//------------------------------// // The Miasma // Story: The Everfree Guide's Daughter // by xXSheltieXx //------------------------------// Steam Snowflake sat by her mother's bedside, holding her hoof warmly. It had been a few days since the incident. The 'few' days before were normal. Lantern Glow was out shopping and one tiny misstep nearly killed her. She was on the sidewalk, about to walk through a crosswalk that was safe to pass. The Nitor Pony got to the other side and a driver just rammed into her as she was about to finish shopping. Steam had sat by her mother's side ever since she was in the bed at the hospital. Her hind legs were broken and her ribs were cracked. Her left eye's orbital was crushed, most likely never to be seen with again. The doctors didn't expect her to walk. Ever. She'd most likely spend the rest of her life in a wheel chair. The other part, however, was if she woke up. The doctors didn't expect her to wake up until about four more months. And if it passed that- she was most likely going to stay in a coma. Steam cried her eyes out, her eyes red with puffiness from crying so much. The Alicorn held her hoof gently, eying her mother's wrapped up hind legs and bandaged ribs. Lenora was facing Steam towards the left, showing her right eye, but the white patch on her eye was still slightly visible. A tear rolled down her cheek, unexpected since she had cried so much that now, she just sobbed without tears. She wanted her mommy to hold her and hug her and she wanted her mom to tell her everything would be fine. But deep in her heart, she knew she wouldn't. Steam stood up when nurses trotted into the room, shooing her away from her mother. She walked out of her mother's room slowly, the nurses slamming the door heavily, catching on her hoof before closing. The Alicorn walked outside, rain pouring. It was perfect for a day like today; one when your own mother might die. Steam spread her wings, looking to the air to fly, but the parts just splayed on the mud on the ground. She dragged them behind her, making trails as she walked slowly, no where in particular. She just walked and walked, a frown on her face, bags under her eyes, indicating she hadn't slept. In a haze, she found herself in the Everfree Forest. It was like time and space had stopped to make her a wormhole and spit her out by her old home. It was worn and broken, the stones cracking and falling. Nothing remained inside as they had taken everything with them. She heard a voice suddenly ring in her ears. Help. Her ears flicked as she looked for the voice, trotting into her house. She followed its echos into her old room, slapping her wings to dry them off. She saw a bluish-violet colored ooze that laid on an old stone chair. Steam was wary of it, but sat down close to it. She poked it gently, recoiling quickly. Please don't touch me. "What are you?" Steam asked; she thought she knew the answer, she just had to be sure. I'm called Miasma! I'm stuck in this form and I am not of this world! You must help me return home! "Where do you live?" I live on the moon. "How do I get you home?" Put me on your horn and aim at the moon. Steam shook her head, looking at the Miasma. "You're a liar. You've possessed Princess Luna and Miss Rarity! I'm not helping you! I'll call Princess Luna and-" But I can save your mother, Steam Snowflake. Steam's eyes widened. She turned and looked at the goo, her left eye twitching. "H-How?" If we become one, I can heal your mother. Steam frowned, thinking, processing. Tick, tock goes the clock, tick tock, there it swings. The Miasma sung quietly. "Fine!" The goop latched onto her horn in a swift movement, sinking into her skin. Steam struggling, coughing and hacking for air as the foreign body implanted itself inside her. Her head threw to the right and thrashed to the left, her wings zapping electricity off of the feathers. Her horn spat out static magic as she fought the Miasma, her eyes going clear to blue and clear to green and all over the place. Just let me sink in, it'll be easier. Steam struggled for air, collapsing to the ground with her eyes open wide, drool rolling down her mouth as she lost consciousness. After more spasms and fits, her mane began changing. It got darker, closer to a navy blue. Her fur was completely black, and her eyes were dragon-like with white irises and black sclera. Her Cutie Mark also changed, the gears actually winding up to make a circular window-like with a bolt and springs. She flicked her tail as she stood up, her teeth a large grin. "I can help mother now," Steam thought inside her head, lying against a pink fluffy substance. "This will help mother." Her eyes blinked and eventually closed. The Miasma smiled, now holding a host. "An Alicorn body," It growled with a grin. "Finally. Nightmare Steam is upon you, Equestria." She snickered as her horn was covered in blackness, teleporting Steam- Nightmare Steam wherever she wanted- Canterlot Castle.