//------------------------------// // Episode 7: Beyond What Lies Ahead // Story: Thunder and Magic: Season 1 // by Rapane443 //------------------------------// The day was ceased by the colt of the hour as Darklo equipped a saddle bag from the banister with a giddy grin. It had taken a lot of scheduling between himself, Twilight, Applejack and Zecora but they were finally able to pick out the right date for himself and Applebloom to visit Zecora for a special lesson. And it just so happened that the day was today! He took a few moments to check all the contents inside the bag: capsules of ink, piles of paper and some quills for fresh sign painting, the signature 'Clover Memory Book' to document his knowledge, bottles of water for hydration and a lunch box filled with an assortment of vegetables. Darklo nodded to himself that everything was in place, closed the bag and left the house to the border of the forest to meet his guardians en route. Eventually, the colt reached its destination. Skidding to a halt in front of the mares, a trail of electricity in his wake. "Sorry I'm a little late, just some last minute preparations but everything's in order now." Darklo said. Twilight gave him a knowing smile. "Really now, or was it just an excuse to use more of your tricks?" The electricity that powered the colt, vanished to hide how true those words were. Applebloom smirked gleefully. "Wouldn't be the first time he pulled a stunt like that." Darklo chuckled nervously, sweat beading from his coat. "Cut me some slack girls, can't blame me for wanting to keep practising." "Settle down little colt, they are only pulling your tail," Zecora said, beckoning the young foals to follow her, "besides, the day is young and Twilight has a parade to organise for tomorrow so hit the trail." Both of them nodded and stuck by Zecora as they entered the forest for the hundredth time. 99 times more than statistically possible but the two most adventure seeking kids would take that achievement with stride. Twilight watched as they dissipated into the greenery and hardened her gaze towards Ponyville. The unicorn was honestly conflicted about letting Darklo visit on this day specifically, given that they would most likely stay during the parade, avoiding the chance of the colt seeing the Princesses again. Still, the colt was very excited about finding a suitable time and this was the earliest one. While deep in thought, Applejack gently patted her back in support. "Don't worry 'bout them sugarcube, Ah'm sure they will enjoy what Zecora has for them, let's just make sure the parade is in order and do our best!" The encouraging words were rather successful as Twilight smiled thankfully towards her friend. "You're right Applejack, the Princesses come first, and by Celestia's name, I wont let them down. With me at the helm, nothing could possibly go wrong!" The lavender unicorn galloped down the hill towards her home with Applejack in tow, ready to check on Pinkie Pie's progress on the baked goods. Her friend is right, nothing could possibly go wrong! Zecora's hut was as mystical and atmospheric as the last time they visited. In fact, it had been doubled since everything was cleaned up after the irrational fiasco Twilight's friends were responsible for. The two foals sat beside each other and while the filly was practically vibrating on the couch, Darklo was still as a statue, awaiting Zecora's words. "Now then children, to be your guides throughout the day, I must inquire what you would wish to learn or improve on. So speak your minds without delay." The introductory order surprisingly threw the colt through a loop. It was obvious that they would be working on different things but he had predicted that Zecora already knew what to do, given how confident she looked when she presented the idea. It resulted in a few blinks of confusion from him before resting his front hoof on his chin to think. Applebloom meanwhile, already had her mind set up. "Ah wanna learn how to do what Darklo can, all that stuff he does with those magical runes looks so fun!" The goofy grin the apple filly held suddenly broke for a second. "But Ah haven't gotten anythin' to work so far... but Darklo has done nothin' but continues to support me. So if it's somewhat possible, Ah'm gonna do it!" Zecora nodded understandingly and turned to meet Darklo's eyes which lit up in gentle sparks. "Unfortunately, the arts of your runic magic isn't something I'm familiar with. However," The wise zebra walked to the front door and took a long bamboo stick that rested beside the frame, "a few of my exercises should breath a different light into your plights, I'll get them ready in a spiff." And so Zecora left her hut to prepare whatever session she had cooked up for them, leaving the foals alone. The silence, although calming to the colt, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in