*A/N: I'm back after this period of time to introduce you to the well edited and changed version of chapter 15. If you're reading 'A Second too Late: Ghostly Follows' then Chapter 15 is necessary. I also edited the original chapter 15, well not really edited it to make it easier to follow, but I took out half of the story so it won't confuse you like how I am now. Anyway. Enjoy the updated chapter 15 as chapter 16! [Wow I'm awkward....]
~Day of the Gala~
Shayne’s POV 5:30am
I had just woken up. Only had a few hours of sleep, so that should explain why I'm wide awake. It’s weird you know... if you sleep for a long period of time like, eight to ten hours or so, you'll be tired, or... not as awake. But if you sleep for a short amount of time like under five hours, you're wide awake. I guess it makes sense, but... I don't know if it’s like that for everyone else. Well, I'm not going to complain or over think things as far as I already have. I got to get ready for work.
Dashie was still sound asleep beside me. We were still hugging, well... I was hugging her. She fell asleep with her muzzle on my chest. Trying not to make any noises or any movements that could cause disturbance, I slowly shifted out of bed. It took me about ten minutes leaving me about twenty to get to AJ's farm. I wonder if her family knows that I've been hired. Oh well, as long as I could think straight I could get this day over with, and get to the Gala. I wonder if Dashie knows about the dress Rarity made her.
I got out of the house, twisted my neck left, right, up, down and all other ways possible to loosen myself up before work. I looked at the sky and saw the sun raising. The Apple family should be getting up soon if they're not up already. I took a quick beat of my wings and dashed to the farm leaving a trail of gold behind me. Ever since the Sonic [Thunder] I had been able to make those trails when I flew. I got there in about half a minute, and saw that AJ was already bucking at trees, while a big stallion was pulling a seed drill while a little filly was dropping seeds in the miniature trench. I walked up to AJ and she introduced me to the two workers.
"That over there is Big Mac. He's my big brother, and he is a partial mute stallion. He doesn't say much, but he can say a few sentences." Partial mute? Never heard of it. "That’s Applebloom. She's my lil' sister. Heh, she can be such a handful sometimes… Storm?" She looked back up at me with eyes that showed guilt... maybe not guilt, but eyes that showed shame.
"Yea AJ?"
"sigh You should know that Rainbow likes you a lot." Well, thank god that I already know about that.
"I kind of know that." I showed her a smile to get the hint across that 'we' both know now. It took her a second to realize what I was trying to get across to her, but she eventually did.
She let out a sigh and put her head down not wanting to make any eye contact. I could still see tears starting to form at her eyelids "That's not the only one who likes you Storm... ya know Octavia and Twi right?"
"Oh no..."
"Yea... they like ya that way too Storm. Ah feel guilty knowing this, since ah told them ah was leaving so they would freely express themselves. That was very dishonest of me and I'm beginning to hate myself for it!" She broke down and started covering her face with her hooves. It’s really not her fault, she was being curious. Every human I know would've done the same thing to find out something big like that. Especially if they already had a suspicion.
"Look AJ, it’s really not your fault. Even though it may have been dishonest for a friend to do that, it doesn't make you a bad one. You were just being curious, and everypony gets like that every now and then. I mean, if I had known that there may or may not have been something going on, I would have done the same thing... except being that I'm a male, I probably would've been teasing around if it was one of my stallion friends. Especially if it was Sean. The point I'm trying to get cross is, everypony lies someti-" She cut me off and set off a small rage on me. I guess its understandable considering she's the type to never lie. She is pretty much the lie detector after all.
She looked back up at me with a infuriated and irritated face. It didn't only carry those alone… though it did show. "NO! Ah mean... I'm supposed to be the 'Element of Honesty'! I'm not supposed to be LIKE THAT!" She broke down once more. It was beginning to make a small puddle, so I did the next best thing and came down and put my wing over her and tried to calm her down. Just then a random drop of what I guessed was rain came down from the sky and landed on top of my head. I looked up and saw only one cloud there. It’s seemed so out of place... the entire sky was clear but the lone white cloud. Not letting it really get to me, or get me suspicious, I continued to try and soothe a mare that was breaking down.
"I'm sorry Storm. I just.... I..."
