Trevor Fields is a young, up and coming junior officer in Belfiore Academy, Cealum's premier Naval Officer School. He is at the top of the class in grades and fitness, but has no friends. That will all change once he meets a certain spirit of chaos.
Book 1: Friendship in Chaos Location: Realm 13 - Farway, Caelum, Cygnus, Belfiore Academy
Trevor Fields is a young, up and coming junior officer in Belfiore Academy, Caelum's premier Naval Officer School. He is at the top of the class in grades and fittness, but has no friends, and no want for friends, finding them unnecessary distractions toward his career. As he enters his last year of training that mentality still holds strong, but that will all change once he meets a certain spirit of chaos, followed by six ponies turned human.
Over the course of his last year at Belfiore Trevor will face all sorts troubles as he learns the importance of friendship. Something that will prove invaluable as the two great houses on campus get closer and closer to an all out war, and determine the entirety of Farway's future.
In the port city Cygnus, capital of Caelum, stands, tall and proud, Belfiore Academy. There within the hallowed halls, many generations of sailors have passed. Many greats have had their names carved into the marbled walls each leaving a story of bravery, heroism, kindness, and self sacrifice going all the way back to when The Creators first made man. Long standing tradition, strict learning standards, and the Mock Battles Exams have made it a small wonder that Caelum had the best navy in all of Farway. Under the black marble archway that marks the entrance to Belfiore Academy stood another soon to be sailor, who’s destiny that would not just have him become one of the greats, but to play a pivotal role in all events yet to come. Skeleton unseen by all carefully eyed this student with a sense of anger, frustration, and lastly guilt for what he had to do.
The process of becoming an Officer in Caelum’s Navy takes anywhere from four to six years depending on the area of study. Trevor Fields had wanted to be a master diver, something about the cold depths of Farway’s oceans searching for lost history, those gone missing, or what ever new mysterious creature lurked in the depths made by the creators so long ago. That was his dream. However, it was placed on hold for a simple yet preposterous reason. His test scores for entering the academy were too high for such a career, he was instead sent to study how to be a submarine tech. Disheartened by such a turn of events, Trevor refused to let it defeat him, and resolved to finish out his contract with honor and dignity. With due diligence Trevor had managed to complete 3 years of the academy, during which he had made his way into the top tier of the students. His scores on in the tests, and on the trainers for the equipment to be used made him second to none. All of his academic standing had placed him under the ever so hungry eyes of the “Houses”.
The “Houses” were the Elite society of the Belfiore Academy, most filled with aspiring political leaders, sons and daughters of the rich and powerful, foreign students of lords and duchesses. Unlike most elite societies, the "Houses" were not so elitist as one might have suspected, one did not simply show up and become part of a House, they had to be invited or apply and hope for acceptance. Once accepted into a house your personal history mattered for not, it did not matter if you came from riches or rags, all that mattered was if you could help the house compete. The more accolades the house had the more elitist it became. Out of the many "houses" that existed in the Academy, only two became the dominate forces, a place worth being in.
House Oaklandus, a very nobel and tradition house, many of it members happened to be from the same family lines. Members can trace their heritage to prior members almost as far back to the Final Tournament. The house, currently lead by Logan Hill, had become the top house of the campus. With a strict adherence to the rules they were often considered stuffy and snobbish. Despite this, the house was the top in all academic fields, leading others to join to be part of better commands and stations.
House Volcain, the second most powerful house could be considered the antithesis of House Oaklandus. Thomas Landcaster is the official head of the house, but is often not in attendance for any events that the houses must attend. Most persons on campus, including some of the instructors, often confuse the title with Thomas’ second in comand, Travis Maxwell. Regardless of Thomas’ actions as head of house, Volcain is the second highest house, in station, in the academy. They, unlike Oaklandus, take a more liberal approach to the rules and often their house feels more like a fraternity then a house of Belfiore Academy. They are often at odds with Oaklandus, at first like rivals, more recently, however, like enemies.
Trevor had been in the sights of both houses. With his academic standing, Trevor would have been a great asset to which ever house could claim him. Not one to let an opportunity pass Logan had made the first move. Much to his disappointment and frustration Trevor had turned down the offer. Thomas not too long after, figuring Trevor to be a snob before he turned down Logan, had also made his play for Trevor. Trevor also declined, much to Thomas’ amusement, a place in House Volcain. Trevor in fact turned down all of the houses on the academy grounds, a fact many found distasteful and disrespectful to the academy's traditions. All save Thomas, who had a great deal of respect for Trevor. Thomas not to long after the offers had dwindled down to none, decided to keep acquaintances with Trevor, much to the latter’s disproval.
By all accounts Trevor was to be a very well respected and accomplished student before his time at the academy was up. One would think that the popularity through academics and athletics would surround him with friends, but that was never the case. Often you would find him all alone in the library studying or in his room in the student barracks. Even in the student barracks which held two to a room, Trevor had been lucky enough, according to some, to never have a roommate his three years in the academy.
Trevor was a creature of habit and order. He didn’t need the troubles that friends cause, the drama from crushes, even his sister (on paper not blood for Trevor had been adopted) was far to hectic for Trevor and his need for peace and calm. His need for solitude, and aversion to others did not mean Trevor was a cold hearted man, he was often cordial and helpful. Yet, at the end of classes and everyone was dismissed for the day, Trevor would quietly slip away from others. Any time he had to participate in “Mandatory Fun Days,” it would feel like he always held himself at arms length from the Chaos that came from friendship. That was, However, until his final year at Belfiore Academy.
Trevor sat relaxed, leaning back in his chair, legs propped on a support for the desk legs reading some Creator Era history textbook. History here in Farway, often seemed a fantasy, two god like beings forcing the populous of the whole planet into bloody tournaments for control of all. Several hundred million years of conflict only to be ended in a final tournament from which The Named came. Trevor always found himself fascinated by the tales of the royal houses and families. Tales that predated The Named, the appointed caretakers of the land after The Creators had been deposed of, so Farwayians could live their lives without fear of some grand scheme of terror from the Artist to remove all the humans or free willed and sentient life on the planet, or the Writer, whom delighted in, playing with the farwayians in a clinically detached way to find out their potential in sick experiments designed to test how far his creations could go.
As to why Trevor was reading the large historical text, the reason was the summer stand down. As much as the academy was a military base, it was treated in much the same way as a college. So, between the last few weeks of the spring months, and the beginning of the fall months the academy was filled with a skeleton crew of maintenance workers and administration. Most cadets would head back to their respective homes to spend time with their families and loved ones, Trevor, however, did not.
His mother, of which Trevor would call his guardian or by her actual name Tibbia Meadows, (Trevor had been adopted at the age of six) had tried to be loving and caring like his actual mother would have been, but Trevor had always remained distant from Tibbia. The house where he had spent most of his childhood and teenaged life had never felt like a home to Trevor, just a comfortable shelter from social pressures that stemmed from his father's legacy. At present Trevor had no need for shelter of that kind, so he decided to remain on the campus, much to the disappointment of his sister (Tibbia's daughter) and guardian.
After reaching the chapter on the rise of the Heart family, who's destiny would lead them to be the royalty leading the desert country Terra, Trevor's stomach grumbled. In his quiet room the noise seemed to roar and echo like an illious Cat (a lion like species who's electric blue coat of fur was capable of snap freezing anything that touched it.) Trevor remembered he in fact, had nothing to eat the entirety of the morning and into the start of the afternoon. With a heavy sigh, trevor place a book mark in the tome of history, folded the book shut, and set it on his desk with a soft thump. Slowly Trevor stood up, arms raising higher and higher as he stretched his muscles from the atrophy of sitting for several hours. A loud throaty bellow that constituted his yawn sounded off before his arms returned to his sides. Properly stretched Trevor took stock in his room.
Trevor stood nestled in a small alcove made from the arrangement of furniture in his room. His rack (bed) sat in the far corner of the room visible from the entrance to the room, his desk sat three feet or so away, parallel to Trevor's rack made the alcove. The desk was placed at the foot of the other rack, unmade as it was for Trevor had no roommate. The barracks room was just a box, thirty by thirty with a small hallway leading in to which the head (bathroom) and a small but modest fridge and microwave sat. Much like the racks every bit of furniture in the room came in sets of twos. Desks, a lockable wardrobe, three drawer dressers, all arranged to allow for maximum usable space in the room, not the privacy of the cadets that were living within.
Dressing in simple civilian wear, uniforms wouldn't be required for another two weeks, of a simple blue trimmed white T-shirt and tan cargo pants. Walking toward the small cubby above the microwave for what little food stuffs Trevor had. Deciding nothing in his room would be Suitable enough to stave off the hunger pangs trevor resolved to leave for the galley.
Meanwhile
Location:
ER-0: Equis Origin
Canterlot, Castle of the Royal Sisters
Year- 1003 C.E. (Or year 3 of the Reunion Era (R.E.))
Within the solid white marbled halls that was home to the two royal sisters, screams of anger, sounds of mayhem, and maniacal laughter filled the castle's normally quiet and serene halls.
"DISCORD!!" Came an angry cry, sounding like a cross between a mother's scolding and a screeching sister, "What happened to my cake?"
The screaming voice that asked the question was a white alicorn. In fact it was the white alicorn, princess Celestia diarch of Equestria. Her ivory white coat, regal blue, teal and pink main forever moving in some ethereal wind running down the halls in much to the shock of all the canterlot staff. Normally, she was a gentle ruler, often coaching her subjects with any and all disputes, subtly nudging them in the right direction, toward a greater harmony. However, ironically, she did find joy in creating some mischief with small pranks both giving and receiving. That said, Celestia did not like her confectionary delights being the subject of pranks. So naturally the living embodiment of chaos, Discord, delighted in pulling pranks on her innocent baked desserts.
The cake that had caused Celestia's ire, was a magnificently crafted marbled cake made from chocolate and yellow cake batters with a nice strawberry icing covering the cake, turned into an almost inedible licorice and tapioca and miserable chalky sugar icing upon her first biting to her most favored delectable food stuffs. Discord was the only being in all of Equis that would be brazen enough to turn her cake into her most hated flavors. Very few of her royal staff have ever send Celestia truly angry, and today happened to be one of those times. It was almost law to ensure nothing happened to Celestia's cake.
Barreling down the ivory hallways of the royal castle, Discord just kept out of Celestia's wrathful grasp. He had to be very careful and needed a distraction to help prevent a gruesome fate. It wasn't before too long that Discord's path forced him to make a choice. Ahead of him the hallway ended at a T. Should he choose left or right? On a whim he thought left, yet, before he committed to his course, he split himself into two, and sent his doppelgänger in the other direction. His on the spot planing (of which he had always thought was perfect despite failing him twice) did what it was intended to, confuse Celestia and by him a few precious seconds from the inevitable magic beat down surely to come from Celestia. His chosen path ended at a set of mahogany doors with a silver laid moon adorn them. Luna's, the night princess, bedroom and study.
The recently returned mistress of the night had often been the patron of the arts. Music, paintings, poems, all manners of imaginative creative outlets. After all, artists taken in by their muses, often were big dreamers. So it would not be so surprising to find Luna partaking in creative endeavors to think or relax as she had been doing this particular morning. She was ever so critical of her art. Every brush stroke measured to bring forth the beauty that her mind's eye held. To say Luna was in her own little world while she painted would have been a great understatement. Said little world, however, was shattered completely when Discord came crashing through door, tripped into Luna, who do to the loss of concentration, lost her magical aura of her brush, causing it to drop leaving a blaring yellow streak across the six hours of painstaking work she had done. Recovering quickly, Discord took a quick gander at what Luna was working on.
"I LIKE IT! But I don't get it...maybe if I do this," and with a snap of his lionlike paw Luna's carefully crafted midnight landscape was turned into a parody of itself, "ah, much better don't you think?" He turned toward Luna with one eyebrow raised.
Luna recovered and gasped at her mutilated painting. Fury unlike any other, not even her jealous anger from before her banishment, directed itself at discord as her eyes shrank to pinpricks and eyelids to slits.
"What hast thou done to our painting Discord" came the quiet icy venom that was Luna's voice.
"Improved it I would say, it much less dull and dreary now." Replied the dragonequus not realizing that his impending death, at Luna's hoofs, was staring him right in the face. A blue aura glowed around her similarly colored yet darker horn as she charged and fired her spell, a blue bolt or pure energy designed to hurt. Discord narrowly managed to avoid.
"FIEND!!" Luna fired another bolt, "THOU HAST RUINED OUR PAINTING! WE HAVE SPENT A MULTITUDE OF HOURS CAREFULLY CRAFTING," another bolt fired as the royal Canterlot voice alerted the sun princess of her missing quarry, " ONLY TO HAVE IT RUINED BY A FOUL BEAST OF WHIMSY. PREPARE THYSELF FOR PUNISHMENT!"
After a few more narrowly missed bolts of pain, Discord caught out of the corner of his eye, the sun diarch galloping toward him with a sneer showing on her usually stoic face. One princess was more then enough, having two against him was more then he could handle. He should know after all, it was these two ponies that had cased him in stone in the first place. Not wishing to deal with the royal sisters at the same time Discord scanned the room for a hasty escape.
A small circular window caught his eye. well, why not? It could be fun and leaving the royal staff to clean up this deliciously tasteful chaos would just be the cherry on top. After the thought Discord leaped toward the small window that held the promise of escape and continued existence.
"FREEBORN!!!" He cried as the glass shattered.
He had bought himself a temporary reprieve from death by sisterly fury. Summoning up base jumping gear after a snap, Discord pulled his chute cord, only to have an anvil pop out, and glided toward one of the towers lower then the previous one he had just occupied. Those who saw the crazy creature couldn't make sense of what they had seen.
In one of the lower towers, Princess Cadence, as she had liked to be called for she didn't like her formal name, was on a sabbatical from her crystal empire duties. She was not alone either. Her "hubby" Shining Armor came along for the ride as well, both hoping to enjoy time together without interruptions. At this precise moment, both were sharing an intimate moment born of love, compassion, and harmony. So naturally, it subconsciously drew Discord to such a thing only to destroy it. It was the very thing Discord excelled at doing, you know, causing disharmony. So in their closest second of intimacy, Discord came crashing through the opening in the room both were occupying and he landed between the two, ending up in a compromising position with Cadence's "hubby".
Completely stunned by the unwanted and sudden intrusion, Cadence stared dumbstruck for an instance, then asked...
"What it in the wide world of Equis are you doing?"
Discord couldn't help himself, couldn't even begin to fight his nature, and so he slowly turned toward cadence, rolling over to look at the princess of love. His face covered in makeup, a parody of a back alley mare's face. Teal eyeliner and shadow looked dead into her eyes and replied.
"Why, making out with my colt toy"
As if that wasn't enough to to prove his point and cross the line, quick as a blink he turned back to Shining and kissed him on the lips. The panicked stallion tried to fight the unwanted advance, failed, and passed out do to a combination of disgust and embarrassment. Purple lipstick imprinted on his muzzle.
Knowing he had already crossed the line, Discord jumped from the bed clicked the heels of his mismatch feet twice, followed by a “beep, beep” and was gone before Cadence could blink. The only indication that Discord had in fact been in the room was a dust cloud in the shape of the dragonequus. With her eyes tinted red with rage, Cadence chased after, being the third princess this day Discord had managed to anger with his antics.
Through twist, turns, stairs, and halls ending at the Royal Garden, specifically the garden's maze, Discord continued to outmaneuver and remain hidden. The garden, and parts of the maze, were filled with wondrous pieces of stone sculptures. Avatars of the virtues ponies should strive for, and dark warnings of vices one should avoid. At one point, Discord had been imprisoned in stone and was a warning of what lessons of the past pony kind should never forget. A punishment for the era on which the, now playful, dragonequus had brought the entirety of pony kind to the brink of endless madness, and constant misery. Reformed as he was, the only thing that really changed from then and now, was the fact he had no desire to disappoint a very close and newly developed friend by mean spirited mischief.
Still running from the fury of three alicorns Discord’s disastrous detour of decadent disharmony would not be complete without the last princess had had yet to run into and frustrate. Fate, deemed this unacceptable, and to correct this grievous error, forced his sub-conscience down a path that ended with him tripping over the youngest princess of the four.
Twilight Sparkle, having been brought to canterlot on royal business, had hoped to find peace and quiet. Truth be told, as much as she had loved Celestia, she rather not get involved with the fallout of Discord’s pranks. so, Twilight had slipped away from the commotion in the castle, into the Royal Garden. Her peaceful spot was carefully chosen, if Discord’s only purpose had been to antagonize every pony with harmless pranking, the Royal Garden where Discord’s sentence was served, would be quite the deterrent to any pranks played against her, the results of sensible reasoning. Who would want to return to were somepony was turned to stone? With that in her mind combined with the tranquil silence of the garden were a comfortable blanket to study with, Twilight had summoned her most prized book. Reading the journal, that detailing the life and spells of Starswirl the Beared hoof written by the famous pony himself, had consumed most of her morning, and made her oblivious of the coming storm of chaos bearing toward her.
She was surprised when Discord had tripped over her. Confused when he had picked her up. Annoyed when she discovered the reason he did so was to act as a shield against Cadence’s attack spells. Terrified when she determined that the spells would hit her if she didn’t do something to protect herself, Awestruck when her instincts used her copy (in fact the ONLY copy) of Starswirl’s journal to protect her. And finally, absolutely livid when the book crumbled to ashes. The moment which felt a little like three lifetimes passing, was over in mere seconds followed by an almost but not quite sincere “oops” from Discord, before Twilight wrathful gaze bore into the spirit of chaos.
Not wishing to let the lit powered keg being held in his paw and talon explode in his face, Discord unceremoniously dropped Twilight and started off again, any direction that was away. Only after just a few steps, however, was his progress halted by a violet bubble sheild. He had been caught, his merry making drawn to a close, time to face those which he had angered. Cadences moved in like a lion drawn in for the kill. Well, at least it's only the two of them. if princess Sunbutt and Luny were to show up...I'd really be in trouble… and if as he had just summoned them from thin air, both Celestia and Luna made their presences known to the trapped trickster. Horns blaring on all four alicorns, each their own respective colored auras, all pointed armed and at the ready at Discord.
“MY CAKE!”
“OUR PAINTING!”
“MY HUSBAND!” the alicorns who were not Cadence shot her a questioning look, “you don’t want to know” answered Cadence to the unasked question.
“THE ONE AND ONLY COPY OF STARSWIRL’S OWN PERSONAL JOURNAL DESTROYED BY A DEVIANT, DELINQUENT, DISHARMONIOUS, DRACONEQUUS!”
“Why I’m flattered at the alliterated complement, Twilight.” Discord grinned his snaggled tooth and crooked smile. It broke the barrier holding her back, and set Twilight off a spell, soon followed by the other royals. The spell she casted, was just a simple teleport spell with an even simpler destination…
Away from here.
Several miles to the south, in the mostly rural town of ponyville, a peculiar pink pony mare with her signature frizzy and poofed up mane felt her knees pinch, her hair twist and her tongue go numb, a sign that something had been sent outside equestria, beyond the realm of Equis. The only thing that she thought was,
it’s too soon…
Location:
R-13: Farway
Caelum, Cygnus, Belfiore Academy
2034 P.C.E. (Post Creator era)
A small pop was heard followed by a big thud. Inside one the student barracks, to which in the very room Trevor made his residence, came a slightly pained, but still whimsical voice from within the magically sealed and locked wardrobe.
“Well, This is delightfully unexpected.”
A snap of fingers, though muffled, could still be heard out side the wardrobe along with a small “huh” of disbelief.
“Well, Here’s another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into…”
The academy’s galley was a simple unassuming building located in the middle of the campus, for the easy access of the students. To obtain food in the galley was also a simple affair, after the register, students had access to the salad bar (The only unchanging source of nourishment) which split into two separate lines offering the same choices listed on the day’s menu. Lunches and dinners varied from simple pasta meals to some of Flumine’s vastly elaborate sushi styled dishes, meatloaf to premier cuts of steak, lamb, venison, all manners of food available depending on the time of year, or holiday season. As for this particular day’s meal, Roasted Ham, Garlic potatoes, with or without a rich white gravy, mixed vegetables, and assorted seasonal fruits. It was unfortunate for Trevor that the breakfast offerings had stopped being served for the day (Trevor’s favorite meal was just about anything dealing with breakfast), as the time he lost reading put him into the lunch hours. Having decided on forgoing the hot meal offered, settled on a salad of simple greens, cheese, and ranch dressing.
Small pockets of what little students that stayed on the campus during the summer stand down, littered the galley’s eating area in small pockets of groups, dispersed in a haphazard manner. A few students called out to Trevor, hoping to gain some favor with him, or maybe trying half heartedly to recruit him to a house. Trevor just politely declined the invitations. Eventually, Trevor made his way to a small table off in the corner of the galley, it’s most important feature, it was an unoccupied table.
Unbeknownst to Trevor, his actions were being scrutinized by another across the galley. Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Milos Mirkovic, an instructor outlining the operation and maintenance of the Creatia Drive System (CDS) (A passive magic propulsion system that uses creative ideas as a power source), looked at the lonely cadet and sighed. What would you t’ink ‘bout yur lad if’n you were still ‘roud Ed? thought Mirkovic.
The LCDR was a close personal friend of Captain (CPT) Edward Fields, Trevor’s father, for almost their entire respective careers. As a matter of fact Mirkovic was the godfather of the late captain’s son. Because of that fact, but not being the only reason for doing so, the LCDR tried his best to be a father figure for Trevor since CPT Field’s disappearance sixteen years ago. Trevor, on the other hand, rebuffed Mirkovic’s fatherly efforts. Still, Mirkovic persevered, he owed it to his old friend regardless if his son wanted his advice or not. This is why he kept a watchful eye on Trevor, and why, at that moment, he watched with a heavy heart. Teh lad needs friends... deciding that an intervention was in order, Mirkovic made his way toward Trevor.
Halfway through his modest meal of nothing more than a salad, Trevor felt the ever so subtle presence of a person near the table, and felt it sit down, across from him. Not wishing to be too rude, Trevor looked up to see who wanted his attention. An older man, mid to late forties, a small spattering of freckles dotting his face and exposed arms, lastly he had a round and slightly stout face. Dressed in civies (civilian clothes), which consisted of a dark green polo like t-shirt, and khakis. He was also clean shaven and his ginger red hair cut short, yet not in a high and tight fashion. Trevor recognized his father’s old friend, Mirkovic, and sighed knowing full well why he sat down, and what was most likely to come.
“Good afternoon Lieutenant Commander” Trevor Replied, keeping his military bearing
“See’n tat we’re both in civies. we k’n drop teh formalities.”
Trevor grimaced. If Mirkovic wanted to drop formalities, it meant only one thing. He wanted to have a man to man style chat. While Trevor understood the reasoning behind the LCDR’s actions, Trevor wanted nothing to do with them.
“I’d rather keep to regs, sir.” Trevor replied.
“Two thin’s boyo. F’rstly it’s teh summer stand down. Two, agin we’re both in civies, so we’re laxin’ on the bearin’. Yet, I do expect some respect r’gardless. Also bein’ a friend of yur ol’ man means ‘bout the same too.”
“I’ll try sir.”
Mirkovic sighed. Teh lad’s more stubborn t’en ye were ol’ friend.
“Tell me boyo, why’d ye stayed here stead o’ goin’ back home to yur mum?”
“I didn’t feel the need to impose on Tibbia,” Trevor paused, “and with respect sir, Tibbia is not family. She’s just my guardian.”
“Tha’s a might bit cold for some ‘un who’s cared for ye for the las’ sixtin’ years.”
“And for that I am eternally grateful. But, I consider her more a gentle caretaker, then as a mother. Tibbia understands this, and is not in anyway upset by my opinion on the matter. The fact that I don’t consider her my family doesn’t mean I don’t care for her or hate her.”
“Right,” Mirkovic sighed, “Well t'en what about yer sister, ensign Meadows? sur’le teh lass has tried to convince ye to go home wit her.”
“I’ll admit it was...difficult...to inform her I was staying at the campus, and getting her to go back to Tibbia’s for the stand down. Not because I would miss her, but for the fact she would keep pestering me on finding a girlfriend. Her constant scheming in that regard has been nothing but a hassle…I do love her as if she was actually my sister. Yet, her constant drive to get me “hooked up” with someone is something I don’t have time for, nor do I need the distraction from my studies at the academy. I don’t need a girlfriend or friends to graduate.”
Mirkovic stared on in disbelief. teh hell’s wron’ wit teh lad?
“Tha’s not right. Ev’r since ye dad disappeared ye’ve been cold and distan’. Have ye ev’r talked about it to anyone? I mean how lon’ has it been since what hap’en, hap’en?”
“Is this to be some psych eval sir?” Trevor’s voice turned cold.
“What? No! I jus’ wanna… Lad, I’ma only concerned ‘bout ye.”
“With due respect sir, if you want to know when my dad died it can be found in my records. If you want to know my mental health then I would recommend putting in a chit (form) to have me go through a psych eval.” Trevor took a breath, “I understand you are under some self imposed obligation to make certain that your friend’s son will be a well rounded citizen. As a lieutenant commander these mentor style talks aren’t appropriate if I’m the only one you give them to. So I must insist that you refrain from them, sir.
“I can do my job without such things as friends, so long as I’m polite and respectful to others. If I keep that in mind I won’t have a problem getting people to work together. Personally, I don’t need the drama, conflict, or chaos,” (to which, at that particular moment, a certain dragonequus sneezed) “that comes with friends. I like my life to be nothing more, then being in a simple order.”
“Now lis’n here boyo,” Mirkovic snapped, no longer caring for Trevor’s attitude and opinions, “if’n there was one thin’ I’ve learn bein’ a sailer, ye need friends. At the very least, ye need allies, pers’ns that will help ye because t'ey care for ye boyo. Friends, t'ey help ye when ye can’t do t'in’s on yur own. if’n ye keep yur piss poor attitude ye have, one day not to far from now, yur goin’ to find yurself in a dark place unable to fight or tink your way out. It’s at t'at point ye’ll be wish’n for a friend to be pull’n yur arse out teh fire."
Trevor looked away and tsked
“Look boyo, I know ye wan’ nuthin to do wit me, but I owe it to yur fadder to look af’ta ye. Sum day down teh line ye be thank’n me.”
Trevor said nothing. He couldn’t come up with a counter argument, and further discussion would only make both himself and the LCDR angrier until a full out shouting match would make a scene in the galley. Also, sensing this, Mirkovic spoke no further, leaving Trevor to finish his meal in silence. His salad all but finished, Trevor politely said goodbye to the LCDR and started back toward the barracks.
He was still annoyed by the conversation he had with his father’s well intentioned friend. Trevor thought further on the conversation, his pace slowed slightly. The only person I’m close to is daisy. And, I hate to admit it, but maybe the LCDR is right…I might need some friends. But not now, not here, it’ll just have to be later, further in my career. Right now, I don’t have time for the distractions, that’s why I turned down the invitations to the houses.
Elsewhere in Belfiore Academy
Skeleton felt a disturbance in the magic of the land. Hell, it was bigger then that, it was a disturbance in the structure of the border. Something broke through the walls that separated the realms from one another. To make matters worse, who ever or what ever broke through, wasn’t of a realm that Skeleton was in charge of. Who ever decided to breach the realm, much less into MY realm, is going to pay dearly he thought darkly. Closing his eyes, Skeleton brought his breathing to a steady and calm rhythm, and letting his senses go, beyond, into the metaphysical.
It’s not human in nature. It seems more equine, but not. It’s all over the place, I can’t place it into just one realm or origin. Yet, it feels very familiar for some str— No, it can’t be…None of the princesses would be so stupid to send something here, much less what I am beginning to suspect broke through. The intruder felt like a storm. A never ending, completely inconsistent, storm, and only one being had that kind of signature. Last time he checked on the being, who Skeleton had suspected crossed the barrier, was incased in stone.
Senses still extended, Skeleton hoped whatever broke through was close at hand, not wanting to jump all across the surface of Farway. He was in luck, the breach happened here, at Belfiore. Where is it…I know it is here somewhere. Slowly Skeleton started to turn, narrowing his focus to which ever direction he was facing. Getting closer, closer, ah! It is near the student barracks. The one with— NO, he couldn’t possibly know what importance that student holds here. I need to get there now!
With a brisk pace, Skeleton headed off to the student barracks.
Student Barracks
Trevor’s mood did not improve much since his discussion with the LCDR. Even after he admitted his father’s old friend was right, much of the reason for his sour mood was simple. It’s very frustrating to have him constantly pry like that. Especially him blaming my father’s disappearance on how I am…dad has nothing to do with this… Still, Trevor couldn’t really convince himself of it, so he just kept walking. Hoping that the book on Farway’s history could make him forget the whole thing.
After going through the whole ritual of showing his Naval ID card (NIC) and requesting permission to enter the building his room happened to be located in, (a strange old tradition Trevor could never really make heads or tails out of). Trevor made his way back to the peace and quiet that would be his room. Through the p-ways (hallways) and up a flight of stairs, Trevor’s pace was a slight bit faster then normal, his frustration, and his want of being rid of it, the reason. That was until, however, he neared his room. A series of random thumps growing louder the closer he got to his door, slowed him down to a crawl at first, then a complete stop.
What in the world?
Confusion apparent on his features, Trevor’s inquisitive nature started running lists of possible causes for the series of thumps he was hearing inside his room. The steam pipes, the source of all the hot water on the academy’s grounds that doubled as part of the heating system during the colder winter months was a plausible cause, though unlikely. The piping system set up in the building wasn’t near enough to his room to produce the sound. While the acoustics of the building might make it a possibility, the slightly wooden sound to the thumps made it highly unlikely. Something of a more probable nature was that a construct might have gone bad.
Constructs going bad weren’t an entirely unheard of phenomenon, occurring quite frequently when constructs were first introduced to passive magic users. Modern constructs often had someway to vent the excess build up of passive magic. Constructs that had too much passive magic stored in their capacitors turned them into ticking time bombs, of very dangerous magical backlashes (often of which killed the castor) or into very large explosions depending on the amount of passive magic stored.
More than likely, a construct was to be the source of the noise, Trevor still thought it unlikely. Trevor often kept meticulous maintenance on all of his constructs. Having inspected and calibrated his constructs earlier in the week, and not having to worry about any one else’s constructs, because he was the only one in the room, made Trevor’s inspections very easy. Still mistakes could have been made. Maybe I forgot to double check the formula. Ensure that there was a relief for any excess build up. Or maybe one of the other students placed one here as a prank? Coming up short for any other probable causes of the random series of noises, Trevor kept to a working theory of a faulty construct discharging the build up of magic at random intervals.
As was taught, Trevor made his way into his room cautiously. Slow deliberate movements were needed. Passive magic users, like Trevor, naturally drew in the magic forces in the air. His very presence in his room would change what ever magic that was being drawn into the construct. If he moved too fast, or got too close too soon, the construct could collect more magic making the likelihood of an explosion happening. Slowly the door to Trevor’s room swung open, Trevor moving the door as if someone was sleeping in that very room. The series of thumps was joined by the briefest and fairly quiet creak, produced from the hinges and their diminishing lubricates. The thumps stopped entirely.
That’s odd
A few carefully place steps and a slow close of the door later, Trevor once again took stock of the room. Nothing was out of the ordinary, no scorch marks from the discharge of directionless magic. No residue of the slow ooze of magic that would leak from a slightly failed construct. Nothing at all indicating that a failing or failed construct was the source of the random series of thumps Trevor heard outside his room.
“What in the Void?” Trevor wondered out loud.
“Is somepony there?” Came a velvet and whimsical voice, “I was beginning to wonder if any pony was hearing my morse code distress signal.”
Trevor froze. He lived in this room by himself and there would be absolutely no new room assignments until after the stand down was over. So how come there was someone in his room, not to mention his wardrobe, which was magically sealed and locked so no one but him could open it. What does he mean somepony/ anypony? And if he was sending out a distress signal using morse…why was it a series of random thumps instead of three short, three long, three short? It doesn’t make any sense…
“Who’s there?”
“Yes, at least I think he’s still on first” came the reply, “While I’m quite certainly the fellow to enjoy the occasional talk from a cupboard or wardrobe or what ever this wooden container so happens to be," what ever was inside knocked on the wood twice, "and whom delights on making ponies uncomfortable, I’m not quite so humbled to enjoy the experience of both at the same time. So, would you kindly find it within yourself to release me from this wooden prison. Admittedly it is better then petrification, but the muscle cramps are simply too much.”
Trevor stepped closer, feeling strangely compelled to do what the voiced asked. It did ask kindly…but Trevor’s curiosity stayed his feet.
“How? How did you get in my wardrobe?”
“Took a wrong turn at a lamp post because a certain faun wasn’t very clear with his directions.” The voice chuckled.
“Start making sense!” Snapped Trevor, angry at not getting a straight answer.
“Make sense? That is sooooo boring, predictable, pedestrian. I am a being who is very much at war with sensible sense. Still, I can’t but help noticed I'm not being helped here. Tell you what, help me out of this jam and I’ll give you a treat! Some cotton candy clouds raining down any flavor milk your heart could desire.”
Trevor not liking anything to do with the situation at hand. Should he help who ever was inside the wardrobe despite however annoying they were? Should he get someone else from chain of command to take over? Trevor really couldn’t figure out what to do.
“I seem to notice you are still hesitating. I assure you I am reformed. Scouts honor! No longer do I partake in less then reputable chaotic activities that harm my fellow ponies, and or what ever else might be in the lands…mostly.”
That was it. Trevor made his decision. Who ever this is, what ever this is, needed to be dealt with, now! Not wanting to face this thing unarmed, Trevor looked around for anything that could be use in defense of himself. The heavy history tome laying on his desk would serve that purpose. Snatching up the hefty book from his desk, Trevor slipped his free hand into his pocket to retrieve the key for the wardrobe. Just as slow and as cautious as before, Trevor went from his desk to the wardrobe at a pace even a snail would beat. A moment of eternity later the key held in his hand was lined up with the lock for the wardrobe, a soft rumble of the tumblers when the key was inserted, and the click of the key turned, unlocking what ever it was inside. Instantly a bright flash occupied the room as the doors sprung open as if they were kicked. The Brilliant light shining, forced the nearly blinded Trevor to cover his eyes. As the light faded and Trevor’s eyesight returned, what Trevor saw, he couldn’t fathom.
Standing in front of Trevor was the strangest creature he had ever laid eyes on. A mishmash of all manners of animal. The paws of a lion, talons of an eagle, a head that seemed to be a cross of a horse and goat with two different horns, two wings on his back, one feathered, one bat like in nature, two misshapen eyes and a snaggled tooth, it looked as if it was something the Artist had drawn as a joke. To further Trevor’s disbelieve was the top hat and tux the creature was wearing.
“I dare say, it appears I’m no longer in Equis anymore, Toto.” said the creature, “Now then…where am I?” He took a deep breath, “Oh dear. That grumpy old man isn’t going to like this. It’s not even my fault this time you know!” he smiled and turned to Trevor. “Oh, where are my manners…” and with a snap of his talon a bag popped into existence, his taloned hand started rummaging inside, “nope, nada, definitely not, why did I even…? A HA! There they are!” with another quick snap the bag disappeared and a doily with the word “Manners” embroidered into it, was held in his talon, which he immediately tossed in his mouth and swallowed, “Allow me to introduce myself” another pop was heard and standing beside the creature was an exact duplicate. “His name,” both creatures said at the same time as they pointed to one another, “is Discord, Master of chaos and all things disharmonious.” the creatures rejoined, and now a very single Discord leaned forward coming face to face with Trevor, “I’d go on a bit further, but if it’s all the same to you…I think I’ll be making my grand escape before the old grump finds m—“
BAM!!
