Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' - excerpt, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven
-o-
A pair of golden eyes narrowed at the Manehattan skyline from the observer’s perch atop the tallest building in the vast city. “The City That Never Sleeps” was a fitting nickname for the bustling metropolis, proven by ponies busily scampering about, despite how late at night it was. All of them were completely unaware of the being watching from so far above their heads, searching for one pony in particular.
Wings spread, the golden-eyed being took off in search of its quarry. She was here.
-o-
Her alarm clock blared incessantly while the sun’s light beat down on her from her nearby window. She struck the clock with a hoof, a part of her wishing she could just crush the thing into a million pieces. Slowly, she sat up, stretching out her wings and forelegs and blinking the sleep out of her eyes. She climbed out of her lumpy bed (she needed to get a new one at some point) and immediately headed for her apartment’s tiny kitchen, where she sat at the table and fixed herself a bowl of cereal.
With breakfast out of the way, she went to the bathroom to brush her two-toned, bright violet and slate-colored mane and tail out of their sloppy, bed-induced states before brushing her teeth and making her way to the corner of her apartment that she had reserved specifically for the object of her passions.
She sat in front of the blank canvas atop her easel, shifting her brush in her mouth as she stared at the white sheet before her, tapping her hoof against the floor. She cocked her head to the side, as if that would give her an idea for new, unique piece of art. She asked herself her usual series of questions: which color should she start with? That decided, how long or short should her strokes be for this painting? What was she going to paint to begin with?
Occasionally, she would perk up, thinking an idea had come to her, only for it to vanish just as quickly as it had appeared. Sometimes, she had an idea, but shot them down because of a lack of originality.
With an eventual sigh and check of the clock on the wall to her right, she set her brush down and made to head out to work. With any luck, she might come up with something while working.
-o-
The mare’s name is Swirling Line, an aspiring artist living in the city of Manehattan and working as a waitress in a diner until her career finally takes off. Every morning, she goes through the same routine, living her life day by day. She is normal and, for the most part, content with how things are. Her only problem is her lack of inspiration, which blocks her from sharing her talent with the world.
However, today is another day. Today is different. Today… the mare will die.
-o-
“'Ey! Line! Get yer head outta the clouds! We got orders waitin’!” shouted a burly voice from the kitchen of the restaurant.
Her head snapped back in surprise as she was pulled from her daydream. With a tired sigh, she rubbed at her eyes and called back to her boss. “Coming, Lou.” She pushed away the rough sketch that she had scribbled on a napkin and walked for the serving counter. She made sure her two-toned mane was tied back in its tail tightly, before stepping into the kitchen.
“Are you daft, girl? Hurry up!” her boss bellowed again as he stacked plates of food on her tray.
Muttering to herself, she collected the tray of greasy, fried food and skillfully made her way through the packed restaurant while balancing the tray on her wings. She walked up to a table were three stallions dressed in business garb chatted amongst themselves.
“I have one hay burger with onion rings, a Fillidelphia cheese sandwich and fries, and another hay burger, extra onions with cheese fries.” She set the food in front of each stallion as they claimed their meals. “Will there be anything else, sirs?”
One of them gave her a leer. “Not right now, darling. Maybe later.”
She kept a straight face, but inwardly wanted to smack that leer off his muzzle. “I’ll just refill your drinks then.”
As she turned away, she felt a sharp slap on her flank, right where her snowflake cutie mark was visible. She took in a deep breath to calm herself and moved away. She put the tray back on the counter for her boss to fill up again, conveniently forgetting about the stallions’ drinks.
“Rough day so far, huh?” her friend asked, a dark tan-pelted, verdant green-maned unicorn.
“The customers are a touchy sort,” Swirling Line muttered, pulling the skirt of her uniform lower to better cover her flank.
The unicorn scowled. “Hopefully they won’t stay long.” She adjusted her server’s cap to better settle around her horn.
Swirling watched as the cook set more plates of food on the tray. “So, what are you doing after work, Summer Streams?”