"Don't worry about it AJ... so, what am I supposed to do now boss?" I grinned at her to hopefully show that I'm fine with what happened, and that I will keep what you said a secret. She trusted me and started to regain her composure. What was this 'Element of Honesty' thing though? I'll ask Twilight abo-... maybe later. She likes me, and Octavia likes me. I can only understand Octavia. We both enjoy classical music, and we both preferred the Cello over all instruments. So we did have our commons… if this were only to be a recent event then it would have been from the 'incident' at her house. Not something I would want to experience again, though something tells me… never mind about it.
"Yer job is to *sniff* to work on the complaints and return policies and stuff." She pointed toward the farm house. She then put a smile back on her face, or at least a grin, then started going back to work. I could have sworn I still heard sobbing somewhere… maybe its just in my head. I walked off to the farmhouse to get started.
First complaint, "We have ordered two barrels of 300 apples, we've received them except instead of two barrels of 300 apples, we got two barrels of 200 apples. You owe us 200 apples." This doesn't make sense. I looked over the prices and amounts and stuff. We don't even sell barrels with 300 apples! Nor even 200! It only comes in 100 per barrel, probably because if we somehow got 300 to fit it'll blow up or something. What the hell is this?!
I looked over the history of complaints from this pony, and saw that all the complaints were the same. AJ just so happened to walk in the room at this time. "AJ, who does the counting per barrel?"
"Err... actually we don't need to. We have a thingamajigger that counts the apples for us. So we don't exactly 'need' to count it." They were losing so much profit all this time.
"And all these complaints were filled? Like you gave them what they asked for?"
"Eeyup." Big Mac walked in.
"Well... not to seem rude but, you shouldn't be giving them the apples they requested. For example, this one says they ordered two barrels of 300 apples, but received two barrels with 200 in them. I looked over the prices and what you guys sell, and saw that you only sell apples 100 per barrel... So basically the whole complaint was bogus, and they just wanted 200 apples. You were getting ripped off... do you guys keep catalogs of recent orders?" I started shuffling through the other papers to double check my conclusions.
"Erm... We don't actually..."
I grabbed a folder called 'history' and looked inside. Empty. "Well it's best if we keep track of these things so we could tell if the same complaint would be coming from the same person."
"Well then… I guess it's safe to say that the Apple family just got that much smarter! Thanks for the information Storm, I'll keep that in mind."
"No problem." Big Mac and AJ left the room I was working in and headed towards the kitchen. If I had known any better about the time, it must be noon by now. They’re probably grabbing some lunch. My stomach started to ache as I clutched it.
“Hey Storm. Don’t be a fool of yerself and just grab somethin’ to eat please.” You can’t be serious right. I’ve never been yelled at to eat before. Well… except when my parents were still alive and well.
“Oh, I’m really not that hungry!” I lied.
“… You can’t lie to me Storm, and you should know that well enough by now. You already know how much times I caught ya lying. Remember when you were in the hospital?” My eyes went wide, as I simply nodded slowly in agreement. I had already known that she knew about it, but the nerve for her to bring it up again… She chuckled at my stern face.
“I know you were just trying to protect Rainbow’s pride, and I’m proud you were kind enough to do that for her. I won’t tell anypony and you can count on me!” I just nodded my head, yet again not saying a word. She went back into the kitchen. I looked back down at the papers and didn’t bother to look up when I heard hoof steps coming my way. I thought I didn’t need to… at least until a big red apple was shoved in my mouth. Yup… forced to eat.
I slowly chewed and swallowed. “What was that for! Geez… I was not ready for that. A fair warning would have been nice you know…” I said with a pout tone.
“Well if ah had done that, then you would’ve been able to reject the apple! Why can’t you just let me help you. You’re obviously starving.” She’s right. I was starving… I can’t really remember the last time I ate! Maybe it’s just normal to not eat often as a pony. Well… one things for sure, when I ate that apple it made me realize how hungry I really was. I got up and politely asked for a few more apples. She motioned me to just wait here, and she got a bag of apples. She placed it on the table then said, “Ah gotta get back to work. Big Mac might be wonderin’ what’s takin’ me long. See yah!” She trotted off outside towards the apple orchard. I was left alone with a pile of papers, a cabinet, and three folders. This… is going to be a hell of a day.
Ron’s POV
Go left and go three hundred meters.
