Oblivion woke up and got out of bed. He looked down to his chest and the collar around his shoulders moved back to frame his medallion. He would let it out at night to stave off any headaches. He opened the wardrobe that held his saddlebags and pulled out his brush. He ran it through his mane and tail, after finishing he put it on the top of the desk and closed the wardrobe to hide his saddlebags. He pulled his cloak on and opened the door. Applejack trotted over to him and pushed him back into the room. He backed up as she closed it behind him. A mischievous glint was in her eye.
“Ah made a bet wit’ Big Mac. If’n I clear out mah side of the orchard afore lunch he has to walk up stirrup street in Granny’s girdle. What he doesn’t know is that Twilight is gonna help me.” She snorted with a laugh and looked to him. “Ah need ya ta make sure he does it. When ah win can ya go wit’ him ta make sure he walks the whole way?”
“Does it matter that I have no idea where and how long Stirrup Street is?” He replied.
Applejack looked at him for a moment. “Ah, that’s okay. Just make sure he walks for a bit. Oh, and the punishment for Apple Bloom is still active so ya don’t have to do any chores while she’s at the school since ya would finish them all before she got home.”
The mare opened the door and walked out. Oblivion watched her and thought back to a bet he had been in with Lambert years ago. The younger Witcher had lost and had to walk around Novigrad yelling the words of the Maids of Vicovaro at the top of his lungs. That was a song a drunk yelled to piss off the guards. Oblivion had ridden Sasa behind him to watch and laugh at his expense. Lambert was still at the ass-end of jokes for that one, especially since Oblivion had to rescue him when the guards came running. Oblivion gave a quiet snort at the memory and then walked down the hall after the mare. He went down the stairs and found everyone already there. He walked up to the table and sat down. He sat with them as they ate after declining. Once they finished Applejack asked him to take Apple Bloom to school. He agreed and waited for the filly to finish getting ready. The filly bolted up the stairs and then came down the stairs a few minutes later. She stopped at Oblivion's hooves and smiled.
“Ah’m ready ta go!”
“Are you sure?” He asked her.
“Eeyup.”
“Really, do you need these?” He held up her saddlebags which had been hanging on the chair.
She looked sheepish and slid them on. “Thanks, Oblivion.”
He nodded and turned to the door, which she pushed open. He looked back at Applejack in exasperation. She giggled as they left. He walked with Apple Bloom, who was quiet as they walked. They reached the schoolhouse and she went into the gate. He was about to leave when he heard Apple Bloom whimper. He looked back in time to see the filly he had scolded before walking toward Apple Bloom. His ears flicked forward to fully listen.
“Hey, Blank Flank! Trying to hide behind your saddlebags?” She taunted.
Oblivion listened. ‘What in the Hells is a blank flank? Wait.’ He looked back at his own flank and saw the mark on it. “Oh for the love of the Gods.” He looked back to them as the pink filly and a gray one advanced on the yellow foal. His eyes narrowed as his horn glowed with azure flame. He looked back at his own marking and decided to hide the marking on it. A black cover went over the mark and he teleported to stand behind Apple Bloom. The two fillies stopped and stared up at him.
“I come from a land where having a mark on your flank does not prove your worth. Your worth comes from what you do in life. If you want to make fun of her then it simply proves how little you are with a marking. If I could I would not have one as it means I have time to decide my own worth.” He turned to the side and showed off a blank flank as well. Apple Bloom looked up and saw that the marking was gone. She stared at him. He lit his horn and it appeared once more. “She is a filly with limitless potential and heart. You have done nothing to prove that you have anything except harsh words and nothing inside of you. You are less than nothing little fillies. You have shown that you are worthless and I will not speak with those who have no worth.”
He looked down to Apple Bloom who was staring at him. He ignored the other foals that were watching them. “Do not let them tell you your worth. They aren’t worth the effort that is required to feel upset. Ignore them and move forward.” He told her as he stepped over the foals and made for the gate.
“Oblivion!” Apple Bloom yelled. He turned back and watched as the filly wrapped her forelegs around his right leg and held on. He patted her back as she looked up at him. “Does it really not matter?”
He nodded. “Your worth as a pony is not measured by a mark that can only tell others about one piece of who you are. You are a complicated creature unlike anypony else. A simple mark cannot hope to tell everypony that. There is no rush to get it little one. It cannot tell you everything about yourself.” He told her and pushed her gently back.
“He’s right Apple Bloom. Even if how he said it is a little harsh.” A dark pink mare with three sunflowers on her flank said as she approached. She stopped by them and looked up at Oblivion. He was easily a foot or taller than herself. “A cutie mark is not meant to be who you are. It's just one part, as he said.”
