"Inter Planar delivery for Gabriel Arkanym!" a voice shouted across the cafeteria immediately silencing my conversation with my friends. At first people turned to look at me oddly as it was my name that had been screamed out. Within seconds everyone seemed to realize that the real question to answer was who had said my name in the first place, and why those who already had seen him were running screaming towards the doors.
As I stared at the figure I must say that I was having some difficulty in getting my head around it. Though one thought I kept having managed to prevent insanity and panic. It is just mail after all, but who the hell do I know from another plane? My friends at the table with me didn't seem quite so calm about it, but being the biggest nerds at college they weren't exactly panicking either.They were just kind of huddling together on the other side of the table and whispering to each other. Whoever its from, they either are too powerful to care how people will react to this, figured it was easier to erase everyone's memory, or simply decided no one would believe the students anyway. God I hope its the third option. Not knowing what else to do I waved at the figure and called out.
"I'm Gabriel 'Nym." The figure turned to look at me and with a head-on view I could finally see what it was. It appeared to be a small Chinese dragon with a mail-bag, just hovering a few feet off the ground. He - for the voice sounded male - had green and turquoise scales and two elk horns, but no wings and a serpentine body just like that of the Chinese dragon. I admit I began to feel rather scared, but that ridiculous thought kept on going through my head preventing anything more than some nervous twitching.
Before I knew it the creature was floating mere inches from me, staring intently into my eyes.
"Well so you are my dear boy." he suddenly exclaimed. "Its good to see you again after all these years, though I know you don't remember me. Now lets go somewhere more comfortable and private to talk alright?" He glanced around at the running and staring chaos meaningfully. Then looked down at my three friends. "You want them to come too?"
I stared at him a moment longer, my mind completely blanking.
"Um, sure I guess, they're my friends after all." I looked over to them and raised an eyebrow. They all looked scared and shook their heads in denial, still not speaking.
"Alright then. Forward!" He latched on to me and, laughing, jumped through a small portal the had coalesced above us. My friends began to scream, then the portal closed behind me, and I heard them no more.
OoOOoOOOoOOoQ
We exited in some grass by a small stream, but without a tree in sight. A small table was set up with a few chairs, tea, and scones where My impromptu expedition leader sat contentedly waving me over to join him. If he can do that so easily I really don't want to get on this guy's bad side. Might as well join him, only choice open really. I was still feeling ridiculously calm about the situation. As I examined my feelings I realized it was probably because I couldn't have stopped it if I tried. So why bother being paranoid and freaked on top of it all. Thus decided I walked over and sat down across from the dragon. He offered me some tea and began to explain while I sat sipping it.
"There isn't going to be an easy way to explain this to you so I'm just going to summarize for you." He leaned forward and watched me closely as he began. "Roughly twenty five years ago a dear immortal friend of mine was starting to go insane. After a few millennia watching your friends and family die around you and eventually replacing them with new ones who would also soon die, he'd had enough. He was more suicidally depressed than insane, but after so long no one can judge an immortal better than themselves. He knew he was done, and let the few of us other immortals know it."
He sighed, a little water entering eyes as he spoke.
"He and I devised a plan, not to bring him back, but to create a new version of himself one who perhaps would be able to suffer through the ravages of time. So after collecting a few practical memories - things like languages, some spells, and general knowledge, nothing that would actually have defined him - we erased his memories and I placed the renewed blank mind into a small brain-dead infant." I blinked and took a large gulp of the tea, refilling it myself as he continued. "This infant was raised as any normal human would have been, by loving friends and caring parents. Once he reached a certain age, the chosen knowledge would be given to him, or however much of it he desired at least. Yet there was one piece of information we knew he must never have - who he previously had been - so he would never be influenced by the actions of his past-self and would fully make his own decisions." I was in the process of draining my fourth cup of tea at this point, one of my eyes twitching slightly as I sensed what was about to come.
He reached into his mail-bag and pulled out a small glowing rainbow gem.
"He would be granted the powers of the ancient Planeswalker's, immortality, choice of body, all five colors of magic, and the spark of the Planeswalker he once was." I gulped and set down my now empty cup when I realized I had drained the entire kettle. "So Gabriel, It is now my duty to pass said gifts onto you. They are given freely, without any binding contract or expectations of you by anyone in any time or place. You may choose how much you will accept and I will respect your wishes. Do you accept these powers, blessings and curses alike?!" He suddenly thundered the last lines like they were some of the most important things he'd ever said. They certainly were important to me.