"Yes master." Its only been a few days, and I'm already referring someone to 'Master'. How can someon-somepony... got to remember pony terms. The thing in my head keeps telling me that if I follow what he says, I'll become respected and earn forgiveness from Sean... Oh Luna... How am I going to- Don't worry about it. When the time comes, I'll guide you through. Just trust me like how you've been doing for the past few days.
"Yes sir!" He can read my mind when I 'think' aloud. This whole situation is messed up as it is, but I mean... it also can't get any cooler! I'm a pegasus and a unicorn, leaving me possession to high magical abilities that no normal unicorn can perform. I also could fly, this is great! Shut up or think to yourself!
"Technically I am thinking to myself right?"
No, not anymore. Now you're talking to yourself... ugh! Just shut up! I listened and with my superior mobility, I took off at what felt like light speed in the directions he would tell me to go.
Stop here. Take things slow, then let me take over for a bit.
"Yes sir." He would take control of my body every now and then to show me certain spells, or different maneuvers in the sky.
He told me to walk straight ahead for thirty feet until I come near the forest wall. When I did, he took over. Now I'm just the spectator. In the distance I could see a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail... she's not alone either. The cyan pegasus was pinning down and earth pony while what was inaudible but still heard from tone, was yelling. My master slowly crept closer so both of us could hear.
"Why would you do that! YOU KNEW IT ALL TOO!" She was gushing out tears from her big violet eyes. Something is going down for sure. "YOU TRICKED HIM DIDN'T YOU! YOU MADE YOURSELF LOOK ALL SAD AND STUFF SO HE CAN GET CLOSE TO YOU! YOU DID THAT DIDN'T YOU!" The orange pony seemed speechless. She acted like she wanted to say something but nothing... I wanted to go up and find out what was going on, but then again... that may not be a good idea. I am currently looking at myself in third-person view. Only now have I noticed all the attributes of my body. I had a nice long crimson mane, and my coat was jet black. Not having any contact to anypony before, I never seen my eyes before, or had any idea on the colors. My horn was long and sharp, according to my master in my head, I am only one of the few who had a horn like this. Not that I'm glad to be different, but it matched my body quite well. Just then, my horn starting emitting a crimson aura.
This is a spell I'm using on them so I can understand their thoughts better. I'm sure you can hear them as well. I could. They were arguing about a relationship one of them has, and is accusing the other for tricking him to get him close to her. The other is thinking about how much of a misunderstanding it is. On her side, she's a very truthful mare and has never lied or done anything dishonest in her life. So for doing something a bit back for the first time, she was feeling really guilty and broke down in front of him. She thinks that he was trying his best to comfort her which worked. She just can't find the right words to say it though.
A few moments of arguing later, a male pegasus bucked the door open. His mane was dark blue, his coat gray and his eyes golden. "What the hay Dashie! What in the name of Celestia is going on!"
Both mares spun their head around as they heard his voice. They began talking at the same time explaining their story which was pointless seeing as the mixture of words would just become inaudible. He was clearly annoyed by this. This'll be fun. my master said with a sinister tone. I have no idea what he's talking about but hopefully we won't get caught in the business. If we are to be watching this, I want to just listen. Not interact in any way.
My horn glowed the same colored aura and started to surround the gray pegasus's body. He didn't notice, nor did the mares. They were too busy and caught up in their pointless conflict. The gray pegasus flared his wings and started flying uncontrollably to the other pegasus he called 'Dashie'. They tumbled into the apple tree's, soon to be followed by the orange earth pony, and a rather large earth pony.
'What did you do! Did you hurt them!'
Yes. That was all me, but you are the one who did it. Listen here. If you want to become powerful, and if you want to not only earn, but force forgiveness from your dear friend Sean. You'll need to listen to me and stop whining about what needs to be done. You also need to learn how to have a bit of fun! he gagged of laughter as he spoke. 'I thought Canterlot was supposed to be a larger place than this. I sorta imagined it to be a large city without farms.'
And you have thought correctly. This isn't Canterlot. I just thought I'd stop by to say hello to an old friend of mine... in a comedic way of course. Later when I tell him it was me who threw him on his friend he'll just laugh it off. Don't worry about it too much. Now.. shall we head to Canterlot? The Gala should be in about five hours. 'Sure. I guess its okay if this was all a prank and it was your friends. Heh, I could see how that could be funny! I just hope they didn't get hurt too much.'
