Down the Darkened Path
Chapter 3
Past to Present
Out of the responses I anticipated, I did not expect this, the entire town was stomping, I will assume this is their form of applause...
They do walk on four hooves so that would make sense.
In all honesty, I expected the town to perhaps go silent in curiosity or fear but, stomping is a new thing, to me at least...
I walked over to the podium in which Twilight gestured me to, laying in which I have to guess is a stand is a small black device with a ball on its end. I have never seen something like this, it seems to have purpose but... What?
I received a poke in which brought me out of my thoughts, Twilight gestured for me to speak, I will have to study this device later.
“Hello-” I was startled to not only hear myself, but an echo in a louder proportion. Was this the purpose of the device? To amplify my voice?
“-as said, my name is Rick Fuoco, but if you could, please, just call me Rick. I will be here in this town inevitably, perhaps the rest of my life. If you are in need of anything please do not hesitate to ask for assistance, I enjoy helping with what I can.”
I began to scan the crowd, there might be some mixed emotions...
Such as one with a leg up in the air trying to get my attention. “Uh, would you like to ask a question?” I asked into this device.
“Yes! Where are you from? I never heard of anything like you before.”
I hummed in thought. “I come from a different world, I was born in the continent called Olvin, and later in my life, moved to our eastern continent called Yalin.”
The pony who had asked the question tilted her head. “Why did you move to a different continent?”
I remained silent for a moment to gather my thoughts. “Difficulties in the land and cities.” She seemed to accept the answer.
Technically it is not a lie, the sky seemed to burn and the land was corrupted by the demons. The slowly spread and destroyed our cities and plagued the land. After moving to Yalin we noticed a more peaceful environment, and there we built the town of Guardavia. Sadly, things happened to get... destroyed. So many people... So much pain...
I cleared my thoughts and gestured for Twilight to take the stage. She responded by having me kneel to hear her.
“What”s going on?”
“Could you finish this please, I require a moment.”
She nodded and moved towards the podium. I walked back behind the stage and out of view, I started to get shakey, memories in which I hoped to forget keep resurfacing.
So much destruction, all the pain and sufferings.
All those people, begging, pleading even.
I collapsed into a kneeling position, arm resting on my knee and my head in my hand.
The corruption was bleeding into the town, the smoke made it so dark... Everything was burning, I had crashed my airship at the time, I ran into the town, searching for people. I had found them even! But, I had gotten close enough and noticed what happened. Their eyes were black, the veins around the eyes were black as well. They walked around, but I could see that they were not themselves. They mumbled words, and as I heard what those words were, I later understood why they were said.
They were begging, pleading... all for-
“Rick! Are you alright?” I heard a voice from behind me, then I felt something at my side.
Slowly I lifted my head to look at who it was, my view was blocked by tears but I could see those at my side. Twilight and her friends stood around me trying to see if I was alright.
“What happened? What’s wrong?” I... I heard Applejack ask.
Slowly I pushed myself to my feet and wiped my tears away. I have to tough it out, they don’t need to know what happened.
“I-It is nothing.” I half mumbled out.
“Well shucks, it doesn’t seem like nothing.”
Closing my eyes, I just...
Some things are to be locked away.
And sadly, this lock is beginning to rust.
“Please... Let us just head to Twilights home.”
“A-are you s-sur-”
“I am positive.” I had cut off Fluttershy, I know that I am being rather rude but I need to get away and do something...
Less my mind wander and find my past once more.
The trip to the Library, or Twilights home if you prefer, was at most a blur to me.
Upon entering, Twilight and myself were greeted by what seemed to be a young dragon, or I hope a young dragon, some aspects seem to be the same as back home so I will have to figure this out...
“Hey Twilight! Who's your... guest?”
Twilight smiled. “This is Rick, he is from another world. Rick this is Spike, he’s my number one assistant.”
I kneeled down to his height. “Tell me young one, are you by chance a dragon?”
I must have guessed right as his expression turned more cheerful. “Yeah I am! Did you have dragons where you’re from?”
I chuckled. “Yes, in fact, there were plenty in my lands, sure some were rather dangerous, but others were kind enough.”
With a smile I had an idea. “Tell me, do you enjoy stories?”
“Yeah I do!”
“Remind me one of these days to tell you one of my tales, I have had many adventures in my land and have met many creatures, races, and even some of these magical beings.” Of course I would only share my... more cheerful ones.
“I would like to hear some of those too.”
I turned and faced Twilight once more. “Well of course you can listen in, what is the fun of telling a story without an audience?”
I had noticed that night is upon us, that and the fact even I was starting to become tired.
“*Yawn* Perhaps, we should turn in for the night...”
Twilight smiled and gestured towards the stairs. “You can head to the guest bedroom, it’s the second door on your left. I have to do some things first.”
I nodded and bid Twilight and Spike a good nights rest.
Slowly I made my way up the stairs and to the room she had told me. It was a simple room, a bed, desk, even some paper and quills! I got into the bed and began to let my thoughts drift, mostly to what we would do tomorrow.
Soon darkness took me into the embrace of sleep.
Yet the memories stay alive...
They were begging...
Pleading...
For death...
Twilight faced her quill and paper and slowly began to write the message that concerned her.
Dear Princess Celestia
I fear something is wrong with Rick. After leaving from the town meeting early we found him behind the stage on his knees crying, he refuses to tell us what was wrong, but I can tell it is something that he fears or regrets. I am sending you this message in hopes you know what might help or if you know something that you can share with us.
I await your response
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle