Light and Shadow

by oop


Intermission Two: In which I sit In the Emo Corner

A bleary eyed and sore looking black Pegasus sits in front of a blinking computer screen. He doesn’t seem to be aware of where he is or what he’s doing, and would presumably be very shocked to discover that he was once again in the familiar white expanse behind the story he worked so hard to write. But right now he really just needs to get up off his lazy flank.
A familiar little Pegasus, looking very much like a miniaturized version of the first, steps into the area. You recognize him quickly as Shadow, and he sure doesn’t look happy. He proceeds to walk right over to the taller and give him a sharp kick to the backside. He jumps up, uttering a violent expletive, and then turns to confront the colt.
What do you think you’re doing? I’m busy.
“Busy watching Tribe Twelve while you play Pokémon,” says Shadow “You’ve written one, count it, one short story since summer started. What the hay do you think you’re doing?”
Look, kid, I missed one deadline, it’s not the end of the world…
“If you start taking that lazy flank attitude you’re going to fall so behind you’ll lose us for good!” says Shadow, hopping up on the computer desk to block my access to the keyboard “You could’ve had chapter seventeen done a week ago, but all you’ve been doing is wasting your time staring at this stupid screen!”
I blink wearily, suddenly aware this little twerp shouldn’t even exist. A cursory glimpse down at my hooves reveals that they are indeed hooves, and not my usual hands. Looking around I see nothing but whiteness. What the heck? Where am I?
“You fell asleep at your computer genius,” says Shadow immediately “Now come on, what happened to all that creativity? All that inspiration? What’s it coming to now?”
Okay, so I am dreaming. Damn my artistic brain, it feels so real… I guess this is one of those things they call lucid dreaming. Dang… I’m probably not going to remember any of this…
“Oh yes you are,” said Shadow, kicking the computer backwards to fall, closed onto the not there floor “You’re going to use this to get your act together and keep writing!”
Starting to get a little angry now. That fall doesn’t seem to have damaged the computer, but it could’ve. Why should I keep writing? You’re clearly not very happy with where I’m taking your story, why not just stop? You just saved Iris, you’ll even get a happy ending!
“Because you and I both know my story isn’t over, idiot,” Shadow snaps, “If you stop this I’m gone! I stop here! You have a million more ideas for awesome adventures that I want to go on! This isn’t the end for me and you know it!” he proceeds to switch tactics “Just think about all your fans out there. They’re cheering me on! They want to see what happens next and so do I!”
Oh yeah, those twenty or so that have made it past chapter ten… They like Allons-y better… Hey, if this is a lucid dream then why are you here? I haven’t even thought about you in a week…”
“I’m a part of you, moron!” Shadow shouts angrily “How do you not recognize me? When you were my age you did the exact same things, went on all sorts of fun adventures just like me!”
Yeah, so what? If that’s true all you are is a memory. Still, you’ve got something I didn’t have at that age, friends. You’re nothing like me kid, just gonna have to figure that out…
“Hey!” a second, equally familiar voice shouts as out of seemingly nowhere Lightning storms forward “Shut up! You created us! You can’t create something without knowing it!”
Oh great… I guess you’re here to bargain for your life too?
“Come on, who wouldn’t?” said Shadow, “We deserve it, and you deserve it!”
“Don’t do it for us,” said Lightning “Don’t do it for the people reading even, do it for yourself! Writing is the only thing you’ve ever been good at, you can’t throw that away!”
Dang… it’s so weird how you look real but at the same time not at all. Like just like in the cartoon but in real life. You have no idea how bizarre this is for me…
“Focus Stargazer!” exclaimed Lightning “For someone named Comet Chaser you sure have a lack of energy! I’m not your character remember? My creator trusted you with me! Are you going to throw that back in his face?”
“Your own face too!” said Shadow animatedly “Do you realize you’ve been working on this for almost two years now?”
Has it really been that long…?
“I think it’s time for some history,” said Lightning “Not really my show though, Shadow?”
“You started watching My Little Pony in July of 2011,” says Shadow, “Shadow the pony debuted on facebook as a role-playing OC a month later. You spent three months collaborating with other characters to try to give me a story that fits. Even then you still weren’t done with it! You started telling my story for the first time in January 2012 and didn’t trash it until August! You spent eight months on my story before you even took it seriously!”
So a whole lot of wasted time has gone in to this little project, and it’s still not as popular as a four chapter background pony teaser…
“Which you wrote!” Lightning exclaimed “It shows you have the talent to keep making our story better! They can love the background ponies all they want, but you have characters of your own! You have us!”