I was let back in control of my old body. Every time this little switch happens I end up falling face planting into the dirt. I hope we won't have to do this when we reach the Gala. Take flight north east and continue until I tell you to change directions.
"Yes master."
You can call me Mask.
"Yes Mask." What an odd name.
Now we must discuss your pony name. Ron wouldn't suit you here. It's too... different in this world.
"Understandable. So what should it be?"
Nightwalker. I think it suits your coat and eyes. He knows my eye color? A nightcrawler on earth was basically a terrestrial worm... if worms with similar names exist in this world. I don't want any misunderstandings with my name. I didn't let eye color bother me too much... he might be annoyed if I asked such a stupid question.
"Uh... the only problem is... in my world, nightcrawlers are basically a terrestrial worm. I don't know how I'd feel if there's worms nicknamed here were so close to my name..."
Don't worry. I assure you that there's nothing called nightwalker here... or nightcrawler. At least. From what I know of. I shuddered. For no reason. I just did.
"Okay then I guess its an acceptable name."
Heh...
"Huh?"
Oh nothing. Maybe you'll find out sooner or later. This'd better not be about my name. I'll be pretty pissed.
Shayne's POV
What the hell just pushed me! Ah... fuck... I think I hit Dashie... "Dashie... You alright?"
"Storm... how... why..." Her voice cracked and tears were beginning to form from her eyes as she just sat there looking into my soul. She looked at me like I had purposely done that. When it did happen though... I heard something... In the back of my head I heard talking.. only one name stood out though. "Ron!" I said it aloud not really realizing it. Dashie looked back up in confusion. "Sorry Dashie! I have to explain this later! Somethings going on... I don't know what yet, but I just gotta look around."
"Wait! Storm!" She took off after me, but I guess my speed and maneuvering got better. I out flew Dashie leaving a trail of gold behind again except the trail dissipated quickly, about twenty feet behind my tail.
I was searching recklessly but thoroughly at the same time. Looking in the tree's above the canopy. The skies, the water, in the bushes - everything! I soon came across a cave that I have never seen before. It was lit by medieval torches which followed into a cavern. Not thinking, I went in.
The cave wasn't completely made of rock and stone. There were some hieroglyphs on the walls. Pictures of pony sacrifices, and a picture of eight stones that were painted... at least most of them. They were in shapes of diamonds. The middle one purple, and the following colors; red, purple, blue, gold and green. The other two had no colors. They simply had the outline of the shape and that was it. I continued through the cave and saw more and more of the same hieroglyphs, but eventually came to a split in the cave. "Left or right..." I always go right, so lets go left. I made the turn and started being led to a random destination. I left signs of where I came from so I knew which way to turn and stuff. I don't wanna get lost in here forever. My sign was an arrow pointed in the ground to show the direction I came in from, and the way out.
A few random turns later, I came into a fantasized room. There were giant mushrooms, and underground flowing river and waterfall, and everything was bright blue except rocks and the dirt road. It was truly an unbelievable sight. The roof of this cave was tall. It seemed like an underground jungle. It seemed like one of those SCI-FI movies, but you could see moss on the rocks above. They too accustomed blue light.
I started walking through the paths blindly until a few structures were found. A citadel with a giant diamond painting on top. It was colored gray and outlined by the blue moss. I edged closer to the door and hesitantly reached out for the knob. It was locked.
I started taking multiple bucks at the door to force it open. The curiosity obviously getting the best of me allowed me to want whatever was in there. Maybe that was greed getting the best of me. I turned my head frantically to search for some object to aid with my situation. I saw a club laying on the ground. "How did that get there?" Again... not thinking I picked it up and starting taking multiple swings at the door, holding the handle with my mouth.
Failing multiple times, and surprisingly not getting hurt yet, I tossed the club aside while growling at the stupid rebellious door. "Guess you don't wanna break down... I'll check the top. Most citadels I've seen usually have hatches on the top... with a little luck... Crap I'm talking to myself again aren't I..." I flew to the roof of the citadel and found nothing. I searched around to see anything I missed. I should give up now instead of just wasting my time. Maybe I'll come by and visit later when I have some tools for this damned door. I few back down to the entrance and bucked the door once more. This time in anger, not greed. Then, the door opened.
