//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: I AM DUST! // Story: From Equestria to Dust // by Tresviri //------------------------------// Chapter 4 I am Dust (Get it off me!) The snake sped around in circles trying to throw the Pink menace off his back. "Wheeeee!" She shouted, holding on to him for dear life. "Pinkie what are you doing?!" Twilight shouted in horror, watching her ride the creature. (What is she doing?!) He reared up and launched forward trying to buck her off like a bull. (Get off!) Pinkie was at last launched through the air striking a super hero pose. Rainbow, with renewed vigor, intercepted her flight path with no difficulty. “Hey watch it pal!” Rainbow yelled, not even trying to concealing her anger. Pinkie was still giggling uncontrollably even as the snake brought his head down to their level. Rainbow stared into the darkened tip, unwavering in stance. (You certainly are brave for your size,) He turned his head to look more at Pinkie. (or just crazy. But please, don’t do that again.) He pulled back and moved in the direction he was going before. “Um… Mister Snake?” Twilight asked. The snake turned around and stared her down. Twilight nervously gulped before continuing. “W-What do we call you?” A silence pasted as the group stared at the massive creature expectantly. The wind quietly hummed along, carrying some dust with it. (I have no name.) “What?!” Exclaimed Pinkie. “How can I throw a welcome party for a no name pony!?” (Is that what your species is called? Ponies?) He asked cocking his head to the side. “Of course were ponies.” Rainbow said flying in front of his face. “Haven’t you ever seen a pegasus , or the fastest flying in Equestria?!” The snake shook his head from side to side. (No I haven’t, but what’s Equestria?) “You’ve never heard of Equestira?” Twilight asked, with her fears being realized. The snake shook his head again. Twilight hung her head in sorrow. (What’s the matter? You seem distressed.) The snake asked a little concerned for his new friends. “Girls I don’t think we’re in Eqestria anymore.” She said. “Horse feathers! What ya’ on about Twi’?” Applejack asked unconvinced. “Think about it AJ.” Twilight pleaded. “We walk through some strange door and find ourselves some impossible distance away. This snnnn…” Twilight paused looking to the snake for help. He sighed and offered his title. (The Breathe of God. It is what my followers call me.) "Hey you said you didn't have a name!" Exclaimed Pinkie with a pout. The Breathe of God shook his head. (I don't. That is a title that was given to me.) Twilight coughed into her hoof getting everyone's attention again. "As I was saying 'The Breathe of God' here has never seen a pony or even heard of Equestria. What's more don't you think he looks a little familiar?" The girls all took a gander at The Breathe of God. He looked exactly like the figure they saw in the tunnels. Twilight saw the light go on in their heads an continued. "Yes." She turned to the god. "These followers, do they wear strange large masks?" (Why yes... How did you know?) He asked with suspicion. Twilight felt his eyeless face peer into her eyes. The sheer power she felt was surprising, so much so it felt like it was looking into her soul. Threatened? Was what Twilight could understand that The Breathe of God was thinking. Not that he was threatened but the creatures he protected might be in danger. His strong demeanor reminded her of Celestia in away. Noble, kind and protective. He was all of these things, Twilight knew that if she was to make any headway with this entity she would have to seem as harmless as possible. "We passed through a cave system that had carvings embedded in the walls." She spoke truthfully. "The art showed a large snake protecting strange bipeds wearing mask from the devastating forces of: Tsunamis, Volcano eruptions and other powers." The Breathe of God gazed into Twilight eyes, searching for any indication of a false claim. He was a astonishing good judge of character, or he would at least like to believe so, he would be able to sense even the slightest lie if they looked hard enough. However he found none in the small pony. All He could see was the truth. What the lavender pony had told him was genuine. Surprising. He thought. No hesitation to speak the truth. (Very well...) He stopped, realizing the awkward situation of not knowing her name. Thankfully Twilight picked up on this and introduced herself. "Twilight Sparkle." She greeted with a warm smile. When she ushered her name the others took this as a chance to indulge the snakes with their names as well. "My name is Rarity." She said the white pony with a purple mane bowing slightly. "I understand that you brought us that fabulous water, Thank you." (No need for thanks.) He said humbly. Next the orange pony approached raising the stetson. "Sugar cue' ya'll need ta' stop bein' so modest." Twilight cringed when she addressed the powerful being in front of them as 'sugar cue'. However The Breathe of God didn't seem to mind, on the contrary, he enjoyed it. He felt a tingle of pleasure after being called something so informal as 'sugar cure'. He wondered if he might be able to befriend these creatures and have more friendly conversations down the road. Such an idea made his nonexistent spin twist in overwhelming joy. "But