Lightning, look, the reason isn’t for lack of want or talent, I just don’t have time for you guys…
“Because you’re a computer addict!” Shadow exclaimed “That thing should be for talking to people and putting our story online, but you’re taking it too far!”
“I hate being the voice of reason, you know that,” said Lightning “But if your computer time is stopping you from writing our story then you have to stop!”
“I would listen to her if I were you,” Shadow said “Take it from me, it’s painful when she gets angry.”
You don’t think I know that? I built the world in which that sort of thing happens! Now could you please enlighten me as to why you’re visiting me in a dream to tell me what I already know?
“To let you know your story is in decline,” said Lightning “What little you’ve written over the past month has been about what you’re interested in at the time! How does Slenderman fit into this at all?”
Consider yourself lucky I’ve worked with you guys at all! I’m holding back expletives because you’re kids… but god… I have a lot of crud going on right now…
“Yeah, we know,” says Shadow “Which is exactly why you’re going to have to work with us more than ever, because I know for a fact we’re one of the only things still keeping you sane.”
An extended silence prompts Lightning to speak again “Come on Comet, we’re not just another escape. When you’re working with us you’re using your only real potential! Ignore all that and just work with us!”
I can’t just do that, as much as I would love to, I’ve got way too much piled up to even consider it. Just retreating is what’s gotten me into this mess in the first place.
“Look, we’re not telling you to just retreat,” said Shadow “We’re telling you to do something in your leisure time that doesn’t put a strain on your psyche. You know that by working on your SCPs or whatever not only uses your brain, but puts extra strain on it!”
A little romp in the realm of fantasy is always good to recuperate, what else would I call you guys?
“That’s beside the point, look, bring the book along,” said Shadow “and every time you think you want to derp around on the internet, stab yourself with a pencil, and write us a paragraph.”
I don’t remember writing you this mean…
“You didn’t, you wrote him this dramatic,” said Lightning with an exaggerated eye roll “But he’s right, if you just start carrying your writing book around with you, you’ll probably get a lot more done.”
I bury my face in my hands, realizing in a rush that the author of the story has fallen to the point of being lectured by his characters. For a second, I can’t stand it. I rise to my feet, a stinging retort ready, when I see the little zebra filly.
“Mr. Comet…” she says in a shy little voice “I wanted to visit you too… you know… in your dream…”
And Celestia banish me if she wasn’t just as sweet and adorable as I always pictured her. Iris, my Iris, was talking to me on this bizarre fifth dimensional plane.
“I…I don’t want to be rude…” she says, shuffling her hooves in embarrassment “But… I am scared… Just like Shadow and Lightning… because if you give up… we just… disappear…”
“You’re so close!” Lightning proceeds to kill the moment “Do you realize how close you are the hundred-thousand word count? One more chapter, just one more, and you’ll be one of the long fanfics! There’s no way people will be able to ignore you after that!”
“Please…” says Iris quietly, intimidated by Lightning’s enthusiasm “Keep working on us, whatever it takes… I promise I’ll do my best for you…” She looked to be on the verge of tears, sending a wave of guilt crashing down on me.
Look guys… I’m sorry… I understand that you’re counting on me. It’s my responsibility as your creator to do my best to help you.
“Careful with the whole god complex thing,” says Lightning “Character momentum remember? How we have more control over you than you have over us! Ow!” This last syllable was prompted by a kick from Shadow, who I’m glad to see still retains a notion of sense. I apologize for that anyway guys, that little complex does have something of a habit of getting out of control.
“See? He doesn’t mind,” says Lightning, sticking her tongue out at Shadow “He’s a nice pony, unlike you!” In retaliation Shadow tackles her and starts a noogie. Lightning turns this into a wrestling match and Iris cowers back a little. I invite her to come closer, which she does, putting me between herself and the scuffle. I asked her if she minds how her friends act.
“Well…” she says “It is scary sometimes… but no pony gets hurt in the end so I guess it’s okay,” she smiles up at me “You know what’s best right Mr. Comet?”
Please, just Comet is fine. Honestly I don’t know how their personalities are going to play out in the end… I just kind of know what they’re going to go through and you too… but I have no idea what’s going to happen once we get there…
Iris seems to get a little scared by this, so I decide to offer her some form of comfort. Hey, whatever happens I’ll make sure you guys have the resources you need to deal with it. You’re going to have some rough road ahead, but you’ll make it out.
