Act 1 Chapter 3
Waking from my reverie I released a long slow breath creating a billowing white cloud in front me. At my feet lay the stone cold corpse of Rarity. My Rarity. I lowered my body to the floor next to the object of my affection, an object as cold as my heart. How did this happen, it wasn't supposed to end like this. I chose this path so that she would be spared, not left to lie on the frost laden floor of a castle dungeon. Had Celestia been wrong? Maybe she got the story wrong? I feel a couple tears starting to run down my face to freeze in long streaks. My left ear twitches as I sense something in the room with me, an impossible breeze blows through the room causing small particles of ice to whirl around. I feel the cool breeze of my magical mane whip around my face as the breeze intensifies, oh how I hate that mane. I hate what it represents, what once brought wonder and delight has turned to ashes in my mouth. The wind of the grey domain coalesced in the centre of the room, in the form of a pony. A pony made of light. I shouldn't be see it again, the contract had been fulfilled. Why was it here?
“I'm sorry Twilight.” Said the pony with an unmistakeable voice, a voice that I would recognise anywhere. A voice that had once comforted me and brought me joy. A voice that now represented only loss and pain. Rarity's voice.
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My neck was stiff and cracked audibly as I sat up straight from the bench, I still have the bad habit of leaning in when I write. I take a deep breathe in the dimly lit study, the few candles casting flickering shadows on the rooms curved walls. The air smelt of dry parchment and melted wax, a sense of appeasement conflicting with the turmoil simmering just below the surface. Looking to my left Owlowicious was still diligently working his way through the reports, he would likely still be there until the wee hours of the morning even after the candles burnt out. Dropping my quill onto the bench I stretched my back and stood up, scattering a couple of stray reports that had fallen off the table at some point this evening. Bidding the owl goodnight I head off towards the bedroom, it's alluring call as effective as any siren's song. Spike was already in his bed, sound asleep when I reached the room so I tread lightly as I approached my bed.
As I lay in the bed my mind reviews the recent events. After my bad fall a week ago I had apologised to Dr. Hooves for my behaviour before throwing myself into the friendship report. Once again I found myself thinking back to the response that I had received from the Princess concerning the events at Sweet Apple Acres.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
Concerning the events at Sweet Apple Acres, while certainly interesting I must ask you not to be concerned everything is under control. However don't hesitate to write me should any other similar phenomenon occur. As for this Grey Domain that you tell me you've been seeing in your dreams, I would ask you to not interact with anything from that place. I'm sure you have many questions, these must however wait for your return to the capital.
Yours truly, Princess Celestia.
It would seem that the Princess either knows or suspects what is happening to me, what is annoying is that the Princess withheld any information pertaining to the the events. In what free time I had, I've searched the library for any information related to the subject. But I haven't found anything. This is odd since the Princess clearly knows something, which means that she has been hiding something. Something that couldn't be written about in a book or scroll. However I can't bring myself to suspect the Princess of something so nefarious as censoring information like that. She's always taught me the value of freedom of speech and the right to learn. There is no way she would do something like this. I feel myself drift into soft embrace of sleep, comforted by my rationalisations.
I open my eyes as I rise from a dreamless slumber, a sense of restoration and peace radiates from within. My heart seems to stop beating as I notice that the entire room is grey. Completely devoid of colour, in a manner not unlike. I pause as my mind staggers from the implications. In a manner not unlike the Grey Domain, the place where I first met the pony made of light. I feel the cool nothingness of the Domain's mysterious wind breeze across my body. I leave the comfort of my bed and quickly head down stairs in search of Spike. I find him in the kitchen preparing the morning oatmeal porridge. Hearing my approach he looks up from the stove to presumably bid me a good morning. I'll never know for sure if that was his intent though as he stands there, a dumbfounded expression on his face. This only lasts a moment as he speaks.
“Twilight!” He exclaims when he looks at me, “You're glowing!”
“What do you mean I'm glowing?” I ask him in return, “Are my legs made of light? Does everything look grey and colourless to you?”
“No it's not your legs, it's your eyes. They're completely white, like those times you've lost control of your magic. And what do you mean about the room? It seems fine to me.” He answers, I can see that he's very confused and not a little bit worried. It's not very often that I've lost control of my magic or tapped into a source strong enough to empower to such a level. But what does this mean? Spike isn't seeing the same thing as me, or rather I'm not seeing the same thing as him. While they could be unrelated I'm thinking the eyes and my altered vision are connected.