You... may pass... a hissing voice came from the citadel as it opened. Hesitantly, I forced myself in.
"Who are you!" No response... maybe its magic? I don't really understand it much yet, so I guess it could still be possible that the door was enchanted.
In the room were two doors on the left and right sides of the room. In the middle laid a glass table. Again, without much thinking, I walked up to it and tried to calm my previous anger.
"Element Eight: Relentless Justice." Those two words together are contrary... element... maybe this could explain what Applejack meant by 'Element of Honesty.'
"Element Eight is as it is. Its cruel but its also righteous. Although it seems weird, they are both always going to be there. This particular element won't be used for somepony like Discord. This element has been ducked away and hidden because of its power. Nopony could access its power unless you carried the trait. There is no explaining it. Whoever wrote this either did it to confuse me, or leave me clueless. Either way, both worked on me. I'm clueless and confused... I should just leave. I turned around to leave, but the door slammed shut and the words engraved in the door, "You may leave if you fail."
Well that sucks.
I looked at both of the doors. The one on the left was labeled, "Relentless." the door on the right was labeled, "Justice."
Seeing how justice was a better word for things, I took that door not knowing what to expect. Inside was what looked like a court room. Of course! There were two statues of ponies on the left and right. Two levers were also among the statues. There was a paper in the middle as well. "These two are accused of terrorism in different degrees. The one on the right attempted to slay the royal guards but only slain two. The other killed a small filly and attempted to kill more but failed. Which one should be punished by death. If you believe that both should be punished, but not by death. Pull the middle lever up." What middle lever? I searched the room frantically to find it sitting directly in front of my face next to the note. "Idiot!" I continued reading.
"If you feel that both should be punished by death, pull the middle lever down." This is a really messed up puzzle or meaning of justice. What is the justice in killing because they killed somepony else! Even if its a filly... two wrongs don't make a right. My mom told me this before she died.
"If I held a blank check in front of a crowd... everyone in their right mind would raise their hand. If I were to crumple it up and get it dirty... people would still want it right?" I nodded my head remembering back when she was still alive giving me a lesson. "Why do you think that? Why would someone want something dirty and ugly?"
"I dunno mom... why?" I was only at the age of ten when I was told this. It still hurts remembering her, even after those years.
"Well... Shayne, the value hasn't changed. Its value is still as much as you want it to be right? It could be a penny, or it could be a million dollars. Its just up to you. Your life however, is not a blank check."
"Why am I not a blank check?"
"Shayne, you're already growing to be worth more than a blank check. Each second you live, makes my life worth more."
I returned back to reality. I stared at the two statues for what they supposedly done. I thought of their lives. They may not be worth a blank check, but they are worth something to somepony. I pulled the middle lever up, for they shouldn't go unpunished, but they shouldn't die either.
When I did so, I heard gears and pistons moving. The two statues descended into the stone floor, soon followed by the lever and note. What came up was a shield placed on a mannequin. I stared at the mannequin wondering why I would need such a thing. For that matter, I don't even know how to use it! How would I put this on my leg without falling down? I looked closer at the mannequin. It was clearly a pegasus. It also seemed to be flying.
I put the strap on my left hoof and pulled the strap tight. I took flight and saw how easy it would be to use. I practiced bunting at the walls so I could study techniques to block. I already took fencing back on earth for a year... but we've never used shields.
I flew over to the middle room and unstrapped the shield, then laid it against the entrance door.
"One more door... and this'll be over, and after the Gala I could - THE GALA IS TODAY! ITS IN A FEW HOURS! OH NO! DASHIE MUST STILL HATE ME! Oh no... oh no.... oh god oh god!" a stream of panic went through my veins and adrenaline rushed through my entire body. I flew towards the door labeled, "Relentless."
*Authors notes: Hopefully this was a little bit better than previous chapter. Both will be kept up so the alternate story, A Second Too Late: Ghostly Follows would still have a go to and relationship with this story. Anyway, I hope this chapter made more sense, and YES I did change this a lot. The idea of bringing Ron into this was by "sobadnomad" so big shout out to him. I honestly almost forgot about Ron! [Feels klutzy] anyway... hope you enjoyed!