//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Past and Present // Story: Amil's origin // by ShinxX //------------------------------// Amil and CZ walked together, touring Ponyville and its rustic charm. CZ showed her the town hall, the golden oak, the apple orchard, and many other places that Amil found rather amusing. She was used to being around training buildings and castles her entire life. This was the first time she'd really seen a town. While they were touring, they began looking for a home and job for the bat pony, which proved difficult. They received many responses like: “Oh.. s-sorry, we're not hiring at the moment.” Or.. “Well.. our home is.. reserved, yea..” This frustrated CZ more than it did Amil. She knew it would be difficult at first because of who she was. Though her black skull and sword cutie mark didn't help either. CZ however, visibly frustrated, kept trying and failing to get her kick started in life, and that made Amil smile. No pony since her mother had tried so hard to help her in life. While they were trotting on the edge of the town, Amil saw a different path toward a creepy looking forest. She looked down the path and it somewhat looked familiar to her. As if she had been down the path many times before. “Hey CZ? What's down there?” Amil asked. CZ looked to where she pointed with her wing. He flinched a little bit, “oh, that's the Everfree forest. No pony goes there. It's too dangerous for normal ponies.” The Everfree? Dangerous? What had happened to Amils old home to make it so daunting? “What happened to it to make it dangerous?” “From what I have heard, the fight between the two sisters at the old castle. The burst of magical energy from the elements created an entity that took control of the forest. Well, that's my theory.” CZs explanation made Amil think about her old home and how she was taken away. The burst of energy did reach us in the battlefield, so it is possible for it to effect the forest.. “What's there now?” Amil asked. “Well, besides a bunch of nothingness, down this path is a very old cemetery for the guards that defended the old castle. There's a ceremony every year where the guards protect ponies while they visit the graves.” CZ explained. Immediately, Amil knew what she was looking for. “Can we go there? Like, now?” “Now?! I-I don't have my spear, we could be-” “Please?” Amil looked at CZ with pleading eyes, and something about them prevented CZ from resisting. He let out a sigh and motioned her to follow. She gave a smile and obliged. As they walked down the eerie, dark forest, CZ stayed on guard, looking for anything that may attack them. Amil on the other hoof kept her eyes on her goal. The cemetery came into sight and she darted towards it. “Wait! Amil!” CZ chased after her, hoping nothing would reach out and grab her. She entered the cemetery with no resistance and began scanning the headstones. One of them caught her eye. It was larger than the others and seemed worthy of a general. She ran toward it and read the name. “Amil, don't run off like that, you could-” CZ stopped as he looked at the grave. “Moon Glider? Did you.. know her?” He asked. Amil nodded with a tear running down her cheek. “She was… my mother..” that's when it sunk in for CZ. She was looking for her mother. She took a few moments to say a few silent prayers, thanking her mother for everything she did, and apologized for everything Amil did. Then Amil felt a warm hoof touch her shoulder. She looked at CZ who was looking to comfort her. “I'm sure she's nothing but proud of you, and is happy you're still alive.” CZ comforted. Amil teared up, but smiled. She was home, she was here for a reason and she was going to live the life her mother would want her to live. “Thank you.. for everything.” A few weeks passed by, Amil was finally able to get an apartment to live in, but the job wasn't coming around. Nopony wanted to hire a pony who used to kill for a living. She became as frustrated as CZ was that day. Speaking of CZ, she hadn't seen him in a few days. She had thought he was on leave for a while after the battle. It kind of made her sad because she was enjoying his company, even if sometimes it involved his little dragon friend, Dikanogi. Though she had met a few other friends through CZ, he was the best company she had now. Amil had been job hunting all day and was getting tired. She began to think of what to do without CZ there. Maybe that Double Lemon girl is free? She seemed nice. Crazy but nice. No, she's probably working. That Dani guy? Wait, hell no, he'll probably try and mate me again.. Anga seemed nice, but he's very