m'ah name's Applejack, but my friends call me AJ." She finished introducing. The Breathe of God violently shook his head. He was so lost in thought he almost didn't catch her name. (Well Applejack pleased to meet you.) I need to focus. He thought. No more spacing out. Next the ridiculous pink one approached. The god faltered a little as recent memories riding him resurfaced.This one scares me. He thought, bracing himself for the worst. "My name's Pinkie Pie!" She shouted and said no more. Twilight and the rest looked shocked. Never has Pinkie only spoke one sentence when meeting somepony... someone.... something new. It was both surprising and frightening that she was not running her mouth a mile a minute at that very moment. Twilight pondered that maybe it was the heat affecting her brain in some way. "Wait." She thought. "Pinkie is always... Random." (Greetings Pinkie Pie,) He bowed his head still nervous. (as I have said I am The breath-) "I'm gonna call you Dust." She interrupted. "NOOOO!" Twilight yelled in her mind but the damage was done. The Breathe of God did not respond to the blasphemy she just spoken, he just remained motionless and silent. His body, that once rippled with light, became unnervingly still, as if frozen in time. The occasional hum that sounded as each wave of light passed ceased to be heard. The ponies except Pinkie, who positively beamed with pride, realized the gravity of the situation. Twilight galloped over to Pinkie and performed a flying tackle. She pressed her head into the sand and did so with her own. Pinkie muffled "What the hay Twilight!" But because of the sand it was completely distorted and incoherent. "I'm so sorry!" She apologized. "She did not mean to anger you great and powerful Breath of God!" Applejack being the pony that she is instantly caught on to Twilight's plan to calm the god by appealing to his ego. She trotted over to her winking at the others and assumed the same position as her unicorn friend. "Please spare her' for her insolence!" She pleaded, struggling to pronounce `insolence`. A small sizzling sound resonated from The Breath of God. Twilight peeked to see what was going on and wished she had not. The waves of light on the snake were vibrating violently. “It didn't work!" She panicked trying to think of a way to deter the serpents wrath. The other ponies, even the proud Rainbow Dash, all bowed their heads and pleaded for mercy. The meek sizzling noise changed into a great rumble effectively destroying all hope to survive the encounter. Twilight felt fear take her mind once and for all. She was not brave by any standards. She feared death, She was willing to admit it. She feared the unknown of what happens when you die. Afterlife? Eternal Slumber? It was these questioned that had no answers that frightened her. As a scholar and personal protege of Princess Celestia it was up to her to answer the unknown. But to answer these questions meant boarding a ferry, that only takes you one way. Worst of all was not the fear, but the regret. She had put all her friends in danger and now they were going to pay the ultimate price. "It isn't fair!" She mentally shouted letting tears soak into the sand only to disappear in an instant. "This looks like the end Twi." Applejack whispered grimacing. Twilight wanted to shout at the top of her lungs. To tell her she was wrong. To say that this can't be the end. That they would live on, but she knew that it was not up to her. But to the Deity that towered over them. (haha...) The Breathe of God snickered. (BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!) All six ponies looked up to see (and feel) The giant snake flopping on the ground in a huge fit of laughter. He howled like there was a full moon and wiggled around sending large amounts of sand into the air. The five ponies stared dumbfounded at the sight. Twilight as well as the others (except Pinkie) where unsure what to think about the display. It took the mighty creature a few moments to get his breathe under control which he thought to be a splendid case of irony. (You should have seen the looks on your faces!) He whooped and then performing an imitation of them. (HAHAHAHA!) Pinkie even joined in with the snaked and rolled on the ground laughing like a made pony. (Excellent acting Pinkie!) He bellowed. "Ahhhhh Yaaa!" She cheered. "Bro hoof incoming!" (Gee I would love too, but I have no limbs.) He pointed out by flopping a little more. Pinkie brought a hoof to her chin in thought. "Head bump?" She suggested. (Hey I'm down!) He said rather informally which surprised him. Despite the awkward atmosphere he gentled bumped heads with Pinkie. He did so as lightly as possible, not wanting to cave in her skull. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Twilight shouted, seething with anger. "I WAS SCARED TO DEATH!" The Breathe of God had never had to deal with an angry individual before. His followers where always respectful, so much so that it made him sick, but Twilight was literally fuming at the ears. Perhaps my prank was too much? He thought. (I could see that, and it was hilarious.) He said almost tauntingly. Twilight's left eye twitched causing The Breathe of God to become nervous. (But on another note you can call me that.) "Call you what?" Twilight asked still glaring daggers into him. (Dust. I rather like it.) "Really?" Scoffed a Rainbow maned Pegasus, not particularly happy with the prank, but was already moving on. (It's a heck of a lot shorter then "The Breath of God".) He reasoned. "Well then 'Dust', My name is Rainbow Dash!" She shouted fly right up to his face, or what she thought was his face. "I'm the fastest flyer in Equestria!" She boasted puffing out her chest. (Well Rainbow Dash I am the reigning god here in this... Forsaken land.) He attempted to put the cocky pegasus in her place. However his words where lost on her as she just rolled her eyes. "Umm... E-Excuse me?" "Whatever." She scoffed. "I bet you couldn't even beat me in a race if I gave you a ten minute start." "R-Rainbow I don't think y-you should talk to him like that." A small voice mumbled. The voice went unnoticed to them as an argument for superiority ensued. Rainbow did not fear the god despite her previous actions at groveling. However Rainbow was quickly losing the battle, not to him, but the heat. Her energy was sapped by the power of the sun high above her. Dust noticed her spirit wavering but was not about to let her win the debate. "Umm... M-Mr. D-Dust?" Squeaked a butter coat pegasus hiding behind her pink mane. Dust turned his full attention to the pony that had yet to introduce herself. She visibly shrunk under his faceless gaze, wishing she had not spoken out. (And what is your name?) He asked unaware of her shy nature. "O-Oh! M-My name's Fluttershy." She mumbled inaudibly. (Were you not the one who shouted?) Dust asked remembering the call. (Where did that powerful voice go?) Fluttershy cowered under Dust's question. She had just realized that it was her who called the entity to them and that this was not just random meeting. She felt the pressure of the situation and the uncomfortable tension. She nervously trotted in place trying to summon the courage to properly introduce herself. "My n-name's F-Fluttershy." She stammered. Dust cocked his head quizzically at the shy pony. Is she always this timid? He asked himself. Best be as gentle as possible with this one. (You have no reason to fear me fair Fluttershy.) He declared. Fluttershy winced slightly to the volume of his voice but gave him a small reassuring smile. (Now we best keep moving before the heat takes you again.) He took off slithering again and the ponies followed. Twilight and Applejack both galloped closer to his head, still wanting some answers. Dust noticed their intent and slowed down so they could reach him. They are a curious bunch. He giggled. "Umm... Mister Dust?" Twilight asked attempting to get his attention unaware she already had it. (Just Dust, friend.) "Ok Dust, can we' ask ya' uh' few questions?" Applejack asked. (Of course.) He replied in a friendly tone. (I will answer to the best of my ability.) "O-Oh, alright." Twilight said in surprise. She was not expecting it to be so neighborly in his response. Not wanting to let the chance slip she asked, "Where are you taking us?" (If you wait a few more minutes your own eyes will give you a response.) He answered very vaguely. (Anything else?) Twilight was a little put off by his first answer so she asked again. "You said something about finally having someone to talk to. What did you mean by that?" "Ah'm curious bout that too." Applejack cut in. "Can't ya talk to them followers of yers'?" (I can.) He mumbled. (But they can't hear me.) "What?" Twilight gasped. "We can hear you just fine. Why can't they?" (I only have a theory right now but I believe it because I have some kind of force that I share with you all.) He paused unsure how to explain further. (It's like some kind of power that I can see within all of you you, especially you Twilight.) Twilight thought for a moment hiding her blush. "A force that we all share... But is most powerful in him and I?" Her eyes widened with realization. "Is it magic?" She asked. Dust nodded. (For lack of a better word, yes.) "Then this followers of yers' have no magic?" Applejack asked grasping the subject. Dust shook his head. (No, it's more like their magic is just so small that they can't detect my own.) "Sooo... They do have magic?" Twilight pried. (A form of it.) He confirmed recalling the music they use. (But it has a very limited amount of purposes.) Like protecting their scrawny asses' when I'm away. He thought dryly. (But now allow me to answer your fist question.) "What in tar' nations ar' ya talking... about..." Applejack paused gawking in disbelief at what she saw. Twilight and Applejack both failed to notice that they had worked their way to the crest of the hill. Just on the other side was a large amount of green and light blue. It was an oasis. Clear water moved through some wide trenches on its way to a large basin in front of them. On one side was a small lowered wall allowing the excess water to over flow into the desert. The warm wind rustled the palm trees' leaves imitating the gentle trickle of rain sticks. All in all it was a sight of beauty to behold. The others all caught up and shared the same expression Applejack did. Dust caught their surprised looks and found it amusing. He admitted that he liked this place the best out of the others head seen, but just like the others, it was only temporary. (Welcome to your temporary home.). He chuckled beaming (literally) with pride.