//------------------------------// // Wings of Mystery // Story: Echoes of the Old World // by Ultima75000 //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Wings of Mystery “A message from…?” Twilight Sparkle asked confused. “Not important at the moment.” The stallion said “Tell me where is Celestia?” “My older sister is asleep at the moment.” Princess Luna answered trying to keep her calm “I stand as the protector of night. She stands as the protector of the day.” The stallion turned his attention towards Luna as she spoke, his wings floating about the air like fog. He paused for a moment looking at the younger princess as if examining her before nodding to her. “Is there a place where I address the both of you then?” “Couldn’t you just tell us?” Twilight asked rather impatiently “Not here, not in this open place. This concerns only the Princess Celestia and Princess Luna of Equestria.” “Twilight Sparkle has every right to hear the message as well!” Luna interjected “She is the student of my older sister.” “I’ll leave that for her to decide.” The stallion responded “If Celestia has no qualms on her listening then I will pay no mind. Until that time where must I go to present myself? Time is of the essence.” “We shall go to the town of Ponyville.” Princess Luna said “It is the closest from the gorge and will serve as proper place to wait for my sister to awake.” “Alright then” the stallion said moving his hoof to jump off the cliff before stopping at the sound of his armor. ‘I told them this would be ruined in the flight’He thought before somewhat shaking off a majority of his cumbersome armor many of which still dimly glowing from the landing. Much of it broke on contact with the floor shattering into thousands of little pieces before being blown away by the wind. What pieces that did not break sank deep into the earth; steaming as if it recently came out of hot forges. Last but certainly not least was that his wings made of flowing light simply faded away like smoke, letting the armor rims that we’re once supported fall like the other pieces of metal. What was left was a pair of regular feathered Pegasus wings. However these wings we’re not folded back or we’re they outstretched in any way. They we’re simply hanging like a limp piece of wet paper. As the rest of the helmet came off a horn appeared from underneath appearing in a display of light and electricity, the two ponies came to another shocking realization. Twilight: ‘He’s just like-‘ Princess Luna: ‘-Celestia and myself!’ ‘He’s a winged unicorn!’ Much of the stallion’s armor plating was gone now, revealing the full color of his coat, being a light white periwinkle. His mane was as dark as Luna’s coat and his eyes we’re of crystal cyan eyes that gleamed like a bright star. Over parts of his coat were tattoed markings or sigils around certain parts of his body. Neither Twilight nor Princess Luna has seen those kinds of markings before. However looking at his back, Twilight noticed the stallion’s cutie mark: A large bright white star cross. If Twilight didn’t know better; she thought that the sigils seemed to almost connect perfectly with it. Soon the stallion hopped off the cliff and landed in front of them. “Shall we be off?” Then he got a look at the two ponies’ dumbfounded faces. “Is something the matter?” “You’re a…” Twilight started unable to mouth any more fixed on the unicorn horn “Speak up” the stallion asked tilting his head. Twilight and Princess Luna both exchanged looks with each other, both of them unable to say anything. Finally after an awkward moment Luna finally spoke up. “You’re a winged unicorn like Celestia and me.” “I’m a winged uni-“He stopped himself mid sentence “Ohhhh I see… I guess that’s one way of putting it.” “I’ am sorry” Princess Luna said lowering her head “I did not mean to insult or surprise you. We don’t see many other winged unicorns.” “Never mind that” The stallion said shaking his head “Can we get going? I’ve had a very long trip and I wish to kind of get this over with.” “Of course sir...-” Princess Luna said then stopped trying to think. “Forgive me again but I didn’t get your name.” “Oh how stupid of me” The stallion said “My name is Atom” He didn’t speak anymore afterwards. Despite the many questions both Princess Luna and Twilight had racing around their heads neither of them had the courage to bother him. He kept a rather serious face the entire journey down to the edge of the gorge where a deep pit and tall rocky walls separated them from the forests. “We have to go up from here.” Princess Luna said “That’s way too far for me to teleport.” Twilight added “You shouldn’t worry. Both of us can carry you.” “I can’t exactly fly.” Twilight and Luna turned their heads at the stallion Atom “But you have wings…” Twilight said “Can’t you just…” “They don’t work anymore…” Atom said in a harsh tone “But what about…” “Those wings are a completely different story. Besides I don’t need wings to reach that height.” “But…” Twilight stopped herself in mid-sentence and finally just gave in. Without probing anymore she got on Princess Luna’s back. “Hold on tight, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said reassuringly as she took flight. Twilight took a look down at the stallion that without warning proceeded to