//------------------------------// // Chapter V. - Tricks of the trade // Story: Lightbringer of the darkness // by Novexx //------------------------------// On the way back to Ponyville, we discussed a lot of important things about the coming weeks with Twilight. Schedules, plans, ways to research and get information. I have decided to get a job in Ponyville. If I'm goingto stay here, I'll need something to do for a living anyway, and I hope I can be of use to the townsfolk. Maybe they will accept me faster this way. "So then what are your plans now?" asked Twilight. "When we get back, I'm going to start reading these books, and learn what I can in the arcane arts. I have to try everything I can to make sure I'm ready for anything that might happen." I scratched my chin while looking at Twilight. "Also I'll have to get a job, I can't live like this, you're doing too much for me already." She looked at me with a smile and let out a little laugh. "Don't be silly! You are most welcomed to stay at my home, you're not bothering me at all. To be honest, you really intrigue me." "Still, I can lend a helping hand to the ponies, and maybe that will make them accept me faster." "Now that you mention it, that might be a good idea after all. If you want you can go and talk to the mayor, I'm sure she can find something to do for you." "Yea I'll do that tomorrow. " We remained silent for a few minutes. I knew Twilight was going to ask me many more questions, it was just a matter of time. I was right, she could barely hold her curiosity back. I was getting bored anyway, so I asked her what she wanted to know. "I see you're holding back some questions Twilight. You don't have to. If there's anything more you want to know, just ask." She looked at me with a fading smile on her face. "So you really didn't know anything about all this?" "No, I did not. We've never found any proof that other parallel worlds like this even existed. Our technology is far more advanced than yours, yet our scientists were not able to make any progress in these matters... and probably for the best. Also, I've read a lot of fantasy books when I was younger, and I always wanted to believe magic existed. Seems like I wasn't far from the truth." I sighed. "But still... not everything is a fairytale." "No, not at all. But if we all work together, I believe there is no obstacle we can't overcome." "Twi, I can't help but to smile. I always liked your enthusiams." my smile faded away as I looked out into the plains. "But i'm afraid we'll need more than the magic of friendship this time. This is no ordinary obstacle you girls face before." Obstacle? No, this was no mere obstacle... I've never seen Celestia be afraid of something so much before in any of the episodes. Whatever these Baaeli are, I don't think Discord, Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra together would mean as much threat as these things do. But time will tell that, I've yet to face any of them. Anyhow, we'll be back at Ponyville soon. I should get ready to start my own training and research as well if I want to stand a chance against the coming war. It's still not late, I'll try to learn a few basic things about magic once we get back. About ten minutes later the train arrived in Ponyville. It stopped with a squeak and let out a puffed cloud of steam on the platform. I looked at Twilight. "Let's get off." I said while tilting my head towards the door. I pulled my hood on my head again and we both got of the train and headed home. The sun was still up, I had a few hours left to make some progress on the matter of training. "Twilight, when we get back could you sort out the books on the basics for me? I'll need to get started on learning right away." "Yes, of course. But you can call me Twi, I noticed you did on the train." she blushed and chuckled a bit. "All right." I turned my face away a bit and gave a little laugh. "I haven't even noticed when I did. Must be because of the good company." Now that I think back, I really haven't noticed I called her Twi. Strange. Strange indeed. Being around her makes me feel accepted and happy. She understands me better than anyone I've ever met. And yet something threatens Equetria and with that, her. I will not allow anything to even scratch her. If I have to spill blood to do so, I will. Twilight must have noticed that I was thinking of something, because she looked at me with a worried expression. Now I knew why. I wasn't smiling anymore, my face was serious and I didn't say anything. "Everything all right?" I looked at her with a little smile. "Yes Twi, everything all right. I was just thinking. Let's get back to the library." The rest of the way back was silent. We both delved into our own minds, thinking about what we should do next. I had to find a place that is resistant enough to be able to practice magic. Some place like a canyon or something, with no trees and wildlife. I broke the silence first. "Twi, do you know any place I can practice magic? I mean combat magic by this. I don't want anypony to get hurt, nor do I want to set the Everfree Forest on fire." Twilight was thinking for a few seconds then she turned to me. "All I can think of is the canyon near Ponyville. You can ask Rainbow to show you, she usually practices flying there." "Thanks, I'll ask her tomorrow when I finish meeting the mayor." By the time we finished our conversation, we arrived at the library. We went inside, and as I have expected, everything was clean, there was no mess. Spike was snoring in the middle of the room with the broom still