The historical text that was in Trevor’s hand connected with Discord’s face. An unfamiliar tingling sensation coursed through Trevor’s hands, a ghostly white aura surrounding the book unseen by Trevor. By The Creators and The Named what is this thing? I’d better report this. I need to secure it before I leave. It seems too dangerous to let wonder around. Not being able to locate any other sufficient means of binding up Discord, Trevor settled with a few of the long sleeve shirts he had. Again, as Trevor used the shirts to bind Discord’s legs and arms, a tingling sensation ran through his hands. Signs that a less rattled Trevor would have recognized as active magic casting. But all that Trevor thought about it, was it must be his adrenalin levels returning to normal.
With Discord subdued and bound securely Trevor made his way into the p-way, looking for the Building Officer, or some higher authority. Trevor found the latter not ten paces from his room as Trevor bumped into Admiral Skeleton, the temporary replacement for the CO of the academy. The very same Skeleton looking, unbeknownst to Trevor, for the very thing in Trevor’s room.
“Good afternoon admiral.” Trevor greeted, after he recovered from his bump into Skeleton.
“What is so good about it?” Snapped a cold, raspy, dead voice belonging to Skeleton. Annoyance at being bumped into, and anger at the still not found intruder clearly heard in the remark. Trevor’s train of thought stumbled, not knowing why the CO was so angry about a small bump.
“I…I have no answer to that.” Admitted Trevor, “But, sir…I’m not really sure how to…I have something unexplainable in my room” Skeleton raised a brow.
“Clarify.” he clipped.
“Uh…I left earlier for the galley, and when I came back something made it’s way into my wardrobe.”
There’s no way he would end up there… “Student’s pulling a prank. Not worth my time.” Skeleton turned to leave.
“Sir wait! Thats one of the things I thought of, at first, except… it was a creature that could talk on it’s own. It looked strange, Like the Artist took some elmint weed before he made it, like a patch work of some of the other things he made.”
Skeleton froze, his feature darkening in anger, eyes flickering rapidly between emerald green and solid pupil-less white. Quickly he turned back around facing Trevor. Trevor, after seeing the pure fury on the admiral’s face, stood in fear.
“Show me.” the words spoken like nails hammered into a coffin.
Skeletons first sight as he entered Trevor’s room was greeted by an unconscious and hog tied dragonequus. The sight of Discord tied up by long sleeve shirts, tongue hanging out and snoring, was just a little humorous, but Skeleton’s mood at seeing it screamed murder. His eyes narrowed, anger radiated from him, almost visibly, at the confirmation of the facts. With a quick snap of his fingers, Skeleton, Trevor, and Discord were transported outside the CO’s office.
“Wait here. Ensign Fields, we will talk in a moment.” Skeleton commanded, “I need to take care of…This,” he gestured toward Discord, “first.”
“Aye, Aye” The simple response to the command. Trevor too stunned at the change of scenery to say, or do, much else.
With that, Skeleton dragged the unconscious dragonequus into his office and slammed the door shut.
The room was cold, spartan, and perfect for the temporary admiral. Nothing to mark his time here, nothing would remain of Skeleton’s task here save a ghost of a memory. The office a small room made smaller by the mahogany colored wood panels that were glue to the walls, all in an effort to belay the fact the room was entirely cut off from the world. No windows to bless the room with natural sun light, just a sickly yellow glow from the light crystal constructs. No pictures depicting long standing naval traditions, Caelum’s history, or anything to make the room seem less isolated or comfortable in anyway. There was absolutely nothing in the room beyond a simple desk, two simple wooden chairs and a few file cabinets. A perfect representation of function, reflecting Skeleton’s look on life.
In one chair, the still unconscious, dragonequus laid unceremoniously about, though now untied after Skeleton whisked the makeshift ties away. Across the desk sitting in the other chair, Rust brown hair, buzzed cut, meeting the military regs, dressed in his dark navy blue service uniform, red trim outlining the collar and made it’s way down the buttoned outer shirt, the buttons securing the uniform the same dark blue. Tan dress pants, creases sew in the front and sides of the leggings, ended at his feet with mirror polished black dress shoes. Skeleton’s costume for the part he had to play, here in Farway. Soon he would waken his unwanted guest, but before Skeleton could start his interrogation, he needed to quell a bad habit.
**fla-tink** **fft**
An inhale of breath along with the crackle of tobacco, burning it’s cherry orange glow, remained in the amber flame for a moment before Skeleton moved the lighter away.
**Tink**
With a sigh, Skeleton exhaled his smoke, calming him slightly. The tobacco smoke lazily filtered it’s way across the room. A quick snap of his fingers, Skeleton used powerful magics to seal the room from any intruders. No one could enter with out his express permission, but more importantly, no one could leave. All that remained for Skeleton to do was wait for his prey to wake up.
“My, my what a rude fellow,” grumbled Discord, regaining his conscience, “I’ve heard of ‘Hitting the books’ But having just gone through with it can’t say I’m,” Discord stuck his hands into the air before pulling, from nothing, “a big fan.” somewhere nearby but outside the room a long “yeah!” could be heard. “Though I must say this is quite some place chaos if the author could be trusted. Farway huh? Can’t say I expected this, but when do I expect anything I do…” Discord chuckled briefly before he caught Skeleton’s cold as death glare. Discord cleared his throat, his eyes grew to dinner plates, pupils to pinpricks.
“Why are you here?” Icy and dead, Skeleton voiced his question with barely contained rage.
“I decided a vacation was in order” with an audible pop, Discord changed from his dinner suit to a tacky flowered, and obnoxiously orange shirt, a straw hat adorn his head, cheap red rimmed sunglasses covering his yellow eyes, and a pina colada with a tiny pink umbrella (turned inside out) in his taloned hand, “And thought I’d visit an old friend,” Discord paused, “oh alright, colleague, for a spell.”
“Do not lie to me.” The soft spoken statement carried the weight of eternity.
“Well then, aren't you a spoil sport.” Pouted Discord, “Despite your less then colorful opinion of me and my antics, I didn’t come here by choice, I was sent here via happy…” Discord noticed Skeleton’s unending scowl, “or not so happy coincidence, Skelly!”
“I gave you a warning of what would happen if you ever showed up in one of my realms, Accident or not, again. If I was to believe it was an accident as you so claim, why are you still here? I thought it would have behooved you to make a hasty escape and claim ignorance. That is your style is it not?”
“Firstly, never get a job writing greeting cards, that was terrible. Right now some poor kitten is being sat on by a rotund woman” a snap was heard and a television showing the very action taking place before disappearing, “so horrific was that pun, if you intended it, worse if you didn’t. Fluttershy would be so angry with you. Secondly, Don’t you think I tried?”
As if to prove his point, Discord snapped his paw. Skeleton felt nothing, no push, pull, or any indication that Discord made any attempt to leave Farway for Equus. It was possible that Discord only snapped his paw without attempting to leave, but Skeleton didn’t sense any deception. It appeared that the distrustful prankster was for once telling the truth.
“Despite my less than thoughtful nature, I do have some semblance of self sustainability, or with out the alliteration, preservation. I know what terms you gave me. I also am aware of the transaction between you and the princesses leaving you the ruler of Equestria and lead guardian of Equus’ future. To which I find incredibly unfair. I break a few rules and get a stone prison for a thousand plus years, and you break one of the biggest and don’t even get a slap of the wrist. What makes you so different from I?”
“First, unlike the princesses, I have little tolerance for your actions, I despise them. Secon—“
“What happened to you Skelly? You use to be such a jovial person. Even helped me on occasion in pranking the Matriarch, and the younger Celestia and Luna fillies. When did you become such a crabby person?” Discord interrupted. Another pop heard and a quick bright flash, Skeleton’s military uniform changed into a light blue shirt, with an adorable little cartoon crab, it’s face screwed up in anger, with the caption, “Leave me alone or I’ll pinch you!"
“Secondly,” Skeleton spat, “I did not betray everything my post was suppose to protect. As to my current temperament, something happened not too dissimilar to what led to your betrayal,” Skeleton sneered, “Harmonous.”
Discords eyes narrowed to slits, his normal playful nature turn to rage, his features twisted into a stone mask of hatred.
“That is not my name.” Discord seethed.
“That was the name you were born to was it not? Not this sick parody sitting before me,” Skeleton took another hit of his cigarette, “I won’t acknowledge someone who abandoned his duties, turned his anger on those who never deserved it and almost destroyed your origin realm because you couldn’t get what you wanted, Harmonous!”
“YOU WEREN’T THERE!” Discord raged, “I was refused my request to help who I cared about. Despite my pleas, the Matriarch all but killed off her daughter, MY LOVE! All because the system couldn’t handle an existence with her forgotten daughter Aria without destroying our unstable origin. So, I had my revenge on everything the Matriarch had fashioned regardless if the ponies deserved such a thing or not. And while we’re on the subject of revenge…Again, how is it you can get away with pulling the same bits of chaos I made, but not be punished as I was? Is our dear Matriarch playing favorites? Tell me Skelly…What makes you so different from me? Why aren’t you punished for the cruel things you do, to which might I add, are often much darker then anything I could do.” Discord looked on, exasperated, “To say I’m jealous of what you can get away with, would be quite the understatement.” He finished with a slight smile.
“The Difference? I have not attacked my kind as a whole. I did not place my origin in grave danger because I was angry. I target my revenge on those who would serve as examples to those whose hearts might be swayed by the sweet lies power brings. As to my acquirement of Equus…that was to help a desperate mare with an impossible choice. I do admit to breaking the spirit of the laws that govern us, but I have never broken the letter of the law, Harmonous.”
“Again. That. Is. Not. My. Name! All that remains of Harmonous, is a bitter memory best left to be forgotten.” Discord sighed, his rage dissipating, being replace with regret and despair. “Look, I don’t want to be here any more then you want me here. But please, If there is anything left of my once friend in that black heart you now have, please call me Discord. The other name hurts too much. There is a lot that I have to make up for… at least being immortal gives me the time to do so.”
Skeleton took another hit, before releasing his breath. Slowly bringing his unoccupied hand under his chin, Skeleton started to lose himself in thought. Damn it! And Damn him! This should have been simple. Yet, I suppose with him things never are. Falona gave him her protection after he was “reformed” preventing me from re-casing him in stone. I would have been given free reign to punish him if he had come here voluntarily, but with the simple fact his presence here was an accident her protection still applies. I understand why he acted in the manner that he did back then, if Falona did not help me fix my own mess, I do not believe I would have acted any different. still…
“What am I do to with you?” Asked Skeleton aloud.
“Well I’m partial to a good massage, maybe even one with a “happy ending” egg roll. But, maybe it would be more fun? No…stable, if you just sent me back to Equus.” Spoke the dragonequus, Discord’s playful nature returning along with a slight pout and puppy dog eyes.
“No.” Skeleton leaned forward into his hands giving him a calculating look. “Accident or not, a punishment must be administered. Do to Falona’s declaration of protection for you…it will be a light punishment, because of the unintended infraction. There is a problem of sending you back now, regardless. It would be a great desire to see you shipped back to your world and out of my mind. Yet, what is occurring here in Belfiore Academy requires my constant attention. Even the slightest absence of myself could bring everything I have been working for, in these last three years, into an unrecoverable tailspin. I can not send you back to Equus until my task here is done.”
Discord visibly deflated, along with the typical flatulent sounds, rolling of the chair onto the ground looking like a discarded balloon. From down below the office desk came the muffled.
“As much fun as I think I could have here, I’d rather be back home and spend time with my friends.”
Skeleton Arched a brow, then scowled. Discord returned to his regular form.
“It’s true! I…I grew tired of being the bad guy. Ms. Shy, and please don’t tell her I call her that in the company of others, had a big part in my chaotic temperance. But, it’s more then that…after one of my biggest breaches of protocol, I started to grow a conscious. Then after what a certain mint green unicorn went through… I’m tired of the misery. Not the chaos, All Mother help me, not the chaos, just being the cause of misery like the Matriarch did to me.”
“My Statement still holds true. Until my task is done, I will not send you anywhere, no matter how much I want to be rid of you.”
“But! But…Look I’m not the type to be serious, usually I’m against it on matter of principle, but I have someplace to be. You, I, we both know I shouldn’t be here. Problems beyond what I could predict utilizing all my amazing knowledge of the random and obscure, can’t fathom what could happen. The longer I’m here the worse everything will become. It will only take, oh, I don’t know,” Discord started to roll his talon, “three…ten seconds tops to send me home.” Discord growing more desperate.
“What part of No don’t you understand. As the situation stands, as I say again, is too damn fragile. For my task to be successful, it requires my constant vigilance, or it crumbles to dust. I will not allow that to happen. I already have enough stress ensuring that house Oaklandus, and Volcain settle things peacefully before the whole of Caelum turns to blood—”
Skeletons whole body froze. A mostly spent cigarette fell from his lips to his lap, the emerald eyes turned to solid white. His skin bleached, sweat began pouring from his pores, rolling down his brow falling near the still burning cigarette now in Skeleton’s lap. The smell of burning cloth, filtering through the room, joining the already thick smell of tobacco smoke. Discord stared on, confused as to Skeleton’s sudden lack of movement. Not knowing what else to do, Discord just waved his hand in front of Skeleton’s eyes. Nothing. Grinning Discord pulled out a marker and began to draw all manner of stick figures on Skeleton’s face.
5 seconds later, fifteen, thirty, a minute, five, the end of the universe passed by, or at least it felt that way to Discord.
“No…It can’t…” whispered Skeleton
“What was that?” Discord’s eyebrow raised.
Suddenly, Skeleton rose to his feet, arms coming from under the office desk in a quick fashion upturning a piece of the basic decor found in the room. His face contorted in rage, the ink from the marker burning off, the burnt out cigarette obliterated, as Skeleton’s form began to glow an intense white.
“DAMN YOU AND YOUR THRICE ACCURSED AND RETCHED PRINCESSES. DAMN ALL OF EQUUS, AND MOST OF ALL DAMN YOU FALONA! EVERYTHING I’VE BEEN WORKING FOR LAYS IN RUINS!” bellowed Skeleton.
Discord shrank back in fear, never seeing any one in Skeleton’s position just lose themselves to pure anger like that. Forgetting for a moment he was trapped in this room, with what very well might be his demise, Discord tried to magic himself out of the room, only to fail.
“I HAD EVERYTHING IN ORDER. NOW? CAELUM LIES IN RUINS, FARWAY ALL BUT DESTROYED, AND WHAT EVER ACTIONS AND CHOICES THAT LED TO THAT OUTCOME I CAN’T SEE. I’M BLIND…AND MY ONLY MEANS OF SALVAGING THIS ENDS WITH THAT KID BEING A MARTRE!”
Discord didn’t move. Yet, his very nature, ruled by a twisted curiosity had to ask.
“Why, What ever do you mean?” squeaked a very timid Discord.
“This academy’s house nobility system is bringing all of Caelum to a critical point. Within three months the two biggest houses will draw blood. I had time to settle the animosity between Oaklandus and Volcain before the beginning of next spring. But now I do not have that option, because YOU showed up. If a single drop of blood is spilled, Caelum falls to civil war, and will not be able to help Terra when they need the help most. Farway will spend millenniums in bloodshed. I had everything on the board, little to no risk to life, now? …if I use that kid to negotiate a peace between the two houses, he will be killed. I can not allow that to happen either, he has a bigger destiny beyond Caelum. What I need is time. Time to figure this out, so sort out all this chaos that—” Skeleton paused, his anger being replaced with a clever smirk as a desperate idea formed, “Then again…That might be my answer.” Discord saw the knowing smile on Skeleton’s face. The same kind of smile that was semi-permanent on Discord, usually plastered on his face. Being on the receiving end, the dragonequus found it disconcerting, “If you can help me delay the confrontation of the two houses. I might be able to salvage this. There will be rules to follow,” Skeleton’s eyes narrowed, “which will be adhered to at all times. But for intents and purposes you have free reign to do what ever you wish against Houses Oaklandus and Volcain. None other houses can be involved, and no blood can be spilt.”
Discord’s jaw fell straight to the ground with an audible thud. He couldn’t believe it. Skeleton who hated his guts, was giving the spirit of chaos carte blanche. The offer was sweet, too sweet. Is Skeleton trying to play me?
“I smell a trap.” Discord sniffed, then out of the ceiling fell a bear trap, “SEE! I knew it! You’re trying to play me.”
“I may be a cruel man, but I am a fair man. I do not play games, set up my fellow man for failure. I just watch, and hand them the rope to hang themselves with. Only a fool would trust you, or myself. Your hesitation reasonable, for once. I am desperate, I need a way to save that kid, and necessity dictates action. Having you play matchmaker with the two houses helps my cause. Trevor Fields is by far the most important person in all of Farway and needs to be saved no matter what.”
“The very same colt that helped me with the history of Farway? Again, Fantastic chaos. Why don’t you have me protect him from his terrible fate?”
“It won’t work. Thanks to your already brief time here corruption gave the kid active magic based on harmony. If you try to help him with your chaos magic, it will only make things worse. To help him, I need harmony magic.”
“hmm, If my very orderly chaos won’t be of any help. Mayhaps we might need an Element of Harmony…or six?”
“Absolutely not! I will not risk convergence between Farway and Equus, much less your origin realm. That is reckless border lining with stupidity, even for you.”
“Well I can assure you I can protect Equus just as well as the royals. After all, I’ve done it before, and for longer! I can make certain that Equus’ origin will remain safe.”
“That would mean trusting you. Making me the greatest fool in existence.”
“Oh Skelly, if I didn’t know better I’d accuse you of assassinating my good character.”
With a pop two doll like figures appeared on the still overturned desk, both a slight parody of Skeleton and Discord. Upon the miniature of Discord hung a sign with the words “Good Character” held by some twine resting slightly above his chest. The doll of Skeleton whipped out a gun and with a small pop, shot the Discord figurine. With an overdramatic show of bad acting the doll form of the dragonequus laid itself across the desk. Pulling out a daisy, the small form crossed his arms muttered a soft *hurk-Bleh* and stuck out it’s tongue, the daisy standing tall in it’s tiny mismatched hands.
“I am not amused.”
“That’s because you don’t get my jokes. The elements will help protect the colt, but only if you bring them here. I’ll help, because I’d rather not have the kid’s death on my hands if I can help it. Not after I discovered how much a friendship means to me after forgetting about such a thing for so long. If you’re so worried about the fallout from this, just ask the Matriarch. I would…But I’m still not on speaking terms with her.”
Skeleton didn’t say a word, with a soft sigh, he just closed his eyes. Slowing his breathing, Skeleton once again brought himself into the metaphysical. One of the gifts of Skeleton’s position was foresight, though often the gift was all but useless. Too many variables, too many paths that life could go down. It wasn’t a gift to predict the future, only a tool to help guide actions. Skeleton often called what the foresight did seeing the “board”. Feeling that a board game was the best analogy for what his job really entailed. Every major disaster or tragedy nothing more then a choke point on the board, and all paths ended at one point, a happy utopia. How long it took to get to the end, or how much collateral damage was done, was, usually, at Skeleton’s sole discretion. Which made his blindness of the future all the more unsettling, like now, only gleaming the black of closed eyes.
Why am I being blocked? Does fate wish me to be a piece on the board? It doesn’t make any sense. She gave me this forsaken mission. So what would be the point of her blinding me? Something…is wrong…But what is it?
“I suppose it would further delay the inevitable, if Falona approves the transfer. At minimum I will inform the royals of their grave mistake, and have the youngest sent here to help fix this mess.” Skeleton pinched the bridge of his nose, “I have to talk to the student sitting outside the office, the very same one you appeared before. This is to be a private conversation. As such, you will make yourself scarce. Change your form as well, the last thing I need is these fools thinking your some Artist made demon. We will talk later. Do not worry about when. I will find you when the time comes.”
With a quick pop Discord’s form turned into a skinny, and very thin man. His height seeming taller do to the matchstick thin arms and legs. His narrow chest looked higher than a normal humans, his legs longer helping to accentuate the odd look. Discord’s face was sharp with its features, straight angles, showing his cheek bones, and gaunt. A pointed chin, and turned down nose, giving him the look of a hawk. Dark brown hair spiked in all directions, white well trimmed sideburns near his ears. The only features that would unfailingly mark him as discord were the snaggled tooth grin, white goatee, and lastly the eyes. A golden yellow iris in one eye, a blood red in the other. Slightly sunken eyes with dark rings underneath giving the now human dragonequus a little evil to his look. For any living soul, the eyes would have sent shivers down the spine, but for Skeleton they were seen as superfluous.
Discord’s change of form was completed with a new set of clothes. Now dressed in a dark brown leather jacket, complete with matching stetson. Grey/green slacks with a whip attached to the waist, and a simple tan collared shirt to complete the ensemble, Reminding Skeleton of a particular movie character. Quicker then humanly possible Discord jumped to his feet and proclaimed,
“If that is to be the case, I shall explore the academy and face all it’s dangers!” with quick feet Discord sprinted to the door, but stopped just as suddenly as he started, “But, before I go…I have a request…”
For the purposes of Discord being even more strange to those who live in Farway, horses and ponies don't exist in Farway (everything was pulled by cows and oxen) If/When ponies and horses do show up...it's a sign of corruption and convergence
Trevor had been sitting outside the CO’s office for the last hour. Despite trying to be as diligent in his duties as possible, eventually boredom set in and with it, Trevor’s thoughts. For the better part of the time spent outside waiting to be addressed about the new guest, only two things had entered and refused to leave Trevor’s mind.
One, the strange creature Discord. Just what was this thing, where did it come from. Trevor highly doubt it was born from either the Artist or Author’s work, too haphazard and weird. Nothing on Farway even came close to what Discord was. Then there was the manner of speech, terms the creature used were unfamiliar to Trevor. Ponies, A term never heard in Farway, nor was Equus a country, town, or place, in Trevor’s massive study of geography. A mystery yes, but what held most of his attention was the CO.
The second thing on Trevor’s mind was Admiral (ADM) Skeleton the current CO. It would really be more accurate, however, to call him the XO (Executive Officer). Skeleton was only covering the actual CO, Command Admiral Adriac for the temporary move to Caelum’s Master Command Center (CMCC), a station that could take up to five years. While odd, but still acceptable that little to no service history can be found about ADM Skeleton prior to his appointment to Belfiore, (it wasn’t all that uncommon for some of the special warfare sailors to have blacked out records) it was the fact that ADM Skeleton had used active magic to bring Trevor, Discord, and himself to his office.
I’m quite knowledgeable of the high rated active magic users in Caelum. The admiral’s name wasn’t on it. Not to mention he has NO service record prior to Belfiore. Even if he was Spec-ops until being stationed at the academy, his ability to use active magic, especially if he can cast teleport spells would have to be known to the populous for safety reasons. The public safety committee would have a field day with this if they knew he was hiding active magic from students in case of backlash. It’s hard to believe he could hide his active magic with scans every 5 years. Just who is Admiral Skeleton? and why did it seem he already knew who and what Discord was?
Trevor gained no answers, as time kept to it’s slow march, threatening to swallow and drown trevor in boredom. Having nothing better to do, Trevor just stared at the off white wall, directly across from him, the p-way nothing but a pressing silence. Slowly the sound of a door opening returned Trevor back to the world of farway, and a cold, dead, and raspy voice called out.
“Ensign Fields, enter”
A chill ran down Trevor’s spine.
“Please take a seat, This will not take much time, nothing more then a brief moment. I have to debrief you on,” Skeleton sighed, “the thing you caught in your room.”
“Aye, aye.” Responded Trevor, making his way nervously toward the desk.
“Firstly, I have a few questions to ask. It’s to give you a perspective on just what the creature Discord is, and can do. So, How familiar are you about the Named?”
“Um…They a…They’re the caretakers of Farway. They help maintain balance in the world after the Creators were removed, and sent back to the Void to rule. At…at least according to the church. I could only remember about twelve of the Named but I think there are around forty or so Named recorded”
“Good answer, a bit lacking on details but it does get the point across. And are you familiar with the Rock and the Broker?”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell me about them?”
Trevor looked on confused, but answered anyway.
“The Rock was a companion of another named…The Wolf I believe. His stead fast guardianship of the Wolf was stuff of legend. The church wants us to remember and emulate his protection of someone he cared for as we protect those we care about.”
“And the Broker?”
Trevor shifted uncomfortably.
“The Broker, is a mystery. Although not the first to be Named, he is the oldest Named. He was responsible for getting our creators, The Artist and The Author, together for their period of collaboration before they began to war with each other. He stepped in and forced the Creators into a truce that lead to the Tournament Era, and was instrumental in the Champion’s request to stop the bloodied tournaments and set us free from the dark plans our Creators had for us.
“The church views the Broker as a dark deity that lures the innocent into corruption and sets them against their fellow man. His, deals…his deals have been used as stories to scare children into behaving, Adults from too much evil. He is used as an example of we become if we let too much evil enter our hearts. And yet, I don’t particularly subscribe to that dogma.
“The Broker has been on the side of ‘good’ in every major conflict our world has faced. If he really was an evil thing bent on corrupting the hearts of men, then our texts would not place him as a mentor of sorts to the Champion. I think that the Broker just targets men that already have that darkness that afflicts lesser morals, to help reinforce our own.” Trevor stated.
“That is a unique take on an already established way of thinking by the church. I am quite surprised that you are as vocal about this as you are. The church is not as tolerant of outside thinking as they propose.”
“I have something that helps with that…” Trevor trailed off, averted his eyes, hanging his head as if to hide something, before picking it up again, “Sir, I’m not certain what this has to do with the creature Discord.”
“What do the Rock and Broker have in common?”
“Is Discord one of the Named?” A flash of fear made itself shown as Trevor thought about how he assaulted, what was, essentially, a god.
“Luckily for us, no, he is not Named. No…He has something else in common with the Rock and Broker, specifically.”
After a brief moment of thought Trevor worked it out.
“He’s an other worlder!” shouted Trevor.
“I am quite pleased I do not have to spell out everything.” sniped Skeleton, “Discord is indeed an other worlder. One I have happened across before I took up my station here. Out of all the other worlders in Farway’s history, Discord has the potential to be the most dangerous of them all.” Skeleton pulled out his lighter and lit a cigarette, “To be blunt, if this information never were to burden your ears, I would have been perfectly content to leave you in the dark. Circumstances, it seems, do not allow for such a choice. So I am afraid I must force you into my confidence about the matter. Discord’s presence here in the academy must be kept a secret, the last thing anyone needs is a damn panic that some unknown Creator demon is loose on the world as some revenge plot.” Inhale, Exhale, Trevor started to cough at the foul smoke that started to fill the room. “Admittedly, even with him disguised the whole issue with Discord is nothing more then a powder keg moments from exploding in my face.” Another hit from the cigarette and a sigh, “This is where I must ask a tremendous favor from you, and you will be unable to refuse.
“Currently on Farway there are only a handful of forces capable of stopping Discord should he get out of hand. Most are, I regret to say, the oldest Named, and only one human mage. Luckily for us, that mage is currently in this room.”
Trevor let loose the breath he didn’t quite know he held, The CO has this under control. Now I can just put this behind me and just focus on my sch—
“I was not aware you were an active magic user Fields.”
Skeleton’s office seemed to shrink to suffocating levels as Trevor processed the statement. Disbelieve colored Trevor’s features as Skeleton’s revelation took him by storm.
“S-Sir…Y-You must be mistaken. I’ve never tested positive for active magic, I’m a rate zero, I’m immune to active magic for the Named sake!” Stammered Trevor.
“I assure you, not only are you capable, you rate somewhere in the nines.” once again Skeleton took another breath of smoke, studying the young ensign’s face before continuing, “Words, are useless things. Actions are much more valuable.”
And with that said, Skeleton pulled out a small unassuming slate blue cube and set it on the desk between them. Trevor recognized it immediately, it was a testing construct, used to measure the potential rate for active and passive magic. Rate zeros, like Trevor knew he was, had no connection to the type of magic tested, which placed them in a unique position of immunity. Zeros couldn’t be effected by magic, so more often then not they were employed to be spies, and paid quite well for their efforts. The maximum rate that could be achieved was a ten, which all but put them on par with the magical power the Named had. Trevor, from birth, always rated a 0-aP-9, so being told different was beyond possibility. Regardless of what Trevor knew, the testing construct would clear up any doubt.
A small, almost invisible, button was located on the top face of the cube. With a quick depress of the button the construct actuated. A quiet hiss was heard as the edges of the cube began to separate showing a near perfect glass sphere with an arcane formula etched within. A small blue light glowed from inside the center of the sphere, growing brighter until it’s brilliance increased making staring at the core of the construct start to hurt the eyes. Slowly the top face floated higher and higher until it reached eye level with Trevor. The side faces folded down until they were flat with the surface of the desk. The glass core floated ever so gently, suspended above the bottom face, before a blue beam of light, with laser like consistency, shined straight upwards toward the top face. From where the light hit the top of the test construct, a blue shimmering wave passed over Trevor from head to toe, thrice over. When the first wave passed over Trevor, he felt a slight tingle, the second wave only increased what Trevor felt, and by the third pass Trevor felt his whole body tingle as if it were numb. Though it wasn’t Trevor’s first time under the scrutiny of a rate test construct, it was the first time that there was a tingling sensation. This lead credence to Skeleton’s claim. Then, faster then you could blink, the construct finished it’s purpose and snapped to a close, making it feel as if the whole test was nothing more then a dream.
“Quite the interesting reading wouldn’t you say?” Sneered Skeleton as he rotated the construct to show Trevor the readout.
9-AP-9, Trevor couldn’t believe what he was seeing, it was damn near impossible for someone to just spontaneously increase their magic, let alone to such a degree. His jaw dropped and realization hit him. He went from being immune to Active magic to being one of the highest casters in the land. What…what could have caused this?
“I believe your Terran blood held active magic,” Trevor frowned at the fact, Skeleton noticed, “I read your file ensign Fields. Your mother was from Terra, was she not,” Trevor just nodded, “It is a tragedy that she died in child birth, but it seems she left you a gift. A gift so unique that you are, to my knowledge, the only being in Farway to be able to cast Harmonic Magic. This magic protects you from almost all forms of active magic unless an extremely improbable series of events were to occur, to fully realize your innate active magic. Namely, the impossibility of coming across a being like Discord, specifically”
“I’m…I’m finding this hard to believe sir.” replied Trevor.
“Truth is often stranger then fiction,” Skeleton took the final hit of his cigarette before putting out what little remained of it in the crystal ashtray near his right hand, “Again, It is do to your…unique magic that I have an assignment for you.” Skeleton sighed again, for the first time in a while he was regretting what he was going to do, “I need you to be a watch dog against Discord. Before you make your protests.” Skeleton interrupted Trevor’s attempted outburst, “Allow me to explain why. The world Discord is from, he holds more power then most of the Named, or even the Creators during their period of dispute. If the Named were more interested in the mortal coil, then this would not be a burden you would have to bare. Yet, this world is not tailored for that level of convenience. Despite his promise not to cause harm against us, I trust this creature far less then I do if the Creators were to return offering a pardon to, we, who cast them out.
“Your magic seems to be almost perfectly tuned to be a deterrent to Discord running uncheck. No sword, hammer, line gun or book could harm the dragonequus unless it had your magic coursing through it. I assure you this is only a temporary arrangement, I am in the process of contacting his world’s ‘named’, if you will, to help keep him in line. while they shall be here post haste after my correspondence is sent, it shall be upwards toward a year before I will be able to make and use a spell to send them back.
“I have made the appropriate provisions to help make your task easier. For now I must send you on your way. Return to your room for now. You are dismissed Fields.”
“Aye, aye.” Trevor responded after a moment of silence. With a quiet resignation, He removed himself from the chair, turned to head toward the door, and started back to his room, very confused on how the chain of events played out that very day.
Skeleton just watched, quietly, as the young ensign left, and once again sighed. Skeleton hated the fact he had to lie to Fields. While everything Skeleton had pointed out about Fields’ newly minted active magic was, at least on the technical level, plausible, in reality, it was nothing more then a smartly worded fabrication. Skeleton was no stranger to lying, often to get what he wanted or needed from his marks, he hated to manipulate those who were puppets to fate. Eating further into his almost nonexistent guilty conscience of the necessities he had to do. Yet, though it was an unpleasant task he needed to do, Skeleton would do it again in a heart beat, He had too much at stake not to. With that in mind only one thought was made.
I have to write a letter.
Meanwhile
Location: ER-0 Equus Origin Canterlot, Castle of the Royal Sisters 1003 CE (or year 3 R.E. (Reunion Era))
Peace. Finally there was peace.
Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight all let out a sigh of relief at the slightly smoking ground were the once disruptive dragonequus had been.
“Does anypony know where we sent Discord?” Luna inquired, a tingling sensation of dread running down her spine, “Or…Does anypony care?”
“Whelp, He’s somepony else’s problem.” The princess of love said flippantly. Still angry over her interrupted time with her husband, “I’m going back to my Shiny. I need a good cuddle…aaaannd I think he does too, to get over what happened this morning.” And with that Cadence trotted off to resume, hopefully, what they had started earlier, in the royal guest rooms.
Once Cadence was out of sight, Twilight, at last, finally calmed down from the events of the morning. It wasn’t to be a happy calm though…it was to be a calm of despair and resignation. Starswirl’s journal, she realized, once her breathing returned to it’s normal rate, was lost to history, all because she had used it as a shield against Cadence’s spell meant for Discord. Tears began to form, the fur that coated her face turning a dark violet, as the salted water drops streaked down, falling to soft piddles and pats on the ground.
“My precious book….the o-o-only *sniff* copy…”
“Dearest Twilight. What is bothering you my friend?” A soft nurturing voice, that could only come from Celestia, asked.
“The *sniff* only copy of Starswirl’s journal *sniff* it’s gone.” replied Twilight, now crying in earnest.
“Worry not Twilight,” Celestia let out a small chuckle, “it is not lost to time.” slowly the sun princess unfurled her wing and draped it over the youngest princess in a motherly fashion.
Slightly confused, the lavender pony turned her head and looked, at her mentor turned colleague and friend, just in time to see the loving smile the sun princess often held, and what Twilight had always sought. A faint golden aura made it’s way to the visible plane around the white pony’s spiraled horn, as Celestia began to cast the recovery spell. The ashes of the once book took on the very same gold color, before a small flash blinded any who looked upon it, returning to it’s pre-burnt form. Twilight looked on, opened mouthed, in awe at her prized possession existing again.
“All books that once belonged in the Royal Library have a special enchantment on them that wards off complete destruction. I have also place the spell on every book I have gifted you as well. You do live with a dragon that happens to spout flames on occasion.” Celestia explained, earning a brief chuckle from the now happy mare. With a sudden bit of selfishness and intense need to prove it was really back Twilight yanked the book from Celestia’s magical grasp and glanced it over confirming it was back in all it’s book like glory.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou” Twilight squealed, hopping in a circle around Celestia.
Luna just watched the exchange with a smile, happy that something so precious to her friend, and sister was not lost to history from an accident. Her smile was, however, muted as the sense of dread had not left her. Somehow, all Luna could think about was that, in someway, Discord was still going to have the last laugh.
Evening had fallen on the capital city of Equestria, turning the busy, noisy, and stress of the day, to a quiet and serene night for families to huddle together, or couples to help grow their love. It was something Luna had once disliked, as it seemed to her that in all their work and play during the day, robbed them of their chance to do the same during the night. When the Elements of Harmony had removed the hatred and envy, and brought with it the both warm, and bitter cold truth of her blessed night, Luna felt ashamed. The night was for reflection and hope, without her and her night ponies could never be as happy as they could be during the daylight hours. Now, though, with how busy the the ponies were during the day, Luna was thankful for the peace her night brought. Night was meant to be shared with those you cared about, and on this very night, she did.
