gonna do is neglect and abuse ‘em! You stupid fucking whore!!" Her mouth dropped open.
"Why you little-" She didn't have the chance to finish as Mrs. Liebe came in.
"Felix! That's enough out of you! Go to your room!" I didn't argue, I was sick of that lady's yammering and attitude.
As I was going up the steps I could hear ‘Madame’ Cinnabon yelling, I smirked slightly. Mrs. Liebe was telling her she had no idea where I'd learned those words and that I didn't know what I was saying.
"What a bitch..." I said, shutting my door and lying down on my cot.
I rolled over and looked at the wall at the head of my bed. Scratch on the wall there were 27 tally marks. I added another for the 28th failed adoption. Sighing I closed my eyes and waited for Mrs. Liebe to come in and lecture me.
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Felix came out of his trance. He looked at the clock on the wall a few hours had gone by. Oh well, it's not like he had anything to do anyway. Subconsciously, he had managed to build a little clapping robot with a small crank. Sighing, he walked over to the desk in the room. Opening a large drawer, he tossed the small machine amongst the other countless creations and trinkets of his. He heard hoofs outside his door.
“Oh great…” He didn't finish his thought as the door flung open.
“Hey loser!” It was Pounder the local orphan asshole. He was the same age as Felix, but he was almost twice as big giving him the advantage of intimidation and strength. In tow were the neon maned Pegasus twins. Both being six, Striker and Flash were easily persuaded (aka bullied) into working for Pounder.
“What do you want Jackoff?” Felix stood at the desk, glancing down onto the top he saw a rusted pair of scissors. Tetanus in physical form. He began reaching for them, wary of the coming storm. Then he stopped himself.
No, only if it gets too out of hand.
Felix had already tussled with Pounder before. Bones had been broken, blood shed. There was no telling what would happen. Having the security of the scissors did kind of give him a slight feeling of confidence.
"Call me that again, I dare you!" Felix had obviously gotten to him.
“Ok. Jackoff.”
“You little-” He didn’t finish. Pounder charged at Felix yelling in fury. Striker and Flash moved to shut and block the door.
Felix sighed, this was going to be a complete waste of time and he knew it. It would end as it always did, with the both of them on the floor beaten and bloody. He hardly noticed when Pounder tripped over one of Felix's many gadgets and face planted onto the floor.
Felix burst out laughing. Had that really just happened? The universe appeared to have more humor than Felix gave it credit for. After his bout of laughter, he walked up to the twins to try and persuade them to leave, but before he could get a word out, Pounder was back up on his hooves and was again charging blindly.
What is he doing? If he misses he will plow into the brick wall! If I dodge he'll be screwed, so the only option at this point is to-
Felix didn't get to finish his thought. Pounder hit him full speed in the side, Felix was sure he heard a couple of ribs crack.
The two of them ended up at opposite sides of the room. They began to circle one another, sizing each other up. Felix was hiding his hurt side and Pounder was limping from a twisted leg. Felix let his mind search for a quick and easy way out of this. He couldn't find one.
Suddenly the both of them charged at each other, surprising them both. They played a game of chicken, trying to see who would change direction first, neither one did. The two of them collided head on with a loud thunk.
Neither one moved, they simply stared into each other’s eyes, searching for weakness, for a flaw they could exploit. Felix watched as blood flowed from the impact point and over Pounder’s eyes, temporarily blinding him. Felix took his chance and spun on a dime, landing a full force buck to the colt’s face sending him flying into the desk. The desk broke from the impact as Felix spotted the scissors spiraling in the air. Grabbing them with his teeth, but making sure not to touch the rusty tool with his tongue, he rushed towards the downed bully and plunged them into his shoulder all the way to the handle.
Felix backed away to look at the situation. His room was an absolute mess, blood poured over the part of the wooden floor that wasn’t littered with his shattered desk. At least his bed was untouched, but all of his little tinkerings and creations he had spent so much of his free time on were destroyed. Not like he cared all too much, but he still felt a slight sense of sadness knowing that he could never recreate those productions of an idle brain. Felix sighed as he walked over to the bleeding bully, putting a forehoof on the handle of the scissors, pushing slightly, causing the colt to bellow in pain.