in his hand. I turned to Twilight with a grin on my face. "He really gets tired from all this cleaning." I said with a quiet voice. "Should I take him up to his bed?" "No, no, I'll do it. Go and have some coffee, I'm sure you'll be up for some time." she said quietly, while gently taking Spike into her arms. She went upstairs and put Spike into his bed then covered him with a blanket. She then came down. I walked up to her, with two mugs of coffee in my hands and handed one over to her. "I thought you'd like some too." I said while giving a little smile. She smiled back. "Thanks, nice of you." She took the mug then quickly turned around and walked up to her desk, took a sip from her mug, then started sorting the books out. "I'll get you the books on the basics then I'll try to locate the fortress the Keeper mentioned." "Twi, don't overwork yourself too much. If you feel tired, go have some sleep. We have time, no need to do everything today." "All right, I will. I'm just worried what might happen if we don't act in time." "I understand, but we all have to rest and you're no exception." "I gues you're right. I'm just too worried to think about resting." She picked up a pile of books and gave them to me. "These are the books on the basics of magic, and you'll also find several beginner spells in them what you can easily learn, like levitation." I looked at the books and then back to Twilight. Finally I'll be able to use magic, just like I wanted. Another of my dreams came true, and I'm very grateful for that. Even if it comes with a burden I have to carry. I couldn't keep myself from grinning. "Thanks Twi, I really appreciate what you do for me." I gave her a face-wide smile. It came from heart. I couldn't tell how happy I was. She returned the smile and blushed a bit. "I'm happy I've met you Jack. You're a very kind and nice person. I think you deserve way more than the pain and misery you lived through." she looked at me with an expression filled with both sorrow and happiness. "But if you're ever in need of somepony to talk to, remember, I'll be here." My emotions exploded, I could barely hold myself back. My thougths were spinning around, I couldn't even talk for a few seconds. I just stood there smiling as a big drop of tear ran down my face. "What's the matter?" Twilight asked. "Nothing Twi. There's nothing wrong." I remained silent for a few seconds, then I took a deep, shuddering breath. "You can't imagine how happy you made me with those words... I've... never had anyone who cared about me, not even in the slightest way." I almost couldn't keep myself from crying. I just felt so happy that I found someone, who actually cares about me. I closed my eyes, and embraced the feelings and emotions swirling inside me. Suddenly I felt warmth when Twilight's arms wrapped around me as she hugged me. We just stood there in silence for some time. This moment was the happiest in all my life. Tears ran down my face, as I held Twilight. "Thank you..." I said with a shuddering voice. Twilight let her arms down, and took a step back. "You don't have to worry anymore. The past is the past, you can't change it. But I'm happy to be here with you. I can't imagine what would happen to you if you stayed in your own world." She smiled at me. "Live your life as you wanted, try to be happy. I don't want to see you sad again." Twilight reached out to me and wiped the tears off my face. "There, better now?" she asked with a smile on her face. I looked at her and returned the smile. "Yea, better. And thank you. I won't forget this. Ever." The sound of Spike rumbling in his bed interrupted my thoughts and shook me back into track. I sighed. "All right, I'll start learning then, I still have a lot to do." "Okay, I'll get the needed maps then. I'll have to gather them myself this time, I don't want to wake Spike up." said Twilight while walking over to the shelves, that held various parchments on them. The rest of the evening went past in slience. Only the sound of Twilight scribbling down notes, and the turning of pages made some noise in the silent room. I made progress quite fast, even for myself. By the end of the day, I learned how to make a light spell, and I could levitate up to six objects at once. I levitated six books up into the air then I tried to do it with an additional parchment. It didn't work though, the parchment fell to the floor after about two seconds. "Hmmmm. I'll need to work more on this." I said while flipping through the pages of Magic: Basic theory. Twilight stopped scribbling and turned to me in her chair, with a little grin on her face. "I have to admit you're a very fast learner. You've only spent a about five hours on learning and you can already use a light spell and levitate six things at once." she blushed a bit. "To be honest, I think you learn even faster than me." "I don't think so. You are Celestia's apprentice after all, and for a reason." I closed my eyes for bit and sighed. "Let's just say I'm pretty determined to defend these lands." "I can see that already." I yawned. "Looks like I'm getting a bit tired. It's getting late. We both should get some rest, don't you think?" "Good idea, I'm getting a bit tired too." We all put down the books and parchments, and got ready to go and have some sleep. The next day will bring some new things to do. I'll have to go and meet the the mayor, then I'll ask Rainbow to show me the place Twilight mentioned. We got into our beds. "Good night, Twi." "Good night, Jack." came the answer from upstairs. ---------------------------- I woke up as the