//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: A Broken Box // Story: Cracking Dawn // by Didily Winkles //------------------------------// Chapter Six Dawn did not sleep very well. It was a night mainly consisting of wrestling her sheets and falling dreams. She was already awake and up watching the horizon when Celestia's sun crept out from behind Mount Hoover. Dawn could hear her parents shuffling around down stairs for their breakfast. "Might as well join them." She quietly mumbled to herself. Squinting at the new day with dread she turned around to head to the kitchen. Dawn's parents were sitting at the table reading the paper in a calm and serine state when Dawn walked in on them. "Good morning." Dawn croaked. "Good morning!" Dawn's mother cheered with a contained shriek of surprise. "What are you doing up this early?" Dawn's father asked as Dawn sat down igniting her horn to summon her breakfast from the recently restocked cupboards. "Can't sleep, figured I would join you." Her parent's faces were dressed with an assortment of emotions ranging from surprise to worry. It was rare to see Dawn up this early but even rarer to see her willing to be sociable. "Is everything alright Dawn?" Her father asked. "More or less." Dawn was concentrating on her cereal to milk ratio. Satisfied with her filled bowl she looked up at her clearly worried parents, who had put down their papers. "How do you know when you love some one?" She asked casually before opening her mouth for a spoonful of cereal. "Who are you talking about honey?" Her mother asked with a small sigh of relief. No buildings were destroyed in the wee hours of the morning. "Well love is a funny thing Dawn. It does different things to different ponies." Her father said, looking at Dawn with knowing eyes. "So I can only speak for myself." He then turned to his wife. "When I look at your mother I feel like I could bend the world for her." The pair cooed to each other sweet nothings out of ear shot from Dawn. Something told her she didn't want to hear them. "Love can be a really scary thing, but it can also be really wonderful at the same time." Dawn's father continued, now looking back at his daughter weighing his words with a scale made of his hooves. "Who are you talking about honey?" Her mother asked again. "April." "Aww, April Showers? She's such a nice young mare." Dawn's father clearly grasped Dawn's situation before her mother. He coughed to interrupt her from her admirations. "Dawn? Did you break it off with this girl?" Dawn's mother gave a little gasp once she caught up to what was happening. She gave a glassy eyed look that was full of sympathy over to Dawn. "No, she wants to try a 'long distance relationship', but... in the process of telling me this she told me she loved me." "I'm starting to get the picture Honey Buns." Her father smiled, his face still dressed with those knowing eyes. "Unfortunately this is something you will just have to figure out for yourself. But for me I knew when I started to loose every bit of my rationality concerning your mother." "I see..." Dawn didn't like the idea of that. "Don't let it scare you Honey. Love is a wonderful thing and when you are with the ponies you love you are capable of incredible things." Her father chimed in as if listening to Dawn's thoughts. "My husband, The Romantic." Dawn's mother kissed her husband behind his ears causing his wing flare up. Dawn rolled her eyes at the sight. "Right... Thanks." "Any time Honey you know that." Her mother cheered. Dawn's parents resumed reading their papers while Dawn enjoyed the silence of the early morning with the rest of her cereal. Eventually she cleaned up her bowl and walked out to her backyard. She basked in the warmth of the new day. Everything was wet with dew, giving a glistening glow to the entire backyard including the small garden in the corner. Dawn walked over to her flower garden, taking in deep breaths off the dew laden air. Her parents had no green hoof to speak of so this was good-bye. No pony would be taking care of these flowers while she was gone. Dawn laid down tucking her forelegs under her chest. How often will I be able to come back home? She looked over her flowers and gave out a heavy sigh. Dawn had never minded change when it came to her on her terms but this time it felt like it all was rolling out of control. Dawn's thoughts slipped to April. Twenty-four hours ago she didn't even give the mare a second thought but now... Now she was all Dawn could think about. Would I bend the world for her? What does that mean? Dad is never cryptic. Why would