wired.. he likes to focus on my wings.. ugh.. She kicked a rock and continued walking. She then heard that familiar voice that somewhat annoyed her. “Hey Amil! Wait up!” Dikanogi ran and stopped in front of the bat pony. “Hey, Dika. What do you want?” Amil asked “Oh, well CZ wasn't able to ask you himself, but he wanted me to ask you if you wanted to get a bite to eat later.” The dragon said. Amil looked over him, noticing he had a few cuts and bruises. He was supposed to be on leave too. Why did it look like he got back from a mission? “Ok.. tell him to meet me at the cafe we like to go to in an hour.” Amil responded. “Coolio! Bye!” The dragon ran off in the direction of his and CZ’s home. Amil rolled her eyes and went home to get ready. An hour later, she walked into the cafe expecting to have to find a table for her and her company. However, when she arrived, there he was. CZ sat at a table set for two. She smiled a bit and walked over to him. He's early? Wow. She sat down across from him and smiled. “Hi, CZ.” Amil greeted. “Hey, Amil. You look great today.” CZ complimented. Amil slightly blushed at the compliment. She noticed he looked a bit more freshened up than normal. As if he tried extra hard for today. She looked over him and saw he looked a bit nervous. She decided to start a conversation to ease him. “So where have you been the last few days? I thought you were on leave.” She asked. “Oh, well, I am.. it's just, I had to.. get something.” “Oh, and what was that? A date?” She giggled a little bit, half joking and half hoping he wasn't actually looking for a mare. “Well, kinda..” this made Amil nervous. She didn't know why, but she was getting a little jealous. “Wait really?” “Sorta, I went to Celestia to ask her where something was and went and got it.” CZ pulled out a bag from under the table and set it on top. Amil looked at the small bag with curiosity. What was so important that he had to ask the princess herself where to find it. He then reached into the bag and pulled out a rope necklace with a green gem that seemed to glow. Amil didn't know why he needed to ask Celestia where a necklace was, but she could tell it was important. “What is it?” She asked. “Well, this is a gift for you.” For me?! “It's a special necklace I made myself. Well, I put the rope on it. It's a special gem that has magical powers specific to bat ponies. Celestia explained that it would give you a new cutie mark and talent so you could get a job easier. It also helps suppress the remains of the Tantibus in you.” He went through all that trouble to help me get a job? How sweet. CZ reached over and put the necklace over her scarred neck. When it touched her fur, she felt a surge of magical power flow through her. As if someone injected magic into her bloodstream. She took a few deep breaths and looked up at CZ, who looked at her amazed. “What happened?” Amil asked. “L-look!” CZ pointed to her flank. When she looked down, instead of her scary, deathly horrid cutie mark had turned into a green, flaming soccer ball. “I guess you like soccer enough that it decided you should be a soccer player.” Amil stared down at the cutie mark with shock. She watched a bit of soccer since she got here. It interested her, but she never thought it would be her job. She continued to look at it for a few more moments, then looked up at CZ with teary eyes. “Thank you.. thank you so much.” Amil thanked with pure joy. CZ rubbed the back of his head and smiled, “it's the least I could do for you. Especially after I hurt you like I did. Plus I really like y-” CZ stopped mid Sentence. Both of them blushed. They looked at each other for a moment. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? CZ sighed, “well.. I guess there's no turning back now..” “What.. what do you-” “Amil.. I.. I like you.. a lot. You're beautiful, kind and fun to be with.” With a giant gulp, CZ continued, “will you be my special somepony?” He closed his eyes and looked like he braced for a slap or punch. However, Amil didn't feel like doing that. She felt like she did that day she kissed Fengari, in fact, she felt even warmer and happier. She reached over the table and placed her hoof on his cheek. This caused him to open his eyes and blush. “A-Amil? I-” “Shh..” she leaned over and closed her eyes. With what happened next, she assumed he did the same. Their lips locked into a wonderful, passionate first kiss. Energy filled them both with love and passion. In that moment, her fate was not sealed, but it was complete. She had found her purpose and she had found her love. Her life would now take a turn for the absolute best.