simply jump the entire height of the cliff, passing them and landing on the ledge with a tap. “I didn’t know anypony could jump that high.” Princess Luna said to Twilight on her back “Well he did come out of a flying flaming meteor.” Twilight answered trying to think of a more suitable reason. “At this point I don’t think there are many surprises left…” “I hope you are right Twilight.” Luna said landing on the ledge, letting Twilight get off. “Which way did you say it was?” Atom asked looking towards more of the Everfree Forest. “It should be northwest of us now, unless we want to follow the path of knocked over trees.” Twilight said “Not one of my better landings…” Atom joked “But I guess we can follow that too.” Neither Twilight nor Princess Luna said anything to him while walking through the forest. Part way through while Atom was ahead of them, Princess Luna finally asked Twilight a question under her breath: “What do you suppose he came here for?” “Huh? What do you mean?” Twilight whispered back “I mean what do you think he is here for other than a simply mail delivery? It’s not everyday a pony comes crashing down from the sky. And this one is a winged unicorn no less! How could my sister and I not know about this?” “Princess Luna.” Twilight said “I have the same questions too and I don’t blame you or Princess Celestia. There is no way that you can tell when a pony going to simply fall from the sky.” “But Twilight, it is our responsibility to the people that we should be ready for unexpected things. How can either of us defend Equestria from danger is we don’t even know what’s out there!?” “Calm down…!” Twilight said quickly as Princess Luna was raising her voice in worry “You’re taking this a little too far Princess. Nopony can be prepared for everything. Not even Princess Celestia or my big brother Shining Armor who has defended Canterlot on countless occasions could have foreseen the Changeling attack.” Luna stopped walking “I should have been there for her…” “What!?” Twilight responded “I should have helped Tia with Queen Chrysalis…” Luna finished “Princess…” Twilight said trying to comfort her but was sharply cut off “I should have… but I wasn’t and I risked the safety of both Equestria and my sister. If not for Cadance and your brother I don’t know what… I should have been THERE!!!” Princess Luna finally broke out loud scaring some birds out of their nests within the trees. “Excuse me… but are we done!?” Atom said coolly far ahead of them. “I’m… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean for that to come out like that.” Princess Luna said blushing. “We’re coming!” Twilight yelled over the fair distance “Come on Princess.” Luna didn’t speak much afterwards. Despite Twilight’s best efforts at cheering her up all it seemed to do was remind the Princess about what she didn’t do. Twilight feeling a bit guilty didn’t blame her either. It’s hard being a protector of ponykind and knowing that she wasn’t there to protect her subjects. More over it’s the fact that Princess Celestia was the one to stand up versus Queen Chrysalis. Not Luna. Twilight knew that somewhere deep, it gnawed at Luna’s confidence. Before long they arrived on the outskirts of Ponyville, overlooking Apple Acres. “Well we’re here. That’s Apple Acres. Ponyville is just over the horizon.” Twilight said “Is there a place in town I may stay the night?” Atom asked “Hmm I could ask Applejack if she has room, but I don’t know if she’s home yet from earlier.” “Perhaps Twilight you can provide accommodations at the Library?” Princess Luna mentioned Twilight put a hoof on her chin thinking. “Yes that could work! I have plenty of room and Spike would enjoy the company.” “Who’s Spike?” Atom questioned “Oh Spike is my baby dragon I hatched back in Canterlot. Don’t worry he doesn’t bite and he is very nice.” Dragons too… Atom thought quietly to himself. Didn’t think about that… “Well the night is young and I still have a job too do. Farewell Twilight Sparkle and Atom and goodnight.” Princess Luna said with a short nod proceeding to hover of the ground and return to her post in the sky. “Goodnight Princess.” Twilight said waving. Atom gave a short stare at the rising Princess before giving a reassuring nod and a short hoof wave. Ponyville Library *Knock knock* “Spike? Spike are you awake?” Twilight asked knocking of the front door. A few lock clicks later, the wooden door of the library opened up revealing the little purple dragon Spike holding a pillow. “Hey Twilight.” Spike said “Haven’t been able to go back to sleep. What happened out there?” Spike then took a notice at the stallion behind her. “Who’s that?” “Spike this is Atom. He’s new around here and he needs a place too stay for the night before heading off to Canterlot.” “Cool. Come on in then. It’s cold outside.” Spike said letting the two walk inside before closing the door behind them. Twilight wasting no time started setting up a proper bed for their guest taking out spare sheets and pillows out of the closet. “So where do you come from Atom?” Spike asked “I came falling out of the sky.” Atom said slyly Spike dropped his pillow in shock. Before he could mouth another word Atom said: “That was a joke.” “Oh phew, you got me there.” Spike said wiping his head and picking up the pillow. “So is Atom your real name?” “My full name is Solar Atom. I prefer Atom for short since people calling Mr. Solar sounded very weird.” Atom answered slowly taking a look around the library shelves. “Looking for something in particular?” Spike asked “Twilight always has everything super organized” “I’ve noticed.” Atom said browsing the history section of the library, his gaze stopping on an old textbook titled ‘Hearth’s Warming Eve.’ Taking care not too ruin the placement of the other books, he carefully pulled it out of its slot. Spike took a quick glance at what book he was reading before walking over towards Twilight who was finishing up the guest bed. “So where does he come from anyways?” Spike asked Twilight “He came out from the sky.” Twilight answered rather bluntly “Nice try Twilight but I already heard that one.” “No I’m serious. He did come falling out of the sky.” Twilight said turning around to look at the baby dragon. It took a nanosecond for Spike to realize that she wasn’t kidding around. “So that wasn’t a joke?” “Oh of course it was a joke Spike. But in reality he did fall out from the sky. He was that shooting star that crashed.” “Doesn’t that… you know… hurt when you crash?” Spike asked scratching his head “Well he’s standing there reading a book as if nothing happened.” Twilight said taking a quick glance at the stallion that was quickly going through the pages. “Although he was wearing a strange set of armor before he came with us. But most of it was destroyed after the crash.” Spike took another closer look at the stallion from afar. A few short moments later he caught sight of both the horn and wings. “Twilight he’s also a-“ “A winged unicorn. Yes Spike I know” Twilight finished up for him “He’s like both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” “This becomes stranger and stranger by the moment.” Spike said with big open eyes. “And you said he was going to Canterlot tomorrow. Do you know what for?” “I don’t exactly know. He said he had a message for the Princesses. I’m just wish I knew what it was.” “Why don’t you ask him?” “WHAT!?” “You know. Ask him. Nicely” Spike said with a smile “Well I guess it couldn’t hurt…” Twilight said nervously taking a few steps towards the stallion. “Umm your bed’s ready Atom.” “Oh…” Atom said as if broken from a minor trance in reading the book “Right, thank you.” Atom closed the book without a second thought and placed back in its slot. “What is the message you are supposed to send?” Twilight asked abruptly. Spike did a face palm with both his hands. “I thought I said I would reveal it when the time comes.” “I know but I’m just nervous if it’s something important. I just want too help. I’m the Element of Magic, I’m supposed to help.” “Magic you say?” Atom said with a tiny grin “Show me then.” “Huh!?” “Show me an example of your magic.” “I… err how do I… uh” Twilight didn’t exactly know what kind of spell would make a good impression. Without thinking she started magically re-organizing the entire library aisle by aisle. Although messy and a bit chaotic Twilight managed to excessively re-archive the entire library all over again. “Um is that enough.” “Not what I exactly expecting but yes.” Atom said flipping over a book that had been placed up side down. “You have talent, and great potential. I guess the Princess chose wisely.” “So do I pass your test?” Twilight asked “Yes…” Twilight smiled “-And No…” Her smiled dropped “What did you expect from me?” Twilight asked immediately “You have great magical power, but at the same time you are also young and inexperienced.” “Inexperienced!?” Spike said jumping up and down “Twilight has levitated an Ursa Minor by herself!” “Spike…!” Twilight said silencing the baby dragon. “Despite what I have done he is right. I’m still only a student.” “Twilight… he called you…” Spike tried to continue “He gave me an honest and truthful analysis Spike. This isn’t like when Trixie was up and around showing off her fancy fireworks. I know that I still have much to learn.” Twilight smiled proudly towards both Spike and Atom. “Clarity and pure curiosity” Atom said silently “Unexpected… Your wise thoughts belay your age.” Twilight blushed a little “I guess I picked it up from living in book. Are you still not going to tell me anything?” “I can’t help you there.” Atom said calmly again “Alright guess I have to find out tomorrow. Your bed is ready.” “Thank you.” Atom said trotting quietly past the duo towards the quickly made guest room. “I’m sorry if I put out a bad imprint today.” “Oh no of course not.” Twilight said with a wider than normal smile “Very good then; good night Twilight Sparkle and good night to you Spike.” Atom said with a slight bow, closing the door behind him. “Kind of strange don’t you think?” Spike said afterwards “Spike…” Twilight said with a groan “I’m serious!” “So am I! But I told him that I’d wait and that’s exactly going to do.” “You’re going to wait all night?” Spike said sarcastically “No I’m going to bed and you should too mister!” Author's Notes Double Chapter Post coming up as soon as my internet stops bogging me >:( Original 2nd Chapter was very large divided up into 3 parts, the next two will be up as soon as I stop having issues with my internet which has been ruining my schedule all month.