he choose now to be. "Ugh!" Dawn rolled over to her back to gaze at the blank sky. The sky was her color. Wait... no she was the sky's color. She shut her eyes in hopes of also shutting down her brain. She wiggled on the soft dirt of her garden for a second before letting out a labored sigh and teleporting to her room so she could get ready for the day. After a long bath, Dawn packed all the pictures she wanted. There's none of her. "I don't think I own any pictures of her." She mumbled in response to herself. Why would I have any of her? Dawn looked around her room and spotted an old wooden box that she had kept little trinkets in. The type of trinkets that she had gathered as a little filly and nostalgia prevented her from throwing away. Then she took note of the letter Twilight sent her that has gone un-answered. Her mind spun out of control leaving her behind as an idea came to her. What if... Her horn flared up, grabbing a piece of paper and summoning her quill and some ink from her 'bank'. "What if..." Dawn poured over the blank paper as her quill danced along it writing runes and equations. The quill danced more feverishly than ever before as her idea came to fruition on the page in the form of symbols and calculations that covered it. I need to try this. She called the box over with her magic. It emptied itself in transit, making a mess of her room. She set the box down in front of her. With her magic she engraved on the box a number of shapes and runes covering majority of its surface. It has to be perfect. Dawn stepped back to observe her carvings. Satisfied with her work, she lit up her horn and started to weave all her magic into a spell. Her pink aura quickly became blinding and soon enveloped her as she poured more and more magic into her horn. It wasn't long before the ground below her started to shake, reacting to the amount of magic being pooled. It needs more... Dawn strained as she pulled more magic from her magic well. The very light around her wavered, her horn felt like it was about to snap from the sheer intensity of the magic she was pumping into it. It needs more! Her books around her room started to fall from their shelves as the floor below her began to shake violently. Perfect. She focused all the magic she had weaved and gathered at the wooden box. The spell went off, letting out a scream of energy bellow throughout the house. She could feel the magic penetrating the box. Her magic was splitting it. Splinter by splinter the box ripped into two. Dawn felt dizzy. She blinked hard as she fell to the ground. Did it work? She tried to get up to look properly but her body was refusing. Pain shot down her spine and through to every single muscle she owned. She blinked harder, just to clear her vision a little. Then she saw it. Two wooded boxes lay before her. Her eyes closed as she slipped into unconsciousness, smiling triumphantly. --- Noticing the house was about to tear itself apart, Dawn's parents flew up stairs with the dexterity and speed that would make the cream of the Wonderbolts shudder in awe. Sturdy burst through the door not dealing with pesky door knobs. The parents were greeted with a messy room. Every single book that once adorned their daughter's walls was on the ground and in the center of it all, a fainting pink unicorn. Ever Watch dove to catch her daughter as Dawn slipped from consciousness. The pink unicorn had a smile on in her sleep. Dawn's mother looked up to her husband with pleading eyes. Sturdy motioned to the center of the room. There were two wooden boxes laying in front of Dawn, identical in every way. In the grooves carved into it glowed with a faint pink aura which they recognized as their daughter's magic. Sturdy picked up his daughter and placed her on the bed. They knew it was magic fatigue. They have seen it before. The pair looked down at the passed out unicorn with looks of worry before turning around to see their son in the doorway surveying the room as they did. He too put the pieces together once spotting the sleeping pink mare. They left Dawn alone to her sleep in silence, knowing full well that they wouldn't be able to wake her up even if they tried. ------ When Dawn woke up from her dreamless sleep she was on the back of her father. His wings were supporting her as they walked down the street. "Oh good your awake, we were afraid you weren't going to be awake to say good bye." Her entire body burned numbly. She tried to move but her limbs refused to cooperate. "Don't you dare try moving oh daughter of mine." Her father said as he straitened his wings, putting greater