//------------------------------// // Chapter 14-The Train // Story: Emerald Fires // by FolkloreBrony //------------------------------// //// Chapter 14-The Train //// “Departure for engine nineteen will be underway in fifteen minutes. Please be boarded by this time. Thank you.” The conductor shifted back into the engine as Twilight walked hurriedly down the platform at Ponyville station, steam rolling off the wheels down onto the tracks. Following close behind, Novis, Nyx, and Spike along with her favorite guard Flash walked close together, each carrying bags behind themselves. Further behind, Twilight’s friends minus Rarity who was taking her time to get to the station for some reason walked to wish them a happy departure, carrying gifts they had made some time back for the baby. “Are you sure you don’ want us to come along? I’d kinda like to see the little youngin,” Applejack asked, hurrying alongside the lavender mare, carrying the crib she had made for the foal in the back of a cart. “I know Applejack, but Celestia made it clear that Cadance only wants her close family to be there for the delivery.” Twilight sighed, but smiled, “But she only wants that for the weekend, so you guys can come on the earliest train scheduled for Monday.” “Well, just make sure the squirt gets the gifts we made!” Rainbow joked, smiling as she held up a baby chandelier with clouds, rainbows, and lightning bolts dangling from it, “I know the baby is gonna love this Cloudsdale Mobile!” “Oww, pretty!” Pinkie eyed the mobile, poking one of the hanging pieces with her hoof causing it to fall off and shatter, gaining a dirty look from Rainbow. “You don’t have to worry about that.” Twilight smiled as the train whistled out into the station, a train steward walking onto the platform to take their luggage and other items of interest. Twilight exchanged some words with the steward before she turned back to her friends, “Spike, could you help the man?” “Sure.” Spike walked over and took some of the bags, lifting them in his magic as the steward thanked him, carrying his share onboard. “Wait!” a sing-song voice rang out as Rarity came strutting towards them on the platform, being as elegant as ever, “I’m coming along with you darling!” Spike turned as she hurried towards him, giving him her bags, “Wait, you didn’t get a ticket, why are you giving me these bags?” “Oh really dear, I bought my own ticket, I wouldn’t want you to feel lonely while you're there.” she cooed, brushing past him as she smiled. “Besides, I’ve heard that the Chal Mon’dif Theater in the Crystal Empire is playing Comiti Moncrito, and I’ve been DYING to see it!” Rarity elated as she became starry-eyed. Spike shrugged but smiled as he took her bags and carried them on board, coming back out to rejoin her on the platform. Twilight smiled as she turned away from the two ponies and looked back at Nyx, her daughter smiling as she talked to Novis while he read out of a book. The two had been spending a good amount of time together, slowly forming a bond between the two. This made Twilight happy seeing Novis interact with another pony in the way he knew best: Teaching. Nyx had come to her a few weeks before excited that Novis wanted to teach her magic theory and technique, bouncing around their living room from the prospect of such a learning opportunity. Honestly, Twilight wished that she could be the one in Nyx’s horseshoes, but she was happy for her nonetheless to be given this. “ALL ABOARD!” the conductor of the train called out into the station, waving his lantern as he walked back onto the train to start the engine. Twilight sighed as she called to Novis and Nyx, “Time to get on the train you two, we’re about to depart!” she yelled, climbing up the steps and into the car as they complied. Steam rolled off the engine as they all got on board, looking at the interior to get their cabins set up. Their friends all waved them a safe depart as the train whistled out, the engine starting up as the smokestack belched its black soot. Metal screeched on metal as their train rolled out of the station, pulling out of the station into the night. //// “Oh my! The Royal Line is just simply divine!” Rarity glazed, roaming around the dining car, Twilight and Spike following close behind. The inside of the car was decorated in red linen and gold tapestry, ordained with images of stars and celestial bodies. The tables were carven wood laden with pearls and the Imperial crest formed on the sides, and the seated booths were red leather and comfortable to sit upon. The Crystal Empire had only been introduced to the steam-powered engine three years before, but their endless fascination with the new had driven them to build the fastest and most prestigious train in both nations with rail line in tow. It was proven to be far superior to any train made even by the Canterlot Royal Line, showing such love and devotion to such works was a forgotten art to the people of Equestria. For eighty years Equestria had the telegram, the zeppelin, and the locomotive and grown accustomed to their luxury, but for the Empire, these advancements were cherished to a people lost to time. “It’s definitely a lot better than the train we have in Ponyville. That thing is WAY too girly.” Spike commented, looked at the mares staring back at him, “What?” “Really dear, you're going to have to learn to be a bit more cultured.” Rarity looked back, looking a little disappointed by Spike’s lack of culture. Twilight smiled, “Good luck with that. I’ve been trying to do that with