The unicorn smirked wanly. “I’ve got to get some groceries, or I’ll be forced to eat my uniform.”
“Ya eat it, ya buy it!” Lou called to her, not even slowing in his frenzy of work.
Swirling chuckled. “How does he do that?”
He roughly shoved the last of the plates on her tray. “Quit yer yammerin’ and get this to table nine, now!”
She did her best to keep her annoyance from her expression, though that didn’t stop the irritated swish of her tail. “Yes, Lou.”
“Don’t give me lip, girl! Just do it!”
Summer gave her a quick look of sympathy before Swirling made her way to the destined tabled. She privately hated this, being a waitress in some grease hole in Manehatten. She wanted so much more out of her life. This mundane lifestyle was not where she had pictured herself after she had finished her schooling. Her art was her passion, it was her destiny. Though her cutie mark was a snowflake—signifying her skill at crafting the winter precipitation—she didn’t want to spend her life in a weather factory.
As her evening progressed, her mind frequently wandered to her dreams. She imagined that one day, her art would be recognized by a famous art critic, and her name would circulate through the ranks of other famous artists. Though the money it would bring would help her live comfortably, that was not what drove her to be an artist. Knowing that her art would inspire other artists after her, and solidifying her name in art history, was her drive. To be remembered as one of Equestria’s greatest artists… that was her dream. Her dream also included finding the right stallion to share her passion with, and to be there to support her when she needed it. Perhaps one day, she would teach her future foals to love art as much as she did.
Mercifully, her shift ended, and she and Summer Streams burst out of the door to the restaurant.
“Finally! I’m out of here!” She quickly shook her body so her light-violent pelt didn’t feel so matted. She wrinkled her nose as the pungent smell of grease reached her nose. “I need a bath,” she lamented.
Summer chuckled. “With lots of soap.”
Swirling lifted her nose. “You’re no better than me, Summer. You smell just as bad.”
“I do not!” Summer protested as they walked away from the store.
Before they could get far, they heard the door slam open behind them and Lou stormed out. “Swirling! Your till was two bits short! That happens again, it comes outta yer check!”
She tried so hard to ignore the bellows of her boss.
“’Ey! Ya’d damn well better listen when I’m talkin’ to ya! Ya hear me?!”
She gritted her teeth and turned back to him. “I heard you, Lou! I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Damn right you will!” The oaf slammed the door shut, it echoed through the grimy alley.
Swirling felt Summer rest a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you. It isn’t worth it.”
She took a steadying breath and nodded a thanks to her. The two left the alley as night began to settle over the busy streets of the pony metropolis. They walked along the still-crowded streets as ponies and carriages came and went on their own tasks. Very few so much as looked at the two mares as they made their way home. It wasn’t that it was new to them, it was just the indifference that had Swirling Line thinking inwardly. She hardly paid any mind to Summer Streams as she talked about various things.
“—and then, he kissed my hoof before saying goodnight!” She squeed a bit. “We have another date this weekend. I’m really hoping we have a nice dinner and maybe go out to see a play.” She sighed deeply and looked to the oblivious Swirling Line. “Hey! Are you even listening to me?”
Swirling looked at her for a moment before looking away. “Yeah. It sounds... nice.”
The green unicorn frowned softly. “Swirling, please don’t let what Lou said get to you. You know he’s all bark and no bite.”
“It’s not that…”
“What is it, then? You’re no fun being all mopey.”
The light-violet pegasus took in a breath and looked to the sky as it was adorned with the lights of the city. “I’m just tired of waiting.”
Summer gave her a soft look. “You mean your art?”
She nodded slowly.
“I, ah…” The unicorn fumbled a bit as she tried to find the right words to say. “I’m not much of an art critic - I can barely draw a straight line, myself - but your art is some of the most beautiful I know. You just have to wait for your big break, then you can leave this dump and travel around Equestria with your art. I know it’ll happen soon.”
Swirling looked to her friend. “But how much longer do I have to wait?”
The unicorn shook her head. “I don’t know, but it will come. Just have faith.”