He leaned in close, “Shut up and listen, I’m willing to fix this as long as you leave me alone and never bother me again. Deal?” Whispered Felix menacingly, getting only a grunt and a nod as he set off to work. Sighing he began to pick up his machines and bits of the desk from the floor.
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.
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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.
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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.
His life was a lonely one, devoid of love and caring. This wasn’t the way his life was supposed to be, life was supposed to be filled with kindness and compassion, and for everypony else, it was. Though he knew wishing wouldn’t change what was, he couldn’t stop himself from imagining how life would be if he had been born into a different, more normal family.
Dax felt a tear slide down his cheek followed by another. He began galloping as fast as he could, he didn’t know where he was heading, he only knew that he had to run. The more he ran, the more his legs burned, the less he thought, and the less he thought the better he felt.
He ran past servants, guards, nobles and other ponies that had managed to wander into the back halls of the castle. His ice blue eyes blurred with tears that streamed down his face, staining his fur. His breath becoming more ragged with each step, his nose running freely. He was so distraught that he didn’t even notice the golden glow coming from behind him nor the strange warmth that seemed to emanate from his wings.
“It’s. NOT. FAIR!” Dax bellowed, bursting through a set of double doors.
He didn’t stop running until he was at the only place he could completely relax. He sat, curled next to the ancient piano in the Royal Canterlot Library, looking out at the beautiful night sky, a deep blue blanket dotted with only the most worthy of stars. This was the most beautiful night of the year. Princess Luna had to make it special for it was The Grand Galloping Gala. His sobs turning to nothing more than sniffles as he realized how pointless it was to get upset at such a trivial thing, his life sucked and there was nothing he could do about it except...
Dax looked over at the decorative armor, more specifically at the blade it brandished on it's side. It sat there, taunting him, daring him to do something. He knew he couldn’t, at least he wouldn’t succeed. He had tried killing himself many times before, only to find himself crying into Nopony’s shoulder until he fell asleep.
That was something he both loved and hated Nopony for, no matter the problem, how trivial or how serious, Nopony would be there to protect Dax until the end. That also meant protecting Dax from himself, much to his chagrin.
Dax had often wondered how Nopony had always managed to quell any trouble Dax managed to get into without barely breaking a sweat. He had also wondered of the backstory to the strange guardian. Suddenly he perked up, that was something he could learn about, and learning made him happy.
Slowly, he rose to all fours and walked over to the nearest bookshelf. As he did so, he sensed three familiar presences watching him, well he actually saw them duck behind the bookshelf he was grabbing a book from.
“Come on out you three, I don’t particularly like being spied on, I much prefer talking face to face despite what stories you might’ve heard.” Dax said, authority in his voice.
“Shoot! I thought for sure we were well hidden. Oh well, we’re out in the open now, might as well introduce ourselves.” Said an orange pegasus with a purple mane and tail.
Oh god, not these three. I have heard of their antics before, doing absolutely insane things, all to get some stupid magical butt tattoo. Thought Dax with a roll of his eyes.
“No, there is no need for introductions, I already know who you are and what you want. My formal and most sincere answer, Cutie Mark Crusaders, is no. I will not join your club and no I will not be your friend because a creature like me doesn’t need or deserve friends.” He said, his poker face failing him at the end of his monotonous speech.
"What are you saying? Everypony deserves to have friends! Heck even-”
He cut off the snow white mare, “The answer, is no. Now please,” he was getting agitated, “Leave me alone.” Dax pulled another cigarette out of the box in his pocket, lit it and took a long drag, blowing sad circles into the air as he exhaled.
“Hey!” The small eggshell colored mare with a heavy country accent yelled in disgust. “You can’t smoke in here!”
“Oh? Says who?” Dax was behind her before the book he discarded, hit the floor. Leaning close to her ear he whispered, letting a soul resonance spell influence his voice, “Bad things happen to people who are my ‘friends’, now please leave before I decide to disembowel one of you for fun.”
“But-” The orange one began. He grumbled, not understanding why they didn't get it.
“LEAVE!” Dax boomed a strange feeling of warmth enveloping his wings and his eyes. A golden glow once again shining from just outside his range of vision. They looked at him in terror nearly peeing themselves in fear.