him for years.” laughing with Rarity as Spike grumbled to himself. “Whatever, let’s just find somewhere to take a nap, okay?” Spike groaned, nudging Rarity off to the side. Twilight smiled as she left them behind to set her bags up in the other car. Twilight opened the door between the two cars as the train barreled down the track to the Crystal Empire, sliding the door and stepping into the second car from the chilled night. Twilight sighed, walking down the car to her cabin and opening it up, laying her bags down on the bottom bunk. She felt so happy for Shining and Cadance, finally starting a family of their own. But, at the same time, she couldn’t deny that she felt a little jealous. Ugh, baby fever. She didn’t want to feel that way, after all she already HAD Nyx, but at the same time, she wanted a child she SHARED with somepony else. Furthermore, she wanted Nyx to grow up with a father, at least the opportunity to experience that. She felt...lonely. She could only imagine how much worse she would be feeling if she were in heat at the moment, but thankfully that had passed for now. Twilight shook her head as she reached up to open the cabinet. It was rather silly that she would allow herself to fixate on trivial things, though to be fair she was in the prime of her life. It was a time when she would want to search for somepony to be with, whether she liked it or not. It was just simple, basic instinct. Twilight put her bags away and stepped out of the cabin, before noticing movement further down the car. Flash Sentry was walking about checking the cabins to make sure that everything was in order. She smiled as she watched him, starting to fantasize a little. Slowly, Twilight began to walk towards him, thinking about what she was going to say. Oh, how handsome he looked, why did that have to make her get so nervous? She just couldn’t help but think about him, his body. His... “Princess?” Twilight snapped out of her thought as she walked right into Flash, squishing her face right into his side. Twilight blushed, embarrassed by her absent-mindedness as she back away grinning nervously, “H-hey Flash.” “Hey, Twilight.” Flash smiled, looking at Twilight as he closed a cabinet, “What are you doing back here so soon? Is there something that you need?” “N-No.” Twilight gave an uneasy laugh, “I was just bringing some bags back to put up.” “Hmmm.” Flash nodded, putting down his gear, “Here, let me handle that.” he said, taking her bags away to get them put up. Twilight just continued to stare, watching as he put away her belonging. She drew closer, looking as his muscles tightened while he lifted the heavy cases up into the cabinet, setting them on the shelves. Such fine lines, she thought, getting even closer, not as big as her brother but, definitely in his prime. She loved watching him, to feel him close, as she lean in, her cheek brushing up against his shoulder. Flash tensed for a moment, pausing while looking back to stare at her, “What are you doing?” Twilight flinched, suddenly aware of what she was doing as she recoiled back, stuttering nervously, “I-I’m sorry, I...I don’t know what I-” Twilight fell silent as Flash gave her a stern, unmoving stare. That was a look that Twilight never expected to see coming from him, as he moved further away, “I think you do.” he said, not angry but, cold by no mistake. “I’m sorry, you’re right. That was out of line.” Twilight stumbled, backing away. “Twilight, is there something you need to tell me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he stared at her. “I…” Twilight began, only to fall silent by her own embarrassment. Flash, who looked at Twilight with mild disappointment, sucked in air through his nostrils before sighing, “No.” Twilight looked up at him, confused by what he said, "Wha-?" “I mean of course, no. Princess, I mean no offense but, I don’t know you.” Flash said calmly, walking towards her, “It's foolish.” Twilight tilted her head, taken aback, "What...what are you-?" “Twilight, I know look like him, I do. But I’m not.” Flash paused, looking at her out of the corner of his eye while Twilight eyes widened, embarrassment etched upon her face. “You know?” He nodded in acknowledgment, “I’ve heard rumors.” With that Flash departed, opening the car door to step out into the chilled midnight air, leaving Twilight to grovel aimlessly to herself, lost within her own thoughts. //// The train lay bound on its course to the mountains, carrying on its way on the railway journey. The crescent moonlight was now lost to the overcast of clouds that had rolled over the land, making the darkness of the night all the more apparent. A light rain was beginning to descend upon the countryside, contracting metal as the coming cold set in. It was here that the countryside shifted from delicate grasslands to the pines and oaks of the mountain forests, dark greens and ebony that choked closer and closer together as they drew ever near to the range. few ventured far out into this wilderness on their own, and even fewer returned. Many reasons followed behind this fact; hikers who found a patch of land to claim their own, drifters that simply lost their way, or perhaps finding the misfortune of encountering the few creatures that inhabited it that were not of a friendly disposition. However, the later was of course rather rare, after all the vast wilderness of the mountains were nothing like that found in the Everfree. It was a life-well teaming with many of the more benevolent of Equestria’s mythical species, though ever