first rays of sunlight licked my face through the window. I yawned and got up from the bed, and walked to the kitchen table and started making coffee. "Good morning, Jack." Twilight was already awake. She sat beside her table, looking at various maps and parchments. "When did you wake up, Twi?" I asked her with a sleepy expression. "Maybe an hour ago. I usually get up early." "Want some coffee?" "Yes, thank you" I made two mugs of coffee and handed one of the mugs to Twilight. After I drank my coffee I felt a lot more energetic. I was no longer sleepy. We both had breakfast, and after that I decided it was time to arrange the things, that still needed to be done. I gathered up my stuff and put on my cloak then walked to the door. "The mayor is at the town hall right?" "If she doesn't have any urgent business then yes." "All right. Twi, I don't know when will I be back. After I've spoken to the mayor, I'll go and meet Rainbow and I'll probably go and try to learn some combat magic as well. I've packed some of the books." She looked a bit worried. "All right but don't get hurt. I'll be here. This won't take long, I've almost figured out the location of the Black Talon fortress." "Good. At least we'll have a lead soon. I'll be back later." I went out then closed the door behind me. I pulled my hood on my head, then headed to the town hall. As I went through the town, I received a few stares, but all in all, there was no trouble. After a few minutes of walking, I arrived at the town hall. The mayor was just outside the building, talking to a caramel colored mare with black mane. They finished chatting and the caramel mare turned around and left. I approached the mayor, but I left my hood on. "Mayor?" "Yes? What can I help you with?" she asked as she turned around. "Oh so you are the newcomer whom I heard of. You're the one who saved Applejack?" "Yes, it's me. News sure spread quickly around here. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Jack." "Well, it's nice to meet you Jack, but why don't you take that hood off?" "I'd prefer not to, ma'am." "Oh well, never mind then. Is there anything I can do for you?" "Actually, yes. I'm looking for a job. I've decided to stay here in Ponyville and settle down. Since I'll be staying I'll need a job, at least I can do something useful for the townsfolk too." "Hmmm. So you decided to stay? Very well then. I'm sure we can find something for you to do." "It can be anything, including hard physical work. I'll be able manage those works too." "Now that you mention it, our blacksmith is in need of a new apprentice. His last apprentice gave up his job and moved to Canterlot a few months ago. He said he didn't like country life." "A blacksmith, eh? That'll be good. The father of one of my classmates was a blacksmith. I used to to sit in his workshop for hours, just to watch him work the steel. I found it fascinating." "Then I think this job is just for you!" she said while pushing her glasses up to her eyes. "I think you should go and meet Swifty Blackhammer. His workshop is not far from here. Go along this road, - she pointed down at the end of the road which I came from - and turn left at the fourth street. You'll find his workshop soon, it's on the right side of the road." "Thank you, mayor. I'll be going then, I have a lot to do." I turned around to leave but she interrupted me. "Oh and one last thing Jack." "Yes?" "Welcome to Ponyville!" she said with a wide smile. "Thanks. Good to be here." I turned around and left the town hall and headed to Swifty's workshop. Hmmm, I never thought I'll get the chance to learn blacksmithing. This just keeps getting better and better. What did the mayor say? Oh yes, along the road and fourth on the left. I arrived at the fourth street in minutes, and turned in. She said I'll find it quickly. Well, she wasn't lying. The workshop was far bigger than the normal houses and it had an enormous crest outside, hanging from a pole. It had and anvil and a hammer on it. I went to the house, and saw that Swifty was busy working on something that looked like a piece of an armor. I entered the courtyard, and I heard the constant, loud banging of the hammer. I went closer to Swifty, but he he was too busy to notice me. He was a middle aged, greyish stallion with a deep brown mane and he had a scar running from his right eye down to his mouth. He wore a brown leather apron with tools hanging from it. "Umm, hello?" I said with a raised voice. Swifty stopped hammering and looked over his shoulder. "Oyy, what'dya need lad?" "Are you Swifty Blackhammer?" "Aye, that's me." "I just settled in town and I'm looking for work. The mayor said you could some help." Swifty took the white-hot metal piece and put it in a barrel full of water, releasing a little cloud of hot steam. "Aye, that's true. My last apprentice ran off with some silly excuse, that bastard. Well, he wasn't much use to me anyway." Swifty put the armor piece down on the anvil, the walked over to his workbench and hanged the hammer on the wall. "So lad, ya know anythin' about smithin'?" "In theory, a few things. When I was a kid, I went over to my friend a lot. His father was a blacksmith, and I spent hours just watching him work the steel. Somehow I found blacksmithing interesting, but I never tried it." "And ya want to learn the trade?" "If you can teach me then yes." "Well lad, ya came to the right place then." He slapped his hands together, and then pointed towards the door. "Come on in lad, we'll discuss the matter inside." We went inside, and sat beside the kitchen table. The