Twilight had set off earlier in the night the royal duties, that had originally called her to the capital, completed. Celestia had seen Twilight off, something that had always left a little wound on the sun princesses heart. Twilight was the closest thing that Celestia could have as a daughter, something the diarch pined for. The walk back from the canterlot train station was always longer after Twilight left.
Cuddling up with her sister, relaxing from the daylight duties, Celestia couldn’t help but appreciate an irony. A thousand years ago her sister wanted her subjects love and affection. Now in this “modern” age both princesses wanted peace from their subject’s constant dependance, and the nobles, often petty, disputes. Still, both princesses loved their subjects, but just wanted a moment to spend with each other. A millennia of banishment is a hard thing to recover from.
“Tia…I have a feeling something bad happened today.” Luna spoke softly.
“You mean besides Discord’s frustratingly childish actions?” Celestia snickered, breaking from her regal mask. The necessity of being partial to everything, not needed in the presence of her sister. “We needed worry too much about Discord. Though, he has done great harm to not only us his once family, but to all of Equus, in the past. I highly doubt he would relapse and return to what he once was. I do believe that the element of kindness has tempered his rage.”
“I am aware of that Tia, but I still feel as if something has gone wrong, and he is at the center of it.”
As if the cosmos was answering some unknown beckoning, a letter popped into existence in front of the two sisters. The letter hovered in the air for the briefest of time before it fell to the floor, dead flat, no bounce, like it was laid with burden and despair. The letter was sealed in a familiar way to Celestia. A single ribbon, true black, the kind of black that steals away light, that sends fear into the deepest parts of your being. The wax that sealed the ribbon had a sigil of a skeleton key, highly stylized, in a brilliant, yet off-putting, emerald green. Celestia eyed the letter cautiously, and with apprehension.
Why would Skeleton send me a letter? I haven’t any prospective princesses, nor is there any threat on the horizon that we royals or the elements can’t handle. So why would he send me anything?
Slowly, the letter was surrounded by a golden glow, as Celestia levitated the letter toward her as if it was a bomb set to explode. Hesitantly, she broke the seal and unfurled the letter. Immediately her eyes widen to dinner plates, and as she read further, her pupils shrank until they were pin pricks. the eldest alicorn froze, her magic ceased to encompass the letter, and it flittered to the ground. Luna watch, at first in curiosity, then with worry.
“What’s wrong Tia?”
“You were right Luna…Something has gone wrong.” Tears formed briefly before streaking down her face, “In our moment of anger this morning, w-w-we violated one of the Matriarch’s founding laws. Discord is now in a human realm.” Luna began to visibly shake with fear, “What is worse, is that Skeleton not only knows this, but is demanding that I send the elements to the same realm to help repair the corruption that is beginning to spread. Luna, I’m so scared…”
“Absolutely not!” Luna declared. Her fear, still present, but tempered in anger, “Tis no more than an accident. Surely the Matriarch would forgive us, and think Skeleton’s demands too outlandish. To take the elements from Equus and leave us defenseless from those who seek us harm, it’s absurd.”
“I don—We do not have much of a choice. Luna there is something I must tell you. It is my greatest sin, and my darkest secret.”
“YOU DID WHAT!?” Screeched Luna, loudly, in the Royal Canterlot Voice.
The question Luna asked could be heard as far as Appleloosa.
To say that Trevor was unhappy would have been as redundant as saying that water is wet. Two things were the cause of Trevor’s ire. One, based on his limited interaction with the other worlder Discord, any and all antics his sister Daisy usually made, seem tame. Two was the room move chit (paper) posted on the door to his living quarters. Despite Trevor’s best efforts to avoid being associated with a house, Skeleton had forced him into one. It was really the latter that made Trevor frustrated. Why now? I thought everyone, including the staff and COC (chain of command), knew my desire to stay away from the social pressures the houses made and, or, caused. I don’t want to socialize, I just want to serve out my contract and maybe set off for some closure, on some exploratory Civie mission. The only consolation that Trevor could take was, at the very least, it was still stand down. So it would be about a week before students were due to return. One week that Trevor didn’t have to, really, be a part of the culture the houses produced. Still it was a hassle.
It took a total of about two hours for Trevor to have packed his belongings in prep for moving across campus. The particular house Trevor was assigned to was directly across the academy from the basic barracks. His uniforms neatly tucked into his garment bag, his civilian attire packed in tightly wound rolls in his light blue sea bag. The books, both the types he usually read, one assigned for the course work, and the recreational reading, nonfiction history, tucked in neatly, along with his constructs, in just a regular black backpack. The more he packed the more he grew to dislike the matter. Once his possessions were packed Trevor just let out a sigh. Orders are orders thought Trevor as he slipped out the room he had since starting at Belfiore. There might have been, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was the summer stand down, fellow cadets that would have given congratulations, or condolences, on Trevor’s forced acceptance to a house. As it stood though, Trevor left for his new lodgings, alone.
What were referred as the Houses, really nothing more than a slight homage to the family lines that fought in the Tournament Era (the Freeborn’s being the founding ancestors of Caelum). Those whom were a part of a House were held to a higher standard then the average cadet, but what was given in return made it worth it. Those who belonged to a house, depending on the prestige of the House, were given preferential treatment and choice orders. Even the living spaces were vastly better then the non-house barracks.
For starters, the Houses, looked like houses. Brick fenced properties with well maintained yards (courtesies of the restricted students or third party businesses), Iron gates that controlled the flow onto and off from the properties. A decorative name placard stating which House was in charge of the living quarters. Gently sloped and shingled roofs of a tan color, brown/red bricked exterior with the same tan shutters on the windows. Inside the building was the latest furnishings. Real wooded panels covered the walls, modern and pleasing art adorn upon the wooded accents. A full communal kitchen, complete with a range top and oven. Bedrooms furnished with better beds, mattresses, chairs, and closets. A full bathroom for each room, not just a shower and a small almost useless sink. All to make the Houses feel like a home. All of this, even in the lowest standing House quarters, was the basic standard for any personnel belonging to a House. This was all a striking contrast to the regular barracks, of soulless grey concrete, stark white painted and empty p-ways and the very basic necessities of the regular barracks. Leaving little mystery as to why many sought to be a part of a House as soon as possible.
Trevor’s 20 minute trek across the campus grounds ended at his newly assigned and currently nameless house. The brick wall separating the campus from the House ended at the placard with out a name (on account of the House being newly formed.) For now, the building seemed empty of life, when the students of Belfiore returned, who knew how many would join. My only consolation is I should be alone for twelve or so days. thought Trevor, after a sigh. Step by step, Trevor made his way to the entrance of his new residence. Though, what ever small bit of comfort Trevor held about living in the residence alone died entirely once he stood in the entranceway.
Standing in the center of the foyer was a strange man, dressed in drag (a french maid outfit), with a familiar snaggled tooth smile. Trevor knew him…somehow, but couldn’t place a name to the face. Once he could though, Trevor was almost certain he would hate it.
“Welcome Master, to la maison de Equus.” Said the man in a falsetto voice, with obvious traces of the voice that had came from the wardrobe…
It…It couldn’t be.
“Now Master,” the stranger, whom Trevor was beginning to suspect was the mismatched creature he saw before, fluttered his eyes in a flirty manner, “Do you wish me to take your bags to your room?” A toothy grin grew on the man’s face.
“What the void?” Asked Trevor aloud, his frustration apparent in his tone. A soft velvety whimsical voice chuckled, then cackled madly.
“Ah…That, that right there is what makes everything I do worth it. That look of absolute confusion. Consider this a little revenge for the history lesson.”
“History lesson?”
“The one you gave me to the back of the head, it gave me a lump you know” Discord showed the back of his head. There a small comical hill, protruding from the back of his skull, could be seen through his hair.
“D-D-Discord?” Trevor stuttered. He was beginning to suspect why he had new living arrangements. The new semester coming up, being stuck with this creature, was something he was not looking forward to.
“The one and only, don’t let my other selves deceive you.” Several Discords popped into existence all claiming to be Discord before popping back out. So quickly did it happen, it all seem as if it was an illusion.
“But your human? How did you change? What ever it was that made it’s way into my wardrobe looked as if it was one of the Artist’s original ideas, not this.”
“Now that’s just insulting. I would like to think that some of this” Discords form shimmered briefly before the dragonequus’ true appearance was shown. With a sweeping circular gesture indicated his whole being, before turning human once again, “is found in this form!”
“Why do you look human and why are you—”
“Here? Well to answer the first part second, you could say your particular brand of magic has me quite a bit curious, so I figured I’d stick around to see just what becomes of it. And for the second part first, I’m like this because Skelly didn’t want panic in the streets…you call them streets right? No matter…He’s dead set on this too, despite my two hour seminar on the benefits on chaos induced panic. Why popcorn is a universal must, and I do really mean universal must, when watching said chaos happen. Even got a pink party pony to endorse me on this fact!!”
“What?” Trevor’s eye visibly twitched.
“What’s on second. And even better!” Discord’s Smile grew even wider, “We’re going to be ROOMMATES!”
Quick as lightening Discord snatched up Trevor and all his belongings before, with a soft snap and pop, Teleported to Trevor’s, and apparently Discord’s, new room.
Twilight had always enjoyed riding the Friendship Express. The hour or two ride from her once home in Canterlot to ponyville and her library, now turned castle, was always a peaceful affair. She often used the time to de-stress after visiting her once teacher, now co-ruler of a sort, or prepare for what ever new task that said princess had assigned her. Today, her ride home was the former. Dealing with Discord’s antics, feeling despair at loosing something, both too precious and priceless, like Starswirl’s journal, elation at realizing it wasn’t lost to the granules of time, and lastly the bittersweet, yet heartfelt goodbye by, what was arguably, Twilight’s oldest friend. Lazily laying across the seating, Twilight began to relax. Starting with the calming breathing exorcises, then pondering some long standing magical discrepancies.
By the time the express had pulled into the station in Ponyville Twilight’s morning had felt like a distant memory. Long into Luna’s night, she gathered her things and stepped off onto the platform, expecting nopony to greet her. Twilight’s friends with their own daily lives, plus the mare’s own respect for their needs, didn’t inform them of her late night departure. She would just let them know she returned tomorrow…or later that day, Twilight wasn’t quite sure if it had passed midnight yet. So, when a pony sized ball of pink tackled her, and pinned her with her hooves, Twilight was quite surprised.
“Hi-twilight-did-you-have-a-good-time-in-Canterlot-I-mean-I-know-I-wouldn’t-with-all-of-the-ponies-that-live-there-act-like-some-sort-of-snobby-mcmeaner-pants-well-not-Fancy-Pants-or-Fluer-Dis-Lee-so-I-guess-not-all-ponies-in-Canterlot-are-total-snobs-even-still-living-there-would-be-like-an-unending-boring-part-of-the-gala-party-like-every-day-which-is-ok-for-someponies-but-not-for-pinkie-no-way-so-did-anything-intresting-happen-while-you-were-doing-your-princess-duty-stuffs?” Pinkie asked with a *squee*
Twilight understood half of that, as per usual when her peculiar friend spoke so rapidly without breathing. So not to seem rude by ignoring what she said, Twilight simply asked her to repeat her question.
“Did anything exciting happen when you where in Canterlot Twi~light?” Pinkie repeated with a slight annoyed tone. I think I was pretty clear when I asked the question…I…I just need to confirm what I think happened.
“Well, the summit went smoothly, Now with an official title, and the last bit of damage Tirek caused a few months ago finally fixed all I did was talk to a few representatives, nothing too exciting. In fact the whole trip was pretty standard royal duties, which both Princess Celestia and Luna handled. It was Quiet for most of my time there, even cracked open a book to read, before I thought I lost it for good…” Twilight trailed off
Pinkie just gave an inquisitive look, tilting her head a bit.
“Discord…He pulled some pranks earlier today,” Twilight looked up realizing it was closer to dawn then dusk, “or yesterday…anyway, he started with pranking Celestia by messing with her cake.”
Pinkie gasped and a single tear fell, “That Fiend!”
“Er, right. Well, after that he messed with Luna and Cadence, and by extension my brother…though Cadence wasn’t really forthcoming about what happened…He kept going until he destroyed my book. At that point I wanted nothing to do with him, and the other princesses were in a agreement, so we sent him away.”
“Really?! Where? Did you send him to Cloudsdale? or Appleloosa? the Bad lands? Oh! Oh! I know you sent him to the MOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNAAAAAAA?”
Twilight chuckled, “To be honest, I didn’t really have a destination in mind, just anyplace that wasn’t there. I think the other princesses did the same. I’m sure it will be fine, he’s got to be somewhere on Equus right? Hey! How did you know I returned from Canterlot anyway?”
“Pinkie sense! Split hair at the end of my tail means somepony I know is returning from a train ride!”
“But Pinkie, you know everypony in Ponyville! Lots of ponies leave and return by train, all the time. How could you possibly know that it was me re—” It was then that Twilight remembered who she was talking to, “Never mind.”
“Okie-dokie-loki! Say Twilight, could you do me a tinsy tiny smally wally little favor?”
“It’s a little late in the evening Pinkie,” Pinkie just gave her best puppy dog eyes, “*sigh*…Ok…” The defeated Twilight gave her reply.
“Do you pinkie promise to help me with my little favor?
“Why would you need that?”
“Could you just do it? It would mean the world to me…”
“Fine…Cross my heart. Hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my ey—OW!”
“GGGGRRRRRRREEEAAATTT!!” Cheered the vibrantly pink mare, “I have an amazing prank I want to pull on dashie, b~ut it could use a little help. Could you possible use your supper secret but not so secret spell that summons Discord. I need a cotton candy cloud to make this work” Pinkie finished, looking strangely serious. Please let me be wrong…
“WHAT!!? Pinkie why would you even think that after this morning I would want anything to do with Dis—“
“You PINKIE PROMISED and it sounds like your going to break it…”
Twilight gulped.
“But its…” Pinkie’s look cut Twilight off, “fine… I’ll do it.” The purple mare knew it was almost never worth it to break a pinkie promise, after all the fasted way to loose a friend…
“Thanks Twilight! I knew I could count on you!”
Twilight just gave a sheepish smile, She really, really didn’t want to do this. Still, a pinkie promise was a pinkie promise, even if it was an asinine request more trouble then what it’s worth. Still might as well get this over with she thought.
With a quick bit of mental work Twilight started on the summoning spell. Her magenta colored aura emitting from her horn, a rapid charge of energy now being focused, She started her search for Discord’s “key”, his unique magical signature in the form of a leash. Having found it, the mare released her spell and gave an ethereal tug. A bright flash enveloped the train station platform, briefly illuminating the surroundings as if Celestia’s sun was above them. When the bright light dissipated a tub filled to the brim with water, soapy suds floating in the bath, like the previous time she had used the spell, but with one glaring exception. There was no Discord. I did the spell right. But, I don’t sense him…Even if he was waiting to surprise me or pull some sort of elaborate prank, This spell marks him for a brief period so at the very least I know he is near enough for him to hear me. but I sense nothing… So, Where is he?
“So Twilight…when are you going to summon Discord?” The pink party mare asked with a worried tone.
“I just did…or at least what I cast was suppose to. Maybe if I try again…” Repeating the same steps as before, receiving the same result, “This, This can’t be good.”
At that precise moment a young and boyish yell called to the two mares standing on the train platform.
“TWILIGHT!” called out a bipedal lizard, with a slight pot body, purple scales soft yellow scales and underbelly, green spines growing in a line from the top of his head to the very back of his tail. Spike, baby dragon and Twilight’s number one assistant the source of the shout.
“Spike!? What are you doing up so late?” scolded Twilight, watching as the little drake run toward them. When he thought he was close enough to talk at a conversational level, he slowed to a walk then stopped, out of breath, his claws on his knees.
“Letter….Princess…Important…” Spike relayed between breaths, one claw producing a scroll Twilight hadn’t noticed he had, the other still on his knee.
The lavender mare encompassed the scroll in her magenta aura, relieving Her assistant of his current charge. Though his breathing slowed, Spike still wasn’t fully recovered, so his now open claw moved back to his knees.
“I was just in Canterlot. If the princess had something very important to tell me,” Twilight unfurled the scroll and started to read, “I’m sure she would have informed me while…I…was…there…” Twilight froze. The contents of the letter finally making sense, filling the normally happy mare with a tremendous fear.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I am afraid that in our handling of Discord earlier in the morning, what had happened has presented a dilemma that must be addressed in the fastest possible means. It seems in our haste and anger to rid ourselves of his childish antics, the combined forces of our spells and lack of destination, we have violated one of the cardinal rules. We breached a barrier into another realm. Worse yet, it seems he was sent to a non-Equus realm, one where the Representative not only is charged with guarding, but has and active role in it’s day to day affairs. Skeleton found Discord. I need you to gather the Element Bearers, the power of the elements will be necessary to open a portal to his realm. I am afraid I must send you after Discord, before any damage can be done, accidental or otherwise. I am truly sorry for this burden.
Signed,
Princess Celestia
Adrenaline pumping through her very vanes, Twilight galloped to Golden Oaks Library, as fast as her fore and aft legs could carry her. It was unfortunate that, in her rush to her home and safe shelter, Spike was violently yanked with Twilight’s magic before being forcefully shoved onto the mare’s back. All that Twilight could think to do was prepare. Prepare as best as she could manage, before she would have to come face to face with the scariest being she had ever met. Barely noticing the way the pink mare calmly watched her gallop off.
Slowly Pinkie move over to the scroll Twilight had left behind one the ground and read it over confirming what she had already guessed, and now starting to plan to correct. Oh, Twilight… You aren’t ready to handle this. The Pink mare thought soberly, But, I’ll help you out as best I can.
Classes were Scheduled to begin in a little less then two weeks. It was something Trevor usually dreaded, as it always seems to bring back all the unwelcome invitations to join a house. While the two largest Houses, Oaklandus and Volcain, had largely given up in trying to coerce Trevor into their ranks, some of the lesser Houses never received the hint. Not that it mattered much anymore, The CO just forced him into a House anyway. But, now? Now, Trevor couldn’t wait to leave the hell his new roommate was causing him. He began to suspect it was going to be a very long twelve days, after recovering from his disorientation at suddenly appearing in what would be his new room, and Discord started, and it looked as if he wouldn’t stop.
“So? How should we do this? Hmm…” Pondered Discord, “I mean this room is just so drab. Even that almost emotionless sister to that pink mare, would find this dull…it just needs to be spruced up a bit don’t you think?” Discord asked rhetorically, going ahead to change the room with a snap of his fingers.
Trevor just shuddered in horror, well, no, in revulsion. It looked as if the whole room was decorated like someone vomited flowers on everything. The walls covered in a tacky pink and red flowered wall paper, somehow yellowed in age despite being brand new to the room. The curtains a light tan with yellowed tulips embroidered in a realistic fashion instead of a much more pleasant stylized form. It looked horrible, before trevor notices the overabundance of doilies covering the furniture.
“Too tacky.” *snap*
Now in place of a horribly decorated flower theme, the whole room was much darker in color scheme. The walls now painted a solid black with decorative blood red skulls inlaid in a group of four pattern. Curtains a dark red brown color of a silky quality replaced the tacky flowered ones beforereminding Trevor of old blood stains.
“Too Dark” *snap*
Now everything was in a rainbows. From the carpet in the room, to the racks, and ceiling. Nothing was spared from the prismatic pattern. A small twitch of Trevor’s eye betrayed his growing frustration. It also didn’t help that the overwhelming amount of color was starting to strain his eyes too.
“Too…” Discord rolled his hands thinking of the most appropriate world, “Arrogant” *Snap*
*Snap*
*Snap*
*Snap*
“Ah. Now this is more like it! Wouldn’t you agree, Troy, or Trainer, or Trey, or what ever your name is…”
What Discord had settled on was, least to Trevor’s opinion, probably the worst decoration out of all the previous options. The walls were a checkered teal and pink in various configurations, yet none of the “squares” actually had straight lines. A transparent film like curtains drawn to a close, and somehow, in a manner that couldn’t quite compute with the young ensign’s mind, blocked the light shining from Farway’s sun. Vase’s grew from inside flower pedals sitting on the rooms desks, which like the rest of the furniture in the room, were plastered on the ceiling. Trevor’s calm and collected manner, the way he usually conducted himself, was faltering quickly.
“And now for the beds!” *Snap*
Now one of the racks, the one Discord was going to use he supposed, turned into some candy apple red form of a C.A.R. streamlined to look as if it could move as fast as a line pistol’s magic bullet. Made of some hard yet strangely shiny and flexible material Trevor had never seen before. All these things he took in stride, albeit tenuously, until Discord started to affect the possessions Trevor had.
“Now after we deal with your bed, Let’s improve that boring attire you seem so attached to.” And with that Discord grabbed up one of the only things Trevor’s father had left him. A small picture frame of with a photo of Trevor at the age of eight, and his father at the pier his ship was moored (docked) at, before his disappearance some sixteen years ago. Trevor then Snapped.
“ENOUGH!,” Bellowed Trevor, the actions of the chaos making being in front of him proving too much, “Return this room to regs RIGHT NOW! And GET OUT! FIND ANOTHER ROOM IN THIS EMPTY HOUSE!!”
Discord seemed shocked, never really expecting this sort of response from what Skeleton had informed him about Trevor, his expression soured.
“Why, I never…Here I am hoping to give some life to this place, all for you might I add, and you rebuff me!” retorted the master of chaos
*Snap* the room returned to it’s original manner, save Discords bed. Because, As Discord put it, it’s what all the cool kids want. Still Trevor wasn’t having it.
“Leave and find another room!” seethed Trevor through gritted teeth.
“I can’t nor would I just do that.”
“THEN I’LL LEAVE!”
“Also can’t let that happen either,” Discord’s grin grew impossibly wide, “You see, I asked Skelly for a favor, well, two favors really. First was a way to get back to my home realm…Working on that by the way. Second, was to have you as my assistant in my little mission to add a little chaos here and there at this academy. With your 'buck the system' attitude in regards to the Houses and what they do here on the campus grounds, just made you the perfect candidate for such a thing. Skelly was in total agreement and set up a new House on the spot!” Somehow, Trevor was doubtful about that, “In order to carry out my little mission, all that was needed was to give me an instructor position here for the next year or so. Aaaand to have you help m~e, al he need to do was to put you in an unaffiliated new House, Which in case you forgot we’re House Equus, and make me it’s guardian.”
Trevor could not believe such a wild tale. What in the void, was that Author’s tale? I mean how does something like this happen here!? This is belfiore not some civie, college. What, by the Named, is going on? Everything that’s happening here is soooo out of regs it’s a bad joke. I know I was ordered to look after this creature. All because I somehow have gained, spontaneously, high levels of active magic, and that it’s supposedly tailored to handle something like him in line if he goes rouge. But that doesn’t mean I have to be subjected to this, or live with this insufferable thing, just to keep a weary eye on it.
It was at that point Trevor made up his mind, hoping, however futile it was, he could successfully convince the CO to return him to the student barracks.
I’ll go first thing in the morning. being Trevor’s last thought on the matter.
Location: ER-0 Equus Origin Equestria, Ponyville, Golden Oaks Castle 1003 CE (or 3 RE)
To say that Twilight Sparkle had been terrified would have been a great understatement. In her fear induced movements, Twilight had all but raised Ponyville looking for her friends, as with what Celestia had said, the Elements of Harmony. Or rather their bearers, considering they now sat where they belonged, in the tree of harmony. Considering that the station was closest to Rarity’s, Twilight had hit up the Carousel Boutique first, much to the disruption of the fashionista’s comfortable rest. Rarity would have normally admonished a disruption of her beauty sleep, but the sheer desperation in Twilight’s eyes had held it at bay. Then it was off to Dash’s Place, it being mobile was currently above the clock tower, then Applejack’s, Fluttershy’s, and with great haste the mane six had been assembled in the new library located inside Twilight’s Castle (Named Golden Oak Castle in honor of her original home). Celestia’s sun hadn’t even blessed the horizon yet, and all of the bearers, sleepy, baggy eyed, and hungry, stood in a bemused fashion watching their lavender friend pace back and forth, her mane disheveled and reminding all of them of the smarty pants doll incident some time ago.
“What do I do? What do I do?…” Repeated Twilight, in a mantra that only served to increase her panic, rather then reduce it. Finally one of her friends had to ask.
“Twilight, honey…Are you ah’right?” asked Applejack, her southern draw served to comfort, if only nominally.
“Yeah Twi, this isn’t like one of those things you usually panic about but turn out to be nothing big, is it? interjected Dash, Twilight’s frantic pacing starting to effect her calm.
“This IS a big deal. I might be removed as a princess, Banned from all Equestria, no, Equus, I might have to redo magic kindergarten…forever!!” Replied a tearful lavender mare.
“Darling, I’m positive that no matter what you did, for good or bad, that Celestia would do any of those things. Most surely, Celestia wouldn’t punish you with such harsh edicts.” Rarity said, hoping to bring some calm to their distraught friend. Bringing a hoof to her chin in thought she finished with, “or that cruelly.”
“Of course Celestia wouldn’t do that,” Replied Twilight flippantly, “It’s not her I’m worried about…it’s another alicorn that would meter out the punishment…and he might be even stronger then Celestia…”
With that one statement all the girls jaws just fell to the floor. Celestia was, with over a millennia of records, undoubtedly one of the most powerful ponies in all of Equus, to say that another pony, not to mention some unknown, male alicorn held more power was simply to absurd to believe. Not to mention the manor that their friend had just dropped the information so casually only furthered the disbelief held by anyone other then Twilight. Had it been any other pony saying such things they would be dismissed as having a fantastic imagination, or delusional. The fact that it was Twilight that had said it, gave the statement some measure of credibility. After all the elements had all known Twilight for over a year, and had shared more adventures with her then they had cared to count, all leading to one fact. Twilight was a terrible liar, seconded only to Applejack, element of honesty.
“Now, Ah, do reckon that is a might somethin’ to worry ‘bout.” Applejack answered for them all.
“What’s worse, Celestia is coming here tonight to send me to him…” Twilight gave and audible gulp, “alone. She had me gather the six of you because it’s going to take the full power of the Elements of Harmony to forge a portal to where…where…” Twilight broke down crying. Fluttershy moved in closer to comfort her friend, Pinkie followed suit.
“Why wouldn’t Celestia send you by chariot or something. Hay, I mean it’s not like there isn’t anyplace in the world the royal chariot can’t go. Why does the princess need the elements to get you where you need to be?” Rainbow Dash asked, confused.
“I…It’s…I’m not sure I can talk about it…Suffice it to say, where I’ll be sent to is further then a pegasus can fly, and a unicorn can teleport. Someplace like the Mirror Realm…but different.” Was Twilight’s glum reply.
At that Twilight just broke down again, this time, all of her friends gave hugs in an effort to help her. Trying their best to cheer up their friend, offering what ever comfort they could. Though the element bearers had little or no clue as to why Twilight was being subjected to such emotions, they did their best to comfort and console. The hug was held till Celestia’s sun had given them it’s early morning light. Not long after morning sun, the solar diarch had arrived at Twilight’s castle.
“P-P-Princess Celestia, *sniff*” Slowly Twilight rose, breaking away from the embrace of her friends. “What…*sniff*…What’s going to happen to me?” Her voice broken, as innocent as a foal. Tears she thought she no longer had, being desperately held back from her once mentor.
“My dearest friend, I could not begin to tell you. I wish I could say everything will work out…but I can not lie to you, not with this.” Sighed Celestia, “Though what happened was never intended, it does not matter to Skeleton’s eyes.”
“Uh…Princess, what are you talking about….what happened? And who, pray tell, Is this Skeleton character your talking about?” asked Rarity hoping to gain some sense of what was happening, and a brief glance at her friends faces told her they thought the same.
“My little ponies, Who Skeleton is is a subject of a great and complicated discussion, to which I, unfortunately, do not have the time to explain in the detail it deserves. However, it does not mean I will be unable to give you an answer. The simplest explanation is he is an alicorn from another world, that bares the same if not more responsibilities as myself.
“There are rules…Rules that were broken last morning. In his usual manner Discord had been trying to all of the us, Luna, Cadence, Twilight, and myself. In our frustration, we had teleported him away, together. What we did not know was where we had teleported him to, a realm of which Skeleton had control. What was done had the same impact as if the Griffon’s or the Minotaurs had banished one of their own to Equestria.” Understanding flashed across all the the elements faces save Twilight, who was still fighting back tears, “Skeleton’s method of ruling is less, pleasant, then mine. When he discovered what we had done, he demanded our help, as was his right…” a small frown broke her stoic mask before it disappeared so fast it seemed it never to have happened, “And so I must send Twilight, for he had specifically asked for her. “That is why I have asked Twilight to gather you here as fast as she could. The elements will be necessary to send Twilight to his realm. When what ever damage Discord has done, intentional, or, as I suspect, unintentional, is fixed. Skeleton will meter out his punishment, and do to his position in this manner, I will be unable to sway or stop.”
It was then, that Twilight’s predicament finally dawned on her friends.
Sleep had abandoned Trevor as he now sat in the foyer. It was not for a lack of effort, but do to a bizarre and incredibly dangerous circumstance beyond his control, that had robbed him of his peace of mind, and thus sleep. His hands clenched in white knuckled fists, sweat beaded on his brow, moments away from falling to gravity's embrace. Discord, as Trevor was beginning to suspect, secretly trying to harm him. Intentionally, perhaps...but it was hard for him to determine. Discord's actions were alway ambiguous at best. Regardless, Trevor's want to see the CO, turned to need, as he recalled just what happened hours prior.
The old adage of "sawing logs" didn't hold a candle to the snoring his roommate produced when the other worlder slept. The noise produced rumbled the walls and rattled the furniture. To make it even more annoying the snoring sounded fake, as if he was pretending to sleep, so obnoxious was the noise. Sadly it was the most bearable part. On random occasions the dragonequus, in disguised form, would sneeze. That in and of it self was harmless, but it was what came about when Discord sneezed that made the night infinitely worse. When he sneezed some of whatever Magic the creature held would affect the room. Most changes were harmless. A change of wall paper, different furniture would appear replacing what was in the room, Trevor's blanket replaced with netting, and other harmless but annoying changes. The most curious was a blue plant Trevor had never seen before potted on a table, but there was something about it that told Trevor to avoid it at all cost lest he be embarrassed for weeks from what ever its effects would do to him. Not unlike one of the random changes that altered his sleeping wear to a teddy. It was the last sneeze that had terrified Trevor. As to how Discord knew of, or managed to summon one of the most deadly creatures ever to have been conceived by the Artist, Trevor could only guess at. But by unforeseen circumstances, a Darkin appeared in his room.
Darkins, a foul creature of death, lived off life sources. There presence turned the most brightly lit and warm day to an icy and terrifying affair. Any living thing a darkin touched, it leeched the life from quickly, aging it's victims at an impossible rate. What made the darkin so much more terrifying was they had no definitive shape. Just an emptiness, a black cloud of non-light, no face, no body, nothing that was tangible in anyway. They only indication that anyone had of being in a darkin's presence was an icy sensation at the base of the spine, usually. For suitably high rated magic users, they could sense it as if it had a physical body. Thanks to his newly unlocked magics, Trevor had indeed sensed the nightmarish creature.
Startled awake, in a mad panic Trevor reached for any light emitting construct he could grab. His hands fumbling about in the darkness desperate to find a darkin’s only weakness. Anything that could produce light. Sensing the darkin growing closer, a sensation of what would be it’s ghostly, icy, deadly, fingers were outstretched in hopes on feeding on him, Trevor’s desperation grew. Each second wasted felt like a nail pounded in a coffin. Just when it was within reach, he finally found what he was looking for. With out wasting what precious little time he had, Trevor reached within his pool of mana, and let it connect to the construct. Immediately the room filled with brilliance and a loud inhuman screech. The loud heart wrenching noise continued until if finally disturbed Discord from his slumber. With him awake, the darkin disappeared in a soft pop.
“I dare say, that was quite rude. what ever that thing was.” Discord grumbled.
“That thing was a darkin.” Softly replying the young cadet, “You…You summoned it here in your sleep. I…We…” Trevor’s breath turned ragged, his adrenaline levels dropping, his whole body shaking with both relief and terror.
“Why what ever is a Dar-kin? Sounds like some ambiguous thing that a lazy writer would come up with”
“Darkin are one of the most dangerous evils our creators ever left behind in their legacy. With just one glancing touch they can steal decades worth of you life!! And. You. Brought. One. HERE!!”
“I assure you I did no such thing intentionally. I personally don’t like causing death, it’s so final. Death just ruins chaos.” Discord paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Even when I’m not actively trying to create chaos, I’ve never brought forth something so dangerous, if the young colt is to be believed. I should know, I’ve tried to do it a few times, but the matriarch had never given me such a blatant means of destruction. It seems old Skelly was right. I am a danger to the colt. The sooner the elements get here the safer he’ll be. I do hope they show up sooner then later. “I’ll be extra careful to ensure something like this never happens again. You can trust me.” Discord’s smile, meant to be reassuring, only helped to discredit his statement.
“The mere fact that this was an accident only means that you can’t be trusted. I can’t wait any longer. I’m leaving, don’t follow me.” snapped Trevor, all but shouting in anger.
Trevor turned promptly, and left the bedroom, and made his way to the foyer, were he waited alone. As it was still a ways before dawn, and with that the CO, Trevor still held the course, and did what ever he could best to calm his nerves.
Location: ER-0 Equus Origin Equestria, Ponyville, Golden Oaks Castle 1003 CE (or 3 RE)
After Celestia’s brief description on how the element were going to help bridge the two realms, The mane six had gathered in a circle around Twilight. At first there was a small bit of confusion. Namely, how they were to call upon the elements. With the physical elements no longer accessible to them, having been returned to bring peace back to the Everfree. They hadn’t really spent time exploring the strange new magic they had been granted from the Tree of Harmony. Initially they had tried to do what they had before, focusing on the physical medium of the elements, hoping the connection to them would survive being returned to the tree. Sadly this had not worked. It wasn’t until they had felt the task impossible, that they would have to give up one of their friends that a strange, yet familiar power coursed through them. It was their friendship. In focusing on what ties they had to each other, they found the elements power, and gifts that the strange locked box had imbued them with. So calling forth their connections to each other, and with Celestia’s gentle guidance, they began the border spell.
Slowly the six elements, honesty, loyalty, generosity, kindness, laughter, and finally the magic that came from friendship rose to the air. their coats altered, reflecting both the element they represented and who they were themselves. As the spell gained more power, a rainbow light swirled about them like a ribbon caught in a dust devil. To each of the bearers a feeling of love, respect, comfort, acted as the catalyst to bring forth more magic. A soft pleasant sensation coursed though all of them, but more so at the focal point, Twilight Sparkle, to give direction to the might of harmony. Twilight’s eyes turned a pure white, in magical saturation, it was then Celestia cast the magic needed to seed the spell. In this “seed” held the information on the world Skeleton had demanded her once student attend to. Confident the power of harmony would be strong enough to force a portal into being, (Celestia had never truly understood Starswirl’s magic enough to make her own doors between realms, and after her betrayal of her friend’s trust, would never receive. This was the only method she could come up with to fulfill the king’s request.) With the seed planted, the rainbow swirl grew brighter, reaching its climax bathing the room in it’s light. Like a feather, the element bearers floated back to the ground, their coats back to their usual splendor the light diminishing to the normal sun lit levels as before. However unlike before, a swirling rainbow portal stood before them, both tall and wide enough for even Celestia to pass through with ease.