support under her. Dawn looked around, moving only her eyes. It burned to do so but not as much as it would have if she choose to move her neck. She spotted what was on her mothers back. Her sack full of pictures, her pillow and a small red lunch sack. "My boxes." She mumbled, quietly. It was hard to speak. "Your boxes?" "I need those..." Dawn groaned. "Turn around..." She managed to speak more clearly only grimacing from the effort. "I can go get them. The glowy ones right?" Dawn's brother eagerly asked from beyond her sight. "I think so dear." Answered her mother. Dawn heard a gust of wind. She assumed it was her brother taking off back to their house. They were glowing? "What in Equestria were you trying to do?" Her father asked. "I don't know... bend the world?" She whispered. "Honey I didn't mean that literally." He chuckled with pride. "You nearly destroyed the house let alone the fact that you 'did' destroy your room." "I'm sorry..." Dawn whispered, weakly. Dawn's mother nuzzled her daughter affectionately. "We get to brag that 'Our' daughter can in fact bend the world now." "Good point." Dawn's father laughed. "Dawn is that you?" Cried out a voice from above. Dawn heard somepony land beyond her sight. "What happened?" It was April. "Well hello Miss Showers. Our daughter decided to use up all her magic at once. Did you feel the earth quake?" Her father was acting very nonchalant. "That was her? Is she alright?" April flew over to land on the other side of Dawn. April's eyes were welling with concern. "She'll be fine. She has a six hour train ride to rest." Her mother assured, giving room for the sky blue pegasus to get closer. I doubt I'll recover that fast. "What were you trying to do? Blow up the city as a going away present?" April asked, nervously chuckling. "Please! Don't give her any ideas." Her parents chided the sky blue pegasus. Dawn looked up at April with tired eyes. "I love you." She whispered. At least I think. "You... you do?" April briefly looked shocked then only expressed unfiltered, uncut happiness. She fluttered in the air before diving towards Dawn for a hungry kiss on the lips. She was oblivious to her surroundings. It hurt to return April's affections but Dawn gave every effort. Then reality snapped back to April like a high strung rubber band. "Oh sorry..." She said as she landed back on the ground next to Dawn's side, blushing at her own outburst. Dawn's parents laughed at the mare's discomfort. "I got them!" Metal cheered. Dawn's brother gently set the two boxes on his mother's back with the rest of Dawn's stuff. "What are they? They're kinda heavy." He asked, still catching his breath as he landed. "They're a present for April." Dawn mumbled, softly. "For me?" "Yah I enchanted them..." She was having trouble holding in air to talk properly. "You can put anything in one of the boxes... and then retrieve it from the other." "Whoa! Can you make me a pair?" asked Metal. "She nearly destroyed the house and she drained all her magic making those and you want her to do it again?" Her father asked, sounding annoyed. "You made those for us?" April looked at the glowing boxes with new found interest. "You take one and... I'll take the other." Her chest was pounding demanding her to stop talking. "This way we can... send letters, pictures... and stuff to each other faster than normal." April was staring at Dawn in awe. She swooped in for another kiss. This time it was more family appropriate. "Thank you." Dawn could only muster a weak smile in return. Her chest was on fire. They were in the station by this point. "Where do you want to sit?" Dawn's father asked as the entire group boarded the train. Dawn couldn't answer or move. April motioned by the window on the southern side. "That way she can watch the scenery." Her father bent low to gently slide his daughter on the seat. "Are you sure it's okay for us to just leave her like this?" April asked, with a worry stricken face. Her mother was loading her baggage up on the storage compartment above Dawn. "I don't think we've seen her this drained before but she'll bounce back once she can feed herself." She set the two boxes on the table along with the lunch sack. "I packed her a chocolate milkshake made with heavy whipping cream." Metal gagged at the mention of the dairy treat. "Gotta get those calories back into her some how." Her father shrugged at his son. "I'm going to go talk to the conductor. I'll be right back." Dawn was curled up in a ball on the train bench motionless. Her eyes were half open. "I'll join you." Her parents and brother left the car in search of the conductor leaving April and Dawn alone. April jumped on the opportunity and curled up next to Dawn to whisper into Dawn's ear, "I love you, and thank you so much for the box. It means a lot to me." She giggled lightly. "I can't wait to show it to those jealous hussies that interrupted our lunch yesterday." She devilishly snickered as she relished the thought. Every inch of her was burning intensely. Dawn wanted to move just enough to hug, kiss, nuzzle, or do anything for the mare next to her. Her body refused to cooperate as she lay curled up on the bench. "How would you like to be laying?" She asked. It might as well been rhetorical as April pushed Dawn's useless limbs into what looked like a comfortable position. "Alright Dawn." Her father bellowed across the car as he reentered. "I asked the conductor to check up on you in three hours. He's a unicorn so he sympathizes." Once making it over to Dawn, he bent over her momentarily. "You will write us." He added with a gentle tone of authority. "What he means is, you write us when you can Honey." Dawn's mother nuzzled her daughter who was now spread out across the entire bench. "Give the princesses our best." Dawn's father leaned forward again to give her a quick kiss on the forehead "And try not to blow up the capital." He said, half jokingly. Metal and April giggled at this. He straitened himself up to join in the light laughter. "I'll see you later my little Highlighter" "Yep, catch you later you disgusting milk drinker." Metal added. "Highlighter? What's wrong with milk?" April was struggling with the name calling. She looked down to a motionless Dawn for answers as the family left the train. She found none. She bent down to Dawn to give her another loving kiss. "I love you." Dawn whispered with a mysterious strength that had come from out of no where. She was grateful for being able to say it though. It felt new and different on her lips to say. April offered another kiss and than straitened up to grab one box with her mouth. She slowly made the motion to leave the train just as it started to move. Dawn's eye lids never felt so heavy. All noise and motion fell still as she embraced sweet sleep. ----- "Miss, you need to wake up. I made a promise I intend to keep." The conductor was gently tapping Dawn on the shoulder. "Whoo weeee! She's out cold. What do ya think? She must've had one heck of a party!" "I was told this was magic fatigue..." the conductor curtly corrected, doubting himself as no response came from Dawn. "Is that a fancy name for a hangover for you unicorns?" "Errr... No... Miss please wake up you need to eat something." Dawn groaned as life swept through her body. Everything ached with a numb pain but she could move now. She could feel her magic returning to her with every passing heart beat, slowly but surely. She got up on her quarters without opening her eyes. "Yikes! Shes alive, heh ya had us for a fright." "Miss your father was adamant that I have you to drink your 'Milkshake'." "Milkshake? For a hang over? That's just profound..." "Thank you mister..." Dawn opened her eyes to see a butter colored unicorn with a conductors hat and red neckerchief around his neck. "Whistle, Steam Whistle at your service." He bowed a little exposing his brown mane. "Well, thank you for waking me up. If you could do me one last favor I would be grateful." "Anything ma'am what can I do for you?" "In that red sack is a canister. Could you open it for me? I'm afraid I'm useless without magic." "Sure thing ma'am" A pale yellow aura unwrapped the red sack revealing a metal canister coated in condensation and a bag cherries . The yellow aura than gripped the silver container opening the lid and lifting it to the mare. "Thanks." Dawn said weakly before taking a greedy gulp of the creamy shake. Her mother could burn a pot of water but she had learned to make a mean milkshake over the years. "Well good to see some color return to you. Now if you would excuse me, nobody is driving the train." The conductor chuckled to himself as he walked out of the car. "So are you tellin me that milkshakes cure hangovers just like that?" Asked another yellow stallion who was sitting across the car from her. He had flowing golden mane and single red apple for a cutie mark. "I doubt it would but I'm sure it would help." Dawn took another gulp of the whipping cream enhanced goodness. "But if you're implying I am hung over you would be making false implications." "Impluh what now? I meant no offense little lady. We just saw some flyin folk dump ya in here from the other car and we came on over to