house was huge on the inside, filled with various works of Swifty. Armors on mannequins, swords and axes hanging on the walls. There was a big fireplace at the end of the living room, emitting a welcoming warmth into the room. "Want a drink lad?" "No thanks, I still have some things to do after this." "All right, if ya say so." "I'll have to tell you some things first, in case I'm 'needed' somewhere else." I grabbed my hood and removed it from my head. "Oh ya mean that. No need fer explainin'. I know the whole story lad." "And from exactly where?" I asked with a questioning look. "Apple family always been a good friend o' mine, and I heard you saved Applejack's flank. Fer that, I thank ya." Swifty picked up a tankard and filled it with beer. He took a swig from it then continued. "Ya don't have to explain anything, lad. Applejack and the others trust ya, and that's enough fer me. Listen here. If ya want to work as a smith apprentice, I'll take ya in. Ya'll be workin here till noon, then ya'll be free to go anywhere ya want. But if ya have to leave cause the lements need ya, go. I understand ya are important to them, and to the princess." He took another swig from his tankard. "Thank you. I'm glad I can count on you, and you can expect me to work here. I'd really like to learn blacksmithing, it always interested me." "Okay, lad. I'm afraid we'll have to discuss yer payment later, I have a lot of work ahead of me, and this shipment cannot be delayed." "Yea, I'll need to be going too. I still have to talk with Rainbow Dash about an urgent matter. When do I start Swifty?" "Tomorrow good fer ya?" "I ain't got a problem with it." "Tomorrow it is then, lad." I got up from the table, and went to the door. I looked back over my shoulder. "Until tomorrow then." I said as I waved at him and left the house. Right, so the job matter is handled and I have to admit, it went way better than I expected. I met the first pony who didn't treat me like a complete outcast. Maybe there is still hope for me. I revised what Twilight said about Rainbow's house. Big castle like cloud building. I followed her intsructions on where to find it, and after getting lost one time, and 15 more minutes of walking, I finally found it. Of course Rainbow was nowhere to be found. I sighed. She was probably taking a nap somewhere. Wait, she likes the park very much, I'll probably find her there, sleeping on one of the branches. So I set out to find Rainbow. I got to the park soon, and I wasn't disappointed. Rainbow was indeed sleeping in the shroud of a tree. I walked up to the tree and shouted at her to wake her up. "Hey Rainbow!" It looked like I shouted a bit too loud, because Rainbow jumped up from her sleep with a little scream and hit her head in one of the lower branches. She looked at me with an annoyed expression, while rubbing her eyes. "Yea, what is it - she yawned - Jack?" "I need your help. Twilight said you know a place where I can practice magic, without destroying the whole town or burning down the forest." "Yea, that's the canyon. I can show ya if ya want." "I'd be glad if you could." "All right, follow me then." We walked for about half an hour, or rather only I was walking. Rainbow was flying around me the whole time, showing her tricks, and telling me stories about herself and the others. I knew almost every one of them, but she also told me a few I hadn't heard before. "Seems like you girls had a pretty awsome life so far." "Ya bet!" she answered with a grin on her face. "Ya should have seen the things we've done!" she gave a little laugh. "Yup, we're here champ!" I looked around. Canyons and rocks everywhere, no sign of wildlife. Deserted, empty. This was the perfect place. All of the ponies were way out of harm's way, I could practice here without the fear of anyone getting hurt. "Thanks rainbow!" "Ahh don't mention it." "I think I'll be able to find my way back, you can leave me. I'm sure you want to continue taking that nap." I said and I winked at her. She grinned back then bursted out in laughter. "Ya know me better than I thought! All right, I'll be off then. See ya later!" she waved at me then sped off, back to Ponyville. Now I'm alone. Time to test what I'm really capable of. I noticed a dried out tree trunk not far from myself. I gathered up my negative energies again and concentrated them into my palm. The black fire appeared again. I wanted to test how strong I was. I channeled more energy into my palm, and the fire got bigger. I put my hands together, and formed a ball from it, it was about the size of my head. I targeted the tree trunk and threw the black fireball at it. It travelled way faster than I thought it would, then it reached the tree trunk, and at the moment of the impact I heard a deafening boom as the fireball exploded, shattering the tree trunk and spreading wooden shrapnel everywhere. Hehh, not bad. I grinned. This immense power, and I only threw a little fireball at the tree trunk. Celestia was right, I'll need to master the power lying inside me. If I can master it, I may really stand a chance at repelling these 'things' that threaten Equestria. I just wonder... I raised my hand, and imagined a small arrow, while channeling negative energy into my right hand. I targeted the enormous rocks ahead of me and flicked my fingers. Black sparks flew off my fingertips, as a little lance of energy left them, that travelled lightning fast, and smashed into the rocks with a violent explosion, shattering them to pieces. I grinned even more. This is going to be way more fun than I first thought...