Apple Bloom smiled, hugged his leg again and went to stand with the other foals. The mare looked at him for a moment. “Thank you for helping Apple Bloom. Even though I’m not fond of how you did it. It was still nice of you to help. Sometimes fillies can be cruel when they wish.”
He shrugged. “I understand your point but that does not excuse cruel behavior. As I have told Applejack I regret nothing. I do not have that ability.” He said and turned to leave.
“Please wait. I spoke to Applejack the other day and she mentioned that you have not spent a great deal of time around other ponies. Please leave the discipline of the foals to me.”
He looked back at her and turned around. “Did you know of the abusive words before I spoke up or were you waiting to act?”
She started and looked away. “I did not hear what they said no.”
“Then how would you have been able to discipline that foal if you did not hear their words?” He asked her. The mare looked away at what he said. “Your name, Miss?”
“Cheerilee.”
“It's nice to meet you, Miss Cheerilee. I am Oblivion Shadow, and I do not regret acting as I did. Perhaps next time you and I can stop them your way but for now, they should think for a second before they start in on Apple Bloom. Perhaps I will make it a point to bring her to school to prevent further outbursts.” He said before turning and walking away leaving the mare behind him. He cast a look back and the foals were waving at him with Apple Bloom at the front. He nodded to her and trotted back to the farm.
He came back to the gate, walked through it and saw Applejack and Twilight picking up apples from trees. He walked away from them and went to the same tree he had been reading under the day before. He summoned the book he was reading and unfolded it at his hooves. The Unicorn laid down and went back to his reading.
He finished the book and closed it in front of him. He looked up in time to see Big Mac come out of the house in a pink and tan girdle. He sent the book back to his room and, remembering Applejack's request, walked over to the other stallion. He stood in front of him with a stoic expression.
“I’m sure your glad that I don’t have much of a sense of humor.” He said to the other stallion.
Big Mac nodded to the Unicorn and started walking toward the gate. He looked back to see the Unicorn following. He shrugged and kept going. Oblivion walked beside him as they entered the town.
“If you keep a stone face you will deny her the pleasure of seeing you squirm.” He muttered to the red farmer.
Mac looked back at him and gave a small smile. “Ya got a point.”
Oblivion watched him put his head up and squared his shoulders as he walked. Ponies turned to look but there was no reaction from the roan stallion. As they walked ponies snickered but most said nothing. Oblivion was walking beside Big Mac and was about to make further comment when he stopped in his tracks. His ears flicked around him, listening intently. Mac stopped as well when he saw that the black Unicorn was not with him. He walked back to him and saw him listening. The stallion said nothing and waited. Oblivion suddenly reared up and began looking around him as well as listening. Oblivion suddenly came down on his hooves and trotted off to the side. Mac followed him and saw Oblivion’s eyes change as he started tracking something. Mac followed as quietly as he could so as not to disturb him. He reached the edge of the village and stopped. His head came up and he scanned the area around him. He suddenly started growling and Mac stayed behind him. The Unicorn snorted and relaxed.
“Damn it all. Lost it.” He grumbled.
Mac came up to stand beside him. “What was that?”
“I heard something familiar. I started following it but it faded out before I could narrow it down.” The black stallion stopped looking and gazed back at Mac. “You didn’t need to follow.”
“Yeah ah did.” The Unicorn looked back at him. “Y'all were upset at something. Ah couldn’t let ya go alone.”
Oblivion shook his head. “Next time this happens run if I tell you too. If I tell you to run its serious.” Oblivion looked back at him. He only stopped his stare when Mac nodded. He looked back out to the clearing at the edge of town and exhaled. “I’m sure that this is far enough for AJ. If not she can argue with me. She had asked that I go with you to make sure you walked some distance. I think it’s far enough.” The black pony started to lead Mac back the way they had come. They reached the street and Oblivion stopped as Twilight ran into his right side. He looked down at her and saw Spike was with her as well.
“Hi, Oblivion.” Spike greeted.
“Afternoon Spike, Twilight. Are you alright?” Even he could tell that Twilight was upset.
She looked at him and stood back up. “You're not going to ask me to give you the ticket are you?”
He looked at her. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” He said to her. He looked back at Big Mac. “Go ahead, I’ll catch up later.” The farmer nodded and went ahead down the street. Oblivion saw Spike hold back a laugh at the roan's expense. Twilight looked relieved and started around him. He turned and walked with her. She looked around her with what he could only call uncertainty. “Twilight, what is going on? Why do you look like your trying to hide?”