She nods “Um…Comet…” she says timidly “Do Shadow and I… do we ever…” she squeaks a little and hides behind her tail before continuing “Are we ever… you know…”
Well I can’t tell you that now can I? I’ll let this much go though, if you want to get to that point you’re both going to have to work hard to get there. There’s going to be a huge amount of obstacles in your way and if it weren’t for my tinkering you two wouldn’t have a chance. Though I mucked a few things up to give you the opportunity to do so, but it’s your choice whether or not to take it.
Iris goes quiet and Lightning and Shadow stop trying to kill each other, “Oh and hey,” says Lightning “What about that last chapter huh? I’m not even in it! What did you do?”
“If you ask me he fixed the screw up from the last chapter,” said Shadow “Sort of completed the side story. He made me look totally awesome too!”
“We’re getting off topic,” said Lightning “Anyway, Comet, what about it huh? You’re going to continue the story right?”
Guys, stop freaking out. If you guys keep showing up in my dreams if I miss the deadline I’ll start ignoring it altogether. Do you really think I considered quitting on you? No way!
“Ha!” said Shadow excitedly “I knew it! You don’t have what it takes to leave characters as awesome as us behind!” Lightning proceeded to kick him, demonstrating again how fluently they hand off the role of being the smart one.
I suppose I can’t… this means I’m going to wake up soon doesn’t it?
“Well yeah!” said Shadow “But if you want to fudge the rest of it I don’t care.”
“Another intermission might be good right about now…” said Lightning “Keep the fans interested in cute little me.”
Iris gave a muted glare that still clearly read “Oh, please…” I just smile and laugh. Well I guess I’ll see you guys in the next chapter, and I’ll start the intermission with this!
“Alright,” said Shadow “I guess we’re going.”
“Just for the record, I wasn’t worried about you for an instant!” said Lightning as Iris trotted back over to them “See you next time you big dork!”
I wave at them as they go, smiling a little nostalgically. It really has been nearly two years now…those little scamps have been brightening up my life for a good long time…
Now let’s take a moment to pretend this wasn’t the point I woke up, because I’m going to continue as if it wasn’t. The computer naturally vanishes because I really don’t need it anymore. Instead three chairs materialize and I now sit on one. A red coated stallion, looking a little rough around the edges, sits in another one of the chairs without saying a word. His hair is gray, smattered with the same red of his coat, and he has a scar on the bridge of his nose. I turn to greet him
Hey Storm, glad you could make it!
“Good to be here.” Says Storm mildly.
Everyone, this is Storm Flare, or as you may know him as Skulltux. He was one of the earliest supporters of the story and has been officially brought on to the team as the editor! Yes, he’s the one who added all the extra dialogue to chapter two!
“Wait a minute… you never said…” Storm began.
Of course compared to the original product it’s still very much improved. He’s got a lot of catching up to do, having only made it through chapter four, but you’ve all read the story, who can blame him?
“You’ve only posted my edits up to chapter three…” Storm points out.
Hey, I’m a hardcore procrastinator, it’s hard enough for me just working on this!
“Right…” said Storm.
Well anyway Storm’s gonna be here because as editor he’s going to have to have enough character empathy to keep the edits fluent with the rest of the story and fix the spots where I’ve accidently deviated. It’s a learning experience for him! You are taking notes right Storm?
Storm just stays quiet, I think he’s probably angry. Well anyway let’s have a talk with some of the new characters, and also, storm, got some ponies for you to meet.
Light, Shadow, Iris, and Mesa barrel onto the stage in a mess of flailing hooves. I can’t help but laugh a little at the brawl as Iris stands a little off to the side. Storm looks quietly alarmed as they separate, still glaring at each other.
“Hello, Storm!” says Shadow enthusiastically “I’m Shadow, and this is stupid, stupid, and Iris Stripes.” Lightning throws one more punch at this, cutting off Shadow’s laugh.
“They’re a lot shorter than I imagined them reading the recent chapters,” says Storm “they seem more like they were at the story’s beginning.”
Dude, it’s been like four months since Lightning and Shadow met in the first place. I don’t think they’ve gotten any taller.
“I’m taller than Lightning now!” said Shadow “I’m just putting that out there now because you never said it.”
“Nuh, uh!” said lightning “I’m taller, I’ve got you by like a bazillion inches!”
I stepped in before the sparks started flying. Guys, you’re the same height. Except Lightning is a micrometer taller because it’s funnier that way.