So much was buzzing through my mind at that time. There were the questions - those always came first - about my previous past, though i knew i shouldn't try and find out. More about the multiverse and The rules of the magic I was granted. I wondered about my family and friends the longest and hardest. How would they react to this? Discovering i'm actually a multi-millennia old … being… hell was I even human before this? That thought was probably one of the stranger ones that passed through. Suddenly though one overpowered all the others. I have to accept.
"I accept everything that is being offered." The dragon smiled and casually tossed me the gemstone. My hand came up hesitantly and caught it. I had never been shocked before in my life, but as the power surged through me from the gem, that is what I imagined it would have felt like. But yet it was not painful, it simply was. As the final wave of power hit me, containing the knowledge My previous self had gained in his long years, I suppose it must have scanned my mind. It knew what parts of I would accept before I had even had time to process what was happening.
It was only later that I began to understand why I had gained the Knowledge that I did. If I wanted any power I would have to be gained from my own personal power and pain, so I only learned the lowest and most basic of combat magics. I had a deep urge to help others and protect them from those who would abuse power similar to my own, thus I gained a full repertoire of healing and shield spells. I was not interested in invading the mind or enslaving others to my whim, if anyone ever served me not would be of their own free will out of trust, strong mental barriers rose up around my mind. The rest of the magic was very carefully decided upon and I still don't understand all the choices. Why be able to summon a falcon but not a hawk? Ye thats a bit of an odd one there. or what about teleportation without spacial awareness? Apparently I flat out rejected all other information about the multiverse other than the locations of a very few specific and interesting planes where I could learn much.
Regardless of which powers had been chosen and why, I had them.
"Glad to see everything went alright." The dragon started chuckling after it was all transferred. "While I would normally stay and teach a new planeswalker the ropes, you already know more than most. I would love to get to know you better but the less contact you have with your past, the better. So, ta-ta." He disappeared without so much as a flash, just the sound of air suddenly filling a vacuum. The table and pastries stayed behind. He left a simple note behind with some advice.
Find a good place to start, somewhere peaceful but with powerful magic. A place you'll be safe, but where you could live, learn, and love. But remember your family, and if you're up to it, try and explain to them. Most importantly, ask around, find people with power you can trust and see what they think you should do with your life.
There were also the addresses of a few famous and potentially helpful people, mortal and immortal alike. And vivid descriptions of their planes and recent histories.
As I looked through one seemed to stand out above the others. A little plane called Equestria.
Looking around me once, I calmly took the first step on my Journey. A farmer drove by a few hours later, scratching his head in confusion at the sight of the table, before continuing on his way. The site was otherwise still and silent. I, of course, was elsewhere.
I stood amidst the blind eternities, unflinching before them and unaffected by their chaotic pull. I stared through the Planar Divide at the land of Equestria, trying to decide just where I should begin. I already knew that for each lesson I learned here, I would feel best returning the favor by Teaching a lesson of my own in return.
But still, where to start… I knew that in truth there were really only a few options available if I was to gain their trust.
I could visit Fluttershy first, after all if they saw that she liked me, how could I possibly be a threat?
Jumping directly into Celestia's court seemed out of the question. In her own immortality she had probably dealt with other Planeswalkers before, both the good and the bad, so she was a completed toss up as to her reaction.
None of the other mane 6 really made that much sense… although Pinky probably already had a party set up for me.
So, Fluttershy it is. Without a moments hesitation, I entered Equestria.
OoOOoOOOoOOoQ
According to my memories any mortal would be forced into the form of a pony upon entry, as they were the planes dominant species. As a Planeswalker I could choose to resist the change, but seeing me in a familiar form would probably be for the best. So I let the change happen.
Before I had been decently tall, a few inches over six feet (two meters). With blue eyes, pale skin, and short brown hair. Now as I felt my body stretching unnaturally, bones breaking and reforming constantly, I wondered what I would look like now. I hoped it would end soon, thought it somehow didn't hurt, it was rather uncomfortable. I didn't have long to wait.
I appeared beside a stream in the Everfree forest, though if I looked hard I could see the edge in the distance. It felt abnormally quiet, but I really couldn't be sure given that I'd never been here before. Cautiously I took a few steps toward the stream. To my delight walking in my new body seemed to come naturally. I continued to trot over to the stream, stopping by its edge and looking down at my reflection. The water was rushing by far too quickly to get a decent view.
Breathing in, I gathered together a minimal amount of blue mana from the stream. Breathing out, the area directly in front of my became perfectly still and clear as glass.
Looking down now, I blinked in surprise. My eyes had gone a much deeper blue than before. They seemed to distort slightly the longer you looked at them, like ripples in a pond. My coat was blue also, the color of light filtered through ice in the far north. Despite these changes my mane and tail remained the same as my hair, a thick dirty brown. I was unsurprised to notice I was a unicorn, the jet black contrasting sharply with the tones of my coat. I had kinda been looking forward to flying, but since Planeswalkers used magic, a unicorn made the most sense. Besides, I could always grow wings later.
Smiling at that last thought, I turned my head to look down my back, imagining wings sprouting out. There I noticed something that had completely left my mind. My Cutie Mark! It was a circle of sparks, alternating between white, and blue. I suppose that meant my special talent was Planeswalking, it was called having the 'spark' after all. The colors likely represented two of the colors of magic. Specifically Holy, and Mental Magic. Perhaps I was only meant to specialize in those areas, leaving out Death, Nature, and Chaos magic. Somehow I felt I could live without the two more dangerous ones, and I was never particularly good at growing things.
I turned towards Fluttershy's hut and the town, now far more sure of myself, and happy with my appearance.
I exited the woods onto a path running alongside. Knowing well where it headed I stepped out and walked along it. Soon a small cottage came into view on the woodland side of the path. I turned through the fence and walked up to the door. Hesitantly I reached out and knocked lightly on the frame.
"I"ll be right there." A small voice called softly from inside. The door opened to reveal a small yellow pegasus with a pink mane. She looked at me for about a second before hiding her face behind her mane.
"Hello there miss, I'm just passing through on my way to town, I'm planning on moving here. My name's Gabriel Arkanym, you?" I remembered what had happened when she had first met Twilight, so I leaned in close to catch it the first time.
"My name is Flu-_" She said the last so quietly, but I already knew her name anyway.
"Pleased to meet you Fluttershy." I smiled at her, and thinking quickly I ran through my list of summons. Quietly I drew some green and white mana to me, crafting it into a shape behind my back. "This is my pet, Glacial, he's an arctic fox." I turned so she could see the little guy behind me. I felt somewhat bad about using a summon to fool Fluttershy, but it wouldn't be a lie for long. If I was gonna live here, I might as well make him my pet after all. Though I'd have to figure out what to feed him, might be difficult among a leading population of herbivores.
"O~oh he's so cute." She suddenly forgot her shyness and namesake at the sight of him. "Hey me and my friends were having a pet play-date later today if you'd like to join us." Her eyes scrunched up a little and a small frown spread across her face. "Then again, can you keep him from eating the others?"
'When in Rome'. Or in this case When in Equestria with a carnivorous pet. I could only think of one other case here, but I didn't feel doing exactly the same thing would work.
"Don't worry about any of them." I brought some green and a slight amount of black magic towards me and shoved it all at the fox's mouth. He didn't even seem to notice. "Smile for us Glacial." I prompted him.
He opened his mouth wide to reveal a large set of teeth. But there was something unexpected about them.
"Why doesn't he have any fangs or sharp edges?" Fluttershy seemed concerned for the little guy's health. I couldn't blame her. I'd react the same way to a carnivore with an herbivore's teeth.
"He was born this way actually. You see he's never actually been able to eat meat, he even stopped trying a few months ago. I guess he just accepted life as an herbivore." Fluttershy was positively delighted and squealed with joy.
"Oh That's lovely, I always knew it was possible for them to survive without killing. I can't wait to show him to the foxes in the Everfree! They'll finally have to believe me when I say its possible." I sent a silent apology to carnivores everywhere for what I had unwittingly unleashed upon them.
