//------------------------------// // Promises // Story: Cyber burst and the Mirage temple // by Mr Jelly //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Promises PRESENT Rarity was slightly annoyed at Cyburst who had been daydreaming for ten minutes, but eventually tapped his shoulder with her hoof to bring him back to reality. Cyburst came back with a jolt which startled Rarity. “What was it you wanted to tell me darling?” “Oh, right well it all started like this.” Cyburst was a unicorn which, when his horn was touching another pony, could share memories in an instant. Lots of the artifacts that he recovered usually contained spells or other good things that could be passed on without actually destroying the artifact. He obtained memory sharing and camouflage this way. When Cyburst and Rarity touched, they touched horns, which is the fastest way for the memory to travel since they’re basically an extension of the brain, and Rarity was amazed at what she saw in Chapter four. ************************************************* FIFTEEN YEARS EARLIER “Whoohoo Last day of school!” A young Cyburst was sitting at his desk in first grade, bouncing up and down in his chair, waiting for the end of school bell to ring its loud ring. All of his classmates where doing the same thing as Cyburst because they, also, could not wait for the end of school. BRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Yay, School’s out.” “Hey Cyburst, you want to play after school?” “Ok” The pony who asked Cyburst was named Candy Corn. She was an orange earth pony who had a white mane and a tail to match, her hooves where bright yellow so you could tell how she got her name. Like everyone else in her class, she had a blank flank. All the stallions in the class had a crush on her, but she was more of a tomboy and only played in Cyburst’s group. Because of Candy, Cyburst was the second most popular kid in class. (Even though he didn’t care about being popular.) Cyburst and Candy Corn got along well and played a lot during the school year. But now that the school year had ended, they planned to do something big. There was only one problem with their plan. They didn’t know what to do. Thinking about this, Candy Corn thought of something. “How about we have a sleepover at my house and tell spooky stories.” “Hmmm.” Cyburst thought about this. He knew it wasn’t what they had hoped for, but he didn’t have any better ideas. He walked over to Candy Corn and had a brilliant idea. That formed into a plan. “Ok, I’ll come around six.” After he said goodbye to Candy and all of the other ponies, Cyburst left school with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He trotted along the streets of Ponyville until he knew he was out of sight from the school, then went into a full out run all the way home to tell his family what was going to happen. Once he reached his house he yelled. “Mom! I’m home!” “How was your day sweet C.” “Great! Can I sleep over at Candy Corn’s house tonight?” “Oh I don’t know sweet C, it’s a school night.” “But Mom, today was the last day of school.” “Really, I totally forgot yes, you can sleep over at Candy Corn’s tonight. But remember to bring your toothbrush and a pillow. Your neck was really sore the last time you didn’t bring one. And also bring a” “Ok, Ok I’ll bring a pillow.” Cyburst’s mom didn’t finish her sentence because she didn’t even remember what she was going to tell him to bring. But she always forgot the last thing anyway. Cyburst went to his room and packed his toothbrush, his pillow, his sleeping bag, and his stuffed Ursa Minor in his saddle bag for good luck. Once he was ready, it was still too early to head to Candy’s, so he went to the Ponyville Library to find any junior spell books. The library wasn’t far from anywhere. So he knew he could make it to Candy’s on time. Once he reached the library he opened the door and let himself in. He looked at all the books. He didn’t even think there were that many books in the world! Once he got into the nonfiction part of the library, he asked the librarian, “Excuse me, but where are the spell books?” “Oh, the junior spell books are right over on that other book shelf” “Thank you miss.” “You’re welcome dear.” The librarian had never seen such a well-mannered child, let alone boy. Cyburst went to the bookshelf that the librarian pointed to and looked at all the pictures, for he could not read well. He eventually came to a book in which he could read some of the words and memorized the spell he could actually pronounce all the words in. “Alu, ilumin, illumination, that’s the word! Illumination!” He was lost in the book and didn’t realize the time until the librarian tapped his shoulder and said, “The library closes in five minutes dear.” “Oh, what time is it now?” “It’s five fifty five” “Ah hey, I’m late!” Cyburst put the book back on the bookshelf and thanked the librarian. He picked up his saddle bag and rushed out the door and ran all the way to Candy’s house. Fearing he was late he was hesitant to knock on the door. When he did, Candy threw open the door and shouted, “Cyburst! You’re just on time!” “Really! I… I mean of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Cyburst was relieved that he arrived on time. He put his saddle bag on the couch. And played with Candy Corn in her backyard Since they were five they had to go to bed at seven, they didn’t get to play very long before they had to get ready for bed. They brushed their teeth and set up there sleeping bags in the living room. They set up a blanket as a tent and Cyburst, using his new spell, lit up their tent. Cyburst took out his stuffed Ursa Minor and snuggled with it. Candy Corn then asked Cyburst, “So, will you tell the first spooky story or will I” “I will” Cyburst had the perfect one. And everything was going according to his plan. “I’ve heard a rumor, that somewhere, deep in the Froggy bottom bog, there is a cave, and if you find it, you will be MAGICLLYTRANSPORTEDTOAWORLDWHEREEVEYONEISADONKEY!!” “EEEEKK” Candy screamed in terror. She then hid in her sleeping bag for protection. After about ten seconds, she came back out and giggled, “He-he. t-that w-wasn’t very spooky” Thinking that Cyburst might not have heard her scream, Candy tried to look brave. Cyburst knew she was scared. Wondering if Candy even knew any spooky stories, he said “Well, then you tell one.” “Ok then. Ahem. “ They both scooted all the way into their sleeping bags until only their heads popped out. Candy started to begin her story. “I’ve heard a rumor, that in the Everfree Forest, only on the summer solstice, The longest and hottest day of the year, there is a strange building that, unless you’re really lost, you cannot find it. And when you look at the Building you wonder if it’s there. And in that building, there lies an ancient and powerful spell, that the gods themselves hid it there so that nopony could find it. And guarding this secret spell, is a URSA MAJOR!!!” “That wasn’t scary, that was exciting!” “Oh, yeah?” “Yeah.” Candy Corn was mad. Candy knew he was scared, but didn’t have any proof. She then thought of a way to get him to be scared. “Then why don’t you try to find this building, Cyburst?” “Ok, but if I have to find the building you have to find the cave, ok?” “Ok” “Promise” “Y-yes, do you?” “Yes” “Good thing tomorrow’s the summer solstice.” Cyburst disabled the illumination spell. They both got into their sleeping bags and, almost as if there brains’ were synchronized, thought, ‘What have I got myself into?!’