investigate." Dawn rolled her eyes in mid gulp as she finished off her life giving elixir. "That would be my family and fillyfriend." She was stretching her legs under the table when she noticed her wooden box right where her mother had left it. It was glowing a faint pink in the grooves that she had inscribed on it. "Ya adopted family?" Dawn let out an exhausted sigh. "No my real family..." She reached out with her hooves to pull the box closer. It is heavier. She opened it and much to her joy there was a letter inside. She pulled the letter free from the box with her teeth and then slowly unfolded it with her hooves. It is a miracle non unicorns can do anything at all... The letter was in girlish but sloppy writing. Dear Dawn. Test. Test one. Test two. Test three. Test onomatopoeia. I hope you had a lovely and restful nap. I had brunch with your family, your room is totally destroyed by the way, and I told them I'll send any letters they want to send you through this box. That is if this thing works... What am I saying? Of course it does. It was made by a unicorn that can shake the ground and the sky. I got to admit I kinda already miss you. Yesterday was amazing for me I think every other day will be dull in comparison. I'm going to work extra hard so I can get into Canterlot University and be with you. Write me back soon. Love, April PS. you read this yet? PPS am i doing something wrong? PPPS I hope this works... PPPPS are you still asleep? Dawn smiled at the all post scripts. She felt for her magic briefly. Dawn still didn't have enough spare magic to use basic telekinesis yet. Looking around she noticed the yellow earth pony was still studying her, making her cringe involuntarily. She tucked her letter under the box before pulling the bag of cherries over with her hoof only to pick them up with her teeth. She scooted off the bench to land on her hooves. A dull pain rippled through her body as her hooves touched ground. Dawn had a destination in mind involving a stool and alcohol. She trotted to the bar car with a bag full of cherries dangling from her mouth. "Good afternoon Miss..." The barkeep was looking down at the familiar pink unicorn. "Where are we headed this time?" He asked with a smile. "Canterlot, I would love a beer if you don't mind." Dawn said after spitting out the cherries on the counter. "Starting a bit early are we?" The barkeep chuckled as he bent down to get a beer. What time was it? Dawn looked over to the clock behind the barkeep. "No earlier than last time. I'm trying to get some calories in me if you have a better idea other than a nice dark ale then I am all ears." She said. She unwrapped the bag of cherries with her hoofs. Why did I do this to myself... "Well I could make you a sundae if you want." Dawn's eyes looked up at the barkeep as if he was Celestia herself blessing her child. "I'll take that as a yes, what flavor you want? I got chocolate and vanilla." He said as he ducked back down behind the counter with the bottle of beer he had gotten for her. "Chocolate. Thank you so much. When I get my magic back I am so going to give you an epic tip." The barkeep chuckled. His horn's aura was now scooping ice cream into a plastic bowl. He summoned chocolate syrup from under the counter and bathed the unsuspecting scoops of ice cream. He then broke out the whipped cream. Dawn's stomach growled at the sight of the barkeep covering the ice cream, letting none of the chocolaty goodness show through. "There you go hope that's enough calories to earn that 'epic tip'." He set the whipped cream mountain in front of her setting a silver spoon next to it. "Ahh horse apples..." I didn't think how I was actually going to eat it. She groaned at the revelation and pushed the spoon into her fetlock joint. She was going have to eat it filly style. She awkwardly scooped up some ice cream and then brought it to her face. The spoonful of mostly whipping cream smashed into her face. Close enough... She licked the crashed remnants off her coat and went in for another scoop. This time it made it to her mouth, much to her joy, with only minor causalities. Oh the throes of non-magic ponies. The sight of the pink unicorn spilling all over herself was quite the sight for the barkeep. In attempts to stifle his laughter he sought conversation. "So miss why are you off to Canterlot?" he asked half laughing at the latest successful bite with less spillage. Dawn swallowed the sugary goodness. "I'm becoming Luna's personal student." She said, indifferently. Dawn was deep in concentration as she scooped in more ice cream to her mouth. The