The beginnings of a smile crossed the pegasus’s face. “Y-yeah, you’re right. I just need to be patient.” She smiled gratefully to her friend. “Thanks, Summer. I don’t care what anypony else says, you’re smarter than you look.”
The unicorn nodded before her brow furrowed. “Hey! That was mean!”
Swirling laughed and it was quickly joined by her friend. “You’re the best, Summer.”
“So are you.” The two shared a hug as they came to the road that lead to the grocery store.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the park?” Summer asked.
“I’ll be there.” Swirling smiled teasingly. “Just don’t be late this time.”
The other scoffed. “Ha! See you tomorrow, Swirling Line.”
“You too, Summer Streams. Good night.”
The two parted ways and Swirling started down the path that would take her home. As she trotted down the street, she thought back on what Summer had said. She had know the unicorn for around four years now. Swirling had first come to Manehattan thinking that she would find her big break here. Like they say, “if you can make it in Manehattan, you can make it anywhere.” Summer had been the only pony in the city so far who seemed to give a flying feather about Swirling’s passion for art.
While Summer was far from being the smartest pony in the world, she just as far from being the dumbest. She could be pretty witty at times, and was a pretty good listener whenever Swirling needed to vent out her frustrations. Not to mention that it was nice to hear about somepony else’s life every once in a while.
After walking for several minutes, lost in her ruminations, she heard what sounded like screaming. Looking up, she saw smoke in the sky, and a bright orange light just down the street. Her eyes went wide, instantly realizing what was happening. She took off at rushed gallop that turned into a frantic glide.
An apartment complex was on fire, with ponies panicking and yelling, running and screaming. Most of them were earth ponies, Swirling noticed, while a bare hoofful were unicorns. Nopony looked hurt, however, so that was a relief. The burning building, however, was still an immense problem. If somepony didn’t do something, it would surely spread.
“She’s still in there!” she heard a mare shout over the voices of the other ponies. Swirling’s ears swiveled at the voice, and she saw an earth pony mare being restrained by two stallions. “My daughter is still in there! She’s trapped!”
“We’ve already sent for the fire department!” said one of the stallions. “They’ll be here soon!”
“They won’t get here in time!” the mare screamed in protest.
While the stallions struggled to hold the mare back, Swirling looked up at the inferno, her throat suddenly dry at the thought of a child being stuck in that hellish building. She looked around at the terrified ponies running about. They wouldn’t be able to do much of anything in this.
‘But I could,’ she realized as she looked at her wings, then back to the fire. She gritted her teeth and took off flying into the blazing home, with ponies yelling at her to stop.
She blasted in through a window with more impact than she had intended, instantly feeling a stark rise in the temperature. She tumbled violently across the floor, landing on her side and spraining her right wing. She winced in pain, but bit down a yelp of pain as she stood back up on her hooves, shaking the feeling of dizziness out of her head.
“Hello?” she called out as she trudged through the smoldering building. A burst of flame forced her back, the intensity of the heat searing her coat. She called out again as she searched for way out of the room she was in. A wall nearby crumbled, falling apart as the flames ate away at it. She took advantage of it and fled the room, coughing violently as she inhaled a small cloud of smoke.
Her ears perked at the sound of somepony gagging on air and crying. She followed the sound to a door that had miraculously avoided being devoured by the fire around it, but it was only a matter of time before that changed.
She hit the door with a hoof. “Hello? Is somepony in there?” The only response was more crying. She gritted her teeth again and turned around. Putting as much strength as she could into it, she bucked the door as hard as possible. The door was knocked off of its hinges, falling to the floor and allowing Swirling to enter.
She rushed inside, frantically searching until she found a small earth pony filly huddled in the corner across from her. The pegasus hurried over to the child. “Are you okay?” The filly looked up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes that held an immeasurable amount of fear in them. Swirling bit her lip, unsure of what to do. “Look, I-I’m here to get you out of this place. We have to go, now.”
The filly huddled further back against the wall.