so rare they were themselves. One could spend a lifetime exploring the land to study its fantastic creatures, and would only catch the glimpse of a blind old fool, though so many try all the same. The forest began where Appleloosa ended, and stretched long and narrow miles upon miles from the north to the south, near three hundred miles at its longest, and yet only thirty to forty miles if going from either the east or the west. The mountain range snaked within the edge of the eastern side and carves its way up into the middle of the forest as it goes along to the northern Empire, its snow-capped peaks reaching high to the heavens. Long ago so many happy travelers fought eagerly through these summits with neigh a complaint in the summer but recoiled in terror at its unyielding cruelty in the dead of winter, and many had paid dearly to make passage to the lands they so desired. Now the train would make its way through that same pass, not a worry on any passenger for a safe journey ahead, nor a threat of an oncoming storm. The rain poured and the land lay dark, yet all, for the most part, was only a commotion of joyful conversation. But all too well we learn that such happiness can so easily be stolen away, and one could only ponder what might be watching under the guise of shadows. //// “Better.” Novis smiled, watching his current student worked with the enchantments spoken of in the book. With Twilight’s permission, he had taken her under his tutelage to teach her the magic of his time, likely in hopes that her daughter might gain a broader range of mystical knowledge. So he went to the Archive under the Canterlot Royal Library to get ahold of a few books that he hoped would help her in their studies. But what Twilight didn’t know was that he wasn’t only teaching her, but was also preparing her, guiding her to what he perceived to be greatness, a destiny he was sure she would live up to. “Good. See the symbols before you.” Novis instructed, Nyx puffing her cheeks as she focused on her magic, squinting her eyes shut as her horn sparked. Letters began to appear before her, circling around the center. “How’s this?” Nyx perked up, looking at him for acknowledgment as mystical circle began to form in front of her, though somewhat unstable. “Try not to strain yourself so hard. Don’t wanna blow us up, do we?” Novis smirked, earning a glare from Nyx. “Not funny.” Nyx pouted, rolling her eyes as she sighed, taking a deep breath to calm herself as she looked at the circle, focusing on its center as it changed color and form. “Yes…” Novis whispered, grinning as she perfected her art. Nyx huffed and struggled, giving it her all as the spell finally grew powerful, the circle falling away to a portal, showing a sunlit savanna while wild umbrella thorn trees swayed in the wind. Nyx was able to hold it open for a few seconds, using them to look in wonder and glee at the doorway she had opened, before she lost the strength and the portal quickly closed into itself and disappeared. “Fine work. Perfect!” Novis elated, clapping his hooves together at Nyx’s achievement, breathing heavily as she started to rest herself, “That was absolutely superb!” “R-Really?” Nyx panted, smiling at the praise. “Of course. You were able to hold it open for almost a full thirty seconds. That’s more than I would have expected.” Nyx started to grin, feeling a strong sense of confidence washing over her as she looked out of the booth into the aisle, smiling brighter as she saw Twilight walking up. “Mom!” Nyx jumped happily, excited for the approval of her mother as moved in front of her, “I did it! I did the Magician’s Circle!” “Hmm?” Twilight looked at her, coming out of another train of thought. “The spell I’ve been working on for the last few days, I finally did it!” Nyx beamed, oblivious to Twilight’s damp mood. Twilight gave a moment of casual thought before realizing what her daughter was actually saying to her, putting on her happy face as she smiled down at her. “That’s good sweetheart, I couldn’t be more proud.” Twilight soothed, hugging Nyx gently before raising up, noticing Novis giving her a look before sighing, “I’m a little tired, why don’t you go study some more while I get some sleep, alright?” “Okay,” Nyx said, smiling as she climbed back into the booth as Twilight left, leaving Nyx and Novis alone again. Novis watched as Twilight walked out, heading towards a different car. He could sense the conflicting emotions from her, though he didn’t exactly know why they were there. Novis looked out the window, choosing to ponder instead upon their destination. This Empire was something new to him, and he wondered how its culture paralleled Equestria, and he looked forward to learning whatever new things they had to offer. At the same time, he knew that the other Alicorn princesses of Equestria were there at the moment, and he wondered what they would be like. From what Twilight had told him, Celestia was the eldest of them all, but compared to himself, she was still a child. Novis sighed, laying his head against the glass. It had been so long since he had spoken to anyone over a thousand, and he wondered what it would be like. In the distance the mountain range of the forest grew ever closer, it’s white jagged peaks hidden by the cloudy veil of night. It was beautiful, a sight that brought calm to Novis’ mind, reminding him of the world of age’s past. But for now, he felt tired, watching as the rain fell against the window, as he closed his eyes, slowly slipped into the world of dreams. ////