“It…Is done” Stated the solar diarch, a tone of finality was heard in her voice. Not unlike carrying out a death sentence. “Twilight, I will give you few moments to prepare.”
Twilight just gave a solemn nod and headed to her room to pack what ever she thought she could use. With slow dragging hooves, Twilight left the company of her friends. The other elements made their way forward, inspecting the portal that had taken all of them to make. Trying to see what lay within the rainbow colored hole-in-reality that lay in the center of the library, only to see nothing beyond swirling rainbow light. Upon the faces of Twilight’s friends, their emotions shown like Celestia’s sun. Rainbow’s features reflected the apprehension, tempered by her curiosity at the wonder before her. Applejack bemused, such fancy magics escaped the sensible farm mare. Rarity looked in wonder, the swirling pattern already inspiring the fashionista with three different sets of clothing lines. Fluttershy a mask of fear, slightly lessened by a queer sense of bravery moved closer to the portal, standing near enough to touch it. Pinkie, unlike her friends just looked bored, and slightly crestfallen.
I hope they can forgive me, for what I’m going to have to do. All of them. Thought the usually peppy pink mare.
It didn’t take long before Twilight had returned, upon her barrel a small yet tightly pack saddle bag. This wasn’t a pop quiz or some random “test” Celestia had signed so Twilight did see some reason and thought it best not to pack the proverbial kitchen sink. With the slow march of a funeral preseason, Twilight had descended from the upper story of the the castle to regroup with her friends. Tension filled the air, growing a bit too much for Rainbow Dash, She had to voice her opinion on the matter.
“Uh…Princess? Normally I’d be up for a good adventure. Hay, Even was ok with Twilight heading off to the human like version of Equus, but…this just seems wrong. I mean why does Twilight have to head through the portal alone?”
Celestia gave a soft sigh. A small smile graced her lips, at Rainbow Dash’s loyalty for her friend. “Thank you for your concern Rainbow Dash. The reason Twilight has to be sent by her self is a simple affair. Our magic, Equestrian magic, has a tendency to break down the walls that separate one realm from another. When our magic is to prevalent in a world it does not belong to. The borders between these planes of existence weaken and begin causing them to merge. Could you have imagined what would have happened if the darker version of myself had been given free reign her in Equus?” Rainbow shuttered, “The more dissimilar a realm is to our own the more likely the magic degrades the border. That is why despite my desires, I must send Twilight alone.”
I am so sorry Twilight. If I could go myself, I would do so instantly and without hesitation. However, I must follow what ever the king demands, no matter how much it pains me
Though the Answer Celestia gave had placated the prismatic pegasus, it did little to alleviate her worry, or for that matter the rest of the bearers. Twilight, still disheveled, look upon her mentor and role model with a sober gaze. She held it for what seemed ages, hoping without hope that somehow the princess could save her from this fate. When the princesses sorrowful gaze was the only answer she received, Twilight just resigned her self to face Skeleton, alone.
“It is time, Twilight, May the Matriarch guide you well” breathed Celestia, her tone conveying all.
Step, by step, Twilight made her way through the portal.
Suddenly, and without provocation, Pinkie gasped loudly, before bum rushing Fluttershy, sending the timid mare tumbling into the portal.
“OOOOO!” exclaimed Pinkie, oblivious to the looks of horror on her friends faces. “I found a bit!” Pinkie shouted, holding the golden coin in the air like a trophy, followed by a squee.
PINKIE!! shouted her friends, each with a varying amount of disgust showing.
“What? finding a bit on the ground is just good luck. everypony knows that!”
Time for the act… she thought.
“Pinkie, you just pushed Fluttershy through the portal that only Twilight was supposed to go through. What the HAY were you thinking!!” shouted Rainbow, now even further enraged at loosing a such a long standing friend.
Pinkie stared on for a moment before realizing what had happen. With the audible sound of a balloon popping, Pinkie’s mane changed from her bright pink candy floss curls to a straight and darker pink mane. Soon after the water works followed, spraying in fountain like manner from both her eyes.
“O-o-o-oops…I didn’t…I mean my back was itchy and thats suppose to mean it’s my lucky day, and then I saw the bit on the ground and my body just moved on it’s own. I d-d-didn’t mean to push Fluttershy into the portal to who knows where…” at that Pinkie just wailed.
Though still frustrated at teh turn of events her friends’s anger simmered a bit, in recognition of the accident. However, Behind Celestia’s stoic features, unyielding under the further degradation of the diarch’s control, terror and wrathful rage were at war in her soul. What further demands would Skeleton ask of her? Would he take hold of his right and rule her ponies in much the the same manner as his own charges? What would happen to her, if she was honest, all but daughter, Twilight and her friend fluttershy under Skeleton’s scrutiny? Yet, under this turmoil righteous anger burned not unlike her very sun. How should this pink pony be so careless! How dare her subject cause further risk to their way of life, regardless of intent. In the struggle between her emotions her rage, began to boil, rising to the surface, threatening her mask. It was only a matter of time before it would breech the stoic face the solar princess held.
Her only saving grace was something Celestia had never expected. A brief glance over Pinkie’s form had answered her fear induced questions. For when, Celestia’s magenta eyes met Pinkie’s baby blue, that the party mare’s eye’s flashed white. Instantly the princess recognized what had happened, as well as the why. The Matriarch had decided to act. Only her agents, her daughters, or the Matriarch her self had that telling sign, solid, iris-less and pupil-less, eyes. Though the gaze had only lasted a fraction of an instant, Celestia’s rage had calmed. Sadly, as it did pass, so did Celestia’s memory of what happened. All that remained was the feeling of relief.
It was not long after a second black ribboned scroll had appeared before the solar princess.
Trevor left immediately after the morning sun had broken the oppressive black of night, hoping to see ADML Skeleton as soon as was possible. Fully aware that the wait would be a dull, listless, affair, Trevor was determined. Having face his death the night prior thanks to his new roommate, Trevor would brave almost anything to be rid of his new ”roommate” despite Discord’s best efforts to sway him from doing so.
“It seems somepony is still pouty about the little accident we allegedly might have possible done last night without our consent.” grumbled Discord, “Now I’m certain I had sorry at some point last night, really early this morning, slightly less early this morning, just after the sun rose, or perhaps not…who knows? But that’s beside the point. Yes what happen was without a question a nightmare for you, and unfortunate all the same. But it seems my natural habit for jokes and just what ever makes this wonderful chaotic world run, don’t play too well without my complete control,” Discord leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, “Mind you I don’t have much control over what I do anyway,” Discord returned to his original position.
“Allow me a…” Discord quickly punched into his chest and pulled out a stylized heart, covered in some fuzzy material, “Heart felt apology.” Discord gave his snaggled tooth grin.
Trevor just stared, unamused Is it all just word play and games to him? Does he not know just how dangerous Farway really is? How this world plays for keeps?
“Oh, I see,” Discords grin turned to mocking frown, “It appears this sort of apology isn’t good enough for you. So let me ask you Stallion to Stallion.
“Skelly will be here before too long. While what happened last night was most certainly an accident, I’d rather not face his wrath when he finds out what hap—”
Discord’s whole body shook for a second or two, Leaving Trevor curious as to what the dragonequus was playing at. Portions of Discord’s body rapidly grew and shrank, signs of something big coming, to what the lord of chaos didn’t quite know, but could give a good guess at. Then as quick as it started it stopped.
“IN COMING!” Bellowed Discord, before dropping into the fetal position.
Now very baffled, Trevor just stood still, unsure of what just happened, before noticing the very P-way he was in started to grow warmer. The very air of the building that housed the CO’s office grew stuffy, then mid summer full blown humidity hot. Visible arks of arcane magic broke though the metaphysical plane, signs of incredible active magic levels being cast, crackled to and fro with out any true direction. Hair standing on end amongst the young ensign’s arms at the rising concentration of magic forming in the air, a tingling coursing through his legs turning them numb. Smaller arcs bridged the gaps between his individual hairs, much to Trevor’s slight concern. At an almost imperceivable level, to start, the active magic discharges began to swirl about the room. Within seconds the arcs of intense energy formed a whirlpool, streaks of lightening like energy coalescing into a pea sized core of pure arcane. Trevor, as per human condition, took a step of two forward, fulfilling the need for answers to the unexplained magic before him.
*FLASH* *BOOM!!!!*
In rapid fashion the core of what ever was being cast, exploded in a bright wave of force, coating the room in white brilliance, before dissipating leaving a rainbow portal in it’s wake. Trevor would have taken further notice but the execution of the active cast was taking it’s toll. The force of the portal had taken a more physical action, turning into a concussive wave, not unlike a grenade exploding, propelling Trevor down the hall.
This is going to hurt… he thought before impacting the wall, knocking him unconscious.
“Well that’s one way to make an entrance.” aid an amused Discord, unfurling himself from the fetal position, “Why if it isn’t Princess Sparky…”
Twilight though unfamiliar with her surroundings quickly found Discord and gave a glare that would peel paint. Discord only stared on, looking at the mare’s new form. Twilight’s hair fell to the small of her back, colored much the same as her mane. Her skin a slightly tinted lavender, her blouse a light blue complemented by a magenta bowtie and a violet skirt, with her cutie mark adorning it, with knee high sock and boots of the same coloring. Discord thought it suited her.
“No? Ok, fine. I’m going to give a guess and say you don’t really care to see me after what happened the other day. Honestly I’m quite surprised you figured out it was me in this form.”
“No pony but you could be so annoying within ten seconds of a greeting.” deadpanned Twilight.
“Ah, ooooh… Looks like you brought a friend with you too. Hello my dearest Fluttershy, Welcome to your first inter realm…or second inter realm excursion.” Discord bowed, eliciting a small eep from what was his, usually a pegasus, friend. Now, a butter tinted human resting on her calves. A pastel green skirt, white T-shirt with her cutie mark of three butterflies embroidered on had made up her clothing. Her soft and graceful pink hair covering her face, as if to hide her from the strange new world before her.
“Did you bring the other elements with you? I am so looking forward to there faces once they realize they won’t be little ponies anymore.” Discord finished with a chuckle.
Realization dawned on Twilight’s face before levels of panic not seen since the smarty pants doll incident made them selves well known.
“Fl-Fluttershy?” Stuttered the lavender girl, “Wh-what are y-you doing h-h-here? It was s-s-suppose to b-b-be me a-alone…” Panic now in full bloom, Twilight began hyperventilating, and her hair began to spring into a tangled mess. “I was…I have to send you back!! He can’t know your here. Quick…back through the portal before it closes.”
“OH-HO! So Celly was only to send you? Skelly didn’t ask for all of you like I had suggested…no matter, Perhaps it would be best to send her back. Mayhaps with me as well? after all he wants you now. I don’t think it would be too hard. If we act quickly old Skelly won’t even know what happened. After all I wouldn’t want to be here for him to see this. I’d imagine he’d be quite mad don’t you?”
“Furious.” Corrected Skeleton, his eyes pure white in rage.
Twilight Sparkle, who faced threats of legendary proportion, who braved such horrors as the changeling queen, Tirek, and Sombra. Who stood by her friends and face every challenge with the fire of courage, sat frozen as if caught once again under a cockatrice's stare. Withering under Skeleton's furious gaze. Inside his soul piercing emerald eyes lie vast fields of burning flames, and a smell of brimstone permeated the p-way. Under the full weight of the guardian's anger, Twilight felt as small and insignificant as a grain of sand.
"My office" he snapped pointing toward his estate room, his icy cold tone sending shivers down her spine.
Immediately Twilight complied.
Skeleton's stare never left the humanized mare, watching with his intense eyes ensuring nothing untoward was to occur. Not that Skeleton expected Twilight to bolt away in a desperate attempt to escape Skeleton's judgement, yet if she did it would not be the first time someone had done something so foolish. With Twilight now stationed in his office Skeleton went to address another issue.
"Now, Discord ple—" Skeleton paused, noticing for the first time the unconscious Trevor on the ground near the wall, "What happened?" He seethed, "and be concise."
"Oh nothing too much or complicated. Human curiosity, random and very powerful magics, concentrated force, and, poof across the hall he goes. I must say he took it like a champ though!" Discord replied, his ever present smirk seemed to grow wider.
"It seems that my hatred of Farway has yet to reach it's limits." Skeleton spat, "Make certain that he is undamaged. There will be dire consequences should he be useless to my plans. Lastly, do tend to the Element of Kindness. I would imagine she is catatonic with how events have transpired"
Discord's answer was nothing more than a silly mock salute.
"Now, to destroy an equestrian princes" Skeleton growled.
Turning on his heels Skeleton marched to his office, slamming his door in righteous anger. No sound followed the close door, silence the only companion for those that yet remained in the p-way.
"Sit" commanded Skeleton, as he stalked across the office.
Twilight had fell into her chair, her hope for surviving this unfortunate series of events faded quickly. Downtrodden, she just hung her head in shame. Skeleton, now rounding the corner of his desk, observed the princess under a critical eye. Her magenta eyes wide in fear, hopelessness and despair. Her hair hung low across her face, random strands of hair stuck to her cheeks, glued their by the trails of tears that were held in gravity’s grasp. One thing Skeleton observed, and brought a sliver of relief, he didn't have to explain away the oddly colored hair and eyes. Farway's blends of magic had effected the genealogy of its inhabitants. As a matter of fact the head of Volcain had fire red irises, and Oaklandus' leader had a dark earthy green natural hair color. Dark violet hair with a magenta and a grey blue stripes would be noted as unique, but wouldn't bring too much attention to the other worldly guest. Only the slight lavender tint might bring questions, but that could be dealt with at another time.
Slowly, and with steely purpose, Skeleton made a show in taking his seat. Each movement slow and methodical, calculated to put Twilight on edge, and feeling every bit as small as she truly was. The whole affair took seconds, but for the two guardians in the room, hours had passed. Finally Skeleton took his seat. Just like the first time they had met, Skeleton lit up a cigarette, once again to the disgust of the purple mare. I am low on cigarettes. If events keep unfolding in more and more unpleasant manners, I will be unable to replenish what I have left. I hope I have enough for now, if I run out, I am worried I'll start acting rashly. He thought exhaling his puff. Now for this woefully incompetent princess.
"Have I made any ridiculous requests?" Inquired Skeleton, his level voice, in complete contrast to the fury he held in his eyes, shook Twilight to her core.
"N-N-No..."
"Have I asked for anything impossible, or unreasonable?"
"N-No."
"Have I asked for anything morally objectionable?"
"No."
"Then explain to me, princess Twilight Sparkle, Why does it seem to me that the royals of Equus ARE INCAPABLE OF LISTENING TO THE SIMPLE REQUESTS I HAVE ASKED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR RESPECTIVE REALMS!!" Bellowed Skeleton, seething, "DO NOT SEND ANY OBJECT, CREATURE, PONY, GRIFFON, SENTIENT BEING, WITHOUT GAINING MY EXPRESS PERMISSION!! NOT ONLY HAVE YOU FOUR ROYALS VIOLATED THIS DECREE, YOU SEND TO MY WORLD, THE MOST DANGEROUS CREATURE EVER TO HAVE EXISTED IN EQUUS' HISTORY!! YOU HAVE DONE ALL IN YOUR POWER TO DESTROY THIS WORLD. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY IN YOUR DEFENSE?"
"It...it was an accident..." Twilight whimpered.
"WHAT? CARE TO SAY THAT AGAIN?"
"It was an accident, I swear. All we wanted was peace from Discord's actions. We only meant to send him away from the castle, we never intended to breach the border."
"And my instruction that Celestia was to send you to me alone?"
"She did. I have no clue why or how Fluttershy followed me. She isn't the adventurous type like Rainbow Dash. She's very quiet, reserved, and almost scared of anypony or thing that isn't an animal. She would have never followed me here under her own accord. Something must have happened to cause her to follow me. Most likely another accident.”
“By Fate’s damnable mission. THERE CAN BE NO ACCIDENTS!! You are not some ignorant student anymore princess. Did you forget what I told you during our first meeting? Every action we take causes untold ripples and potential destruction. The actions you royals have taken…” an exasperated sigh escaped Skeleton, “You, all four of you know better then to cast a directionless spell, more so if the casts are virtually the same spell. Worse yet, this directionless spell was cast on DISCORD, a being whose very presence is to illicit trouble. Do any amongst your kind have any semblance of intelligence? Your accident has all but doomed all life on Farway.”
*SNAP!!*
The isolated world that had been Skeleton’s office flickered and drifted away like smoke from fire, what had replace it, however, was horrifying. Before her, Cygnus was bathed in the yellow orange glow of countless fires. Explosions of different hues, violet, cyan, red, green, all indicators of active and passive magic casting. Soldiers, civilians, children, marched toward one another. Opposing sides firing or their weapons all in an effort to slay the enemy. Bodies littered the streets, arcane burns from where the spells hit, rubble crushing the unfortunate souls that had been caught in the collateral damages. Mothers cradled their dead sons and daughters, tears flowing, in an unending cascade of misery. To Twilight, not even the horrors of Tartarus could come close to the atrocities she was witnessing.
“Look familiar princess?”
Twilight couldn’t answer, bile rising from her stomach being her only means of response.
“It pains me to admit war is a part of my species. So ingrained into our heritage and upbringing, its comically easy to start war. With only a few well place words I could very well end humanity so thoroughly as to not leave a single trace of their existence behind. I have contemplated doing so more often then I can count.
“The larger the number of people in a group, the more prone to war we become. Ironically unifying and creating only to separate and destroy. This is Caelum, within the next ten years. Fate, the Matriarch for pony kind, tasked me with averting civil war. I had successfully done so before your little accident. But then you four royals had removed any ch—“
A streak of, sickly pale, green energy appeared between the mare and Skeleton, followed shortly by several more. Acting out of instinct, Twilight had ducked down and hugged the earth as closely as she could. Praying to Celestia, Luna, the Matriarch, not to be hit by something so inherently awful as what the Green bolt of the arcane had promised. Calling forth her magic to protect herself in a bubble shield, Twilight shrank in horror. She couldn’t feel her magic. Worse yet, the random fire of magic had sent a bolt heading straight for her, at an angle that if it was successful in striking, the mare would be left fighting just to stay alive. Her hope that Skeleton would step in to save her, was turned to dismay, as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw he had not moved an inch. With no hope left, Twilight forced her eyes shut and braced for the pain she knew was to come. When the bolt was suppose to strike her, she felt nothing. Opening her clenched eyes, Twilight had noticed the bolt had passed through her, no harm done.
“This is only a vision of things to come. No physical harm shall come to you princess.” Skeleton sneered, “Caelum is the first in a series of events that will finalize Farway’s future. Like dominos placed on end, just awaiting the necessary push, to collapse and end life in this realm. If Caelum falls only worse horrors will visit Farway”
*SNAP!!*
The burning city had been removed from them. In its place was an arid desert city. Build from smoothed, almost polished sandstone bricks. Inlayed in intricate and beautiful patterns, were all types of gemstones. Impeccably cut rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, served to build wondrous murals depicting, what Twilight could only guess, were moments of history. A flash of cyan caught the mares attention, and her jaw dropped in awe. Standing at the heart of the city stood a wondrous, sandstone castle, not to dissimilar to the castle her home town, canterlot, had as an attraction. Yet, such beauty was married by a dark menacing overcast, and frozen in unnatural ice. Windigos? Are they the cause of this? Twilight wondered, briefly. Skeleton just pointed to the center of the mass of sapphire tinted ice, Twilight’s gaze followed. Within the heart of the consuming ice lie a figure in sapphire robes, blueish white hair flowing in the wind shining like a beacon of death.
“Life on Farway ends here. Without the support from Caelum’s navy, King Rawk, eighth of his name, will overtake Terra, forcing it’s newly returned princess to marriage. Desperate to be free from the cruel and tortuous life He will force upon her Isabella Heart will fall to the machinations of the darker side of the Named, Semi-gods if you will. She will ally herself with the Damned, an avatar of those who have been force and unable to avoid their cruel fates, to escape from King Rawk. Those who join The Damned, are forever in his thrall, and Isabella is trapped in an even harsher fate. Unable to cope, Isabella’s magic released without measure, and will encase all of Farway under an unmelting layer of ice. effectively killing all life on the planet.” Skeleton takes a slow, drawn out breath of smoke, letting the information sink in, finally he exhales, “All of this is a result of your accident. Congratulations are in order, I would hazard a guess. You have just killed your first realm.”
Twilight could do little more then cry.
“Every action we take, us hold hold the position over the lives of our charges, are long lasting and unforgiving in what horrors in the shadows they cast. I feel this lesson has not taken hold in that supposed mind of yours, even by your elders. Perhaps I should return to Equus, rule as I have for the humans. Remind your solar princess of what happens when you act without thought. Take up my post once again.”
The iced kingdom of Terra faded, and the familiar and now much more welcomed office in place of it. Skeleton took a final hit of his cigarette before putting it out, on the plain glass ash tray laid upon his desk. As he snuffed out the embers, he noticed a letter not there before showing Twilight the current future of Farway. Ignoring Twilight’s empty gaze, Skeleton pick the letter of his desk, deftly flipped it over in his nimble fingers before noting who had sent the letter. Based on the contents of the what was written, Skeleton had his answer to his request. Well, it appears that less punishment shall be meted out.
“What you royals have done can not go without punishment. If only to serve as a reminder of how dangerous accidents truly are. For Luna and Cadence, it shall have to be postponed. I am unable to leave Faraway at present. For Celestia, I will take what she holds dear and place them in grave danger, with her helpless to do anything to protect you all. She will send me the remaining elements no questions asked. Now for you, I th—“
“WHAT!? No you can’t do that! What about if there’s a threat to Equestria that needs the elements to stop? What about the corruption between realms. Why do you have to put my friends in danger? What gives you the Right? What give yo—” Twilight accused, brought out of her melancholy by Skeleton’s threats and demands
“SILENCE!” bellowed Skeleton, a bit of spittle spraying the desk, “Discord. That is my right. Out of all the violations of the rules you royals could have done, you brake them with Discord. His chaos only fuels the fires of corruption. It is only his presence to be the only requirement to disrupt and destroy, intentional or not. Discord is a being that should never be beyond an Equus realm. I am being kind in my punishments. Had Falona not protected Discord against such a breach, or not allowed the remaining elements to travel here,” Skeleton gestured to the letter atop his desk, “Equus would be without it’s ruling princess for centuries.”
“The princesses would never give you the elements nor just give up their thrones just because you demand them. I don’t care how powerful you are, They would never hand over Equestria to such a cruel pony, person, as you!”
Skeleton stared for a moment, then laughed. Out of all the reactions Skeleton could have to Twilight’s conviction, His laughter was not one of them. With the raspy and dead voice guffawed, what little backbone she had produced was killed faster then thought could travel.
“Naive fool,” Spat Skeleton, recovering from his laughter, “They already have! Have you never wondered why they call themselves princesses, instead of queens? Celestia sold me her kingdom and charges, in her selfishness, vanity, and arrogance. She is not a paragon of of a self sacrificing, and wise leader. Her sins are grievous and many.
“She…she wouldn’t…”
“You know NOTHING,” Skeleton’s clenched fists slammed against the desk, “You who has not faced the cruel reality of her post, who still holds to her childish beliefs, dare tell me her morals? Let’s see you face the impossible choices, where your knowledge is a burden. In fact what could be a better punishment then to let you face such an impossible choice.
“I will give to you that which you crave, knowledge, and it will stay your feet, and destroy your soul. This is the burden I will award to you, and it you survive with your morals intact… Then I shall listen. Now Dear princess, listen closely to the burden that comes with knowledge.”
Twilight could only shrink back in fear and defeat.
Fluttershy had hidden behind a set of chairs, absolutely horrified by the look on Skeleton’s face at noticing she had followed behind Twilight. The fact that she was neither pony, nor anywhere familiar hadn’t help much in alleviating the fear she felt. So to try and conceal herself from this new world she hid behind a set of chairs, that in an of itself wasn’t that impressive. The fact that there wasn’t room for her to fit between them, was. Discord only stared, though the sight was quite humorous, the fact his friend was so uncomfortable did make him want to reassure the mare.
“My dearest Fluttershy, Why don’t you stop hiding. You have nothing to fear, I assure you. After all you can always trust me, your friendly unneighborly Discord” Said the disguised dragonequus.
Though the smile and overall look of mischievousness on his face belied any trust that could, actually, be held in the king of chaos. Still His often timid friend stilled coward between the chairs and bulkhead (wall). Discord brought a hand to his chin in thought, However do I coax her out from there? OH! I know.. with a quick snap of his fingers Discord had transformed back into his normal patchwork self.
“D-D-Discord?” She asked, her voice only slightly higher then a whisper.
“Indubitably”
“Where…Where are we?”
“Where we are is right here, and here is where we are. This here has a name of Belfiore, which so happens to be a military academy. As to where our here is in relation to where we are, I’m afraid you’re no longer on Equus anymore my dear friend, instead you are on a planet called Farway. A place that, to my knowledge, has never seen hide nor hair of a pony. Hence your new form.”
A small *eep* could be heard, as Fluttershy’s eyes widened to dinner plates.
“I wouldn’t worry to much my dear, I’m here, and I will defend you against anything untoward happening to you. That said, It would be best if you refrain from any of your talents. Farway’s magic is quite a bit skittish of your own equestrian magic so if the two were to meet, strange things might occur. I’m quite certain that Is part of the reason you are as you are…or it could be entirely because of that mad old pony that Twilight is simply, and unhealthily might I add, obsessed with. The one with the bells on his hat. You’ll be fine here, trust me.” Discord finished with a kind and gentle smile, the one he only gave to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy only gave a slow nod, only marginally reassured by her unique friend. Silence followed the exchange, both comfortable and unnerving. Comfortable because Fluttershy wasn’t alone, in the world, literally, but she shared it with a close friend. Unnerving because it was a different world, with none of the features, or semblances of home. The silence might have lasted the span of eternity, Fluttershy’s…shyness, preventing any further conversation, and Discord’s drive not to alienate his friend, or further her discomfort staying his normal conversational habits. And so the silence continued, until a groan of mild pain was heard. Startled, Fluttershy hid behind her long flowing bangs.
“Wh-What happened?” Groaned Trevor, returning to the land of the conscious.
“Huh…er…oops.” Discord responded with a small chuckle, “Sort of forgot he was here with us…”
“Why does my back and chest hurt” Trevor rolled to his stomach, then rearranged to a crossed leg sitting position, where he began to rub his chest in an effort to reduce some of the pain he felt.
“Weeeelll. You see, When a mommy physics meets a daddy explosion and they get a little adventurous, they invite a third party, which in this case is human curiosity, and they have a little romp in the bedroom. Oh sure they have loads of fun, but nine months down the line when a little baby pain is born and it turns out not to be daddy explosion’s child they tend to give it to human curiosity, which unfortunately for you, resides in one Mr. Trevor Montague Fields.” Discord answered, unhelpfully.
Trevor stared for a moment, trying to discern just what the mad thing had said, before a sensation of wetness could be felt at the back of his head. Acting out of instinct, human curiosity of all things, Trevor brought his up hand to find out what it was. Wincing in pain the moment he touch the cool moistness, Trevor moved his had to see what it was. A small amount of blood could be seen on his finger tips. Wow…I must have hit the wall pretty hard…I think I might have had a concussion…I don’t know if I could tell…I need to get this looked at. Though Trevor had that thought, the only thing he said was…
“That can’t be good.” He sighed.
It might have been by overhearing the context of injury, or maybe the tone of Trevor’s voice, that lead Fluttershy’s curiosity to the front. Immediately she recognized the ruby red liquid on the young man’s fingertips. All senses of timidness, caution, and fear were viciously removed as the sight of anything in pain replaced any timidness with an intense desire to heal her animal friends, much less the “human curiosity” sitting near her. Resting his (she assumed based on the voice was a colt) back against the wall, his breathing was slightly labored, whether due to further injuries or just the stress of the situation in general, Fluttershy couldn’t tell, nor did it really matter. Quickly She made her way toward the injured, native.
“Oh my goodness…Are you ok?” A sweet angelic vice both gracing Trevor’s ears and gaining his attention.
Soft turquoise eyes met Trevor’s steel grey ones. Pastel pink hair framing the sides of the face before him, blocking off the world, putting Trevor at ease. Yet, what had Trevor’s most undivided attention was the face before him, and the concern that showed in her expression. Beautiful Trevor froze in awe, muttering a simple “umm…”
“Oh…no…your head…I hope it isn’t anything serious, like a concussion.” Fluttershy voiced her concern. Her hands, soft like the finest silk, gently moved behind Trevor’s head, as she studied under an intense, yet caring, stare. Fluttershy’s natural care taking talent brought forth in diagnosing whatever might be wrong with the being infront of her.
“I-I think I’ll be just fine…” whispered Trevor, ill at easy under this beautiful girls care.
“OH, No no no no no… I must insist, Let me have a look.” Fluttershy urged, moving her face closer, eliciting a blush from Trevor. “That’s good, There isn’t any signs of a concussion, and the bleeding is nothing too bad…Now lets see if anything else is— *EEP*.” Fluttershy, now relaxing a bit at knowing that, at least outwardly, Trevor was ok, Realizing just how exactly close she was to him. With the same speed she moved toward him in concern, she retreated a few steps away, blushing, and hiding behind her hair once again.
“Uh…You ok?” Trevor asked, not entirely unaware of the irony of him asking the girl who was just attending him.
“I assure you, she’s perfectly alright…In fact better then alright. Though, I suppose it won’t last for much longer…Her usual timid self is starting to peek through her concern for injured animals. As much as it pains me to admit, my friend, is crippled by her shyness, whenever she meets somepony new. However that doesn’t sound right in this instance…Someone new? No that sounds less then intelligent, somehuman new…yes that’s it.” Discord answered for the sheepish mare.
“That’s reassuring…wait…” Trevor mentally went over what Discord just said before he really understood the implications. “She’s an other worlder, just like you!?” Trevor took a step back, preparing to run if this seemingly harmless girl before him would pull the same antics as the headache that was the dragonequus.
“Yes, she is. However she isn’t the same magnificent species such as mine. You needn’t worry about her being able to do the things I do. She doesn’t much love chaos in the way I do.”
“I…If…” Trevor sighed, She doesn’t seem like Discord…I suppose I should stick to good decorum… “If that is the case, Allow me to welcome you to Belfiore Academy. My name is—.”
Trevor didn’t finish his introduction, Skeleton’s door seen fit to interrupt whatever he was about to say. From within the “cell” as some of the students called it, two persons walked out. the first was Skeleton, cool anger shimmered in his emerald eyes, his movements slow and methodical, his hands lay at his side, curled into fists. Behind him was a girl with dark violet hair and a magenta streak running through it. Tears were flowing down her face, whatever it was Skeleton laid on the girl, it had broken her. Poor girl…What ever Skeleton did to her must have been harsh Thought Trevor, wishing no one had to deal with the CO on their lonesome after they had broken one of his rules. It was truly a somber moment, so naturally Discord had to ruin it.
“AH! Good to see you still amongst the living, a~nd existing. Surely I thought Skelly would do you in something fierce. Getting soft in your old age Skelly?”
“Shut it, Discord” snapped Skeleton, his already thin patience nearly gone, “Take Miss Sparkle here,” Skeleton gestured toward the crying mare, “ and the Element of Kindness to the house. I will send the boy when he recovers.”
“Sir?” Piped Trevor, confused.
“Belay my last. Trevor will go with you to the house.”
“But sir…I cant be in the same hou—“
“I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!” yelled Skeleton, once again sending Fluttershy into hiding, “I know why you came here to my office this morning. I will not change my mind, nor will I entertain what ever arguments you have against living with Discord. With the prin—With these two other worlders, what ever it is he,” Skeleton practically spat the world, as if it was a foul tasting medicine, “does, these two shall help negate it. Now begone, all of you. I have to prepare for the other elements.” Nobody moved… “GO NOW!!”
Quickly the four persons left the P-way, not wishing to be yelled at further. Skeleton kept his eyes on them, until they were out of view. With a sigh, and a longing look at his carton of cigarettes, No, I have to wait, Don’t want to run out…. Skeleton turned, briskly walked back into his office and slammed his door shut
Meanwhile
Location: ER-0 Equus Origin Equestria, Ponyville, Golden Oaks Castle 1003 CE (or 3 RE)
No one had moved, blinked, or for that matter, it seemed, breathed, since the scroll appeared, now laying dead still on the castle floor. Celestia was hesitant to open the black ribboned sealed parchment before her, not wishing to know the new price Skeleton demanded. Yet duty, nay, servitude demanded the contents of the letter be known. Whether it was whatever magics Skeleton could weave, or the compulsion that came with her position for pony kind, Celestia didn’t know, but cursed all the same. Hoping without hope, her precious student, whom was the closest thing to a daughter Celestia had, was still alive. Though the concert for Fluttershy was there, Skeleton did not often harm those who were victims of circumstance. As despicable that man’s actions might be, He has always held his flawed code of honor above all else. Fluttershy should be fine…though I fear what scars Skeleton’s punishment for Twilight might inflict on the Element of Kindness. She is safe, relatively speaking, for now. Thought the sun princess. steeling her self for what ever consequences to come Celestia had enveloped the scroll in her gold aura before breaking the seal and consumed the contents.
What was found within was a set of “Good News/Bad News.” The good news was both her student and Fluttershy were unharmed, alive and well. But Skeleton had revealed more then Celestia had wanted concerning her past, and his punishment for the mare was cruel beyond cruel. She hoped the her student could weather this burden better then herself. Yet, with what had transpired in her kingdom the last few days, Celestia knew the truth about Skeleton and his actual role in Equestria, and Equus as a whole, will be made known before long. Celestia would dread that day when it comes. As she read further, her dismay turned to horror.
Skeleton had finally gotten his permission from the Matriarch. Now the Element bearers were to be sent to the other realm. Not only would Equestria be defenseless against any of those whom seek to enslave or destroy, but the very mares Celestia had grown close to she was to send to the wolves. Skeleton had made it quite clear in this missive, that her punishment was to be alone once more. It was a mean spirited punishment being forced to fret about those she cared about once more, unable to help in any fashion. Her sister’s and Cadence’s punishment to administered once the crises in “Farway” was dealt with.
Faust…Help me…Give me the strength to weather these events to come. And may my little ponies, someday, find within their hearts to forgive me for the things I have done, and are about to do…Mother…I’m so…so…sorry…
Under the vaulted ceiling of the castle’s library was the silence of the dead. Nothing could be heard, save the breaths of everypony in the room, and the blood pumping through their ears. Soft thumps of the rushing life force only building the tension of the room. Soon, the mares and one drake, were holding their breaths, waiting for Celestia to inform them of the significance of the scroll.
“Well…” sighed Celestia, after what seemed an eternity, “It seems the situation is both better then we could have hoped and worse then we could have imagined…It seems Skeleton has informed me of just how corruptive Discord’s presence is, in the realm he is currently residing in.”
“Well no d~uh! I mean he corrupted all of us before he was “Reformed” so what’s to say without any threat of being turned to stone, he hasn’t reverted back to his old ways?” Dash interrupted, gaining fierce looks from her friends, though Dash was oblivious to them. “Why don’t we have Twi and Fluttershy and this… Skeleton guy… send him back here so we can rainbow him back to stone?”