“I got two tickets to the...” She looked around and stopped. She motioned for him to lower his head to her. He obliged. “Grand Galloping Gala.”
He blinked and shook his head at the ridiculous name. “What the Hell is that?”
She looked at him before answering. “It a very exclusive ball in Canterlot. It’s held at the palace and I have 2 tickets. I can’t decide who to take with me. Applejack wants to improve things on the farm, Rainbow Dash wants to meet the Wonderbolts, Rarity wants to meet Prince Blue Blood, Fluttershy wants to see the gardens, and Pinkie wants to party. At least you aren’t going to try to find a way to get the ticket. Are you?”
He looked at her and shook his head. “No, I have no interest in such things. I have been to similar events and found them to be lacking. Nothing but undercooked food, no entertainment, and weak booze. I’ll have to pass on that idea.” She sighed in relief but ducked behind him when ponies passed by them. He shook his head, his magic lifted the edge of his cloak up and hid her under it. “Better?”
The mare nodded and he began walking slowly to prevent her from being seen. Spike had grumbled only to be silenced by a look from the Black Unicorn. Oblivion walked with her and decided that the next time he saw the other mares he was going to speak to them about trying to pressure Twilight into giving them a ticket. This was ridiculous. They reached the library and Twilight ran inside. She looked back at him and he went inside with her. Inside he could see a wide variety of animals along with Fluttershy. They appeared to be helping her clean.
Twilight looked at the butter Pegasus. “Oh no, not you too.”
Oblivion looked at her and rolled his eyes.
“Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don’t mind, but we're doing a bit of spring cleaning for you.”
“It’s summer.” The other mare deadpanned.
“Really?” Oblivion looked at her.
Twilight cast him a glance. “Oh well, better late than never,” Fluttershy responded. “It was Angel’s idea.”
Oblivion looked down at the aforementioned bunny.
“You're not doing this for the ticket are you?” Twilight asked.
Oblivion scoffed and tried not to bark a laugh. “Of course she is. Are you surprised?”
“Oh no, I’m doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?” She looked down at the white bunny, who gave her a flat look. “Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.” She admitted
“Well, at least you admit it.” Was Oblivion’s reply.
Twilight stormed over to the door. “No no no. Well, this has been very nice of you and angel, but I’m not accepting any extra favors until I have made my decision, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“No Twilight, don't open the …. door.” Oblivion tried to warn the mare.
She opened the door and confetti hit her in the face. “Surprise!” Ponies yelled at her as she was pulled out the door.
After a couple of minutes, he looked at Fluttershy and was about to speak when the door opened and the other four mares walked in. They walked up onto the top of the stairs and waited with a clear view of the door.
“Y'all waiting for ‘er ta get back?” Applejack looked at Oblivion.
“I am in a way. But not for the reason you think. I have no interest in this Gala.” They all stared at him, surprised. “And to be honest, your behavior disgusts me. All of you are chasing her down and making the choice that much more difficult. All of you are her friends and by throwing gifts and favors at her you are not helping her.” Oblivion said to them. He noticed that a couple of them hung their heads and looked away from him. “You are all acting like fools. I have seen children act more like adults.”
The mares looked at him as a flash of purple appeared. “Warn me before you do that?” Spike complained.
Twilight looked at her horn. “I didn’t know it was going to happen. Quick Spike turn off all the lights and close the windows.” The room was plunged into darkness. Twilight sighed in relief. She could see that Oblivion was still in the library due to his eyes glowing. The light suddenly turned on to reveal her friends looking down at her. She screamed and dropped to her belly with her hooves, covering her eyes. “I can’t decide, I can’t decide!” She started.
Oblivion stomped a hoof and stepped in front of her, protectively. “That is enough!” He roared. Spike jumped and Twilight looked up at him. The black Unicorn stood above her. “Spike the tickets.” Spike reached behind him and the tickets were held in his claws. Oblivion's magic gripped them and a scroll and quill appeared as well.
“Celestia. I am returning these tickets due to there not being enough for Twilight to bring all of her friends. On behalf of your student, Oblivion Shadow.” His magic ignited the scroll and it was sent through the window. He looked back to all of them and snorted. Applejack walked over to a still cowering Twilight, despite the fact that the tickets were gone.
“Twilight, sugar. Ah didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps I don't want the ticket anymore. Ya can give it to somepony else. Ah, won’t feel bad ah promise.” Oblivion felt a small smile cross his muzzle. “Ya was right Oblivion. We were being unfair ta Twilight.”