This is just another thing to add to the list of things to ask the Princess about. I feel a pressure building behind my eyes and I shut them in response. I suddenly feel very light headed and open my eyes to find myself on the floor. I feel the cool smoothness of the tree-house’s floor against the side of my face, small specks of dirt press against my cheek. We really need to give the house a good clean soon. My mental tangent is interrupted by Spike reaching my side. I'm surprised at how differently time flows in these sorts of events. I opened my eyes and it felt like it'd been hours and yet it could have taken Spike no more that twenty seconds to reach me. One thing I notice is that the world is no longer grey but has returned to it's natural state. Except that something seems off, though I can't place my hoof upon before Spike kneels down beside me. Focusing in on his purple and green form, I noticed for the first time just how sleek and shiny they are. I barely notice the corners of my vision narrowing as I look deeper at the young dragons scales. My eyes pierce through the scales and I find myself delving through the atomic structure of his toughened leathery under skin. Before I realise it I pass the skin and reach the inner workings of the body; individual blood cells rush by me in transparent vessels and electrical charges zip past along the spidery network of nerves. Acting on what would appear to be instinct I feel my gaze travel up along the body until I reach the heart; it's constant beating happening in relative slow motion. Flexing, relaxing, flexing, relaxing. Over and over in a never ending cycle as the body shuffles along it's mortal coil. Closer and closer I go, into the gaps between atoms, into the gap between one second and the next. Then I see it. A slowly growing light shining brightly at the centre of Spike's being. I approach the light, it slowly growing as I move closer. Inevitably I reach the light, for the lack of a better phrase I find myself standing on the precipice of a mysterious new land. Despite lacking any apparent physical form I reach out and touch the light. Causing a gap to flash open, perhaps a better term would be portal seeing how as the place I find myself viewing is impossible. I step through the mysterious portal and into the light, into an impossible room. Standing in the middle of the room, facing me is a pony. A pony made of light.
To say that I'm shocked is an understatement of the greatest magnitude. Unlike every other time I've met this pony however, the world is not drained of all colour. Neither is the being partially coloured in like was the last time I saw it. The only conclusion I can draw from this is that it is not the same entity; related perhaps but different altogether. All other thoughts in my mind cease however, when the pony begins to speak. From it's mouth comes no words, for to call such a thing would be sorely lacking and disturbingly inaccurate. What comes forth from it's mouth was both the most beautiful and the most horrifying thing I've ever heard in my life. It is the sound of life and of death. Of growth and of decay. Even as the soaring melodies lighten my heart so to does the dripping, disjointed bass undertones make it shrivel and fracture. It is the voice of a god.
“Greetings Chosen.” sang the pony, “Has it been so long already? I only just gave your predecessor my condolences. The fact that you're here means that you've reached the second stage. I'm sure that you must have many questions but it is not my place to answer them.”
“Chosen? What are you talking about?” I ask all to eagerly despite the ponies statement, a thousand questions whirl through my mind. “Where am I? What are you and why am I changing? What am I becoming?
“You are just as curious as your predecessors, though they all ask the same questions.” replied the creature that could only be a deity, “I shall answer what I can, though my previous statement stands. There are some things I will not divulge, I trust this will be satisfactory.”
I breathe out and realise that I've been holding my breathe since I started this incredible journey. I consider sitting down and find myself suddenly reclining on a comfy lounge chair the colour and text a crystal clear ocean. I focus my attention back on the pony, an inquisitive expression settling on my face.
“First of all, you are the chosen avatar of a primal force though I may not divulge which one. Only those that made the pact may inform the Chosen. As to where you are, you are in what you would consider to be the soul of your ward Spike. This is his most honest and intimate part of him, it reflects his nature, desires, loves, fears or anything of significant enough value to him. The appearance however is simply your mind's way of interpreting it, if you saw it the way we do it is likely you would go insane. Though considering what you have to look forward to it might be a blessing. As to what I am, I am a primal force of the universe. I am the spirit of Gaia, I am life and death. I am the one that controls all nature everywhere. I am not alone however, there are a few other primal forces that govern mechanics of the universe, some more directly than others. Do you have any other questions for me Chosen?”
“Just one.” I find myself reeling from this new information, it answers some questions but leaves even more to be answered. But there is only one that want ask this Gaia. “Why me?”
“Because you were born to die, the living sacrifice whose blood would renew the pact's fading ink.” Replied Gaia, her form beginning to dissipate slowly. “I must go now. Trust me when I say that you will have your answers soon, but shall wish you had not received them. The next time I will see will be in the Fields of Eternity. I would wish you peace and prosperity, but the Chosen never receive any. Until the next time Chosen.”
At which point the last motes of shining energy flickered out of existence, leaving me alone in Spike's soul room. Although curious I feel that I should leave, it wouldn't be right to invade some ponies privacy like that. As I turn to leave the room, I notice a small desk in the middle of the room. Two large precious stones at rest on the lacquered surface. One white with veins of blue scattered sparingly throughout; and the other purple fading to pink. They both shone brilliantly in the ever present light, filling my heart with a warm maternal happiness I did not often feel. As I start to leave the room I feel an intense pressure behind my 'eyes' and I attempt to blink away the pain. Opening my eyes, Spike is reaching out to lift my head off the floor. I feel the breath that had started to release when I was in the room fully leave my lungs. For a moment I begin to panic as my lungs appear to fail in their duty, I blink again and my lungs start to inhale. I'm losing my grip on reality, I'm beginning to think that this return to Canterlot is well timed. Perhaps a little too well timed.