the air. "Darklo?" Applebloom said, her voice a little shakey. "Uhm, yeah?" "Are ya sure this will work?" Darklo responded by patting her side. "Really sure, I've already done the calculations. Magic is in all of us so using them is possible, it's just easier for me cause this little guy"- the colt tapped at the edge of his horn- "makes the process simple." "But what if you're wrong?" Darklo paused, staring at the filly with concern. She had been so cheerful and eager a moment ago, so he had no idea why it would flip so quickly. "What if y'er talk about 'bolstering ma muscles to push the magic out' isn't possible. Ah...Ah really wanna do this, seeing all the wondrous stuff ya can do, I thought learning it would deepen our friendship like never before. Y-Y'er my first friend Darklo... Ah just want somethin' I can talk about with you and this was the best option." She averted her gaze to the floor, looking at her hooves in thought. "And hey, if we're lucky, we can get our cutie marks doin' this together... Ah just wish Ah could see some sort of progress." Darklo could do nothing but watch his best friend spit all of her concerns out like an open faucet. His first friend his age, somepony who could understand him and his strive for self empowerment just broke down in front of him. And what pained him the most was that he recognised this before. -Flashback Lux had awoken in an area he was very familiar with. A desk full of historic scrolls, lines of bookshelves that stocked books of varying colour and sizes. Man, I really gotta stop with the late night study sessions. He thought to himself before sitting up and stretched his aching muscles, resulting in a satisfying sensation coming from his body. Once he finished, the student checked the clock and the window to his left which showed the moon lowering itself into the horizon and the hands revealing the time. 6:42. A sigh escapes his mouth and he power walked out of the library and into the hollow hallways. In just a few more minutes,the lights will switch on and the speakers will goad everyone awake for preparation of their breakfast and first lesson at 8:00. As long as he got back to his room, no one would know about his very unhealthy sleeping positions in the library. Unfortunately, something else caught his eye. There was someone by their room, ass on the floor while sobbing in the fetal position. Already up? Dude must be stressing about the practical test... Lux checked his phone in his pocket and saw 6:45. Eh, 15 minutes before the day begins. Guess I got time. So with his goals in order, he carefully walked towards the person and knelt beside him. "Hey, bud. Something on your mind?" "Huh?" The person wiped his tears and looked up at Lux. Unfortunately, his memory was hazy about this particular person besides his squeaky male voice, so he only recalled the chat they shared. "Oh, Lux. What's Mr 'I'm so perfect' doing out here before morning hours?" "Let's just say I slept in the wrong place. What about you? Scared of the exam today?" "Well duh, it's literally an elimination process. Failure will get us expelled from here!" "Look pal, as long as you stick with what you have learned, you will ace it. No use feeling like a failure before it even begins-" "YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND!" His voice boomed throughout the halls, which made a few lights appear under some of the apartment doors. "You just don't... could you stop and listen to yourself? How can someone like me, who can only throw earth pellets pass a test like a mock battle against freaks like you that blow shit up like it's second nature!" Lux had found out the sheer difference that the student was trying to tell him. He focused everything on getting better and training his mind, yet he never took the time to see what everyone else was doing.It would be cheating if I peeped on their progress was his line of thought, but that mock battle truly showed him the grim difference between himself and most of his class. Just one stream of fire was all it took to defeat that student. And it was supposed to be a warning shot too. It was at that moment that the child had realised that the top was a lonely spot, yet he had to keep going. This was his life and he wasn't about to let it go. End Flashback Fortunately, Darklo had something that Lux didn't in that scenario. Experience. So with a long exhale, he smiled at her. "Bloom, no matter what transpires during today, you need to know that you're still my friend. The fact that you are taking things so far just to know me a little more is something I haven't seen from anypony. So believe me, that drive, that determination WILL make it all worth the wait." To lighten the mood, Darklo decided to boop her on the snout, resulting in her face to scrunch up adorably. "Now show me that Apple family