"I'm sure if anyone can change their minds, its you Fluttershy. Even after a few minutes with you I can't imagine how anyone could hate you." I smiled a little bigger as I swept my gaze over the quaint cottage and the many critters running about. Fluttershy used that time to get her blush under control.
"I was about to go over now if you'd care to join me." She called her bunny Angel over to her, and we began to walk along the path, chatting all the way.
OoOOoOOOoOOoQ
(A moment in Fluttershy's mind)
He seemed like a normal pony at first, but then that burst of magic. He created that little guy, and then changed his teeth even! I know I felt a Planeswalker entering, but I was so frightened.
I was going to try and protect everyone, but he seems so nice.
Maybe I just let him be for now?
But if he hurts my friends… Fluttershy's eyes suddenly filled with fury at the thought, then quickly calmed down.
I'll deal with it when it happens, I guess.
Please let this be the right thing to do.
Everyone deserves a chance after all, no matter how nasty they seem.
…and second chances are especially important. A small tear almost escaped at this thought before she managed to hold it back. Then she turned and continued chatting with Gabriel.
OoOOoOOOoOOoQ
We seemed to hit it off during the walk. We had a lot in common, more than I would have thought at first. Especially when it came to our love of animals.
I had always been partial to those in more hostile climates and terrain, the ones who had to work the hardest to survive. It seemed that they spent most of their lives hunting or searching for food, but what if you simplified that? What sort of emotions or level of understanding might surface if they had more time to themselves? I liked them for their untapped potential.
Fluttershy, though honestly loving of all creatures, seemed to prefer the more helpless. At least those that she viewed as helpless. She raised bunnies, squirrels, birds, and pretty much any species as long as the animal was in need. She simply enjoyed their company and loved to care for them. Almost as if she felt a need to care for them, really.
We turned into the park, and saw that everyone else was already there, just getting settled in. 4 of them were sitting under a tree, while Rainbow Dash was leaning against the trunk on one of the higher branches.
"Hey there Fluttershy, nice to see you could make it."
"Rainbow." an exasperated Twilight berated her. This only made rainbow giggle.
"Good ta see ya sugarcube, who's yer friend?" Applejack and the others were all looking at me.
*Gasp* Pinkie Pie suddenly disappeared.
"Oh deary me, I don't think we'll ever be able to understand how she manages that Twilight." Rarity noted as Twilight let out a frustrated sigh.
"Hello my name's Gabriel Arkanym. I'm hoping to move into town. I met Fluttershy on my way down the road and she told me about you girls." I giggled as I continued. "I would say its a pleasure to meet you all, but not everypony's here anymore." Pinkie Pie had had left behind what appeared to be a black outline, simply floating in mid-air. The magic around it didn't make any sense. Twilight just waved a hoof through it and it disappeared. Pinky's even stranger than I thought she'd be.
"Yes, well Pinkie has a routine she always goes through with for new ponies." Twilight smiled almost apologetically as she continued. "I don't want to spoil the surprise, but don't expect to get much sleep tonight."
"She forgot Gummy!" Fluttershy suddenly gasped, rushing overt to the little alligator. As she reached him a small breeze kicked up and Gummy was gone. It was like watching a painting being rubbed dry. Okay, she's much stranger than I thought she'd be.
Fluttershy squeaked, and lay down, trembling. Rainbow dash flew over to comfort her.
"Twilight, I actually was hoping to visit your library sometime soon. There are a few books I might want to check out." I turned so I was just facing the three still around the tree. "You girls wouldn't happen to know a place I could stay until I find a place of my own do you?"
"We got room at the farm, if'n ya don't mind sleeping in hay." Applejack frowned slightly. "Might be a tad uncomfortable, and that darn draft in the barn ain't gonna help ya much."
"I simply don't have any suitable space available for anyone to sleep. I've never really needed anything more than the one guest room, and Sweetie's using that."
"I assure you that anything you can offer would be better than the barn." I shot a look at AJ as I said this. "No offense of course, but no draft sounds delightful."
"Ah understand partner. Probably make the same choice in yer position."
"Neither is going to be necessary." Twilight spoke up. "I have a few extra guest rooms available at the library. Besides you needed to visit anyway didn't you?" She smiled slightly, obviously pleased at finding a solution.
"That would do very nicely Twilight, I thank you."