Maybe a little too harsh. Dax thought with a cringe and a sad sigh.
The Crusaders ran away with trembling legs as Dax returned to his position on the lone piano bench with his book. As he sat, he finally noticed the strange feeling on his back and face, the room also seemed brighter for some reason. Curious, he searched for a mirror of some sort.
As his eyes passed over the gleaming set of armor in the corner, he noticed two spots of golden yellow light in a reflection. He turned around, searching for their source but finding none. He turned back to the armor, once again finding a strange glow seemingly coming from right behind him. He walked up to it, curious to see where the glow was emanating from.
What he discovered would change his life forever...
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“Geez, what was up with that Dax kid? He seemed...I dunno...sad, really sad. I mean did you see how he looked at that sword? It almost looked like he wanted to use it on himself.” Said Scootaloo, casting a look back at the library entrance.
“Hm...yeah...but he sure is dreamy isn’t he? Besides the whole freaky light coming from his wings and eyes.” Applebloom stated absentmindedly.
“Yeah...sure… anyhoo, we need to find a way to get him into the group. Scoots any ideas?” Sweetie Belle asked taking command for once.
“Uh...lemme think...uh...hmm nope that won't work...no not that either...hmm...” Scootaloo sat with an intense thinking face for quite a while, during this time Applebloom was thinking of ways she could get him to like her and Sweetie Belle was inwardly cheering herself on for taking control of the situation.
"Maybe ah could hang out with him...get him ta let his guard down...then ah'll ask him!" Applebloom said randomly causing the other two to look at her.
"Uh yeah I guess that'll work. Good plan Applebloom." Said Scootaloo.
"Huh? What?" Applebloom asked, not realizing that she had just been offered to befriend the strange colt.
"Yeah that's a fantastic idea, let's do it!"
"Wait, do what? Ah'm confused." Applebloom said, panicking slightly.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS MATCHMAKERS YAY!" The crafty duo said in unison.
“What have ah gotten mahself into?” Was all Applebloom could get out before the other two pulled her into a circle to formulate their foolproof plan.
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“Who are you? Why are you here? How are you here?” Dax asked the apparition an endless torrent of questions.
“I am the way that instigates the will, I am the power you crave and your only chance at redemption, and revenge.” The reflection stated calmly, an eerie smile spreading across his muzzle.
Dax’s eyes widened, could this really be the answer to his problems, the way to prove to everypony that he wasn’t really a bad person and that he was worthy of sitting at the royal court? To him it seemed too good to be true.
“Who are you really? And why do you only show up in the reflection?” Dax questioned.
“I am File 874260, a very powerful soul trapped in a very ‘elastic’ body.”
“What do you mean by ‘elastic’?” Asked Dax.
“I meant that your body can withstand both the physical and magical strain on your body better than any adult. However the emotional strain is too much for anyone.”
“You mean anypony.” Dax corrected.
“No, I mean anyone, be it pony, griffon dragon, zebra, minotaur or any species not yet discovered, they would all emotionally crumble with the weight of another soul on their body. Anypony would strictly mean that only ponies are incapable of withstanding the strain.” It said as if it were from a textbook.
“Oh, well then. What should I call you because right now you’re just an ‘it’ in my head.”
“My official designation is Ruuxacaro but since I am currently inhabiting your body I suppose you could call me whatever you want.” It said.
"Oh well if you don't mind, I think I'll call you Acaro."
"Very well then. Now, as for why I am here, the only thing I can confirm with certainty is that The Omnipotent willed it and so it was executed." Acaro responded.
"Who is that?"
"The creator of Project 42, which is the experiment I belong to."
"So you're an experiment?" Dax inquired.
"No I'm merely a vessel that brings a message, a key so to speak. You Dax Mimus are a very great asset to The Omnipotent and it is in its greatest interest to keep you alive. I am in no way a guardian, I will simply allow you to draw on my power in times of need and in exchange, you must let me stretch my legs every once in awhile. Me just making contact with you is a great danger but I had to do this." With that another bright flash lit up the stuffy books of the royal library. Dax collapsed to the floor.