“While I do appreciate your enthusiasm miss Dash, You misunderstood what I meant by corruptive. Discord’s magic is naturally chaotic, I am highly doubtful he has full control over it. His magic while unpleasant here, is very destructive in any realm outside Equus. There it acts on its own, without any input from him. So he might be innocent in what ever harm is being done by his presence. Skeleton is…asking…for help in solving this problem and he has provided a solution…though I wish it could be anything else than what it happens to be…He need the Elements help to reduce the effect Discord has on their world…so he has told me to send you there to counter balance his chaotic magic.”
The mare just stood opened mouthed in shock.
“Um…princess…Ah’m not so fond ‘bout this here idea to go visitin other worlds. Ah’m remember what happen last time and it wasn’t purdy.” Voiced Applejack, her concern evident on her face. “Ah know this is impotan’ an’ all but what can’t this, er, skeleton fella just send them back instead of sending us there?” Applejack’s friends nodding in agreement.
“I am afraid it is not that simple. Right now he is doing everything in his power to prevent a major catastrophe. If he was to divert his attention on sending back Twilight and the others…I am afraid his world would fall to darkness…”
Applejack accepted the answer…but somehow…She knew that what the princess said wasn’t entirely true, that she was hiding something.
“I must insist we make haste…I am not so certain the portal will last for much longer, and with two of the elements already gone if you do not go through we may never see Twilight, Fluttershy, or Discord again. Already I feel the power that is feeding the portal, fading away. Please, these beings… need our help. I am truly sorry that I must ask you to take up a burden you should have never been given, or that I can give you nothing but my hope that everything will turn out alright. Please…I ask that you embody Equestria’s ideals and help them in what ever way you can.” Pleaded Celestia, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
“Then we shall!” Answered Rarity. Without any further words the alabaster mare trotted to the portal and crossed it’s threshold.
“I can’t leave my friends hanging, besides I’m always up for an awesome adventure anyway. Look out, er…place…Here comes Rainbow Dash” With a quick flap of her wings Dash sped through the dimming rainbow portal.
“Ah really don’t like this, but Ah reckon if all them folks might need our help, we should give it to ‘um” With a soft sigh, Applejack slowly made her way through.
All that was left was Celestia, Spike, and a strangely quiet, deflated main, Pinkie Pie.
“I’m coming Twilight!” exclaimed Spike boldly before he started to run toward the portal. He didn’t make it far before Celestia’s magic caught him.
“I am sorry Spike, but I am afraid I can not allow you to follow. The magic that Dragon’s posses would be far to dangerous to be used there. It would overwhelm what ever healing and prevention the Elements would do.” Informed Celestia, a sad expression on her muzzle.
“But…But…I’ve always been with Twilight, helping however I can…Why can I help this time!!? What makes this so different from the last time!!” Shouted the young drake, tears flowing freely.
“What is different this time is this world has no connection to our own. While I can not let you go there, it does not mean you can not help. Twilight will need all the support she can get. While we may not be there physically, we can be there in spirit. Who knows…It might be Skeleton has need for a dragon there. But without his permission I can not let you go. The barriers between worlds are tenuous at best. Letting any more ponies, dragons, griffins, any being could very well shatter it.
“I can not allow that to happen. However, I will not leave you in the dark however. Twilight knows the dragon fire spell, the same that you, Spike, use to send me all of Twilight’s letters. So you will still be able to communicate with her. But I must insist you remain here.”
“Y-Yes, Princess…” Spike spoke, his gaze turned to the floor, “I understand.”
“Don’t worry Spike,” reassured the less peptic Pinkie, “I’ll make certain everypony will make it home, safe and sound. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. There, I made a Pinkie Promise, So you know everything will be fine.”
Though still sadden by the fact he couldn’t follow his “sister” through the portal, Pinkie’s reassurances brought a small hopeful smile. Not quite done with what she needed to say, Pinkie turned to Celestia.
“It will be ok, trust me. I know what I’m doing,” With a quick pop Pinkies normal pooffed up mess she called a main returned, “Everypony will be coming back with smiles on their faces, and maybe even a few new friends!!” with a bounce Pinkie disappeared into the portal.
Seconds later the portal collapsed to nothing, leaving no trace that such a tremendous spell had ever been cast, and in it’s wake left Celestia and Spike alone. Their closest friends now were beyond their reach, trapped in a world unknown to pony kind, for an ambiguous goal of minimizing Discord’s magic there. The whole situation was bleak, for the uninformed, and when, or how this would end was unknowable. Something the two left behind understood all too well. Spike still on the verge of crying once again, and Celestia with a small sliver of hope. A hope that everpony would come back and would be able to forgive their princess for her lies.
It had been a strange day. Starting off with facing, quite literally, death in person, to being propelled several feet down a P-way and a possible concussion, to now. Trevor, had even more members of House Equus, all other worlders, all of them female. Trevor thought about reporting this to the House Review Board, but a good sailor endure hard ship, so that’s what Trevor would do. With the classes about to start up, Trevor only knew one thing. No matter how hard he tried this year would not be like the predictable years prior. If anything, if the new group of ”students” was anything like Discord, He might not make it through the school year unharmed…much less alive…
It had been a few days since the rest of the other worlders had shown up. After they were deposited at the new house, they huddled together to go over what they now looked like. The general consensus between them was disappointment, confusion, fear, and sorrow, with each one of them not liking their new human form (A little less so with the girl who introduced her self as Twilight). Sleep came early for everyone, the stress of events sapping the strength from Trevor, magical exhaustion due to the immense draw for power the portal needed, had done in the others. When the morning came the girls and Discord were rounded up and sent off with the CO, for reasons, Trevor couldn’t have begun to guess. Not that it really mattered to him at the moment, blissfully reading a book in a quiet setting, alone. Like how he was, less then a few days ago. Though a small sliver of worry had been made it’s way into Trevor’s mind with what Discord had said before leaving with the group.
”Now that some of my close~est friends are here…I think I’m going to follow a certain pink pony’s example and set up this house properly for a welcome. I only need to send out the invites to your friends and family.”
The grin on the mischievous creature’s face sent shivers down Trevor’s spine. Still for now, it was a day free from the distractions he had been saddled with. So naturally, Trevor had retrieved the history tome he had assaulted Discord with, found a comfortable chair, and continued where he had left off.
He had been back at the academy for a grand total of three hours, and already he was tired. Classes haven’t even started yet and I’m already bored here.*Yawn* I think I’m just going to find a nice comfortable spot to nap for a spell. Max will handle the paperwork. He thought bringing up his hand to cover his second yawn that had snuck up on him. Searching his surroundings for a brief moment, he spotted a seemingly comfy bench, well, at least it should be enough for a nap. slowly he paced toward the bench, fully intending to lay down, yet, before he could, he heard someone shouting his name. What was more annoying, was he knew exactly why he was being shouted at, and the fact that who was shouting would undoubtedly not let him nap.
“LANDCASTER! THOMAS LANDCASTER! WHERE IN THE VOID ARE YOU!?”
Damn, time to find a new spot before he can find me. Thought Thomas.
Moving with much more energy, now that his nap was at stake, he shot to his feet and bounded off, searching for a new hiding/napping spot.
Ten minutes of running about campus, avoiding what ever direction the shouting had been coming from, Thomas had found his elusive hiding/napping spot. It was to his personal opinion, a very comfortable tree branch, big enough to hold him without too much magic being expended, and high enough that no one would think to look for him there. After all there were any branches lower then 15 feet high, so as a bonus if any of his limbs were to hang off the branch it wasn’t very likely to be seen. Lastly and by far most important, the climb would be too difficult for any passive magic users to climb, so naturally they wouldn’t think to look there. Thomas wouldn’t have the climbing problem, his inherited active magic would make the climb for him.
He wasn’t born caelish, his ancestry came from one of their closest allies to the west, Terra. While Caelum had a bizarrely disproportionate level of passive magic to active magic users, Terra had quite the opposite conundrum, high active magic births to low passive. So as a Terran, Thomas naturally had quite a useable amount of active magic, sufficient enough to cast spells of almost any element. His preference was fire, though many guessed that immediately upon meeting him, his affinity matching the young man’s blazing red and orange streaked hair. That wasn’t to say he could call upon any other types of magic, just he had a harder time doing so.
Making the necessary mental magic arrays, Thomas focused on the arcane symbols he was taught as a child. Calling forth the mystical forces that existed in Farway, he reduced his gravitational weight. To further the spell without weakening the mental array, out of instinct lead by many years of strict tutelage in Terra, Thomas made simple hand gestures to cast a spell that would created a powerful gust of air. Rapidly ascending to the desired napping branch he reduced the amount of magic powering the spell before gaining both a foot hold and firm grasp on the tree. Once that was done he cut off both spells entirely before casting a “safety net”, in much the same manner as the two previous, Thomas got into position, sitting slouched on the branch, his back resting on the trunk, were he promptly fell asleep. It was a slumber that lasted only seven minutes before he was found.
“THOMAS LANDCASTER!” Shouted a voice from directly below the tree.
“Damn it…” whispered Thomas, hoping not to be heard, and the originator of the voice to disappear.
“I know your in the tree Thomas.” The voice sounded annoyed.
“No, No I’m not. I’m somewheres else, and all your hearing is the hallucination brought on by the stress of a new year.”
“Yeah, it certainly has nothing to do with the house leader’s laziness or anything.”
“How in the void do you always manage to find me? I’m in a tree no one could climb, high enough you wouldn’t typically be looking up at, so how did’ja do it Max?”
“It wasn’t hard, I just look at unaccessible places you would somehow find a nap at. Even if they're on the strange side of things. Though once again, Stop calling me MAX! Either call me by my full last name, Maxwell or by my first name Travis! I don’t like hearing my last name being SHORTED!!”Thomas just stared back at Travis indignantly. Travis just sighed, knowing full well what he was saying would be blatantly ignored. “Look, Thomas, I need to go over things with you. With the previous class graduated and the students returning, we need a new muster sheet. One with all the cadets currently in Volcain.”
“Is that all you were hounding me about? Void, that’s what I have you for. To do all the paperwork so I don’t have to. Regardless, we have a whole week to figure it out and turn in the paper work. So there was absolutely no reason to wake me.”
“LANCASTER!! Your the leader of House Volcain for Named sake. this muster sheet is due tomorrow! and we don’t have anything to turn in!” How could our house leader be so flippant about his duties…or for that matter ever make it to house leader? Travis thought.
“Meh…Just turn in the last one we used spring semester…we already took off the graduates from that one, so it should work. There problem solved. Stop making mountains out of mole hills.”
Travis’ jaw just dropped…He didn’t think about that. “How, How the—“
“They made me house leader for a reason. If your doubtful you could alway double check the muster yourself. But if your going to to that, your doing it, alone.”
Travis just lowered his head and sighed. When he had taken up the position of assistant house leader, he knew it would be difficult, but he hadn’t predicted it would be like pulling teeth from a voegle*. suddenly, an errant thought crossed his mind, causing him to look up. Travis remembered something he heard earlier in the day.
“Say, Thomas, Did you hear the current rumors?”
“Gonna have to narrow that down a bit Max.”
“The new ones about Fields?”
“Again, Have to narrow it down. Hill’s spread so many, it’s hard to tell if they're new or not.”
“The one where he started his own House over the stand down?”
“WHAT!!?” Thomas shot up from his napping position, “Woah….”
Thomas’ sudden movement, with the added distraction by the news Max had given him, had broken his concentration, so, naturally, his safety net spell failed. It took him half a second to realize what had just happened, before Thomas came speeding down to earth. A sickening thud was heard when he hit the grass patch the tree grew on, followed by intense pain. Thomas thanked the small miracles that, one, it was grass he landed on instead of the less friendly concrete, and two, natural instinct had unconsciously cast an air cushion to prevent the fall from really messing him up.
With the house leader sprawled out on the ground, Travis sighed again. He just looked at his “superior” shaking his head in defeat. Thomas’s fiery red and orange streaked hair, once gleaming bright in the sun, now was dull, filled with dust, dirt, twigs and leaves. His crimson eyes glowed warmly (though under the right circumstances could be smoldering in rage, usually when Landcaster was in the presence of Oaklandus’ house leader) despite holding back his pain. His slight build would have one believe him weak, Thomas trained hard and held a hidden strength, though Travis often wondered if it was really do to illegal strength enhancement with active magic. Slowly, Thomas rose to his feet, dusting off his now dirtied service uniform the students were forced to wear on duty days. Normally pristine white collared shirt outlined in blue trim, now had large splotches of grass and dirt stains, his trousers followed suite, made of the same white. The normally mirror polished shoes now had several distinctive scuffs ruining the efforts made by a junior student Thomas had paid to shine them. All in all, Thomas looked like a mess.
“That hurt.” he stated pointedly
“Maybe it wouldn’t have if you were smart enough not to sleep in trees.” Responded Travis with a smirk.
“You’re not my mother, Max. I do what I want.” Thomas only stared at his assistant leader.
Unlike Thomas, Travis Maxwell was born caelish. Though unlike his fellow countrymen, Travis could cast small active spells, but he was just below the threshold to be considered an Active magic user. While his leader had a fiery passion for all things, Travis often was cool and collected, and his appearance reflected this. Often he was found wearing collared shirts and dress pants, finding this to suit his often serious personality. His sky blue hair was well shaped and trimmed, reflecting his desire for a neat appearance. His face was rounded and friendly and just a bit on the pudgy side. His eyes a nice, yet rare, copper color were, caught, behind his half framed glasses. His eyesight had been so poor he was practically blind without them. One other thing that furthered their polarity was while Landcaster was a thin build, Maxwell was a medium build. Though both were quite the opposites, their sense of humor, plus their skills in all things sarcastic, had solidified their friendship, not matter how much Thomas shirked his duties.
“Usually do.”
“Quiet you! Anyhow, So what’s this about Fields and making his own house? That doesn’t sound like anything he would do. I know the man, and he would never join a house much less make one. Too many distractions or what ever… The rumor doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
“I thought the same till I saw LCDR seemed too, er, happy, for me to dismiss this outright.”
“Which LCDR?”
“The only one that kept asking us to invite Fields into Volcain.”
“Ah…well, I suppose that if he’s this giddy, there might be something to this. We need to investigate this at once!”
“WE don’t have time for this!!”
“Yes, we do!” Shouted Thomas, before bolting, running toward the lower house district of the academy. A reluctant Travis followed soon after.
(*large reptile like seal creature with very sharp pointed teeth)
If the rumors around campus were true, she had bad news to give. Not that bad news was a terrible thing, it was just something she really didn’t want to deliver. After all the leader of the house did not take bad news that well, if at all. Often he’d scream and yell, curse out the Named, or Creators, possibly break things…the visible level of rage match only just how bad the news was. The house was still under repair after he had learned they were placed second in the academy’s standings last spring, by three points, behind, Volcain. Hesitating before the door before her, gathering her thoughts, she knocked on the office door.
“Yes? What is it?” A rich pleasant, and calm voice answered the knock. It was an almost friendly tone, though she knew it wouldn’t last for long.
“It’s me, Masters. I have some pre-semester paperwork to go over with you.” She replied.
“Ah. Come in. Come in.”
Slowly she opened the door, and shuffled her way into the room.
It was sort of an accepted fact that the members of Oaklandus were considered snobs. Several things helped support this notion. For starters through some bizarre coincidence most of the members of the house came from very affluential families. Their opinion of the lesser houses and those students, based mostly on Oaklandus’ academic and PT scores, and how they treated them only help to solidify the snob stereotype. Logan Hill had tried to lessen this, by seeming to be anything but a snob, but had little to no success in that regard. The way his office was set up did more damage then good, but he could never make that connection.
Masters took three paces into the room, and knew immediately why they couldn’t dispel public opinion. The office screamed luxury. The carpet a lush red velvet that was imported from a small village in Reatus half a world away. Three square feet of the material would cost more then the entire tuition of Belfiore, which wasn’t cheap by any standard either. Gold trimmed mirrors hung on the wall tastefully, reflecting the light of the specialized solar light constructs bathing the room in what was as close to natural sunlight as possible. The couch, and several chairs arranged int the room, were made from the finest leathers and stuffings. All the wood furniture was of solid mahogany, which like almost everything in the room came from some obscure town in some of the more restrictive imports from less then friendly countries in Farway. The whole of the room could be described in one, single, word. Superfluous.
“Masters, What do we need to go over?” Inquired Hill.
“We need to turn in an updated muster report for the start of the year. With last years graduating class gone we need to give LCDR Mirkovic the new roster.” Masters responded. taking a moment to study Hill’s current mood.
The leader of Oaklandus, being such a parallel to Volcain’s leader, actually looked and acted the part. His dark, earth green, hair was slicked back, and kept neat and trimmed. His face was sharp and angled, with very defined lines shaped his eyes and nose, giving him a hawk like appearance. His amber eyes slightly off putting, looking as if they measured the weight of your achievements and found them wanting. This effect was lessened when Hill was in a good mood, but amplified when ever his anger got the best of him. Though Hill wasn’t on duty for the day, he dressed in his service uniform anyway. He found the uniform much more appropriate for a house leader then any civilian clothing he had.
“Yes, yes. I was already aware of that and sent Silcox off with it to turn in to admin. was that all?” Logan’s tone a combination of disinterested and annoyed.
“For admin side of things yes…but there was something else I thought to inform you about.” Here we go…*sigh*, “There seems to be a particular rumors gaining traction on the academy grounds…”
“I don’t care about such things less they affect our competition negatively, you know this. So why are you bring this up?” barked Hill, now looking up at Oaklandus’ assistant leader.
Angela Masters stood center of the room, moving back and forth on the balls of her feet, a signal that she was uncomfortable. Though Hill, wasn’t on duty, Masters was. So her usually long flowing auburn hair was done up in a bun, to keep with military regs. While Hill had certainly found her attractive, her body curvy and her bust on the smaller side but still ample, He had never once thought of her as girlfriend material. No, he often thought of her like a sister, having known her since she was a child. He would have offered her a place in Oaklandus based on her grades alone but he would have never have placed her as his assistant based on those alone. If he was to be honest, the real reason behind his choice for assistant lay in her eyes.
Masters’ light violet eyes, sitting behind a remarkable pair of treated glasses, were the result of a passive magic backlash. A faulty refrigeration construct had overloaded when Masters was fiddling with it and it had overloaded the magic in her person. had it not been for a happy accident, his childhood friend would have been killed in a gruesome manner, instead an incredibly rare reaction to her sliver of active magic had dissipated the magic saturation and had given her a special condition. Acute Field Indication Syndrome, AFIS for short, had taken away Masters’ original eye color and given her the ability to physically see the magic field on Farway in the form of auras. However because of how intensely bright the auras were, if she was without her glasses, which filtered out the normal ambient levels of Farway, it would be like staring straight into the sun.
“It was who the rumor was about Hill. It seems that over the stand down…” Masters trailed off.
“During the stand down what?”
“It seems Fields might have joined a house…”
“WHAT!!?" howled Hill, his gaze growing ever more intense, “Who’s house did he join?”
“Well that’s the thing…The rumors also say he founded it himself…”
“You mean to tell me, that after my repeated attempts, and his repeating spurns against us, he made his OWN HOUSE!!!”
Is Fields hoping to supplant us? Take away our standings? Fields has enough pull, and charisma he could very well poach have of Oaklandus and Volcain before the first month of the fall semester was over. there would nothing I could do to stop it. My previous campaign to discredit him didn’t pan out as much as I hoped…I need to confirm this…I need to start planning for the worst. We need to destroy Fields if the rumors turn out to be true. It’s the only way to keep Oaklandus on top. Logan deliberated.
“This…This is unexpected to say the least. We need to find out if these rumors are actually true and then plan accordingly. For now let’s just cover bases.” Hill paused, a calculating look crossed his face, “No one in Oaklandus is to talk to or engage Fields in anything, effective immediately. It will also be perfectly permissible to... convince Volcain members to defect from their house to join what ever it is Fields might have founded. Speaking of…Do you know what he named his House?”
“The rumors never stated, but I due know where it’s located at.”
“Well that’s a start. Show me.”
Moments later Oaklandus’ senior leadership left to investigate.
So far Discord’s plan was working flawlessly. All it took was a few well spoken words to start the ball rolling, and the students did the rest. Discord watch proudly as the information spread like wild fire sowing fine seeds of chaos all over the naval college. While it was fun to sit and watch, there was still one more person to attend to. Sadly, he couldn’t involve her until later, as Discord hadn’t the faintest idea where she was currently, but she was due to arrive on the train tomorrow. Sitting on a lamp post, pondering what to due next, something moved in the corner of his eye drawing his attention toward it, only to gain a smirk. Oh, I forgot just how much I love humans.
If Trevor was to look outside the bay window located in the study, in the general area of the shrubbery used to give a sense of privacy for the house, he would see quite the oddity. A splotches of fire red and sky blue were clearly visible.
“Why are we doing this?” Asked Travis trying his hardest not to face palm.
“Because we need to find out if the rumors are true.”
“We?”
“Of course!” Thomas replied cheerfully, “I need my second in command with me if I get caught. Visiting another house like this is against the regs…I think. So if we get busted, buddy, your my scape goat!”
“First, thanks. It means so much to me that you think that way.” Travis deadpanned, “While visiting a house isn’t against regs, us hiding in the bushes could be considered destruction of property. So yeah, I guess you really did need me, so if an instructor came by to smooth things over, or Named forbid Hill...” He shivered, “I should be working on all the paperwork and reports like you should be doing! Instead you drag me out here for this nonsense. It’s really a wonder why anyone in belfiore would be confused when I tell them I’m not the leader of the house. Considering just how much leadership you get done napping on benches, tree branches, tables, ground, chairs, lamp posts!”
“That was one time!” Thomas wined.
“It should have been zero times Thomas.” Travis harshly whispered, “Besides, why are we doing this now? All we had to do was wait a few days for the heritage ceremony. They announce the the current and new house leaders then. So this,” he gestured between themselves and the house, “Is entirely pointless.”
“N-No.” Pouted Thomas, “it isn’t entirely pointless. I want to get a leg up on those snobs at house Oak-Lord-Over-Us.”
It was then Travis noticed movement flirting with his peripheral vision, slowly he turned his head, and once he recognized what he saw he sighed.
“Speaking of the Creators” Thomas grimaced, sighed, then his features hardened, knowing just how unpleasant the next few minutes were going to be. “No doubt to verify the rumors as well. that way he can start to sabotage and dismantle the house. All in his efforts to destroy the competition so no one could remove him from the top spot.”
“Indeed.” Travis assented.
“Well, I guess your right, hiding here is pointless, *sigh* we’ll find the answer at the assembly. I’d rather not know then let Hill poison a budding House.”
Thomas’ statement might have sounded mature, if it wasn’t for the fact the two of them were still hiding in the bushes, and had some how managed to wedge themselves in such a way that the only means of freeing themselves was to crawl out of the foliage. Something that wasn’t missed by the cadets from Oaklandus. One looked bemused, not quite certain how to handle what was before her. Those from Volcain were always eccentric, playful, or rebellious, but even to Masters, this seemed odd. Hill, on the other hand, looked disgusted, both at the lack of decorum and over all lack of responsibility his rival perpetually showed.
“Crawling on the ground again, like the rift raft slime you are? Sneered Hill at the sight.
“Better then lording over people who are more talented then Mr. Daddy-doesn’t-love-me.” retorted Thomas, “Seriously Angela, why are you following him?”
“Please, Thomas, don’t get me involved with your feud with Hill. Anyways, what were you two doing hiding in the bushes?” Masters inquired, also hoping to stop the pissing match the House leaders often had when in each others company. They’re getting worse. Last few times it was just them with out me or Maxwell, they almost went to blows. It doesn’t help that Hill’s campaign against Volcain is quickly dividing the campus. If the animosity between Hill and Landcaster doesn’t lessen then it will only be a matter of time before the whole academy will riot.
“We were simply trying to ascertain whether current rumors surrounding Fields were true. Much like yourselves if I had to hazard a guess.” Answered Travis, following Masters’ lead, hoping things would end as amicably as possible.
“I seriously hope you are not insinuating that I would debase myself by hiding in the bushes like that desert bumpkin that is the “supposed” leader of your house Maxwell. Honestly your efforts are wasted in trying to keep that dysfunctional mess of a house going.” Hill’s tone and features took on a softer look and tone, “As I said before, there is always a place for you in my House Maxwell. You need only tell me and I will save you from that sinking ship.”
“I’m afraid I must decline. I am committed to Volcain. It is a pity that your honeyed words can do nothing to change that.” Travis replied. He knew full well the kind of man Logan was, and with that knowledge Travis also knew he’d want nothing to do with it.
“So be it,” Hill snapped, his previous facade gone, his disgust returned, “I suppose there is no helping it. Can’t save those who won’t save themselves. At least I can take pride in the fact that members of Volcain will amount to nothing in their naval careers.”
“WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!!!” Snapped Thomas, no longer could he stand the insults slung by Hill. Quickly he formed a fireball in is left palm and reared back to throw it.
“Thomas stop it!! THOMAS!! DONT DO—“
“My, my, my. What’s this I see before mine very eyes?” Came a velvety whimsical voice, cutting through the tension that had built up like hot knife through butter, “It can’t possibly be the leaders of Belfiore’s two top houses about to fight now? Am I right? By all means, if I’m wrong, then continue. Just give me a second to get popcorn.”
Confusion colored all parties present as they studied the person before them. There stood a skinny, and very thin man. His height seeming taller do to the matchstick thin arms and legs. His narrow chest looked higher than a normal humans, his legs long as they were, helping to accentuate the odd look. His face was sharp with its features, straight angles, showing his cheek bones, and gaunt. A pointed chin, and turned down nose, giving him the look of a hawk. Dark brown hair spiked in all directions, white well trimmed sideburns near his ears. He seemed off with the snaggled tooth grin, white goatee, and lastly the eyes all giving the students a shiver. A golden yellow iris in one eye, a blood red in the other. Slightly sunken eyes with dark rings underneath giving the man before them a little evil to his look. For the students, it was like staring into the eyes of their Creators. The man just smiled his crooked smirk and with a flash a bucket filled with a generous helping of popcorn was in his hands.
“Now, Go on you two. Heck, I’ll even make you a deal. If you come to fisticuffs I won’t tell the CO.”
What in the void? Who is this? Thought Travis. The others mirrored similar thoughts, though Hill was the only one to vocalize them.
“I, my dear colt,” Further looked of bemusement colored their faces with the unknown term, the man just smiled further, “Am a foreigner, cast astray by those whom I would call my friends, in a strange land filled with mystic powers, strange customs and even more curious animal and floral life. Just trying to carve out a temporary place for myself before my journeys inevitable end and I am to return home. Though if that was too long winded for you, It could be summed up as I am a new instructor here, and supervisor of the new, and not quite christened, House Equus.” the figure gave a bow, sweeping his arm to his chest as he did so, “My name is John de Lancie? hmm…not my best idea…I suppose it’s better then John Doe, or Q. All the same just call me Discord.”
Three out of the four cadets had their jaws open in disbelief. Only Landcaster found him to be entertaining. I think I like this new instructor. He’s a void of a lot better then that psychopath that supervises PT for the school.
“Oh, dear. I do believe I created one of those…awkward moments? Because of that,” Discord puffed out his cheeks, “I won’t be able to see a fight, much less run the betting bracket I set up!”
From nowhere, again to much the confusion of the cadets, a black board appeared. Masters’ confusion dissipated a bit, Her special eyes noting the black board was nothing more then a spell, though the chalked out tables listing the odds and pay outs confused her. (Maxwell vs Masters 2:1, Hill vs Landcaster 15:1) Logan saw the odds and growled in rage. Landcaster just laughed know full well he’d destroy Hill in a “fair” fight.
How could I be the unfavored choice to that sack of delmick* droppings. Thought Hill bitterly, before realizing he was being swept up in what the deranged man was playing at. Thomas was clutching his sides still laughing. A moment later the board disappeared.
“If all of you are interested to hear, I have some facts about the rumors I’m certain you can’t help but want to know. I’m here to put an end to these unscrupulous rumors.”
The cadets all leaned in closer, hostilities temporarily forgotten.
“Yes, It was I that has been releasing unsolicited information regarding a certain officer to be, all in good fun of course.” Discord’s ever present smile grew impossibly wide. the dumfounded looks he was privy to were priceless.
“So, um, Discord sir? So does this mean the rumors are false?” Travis inquired hoping to clear up the confusion by all.
“I didn’t say that now did I?”
“So they're true then?”
“I will neither confirm nor deny that the rumors might be possibly true, or nothing more then a lie.” Discord’s smirk faded and he turned serious, “While it has been fun chatting with the lot of you, I must insist that you leave. And until the time that heritage has come and passed that you are not to set hoof, er, foot on this House’s grounds. Is this understood?”
“Yes Sir.” All four of them replied.
“Now move along now younglings. And absolutely no fighting…unless I can be there. I don’t want to miss out on the action.” Discord finished with a chuckle.
And with a snap of his fingers, Discord had sent the four of them off to their respective houses…sort of. he sent the assistant leaders to the wrong houses. Masters to Volcain, Maxwell to Oaklandus. He did so to further his own goals to get home, the chaos born from the confusion was just icing on the cake.
Rainbow shifted uncomfortably, shuffling her shoulder blades hoping to feel something she knew wasn’t there. At this point she would give just about anything to have her wings once again. At first Dash found her new form interesting and kinda cool (fingers were very useful things compared to having to do everything with hooves) but what she was now, versus what she was before coming to the place…Pegasi needed to be in the air. It was quite a certifiable fact that was what they were born for. So if given a choice Rainbow Dash would take her pegasus form over the this “hoo-man” form every time. What did confuse her, and by extension the rest of the girls, was how they moved so naturally, as if they had always been this way.
Everyone, save Fluttershy and Twilight, had been transported to a homely looking place. A quick introduction was made by Skeleton. Applejack, and Rainbow took an immediate distrust of the stallion who called himself the CO of Belfiore. Rarity, being a refined lady, didn’t distrust him, but certainly thought he was…off. Pinkie said nothing, though looked apprehensive, almost saddened. They didn’t have much time to dwell on it for they were immediately rushed of to their bedrooms and told to sleep.
The first five to six days in the academy, all of the girls had Induct, docked, or whatever, Rainbow didn’t pay all that much attention. It’s was the same boring stuff she dealt with already with the Wonderbolts, after she graduated from the reserve tryouts and had her duty station. Their were two extra reason she paid little attention. One and by far the most damning, It was boring. The tournament era stuffs was exciting, the battles and what not, but everything else…The origin of the Named, founding of Caelum, the history of their interactions with Terra and other countries, put Rainbow to sleep faster then an afternoon after she had worked out her new moves. Two, she was incredibly distracted and depressed with her inability to fly. It hurt more then she was ever willing to admit. She did, after all, had a reputation to maintain. Even if no one here knew her yet.
Rarity on the other hand, was absolutely loving every second of being in Farway. Her mane, hair, Rainbow corrected herself, still kept it’s lovingly shade of violet splendor. Little to no effort was needed to keep to its well crafted swirl and shine giving Rarity the look of a model. Her hair even kept the curls in the same style of “magnifique,” as Rarity had called it back home in ponyville. Her curled hair rested both at the small of her back. Two different bangs of hair framed her face, one resting just above her cheek bone, the other on top her udder? Rainbow didn’t really know what to call the massive breasts sticking out of her chest. The fact that Rainbow didn’t have them in any discernible way, only helped Rainbow forget anyway. What ever their called, they seemed like they would throw off my balance anyway…but then…why do I care about them? thought the prismatic, and currently flat chested, girl.
Rarity’s excitement about the world they had found themselves in was that nearly everybody was clothed…all the time. It was an excitement that bordered on fanatic. It wasn’t without some longing, her horn and magic she wished she still had, though her new hands were adequate, that was all they were. Still being stuck in a world were clothes were more or less required had set off the fashionista’s creative spirit. The fact that there were so many cultures and styles of dress she had been briefly exposed to was just a bonus. She could find no words to describe just what she felt, everything that came to mind just felt like it would cheapen the feeling.
Applejack and Fluttershy were fairly neutral about the whole ordeal. Fluttershy feeling more unease at the unknown world and people in it, then what she looked like. Yet, a bold sense of curiosity about the animal life on the world had tempered her fears somewhat. Applejack,, not giving much care either way, just wanted to be home, bucking apples with her family. Still out of everything that could have happened, all the girls held comfort in the fact that none of them had to face this alone. It was something Twilight had taken much solace in.
Twilight unlike the others had vastly conflicting feelings on the whole matter. Curiosity born of wanting to know everything possible, the insatiable scholar in her demanding such knowledge. And a deep sense of guilt of, not only forcing her friends with her to Farway, but what future events were to come and her part she now had to play to ensure what was to pass, passed in the most painless way possible. Her meeting with Skeleton, while terrifying, had nothing on the emotion she had when she left, guilt. Guilt at forcing her friends from their homes for quite possibly the rest of their lives. Guilt with the burden of knowledge, of what events were to come, and what little she could do to stop them. Guilt at the potential lives she had inadvertently ended with nothing more then an “oops.” This hurts so much. Is this how Celestia felt when Luna turned nightmare? thought Twilight.
Though Twilight’s melancholy was quickly explained away to her friends, and they did their best to cheer her up, with little success, only one in their group looked uncomfortable. Pinkie Pie looked like she had taken the bitterest medicine as was unable to rid her self of the taste. She knew full well what her presence in Farway would do, and the unwanted confrontation that was inevitable now. He’s going to figure out who I am before too long. Then he’ll yell and accuse, then grudgingly accept the truth. Yes I do need to come clean, I just wish the drama that is going to come from it was unnecessary. To further complications Farway’s avatar isn’t capable of talking to him directly, else this would all be explained…though the implications of the truth are…unpleasant. *sigh* Suppose it can’t be helped… Pinkie pondered. Out of all her friends she had the biggest secret kept, and the one with the most damage if he couldn’t keep either his anger or tact in check. While Pinkie herself was excited to see this wonderful world before her, She was uncomfortable at what it might cost her and her friends.
And so, late into the after noon, on what was their final day at the specialized indoc for the girls, they weathered on, each accepting the situation as is, but hoping for the possibility of home instead of focusing on what was said. All waiting for the final speaker of the indoctrination of Belfiore, Skeleton.
Skeleton sighed, truly hoping for a break in the tremendously horrifying level of bad luck he was experiencing at such a critical time in Farway’s history. If I ever find Falona before this is over, we’re going to have some words. He thought angrily. He, if he was to be honest, wouldn’t be too harsh with his accusations, or be his usual cold self toward her. He owed Falona, the entity known as Fate to most, too much for saving his love from Skeleton’s stupid naivety. It seems both Harmonous and I have come to understand our failures and responsibilities. What burden truly means. It does not excuse his atrocities, nor will I ever be able to forgive him for what he’s done, for his involvement in my sin. But I understand, were it not for Falona, I fear I would have done the same.
Again Skeleton Sighed. This time, he brought out his pack of cigarettes, quickly snagging one, after the all to familiar *Fla-tink* of his lighter lit up his smoke with practiced ease. After a long stress relieving drag, Skeleton opened the door, and entered the Indoc classroom.
The classroom was a simple affair, thirty or so desks lined up in neat columns and rows. spaced just far enough from each other that a student that didn’t have their required items would have no difficulties in sitting down in the chairs. As it seemed to most of the student body, and the girls sitting currently, found these desk things were designed to be as inconvenient as possible, not to mention uncomfortable. The stiffness of the chairs and the cramped knee room made it difficult to focus on the dull green chalkboard in the front of the room, not to mention the still grey projector like box that the instructors sometimes used to reinforce certain expectations and rules. At the head of the room stood a nice solid oak podium with Belfiore academy’s school crest carved into it’s front.