Struggling to my feet I inform Spike that I'm going out for the morning, much to his consternation.
I leave the old tree-house, my bowl of porridge sitting forgotten on the bench eventually going cold. I wander through the town without aim or goal, occasionally stopping to observe something of interest. Pegasi busily zip across the sky pushing clouds into their prescribed positions. It would seem that a lot of cloud cover was scheduled today. I am getting tired of this new vision, every time I focus on something I find myself examining it on the sub-atomic layer. Nonetheless I feel that I am slowly making progress, I am slowly starting to get the hang of this new skill.
I look up and find myself near Fluttershy's cottage, I'm not surprised really. Aside from my library, the Canterlot archives and Princess Celestia's side, the cottage is one of my favourite places to relax. It is situated just close enough to the Everfree forest that the flora and fauna surrounding the cottage is more diverse and vivid than anywhere else in the region, without the danger of the forest itself. A cool breeze stirs some loose leaves on the ground, causing them to float across the path in front of me. The occasional animal call fills the calming breeze with a natural ambience that complements the rustling of the trees. Although my vision doesn't zoom in, I nonetheless notice that everything appears more detailed and vibrant. I can't imagine living with out this level of detail, how did I not notice the sheer beauty and magnificence that even something as simple a dead leaf held. My thoughts are interrupted by the appearance of the shy pegasus herself from a nearby section of forestation, a young blue jay resting on her back. Her beautifully natural butter coloured coat brushes by and catches on errant branches and leaves. The gentle breeze gently caresses the ever graceful flowing mane giving it an air quality as the individual strands floated apart. Her emerald eyes flicker around as she navigates the brush, her ward safely stows between her wings. Eventually reaching the path on which I am situated, she looks up in surprise as she notices me and trots over to meet me, I do the same.
“Twilight, are you all right?” she asked the common waver of concern clearly evident in her soft melodious voice, “You look a bit worn out, has something happened?”
“Sort of Fluttershy. It's all very odd, I' very confused at the moment and the Princess is refusing to give me any information that might help.” I reply, the tones of weariness and mortal curiosity stirring up my words in unique ways that will never be heard again. I'm finding that I am noticing appreciating the strangest things now, I can only put this down to my physiological changes and for all I know neurological changes as well.
“Oh, well that's not good. Would you like to come inside for a bit and talk about it?” offered Fluttershy, her piercing emerald eyes now firmly focused on me. “I need to tend to this young one's wing, it would seem he fell out of the nest when learning to fly.”
“Sure, that sound great.” I answer, layers of stress already flaking off my conciousness in a slow painstaking fashion. “There's something I need to tell you anyway.”
We begin the walk up to the cottage, the local foliage slowly thinning as we neared the homely domicile. The old wood walls stand in perfect harmony with the unbridled nature around it. Birds flicker around the area, filling the air with their intermittent melodies. I can hear the buzzing of dragonflies in the nearby pond along with the occasional splash of a fish breaching the surface in search of food. The heavy cloud cover casting a dim light over the whole scene, working with the gentle breeze to give it a cool aesthetic. My observations are brought to an abrupt stop as we reach the door and my host opening it. I'm invited in and so lead the way into the small yet spacious living room.
The room is sparsely decorated save for some perches and other animal related objects along with a smattering of pony furniture. On a small wooden table sits a beautiful stone vase, in which sits three snow white lilies. I can see a couple of window sill gardens, each one brimming with seasonal flowers. To my right as I enter, a two picture frames graces the otherwise featureless wall. One is aged, it's wooden frame nicked and yellowing; the other relatively new and made of a simple yet elegant wire frame, it's copper burnish dully catching what little light has filtered into the house. The first frame holds a picture of Fluttershy's parents, she doesn't talk about them often nor have I ever been privy to familial situation. The second frame houses a picture of the six of us all grouped together, I still remember the day we had that picture taken. Before I have a chance to reminisce however, I turn my attention back to my quite host who is even now finishing up with the young bird.
“Um, I wasn't really expecting any visitors today. So I don't have much to offer you, I'm sorry.” Fluttershy apologises, legitimate concern flavouring speech. “How about some tea? Rarity just gave me some green tea to try.”
“That sounds perfect. I've read a bit about green tea.” I reply as Fluttershy makes her way into the small kitchen to prepare the steaming beverage. “It's much weaker than most other blends of tea but is apparently quite relaxing.”