resolve I've grown to respect!" The room fell quiet once more, but Darklos gaze softened when he felt that sense of unease lift itself away, looking at Applebloom who grinned thankfully. "Thanks Darklo, guess Ah really needed that." "No need to thank me, that's what friends are for." Finally, Zecora returned, which got the foal's attention. "I have finished all the tribulations for the two of you, now follow me and we shall begin the lesson in just a few." And so they nodded at each other, resolve filling their bodies as they followed their teacher to the lesson. Darklo honestly wasn't expecting a method of training like this. At that moment, he was in the center of a small pond with only one leg latched to the water, the other was crisscrossed which forced the colt to maintain balance and focus. Of course, such an exercise would be easy to complete but what made it difficult was the fact that he had two bubbles of water encased in his magic, circling his head. The strain to his horn wasn't much, but it was enough to irritate his muscles and it kept the colt in constant discomfort. Along with the slippery motion the mud had underneath his only hoof supporting his balance, he had to maintain significantly more effort. Applebloom on the other hand, was on more solid ground, if balancing your head on the bud of a bamboo stick counted as 'solid ground'. The stick was wobbling rhythmically and the filly wasn't holding up much better if her sweating coat and fearful swaying gave anything away. And by the bank of the pond lay Zecora, studying the writings in the 'Clover's Memory Book' analytically. "Hmm, the volume of runes that can be achieved is really astonishing young Darklo, are you able to use all 20 as you say so?" Darklo shut his eyes even harder, opening his mouth to speak with sheer concentration. "With varying levels of effect yes." "And they all work with the primary construction of a rune specified to them, along with a line of connection between the mind, body and soul... though, I can see merit in these factors, the body portion confuses me. If magic is how these runic signs activate like you say, what does it have to do with the body then?" Darklo raised an eyebrow at that... until it clicked, and drops of liquid escaped the water bubbles. He was thinking about it wrong. He was still thinking like Lux. Manipulating the channels directly was impossible in the old world, which is why the focus for alchemy training was strengthening the body, to allow easier access to their channels. But here, magic is a logistical factor that can influence those channels. Because the channels ARE magic. It almost baffled him that he didn't even consider the possibility which, now that he thought about it, made a lot of sense. Every time he had used alchemy, he had the same feeling as when he used magic, just without his horn. "Huh... to be honest, I never thought of that. I just assumed that's how it went 'cause improving those three specifically was what helped me awaken my abilities." Darklo replied, both happy that a potentially demeaning misconception had been corrected and frustrated for the same thing. "H-hold on, so does that mean-" "Mhm indeed, perhaps the fault for young Applebloom's struggle with the runic arts didn't lie with her more, but instead, was at the fault of the mentor." That was the final nail in the coffin. Darklo's eyes shot open and the mud gave way, flipping his body backwards and landed in the puddle with a heavy splash. Moments after, the bubbles of water broke from their magical hold and drenched the colt's face. "D-Darklo, are ya okay?" Applebloom asked worriedly, hopping off her position to pick him up. The mud seeped into the filly's coat as Darklo averted his shook gaze towards the ground. "Darklo?" "Heh, well what do you know?" An effortless chuckle escaped his dry lips, attempting to prevent tears breaking from his eyes. "All this time, you were giving everything for this friendship... how ironic is it that I wasn't putting in that same effort? I mean, I should know how this power works inside and out and yet I messed this up and led you on." Silence filled the jungle as Zecora watched the two in contemplation. But it all faded once the apple filly laughed wholeheartedly, leaving Darklo to send his brain into factory reset. "Wait... what the- hey why are you laughing?!" "Hehehehe~, Darklo. Didn't we just have this conversation a few hours ago?" Applebloom said cheerfully, cupping her hoof to Darklo's wet cheek and directing his gaze to meet hers. "This friendship goes two ways. So who cares that either of us make mistakes? The fact is still that we are in this together and we WILL keep doin' things together so long as we have the strength to do it. Ah'm certain that Ah wanna keep at it, so are YA willin' to keep teachin' me?" The sense of deja vu was not lost