Fluttershy piped up as well. “I feel awful for making you feel awful. I don’t want the ticket either.”
“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did,” Rarity spoke up.
“And me too. It’s no fun upsetting your friends.” Pinkie whimpered.
Rainbow Dash did a happy flip in the air. “Yes! That means the ticket is mine.” She started dancing in the air.
A blue flame grabbed her mane and she found herself muzzle to muzzle with a Black Unicorn. “What was that?” He growled.
“Uh. Actually, you know what I haven’t perfected my signature moves just yet. So I don't need the ticket either.” She said with a sheepish grin.
Oblivion released her mane with a nod. Twilight stood up with Applejack's help and smiled. Applejack looked over to Spike who was holding his stomach. “Well wallop my withers, Spike. Ain’t that just like a boy? Can’t handle the least bit of sentiment.” A green ball of fire burst from spikes maw. “Whoa, Nelly!” Applejack yelled as she ducked.
Twilight's magic enveloped the letter and while Spike reached up to hold onto it. “A letter from the Princess, that was fast.” Spike cleared his throat and read it aloud.
My faithful student Twilight,
Why didn’t you just say so?”
Spike held up six tickets. “Six tickets to the Gala.”
Twilight beamed. “Now we can all go.”
Oblivion watched as the mares cheered. Twilight's stomach growled and the girls all laughed.
“Allow us to treat you to dinner.” Rarity said and they all picked up their tickets as they went out the door.
Twilight suddenly stopped and looked to Oblivion. “She didn’t send one for you.”
He shook his head and looked back at her. “It's fine, I have no interest in going anyway. So this is fine for me. Thanks for the consideration though. Go on with the others. Would you mind letting Applejack know that I am heading back?”
Twilight nodded and left the library. He looked over to Spike, who looked downcast. “What about me?” He said as he looked to Oblivion.
The stallion looked at him. “If you want to go then say so.”
Spike looked at him when another bout of fire came from him. The letter opened and he read it aloud. “ Spike and Oblivion, I didn’t forget about you. Two more tickets. Now we can go too, Oblivion.” Spike cheered.
“Wonderful,” Oblivion muttered sarcastically. Spike handed him the ticket and the stallion sent it back to his saddlebag. He walked out to see Spike trotting ahead of him. Applejack was standing outside the door, chuckling.
“Y'all gonna go to the Everfree?” She questioned.
Oblivion nodded and walked past her, closing the door behind him. He walked away from town and toward the forest to catch his own dinner. He trotted toward the edge of the forest and saw a tree downed on the edge. He stopped and he couldn’t stop the small grin that crossed his muzzle. He reared up and jumped into a gallop. He was still working on keeping his balance but he decided that if his hooves hit the tree he knew how to roll. He neared the tree and as he got to the right point he gathered himself and the muscles in his hind legs gathered. He trusted his body to know how to jump and land without causing injury. His body leaped and, to his own surprise, cleared the tree and galloped on. He allowed the smile to remain as he continued running. The Alicorn allowed his wings to come off his sides, but not far enough to run into any trees.
He slowed as he neared the clearing that he had used as a hunting ground the last time. He didn’t hear anything close by. He had decided that he would hunt every three to four days. He slowed to a walk and, once he came to the realization that there was no game by the clearing he began following a nearby game trail. The most recent tracks were a few hours old but easy enough to follow. He came upon a small herd of deer. His eyes scanned the group and found one by the outskirts that appeared lame. He stalked forward, his body as low to the ground as he could. He stopped as he was as close as he could get within the bushes. He waited for several minutes before he leaped from the bushes and the hunt truly began.
Applejack was walking back to the farm when she saw something at the edge of the forest. She trotted over as close as she dared and saw the black Alicorn running around the edge of the forest. She watched as he turned and his body ran toward the edge of the forest as he leaped over a fallen tree. She had thought that he was still unable to gallop. “Well, he sure learned how ta run.” He leaped back into view again by sailing over the tree. He plunged around through the tall grass and he tossed his head as he ran around the area.
“Well, he sure seems ta be havin’ some fun.” She muttered as she walked towards him. She made sure not to creep up to him since he was a hunter and would notice. She saw him plunge to a stop and his ears turned to her. She looked at him and loped toward him. Oblivion reared up and ran away from her for a few strides before he turned and galloped up to her and loped beside her for a few strides. “Y'all having too much fun out here.” She said to him.
Oblivion barked a laugh. “Perhaps. I never thought that doing something I thought was so simple would actually prove to be quite enjoyable. Perhaps this is why others wish to run wild.”