Swirling resisted the urge to just grab the foal and fly out. She didn’t want to scare the child anymore than she already was. “I’m not going to hurt you, okay? I’m here to help.” The filly looked at her with large, green eyes. clearly unsure. Swirling crouched down. “Get on my back, and I’ll get you out of here. Please.” A ceiling rafter nearby fell, shattering against the floor, making the filly yelp in fear. “Hurry!”
The filly climbed onto Swirling’s back, locking her front hooves around the mare’s neck. Making sure the child was secure, Swirling made her way back to where she had come in from. A hole in the floor in the hallway forced her to take a detour to another room, where it looked to be faring far worse than the rest of Swirling had seen of the building. It was an enormous risk, especially with a sprained wing, but she had to chance it. She galloped across to the nearest window. She could see that the fire department had finally arrived, along with several doctors. She leaned out the window and waved with a hoof.
A pegasus stallion in a firefighter’s uniform flew up to the window she was in. “Come on!” he shouted. “Fly out of there!”
“My wing is hurt!” Swirling said as she carefully took the filly off of her back and into her hooves. “Take her!” The firefighter took the filly without question. Just in the nick of time, too.
The floor beneath Swirling gave out in that instant.
The world slowed. For an instant, she saw the horrified looks on both the firefighter and the filly’s faces as she fell. When they were no longer in sight, something hard struck her neck. She heard an audible snap before the world went black.
-o-
Darkness…
Empty… cold… darkness…
It was all she saw. All she could feel. There was nothing but nothing as far as she could tell. She was alone. It was only her and the emptiness.
“Wake up.”
The sound of a voice roused her, and Swirling Line sat up immediately, finding herself in some kind of… forest? It was still dark, but just light enough to see. The bark of the trees was black, though it was impossible to tell if the color was natural or if they had been burned to look like that. Above was a white sky that was barely visible from beneath the forest canopy. The ground was also black, though not a dark as the trees.
“Up here,” came that same voice. When she looked up, she mostly expected to see a pegasus stallion hovering above her. To her surprise, as she saw was single, black raven, perched upon a scorched tree branch, observing her with shockingly golden eyes.
“Good,” the raven said. “You can follow simple instructions. Always a bonus.”
“Did…” Swirling stammered, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. “Did you just talk?”
“No,” the raven answered, “it was the branch that I’m standing on. Of course I talked.” The ebony bird rolled its eyes and muttered, “Ponies are such idiots.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Look, I’m here to tell you something very important.” The raven hopped off its perch and landed on the ground in front of her. “You’re dead.”
With those two words, Swirling Line’s mind began doing laps around her brain, rushing to comprehend what she had just heard. “I- what?”
“Yeah, sorry to be so candid about it, but it’s the truth. You died saving that little filly from a burning building. Quite a noble death, actually.”
“B-b-b-but I can’t be dead! I-I-I have my whole life planned out! I’m going to make it big as an artist, meet a nice stallion, have a family! I can’t be dead!”
The raven sighed. “Denial is always the first stage. Look, before you descend into stage two of grief, I want you to-”
“And who in the hay are you, anyway!?” Swirling yelled at the black-feathered bird, who hopped back in surprise at her sudden indignation.
“Just… listen. My name is Nevermore. I’m a shadow spirit. I’ve been looking for someone like you.”
“Like… me?” she asked as her sudden fit of anger slowly died down a little. The raven nodded.
“You’re unique,” he explained. “You were willing to give your life to save someone else, and you did. I like that. And so, I’m going to make you a deal you’d have to be stupid to deny.” Nevermore then stood as straight as he could, looking Swirling in the eyes with a look of dead seriousness.
“I’m going to revive you.”
Swirling felt that she needed to do a double take, and stared at the bird with a dumbfounded expression. “What?”
“I’m going to bring you back to life. All of your fatal injuries will be healed. Lesser injuries will be left, though. It’d bring too many questions.”
“But… how? Why?”