barkeep nearly choked on his laughter. "Luna, as in Princess Luna?" He finally managed to say through his stifled laughter. "Oh, yah Princess sorry..." She returned with a full mouth. So good. The waves of magic inside her grew stronger with every bite. That milkshake was working her way through her body now. She held up the silver spoon as if to inspect it. She concentrated on her magic inside her. I just want to use my telekinesis. That's all I want. A Dark pink mare walked on to the bar car and took a seat next to the light pink unicorn. The chocolate covered unicorn had her eyes closed holding out a silver spoon with a spare hoof. "I would love a light beer please." The new arrival said to the barkeep. "Sure thing Miss." The barkeep was studying the pink unicorn who was in deep concentration, before ducking his head below the counter to fetch a beer. Dawn's magic seeped out of her horn as she searched around for the spoon she was holding in front of her. "HA!" She opened her eyes to see a now levitating silver spoon. Given how much magic she had at the moment it was a grand accomplishment. The spoon now dug into the sundae with the dexterity and accuracy of a practiced surgeon. A loud thud sounded from below the counter in response to Dawn's outburst. The barkeep nursed the back of his head as he rose from behind the counter with a beer for the dark pink mare sitting next to Dawn. Dawn took notice of the mare. She had a dark pink coat, a wavy light pink mane and three white flowers on her flank. It reminded her of April. "Thanks, are you alright?" The other mare asked, taking the open bottle from the barkeep's aura of magic with a hoof. The barkeep, still rubbing the back of his head, saw Dawn's spoon that was quickly finishing off the rest of her sundae. "Congratulations." He deadpanned. "Ha, I am the most powerful unicorn in all Equestria!" She boasted, pounding her now free hoof against her chest. "Clearly." The barkeep chuckled at her. "Doesn't that title belong to Twilight Sparkle?" The dark mare corrected. Dawn erupted into laughter as the beard party came to mind. "Indeed!" She cheered, before levitating the sundae bowl to her mouth to lick clean. The dark pink mare grimaced as the pink unicorn rife with ill-manners, licked clean her sundae bowl. "Well despite this little ones appearance she is apparently going to Canterlot to study under Princess Luna herself." The barkeep said. "Uhh really?" The dark pink mare looked at Dawn with a disbelieving curiosity. Dawn nearly fell off her stool in attempts to get the last bit of ice cream from the bowl. "Honest, that's what she said." The barkeep said, turning to Dawn for an explanation. Dawn was covered in ice cream. She put down the licked clean bowl and surveyed the car properly. There were two pairs of eyes looking to her for answers. "Uhhh, do you think you could spare a napkin and some water?" The barkeeps magic flared up as he got her a glass of water and a cloth. "Thanks." She willed the now moist cloth to scrub along her body getting all the whipped cream and chocolate, finishing with her face. "I will never use up all my magic like that again." She said from under the scrubbing cloth. She felt fresh, new even, as her damp coated evaporated. "I've seen ponies with more resolve come in and say similar things but they always fall back into their habits." The barkeep said, staunchly. "Of course they were talking about something completely different." Dawn, now free from the cloth's scrubbing, looked at the barkeep as he kept his gaze at her. "I suppose your right I've done it before this time and I'll likely do it again." Of course this time it was for her... She gave a thousand yard stare behind the barkeep as she pondered on what exactly she did for April. She then willed her horn up to retrieve her purse form her 'bank'. It plopped on the counter giving a hint to its contents. It was with far less grace than she could normally muster up. "The sundae was on the house Hun. For the show you gave me and those mares last time you were in here." "Oh, Well thank you..." She willed a ten bit piece to fly into his tip jar. He is a nice pony, he deserves it. "I could use a nap... Thank you again." She belched before she left the bar car, leaving all the other pony's questions behind. She found the bench her father had placed her on and her wooden box with a letter below it. I'll write her back now before I take a nap. She stretched out the letter and turned it over to the blank side. She pulled her quill and ink pots from the bank and had the quill dip it self. What do I write?