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As Dax lay on the cool marble floor of the library he began to hear voices. Some were whispering in shot hissing breaths. Some boomed as if he were in a large theater. Dax couldn't understand any of them. Suddenly the demonic tones stopped and were replaced by the voice of a girl. He thought he recognized it.
"Ah, Mister? Are ya ok?"
He slowly opened his eyes. They focused to find one of the young mares from earlier.
Great, her again.
His head seemed clearer but it was throbbing with pain he remembered what the...thing had said: “As long as you let me come out and stretch my legs for awhile…” He wondered what that meant.
That is when he realized he couldn't move. He couldn't even respond. He tried to thrash about, only to find that he was no longer in control of his body.
"Oh, yes Apple Bloom, I'm fine thanks. I just slipped and hit my head but I'm fine now."
“There’s no way he can make that shot! My daddy was an archer for the Royal guard, he graduated with the best accuracy in the entire barracks and not even he could make that shot!” Skepticised a small grey colt.
“Psh, this isn’t even a challenge for Néco, heck he could probably do this with his eyes closed!” Retorted a filly beside him.
“Hush! He needs ta’ concentrate! He can't do this with ya’ll jabberin’ all the time!” Yelled another filly.
“Says the one who is yelling the most.” The colt retorted.
“Ah was not! You guys were the ones yellin’!”
“You’re yelling right now!”
“So are you!”
“Am not!”
“Are too!”
“HEY! Both of you, shut your trap! Jeez, you’re arguing like an old married couple.” Yelled the fourth pony.
His voice caused the others to silence themselves and blush in embarrassment. He turned around with a grin on his face, shaking his head from side to side. His black afro bouncing along, mimicking every movement. Dust fell from his seemingly black coat as he shook, revealing the deep brown underneath.
“Besides,” He said, lifting his slingshot up to blindly shoot at a chalk apple, which he nailed effortlessly,”I don’t need to concentrate on anything.”
“Whoa! Néco, that was awesome, you’re so cool! I wish I was as awesome as you!” Yelled the little colt, running up and wrapping Néco in a big hug.
“You are, you all are! You’re just as awesome as me, awesomer even, you need to let it surface, give it time.” Said Néco, turning and walking back into town.
“Wow….so cooool!”
“Néco you're my hero!”
He smirked and chuckled quietly as he slowly trotted into town. He had been doing this for way too long. He was one of the most respected colts in all of the lower districts of Canterlot, so naturally all the little colts and fillies looked up to him as a symbol of awesomeness.
Néco looked up, the walls of the city shining brightly in the early morning sun he took in a deep breath, enjoying the brisk autumn air, yet there seemed to be something strange in the air. Something among the sweet scent of the lilacs and daisies in gardens, a smell so pungent it could be discerned through the exotics of the nearby spice shop, something so life threatening it froze Néco in place. Fire, not a kerosene fire or a coal fire, a house fire.
He knew a house fire when he smelt it. His father, being a firefighter, had often come home smelling the exact same way. After years of becoming accustomed to the scent, he learned to fear it as he came to know what it stood for, death and danger. Every time this smell cursed his nostrils he felt fear for his father.
Instead of panicking, he kept walking calmly, his father had been safe all of the other times this had happened, how was this time any different? That was until he heard the blatant cries of desperate parents and the easily distinguishable sound of his father’s voice screaming commands at his subordinates in a desperate attempt at controlling the raging inferno. The sounds were close, too close. Néco sprinted towards the origin of the commotion only to find his father at the entrance to the building, his brown-grey coat glowing from the charred embers at his feet, his green eyes carrying a very grim look. All the other fireponies were rushing around, carrying out his most recent orders.
Dad no. Don't be an idiot. Dont go in... Néco thought, Please don't go in.
He sighed and yelled at his father, “Don’t get cornered and avoid stairwells, okay?”
Néco’s father turned and smiled at him from under his glass mask before saluting at his fellow fireponies and charging into the burning building.
Neco's smile faded as his father disappeared into the flames. For some reason he had a deep feeling of dread and a sense that he wouldn't see his father again.
It was only then that Neco realized something suspicious, there wasn't anypony watching. There wasn't a crowd like he expected there to be, and if there wasn't a crowd then...
Who was screaming about their foal?