“If you say yes, I’ll bond my soul to yours. You’ll be revitalized. As for ‘why…’ well…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Well, it’s not really much of a concern for you at the moment. Let’s just say that I need a host, and you fit the bill. So, do we have a deal?”
Swirling fell backwards onto her haunches, mouth slightly agape. She could only stare at the raven in front of her in shock. She had just learned the most devastating news she probably ever going to hear in her… life? Afterlife? That thought made her head hurt like Tartarus. Now, this bizarre, out-of-nowhere bird thing was offering to bring her back to life, and even heal some of her more severe injuries. She wasn’t completely certain what to think about all of this. So many questions flooded her mind.
“You…” she finally said. “You said you’re a shadow spirit. Wh-what does that mean, exactly?”
Nevermore shrugged. “I’m what ignorant mortals might call a demon. But I assure you, I’m anything but. Demons are pure evil and seek nothing less than the total annihilation of the mortal realm. Shadow spirits, on the other… what’s your term again? Hoof?” Swirling nodded. “Right. We’re like demons, in the sense that we’re creatures of darkness. However, we’re far more benign. Most of my kin are indifferent to your world. Some just like to observe what goes on in the day-to-day lives of mortals. Few ever really intervene in anything, though.”
The mare nodded, though she still didn’t quite understand. Shadow spirits? Demons? Creatures of darkness? This was stuff out of some cheap fantasy book! Still…
“Aside from… reviving me… what else will happen to me if I agree? I kind of get the feeling there’s going to be more to this deal than you’re letting on.”
“Smart, for a pony,” Nevermore replied, though it was difficult to tell whether that was a compliment or an insult. “There’ll be a few perks for the both of us. Maybe a few drawbacks, honestly, but there shouldn’t be too many down sides to it.”
“What kind of perks? What drawbacks?”
“It’d be pointless to explain it if you don’t take the deal,” retorted the raven.
She leaned back a little and thought on it. This bird was offering her a chance to live again, possibly even more fully than before, though he clearly wouldn’t say how until she agreed. It seemed almost too good to be true. She hung her head low, mulling over her only two options: take Nevermore’s deal and live again, or die and let who-know-what happen. It didn’t really take long for her to make her decision.
“Okay.” She nodded her head to affirm her own statement. “All right. Let’s do it.”
The raven smirked. “Good choice.” He spread his wings then. All around them, the shadows bent and turned towards Nevermore, actually coming off the ground and wrapping around him, assuming his shape and rapidly enlarging until he was immense, black bird that would’ve dwarfed Princess Celestia. Swirling’s eyes went wide, and she stumbled back.
“Hold still,” came Nevermore’s voice from the giant bird that had replaced him. He wrapped his wings around her with startling speed.
Once again, all went black.
-o-
She could hear… voices. Muffled voices. They were slowly getting clearer, but she couldn’t quite make it out. She thought she heard somepony say “miracle,” but she wasn’t sure. She slowly opened her eyes to a blinding white light. She clenched her eyes, but didn’t fully close them, trying to let them adjust to the sudden light above her.
Was it above her? Yes, it definitely was. She felt she was lying down, on a bed, perhaps.
Her eyes had adjusted enough for her to just make the forms of three or four ponies standing around her.
“-aking up!” Her ears twitched in irritation at the loudness of the voice, but Swirling Line felt herself relax at the familiarity of it. Soon, her eyes fully adjusted to the light, and she could see Summer Streams standing over her, an earth pony stallion she didn’t recognize standing at the unicorn’s side. There was vaguely familiar, bright red earth pony mare with a pinkish mane as well, along with a unicorn stallion wearing a doctor’s uniform.
“Swirling!” Summer said with a huge, relieved grin on her face. “Are you okay? How do you feel?”
The pegasus mare groaned. “Like I was standing between you and cute stallion.”
Summer gave a laugh at that. “Yeah, you’re fine.”
Swirling tried to sit up, but hissed in pain when she felt something in her chest get pushed the wrong way. She looked over at the stallion in uniform. “So… what’s the damage?”
