//------------------------------// // Learn // Story: Thunderous Wrath // by SweetPeachTea //------------------------------// I approached the smoldering corpse, hesitating only for a moment as I examined the carnage that had taken place only a few short moments ago. The scent wasn't altogether pleasant to me, the flesh thoroughly burnt and now resembling some form of charcoal. I nudged at it with a small hoof and bits of black stuff flaked off as a result. "That's the last of them." Raising my gaze to focus upon my 'savior' I proceeded straighten up, resisting that natural urge to grimace and reveal any form of weakness in exchange for taking up a stoic facade. "I don't think this course of action was necessary," I reasoned. The pony, covered in a heavy brown cloak, peered from the rough material and released an amused snort. "Of course it was. They were Celestia's lot. I've no pity for them. It only proves they're weak – ill-prepared for an actual threat. I was expecting a challenge, really." The mare laughed, the sound oddly musical and light, as though she had little to concern herself with. I glanced at the damaged armor, considering its design and golden gleam before moving on. I approached the mare, deciding that there was no use in fleeing. I was still quite harmless, my body much too new to take advantage of any considerable power that could be wielded against her. This mare was powerful, and what now surrounded us only confirmed it. "Are you going to kill me?" I asked, simply. She pulled back her hood, lowered her head, and peered at me with those cyan eyes of hers. Her appearance was somewhat unkempt, and her scent reminded me of the woods and all that may inhabit it. There was a feral edge about her that reminded me of Gilda. She was a mare colored in varying tones of amber, her mane streaked and the mark upon her flank resembling the sun. I found her visually appealing – something about her was different. "I've no intention of harming you, foal. You're much too valuable for that." The mare raised a hoof, tilting my chin upward and shifting my head side to side as she examined me. "Ah, yes. You are indeed the one." "I do not understand," I reply. The nameless mare merely laughed. "Of course you don't. You're still a foal. How many days have you been here?" "Not many." "Honest, too. That's good," she said, smirking. "Mm," I hummed. "I am Raiden." "Thunder and lightning," she said, her brows arching. "How fitting." She looked at the mark printed upon my own flank. "Indeed." My ears twitched, my mind fetching the memory of Gilda once more. "My... caretaker will be returning soon. Will this be a problem?" The mare appeared somewhat startled, a hint of suspicion causing her expression to become pinched. "We'll see." Gilda appeared shortly afterward, her beak agape at the sight that greeted her. It was obvious she was struggling to form the appropriate words, her eyes clinging to the sight of the dead that lay strewn across the area. Immediately she addressed the mysterious mare who offered little more than a smile. "What is this? And who in the gods name are you?" The questions were the predictable sort. But, I couldn't blame the hybrid for her wariness. She maintained her distance, and offered me the occasional worried glance, as though she was unsure of how to handle the situation. "The foal was in danger. I merely intervened," the mare explained. "These are Equestrian soldiers," Gilda replied, crossly. "I doubt they would have harmed the little brat. Too soft for that." "Nonetheless, they would have taken her away." "I don't really see the issue with that." The mare turned her nose up, a cocky look on her face. "Hmph. Of course you don't. Ignorant bird." "What did you just say to me?" "You said something earlier – you were aware of my existence?" I decided to intervene, unwilling to allow the conversation to transition into an argument. Still. the mare didn't take her eyes off the bristling griffon. I couldn't help but think that wise, especially since the creature's eyes gleamed with barely suppressed malice as she reacted to the simple insult. "I was," the mare said. "And who are you?" I asked. "You may address me as Sunset Shimmer." My head swiveled in Gilda's direction, hoping to see some form of recognition dawn upon her face. Unfortunately, there was none, and her facial features remained tight. I placed myself between them, deciding to play the part of mediator. "She has information that I may need, Miss Gilda," I said, polite. "May we speak?" The griffon remained frozen in place before she grew somewhat lax, her scowl prominent. "Not here. I'll be damned if I'm caught surrounded by a bunch of dead bodies, kid." "That would be preferable. We'll leave the castle," I decided. The mare nodded and we all began to exit the stone structure together, my temporary guardian still quite wary over the present predicament. It was obvious she was being tempted by the skies, her eyes shifting upward often. It would be so easy for her to simply cut her ties and leave me with the unknown mare. But, something made her stay. I would not have blamed her for leaving. She had every right to move on from here and render me naught more than a curious memory. As we distanced ourselves from the dead the mare began to speak, her tone slightly hushed. Both Gilda and I heard her clearly. "I apologize for the mess. But, it was necessary. It only gives us more time." "More time for what, pony?" Gilda questioned, rudely. "To escape Equestria of course. This foal does not belong in this place. Another land beckons her, you see," Sunset said. "I'm still not getting it." "Look at her," Sunset hissed. "What do you see?" "An alicorn." "And what are alicorns?" "Uh..." Gilda took a moment to recollect the