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As Pyre sprinted through the fire he thought about all of the things he would never get to see or do as a father. He wouldn't be able to watch his son, Neco, grow and learn as a stallion, he wouldn't be able to see his son's first love. He wouldn't be able to see his baby daughter's first steps, he wouldn't be there for them when they needed him most. He wouldn't be able to cuddle close to them when they were scared, never again.
Never again.
His tears fell freely as he ran to the top floor avoiding falling debris and fire. Hopping up steps three at a time in his desperation to make it out before the building collapsed. All he could think about was Neco and his wife. He'd fought fire plenty but this one was different. Pyre had a sinking suspicion that this was some sort of trap.
He halted his dead sprint when he saw the wall of fire blocking his path. He readied himself and jumped through, expecting the heat to pierce through his enchanted equipment with ease. Much to his surprise, the flames opened in front of him in a perfect circle as he jumped through. He stopped on the other side to stare at the flames in confusion.
What the heck? Did that just happen?
Slowly, he peeled off the cover for his environmental thermometer and approached the fire carefully. The closer he got, the greater the pull of curiosity became. The thermometer attached to his hoof was only a couple centimeters away from the flames and yet the temperature hadn't increased by a single degree. Then, when the flames began to lick at the tip of the thermometer, he felt a huge surge of magical energy enter and exit his body in a large spasm.
This isn't fire, it's a magical projection, and an extremely powerful one at that. I've never seen a projection react like that before. Who could've cast a spell this complex? Pyre thought to himself.
Suddenly the fire leapt at him and consumed him in a fiery tornado. The next thing he knew, Pyre was standing in a room seemingly untouched by the flames. As his eyes searched the room, they landed upon a young foal facing three bodies.
When he saw the mutilated bodies, he threw up. After recovering from losing his lunch, he ran up to the colt in an attempt to save him from the flames, only to be suspended in the air by them. He wrestled about, attempting to escape the fiery ethereal ropes.
"Wha- what's happening?" Asked Pyre.
"Don't play dumb with me, you know who I am and what I can do. You were in the special forces designed to guard me until you chickened out and ran away." Replied the small grey colt in front of him.
"So...it is you...Project 42. Heh, I thought they exterminated you after you made short work of the caretaker." Pyre said, still trying to find a way out while the colt's back was turned.
"Nah, instead they trapped me in this colt's body in an attempt to make me see the immorality of my previous actions." The colt continued in a mocking tone.
"Let me guess, it didn't work?"
"I would be lying if I said it didn't."
"Wait...so, it did work? Then why are you doing this?"
"Because I also learned that everything Project 42 has done is more evil than even I could do, and so, they have to pay, even the retired ones, they all have to pay..."
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Neco only felt one emotion as he watched his Dad, horror. He had never seen anything so gruesome in his life. After climbing up a tree to get a better look on the inside, he saw his father in the uppermost floor talking to a strange shadow in the shape of a colt that, judging by his size, couldn’t have been much younger than himself. As the two individuals in the building were talking the colt began laughing. Suddenly his father was lifted up and was choked by tendrils of flame. He caught one final glance of the colt before the shadowy figure disappeared in a cloud of blackness. His father was still hanging in the air, his body growing more and more limp with each passing moment.
"DAD!!!"
His father looked out the window, making eye contact with his son one last time before everything exploded in a shower of red as the fire was doused completely, leaving no sign it was ever there. Neco couldn’t see his father, all he could see was black splattering along every surface he could see and what looked like a deep blue shoulder peeking out from behind the windowsill.
"No...."
Tears welled in his eyes until they spilled over his cheeks, jumping off the tree before pushing through the firefighters at the building’s entrance. He sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time, ignoring the protests of the firefighters below. He reached the last set of stairs, his hoof touching something warm and wet before he retracted in surprise. He looked down at his now bloodied appendage before looking at the flow of still steaming blood coming down the stairs.
"NOOOOOOO!"
He began bawling loudly. Not caring who could hear or see. Eventually the other firefighters caught up to him. Neco continued expressing his sorrow and his disbelief.
"Come on Neco. You're too young to see this. Lets go."
Neco pushed him away almost knocking him down the stairs.
"I’m staying with my Dad!"
The firefighter started to say something but stopped and bowed his head solemnly.
“Neco…”