Six formally equine beings sat at desks that were a hybrid of table and very uncomfortable chair. Before he had entered the room animated discussions were heard, albeit muffled, outside the classroom. Yet the moment his presence was known, the six went dead quiet. The only sounds heard now were the quickened breaths of the girls and the steps Skeleton took. The girls turning their heads to look at the very focused looking man as he stalked toward the podium. Dash who had been slouching early, trying to do the impossible, finding a comfortable position while sitting in the desk, now sat at rapt attention. a foul smoky odor filled the room as Skeleton’s cigarette smoke filtered in.
“Good Evening.” Skeleton’s raspy voice causing them to flinch and shiver, “It appears that I am the final one to greet you to this fair world of theirs…However, that is as far as my curtesy will go.” Confusion colored the girl’s faces, not sure what Skeleton was talking about, “While all but one of you are my guests…I have a set of rules that must be followed implicitly. To Sta—“
“What the hay does Implic…Ipmil…That word mean?” Dash asked, Causing Skeleton to grimace and shoot an angered glare to the Rainbow.
“To follow the rules no exceptions.” snapped Skeleton.
“Oh…” Rainbow replied, albeit quietly.
“Are you quite finished?” Growled Skeleton, smoke billowing out of his nose, filling the room further with it’s repugnant odor, “I have other priorities that have a much greater need of my attention, so it would be preferred to keep this short and brief.” Skeleton took another drag, his freshly lit cigarette now half way burnt, “As I had said, To begin, I must insist with as much authority as I can muster, Do not reveal where you originate from. While other worlders are not an entirely unknown occurrence, I would sooner not have the Named or the church be involved with purely academy affairs.”
Twilight, sheepishly raise her hand, giving it a slight wave as to catch Skeletons attention. Skeleton, took another breath, this time not inhaling that calming smoke he so desperately wanted. He did have to make it last, he only had a few of his vices left…
“Yes, princess?”
Twilight shrank under Skeleton’s incredible scowl before giving voice to her question.
“I thought the Named were just a myth on this world. That they were just made up figures the church had made in order to personify the ideal traits of people and demonize the unwanted immoral actions. Are you saying that the Named are actual beings?”
“The Named are very much real, as is their powers, both the good and evil. After what I had shown you when you had first arrived I would have thought you would recognize this fact. Each one of the Named hold the power that is on par with a newly ascended alicorn.”
The girls murmured quietly about the fact before Skeleton cleared his throat, Calling back their attention.
“Now that you have an inkling as to why I wish to avoid such an unnecessary headache, I can continue. Now you will all be issued Items that will be required as part of your stay of, not only this academy, but this world as well. Uniforms, backpacks, writing utensils, basic clothing, shall all be given to you over the course of the next week, before the heritage assembly. Along with being integrated into Belfiore you will be required to follow every guideline listed in Belfiore’s student doctrine.”
Skeleton took the final hit of his cigarette before pulling out a cube shaped ashtray, gently rubbing out the still burning embers on the glass before setting the ashtray on the podium. I only have five left *sigh* This is going to be an impossibly long year.
“Along with the items issued to you, there is one more additional item I require you to wear at all times.” Skelton continued snapping his fingers.
Six simultaneous flashes appeared infant of the girls, followed by simple jewelry boxes in the same place, after the flashes dissipated. Each box was an unassuming uniform shaped cube. The boxes were absolutely identical, the color being to the only identifying factor between them. As a matter of fact, the color of the boxes only served to identify and reinforce which box belong to who. Twilight’s a soft violet, Applejack’s a soft pastel orange, It seemed the boxes were colored to match their original coat colors. But it was what laid inside the boxes that had caught their attention.
Six simple gold bracelets that felt all too known to the girls. Each bracelet had a simple curb chain wrapped around some faux wrist with a single charm shown. Each bracelet was unique, holding a different charm, a charm in the shape of their cutie mark. Twilight’s a star shaped amethyst, Rainbow’s a ruby colored lightening bolt, Fluttershy’s a butterfly shaped alexandrite, Rarity’s a diamond shaped violet flame opal, Applejack’s a heart shaped topaz, and Pinkie’s a balloon shaped sapphire. It seemed a little to coincidental these looked so close to the elements they were all but forced to give up.
“These bracelets have been specially crafted to protect Farway from you. It is to my knowledge you all have face a form of corruption between realms. When your realm started to merge with another, with a dark and evil Celestia’s.” The girls all nodded yes shivering once again, this time remembering how close they come to loosing everything, “These bracelets are designed to filter out you equestrian magic. Minimize the damage your presence here does to the fabric of the borders between worlds. This will allow you to access your unicorn magic safely Ms. Rarity, and you as well, Princess.” Skeleton sneered at the title, gaining a fierce look from Rainbow Dash, “For you Ms Applejack and Miss Pin—” Skeleton’s eyes opened in surprise, briefly before narrowing into a dagger filled look, “Ms Pinkie Pie access to your earth pony magic and endurance. For Ms Dash and Ms Fluttershy, These bracelets will grant you your wings back and allow you to fly. However You must never fl—“ Skeleton couldn’t finish, as Rainbow Dash, had tackle hugged the man with surprising speed.
“Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!” Shouted Dash, tears streaming from her eyes. The one thing she had longed from since arriving being granted. Rainbow squeezed her hug even tighter in excitement that she was going to fly at the first chance she had. Skeleton, stunned by the sudden attack, recovered quickly and tried to get the sobbing girl off of him.
“Miss Dash!” Skeleton stated firmly, it, however, yelled no response,
“MISS DASH!”
“MISS DASH!!!” Bellowed Skeleton, Finally gaining the speedster’s attention, “Restrain yourself! I am a married man and this is far beyond appropriate!”
Twilight’s head tilted at the new information about Skeleton, as Rainbow released her embrace, blushing in embarrassment.
“If you could be so kind as to return to your seat. Thank you.” Skeleton’s hand subconsciously neared his breast pocket, toward his pack of smokes, only to realize what he was doing and forcibly move his hand away from the temptation, No, Need to save them for something more appropriate Taking in a deep breath Skeleton continued on, “Yes, These bracelets will allow you to fly. HOWEVER, you are not to fly where you can be seen by either the student body, staff, or populous of Caelum. Is that understood?”
Rainbow could only nod yes, animatedly. Fluttershy, not really one for being too far off the ground nodded only once, being perfectly content with not flying at all.
“Now, you all will report to uniform issue at first light, and attend the heritage assembly. Now before I leave you there are two more things I need to inform you of. First, These bracelets contain a small passive charm that makes it so you can speak and read Common as if you were born in Farway.” Skeleton’s emerald eyes turned dark as his attention was turned to Pinkie, “At your convenience, Miss Pinkie Pie, you and I shall have words” Spat Skeleton angrily, “You are dismissed for the day.”
And with that Skeleton turned and left without saying another word.
“Um…Pinkie? What do you think that was about?” Asked Twilight, confused by the anger shown to Pinkie.
“Dunno…Maybe he wants me to throw a “Welcome-to-Farway-and-Caelum-at-Belfiore-HI-NEW-STUDENTS!!!” party?” The party mare replied
“Ah don’ think tha’s what he wanted sugar cube.” Answered Applejack.
“What ever that was about, It did seem he was quite brutish with his statement,” Rarity interjected, “And there’s something else about him too. I can’t find myself able to trust him…Something about him reminds me of Discord…Speaking of…Fluttershy, dear, Do you happen to know where he is?”
“No.” Came Fluttershy’s quiet reply, “He said something about picking up another member of the house…”
It was late into the evening when Daisy arrived at the station. Her simple trip from home to Cygnus a mere few hours ride by train, seemed exhausting if not down right debilitating. The reason for her lack of energy was a simple one. She really didn’t want to return to the academy. There was only one reason she attended Belfiore, One reason she joined the Caelum Navy. It was petty, unwise, and certainly beyond strange and into the questionably moral. Her reason for joining Belfiore was so offer her support to her adopted brother. Daisy held no illusions it was foolish to do so, but after both their fathers disappeared some sixteen years ago, the held solace in each other. If it wasn’t for him, she would still be the antisocial hellion she became after the tragedy. It even gave her her name, Daisy, after his attempts to cheer her up. The irony of what her brother did for her and what she tried to do for him did not escape her. So despite how much she hated Belfiore, time spent with her brother made it worth it.
As the train rolled to a slow stop, Daisy raised her arms. At first it was to stretch, to remove some of the kinks and soreness from staying in the same position for so long, then she reached above her to grab her bags from the overhead storage. Her Backpack, Solid black as per regulations, a soft sky blue sea bag filled nearly to ripping with non-pressed uniform items, civies, blankets, and other such items, her garment bag with her dress whites and blues in what she hoped was still in press condition, after some tricky and clever work, Daisy had all her bags accounted for and slung around her shoulders and in her hands. Everything the was required to have, and a few comforts from home later, she walked, …or rather waddled, off the train.
The train platform was a breath of fresh air, the stuffy stale air of the train being replenished and replaced by the air of the nearby sea. If there was one thing to say about Cygnus it was the smells of the ocean water. Shouts could be heard as the made her way from the train, both giving and gaining space to allowed the crowd to move. Shouts could be heard by the drill instructors as they gathered the new cadets from the train. Suckers, too late to turn back now. You have no idea how much pain you all are going to be in. Daisy thought with a chuckle. Taking a second to look about for her brother, though not expecting to see him. He was often buried in some book on history or combat strategy. So more often then not she had to find her way to the academy on her own, though he made it up by always seeing her off. So when she spotted a conspicuous brightly lit sign with some written scripts she didn’t know in the crowd before the text changed and started flashing the words “Hello Daisy! And I made an oops on the language meet me here!” with a large comical arrow pointing down.
“Odd” voiced Daisy, bemusement evident on her face, “Might and find out what this is about.”
Slowly and with caution Daisy made her way toward the bizarre sign, having some difficulty in managing the crowd with her cumbersome amount of luggage. The short trek was hard, but with her stubbornness and fiery personality she made her way to the person holding the sign.
“Oh good. I was beginning to wonder if you were on this train. It was quite awkward when I did this for the last three ones and nopony knowing who I was looking for. Although, Not having it in your language was more an oversight then an inconvenience. The looks I got were staggering, I think they though me a mad pony…er…man? whatever…” the odd man holding the sign said, “I see your confused. See I’m a new instructor at whatever that school place down the road, as well as the sponsor for a freshly made house. I know the rules forbid this sort of recruitment, leaving it purely up to the students to find applicants. But chaos darn it, this is simply too good an opportunity to miss because of some “rules”. I, Discord, First and last of his name. Do humbly invite you to join the just christened house Equus.”
“Um…er…no thanks…I don’t want to be apart of the academy houses. I have my reasons.”
“Oh, I forgot the clincher, The house is lead by one of Belfiore’s finest young sailors, Trevor Fields.”
Back at Belfiore, in the comfort of his chair, Trevor shivered.
Applejack sat relaxed, or, as relaxed as she could get, in the common area of the House, waiting for the rest of her friends to be done with the Rate Testing. Her focus on the clothes she was wearing, as they itched against the soft, relatively new, skin, a slight orangish tinge, a reminder of her true form. The fabric that made her shirt and pants grew very uncomfortable after being worn for an extensive period of time. She would have changed her clothes, but sadly it was the only clothes she had. Had the academy’s classes started later then a few days from now, they would have been giving some money to purchase their civies. Applejack, never one to hold much stock in clothing in general (save her trademark stetson look) was simply confused about the whole distinction between the uniforms and civies, clothes were clothes.
Another factor attributing to her inability to unwind, was the Rate Testing. Some sort of way to determine just how much magic a person held. There was some talk of the two major branches of magic, and how they effect body. Applejack really didn’t pay much attention to the information, after all what use did magic have in the life of the humble farmer? Still, she jumped when they said jump, if only to put the ordeal behind her. The test wasn’t long, but to Applejack it felt very invasive. The instrument they used was a small unassuming slate blue cube. They had called it a testing construct, explained how it was used to measure the potential rate for active and passive magic. Setting the construct on a table infant of her waiting for an unspoken signal before the proctor pressed a small, almost invisible, button was located on the top face of the cube.
With a quick depress of the button the construct actuated. A quiet hiss was heard as the edges of the cube began to separate showing a near perfect glass sphere with an arcane formula etched within. A small blue light glowed from inside the center of the sphere, growing brighter until it’s brilliance increased making staring at the core of the construct start to hurt the eyes. Slowly the top face floated higher and higher until it reached eye level with Applejack. The side faces folded down until they were flat with the surface of the ground. The glass core floated ever so gently, suspended above the bottom face, before a blue beam of light, with laser like consistency, shined straight upwards toward the top face. From where the light hit the top of the test construct, a blue shimmering wave passed over Applejack from head to toe, thrice over. Applejack felt a wave of panic When the first wave passed over her, feeling a slight tingle, the second wave only increased what she felt, and by the third pass Applejack felt her whole body tingle as if it were numb. It was a sensation she did not want to be subjected to again, feeling violated by the scan. Faster then you could blink, the construct finished it’s purpose and snapped to a close, making it feel as if the whole test was nothing more then an illusion, or a mild nightmare in Applejacks case. She couldn’t leave the testing room fast enough, she didn’t even stay to hear the result. Even with the memory of the Rate Test, what had kept Applejack on edge, was the colt, boy, that shared the house with them.
Trevor had been kind, polite, cordial even, but to her it seemed it was a lie. Like he was just putting on a show, and not actually caring for any of the wayward ponies. Like he’d rather not deal with any of them at all. This assumption was further reinforced when every attempt to talk to Trevor was shot down, every question answered with silence and a gentle glare. It didn’t stop Applejack from trying, stubborn as she is. It was something the farm mare decided to change, get to know the colt and reduce some of her tension from the events she was living through.
“Howdy!” Applejack greeted the boy cheerfully, “My name’s Applejack. Ah know we havin’ really talked at all since we got here. In fact, Ah never got your name.”
“Trevor Fields” the colt replied, pointedly.
“Pleasure to meet ya’. Say why’d a colt, er, young’n like you join the guard, or nay-vee?” Applejack’s tone was pleasant if not reaching. Her attempt to stifle out the silence with a conversation.
“I have my reasons,” Trevor answered in a polite, yet still frustrated tone, “And I hope to keep them my own, Miss Applejack.”
“Oh…Didn’t mean to push ya’ to talk ‘bout somethin’ ya’ didn’ want to.”
“It’s fine” Trevor sighed, returning to the ever present textbook he was reading.
He jus’ keeps ignoring me an’ the girls. What’s his deal? Thought Applejack, taking the time to study him. Sitting straight, in what was most likely proper posture was Trevor, dress in his service uniform, a sky blue shirt with red piping outlining, and accentuating the collar and breast pockets, was tucked into black trousers with pre-made creases leading to black dress socks, and shined black dress shoes. His auburn brown hair kept neat and orderly, giving him the look of a businessman, his steely grey eyes focused and gave shivers, at how cold they looked with the present company at House Equus. Even his stances and mannerisms were distant and frozen. It was something Applejack couldn’t stand and was unable, and unwilling to continue with the farce.
“Do ya dislike us or somthin’? Ah haven’ heard much more then a sentence or two from you in the week that we’ve been here. Why is that?” her question audibly filled with her frustration.
“I don’t dislike you.” was the only thing Trevor said, never taking his gaze out of his book. ending the conversation and succeeding at boosting the mare’s anger.
Sweet Celestia, he’s jus’ not givin’ me anythin’ to work with. What’s up with this colt? As once again in the uncomfortable silence, Applejack was thinking, If’n it weren’t for the fact the girls are still doing that test, Applejack unconsciously rubbed her arms casting off the unwanted memory, Ah’d just as sooner not be here alone with him. Not that I don’t like the colt or whatever, but I don’t want to be around anypony who thinks were a bother. It’s almost like that one prince Rarity went gaga over at the grand galloping gala.
*Sigh*
Applejack looked on, growing more and more disheartened about the matter. Trying once again to strike up a conversation with Trevor, only to have it end the same way as it did before.
Two hours had passed before the rest of the girls had finished with the Rate Test, all the element bearers scored high AP ratios (Applejacks being the lowest at 6-aP-7). With her friends back at the House, Applejack all but abandoned her attempt to befriend Trevor. Though she was as loyal as the next pony, she never was the Element of Loyalty, so she didn’t feel compelled to keep loyalty to a pony who didn’t want to return it. That and if she was to be true to her own element, she’d rather spend time with her friends in the strange land they were in. After excusing himself from the common area, Applejack suspected it had something to do with the overabundance of ponies he’d rather not deal with. Eventually the girls separated into various parts of the house with Rarity and Applejack staying in the common room to gossip.
“I don’ know about ya’ll but Ah’m not takin’ to kindly to this Trevor fella.” Applejack answered, being asked her opinion of the colt they shared a house with.
“Why ever would you say that dear?” Asked Rarity, not having any particular issue with Trevor.
“Ah just can’t handle that attitude of his, Like we’re a bother to him or somthin’. He reminds me of that prince fella you were after. Like he’s above us and we’re nothin’.”
“While I do agree with some of what you said, Fields is nothing like that so called ‘prince’.” Rarity spat, “At the very least he isn’t terribly rude. So what if he isn’t the most talkative of ponies, er, people? What ever the term is for his kind. Keep in mind darling, this is all new to the colt, including this is all new to us for the matter. It will only be an issue of time. Besides,” Rarity looked over to her lavender tinted friend, “I’d say he much more like how our newest princess used to be before she met us.”
Applejack frowned, thinking over what Rarity had said, before giving her answer.
“Ah…Ah suppose your right.” Aj sighed.
“What are you girls talking about?” Interjected Twilight.
“We’re talking about the colt we’ve been compelled to live with.” replied Rarity.
“Oh…” Came Twilights despondent answer.
“What’s the matter dear?” Concern could be heard in Rarity’s tone
“Yeah Twilight, you can tell us.” Applejack added, trying to find out why Twilight was down.
“It’s…It’s nothing to worry about. Just realizing what my actions caused…”
“Now now.” Rarity moved closer to Twilight, giving her a hug, “It’s going to be alright, you’ll see.”
“Yeah…” Sighed Twilight, not quite sold on the optimistic idea.
“Don’ you worry none hun, Everything will be right as rain in no time.”
“Indeed.” Agreed Rarity, “Though…I am interested in your,” Rarity inflected towards Twilight, “opinion of the colt…”
“Well I—”
“TREVOR MONTAGUE FIELDS!! GET YOUR CREATOR DAMNED SELF OUT HERE SO I CAN BEAT YOU INTO OBLIVION!!!” A shrill voice cut through the air, stopping cold what ever it was Twilight was about to say.
Silence filled the air briefly followed by confusion. A loud thump alerted the girls that Trevor heard the voice as well. What was unexpected however, was Trevor running through the common room, in between the girls, terror stricken, and out the rear entrance of the house.
“Um…What just happened?” Asked Applejack, voicing the thoughts in everypony’s mind.
“DON’T THINK YOU CAN HIDE FROM ME TREVOR. I. WILL. FIND. YOU!!!
“What in Celestia’s is going on.” Asked Twilight completely lost with what was happening.
“Tis a simple answer princess Sparky. Tis the sounds of love you hear in the air and see with your eyes.” Replied Discord before popping into existence before them. Also to see the chaos caused by Daisy once she realized what her brother did when she was away.
“That sure as hay don’ sound like any kind of love Ah’ve ever heard of. More like a nightmare come to life to me.”
“So you mean to tell me, honest Applejack, that you’ve always been nice to your sister and brother and they’ve have never done anything to make you mad or angry enough to chase?” Discord asked giving his all too familiar smirk.
“Well when you put it that way…” AJ admitted.
“TREVOR!! HOW IN THE VOID COULD YOU KEEP THIS FROM ME! YOUR OWN SISTER! I SWEAR I’M GOING TO GO ALL TOURNAMENT ERA ON YOU!!!”
“Should we be helping him or something?” Asked Twilight, growing more concern with the tone of the shrilling voice.
“No, no. We should let things run there course. No need to ruin the entertain…er, sibling disagreement.”
“GET BACK HERE SO I CAN BEAT YOU INTO A PULP, THEN TURN YOU INTO PAPER!!!”
“Besides, Do you really want to face a mare that angry?”
Their looks gave all the answers Discord needed.
Trevor ran for his life. Not that he suspected that Daisy would actually kill him. Injure him in such a fashion he wish he was dead, absolutely, but the actual act of taking his life, not so much. If there was one of the things he greatly disliked about his sister was her temper, the other was her constant attempts to set him up, but in this moment it had to be her anger. While normally very nice and kind, Daisy had a switch relating to her anger. Once the switch was turned on, even the fiery fury of the surface of the sun couldn’t hold a candle to it. On more then one occasion he’d seen his sister lay out men three times her five foot six self with practiced ease, and that was before her strength enhancing constructs she had forgotten to wear at the time. And so, with that particular incident in his mind, Trevor ran, not really forward or backward, until he was trapped at a dead end with no place to hide, a few blocks from House Equus.
This isn’t good. I have no doubt She’s hot on my trail and will find me here before long. I don’t have an illusion construct with me to camouflage me. I didn’t expect her to show up until the heritage assembly. She hates being here, so why would I ever think she’d show up early?
“THERE YOU ARE!!” Shouted Daisy her eyes narrowed into slits with anger.
Trevor gulped End of the line.
“H-Hello Daisy….I-I Didn’t expect you back here for a few more days. I meant t—“
“CAN IT!” She clipped, marching closer to Trevor, “WHAT IN THE VOID TREVOR!!? YOU SAID YOU HAD NO INTEREST IN JOINING A HOUSE. NOW HERE YOU ARE, NOT ONLY JOINING ONE, BUT A HOUSE YOU STARTED!!!” Just a few steps away from Trevor she stopped, looking up to him. Standing a full head shorter then him didn’t make her any less intimidating then when she was chasing him down, “AND TO TOP IT OFF!! WHY ARE ALL THE MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSE FEMALE? WHY?” Daisy’s demeanor took a sudden one eighty, “Why didn’t you tell me…? I’m your sister, family. I mean we’re close right? So why would you keep this a secret from me?” Daisy now in tears, embraced Trevor in a hug.
“Daisy,” Breathed Trevor, “This wasn’t my choice. I don’t want to be in the houses, that hasn’t changed. I didn’t form a house, I didn’t recruit anybody, and I certainly didn’t want to be stuck here in one.”
“Then why are you?”
“Because I don’t have a choice. Admiral Skeleton ordered me to a house, due to some unique nature of the housemates and my ability to keep a few of them in line…”
Daisy broke off the hug and gave a bemused look.
“Keep in line? How? You’re a passive magic user. I see you don’t have a construct with you, so you’re useless. You need one for your talents to shine. So why did the CO decide it had to be you instead of an active magic user like…I don’t know…Landcaster?”
“Apparently I am an active magic user…somehow my mother’s native magic had awoken in presence of then housemates.” Shock lit up Daisy’s face, “My mom was Terran remember? Apparently I received some of it that needed an extra nudge if you will. When these…er…transfer students showed up, their unique magic triggered my own. Sadly It only effects them, nullifying their magic. That’s why the CO put me in the house. Make it easier to keep an eye on them.”
“O…K…I guess…”
“Wait…How did you find out I was in a House?” Asked Trevor, bewildered by how Daisy knew about it, having just returned to the academy.
“Oh! It was one of the newer instructors. He met me at the station. He told me how you formed your own house and stuffed it full of girls. Though he used a different term though…” Daisy gave an evil smirk, sending a chill down Trevor’s spine, “He said you made this house to fulfill a lifelong dream of yours, to make a harem.”
Had Trevor been drinking anything, it would have been sprayed all over his sister, instead, Trevor swallowed wrong, starting a violent coughing fit.
“WH-WHAT!?” Stammered Trevor.
“That’s what the instructor told me. However…” Daisy brought her hand to her chin in thought, “Now that I think about it…That smirk he had should have tipped me off he was joking.”
“What was his name…The instructor that pick you up.” Inquired Trevor. I think I know who set Daisy off…And if he did…
“Discord.”
“It really does seem the Creators are out to try and punish me.” sighed Trevor.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t leave the greatest impression did I?” Daisy gave a nervous chuckle, “It’s just…I have a deep connection with my brother. We share everything from hopes and dreams to our fears and…past…When I found out the rumor he started his own House…I felt betrayed and let my anger get the best of me…
“So let’s start over shall we? My name is Maria Meadows, but just call me Daisy. I’m Trevor's younger sister, of about…what…year and a half or so? Genious with all things involved with passive constructs and I have quite the green thumb if I do say so. Now, Who might you six be?”
“I’m Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity.”
“It’s a pleasure, though I have to say I’ve never come across names like that.”
“That’s easily answered,” Interjected a familiar voice much to the ire of Trevor and Daisy, “They’re from another world!”
“Discord!” Snapped Twilight, “That’s suppose to be a secret! I don’t want Skeleton more angry with us then he is already!”
Trevor’s head turned toward Twilight. What? What does the Admiral have to do with them being other worlders? Or why is he angry with them?
“Oh it was? My, my, It does appear I’m terrible at keeping secrets princess…oops there goes another one…” Discord said in mock embarrassment.
“Princess?” Both Daisy and Trevor said aloud. “What’s a princess doing here?” finished Daisy
“Er…” Twilight started.
“Wait!” Daisy now recognizing the entirety of Discord’s statement, “Your other worlders!? Are any of you Named?”
“No…none of us are.” Twilight answered, “We’re here to offset what ever damage Discord causes, intentional or otherwise.”
“I~ Don’t need a babysitter, I’m perfectly capable of keeping my self in order.” Discord defended before falling to peaces on the ground, freaking out Daisy out, being unfamiliar with his antics.
“Daisy!” Trevor called to her, “He’s…it’s…an incredibly powerful active magic user, and likes to play unwanted and annoying pranks. Discord is fine. The problems he causes are serious enough that it, he, needs to be watched. His magic is entirely unpredictable, he summoned a Darken his first night here.” Daisy paled.
“Dar-kin?” asked Rarity
“Incredibly dangerous life sucking creatures born by our Creators feud. They can’t be killed. Only temporarily banished by intense levels of light. Luckily for us, they’re few and far between.”
“They don’t sound that scary.” Rainbow said.
“Trust me they are. I hope to the Named you never have to come across one.” Trevor stated.
“Better question,” Applejack turned to face Discord, “Is why he summoned something so dangerous in the first place?”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to.” Interjected Fluttershy, feeling a need to defend her eccentric friend, “I can’t see him doing something so…so…evil, even if he was angry.” her voice soft and angelic, calming everyone down just by being heard. Daisy found her self enamored by Fluttershy, not unlike finding a puppy you could bring home. Subconsciously Daisy moved closer to Fluttershy, closer to hugging distance.
“He’s dangerous, whether he is doing it intentionally or not. If it wasn’t for the CO’s orders I’d sooner be elsewhere.” Finished Trevor, I’d rather not have to deal with any of the others here too. he kept to himself, his polite nature forbidding him to outright say it. Why did this have to happen to me? I just want to graduate, do my time, then go on marine exploration…find some closure. Not deal with any of this unwanted company. Especially that psychotic creature. Trevor glared at Discord.
“So for intents and purposes, you’re exchange students…” Asked Daisy, breaking Trevor of his thoughts.
“Yes, I suppose you could say that.”
“O.K. For how long?”
All of the girls faces, and curiously Discord, gave a solemn look, before they answered with a “We don’t know…”
Daisy just gave a smirk, sending a feeling of foreboding over Trevor. What is Daisy playing at? Feeling a powerful thirst, Trevor excused himself to make something to drink. At hearing this Daisy moved onto the girl’s personal lives. As Trevor debated on what to drink, he half payed attention to what was being said. Each of the girls now forced here to Farway led varied lives, a farmer, clothing designer, a daredevil, as best as Trevor could tell, something close to what a veterinarian does, and a party planner. Each job seemed to match each of their personalities to a T. After pouring himself a glass juice returned to the common room and back into the conversation.
“So~? Do any of you girls have boyfriends?” Asked Daisy
WHAT!?
“Boy-friends? Is that like a special somepony?” asked Rarity hoping she understood the question asked.
Daisy gave an inquisitive look before nodding, “Yeah sure, whatever.”
“None of us do at the moment.” Replied Twilight.
“Speak for your self darling. I happen to have several stallions that fancy me, One very special suitor that I might very well take up whence we return home.”
“Who is it?” Asked the rest of the girls, looks of shock plastered on all their faces, save for Daisy.
“Now that would be telling.”
“So none of the rest of you have a special some, er, one?” Questioned Daisy, her smile setting off all sorts of alarms in Trevor’s head.
Please tell me she’s not going to…
The answers given were a definitive, No.
“Alrighty then, Would any of you be interested in dating my brother?”
she did….*sigh*
Trevor turned toward the nearest wall, and started to bang his head against it.
Today was officially the first day of school for the fall semester at Belfiore. Though classes wouldn't start for close to another week, the reason this was considered the start of the semester was the heritage assembly. The assembly was considered the start of the school year despite the fact no classes were scheduled for the week. The only thing that was on the schedule, on the “Plan of the Day,” was Heritage, much to the annoyance to the student body. The assembly usually gave information on upcoming events, new rules to follow for the academy, overall military standing (nothing that was classified of course), or what ever else the Caelish navy deemed important enough to pass word along.
Usually the Heritage assembly was held in the mornings as only to return the students to the early morning rises that would occur for the rest of the fall and into the winter months. This year was break from the norm, that at a minimum, the fact the assembly was being held in the afternoon meant it was important, the first time in almost ten years tradition had broke, (no one could quite remember the reason why it was in the afternoon in 2031, but it was something important…) Everyone on campus new something was up. Rumors of a new house being formed by one of the most notorious shut ins of the entire academy was certainly the most proliferated. Rumors of six foreign students and new instructor, had made their rounds as well, but didn’t hold the same sort of appeal of Belfiore’s star student. Lastly students of the academy took note that the senior staff were in an “urgent meeting”
In the staff commons all the senior instructors sat chatting waiting for when the meeting would start. As was the nature of such things everyone had assembled twenty minutes before the meeting started, and waited ten minutes afterword for the CO to show up.
“ATTENTION ON DECK” Called out one of the junior instructors. At once every one of the staff members snapped, crisply, to the position of attention.
“Carry on.” Skeleton’s raspy voice filled the air. Noting no-one made a move to their seats he continued in an annoyed tone, “Take your seats…please…”
They did, only causing Skeleton to sigh.
“I am grateful for your attendance. I know our standard operating procedure has taken a blow by pushing the Heritage assembly to this afternoon, in place of it’s normal time of ten hundred. As I am sure, all of you have heard the rumors spreading around the academy grounds. We have received a few exchange students and a new instructor.”
“Sir?” A suave voice cut in, “How is it we haven’t been briefed on this before now? Normal—”
“Because the higher ups made the decision, without consulting myself or any one else here at Belfiore Lieutenant Zook!” Skeleton replied angrily, “Now please remain quiet and allow me to finish.
“As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, These six students showcase a unique form of active magic never seen on farway, from a country I’m not permitted to name. These students are here as a token of good faith. We will give them the chance to learn about our low grade military construct technology. If their magic is compatible with an unaltered construct we will continue both with the student exchanges and talks of trade.” It happens to be the most plausible excuse I could have come up with.
“I have to object, sir.” Accused a sharp feminine voice, that of Captain Ferrara, as she weathered Skeleton’s angry glare, “You are allowing foreign agents to have access to some of our most advanced constructs, potentially causing highly classified magic formulas to be stolen or adapted by a future enemy of the state, or worse yet fall into the hands of Libitina, especially the Creatia construct, our most powerful, nay, the world’s most powerful generator construct.” Capt. Ferrara finished, staring daggers at Skeleton, her distaste for him apparent.
“I am aware of the risks, but this matter is entirely out of my hands, so naturally, the matter will never be touched by yours. Still…Allow me to alleviate your concerns, Captain. Starting with what little information I have been given permission to make known to the staff.
“Our guests are of a country of peace and would very much like to remain so. That said, they, with little difficulty, could be just as strong an ally as Terra, our sister country. Now, as I had stated earlier, the country that sent these student exchanges from, is classified, well above any clearance any of you hold, especially you Captain.” Skeleton’s eyes fell to Ferrara, hers widened slightly as there wasn’t much that was kept from her, before narrowing to slits of pure but well disciplined rage, “The reason for this is they have no tenable defense against our less then friendly countries, Libitina and Tempus, less so their royal families, and whatever mad whims their leaders have. They need all the help they can receive if they wish to make themselves known.”
Silence filled the room as each instructor took in the information. LT Zook just took it idly trying to determine what country had sent their citizens to Caelum. Nothing outside of Terra came to mind, Sure Flumine, Vita, and Fierra would have been interested in doing something like this, and did have a high enough percentage of active magic users for this exchange. But a discovery of a new type of Active magic would have been made known by now, no matter how quiet the respective countries would have tried to keep it. Captain Ferrara, on the other hand already knew Skeleton was lying. She having never trusted a man, especially considering her own career. The problem was in proving what she believed was true. If what Skeleton said was the truth, she’d receive a run around never getting the information she wanted, everyone playing ignorant. If he was lying, they’d be ignorant all the same. Neither scenario was liked by her, but still, she’d keep quiet about it for now. Only Mirkovic had spoken up, after taking a brief ponder on the information.
“If’n t’ey need our help, t’en by teh Creators and teh Named tha’s what we’ll do. Still, t’is is a might sud’n, sir. It’s gonna cause sum probl’ns.”
“Again, I am aware.” Snapped Skeleton, his anger barely kept in check, “I assure you all, I am very cross with the powers that be that the situation that is before us every occurred. Alas there is nothing that I can do, nor they about the current scenario. So we will do what we have always done, improvise, adapt.
“Sadly this isn’t the only news that I have to impart. There is also going to be a new, guest, instructor for this year in the academy. He will be teaching a new style of engagement. This is a trial course, with trial methods so it would be well and good if you don’t question them especially if they don’t make sense. If this course happens to be successful it will be introduced sometime down the road. Sadly this new instructor will be unable to attend this morning’s meeting,” Thank Falona for that… “He will however be introducing himself and what his class will be during Heritage. With that, I have nothing further, we will muster back up at thirteen hundred so we can go through the usual routine.”
Freeborn theater, built in honor of the founding family of Caelum was a darkly lit, midnight blue painted, theater. Thousands of seats, built almost a century ago, were slowly filled as the student bodies entered the theater, flowing in like molasses. Four sections of seats filled the main floor of the hall, broken up by two aisles down the center and along the walls. The seats made of slate grey painted metal and charcoal grey fabric, used more for function over form provided the, very uncomfortable chairs. The upper balcony, used almost exclusively for the all hands calls in the academy, looked less worn, took in whatever overflow the main deck couldn’t handle. Following the students before him, Trevor took his seat, dead center of the theater. His choice was made, hoping the others he was forced to live with would loose him in the crowd, only to have them follow straight on his heels. Having nothing else to do while they waited for the assembly to begin, they took in the scenery. A faded golden arch gave definition to the stage, making it seem far too small for how big the theater was. Dark ruby curtains draw open and tied with the same colored tassels as the arch. Ultimately the whole theater was showing its age and seemed more like an after thought, then something built in honor of…
Freeborn theater sat packed full, of students, faculty, special guests, and even a few alumni, a total of about two thousand bodies stuffing the normally sparsely filled building. A gentle soft roar produced from the several normal conversations between the student. No true assigned seating, but an informal one still held true. Each student sitting with their Houses, and staff, each having a specialized pin signifying their stock. Looking from the back of the theater to the front, one would see a single cohesive student body. However, looking forward from the stage… proved that largely incorrect. The sad truth of Belfiore, the academy’s dogma of unity held the weight of air, ultimately meaning nothing at all. Houses had segregated, and exploited the students, eviscerating the value. The fleet, as a whole, would say it was largely immune to the effects of what occurred in the academy. History had shown other wise, the increased rivalry between houses, slowly infested the fleet, as cadets took up their commands and progressed in rank. A slow inevitable tide, what happens at and in the academy would before too long affect the fleet.