Applejack looked at him. “Maybe. But ah gotta admit that's quite the jump. Ah, don’t know many ponies that could make that leap.” She commented as they trotted past the tree before heading back.
“I wasn’t certain I’d make it over. I was ready to hit the ground and roll if I clipped it. I cleared it on my way into the forest and came back to it when I was done.”
“Well, now we know why y'all are so thin. Ya run around so much.”
The Alicorn laughed and looked to her as they began walking. “Maybe. But I have always been lean. I’ve been an active pony all my life. But I suppose, to another I probably appear sick.”
Applejack nodded. “Ya are too thin. But ah’m thinkin' that putting weight on yah might be impossible. Ya don’t eat enough. Ya did mention that yer body uses its food supply faster than we do.”
He nodded in reply. “Ah, that reminds me. In a few days, I will be going to Canterlot to spar with Luna. I forgot to mention it yesterday after the incident with Apple Bloom.”
“Why are ya going to meet up with her?”
“She sent me a letter asking if I would have a mock spar match with her and have coffee afterward. Since there is nopony here that can spar with me seriously she is the best option. Her style of combat is different than mine and I am curious if it has changed since she was cleansed of Nightmare Moon.” He informed the mare.
Applejack looked at him as they got back to the road. “Are ya sure it’s safe?”
Oblivion sighed. “Not you as well. She is no longer Nightmare Moon. Don’t be ridiculous.” He responded with a scoff.
They walked in the front gate of the farm and towards the house. Oblivion looked up and saw Apple Bloom run into the house ahead of them. He looked at Applejack and she shrugged. They walked inside and Big Mac saw them approach.
“Apple Bloom ran upstairs ta get yer bath ready Oblivion.” He stated.
Oblivion stopped and looked upstairs. He shook his head and walked up the stairs. He was almost to his room when the filly came around the corner.
“Ah started yer bath Oblivion. Ya wanna read a book like yesterday?” She waited by his door as he approached.
She waited for him to unlock the door but stayed outside of it till he walked in first. Even then she only went just past the doorway. He looked at the 2 books he hadn’t finished and chose to read the History of Magic Volume 2. Apple Bloom came forward and he let her take the book out of his magic and watched as she trotted down the hall with it. He shook his head and started to follow the filly. He reached the door as she came through it again.
“Oof. Oh, it’s ready for ya.” She smiled up at him after running into his leg.
“Thank you little one.” He said as he stepped past her. She closed the door behind him and went down the stairs.
Oblivion locked the door and let his cloak and baldric fall to the floor. His wings drooped against his sides as he stepped into the water. He let it cover him and opened his book. He opened it but didn’t start reading it. He laid his head down on the rim of the tub by the wall and closed his eyes. His wings floated on the water's surface as he laid in silence. Thoughts went through his mind as he laid in the water. ‘Why did I stop the mares from continuing to upset Twilight? They would have figured it out on their own eventually. Why did I intervene? I can’t figure myself out at times.’
He shifted in the water and pulled his wings under the warm water. The black Alicorn was quiet as the day went through his mind. He brought his head up and looked around him. He used the soap to wash his mane, fur, and wings, then let himself go back to laying in silence. His head went back down into its place and instead of letting himself ponder the day he turned his thoughts off and decided to meditate instead. His mind blanked as his senses reached out around him. Time ticked by him as he lay in silence and he came back to himself as the water began to cool. His magic closed the book and he moved it to the counter. He stood up and used the towel to dry himself off. He used his magic to dry off the remainder and hung up the towel.
He looked to his cloak and saw that it was dirty as well. He hadn’t seen anywhere to wash any clothes. He would ask Applejack when he got a chance. The baldric was laid between his wings and he used them to hold it in place. He elevated them off his back slightly. He laid the cloak across his back to hide his wings and swords. He didn’t want to get it on his clean fur. He stepped out and walked to his room. He looked back and waited till Applejack's spirit was at the top of the stairs.
“AJ. Is there any place where I can get this cleaned?” He pointed his horn to the cloak across his back.
“Ah don’t have any place here to clean it. Ya would need ta talk ta Rarity.” The orange mare answered him. “Y'all have ta use that hair tie ah gave ya to walk around. Unless ya have another cloak ta wear.”
The Unicorn shook his head and went to his room. “Thank you, AJ. I’ll talk to Rarity in the morning.” He turned to look back as she walked past his room. He closed the door, locked it and laid the cloak on the desk. His baldric was set down on the bed by the window. He climbed in and covered himself with the quilt. The Unicorn laid down on the pillow and let his wings spread under the blanket. His eyes closed and he slept.