information. "All three ponies mixed into one. Goddesses." "She will one day be able to harness a great power. It is her destiny. Yet she is different from Celestia, Twilight, Luna and Cadence." "Yeah, she actually has good taste," Gilda said. "She's got good a set of jaws on her." "Exactly," Sunset reply. "And due to such disparity she will not be accepted here. Not completely. And it's not only because of her teeth but because of her mind and her very spirit. She is different, and more suited for life within another land that can cater to her many needs." My eyebrows rose at that, but I remained silent. "So – um – kinda like how fish are made for the sea and ferrets are made for the land or somethin'?" Gilda guessed. "Exactly." "Still don't make much sense to me, really. So, you're going to be taking the kid?" "Yes." I decided to speak up, still mulling over the mare's words. "I thank you for your willingness to accompany me, Gilda," I said, peering up at her with round eyes. "Huh? Oh – uh – of course, kid!" Gilda appeared unsure. "You actually trust her," the griffon breathed. "Kid, she's a total stranger." The mare's face scrunched up but before she could speak again I raised a hoof and opened my mouth. "That is true. But, so were you. I am still unfamiliar with you, but, I remained willing to accompany you. It's not solid reasoning, true. Yet, I wish to uncover my purpose here. If I do have one, of course." I leveled the mare with an uncertain look, my gaze partially lidded. "You wish for me to come with you?" "I do," the mare replied. "Then I will. In exchange, you will teach me of this world and you will speak truthfully." The mare snorted. "I may appear as a child, mare. But, I've the mind of a competent individual. You will treat me with that much respect." Sunset Shimmer grinned despite my somewhat pompous tone. She appeared pleased, oddly enough. "Of course. I will teach you whatever you desire. And if I cannot, I will tell you why I cannot. Does that satisfy you, foal?" I considered her reply, and after a moment, nodded. I looked to Gilda whose gaze was focused upon the smug mare. "It's on you, Raiden. Go ahead. And, good luck, I guess." She took off and I watched her disappear beyond the tree tops. Something about the departure felt incomplete and I struggled with the need to call out a simple goodbye. But I kept my mouth shut and looked to Sunset Shimmer. - - - We had only known one another for a few short days, yet, I already missed Gilda. This mare wasn't much for conversation, silent and observant of our surroundings as we began to travel in an unspecified direction. I hadn't asked much, allowing for my own curious nature to take hold as I examined the changing environment. The forest had now been replaced by lengthy stretches of thin grass and random pathways. I struggled to keep up, forced to adapt to the mare's pacing. When I asked questions she replied pointedly, her voice tinged with impatience. It was obvious she was nervous, her ears always twitching and her eyes scanning our surroundings with thinly veiled uncertainty. Eventually, I spoke up. "Are we lost?" "We are not!" She snapped, rounding on me. I blinked owlishly. "P-perhaps a little," she admitted. Her ears drooped, her cheeks slightly flushed. I noticed that she was weary and strained, small bags placed underneath her eyes. "Okay," I said, lamely. I plopped down on my rear, a frown on my face. Surprisingly, instead of voicing her dissatisfaction, Sunset joined me. She ran a hoof across her face and exhaled sharply. "I'm not as familiar with the area as I thought I was." "Do you have a map?" I asked. "One of the soldiers tore through my saddlebag and ruined it. I only have this." She tugged at her cloak with a bit of magic. I blink, openly staring at her horn. "Could you teach me?" She hummed, bewildered, at first, by what I was asking. "That's magic, correct? I've never seen Gilda use it before. Not once." "Griffons have a different form of magic. Creatures, like us, are built to wield it in this way." I nodded, my brows furrowing as I allowed for this to sink into the confines of my skull. She tapped at my horn, laughing softly. "I keep forgetting you're new to everything here. I'll explain it to you. And then we'll talk about lessons. We have quite a ways to go, young mare. So I have time to teach you the basics." She smiled at me and I managed to smile back. - - - We settled near a recently constructed campfire and she began to tell me a story. And in this story she spoke of Earth, Sky and Magic. 'The great goddess created the world and saw that it was a truly lonely place. So, she took clumps of earth and made them into Earth Ponies, Buffalo, Minotaurs, and so on. She looked up and saw the sky was empty! So, she made the Pegasi, the birds, and the bats. The sea was bare. It was then that she crafted the fish, the seal and the Sea Pony. But, she decided to bless certain races with magic. First came the Unicorn, blessed with horns that allowed them to wield great power. And then there was the dragon who breathed fire and ice and lightning and earth. And then the Phoenix who mastered the art of reincarnation. There are many races in this world, foal, all of whom have been blessed with her influence.' Sunset Shimmer continued, painting a colorful tale of the sun and the moon and the twilight that rose to greet them. Of love and hatred and bitterness. Her eyes had grown sad but she continued speaking. She spoke of a mare who shone as bright as the sunset but who fell short and fled from her home. Who sought out a new purpose and eventually found it within an untamed land and of a future queen who would one day cause the very world, which the great goddess had built, to tremble. I fell asleep and dreamed of this world.