“Ha!” said Lightning, sticking her tongue out.
“Do you always do this?” asked Storm.
It’s all part of the bonding process. Anyway the tykes all sit down around the three chairs and tune their arguing down to a lower key so we can get right to the painfully obvious introduction of Mesa.
“Wait a minute,” says Mesa “I’m already here with everyone else!”
Well you’re the new character, so you get questions asked. Now parts of your story went intentionally untold and will likely remain that way. After having a good look at the manuscript is there anything you want to add?
“I didn’t read your dumb story! But they told me what you missed anyway. Biggest thing you kind of left them in the dark about is that I’m actually the chief’s son.”
Chief, being Chief Nature Song?
“Yeah, which is kind of an embarrassment for her or something? When I started ‘acting spoiled’ she banished me to the plains until I could prove myself.”
So you’re an exile huh?
“I guess you could say that…” said Mesa dejectedly, fidgeting a little from being in the limelight.
I don’t suppose you would like to elaborate on your own special genus would you?
“No!” said Mesa quickly “You haven’t decided on that yet! It’s not written down!”
Well it’s going to happen, do you want to tell everyone what it is?
“Again, no,” said Mesa “I’m not going to tell them something like that. It isn’t relevant and it really isn’t nice of you to bring that up.”
Alright fine, if you insist. You can go back to talking now, I don’t really have anything else to ask you about. But Mesa, it’s going to happen whether you like it or not so you had really better just accept it. Mesa slinks backward, looking a little miffed. Shadow gives him a quizzical look, but he just shakes his head. Hey Storm, who else do we need to bring in?
“Well there’s Song,” says Storm “But that might cause more harm than good. Maybe one of those proxies?”
You honestly think a slender proxy would be safer than song?
“As long as Mesa is here, probably…” says Storm.
You know what, you’re right, this is an intermission for crying out loud! I can do whatever I want! What the heck, let’s just bring in Slenderman himself! Slendy materializes in the empty chair!
“&@!#?” says Slendy.
“Dude what the heck?” Storm exclaims “Get that thing out of here, it’s dangerous!”
Oh quit freaking out Storm. I smile, despite Mesa and Lightning both running to hide under my chair while Iris doesn’t seem to notice the thing and Shadow just plain isn’t afraid of it.
“I’m not freaking out!” says Storm “This is just a really bad idea!”
I would take offense at that, wouldn’t you mister Slenderman?”
“#$!#&||/|\@...” says Slendy.
My thoughts exactly!
“Wait, you can understand that thing?” exclaims Storm “What sort of gibberish code is it talking in?”
No code at all, he just says whatever I want him to say because I’m the author. And if that just happens to be random symbols that mean “He offends me…” I am completely allowed to do that.
“Why can’t I do that?” asked Storm “I’m the editor for crying out loud! Don’t I have rights?”
This is the intermission, I’m not letting you edit these. Because of that you’re just another one of my characters for right now.
“!!@&!$$!!” says Slendy, pointing a long fingered hand at Shadow.
“Stop calling him Slendy!” says Storm.
“!!@&!$$!!” Slendy repeats, then proceeds to disappear without a trace.
“I think I scared him off,” says Shadow happily.
Yes you did, good job little guy. He probably doesn’t want a repeat of what happened last chapter huh? Shadow laughed after this, clearly pleased with himself.
“Got any more great ideas?” said Storm angrily.
Loads, but I’m not going to bore anyone with them right now. Honestly I’m not entirely sure there’s anyone left to specifically elaborate on.
“Oh come on,” said Storm “What happened to Celestia between this timeframe and Luna’s banishment? What is Nature Song’s whole story? How did a freaky Slenderman cult end up in Equestria?”
All of those are really fantastic questions, but there’s no way I could answer all of them. Since there’s nothing really outstanding I think we can leave it right here.
“And you’re not going to elaborate on any of the loose ends?” asked Storm.
No need to really, my readers have great imaginations I’m sure. But just in case I will leave them a lifeline. I would guess this whole intermission thing is going to become a pretty repeated meme. I’m drawing this part of the story to a close so we may have another Intermission very soon. If there’s anything you want me to explain in the next intermission, please, toss me a message or a comment and I’ll gladly ramble on about it.
“I guess that’s cool,” said Shadow “You guys out of here then?”
“I guess so,” said Storm “See you guys later?”
“Sorry for all the randomness,” Iris squeaks, walking closer so the readers can hear her over the tumult “Have a good night! I hope to see you all again soon!”