Will a soft flash of light the voice amplifying constructs hummed, bringing forth a sense of life, Light crystals lowered in the brilliance signaling to the entire crowd that Heritage was about to begin. The gentle roar, lowered to a dull rumble.
“Stand by…”
At once the entire theater turned dead quite, every sailor to be stood up promptly, brought themselves to attention, arms snapping to their sides, eyes forward, unwavering, toward the front stage. looking uniformly at the brightly lit stage with an unassuming oak podium in it’s center. Only six people in the crowd didn’t stand right away, Twilight and her friends thoroughly confused as to what the verbal order meant. Delayed and uncomfortable the girls quickly followed suit and stood, doing their best to mimic the others around them. Hoping that in doing so would reduce the embarrassment and awkwardness that came with being ignorant of what was suppose to happen. The silence that filled the hall, did little to calm them, only unnerve them further.
“ATTENTION ON DECK”
From behind the curtain, Skelton made his way to the podium on stage.
“Be Seated” His cold raspy voice permitting the theater and echoing slightly, sending a flinch down Twilight’s spine. Brief shuffling was heard as the crown returned to their seats, “I offer a welcome to all returning students, and fresh minds. For the newest bodies, I am Admiral Skeleton, the commanding officer of Belfiore, and I have held this post for little over three years. And because of my position, it is customary for the CO to give a speech to the students. A custom that I am not inclined to follow today. That said there are a few announcements that need to be made.
“Rumors have been circulating about a new house being formed over the stand down period. Now I am putting an end to these rumors before they grow even further out of hand.” Skeleton took a deep breath, Quiet murmuring filtered through the masses, “Do to any unexpected commencement of a student exchange program so close to the start of the year, and the vast difference in cultures from where these students hail from, it was deemed necessary that a new house be formed. As per naval instruction, only a non-affiliated student could be placed as a House leader. So, I have the onus to introduce the head of the newly formed House Equus, Ensign Fields. Please, stand up and move toward the stage.”
The theater erupted in thunderous applause. The girls just cheered, half heartedly, trying their best not to stand out too much in the crowd. Trevor stood up, took in the what was the entire school with indignation, he didn’t want to be in the spot light, he’d already had enough of that with his father’s legacy not to mention the church… Just what does the CO want with me? I don’t need, nor want this…*Sigh* Turning to face his sister, Daisy just gave a reaffirming nod, voicelessly telling Trevor just to endure it. Annoyed beyond belief, and furious at being thrown to the wolves, Trevor tersely made his way forward, down his row, aisle, and up to the stage. Carefully masking his emotions, one foot in front of another, as the deafening applause lowered to a dull murmur. Trevor took to the stage and began to address Belfiore.
“This is unexpected,” Trevor began, his disdain for the whole matter could be clearly heard in his tone of voice, “The burden of a speech and the position. This wasn’t something I chose to do, but rather it was placed upon me despite my protests. I will do my best to lead this newly established House. However, I must insist that the current roster is full. House Equus will not be taking any applications for new members.” Trevor firmly stated, thinking all the while, There are too many secrets to keep already in this House. I don’t need the added stress of ensuring some random student is capable of keeping them, nor, dealing with those like Hill that seek nothing more then standings..
With a muttered thanks and a slight bow, Trevor made a quick exodus from the stage, in complete and utter silence. The whole school just held a dumfounded look. No one in the history of Belfiore disliked being in a house, much less leading one. Yet, there stood Trevor Fields, often jokingly called the “Star of Belfiore” had refused being in a House at every turn until this point in time, where he was forced to take up the role. A fact made even more clear in the irate tone he took during the speech. Fields only viewed what others called an honor, as unwanted shackles. By the time Trevor returned to his seat, two people in the crowd had recovered from Trevor’s vexing attitude toward the Houses.
Logan Hill was livid, his feature twisted into the very picture of wrathful rage. His eyes sharp and narrowed as he glared daggers into Fields, Taking the whole situation as a personal attack on his station in the academy, and an affront to everything he was trying to achieve. Hill’s face did little to stop the revulsion from being apparent. As his hand clenched the theater seat in white knuckled fury, Masters only worried both for Fields, and how Hill would handle today’s events. That ungrateful…Here I have to work so hard for my station, remained ever vigilant, to keep everything I’ve gained, and this Creator damned fool has it handed to him on a silver platter only for him to spurn it. Spit right into the faces of every student here. Star child of Belfiore, more like self centered, spoiled brat. Thought Hill, his scowl darkening with his mood and thoughts.
Elsewhere amongst the crowd a coy smile could be seen. Landcaster had found the ordeal quite humorous. Trevor Fields, the Houseless, is forced into the very thing he avoided, like dealing with Libitina…or the their royal family. Oooohhh, this is good. Love how he stuck it to the CO with his every so subtle, passive aggressive, ways. That said, and if the rumors still hold true, it appears that the House is full of women. and if their the ones sitting next to Fields, they are attractive females, you lucky bastard. Landcaster couldn’t help himself, he just laughed at the whole matter, confusing an already befuddled Travis even further.
Skeleton made his way back upon the stage, to the center podium, and cleared his throat. The noise carried through the sound constructs, amplifying itself through out the theater, and fulfilled it purpose in bring everyones attention to him.
“Thank you Ensign Fields. I hope you bear the responsibility well. There is one other item that I need to address before turning it over the the faculty. There is to be a new training program to be implemented this year. This is a trial program, headed by a new instructor, that is…a…contracted individual…It is my solum…duty…to introduce this new instructor.” Under his breath Skeleton added, “I’m going to regret this”
A smattering of half enthused clapping filled the air as the students couldn’t decide if this was a bad or a good thing. The sudo cheer soon gave way to barely suppressed laughter as the new instructor moseyed his way on stage. The cause for the laughter was the ridiculous suit the instructor wore. A brightly colored suit patched together in a quite the opposite of fashion, made from random patched of colorful material, with absolutely no straight seams to be found. Or anything, really, that could resemble a definitive shape, as the patches looked like spilled paint forming the blobs of color that made the blouse of his suit. His leggings were a striped mustard yellow with a dull rust colored pinstripe repeating with varying space between them. Yet the most defining feature this suit held, was an obnoxiously bright peach colored tie that seemed to reflect the lighting in the theater straight into the audiences eyes. It didn’t take very long for someone in the audience to break into a loud guffaw, with the rest of the crowd following soon after. Only those in the new House refrained from laughing, all of them knowing exactly who was on stage. All of them rolling their eyes at the antics before them. Well, all of them except Rarity, who had passed out at the site of such a monstrosity of a suit on stage, as the violations against fashion proved to much for the seamstress.
“Greetings everypony!” the instructors voice carried through the theater in his usual velvet melody, “As your CO Skelly just misinformed you, I am not just a new instructor, I’m the officer in charge of House Equus, as well.” A loud YES carried from the crowd from a certain pink haired girl, “Now for this class I’m supposedly supposed to teach…this new class… which is the…er…” the oddly dressed instructor on stage brought his hand to his chin, rubbing his goatee thoughtfully, after a moment passed, he snapped his fingers and his face brightened with an Aha moment, “I remember now. But before I start, let me explain a little about it… it’s mine to run, and rest assured it will be chaotic.” The instructors grin grew wide, causing Trevor to squirm in his seat, “With that, it is my duty and privilege to introduce this new class. The Unexpected Scenario Exercises of Logistical Execution of Serviced Ships.”
Once again the theater filled with less then enthused cheer, mostly cheering for the sake of cheering, not really understanding anything of what was said. Skeleton on the other hand just face palmed, once he worked out just what Discord’s class was called.
“Because of this class’ experimental nature, only the highest ranking Houses will be allowed to attend. And from said houses only eight of their members, those being in the highest stations will be attending. Starting from the highest ranked house, Houses, Equus, Volcain, and Oaklandus will be attending. The class starts next week, so prepare for the unexpected and unprepareable. Now to my current and future constituents, I give you the floor.” Discord gave a sweeping bow, gesturing to the hard wood that made up the stage, his snaggled tooth smirk as wide as possible with his current form. After all, He pranked the entirety of Belfiore Academy, or more importantly Skeleton, and no one could do anything about it.
Next week, Discord would start his U.S.E.L.E.S.S. class.
After the academy had it’s first taste of Discord, the rest of Heritage went by as usual. Instructors heading to the stage to give their overall roles in the academy, giving a little history about themselves and then passing the task of speaking to another instructor. From the assembly, only three people, who had taken the stage, left a mark on the girls.
Trevor’s self appointed father figure, LCDR Mirkovic, held two teaching positions in the academy. One was as an instructor outlining the operation and maintenance of the Creatia Drive System, and the other was Caelish naval history and strategies. Yet, his collateral duty in the academy was as the House’s Officer in Charge (OIC), which meant he supervised and settled any inter-House disputes. When up upon the stage he joked a little about the animosity between Oaklandus and Volcain, earning a few awkward chuckles from the audience. Everyone knew the rivalry between the two leading groups was quickly turning to something more aggressive as of late. so the jokes made seemed a little too inappropriate.
Following the LCDR, was LT Filius Zook. With the appearance of a very straight laced and extremely narrow man he walked onto the stage in what had to be an uncomfortable manner. If anyone asked as to why the LT did so, it was because that was how every sailor was suppose to walk. The man was boastful of his personal history, how his lineage was instrumental in ending the Tournament Era. How he served on some of the finest ships the Caelish navy had commissioned. The speech LT Zook gave was long winded and had this bizarre ability to place almost the entire school populous to sleep. If it wasn’t already confirmed Zook was a passive magic user, the whole academy would swear he was casting a construct-less, spell on the stage. The history and military knowledge that Zook spoke about had been pay dirt for Twilight, the princess learning so much new and unique information never before known to pony kind. Yet, despite the information goldmine, even Twilight had to agree, LT Zook’s speech was too dry.
The last instructor to leave an impression was the most unique to say the least. Unlike the other instructors that had been up on the stage before them, sans Discord, Valery Ferrara was dressed in civies. A pastel pink T-shirt that seemed a little too tight, showcasing her lithe form. Tight fitting blue jeans, ending in black tennis shoes giving her a very young teen like appearance despite being in her early thirties. Brilliantly bright pink hair done up in a bun, to keep with military regs, but with her current attire wasn’t really needed. The bun, disguising the true length of her hair, gave the captain a very masculine look. Her features were sharp as a knife's edge, her softly colored brown eyes held a steely gaze that sent shivers down the spines of any whom held it. Those who sat closest to her in the front row, could make out the faint lines scattered across her face. Evidence of battles and fights the Captain had been apart of since she was conscripted as a young teen, being forced into service. The Captain, being a Rate 0, never had a choice to be a civilian. Moving like a predator about to strike, Ferrara with smooth purposeful movement, raised her hand to silence the crowd.
“I am in charge of the fitness program here in the academy. For about…” Ferrara quickly scanned the crowd before continuing. “A little under three quarters of you, my program will be Void on Farway. For the remaining, I expect you to work hard. I do not tolerate fat, lazy, ignorant, me— students." Ferrara catching herself lest she be caused of sexism, "Following the footsteps of our newest…” She paused, her face screwing up in disgust, “instructors…idea, I’ll be pairing together classes by house rankings. The top three houses, Equus, Volcain, and Oaklandus, your classes will be personally overseen by myself. I think It’s time we held our top houses under a higher standard. I will not tolerate any complaints, those that do complain I’m more than happy to give you extra laps to run.”
In the crowd, Landcaster shivered, and huddled closer to Maxwell, conspiratorially.
“Just when I thought I was through with that psychopath, she just reals me back in. This is total bull.” Landcaster whispered into Maxwell’s ear, before looking back to the stage.
Fury unlike another met Volcain’s leader, as Captain Ferrara’s steel gaze pierced him.
“Oh…and Mr. Landcaster…” Ferrara spoke, her tone sweet and sadistic. She gave a smile promising only pain and misery before continuing. “I’ll be keeping my eye on you~”
The whole theater oohed, before the Captain walked off stage.
The heritage assembly came to a close not too long after Captain Ferrara stepped off the stage. Last little reminders and tidy bits of information to wrap up anything that was missed prior. The whole academy squirmed in the seats as they readied themselves to leave, the signs that the two and a half hour assembly were almost done. Once the last speaker left the stage, and the academy spoke the sailor’s pledge, students and staff alike, rose from their seats in a final applause. Now, with the school year officially starting, the crowd shuffled toward the exits like a gelatinous mass of fog, dispersing amongst the forest floor. House students went to their respective buildings, Barracks students to the central towers, and Trevor and company, without Discord, where he was could only be the Creators could guess, headed to house Equus.
“What in existence were you thinking!” howled Skeleton, irate at Discord’s little prank.
“Don’t look at me like that. You did say carte blanc after all.” countered Discord, “So what if the title of my class is a joke. That’s what your paying me for…Er…I’m paying you for? Not really sure which, but regardless, Let me handle things like you wanted me to. My way. Speaking of…Does this world have any true to life simulators like some of the other worlds of some of your more advanced underlings?”
“No.”
“Then might I ask for a little…bending of the rules?” Discord inquired. Regarding Skeleton, as his anger began to grow, his eyes going from their usual soul piercing emerald green to a pure white. Discord hastily continued before Skeleton would render him from existence. “I mean use the idea of such a thing, but keep it within the realms of whats possible here. Do you think I’m irresponsible?” Discord paused, “Don’t answer that. Look, spin it like some sort of super secret magic project or whatever. A new way of teaching for a new type of class and all that. I assure you my plans will only work, if, and only if you let me do this.” Discord widened his eyes, giving his best to look like puppy dog pouting. Sadly, if was more off putting then helpful or cute.
Skeleton paused in thought. I am absolutely certain I will come to regret this. But if my plans are to come to fruition, then I must keep my word. Falona…why on earth did I give him a blank check…*sigh* I have no choice…I must honor my own deal. Farway and it's it needs demand it, much less Falona and her damnable mission. I need a smoke…
“I will agree to this…only if you tell me what you are planning."
Discord’s ever present smile grew wider and much more mischievous.
The day after the herritage assembly to say Trevor was annoyed would have been grossly understated.
“For the last time…We are not accepting anyone into house Equus. I thought I made that quite clear during the assembly.” Barked a rather annoyed Trevor. His attempts to politely decline people had quickly disappeared, especially now, as the eleventh group of students sought to join the house he was in, just because he was in it. Trevor's patience, much less tolerance, was nearing it’s end.
“Are you certain you can’t just accept one more applicant?” Asked an airy and familiar female voice.
“Daisy?”
“Well what did you expect? I followed you here to Belfiore, So why would you think I wouldn’t Follow you to a house? Daisy answered, giving a shrug.
“I…er…Fine. Head inside. I’ll start the paperwork shortly.” resigned Trevor, knowing it was useless to argue with his sister. It also didn’t help that he would appreciate having a confidant to talk to regarding the other worlders staying at Equus. It might be the only thing he possibly could thank Discord for, breaking the secret to her. Giving him the outlet he needed to not take it out on his “Guests.”
“That’s totally unfair!! Why does she get to join and not any of the rest of us?”
“Simple, nepotism. She’s my sister.” retorted Trevor, before slamming the front door on the student in front of him.
“Named…I knew, despite your often antisocial habits, you were popular. But I never expected this.” Grinned Daisy, The kind of grin Trevor didn’t like, it only meant a headache later.
“It’s a pain in the neck for sure.” Sighing, he brought a hand to his face. His index finger and thumb pinching the bridge of his nose, in a vain effort to reduce the situation before him, “I already have enough problems with the current housemates. I don’t need to add to the complications already here.”
“Speaking of, where are the girls?”
“Up at the admin building, Last minute paper work before classes really begin.”
“huh…ok.”
“FIELDS! I DEMAND TO TALK TO YOU!” bellowed out a voice from outside the house, one all too familiar to Trevor.
“Yes, Don’t worry…No matter how intolerable he becomes, I’m not Landcaster, I won’t be so rash as to actually hurt him. No, I think I’ll just outsmart him ,and make him look like an idiot, not like it’s that hard.” Trevor gave a warm smirk to Daisy before he headed out to face Oaklandus’ leader, Hill. Though despite the mirth he had before leaving the interior of the house, and closer to Hill, his mood soured with every step.
“What do you want, Logan?” Barked Trevor, clearly annoyed.
“Hill. Please, do show some sort of military decorum. One would hate to think you’re beginning to take after that all but useless Landcaster. It’s a matter of showing proper respect.”
“I understand and I often practice being as respectful as I can be to my fellow students and instructors, and I would do the same with you Logan. However, you lost that respect when, after I declined your repeated invitations into Oaklandus, you decided to run a smear campaign against me. Although I most certainly didn’t appreciate it, I let the whole matter slide. When you started to involve my sister in your rumors, that’s when you lost all possibilities of earning back the respect I might have had for you.”
Hill shrank back a little at the accusation, as he really couldn’t deny that he did such things. After all he had spread some truly underhanded and depraved rumors regarding the two close siblings. How ever that wouldn’t stop him, he had a purpose in being here and it was, to him, a far more important matter.
“I don’t want to hear it. I’m here about this!” Hill gave a sweeping gesture to the House standing behind Trevor. “Don’t think for a second that I believe you were just volun-told to lead a newly formed house. I bet you were just biding your time, gathering the necessary materials to ruin Oaklandus your last year here, to ruin ME!!. To make fools of all of us here in Belfiore!”
Trevor just gave an incredulous stare, completely bemused with Hill. Really? REALLY? Is he insane?
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” exasperated, Trevor’s confusion turned to frustration, “At what point in my time here did I ever express interest in joining a house, or for that matter a desire to create one? I knew you were paranoid but this is Named damned ridiculous!” He paused a moment, catching his breath, his steely grey eyes narrowed “You are an inattentive arrogant idiot. If you had paid just the tiniest speck of attention to any interaction between myself and the other house leaders, you would know I despise the notion of the Houses. It’s a small wonder you came in third in the student rankings, right behind Landcaster.”
Hill snarled, “Well I haven’t pissed all over my father’s legacy, unlike you.” Hill sniped, baring a sneer.
Trevor’s face flashed a pure white rage, before calming back into, albeit extreme, frustration. Before it really showed, or worse, he decided to act on it Trevor forced himself to calm. I won’t give him the satisfaction.
“What ever do you mean?” Trevor responded with an unexpected pleasant tone, “I’m currently the top ranked student in the academy in grades, athletics, and now house ranking. So how is it that I have tarnished my father’s legacy?”
“Because they were just given to you, you didn’t earn those things. You’re at the top because everybody feels sorry for the orphan boy.” Spat Hill.
“I’m only going to say this once, Logan. Leave the House grounds, or I’ll report you to LCDR Mirkovic. I’m certain my “orphan boy” charm will sway his opinion in whatever dispute your trying to make, not because of how much of a bastard you are.”
“BURN!! He got you good snob!” Cried another familiar baritone from the crowd. It was then that Trevor noticed his little, spat, with Hill, had drawn a rather large crowd standing outside the gates surrounding Equus.
Great…We’ve made a scene. Just what I needed too. This is only going to get worse with Landcaster here…damn it…
“Landcaster.” Hill seethed, his anger only growing, “And what by the Creators are you doing here?”
“The opposite you you. I have to say, It must really burn you up being third place now, behind Fields here, and, more importantly, me. Maybe all those poor souls you hope to recruit will realize just how much you really suck…then they’ll join up with us!” Landcaster slyly moved from the crowd circling them and placed an arm around him in a half hug. Trevor trying to duck out of it only fail miserably.
“*tsk* I see now, it was a mistake to come here. There’s too much delinquency coming from the both of you. I’m afraid if I stay any longer, I might catch it.” Hill snapped, before smartly turning his heals and left without another word.
“I can’t even begin to explain the irony in that.” Landcaster chuckled as he watch Hill marched off.
“I suppose your here because of my new position?” Trevor asked, his tone neutral, shrugging off Landcaster’s arm.
“Nope, I was hoping to scalp you so you wouldn’t have to head up…Equus? Yeah, Equus. I’d replace my assistant House leader with you! Make things run a little more smoothly.”
Trevor gave a deadpan, knowing full well he would have a higher work load under Volcain’s leader. Possibly even more stress then babysitting seven other worlders.
“Alright, Alright. I was just kidding. Congrats on your house, even if you didn’t want it.” Landcaster smiled, “I really think it’s been a long time coming. Void, maybe it’ll do you some good. You know, building friendship with the housemates and, maybe…” he gave a mock gasp, “even other students!”
“Funny…” Trevor thought it anything but, “No, it won’t. It’s only going to effect my grades. Negatively, might I add.”
“Wow…I think you might just give Hill a run for his money on being the biggest dick on campus.”
“Is this all you came here for? To congratulate me, and insult me at the same time?”
“No~ but if provided an opportunity…”
“I see…Look, I’ve had a rough two weeks. And if today was any indication, it doesn’t seem it’s going to improve until after I graduate here at Belfiore. As much fun as my chat has been with Logan, and now you, I need to finish readying for tomorrow. And now that I think about it, I’m going to need to make sure the other housemates are ready for tomorrow too.”
“Speaking of which…Rumors say you’re the only male in Equus. That true?”
“No. I am not falling into that trap. The whole of Belfiore knows your reputation. I won’t let those naive transfers fall prey to it.”
“But that’s unfair~” Landcaster pouted, “I’ve never done anything to warrant such a bad reputation. Sure there was that one time, but that was just a misunderstanding. I only wanted to have s—“
“LANDCASTER!!” Clamored the usually disheartened voice of Maxwell. “Stop shirking your duties! There is a metric ton of paper work to go through. All of which needs your signature!!”
“Can’t you just forge it or something? I’m too busy hanging out with everyone’s favorite loner.” the fiery red head replied.
“WHAT!? NO!! Go back to the house, and DO. YOUR. DAMN. JOB!”
“SHEESH…what crawled up your butt and died Max?” Maxwell responded with an indignant noise of disbelieve, “Well anyway, seems my mother want me to go home and do my chores. See you on the morrow at the U.S.E.L.E.S.S. class.” Landcaster giggled. "Let's go mommy dearest."
Maxwell just groaned in defeat, and hung his head.
Trevor just sighed, and nodded. Landcaster offered his hand up for a high five, but Trevor just stared at him. After a painfully awkward moment for Volcain’s leader, Landcaster lowered his hand and headed back to his House, Maxwell right on his heels berating him as they walked out of sight. Doing his best to ignore the crowd still surrounding him, Travis followed suit and broke for the relative calm inside Equus. The crowd now seeing no further drama would entertain them, dispersed until the six other worlder girls that had just made it home at the start of the commotion and had stayed to watch. Each with a curious face, not quite certain to make from the shouting match and bizarre conversation that followed.
Trevor, ignorant of his housemates’ presence during the whole ordeal, made it to the front door, opened it, walked in, and shut it, all in complete silence.
Location: R-13 Farway Caelum, Cygnus, Belfiore Academy, Talle-Beyers Medical Center 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era)
Though she had always kept very organized, checklists after checklist, even a checklist of the checklist already completed, the official princess of friendship, and unofficial princess of magic and more importantly to her, paperwork, sighed at being given too much. If I never see another official military document again, it will be too soon. The thought passed briefly as an exasperated sigh filled the silence of the room, before long similar sighs from her friends followed as well. In the too bright, slightly blue lit room, sat the element bearers sat in all too uncomfortable desks, metal bent in hard angles, a pressboard wood top and a hard plastic chairs that were seemingly impossible to find comfort in, the elements of harmony were subjected to the worst possible torture, bureaucracy. Paperwork to establish being foreign students, paperwork granting them temporary residency of Caelum, paperwork to start classes, paperwork to start the medical exams, paperwork to induct them into House Equus officially, and so on, paperwork to end the medical exams… Twilight stared at the last medical document verifying the results of the medical testing and inoculations, the soreness along her wrist from coupled with the cramp like pain from her rear end, only added to the unpleasantness. That reminds me, I need to make a complaint. There was no peanut butter involved with that shot. Now it feels like a dead flank while I’m walking, or sitting, or anything really. Twilight shifted in her seat a little to try and relieve the dull pain, but to no avail. noticing another paper for her to sign was place in front of her, Twilight sighed again. I’m going to have to thank Spike when I get back. After having him do all my paperwork almost immediately after he could read and wright, I had forgotten this sort of paperwork was this unpleasant to toil through. I think I’m going to cut back on the check lists for check lists, he needs a break after this is all done Twilight paused, a pang of homesickness was felt, along with a yearning to see the little drake.
The whole of the element bearers had started at ten in the morning, finalizing everything needed for the classes that were to start the next day. Last minute paperwork, and final fittings for their dress uniforms, had taken up much of what remained of the morning and early afternoon. Now, as the sun sat nearer the horizon then mid day, the girls headed back across the academy grounds towards their temporary home.
“I hope that’s all the stuff we have to sign. Because if I have to sign anything else i’m just going to scream.” Rainbow complained.
“Ah hear ya’. Never needed to do much paperwork back at the farm. Ah mean sure taxes an’ all are never fun, but they were never this bad.” Applejack Agreed.
“I’d never thought I would say this but, It was too way to excessive. My pastern sore from writing my name over and over again. Why did there need to be five written copies for each of the two different procedures that required the same six sheets that could have been filled out prior to us receiving them, to have us we keep four copies the documents, only to turn in three copies to our teachers tomorrow? Why not just make a duplication spell or one of these construct thingies they have here so we don't have horn… wrist tunnel? ” Twilight pointedly asked.
“See even princess egghead thought this was too much. That’s saying something. I mean I get it. Military being military so everything we do needs to be done in some ridiculous overcomplicated manner, but I mean come on!”
“It wasn’t so bad…” Fluttershy started, her voice above a whisper, “at least…at least it was quiet and they were very friendly.”
“That’s true dear, but…I do agree with Rainbow in that it was far too tedious.” Rarity piped up.
“Hey!” Bright and cheery, Pinkie shouted over the girls, skipping in pace with her friends. “What’s that?” Her pink tinted hand gesturing to the house grounds in front of them.
In the smallest House district a crowd of students had gathered. The mass of students had formed up a semi-circle in front of one of the Houses, and seemed to be shuffling and pushing to try and move to the center of the group. The red bricked House, tan window shutters and black painted iron fence seemed familiar. The commotion near the new golden placard christening the House Equus.
“Why is there a crowd near our House?” Rainbow’s raspy voice asked.
“Maybe they're throwing a surprise welcome the the academy party!!?” Pinkie cheerfully replied, hopping up and down in excitement.
“Ah dun’o…That’s a lot of folks in that crowd, and Ah don’ see any party hats.” Applejack spoke up, as the group moved closer to what ever it was that had drawn the audience in front of their temporary home.
“Because everybody feels sorry for the orphan boy…” An angry sophisticated voice cut through the crowd.
“What in tarnation?” Asked Applejack.
“Maybe this isn’t a party…” Sighed Pinkie, her puffed up hair deflating a bit.
“What ever it is I intend to find out. This, it’s happening in front of our house, so maybe something happened to Daisy…or…Trevor…” Rainbow's voice faded as she started off for the crowd.
The prismatic haired girl ran up to the circle of people that had gathered around. At first there was opening in the wall of bodies that had formed, but soon the group had become a wall of students. Sly lithe moments turned to light shoving and bumping. What's the deal with this crowd? the cerulean tinted girl pondered, as she fought through the crowd. It didn't take long for her once quick movements slowed to the speed of molasses, as she pushed and shoved harder and harder just to break through the gathering. Despite the difficulty Rainbow was determined to see just what the hay was happening in front of their current home. She would not be denied.
“I’m only going to say this once, Logan. Leave the House grounds, or I’ll report you to LCDR Mirkovic. I’m certain my “orphan boy” charm will sway his opinion, not because of how much of a bastard you are.”
Hey! That's Trevor, but who's he talking to? Bemused, Dash stood, anticipating in the mass that was watch House Oaklandus' Leader shout it out with the new house. From behind her grunts of exertion grew louder, and the sounds of heavy breathing was heard.
"DASH! Ya' done took off an' left us behind." Applejack said between breaths, "So did ya' find out what exactly is going on?"
"Trevor is being confronted by some guy from Oa—"
“BURN!! He got you good snob!” Cried a playful baritone the could be heard over the murmurs of the crowd.
"Oh man!" Shouted a student just a little too loud, causing Rainbow's ear to hurt, "This can't be good."
Rubbing her ears, Dash turned to the student who had shouted and asked why.
“Hill, the leader of Oaklandus, and Landcaster, the leader of Volcain despise each other. It's only gotten worse over the last two years. Fields, not picking a house until now only complicated the issue. If either house was to have fields join them it would place that house way into the lead in the standings, giving them a huge advantage. Because of this those two have been in a competition to enlist him, and have been increasingly hostile. It won't be too long before those two go to war..."
"Huh..." Rainbow replied, but still really didn't understand.
"So you're saying that those two" Applejack gestured to the two boys looking at odds with one another, "are hankering for a fight and Trevor is the cause. Why was it so important that Trevor joined them?"
"Houses here at the academy are extremely important. What house you end up can determine your entire naval career. Your house's standing gives you choice orders, senior officers a glance at how good you are before they even take a look at you grades or accomplishments. It used to be, if you were apart of the top three houses and your all but guaranteed a long naval career. For the last decade or so the third highest house hasn't really mattered, each house claiming allegiance to Oaklandus or Volcain. Now, it's really just a competition to be either a snob, or a slob."
"Snob or Slob?" Rainbow voiced her confusion.
"Oaklandus, snob. Volcain, slob. Personally I like being a slob. I'm Byron Evanczyk y the way."
"Rainbow Dash, fast flier in all of Eques—"
"Applejack." The country mare interrupted, cutting of Dash before she could blow their cover. It was then that flashes of pink, violet and a dark blue could be seen. "These girls are Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle. We live in this house this commotion is happenin in front of."
"Those are...interesting names...so you guys are in Equus? That's neat..." Byron awkwardly noted, still keeping his focus on the confrontation.
It wasn't long before Hill's sharp features screw up into a vision of rage, his amber eyes took measure of the scene and found it wanting. “*tsk* I see now it was a mistake to come here. There’s too much delinquency here. I’m afraid I might catch it.” Hill snapped, before smartly turning his heals and left without another word.
In his rush to leave, Hill forced himself through the students surrounding them. Forcibly moving everyone that had the unfortunate fate of being in his way. Unnoticed by Hill, but not Byron, Maxwell was in the warpath of Oaklandus' leader. With a angry push Hill knocked over the blue haired member of Volcain.
"Out of my way!" Hill shouted.
Staring in confused disbelieve, Maxwell watched the house's greatest rival storm off his arms propping him into a leaned back pose. He's in a mood...what the void was that about? Maxwell pondered for a briefest of moments, until he noticed the brilliant fiery yellow orange hair. The source of all his misery for the last three years. Slowly, Maxwell pushed himself up, dusted off his clothes, and stalked forward, resolved to, at the very minimum, yell at his house leader. Unnoticed, by Maxwell, he almost in his haste mowed over the girls and Byron.
"Oh, looks like everything is about end." Pointed out Byron.
"Why's that?" Rainbow asked, confused.
"LANDCASTER!!" Bellowed Maxwell at the top of his lungs.
Flinching for a brief moment, before rubbing his ears, Byron pointed to Maxwell.
"That's why. Maxwell is here to wrangle Landcaster into doing his actual job. Don't envy him in that task."
"Looks like what ever tussle was is over now." Applejack commented with her southern twang.
"Sure does. I'll see you guys around. Don't want Maxwell catching me not doing much either." Byron gave a light giggle and then walked off.
At some unseen signal, the students began to disperse. After it was apparent no more drama was to be had. Nothing to fill the innate desire to see someone be laid into, verbally assaulted into a crying mess, the emotionally bloodthirsty student body hungered for more, and left to prowl other hunting grounds. Within seconds the only persons still standing in the entranceway to House Equus were the Equestrians themselves. Dumbfounded expressions mirror their bemused thoughts as Trevor slammed the front door. None of the girls understood the highly competitive and political nature of their new and temporary home. What ever happened here, what ever social games they just witnessed, the group silently agreed to try their best and do what ever they could to avoid it. After a second to collect themselves, the girls headed inside as well.
"Well no one died...so that's a plus." Daisy greeted, as her brother all but stormed inside.
"Not really...This whole volentold leadership has thrown me into the center of attention as if my grades, athletics, or my mark on my back." Exasperated Trevor turned to Daisy, "What did I do on the Creator's green earth to get all this unwanted attention. Named know I just want to just study quietly and alone..." he finished with a sigh.
"Think Hill will be going for blood again?" Daisy asked quietly, moving to give her brother what she thought was a much needed hug.
"*sigh* With out a doubt." He answered, falling into the familiar and comfortable embrace of Daisy, both hanging their heads.
Hill, having been spurred once again would make the siblings lives a living hell for the remainder of the semester. A soft familiar hand moved in soothing, comforting, motions along Trevor's back giving a brief respite from the troubles yet to come. The sound of a door opening was heard, but not noticed by the pair. The soft pitter patter of footsteps echoed breaking the silence of the foyer, until all sounds save breathing. Feeling the start of a kink in his neck, Trevor brought his head up slowly, and noticing the girls for the first time since that had been back. Concern had been the primary thing Trevor had noticed on the faces of his otherworldly guests, confusion and curiosity filling in the gaps, Great...I bet they saw the whole damn thing. the girls stood in a semi circle in the service uniforms of Belfiore. A see of white blouses and blue piping all leaning to a favored side, most likely do the the inoculations and other medical procedures that were done to them that day. No words were spoken, no just yet, as the whole of the group was at a loss as to what to say. All that could be expressed was just an awkward stare. No one was comfortable to speak first, so Daisy, being the ever social bug that she was, decided to break the awkward silence.
"So...Did you like the peanut butter shot?" She couldn't help but smirk.
"I never got peanut butter...only a painful shot. I want peanut butter." Pinkie pouted.
"I hate to break it to you, but there is no peanut butter involved with the shot. After all the vaccines they give you, it's possible to over tax the body. So in order to prevent that they inject a protein solution that helps bolster your immune system. It's called a peanut butter shot because peanuts have protein, so it's sort of a joke..." informed Daisy
"Yeah, we get it, that shot sucks...what I want to know is what the hay was with the show we saw earlier." Interrupted Rainbow's raspy tomboyish voice.
"What do you mean?"
"That crowd outside. Those two stallions, er, guys harassing Trevor here." She pointed to him.
"Ah" Daisy responded, pausing for a moment trying to formulate her thoughts. Luckily her brother stepped in.
"They were...were...One of them was voicing his discontent on my, promotion to a house if you will, and the other was I think congratulating me I think... it's done for now so I wouldn't put too much worry into it."
"Ah don' know out y'all, but it sounds like there is a might bit more than what your say'n." Accused Applejack, her tone light, and more curious then angry.
"Yes darling, for instance, why did that Hill fellow call you an orphan?" Rarity asked, her voice calm, and with hesitation, as if she was quite certain how to go about voicing her question delicately.
"There is more..." Trevor's reply terse, forced through clenched teeth as unwanted memories of his childhood passed through his mind, "But I'm not going to tell you about it."
