//------------------------------// // Prologue: Equus Side // Story: A New World, A Darkened Path // by GoldenCyclone4 //------------------------------// Equestria Trotten POV: Wind Walker "Ugh, I hate school days," I muttered as I finally managed to drag myself from bed. I ruffled my wings and gave my pure white coat a quick once-over before heading downstairs. I spotted my sister, Mind Walker, making us some breakfast. "Hey, Mindy," I greeted as I walked into the kitchen area. "Morning, Wind," she replied. "Breakfast is almost ready, go ahead and take a seat." She wasn't lying. Almost as soon as I sat down, she had brought over two plates with some toast and fruit. Her light purple coat seemed a bit ruffled, and her pink mane didn't seem much better. "You okay, sis?" I asked, worried for her. "I'm fine," she said, with a fake smile. She dropped the act quickly, though. "Just not looking forward to another day of teasing and beatings from everyone at school." Trotten was a city where there was an actual high school, at which we were sophomores at. But the bullying we received there was relentless. This was because of our "talents," if you were to call them that. I'm a pegasus, and Mindy's an earth pony, and yet somehow, we both have limited forms of magic. I could manipulate wind and air currents far better than an average pegasus, and Mindy had Psychokinesis. It may have something to do with the fact that both of our parents were unicorns, but regardless, we were seen as freaks. "I know, Mindy," I sighed as I continued eating. "Look, two more years, and we can leave this place. Maybe move in with Doug over in Manehattan," referring to a cousin of ours. "I know," she replied, "but it doesn't mean I have to like it." I glanced at the clock. "Looks like it's time to head out." I grabbed my schoolbag and headed towards the door, Mindy right behind me. The walk to school was uneventful, but upon arriving in class, I noticed everypony was whispering about something. I sat next to my best friend, Bright Shine. "Bright, what's going on?" I asked the golden unicorn mare. "There's apparently supposed to be a new student today," she replied. Before I could question her more, the teacher, an older unicorn mare, walked into the room. "Class, I would like you to meet our newest addition to our school: Jetstream Swiftwing. She hails from a noble family from Griffenheim, and has chosen to attend here." As she spoke, Jetstream walked in. She was definitely a griffin, alright. Her front half seemed similar to an eagle's, but with silver feathers and gray face plumage. Her back half was an ocelot's, spots and all. She carried herself like a noble, but it seemed more ingrained than a conscious choice. Who knows, maybe she won't be that bad. "Hey, everyone," she said. "Glad to be here. I wanted to come here for a break from the whole 'high-and-mighty noble' gig, so I came here for some normalcy. Don't mind me, just treat me like a normal student." Huh, so she was a 'noble gone normal' type, huh? Okay. "If you would just take a seat, Jetstream," the teacher said, "We'll begin today's lesson." The rest of the morning passed pretty quickly. Then came the period I dreaded most: lunch. The period where everyone was free to pick on us. I sat at my usual table with Bright and Mindy. "So, opinions on the new girl?" Bright asked. She was a sweet pony, very kind and happy. But she was picked on alongside us for one reason. Her talent was Light-based spells, but for some reason, it gave her a crippling fear of the dark. As in, paralyzing. She had to sleep with the lights on in her room, it was so bad. And of course, irrational fears are great ammo for bullies. But back to the topic at hand. "She's certainly interesting," Mindy replied as she munched on a sandwich. "She seems nice," I said, "but definitely a mystery." Our conversation was interrupted by the griffin in question walking by. "Hey," she asked, "is there a seat open?" "Uh... Sure..." Mindy replied cautiously. "Though sitting with us won't do you any favors in the popularity department." "And why's that?" She seemed honestly curious. "Because the whole school sees us as freaks," I interjected."The pegasus who can control the wind. The earth pony with Psychokinesis. And the light spell talented unicorn who's afraid of the dark. So if you're going to bully us, I suggest you leave now." "Wait, you guys get bullied for that?" She asked incredulously. "That's just what you were born with. You can't control that. And besides, I hate bullies. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that." I didn't buy it. Who does she think she is- "Hey, freaks!" And it would seem we have a bigger problem. Dark Crown and his crony Blitz Fire were walking this way. These two were our biggest harrassers. "Who are you talking to?" When he noticed that it was Jetstream, he turned and asked her, "Why are you hanging out with the freaks?" Blitz Fire chimed in with the very intelligent remark of, "Yeah, freaks!" "Why don't you come hang out with the cool ponies, like us?" Dark Crown continued. I noticed Jetstream was clenching her talons. She then did something none of us expected. She punched him in the face. "You two are complete jerks!" She yelled. "Where do you get off judging people based on things they can't control? If there are two things I can't tolerate, it's complete plot-holes like you two, and bullying. Now get out of my sight, or the next hit will be where the sun don't shine!" Her words got those two running. They bolted like scared foals. She turned back to us. "Sorry you guys had to see that. But at least those two won't bother you again." With my original assessment of her completely reevaluated, I decided to apologize. "Sorry about what I said. I'm just used to jerks like that." "No prob," she replied. "I'd probably be defensive too if that was my life. I'm Jetstream, but you already knew that." "I'm Wind Walker," I said, "but you can call me Wind." Mindy went next. "I'm Mind Walker, but I go by Mindy." "And I'm Bright Shine, but call me Bright," Bright finished. "Glad to meet you, guys. And don't worry about any more bullying. I've learned that once they get put in their place, they usually stay there." It seemed like a great day. But I knew it couldn't last. And by Celestia, was I right... Equus Trotten POV: Rouge Streak "Hey, Stella, come look at this!" I called to my unicorn partner. She rushed over. "What is it, Rouge?" She asked, curious as to what I had found. "You remember those sonar spells we installed in the surrounding area?" I asked, my webbed wings fluttering in nervousness. "Of course I do," she replied, "I set them up!" "Well, something's triggering them in nearly every spot. Or rather, many somethings." "Really?" She seemed intrigued. I moved out of the way to let her check the screen we had set up. "Wow, you're right. Should we investigate?" Her her light blue coat bristled in anticipation. "Yeah," I replied, running a hoof through my grey mane, "but where in Tarturus do we start?" "Hm, well there's a cluster in the southeast, near the edge of the forest. Let's check that out first." I nodded. "Right, let's move!" We dashed out of the station, ready to find out just what had happened.