on Darklo as the tears finally cascaded downwards and merged with the pond water, yet he couldn't help but smirk. "Heh, sorry bout that. Guess I still have a lot to learn, especially with you." And with that, the foals hugged it out which relieved the spectating zebra. "So now with both of you on the same page, I believe it's time for you to put your respective strengths onto the stage." The next day had arrived but it didn't stop the foals from their current objective. Darklo had made valiant progress since yesterday, hovering 5 water bubbles as he walked around the grounds. Applebloom on the other hand, had her hooves planted into the mud while in the center of a runic symbol of an upside down triangle with a line cutting through it horizontally. "Alright Bloom, it's all about your magic. Earth ponies are all about physical power, so just think about how you feel when you're bucking a tree. Remember the tenseness in your muscles, the adrenaline of the impact and the resilience to see it through... on 3." Applebloom focused intensely at the painted symbol, front hooves rearing to be let loose and once she heard that 3, she reeled back and slammed them into the floor. At first, nothing occurred like every other time. But before a groan could escape their mouths, the sign glowed an orange light and in place of it was an earth wall that reached the lowest branches of the forest. Their mouths were left agape at the sight for a few moments until it broke into excited laughter, rushing towards each other in an aggressive hug. At last, there was progress and unlike before, they were on the same page. "Wow... Ah can't believe it. It really is possible. Yahoo!" Applebloom giddily hopped around the equally happy colt like Pinkie Pie would, along with a sing-song voice. "We're gonna get our cutie marks, we're gonna get our cutie marks~" She paused for a moment to check her flank, only to find nothing at all. "Aww... and I thought that was work." "Eh, lets not get too hasty, it will happen eventually. Lets just enjoy the moment." Darklo gave her a resolute nod which the filly obliged. "Yeah, Ah guess you're right. Just wish ya could say that to Diamond Tiara..." "Diamond Tiara. Whose that?" Applebloom face fell into a grimace, surprising Darklo. "She's a bully from a rich background. Most towards me and other blank flanks." "You mean ponies without cutie marks?" "Yeah! Ah just don't know what her deal is." The filly paused, almost as if completing a really tough puzzle. "Actually, are ya even in school?" "..." "Ah take that as a no?" "..." "Ya really need to talk to Twilight about that." "Fair enough." Darklo agreed as they eventually walked back to Zecora's hut to tell her the good news. She had congratulated them with a celebratory meal. As Darklo took a bite out of some home made pasta, the colt had pondered a few things. The idea of school would certainly help him out with the general knowledge he may have missed, but also... Oh yeah, Twilight's letter, today is technically her deadline day. And with the parade happening, there's no way something could need fixing. Guess I should take that load off her shoulders. So with that, he took out his quill and paper to write something when he goes home in a few minutes. Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Throughout my time here, many ponies have praised me for the special tools I possess and frankly, I've grown to understand how much it's gotten to my head. I thought that because I was the only one to use it in practice, I understood everything about it. I was wrong. If it weren't for some wise criticism and a very determined friend of mine, I think things could've gone poorly for my friendships. So I guess the lesson of the week is to always believe you can do better. Even in areas you believe you're best at. From your fearless colt, Darklo "And done!" The colt folded the paper and placed it back in his saddlebag. "So with that, I think it's time we head back. I didn't expect we would make so much progress, but now that we have," Darklo nodded towards his friend, "I think we will check out the parade now." Both of them fled from their seats and the colt flew the empty plates into the sink with his magic before they got to the door. "Thanks f'er everythin' Zecora!" "No problem my little foals, it warms my heart to see how enthusiastic you both are towards achieving your goals." They smiled at her for their final goodbye and they prepared to open the door only for it to suddenly shoot open, slamming the foals into the wall with a thud. "Zecora! I need your help." Twilight came barreling inside with a weird round fly creature in her teeth, while Darklo and Applebloom held their heads to alleviate the pain. You know what? Shouldn't have jinxed it, of course something would need fixing when I'm away... Oh well, let's see what it is this time.