"Like hay you aren't!" Shouted Rainbow, "That one creep just yells and insults you and the other seemed to annoy you. I want to know the reason why."
"Rainbow Dash!" Bellowed a soft velvet voice, one whom had yet to speak much at all here in the academy, but Fluttershy had had enough of there constant drilling of Trevor. "Can't you see that what happen out there has made him uncomfortable? That look in his face is a look of hurt. He reminds me when a young animal lost their par—"
"Fluttershy is right," Applejack admitted, taking a moment to actually look at Trevor. The pale complexion, sweat starting to bead along his forehead and arms. The cast aside gaze and dark rings quickly forming under his eyes. His head hung in some somber manner as Daisy focused her attention on her brother, rubbing his back in a reassuring manner. "If'n it's an really private matter to him, then we really shouldn't be fussing about it. Us forcing the issue won't get him to open up to us. He'll tell us when he's ready. Lets just let it go for now."
Rainbow opened her mouth in protest but closed it shortly after. Fluttershy, and by extension Applejack had a point. Looking slightly rainbow haired girl had turned on her heals and sulked off to her room. Fluttershy, concerned for her friend had followed closely behind her, to help ensure that she wasn't angry or beating herself up too much about the confrontation. Rarity finding thing worth talking about, politely excused herself leaving only Applejack, A guilty looking Twilight and a suspiciously quiet Pinkie. There was a moment of silence that hung in the air like an invisible specter.
"I don't like when my friends fight," Pinkie stated, breaking the moment, "it just always seems to hurt. And even if you don't consider yourself mine, I do think of you as a friend Trevor. I will always make time for you if you ask." She gave a small smile, her usual jovial tone of speech oddly subdued, but still just as warm, "I think I'm going to make something to cheer everpony up. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." She finished brightly before skipping off toward her culinary endeavor.
"Well then," Trevor clapped his hands, "Now that most of you had left and we've stopped invading personal business. I have paperwork to sort for tomorrow. Daisy," slowly he turned to her, a sad smile graced his features, "I'm alright, but thank you for the support. You don't need to worry about me, I've got this. I don't really need help with the forms so~"
"I got it. See you at dinner." Daisy gave him one more rub and a pat before heading off to her room.
"Ah'm just gonna check on Pinkie. Speed if she needs help." Applejack nodded a goodbye, and moved toward the kitchen.
"A...Fields?" Nervous, Twilight voice was almost lost in silence, her whole body shaking despite her best efforts not to.
"Yes? What is it?"
"I know you said you didn't need help with paper work. But Skele...the admiral said that I needed to help you with what ever I can, not that you need it now…it's just that I really don't know how to help you, so I thought that I could see what you need done and learn how to get it done. That way if in the future you need help I could provide it. Also could you help me understand the responsibilities of being your second in command?"
"*sigh* Yes, you can help. I'll also go over what you need to do. Follow me."
If there was one thing Trevor enjoyed about being in a House, it was that they had at least one actual library located within them. It was his favorite place in the whole of the house. Wall to wall bookshelves filled with historical tomes, great works of fiction and lore. To wooden tables a stained a nice golden oak, a set of four chairs, the same golden oak color had a nice russet leather padding. A wide bay window let in a generous amount of the twilight sun and gave filled the library with a warm amber glow as the the streaks of teal, magenta oranges ad violets gave the window a painting like canvas. The smell of books, the faint taste of paper, and best of all quiet were his fellows, quiet and gracious greeters to be called on for a moment of peace and reflection. Well, usually. Twilight Sparkle, had not stopped hounding him with questions. At first it was about the nature of her job, which Trevor had answered politely. Then the queries delved into a comparison between the magic of her world and his. What was different, the same, and completely incompatible. And on any other day Trevor would have welcomed the discussion, because in truth he was just a little curious about the other worlders. Yet with the confrontation earlier in the day and with preparing all the paperwork for the morning and the actual start of classes Trevor’s patience wore a little thin.
“Twilight…” he sighed, “For now just go over the personal files and make sure they're filled out correctly and make a basic muster sheet.”
“I can do that.” She responded a little too cheerfully and over enthusiastically nodding her head. It seemed to Trevor she was forcing her cheerfulness. Seemed like she was hiding something.
“If there are a few mistakes of the forms just one line them and make a correction. if the whole sheet is nothing but one lines…just redo the sheets, we get who ever messed it up to sign them off if a signature is needed.”
Twilight paled, her wrist already beginning to cramp up with the horror of all the paperwork she had written out earlier in the day. Subconsciously rubbing her wrist, she sat down at one of the tables, paperwork already set there, and looming in her mind. Trevor watched her hesitation with confusion, before shrugging and looked over his own set of papers to toil through.
It had taken Twilight two hours to go over, check, double-check, and finally triple-check the forms of a grand total of eight people. Most of the time that was consumed was over Pinkie’s and Rainbows papers. Rainbow’s, sad to say almost incomprehensible and completely illegible handwriting made her forms useless. Her prismatic friend was never know to have the most eloquent of hoof writing, but with the lack of experience with fingers and hands, (despite the gifts Skeleton had given them to help prevent any translation issues) clearly showed. The squiggles that were Rainbows words on paper didn’t even hold a candle to what Pinkie had written down.
Pinkie had filled out the necessary information brilliantly, however the incessant amount of doodles in the margins, and formulas for perfect parties (The maths behind them surprised Twilight, not only were they easy to follow but must shocking, remarkably sound.) Once again the princess of friendship cursed the work load. It didn’t help either that every time she’d check over Pinkie’s rewritten forms the doodles would reappear, causing no end of frustration to her. Still despite the headache that was the piles of paper, it was easier to deal with then the guilt, and after sitting for two hours in the same room as one of her leading sources of guilt… The wall holding back her emotions could be held at bay for only so long.
“Trevor?” she asked, quietly just an octave over a whisper.
“Yes?” He replied in a politely bored tone.
“I’m sorry…” she hiccuped, fighting to hold back her tears.
“For what?”
“I’m sorry for Discord. If we didn’t…I didn’t…” *sniffle*
“Didn’t what?”
“Send him here!” Twilight blurted out, on the verge of crying. “I didn’t mean to send him here. It was just an unfortunate accident. But because of this you’ve already faced something dangerous his first night here, those two boys arguing and yelling at you and going to…I just don't want you to hate me, but you need to know that I was the reason behind you meeting Discord.”
“Twilight…”
“I also understand if you never want to be my friend. And if you hate me I can accept that no matter how much it hurts…But don’t take it out on the girls. None of them are here because they want to…Princess Celestia said that Ske—.”
“TWILIGHT!” Interrupted Trevor, his voice stern and a bit harsh.
Twilight flinched and closed her mouth, afraid of angering him further.
“Let me repeat what you said, help clarify what your part in this happens to be… You unintentionally sent Discord here, correct?” His tone level, betraying neither anger or confusion.
“Yes”
Twilight’s head hung, her gaze boring into the table in front of her.
“So it was just coincidence that Discord showed up in my wardrobe?”
“Yes…”
“Then,” Trevor inhaled deeply held if for a moment and exhaled, “If it was an accident, then all is forgiven.”
“WHAT?! HOW? Why? Why aren't you angry with me? You should be upset, mad…Why aren't you?”
“Don’t you worry, I’m plenty angry,” Twilight flinched again, “But not at you. The Creators, Named, Fate maybe, but not you. The situation is the source of it, but accidents happen. It’s annoying, frustrating even, but so far, no real harm has come of it. A close call yes, but no harm yet. So, I forgive you.”
“I don’t deser… Th-Th-Thank you.” her relief was audible, but though it had helped, here tasks here and what Skeleton told her made Trevor’s forgiveness a token at best.
“For the record Twilight, I don't think I have it in me to hate any of you.” Trevor paused, “Mostly because I plan on being too engrossed with studying to spend enough time with you girls that might develop a hatred for any of you.”
House Equus was slow to rise the next morning, with only two members coherent at the pre-dawn hour, Trevor, and Applejack. Trevor for the last two weeks, in preparation for the start of classes, was smart enough to adjust his sleeping schedule, so when the first day of classes and before sunrise reveille he was at his best. Applejack, used to the necessity to start the working day long before Celestia’s sun blessed the sky had through habit turned herself into the greatest abomination, a morning pony. as for the rest of the house, they rose like the dead, shuffling into the dining room moaning in their shared exhaustion. Dark bags graced, or rather lack there of, shambling in, their movements uncoordinated, the goal destination the life giving nectar of coffee. If given the chance the whole of the girls would have slept in, but the necessity of living the act of students, forced them to prepare for the classes for the semester.
It didn't help that at the precise moment of reveille a harsh high pitched whistle assaulted their ears, a tradition born of the old days of the navy stating the start of the day. As per the academy regulations the time the whole of the academy needed to be awake was two hours before any start of class. the theory behind it was to let the students have at least an hour to shower, shave, make their way to the academy’s galley and back to the barracks to be mustered and then marched to the classes they needed to attend for the day. Though the House’s population had them march at ease, it still the hike would took them half way across the campus grounds.
Rarity found that there wasn’t enough time for her usual morning rituals of proper primping, but took solace in the fact she still was the best dressed of the house. In contrast, Rainbow, still dead to the world haven not gotten her twelve hours sleep at minimum, was dressed in shambles and looked a slob, Twilight not too far behind her looking much the same. Pinkie, the inexhaustible party mare seemed to be alert and peppy, but the her hair told a different story, being wavy instead of its abundance of cotton swirls. The last to join them was Fluttershy, or rather, she was the last one to be noticed due to her quiet nature. Discord was nowhere to be seen, a fact that Trevor was extremely grateful for.
Once everyone was seated, demands of coffee were made by all present, the caffeine a needed source of energy, before breakfast had been made and consumed. Full, and now mostly awake, the members of House Equus formed their small group and marched, at ease, to their first class of the day.
House Equus was unique amongst the Houses, and had a special status for two reasons. The first, was just how new the House really was. Most of the academy knew that much already, as the rumors spread by Discord before the fall semester began informed them. The second was less known, but more bizarre. The House only had eight members total, consisted mostly of otherworlders, and lastly every member of the house had the same classes. So as they entered their first class of the day, Naval Heritage, Trevor, just sighed resigned to the fact his first class of the year was going to be miserable. Mr, Mirkovic Is going to never let me live this down. Not only because he’s given me endless hassles for not joining a House, but now my House consists of nothing but females… I really don’t want to deal with another Daisy one’s bad enough, or another Landcaster
“Good Morn’n lads and lasses.” Greeted a very cheerful Mirkovic, “ I’m Lieutenant-Commander Milos Mirkovic” His ever thick animanan accent reverberated throughout the classroom, “An’ n’ case meh accen’ wasn’ enough teh give it away, I’m not caelish, Tat’s not importan’ right now. What is, is our heritage, histories or baddles, an’ wins an’ losses. most of ye’ have had a class like tis somewheres here at belfiore. Ba’ unlike t’ose tis un’s abou teh strata’gies they used. Analisies of what made we, the caelish navy, great.”
“Now, Some-a ye have bared wit’ess to some of our history f’rst han, mehself included, an’ otters have were jus’ alive at teh time. I have no idea as teh who has an’ hasn’. So I think it’s only fair teh introduce yerselves. Yes i know some-a ye are familiar faces, ba’ a few of ye are a liddle fresh for meh like’n. So we’re gonna introduce one anuddler, befur we get to teh meat an’ potatoes of teh class. Le’s start wit teh lass in teh back. I wanna have ye start us off.” The LCDR gestured to the girl at the very back of the class.
“Hello,” Greeted the girl, a spattering of hellos were returned before she continued, “I’m Velina English of House Volcain, I joined the navy because I really didn’t have a reason not to…I’m in Belfiore because, honestly, I filled out the wrong paperwork, instead of the enlisted paperwork, I filled out the officer forms instead. I’m surprised I actually made it into Belfiore.” Velina spoke with a smile.
“Tanks miss English, Tat’s what I wan’, jus’ like tat fur teh rest of ye.”
And so it went. The class one by one introduced themselves giving a brief history of where they came from and why they were there. As more students gave their class debut Trevor noticed that the Faculty were following in Discord’s playbook. the entire class was filled with nothing but members of Volcain or Oaklandus. Save the small group of his house the class was well divided and the high tension between the two prestigious Houses could be seen. Trevor did notice the fact that most of the leadership between the houses was not in the class, save Velina, Volcain's master at arms and her best friend's wrangler. Trevor took notice of English something about her seemed familiar. Something about her pink purple hair, done up in a bun with a few stray strands of hair sticking out in random spots, olive complexion a tell tail sign she was from one of the northern coastal towns, or that she stood at a medium height, just being a few inches short of him. It took a moment to recall why she was familiar, mostly because he was shocked her close friend no were to be seen then it hit him... Internally he moan, as he remembered Daisy's attempt to set the two of them up, and how spectacularly it blew up in their faces. Though some facts were tersely revealed, no hard feelings remained and Daisy had gain a new friend at the end of the ordeal. So caught up in his thoughts Trevor almost missed his cue to introduce himself.
"Oh...it's my turn...Good morning, I'm Trevor Fields," a few gasps were heard in the class, Every time. This happens every time. I'm kind of tired of being the "Golden Boy" of Belfiore...I don't need all this attention either from being my father's son, or by just doing well. I guess thee really isn't anything I can do about it... Trevor let out an exasperated sigh before continuing, "I joined the navy in hopes to be a Maritime Diver Exploration Force, but unfortunately tested far to high for that, and now I'm on the career track of a Creatia technician."
That was all he said. Quietly Trevor sat back down, silence filling the room. To the girls they noticed the looks the student gave him were a mix of awe or intense glares. Is Trevor that popular here? Twilight thought, Or is it something else? Is there more going on here?
"Tat wasn' much boyo, t'ough I sup'ose we kin start teh learn'n today. Teh course starts with current history ten goes back to teh found'n of Caelum." Mirkovic said, bringing the attention of the class back to him. "We'll start wit teh CSS Spring's Eternal.“
Trevor's eyes widened at the mention of the ship. His hands clenched up, his knuckles turning white, teeth clenched, a quiet brooding anger built as, Trevor suspected, the topic was pick because of who Watson that ship. The class, those that knew anyways, gave him sympathetic looks, which only angered Trevor more. The girls, once again out of the loop of the local academy politics, and over all Realm history, could only give bemused gazes. Trevor now intensely glaring at the LCDR slowly raised his hand.
"Fields? Oh...Tat's righ, sorry boyo, if'n ye don' wanna be apart o' teh discussion, your free teh standby outside the class."
"Thank you, sir." Trevor replied harshly, but his features soften with relief.
"Sup'ose tat was a might bit careless of meh. When wer done wit teh discussion I'll send sum'un to get ye.
Trevor gave a quick nod of the head, and left the classroom.
"Now before we begin, does any'un have any quest'ns?"
A violet tinted hand shot to the air so fast the students sitting around Twilight swore they heard an audible snap. Mirkovic saw the hand, but didn't call on the her, figuring what her line of question would be. Annoyed at not being called on, Twilight puffed up her cheeks and started waving her hand animatedly.
"Yes miss...er...I know I had teh lot of ye introduce yurselves ba' I'm terrible wit names. An' unlike coverall and work'n uniforms tease service forms Donna have name tags on em'..." Mirkovic said, giving a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's Twilight Sparkle sir. Sir, I have a question...Why did Trev, er, Fields, Why did he leave the room after you told us what the first subject of the class was?"
"Ah..." Mirkovic paused, emotions flickered across his features, saddness, regret, and resignation, "Tat's righ, yeh one of tem exchange studen's aincha... I'm afraid some of the information I'm abou, to share has some personal ties to teh lad. Unfortunaely, teh school makes meh teach abou it. Now le's not let teh lad sit ou' tere for too long, le's get to it."
The Spring's Eternal was commissioned at about twenty years before the turn of the millennium and was, at the time of of its commission the most technologically advanced ship of the Caelish navy. Built to help end the aggressions of a longstanding enemy country, Libitina. Caelum and Libitina as Twilight and the girls found out, had been perpetually at war with one another since well into the Tournament Era. Twilight, with her natural curiosity, would not let the reason for the conflict go, until it was explained in detail.
As Mirkovic taught it, the wars between Caelum and Libitina started hundreds of thousands of years ago during the early Tournament Era. Due to the fact that, the at the time, only the additive nature of magic existed (The magic cast forth could not be recalled and so left numerous weapons, creatures, and dangers of the tournaments a permanent fixtures of the world). That when the Freeborn family discovered and subsequently passed on the trait of negative magic (which express purpose was the nullification of magic) the Spike family found it to be an affront to the natural order. The hostilities only increased when the trait of negative magic was found a dominant gene, passed on by any and all Freeborn bloodlines, the Spike family declared every person born of Freeborn blood be killed. And so the Freeborn's fled and eventually founded Caelum. And so for thousands of years the grudges held by both descendants of a time long ago and almost forgotten, they warred with only a spattering of ceasefires.
As it turned out, the Spring's Eternal was instrumental in the current ceasefire between the two countries lasting the last thirty years or so. Fifty confirmed kills, twice as many captures. The ship was considered by every standard the greatest ship ever manned. Every captain who commanded it's helm did so with distinction and left a mark in the navy's history. It even held the record of the most members from the same commissioned ship to make it to the High Council, two of which were still serving and related to the leaders of Oaklandus and Volcain.
"Yes, teh Spring's Eternal was quie' teh ship. Served on'er mehself, under her last cap'n. Tat's why her ultimate fate was such a shame. Sixt'n years 'go next month teh Springs Eternal vanished of the face of Farway. As if teh creators plucked her straight from teh ocean blue. No un' knows where she lays. As to yer quest'n earlier lass, teh last capt'n of teh Spring was capt'n Edward Fields, teh fadder of teh very student that had left here earlier."
Some wise person long ago once said time heals all wounds. Trevor would have to disagree. Sixteen years his father has been missing. Sixteen years years since he had seen his kind smile, had a comfortable hug, told how proud of him he was. Sixteen years of just a single soul wrenching question... Is dad alive? Trevor wondered if the lack of an answer kept his wounds open, unable to heal. So he would do what he always did, shoulder it, bear it by himself, and carry on. When the subject came up, either the Spring or his father, Trevor tried his best to avoid it, if he couldn't he would just stick to as many one word answers as possible.
Just outside the classroom in the peace of the hallway, Trevor slumped his shoulders and leaned back against the wall with a soft slump. Trevor felt tired, not physically, but mentally, felt old, despite his age. He needed some real time alone. It seems at some point Daisy and me swapped places." Trevor looked up, started to count he ceiling tiles, I just... he couldn't finish the thought, but instead focused them elsewhere.
Since he was eight he was under Tibbia's guardianship. It really wasn't all that much different then the times his father had left on deployment, except now it didn't have an end. Tibbia was never mean, nor held the fact that her husband was the second in command of the Spring and Daisy's father. She did a valiant job of protecting Trevor from all dangers, including the church, and fostering his curiosity as safely as she could. Though try as she might, Trevor just couldn't connect with her as a mother figure. The hole in his heart just didn't heal, making any attempt to be close to him almost impossible. He just wanted to be alone.
In his solitude in the hall, Trevor stood alone, just as he wanted. Enjoying the misleading quiet. Despite feeling content with the silence, the hollow feeling refused to yeld.
The first lesson of the class lasted must longer then Mirkovic had planned or really wanted, so when Trevor was eventually brought back into the class, it was only to go over what the next lesson. Mirkovic dismissed the class and could only pass a look of understanding and hope to Trevor. Trevor on the other had just ignored it never left with out a word.
Armed with their new knowledge, the girls wanted to do something for Trevor, but try as they might, no conversation was held as House Equus transitioned between buildings. Instead each member of the group just took in the outdoors. Cloudless and bright blue the weather could be described as perfect. The soft breeze and the comfortable temp only made that opinion easier to believe. A brief gust of wind called attention of the trees outlining the Freeborn Heritage Field.
Named after Jason Freeborn, inventor of the passive magic construct, the field was right outside the theater that held the assembly a day prior, and was maintained "well enough". Massive oaks lined the perimeter of the field giving some life to the open area. A red rubbered ring formed the athletic track, various sport fields located within, all built for the purpose of fitness standards and competition with the other academies and civilian colleges. Fresh chalk paint providing the outline of the fall sports that were in their infancy for the season, though the training equipment was still in storage, as it was suppose to rain that day.
The warm pleasant glow of the sun across what little skin Trevor had exposed had him glad the forecast was wrong. As he walked he observed the grass roll under the breeze, radiating brightly, looking like a calm lake of green. It was a much needed uplifted after the history reminder. The girls, despite no conversation, had smiles on their faces, as they also enjoyed the last remnants of summer. Applejack and Rainbow, despite wanting to talk, kept to a respectful silence. However, at the sight of the field that silence was threatened as the highly competitive mares eyed it with eager anticipation. Wordlessly bragging to one another as they continued to walk. Rarity and Fluttershy focused more on the environment around them. Rarity on the banners that had lined the streets and field. Using her sense as a designer, she scrutinized the academy's decorations and how well they had complimented, or ruined the aesthetic of the school. Fluttershy instead looked at the flora completely unknown to her, and animals that had made belfiore their home. Several black furred squirrels chittering happily as they stored their food for the winter. Three species of bird she had never seen before, but Fluttershy hoped would be her friends before the end of their time here. Pinkie...Pinkie absolutely ran everywere, violating every standard of personal space, going practically nose to nose with every student she hadn't met yet. What made the whole matter strange, was that every time the instructors who noticed Pinkie being Pinkie, and aimed to reprimand for being too close to the students, found every time their mouth opened to shout, she would be, inexplicably, with the girls. Much to the confusion of the instructors and the students she was immediately in front of, on the other side of the street, or almost entirely out of sight of the field the girls were traversing. Twilight was the only one, other then Trevor, that really couldn't enjoy the day.
The reveal of Trevor's history, had been a bit hard for Twilight to swallow. The events of the last two weeks had shaken Twilight to the core. She had made mistakes before and felt guilty about them and had always done what she could to make up for them. But now given Trevor's history plus the foreknowledge of events yet to happen, Twilight withdrew from the world for the moment, knowing she couldn't do anything to change them. Yet right now under the beauty of the day she could however temporarily just forget her worries.
Basic mechanics and understanding of construct systems, or B-MUCS as it was informally referred to was a bland box of a building. Muddy brown bricks, sprinkled scarcely with small windows that, at a glance, students could tell that what lit the interior wasn't sunlight. The purpose of this particular “A” school was to impart on incoming officers the basics on how the passive construct systems the powered the engines, propulsion, and combat capabilities of all modern Caelish ships. It was a fact, that the building was attended by primarily by the top houses and their respective subsidiaries. And in following Discord’s model, the hardest class on Construct formula and builds, held the top tier of Oaklandus and Volcain. Though for most of the class it was a boring, terrible experience, taught by LT Zook.
Lt Zook taught the class on the Creatia Drive System (CDS), an extremely powerful construct engine that was often used to power the submarine forces and class two battle ships. The system was a brilliant blend of active/passive constructs that powered the ship by the imagination of the Creatia Drive Operator. The more creative the operator the more power could be drawn and used. It truly was an ode to the creators of Farway using the inherent magic of creation to be used in some fashion. That said, not every creative person could power the CDS. The marvel of science required some high level of intelligence to maintain the delicate construct.
The CDS was broken down to two sub categories, large and small reactor types. The small type CDS’ were used to power the main batteries of the naval force, the means of power behind the five inch rail drivers on the destroyer class ships. Large CDS powered the propulsion systems for the submarine forces and the massive battle ship forces that compiled the Caelish navy. While the subject matter was of the class was, one of the most, compelling at belfiore, did not escape Twilight’s notice that it was taught by the most unimaginative instructor of the entire campus.
Fillius Zook was by all appearances utterly average, standing at a height of 5 foot 8, medium build, and chestnut colored hair. In fact the only feature that belated his average appearance was his sharp hawk like eyes that missed nothing of what occurred in his class room. The only thing that belayed his average look we're his unique eyes. Gold irises with a green starburst pattern scanned the classroom determining who, if anyone, would be a problem in the class, marking them for more intense scrutiny.
Like the previous instructors, Lt Zook had taken the time to introduce himself. As he did so, the girls could help but note his high and mighty tone. His military record wasn't as spectacular as the LT would have the class believe, but it was impressive never the less. Joined as enlisted, he quickly made his way up the pay grades, submitted his officers package and it was well received, thus became a rarity known as a “Hawkeye" a formerly enlisted officer. His extremely high opinion about himself wasn't helped by his pedigree either. A long distant relative of one of the champions of the tournament era, Amos Zook, LT Zook made mention of the fact no less then ten times in his introduction speech, Twilight counted. After a quick muster LT Zook called the class to attention and had the cadets introduce themselves.
"Starting from my left, you will introduce yourselves, what House you belong to, and a brief bio on why you entered Belfiore." The LT stated, his voice deep, slightly nasally, and dull.
"Hello everyone, I'm Angela Masters, Assistant house head of Oaklandus. I joined the navy because I like to study constructs, and their historical impacts." Masters said, her violet eyes looking forward through her amber crystal glasses.
Focused thought Zook before calling on the next student, and after noticing drew an irritated brow.
"Miss Meadows, I believe you are in the wrong class. To my knowledge you are missing the requisite classes to attend the B-MUCS CDS course.” The LT cringed at the abreviation for the class, "Mostly by the fact you are a year junior to your brother Mr. Fields. So I can not help but wonder as to why you are here..." he finished with an accusing tone.
Daisy first response was a smirk. A smirk of knowing something someone else did not. A smirk that would put this boring uppity ponce in his place.
"I tested out of the pre-reqs, sir. I have paperwork if you need it." Daisy replied, a note of condescension in her voice.
"Tested out?" Breathed Zook, bewilderment coloring his features, "Preposterous! There isn't such a thing as testing out of "Basic Passive/Active Magic Theory," or "Construct Formula Theory." So Ms Meadows why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not lying sir. Let me get the paperwork excusing me from the pre-reqs.”
Daisy quickly turned around and pilfered through her belongings, the soft sounds of papers ruffling filling the classroom. After a brief "ah ha" moment of triumph, in locating her paperwork, she turned to face the LT and, with a bounce in her step, handed him four sheets of paper, slightly creased, with the same smirk she had begun with. Four sheets of paper now in hand. Four sheets of paper to back up ensign Meadows' statement. Four sheets of paper to spit on LT Zook's expectations of military decor.
This document is to verify that Ensign Meadows (or the name I prefer miss Daisy) is authorized to attend B-MUCS (Such a horrid boring name for a school) By skipping classes so below her intelligence she would take more brain damage than repeatedly hitting her head against a soft pillowy mattress whilst upside down for days at a time. So, seeming as I, the good samaritan that I am, could not let such a mind go to waste, I got with o'l Skelly and conned, er convinced him of the same. And before you ask, that is his signature, call him if you doubt it. Toodles Mr Snores Fest. Give my best regards to your more interesting ancestor
What ever goes here... Discord J.D.L.
That was what LT Zook read as the cover letter. The pages that followed only proved that, it was true, Daisy Meadows had indeed tested out of the required classes. The crumpling of papers the only sounds that broke the quiet that had held the room hostage. The result of LT Zook's hands shaking in rage. The doodles over the official documents didn't help either.
"Ms. Meadows, " Zook's voice, tight, clipped, and with barely disguised rage, "Do return to your seat. It does seem that...for now...you are authorized to attend class. I will confirm the authenticity of these papers, and then we will proceed accordingly."
With a smartly executed about face, Daisy smiled at the instructors's frustration, happily retaking her seat. After a few moments pause LT Zook signaled for the next student to introduce himself.
The next student to introduce himself was a little…pudgy, to be kind. Brilliant golden blond, a nice peach toned skin free of any marks or scars, soft glowing blue eyes, and despite being dressed in the same uniform as the rest of the class, his seemed to be more not including his bigger body. Not that he would admit he was barely within standards as his aura of smugness kept his self image beyond reality.
“My name is Brent Silcox the Third. I belong to the illustrious House Oaklandus. I’m here to keep with my own noble lineage as my family has had just as much influence in the last three centuries as your sir.” Silcox gave a small nod of the head to Zook. “I hope to continue my family’s great legacy and expand our influence to future high class citizens.” he finished with his nose slightly upturned.
The other members of Oaklandus gave a quiet applause, whilst Volcain’s members scowled and muttered under their breath about the intolerable snob. Equus, with most of its members not being natives to Cealum, or for that matter Farway, held little opinion, save Rarity. Silcox’s nasally voice, haughty attitude, and the way his eyes held everyone in the room in disgust, with the exception of his house members. Rarity’s angered gaze, the one she saved for a certain prince back home, burned into the back of Brent Silcox, the oblivious’, skull.
Proud, but too much so. “Thank you Mr. Silcox. Next.”
“Hello, I’m Travis Maxwell, House Volcain. I joined in order to follow in my father’s foot steps into government. Though I differ in that I’m not quite so content to be a part of the High Court, as I think being a Representative can bring greater lasting changes. So it is my hope after my service to eventually make it to the High Council.” Like Silcox, Maxwell gave a small head nod and took his seat.
He will go far, too bad Landcaster is a horrible influence on him. “Next.”
A brilliant colored pink/purple bun stood up from the students at attention. Upon further inspect the massive brightly bundle of hair belonged to an olive skinned girl with soul piercing sapphire eyes. Her features cheerful and loving, her smile beyond friendly, and her demeanor bubbly. Something the girls of Equus thought was a shared trait with a similarly pink haired girl they called their friend.
“Hello everyone!” she greeted with an abundance of cheer, “I’m Velina English and I’m here at Belfiore Academy by mistake. I sub—“
“What?” Interrupted Masters, bemused, and flabbergasted by the fact someone had “accidentally” made it into Belfiore. “H-How…? How does someone accidentally get into Belfiore. It’s only the biggest naval academy in all of Caelum!”
“It’s a funny story actually.” Velina gave a tiny giggle, “I went to the recruiter’s office and sat down for a chat. After deciding to join I was given some paperwork to fill out. I took it home to finish up because the recruitment office was closing. I misread the address to mail the application, so instead of going to Litore Naval station it was sent to an Officer acceptance program. So I took the NATPO versus the NATPE and after being processed I scored high enough to get a free ride here. OH! I’m the Master of Arms for Volcain as well.” English finished with a smile.
“Quite…” the Lieutenant deadpanned She is going to be trouble, “Thank you for your exuberant introduction Miss English. However, please retain a professional manner when speaking to the class. This will be your only warning.”
“Of Course sir,” She replied, her sunny smile fading a bit, and under her breath she finished with, “Oh, Lord of Snores.” and just as quickly as she stood up, she fell back to her chair then she noticed who was to introduce himself after her, “Speaking about putting people to bed, up next is the waking coma.”
“Next.”
No one moved.
“Next!”
Again nothing
“NEXT!” Zook shouted angerly.
Only now did the next student move. Said student moved painfully slow, his gaze half lidded, looking as if he had not slept in days, or rather as if he was amongst the walking dead. Dark earth toned blue hair, unkempt as possible but still passed as in regs, framed his yellowed face. Dark circles under his dull green eyes made his facial feature look more akin to a poorly made mannequin, than anything that could be passed as human. This wasn't to say he was an unattractive person, but rather seemed to serve the fact that the student would rather be anywhere but Belfiore.
“David Grimmer, Oaklandus, Forced to be here.” A bored voice spoke, just loud enough to be heard, just before Grimmer took his seat again.
“Thank you Mr. Grimmer for your barest effort,” the LT snarked, “I want you to stay behind so we can talk about proper behavior I expect from my students. Next.”
The next student to speak was so short Twilight had thought her a child prodigy like she had been in some of her classes. Bright ruby red eyes looked around the room quickly, looking to be a nervous tic. Two small buns of pine green done up on the sides of her head. While such a hair style wasn’t with in the regulations, Twilight had guessed based on Zook’s lack of comment the hair some special set of circumstances allowed for it. Her youthful appearance of a girl just on the cusp of a teenage growth spurt only reinforced Twilight’s opinion. The girl’s soft ruby colored eyes scanned the room before she spoke.
“I’m Galen Light.” her childlike voice spoke, “I’m Eighteen years young, am a part of House Volcain…” she paused for a moment and sighed, “And I am legally required to say I have ATD, and I have been receiving my treatments.”
This will be a difficult student to control…spectacular…
In the back of the class, Twilight perked up at the statement, curious as to this "ATD" and why the girl had to announce such a thing. Quietly nudging Trevor she leaned over, and with a whisper, asked her question.
"Acute Temperance Disorder." Came his reply whispering just a hair quieter then Twilight, knowing full well what would happen if he was caught not showing disinterest, or even worse disrespect to Galen's introduction, "It's rare but not unheard of. The active magic Light has plays havoc with her emotions, over reacting to outside stimuli, causing massive and quick mood swings. Most often anger..."
"If that's true..." Twilight pondered for a moment, "Why would they be allowed to be a part of the military then?"
"Strangely, those afflicted with ATD have a bizarre increase in tactile planning. She'll never have a command or actually give any orders to attack. But behind the scenes, planning strategies, determining enemy moves, and being unpredictable, she'll be a huge boon."
Now with her questions answered to a sufficient matter, for now, she let the matter drop and brought her attention back to the class. Unknown to her, she was much more disruptive then she had intended. Galen Light had noticed the violet tinted girl move and whisper to Trevor. She didn't hear what was said, but her perception of what was happening, another student to make fun of her, was enough to trigger her. Bright ruby red eyes smoldered to a maroon as Galen gave a glare that could kill.
"Am I interrupting something?" Asked Galen, her tone angered and annoyed.
"N-no..." Stammered Twilight, not enjoying the scrutiny that the girl was giving her. An all to real reminder to the burning fury of a certain CO. "I'm sorry I interrupted your introduction. I didn't know what ATD stood for. So I thought if I had discretely asked I would have a better understanding of your condition."
"AND WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN? MY CONDITION...? ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?"
"WHAT!? NO! I would never make fun of any pony's medical condition. Especially after having to deal with random magical surges growing up."
"ARE YOU CALLING ME A CRIPP—"
"GALEN LIGHT CALM DOWN!" Bellowed out English. "Your having an episode. Ms...Ms..."
“T-Twilight"
"Ms Twilight was just curious, I can tell she meant no harm. She was trying to be polite, and not calling out or bringing too much attention to your condition. Which this episode just threw such concerns three sheets to the wind. So please, Gale, calm down for me, please?"
Light's eyes began to lighten till they were once again at their normal bright ruby hue. Then realising what just happened her cheeks flushed, and turn her head away and cast her eyes downward.
"Sorry...I'm better now...but I still struggle with it." She apologized.
"And with that, Ms. Light please take your seat." Ordered Zook, "I will forgive your outburst on account of ATD, but you Ms. Twilight, and everyone else for that matter, I think it would be best to avoid being distracted when Ms Light is speaking. Next student."
The hour and a half B-MUCS class lasted far too long for so little teaching, standard fair for the first day of any class. The rest of the introductions had passed with little to no drama, save gasps from a few students when Trevor introduced himself. A few questions popped up when the girls rom Equestria had done their introductions, however, luckily for the girls the students seemed to take their cover story at face value. The Same couldn't be said for LT Zook, though he didn't vocalize his questions. There is something strange about these girls. First the results of their passive/active magic test aren't given to us, a massive breach of instruction. The idioms these girls use I've never heard of. What in creation is a pony? And that Twilight girl, how powerful of an active magic user is she if she's had multiple active magic surges? Something big is happening here...If only I can determine what...Perhaps the CO is hiding something from us, from all of Caelum as a whole...