“A couple cracked ribs, a severely pulled muscle in your right wing, and a few cuts, bruises, and minor burns.” The doctor spoke plainly and simply. “You’re lucky, considering the fall you took.”
“The doctors all say it’s a miracle that you’re even alive,” said Summer. “They keep saying that your injuries should’ve been far worse than they were.”
“‘Were’?” Swirling parroted. “How long was I out?”
“Two days,” the earth pony mare answered. Swirling gave her somewhat baffled look. “Oh, sorry. We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Bright Day. You saved my daughter from the apartment fire.” As if on cue, a little earth pony filly hopped into Swirling’s line of sight, beaming at the injured pegasus. She had bright yellow coat with a mane that matched the color of the older mare’s coat. Her eyes were a bright green.
“Hi!” the filly said excitedly. “I’m Sunny!”
“Oh. Hello.” Now Swirling knew why the mare seemed familiar. She was the panicking mother who had to be restrained.
“I thought we should come visit,” said Bright Day. “I wanted to thank you personally for saving Sunny.”
Sunny gave an energetic nod. “You got me out of the apartment just in time.”
“You hear that, Swirl?” Summer said with no lack of enthusiasm. “You’re a hero!”
Swirling gave a weak chuckle. “Yeah. I guess.”
The doctor stepped forward. “Sorry to interrupt, but I should get going. I have other patients who need attention. If you need anything, Miss Line, just holler. A nurse will come help you.” Swirling nodded, and the doctor took his leave from the room.
Swirling’s gaze soon fell on the stallion standing beside Summer. He had a tan coat with dark brown mane, and eyes to match his hair. “Sorry, but do I know you?”
Summer gasped suddenly. “Oh! Sorry! I forgot you two haven’t actually met yet. Swirl, this the stallion I told you about on the day of the fire.”
“Name’s Page Topper,” the stallion said. “Freelance journalist. I’ll be straight with you and say that I was hoping I might get an interview with you. Like Summer and Mrs. Day said, you’re a hero.”
“Uh… sure, I guess. But do you think it can wait?”
Page shrugged. “Sure. Take whatever time you need.” He kissed Summer on the cheek. “I’m going out to talk to some of the other ponies who were there. I want to get some varied opinions.”
“Hold on,” said Summer. She looked to her friend. “Will you be all right on your own for now?”
Swirling nodded. “I’m fine. Go hang out with you boyfriend, Summer.” The unicorn nodded and left with Page, leaving Swirling alone with Bright Day and her daughter, the latter of whom was still beaming at the pegasus. When Swirling looked at Sunny, the filly shied away slightly, but stayed within easy sight.
“I’m sorry,” Bright said as she nuzzled her daughter. “Sunny can be shy sometimes, and bouncy at other times.”
“It’s all right,” Swirling assured the older mare. “I don’t mind. I was actually the same way as a foal.”
Bright laughed and nodded. “Well, I’d say your parents raised you well. Oh!” She turned away suddenly, going to pick something up. She set a small box up on the table next to Swirling’s bed. “I almost forgot. I own a sweets shop down the street from… where we used to live. I can never repay for what you’ve done, but please, take these candies as thanks.” She opened the box, and Swirling Line’s mouth instantly watered at the sight and smell. The box contained a number of assorted chocolates, gumdrops, jawbreakers, gummies, and other types of sweets. She could smell something minty in there, too, and found a couple candy canes next to some peanut brittle.
Swirling bowed her head to Bright Day as if she was meeting Princess Celestia herself. “I eagerly and humbly accept.” She grabbed the box and popped a peanut butter cup into her mouth, savoring the sweet taste of peanut and chocolate.
Sunny giggled at Swirling’s actions, and Bright smiled. “My shop is called Daytime Delights. Whenever you get a craving for something sweet, just pop right in. For you, everything is on the house.”
Swirling’s mouth hung open at that. She almost wanted to cry when Bright said that. “Thank you,” she said with the utmost reverence. Once more, Sunny giggled, and Bright smiled. Swirling was having a pretty good day, all things considered.