“Well I don't know about all that, but apparently it is the latest fashion in Canterlot at the moment.” Fluttershy responds conversationally. She finishes up in the kitchen and returns to the living room, a tray with two fired clay mugs resting on top. The faint aroma of the tea wafts gently on the breeze, helping to stabilise a calm and friendly atmosphere. I accept my cup and grasp it with my magic, the familiar phantom breeze emanating from my horn. The mug is old and well use, she must have bought it when she first moved down to Ponyville. The mug reminds me of all the things that I'll be leaving behind when I leave for Canterlot. Of all the things that have become a part of my life over time, but which can no longer accompany me. I lift the drink and take a short sip to gauge th temperature of the water. Still too hot to drink, might have to wait a couple of minutes. I turn my attention to my host who is sitting patiently on a chair, I locate the nearest one and take a seat once I realise my error. Seeing that I'm paying attention, Fluttershy breaks the silence.
“So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about Twilight?” she asked in her usual soft caring fashion.
“The other day, I received a letter from Princess Celestia. She has informed me that I will be returning to Canterlot at the end of the month. My time in Ponyville is finally over and so are my studies in friendship, nor am I to remain as the resident librarian.” Not surprisingly, she is quite stunned by the news and doesn't reply immediately. I decide it is just better to wait for her to collect her thoughts. I take a drink from my tea, much better. It would seem that shock is the standard response, I guess I'm just expecting it now. Though I wonder how Rainbow and Pinkie will react, they are the most excitable of the group. But in saying that I still can't believe that in a few short weeks I'll be leaving both my life and my friends behind. I must admit though that I am concerned about what's happening to me. Returning to that capital will at least allow me to get some answers, then I might be able settle into my new life. I slide out of my introspection as Fluttershy starts to speak again.
“That's terrible news Twilight, have you talked to anypony else about this yet?” asks Fluttershy.
“So far I've told Rarity and Applejack. Both of them took it pretty well, but I can tell that Applejack is a little hurt that I'm choosing my studies over our friendship.”
“I guess I hadn't given any thought to that. But you need to do what's best for you, besides you moving away won't make us any less friends.”
“You're right, of course. But I can't help but feels sad about uprooting my life here with you all. I know I've only been here for a couple of years but this is my home now. I can't imagine living anywhere but Ponyville.
“Twilight, sometimes it's just time to move on. Just like how I'm nursing this blue jay back to health. In a week I'll return it to it's nest where it'll learn to fly and eventually leave it's nest. Well, that's what I think anyway.” stutters Fluttershy as she responds to my doubts. Perhaps she's right though, everything changes. Nothing ever stays the same forever as I well know. If my studies in friendship have taught me nothing else, it's that there is always something new around the corner. Besides, I'm not the same person I was when I arrived in Ponyville. I found friendship and have learnt so many things, so perhaps it won't be as bad as I'm making it out to be.
“I think you might be right. I guess I hadn't looked at it that way before. I've just been so afraid of going back to my old way of life that I forgot to look on the bright side of things.”
“Well, um. It's not that I won't miss you Twilight, we all will. You're a part of our lives now, to lose you is to lose a vital part of ourselves. But we can't stand in the way of your duty and desires, that wouldn't be right.” replies Fluttershy as I take another drink from my tea. As I begin to lower the mug to the small table, I feel a sharp pain behind my eyes that travels up through the base of my horn. This unexpected experience causes me to release my magical grasp, causing the old clay mug to shatter on the floor. I rub my fore head with my hoof, trying to alleviate the residual pain. After a moment I realise that I broke Fluttershy's mug. Fluttershy who is at the moment torn between wanting to help me after seeing the apparently obvious look of pain on my face and anguish at he loss of the mug. Her pain reminds me of the small things that I'll be leaving behind when I leave. But these thoughts are fleeting as I consider the possibility of a new symptom of my condition developing. If I can kick down a mature apple tree, who knows what could happen and I don't want Fluttershy caught up in this. Especially as I don't any clue about what's happening myself.
I apologise to my host profusely before quickly leaving the host, any sense of restoration shackled down by the chains of fear and anticipation. I canter down the path, my eyes welded shut as the pain flares back again. For fear of hitting someone I cast a quick teleportation spell, not even thinking about a destination. With my eyes shut I feel the breeze that accompanies my magic, but it feels odd. It lacks any kind of heat or coolness, it feels grey. I barely have time to register this as I feel myself slip out of existence and back in again.
I open my eyes as the pain finally recedes, bringing with it much needed relief. The first thing I notice is the face of Rainbow Dash not five inches from mine. The second thing that I notice is that I am currently falling out of the sky. I scream.
Authors Note.
I want to apologise to anyone following this story, I am well aware how long it's been since my last chapter. I'm just not that good at writing when I'm not in the mood, call it writers block, procrastination. Call it whatever you like, I none the less want to say sorry for not writing faster. I hope you liked the latest chapter, some feedback would be lovely.