//------------------------------// // The Start of Something New // Story: The Tale of Blight, Emerald and White // by Voltsthevoltvolts //------------------------------// Emerald Magic had studied neutral magic for the better part of his life, his ability in practical sessions in unmatched however he lacks the education to prove it in theory. Meanwhile one of his fellow students, White Light excels at using holy magic and can explain her magic in theory. Despite coming from two different schools, the two get along well in the only magical collage in the city, even going as far to make plans for their future. “Hey Emerald chin up.” Emerald looked up and saw White Light, she was as beautiful as ever even with all the stress of exams. Her mane was long and flowed elegantly and was as white as the purest of snows. A small pearl necklace sat calmly around her neck drawing attention away from her regal sapphire eyes. Despite her coat being a slightly darker shade of white it all blended well and her cutie mark resembled a pair of angelic wings with a halo above them. “We have our plans right? I will pick you up in a weeks’ time… And then we can get started.” White Light winked slyly at Emerald. “I wish I had passed though…” Emerald sighed, he was a mess. His normally well-kept mane was a mess and was growing unchecked. His emerald eyes were surrounded by bags from late night study sessions and his tail was frayed from being neglected all this being caused by the stress of exams. His coat was a mix of purple and blue and his mane was a solid chestnut colour. “It annoys me that I only failed by a few marks…” Emerald brought a piece of paper to White Light’s eye level. “No need to act so glum Emerald…” White Light ignored the paper and sat next to the sulking colt. “We planned for this, remember?” White lightly gently placed her hooves around Emerald and pulled him close. Emerald sighed and returned the hug. “See? Everything is going to be alright...” Emerald sighed to himself he surveyed the bar, the only other pony in the bar was the tavern owner and he was cleaning a mug. “I should have known it was too good to be true…” Emerald muttered to himself. He had spent the past seven weeks waiting for White Light to show up and each week his hope and spirit grew weaker. “Eh? What’s that Emerald?” The tavern owner hollered over from behind the bar. “Nothing…” Emerald sighed loudly and slowly got up. “I'm thinking of calling it quits, how’s my tab?” The tavern owner shook his head. “Don’t worry about it… Just don’t cause any trouble.” Emerald moved over to the bar. “At least let me tidy up, it’s the least I can do.” Emerald levitated a few mugs and rags into the air and began cleaning. The tavern simply finished cleaning his mug and nodded. “So, how long has it been then? Seven months now?” The tavern owner inquired as Emerald effortlessly cleaned mugs. “Seven and a half now. I’ve gotten over it though.” Emerald lied to himself, in truth he had hoped White Light would walk into the tavern every day and take him away. “Seems like yesterday you showed up all bright eyed and happy. You were so sure of what the future held.” The tavern owner reminisced. “What happened to you?” “I don’t know…” Emerald groaned. “There was this mare, we had plans for the future… She just, left me.” Emerald chuckled quietly. “We spent years planning out our lives and she just… Ditched it.” “Heh mares, not worth the trouble if you asked me.” The tavern owner chuckled joyfully. “My first wife cost me my house in greater Dawn, the really expensive part of the city. Second wife tried to still the tavern, I learnt my lesson by the third.” “But she was different.” Emerald reasoned. “We had planned ever small detail. From the moment we left the collage to the moment we died. We even planned to have foals at some point. I guess there are something’s in life you…” Emerald was cut off by the door to the tavern swinging open. A cloaked figure stood in the door, completely masked by the darkness outside. Bother Emerald and the tavern owner gave a puzzled look. “Erhm.” The pony was undoubtedly a mare from her voice, just not the mare Emerald was anticipating for though. “I take it happy hour is over?” The mare coldly laughed, her voice was jagged as if she had been running. “Service stopped three hours ago.” The tavern owner proclaimed. “I take it you have other business here?” “How perceptive of you.” The mare hissed, her voice went from jagged too cold as she regained her energy. “Yes, I have been scouring the local area for an apprentice, in my neck of the woods they are hard to come by.” “As I see.” The tavern owner flatly replied. “Well we don’t have any left. Emerald here keeps the bar tidy.” “Truly?” The mare curiously queried as her gaze moved over to Emerald. “Well…” Emerald felt his throat go dry, the mares stare was unnerving. “I have been here for the past seven months.” “Working?” The mare continued her inquisition. “I take it that a lot of unicorns are finding themselves in dead end jobs?” “Well, it’s not exactly a dead end job.” The tavern own spoke up. “I offer him shelter and food. In return he makes tidy up the place a lot easier.” “Y-Yeah…” Emerald stuttered, the mare eyes still fixated on him. “Well…” “Well?” The mare grinned slyly. “It’s not like the tavern needs me…” Emerald slowly concluded. The mares grin grew malicious as she pulled her cloak’s hood down, revealing a long flowing ebony mane. The mare moved over to emerald and held out her hoof. Emerald took it and shook it. “Bleak, Bleak Blight.” Bleak said as she greeted Emerald. “Oh!” Emerald snapped himself away from staring at Bleak momentarily. “Emerald, Emerald Magic.” Emerald shook his head, he took another quick glance a Bleak. The mares mane looked like a fine black silk and was kept in two bunches with tails flowing down, her eyes were an amber colour and her coat was a very dark grey colour. “Alright now Emerald, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” The tavern owner interrupted, giving Emerald a worried look and a frantic gesture as he did so. “Mind if we have a quick chat in the other room. “Go ahead, I will wait right here.” Bleak said emotionlessly. The tavern owner guided Emerald into the kitchen. “What are you doing!?” The tavern owner bellowed. “I’m moving on.” Emerald explained. “It’s been seven months. I think it’s been established that White has given up on me.” “Yes, but I doubt that going with the… Mare out there would be any better. ‘Bleak Blight,’ who has a name like that?” The tavern owner hastily replied. “Look, I'm not saying don’t move on. I'm just saying this might not be your best option.” “And why does it matter to you? I take it you have had some experience with this mare before then? Otherwise…” “I have.” The tavern owner replied. “Every few years she shows up. Always looking the same. Always looking for an assistant.” “Oh…” Emerald froze up. “I had no idea…” “Yeah. Well I never expected her to show up, whether she find an assistant is up for debate. She normally shows up a few months after the last apprentice leaves.” “Do you think it’s a good idea to go with her?” Emerald slowly asked. “I mean, if she has spent all that time look for an assistant but not found one…” “At the end of the day, it’s your call Emerald. I’m not going to stop you.” The tavern owner reassured. “I just wanted you to understand why I am little concerned.” “Alright, I know what I want to do.” Emerald positively said as he turned around with and with a confident nod he walked out of the room. Bleak was stood where she was when Emerald left. “So Emerald, what took you so long?” “I was just discussing something with my boss. I have decided that I will go with you.” Emerald began to feel his confidence turn into doubt when Bleak face lit up. “Oh really now?” Bleak chuckled menacingly. “Very well then, let’s head out. It is a long trek to my house.” The tavern owner emerged from the kitchen. “Well Emerald it’s been a pleasure having you here. I guess you’re onto greener pastures right?” The tavern owner laughed heartily and patted Emerald on the back. “Well best of luck. Maybe you can drop down sometime?” “Yeah…” Emerald sighed. “Well I guess this is it then…” Bleak rolled her eyes and moved over to the door. “As I said, it’s a lengthy trip. We better get started.” Bleak coldly said, disregarding any sentiment in the parting. The mare opened the door with her magic and left the tavern with Emerald following closely.