> Willful Valor > by Darkpop269 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > An Old Book (Prologue) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 0: An Old Book It was an unexpected accident when a old book fell from a bookshelf and bounced off of the head of a small lavender unicorn. The young filly who had been celebrating a successful spell cried out in pain and started rub her head as she scowled at the book. Her scowl faded when she realized that she had never seen this book before. She lifted it from where it had fallen with her magic and ran to find her mentor.   The young unicorn knew better than to read the books from her mentor's personal library without asking. She had learned that lesson when she had read one of her mentors books about Alchemy. When the potion failed and had nearly melted her mentors old sword, that was split into to equal haves, the unicorn learned two things. Don’t read personal books unless given permission and never never touch the broken sword that hung above her mentor’s bed. The great Celesta had almost had a magical surge when she saw then her student moving the broken sword.   “Celestia! Celestia!” The young unicorn cried out when she ran into her mentors sleeping quarters. “Can I read this?”   The white Alicorn herself looked up from her large stack of paperwork and immediately locked her eyes onto the worn book. She quickly stood from her desk, the paperwork forgotten, and walked over to her student. Her eyes were clouded with thought and a frown was slowly forming on her face   “No.” Celestia then gently overpowered her student’s magical aura and moved the book away from her student. It was placed gently on the Alicorn’s nightstand.   “Why?” The young unicorn pouted as she looked up at her mentor.   “It’s important to me, Twilight.” Celestia said as she lowered herself to look into her student’s eyes.   That caused the young unicorn to glance at the book. Celestia rarely claimed that things were important to her. The ponies under her care, the broken sword, an old photo album, a dull silver tiara, Twilight herself, and now this book were the only things that Celestia claimed to be important to her. This caused Twilight to view the book in a new light but it also made her to want to know it’s contents more.   “Can you read it to me?” Twilight asked.   Celestia stared at her with a soul piercing stare judging what Twilight was trying to accomplish. She then rises to her full height and stretched her legs. A long sigh escaped her lips.   “Maybe it’s time for somepony new to know the story,” Celestia strides over to her bed and settled onto it. “Twilight come here.”   Twilight ran to the bed and jumped next to her mentor. She then quickly snuggled into her mentor's side before she could change her mind.   “You are the fifth being to learn the contents of this book.” Celestia said as she wrapped a blanket around them and brought the book closer to them with her magical grip.   “Who are  the others?” Twilight asked watched the book slowly come to rest in Celestia's hooves.   “The Author, his companion, myself, and… someone who was once close to me.” Celestia sighed. "Who is the Author?" Twilight asked. "William Vealor or Willful Valor." Celestia responded. "Whichever name you prefer to us."   “Who-” Twilight started.   “All the others are in the book if want to know who they are you'll learn about them in the story.” Celestia interrupted and then cleared her throat.   “Chapter 1: The Dead Idiot.” Celestia began to read. > A Dead Idiot (Chapter 1) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: The Dead Idiot I died because of something really stupid. I, William Vealor, died an idiot because I stopped crossing the road to pick up a unlucky penny on Saint Patrick's Day. The drunk college student that hit me didn’t even stop to check to see what they hit.   “Whelp... I was right.” I waited standing above my body.   The living don’t have a paradise or a prison to go to after they die. They just die and wait as ghosts. They waited for her to come and take your soul. Death.   “I always knew Death was a chick.” I muttered as I stood next to the roadkill that used to be me.   “And it’s refreshing to know that someone believes that.” A raspy voice whispered into my ear from behind me.   “What in the Nine Hells!” I cried out as I spun around to face the person who had snuck up on me. The sight made me groan.   “What?” Death asked.   “You’re a teenager!” I yelled in despair.   “So are you…” The Reaper of Souls said as she stared at me. "Also call me Missy! I hate being called Death."   The embodiment of most of the fears of the people of Earth was in a young teenage body. She was pale, sickly thin, and average height. Her long hair was dark purple and her eyes glowed red. The clothes that were on her were a black zip-up hooded sweatshirt, a pair of ripped jeans, and a pair of black combat boots. She actually reminded me of my little sister.   “You are the first person to ever think about what I’m wearing instead of running away in fear. Also thanks for the sister thing. It’s nice to think I’m normal even if it’s only for a second.” Missy commented.   She appears to be able to read minds.   “Yup!” She said popping the ‘p.’   “Of course.” I grumbled.   We stood in silence for a few minutes. I scratched my head nervously as Missy stared at me. I eventually noticed a smile forming on her face.   “You’re not going to scream in denial?” Missy asked.   “My dead body’s right there.” I said pointing at it.   “So it is.”   Back to silence.   “Can yo-” I started.   “Shh! I’m enjoying the moment. I finally found someone who's not freaking out when they die!” Missy interrupted with joy as she started to twirl in a circle.   “Can you please…” I trailed of when I noticed the sheer joy on her face. Huh. Apparently people can’t accept it when they die and freak the fuck out. I was fine though. Death was a part of life.   Missy stopped twirling with her back to me. She then turned to look at me with an intense stare. Then she started bawling and lunged at me. I yelped, stumbling back, and then froze when I realized she was only hugging me.   “Thank you! Everyone is so rude to me and are always screaming about how I’m evil. I’m not! You think I want to be Death? No! It sucks! The pay sucks! And everyone hates me!” She cried into my shoulder.   I patted her back cautiously and questioned what I was supposed to do. I was bad with this kind of stuff. My sisters could attest to that.   “You’re a nice person not a good or bad one but nice. You are even suffering through my crocodile tears. Don't get me wrong the gesture is nice but I don't get sad.” Missy said before letting me go and stepping back. She stood there a second before raising a hand that glowed with purple energy. “So instead of recycling your soul I’m going to send you… somewhere else. You are also going to be something else!”   “What?” I questioned.   “See you in a few!” Missy said before tossing a ball of purple energy at me. “Oh and try not to freak out when you wake up!”   “Well fuck.” I sighed as the ball consumed me and everything went black.   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you--------- “What does that word mean?” Twilight asked Celestia.   “What word?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at Twilight.   “Fuck.” Twilight said.   “Nothing you need to know! When it comes up again ignore it! Also never say it! It’s a bad word!” Celestia said quickly before she started reading again.   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you---------   The first thing that I became aware of when I woke up was the wind. It was cold, fast, and heavy. The second thing I became aware of was the fact that I was laying on the hard ground and it was cold. The third thing that I became aware of hurt. Searing light blinded me when I opened my eyes.   “Fucking sun!” I cried out as I threw my arms in front of my face to block out the infernal light.   It was about then when I noticed the black stubs.   “Huh… Where are my hands?” I asked the universe as I lowered and raised one of my... arms?   I started to repeat that motion. After a few seconds the slow movement started to speed up until the limb was a blur. I stopped. Something wasn’t right. I rolled over and tried to stand only to fell straight onto my face. It was then when I realized that there was something wrong with my body.   “What the fuck is that?” I questioned calmly as I stated at a black equine like body that my head was attached to.   “That’s the new you!” A familiar voice happily said. “Also good job at not freaking out!”   I looked up to see a black… pegacorn? Unisus? Weird-Horned-Bat-Winged-Fanged-Horse-Thing? Whatever it was it was tall, a lot taller than me, and sickly thin. It also had a dark purple mane and dark purple tail. It’s eyes were also glowing a familiar red. There was also a tattoo of a silver skull on either side of its flanks. Looking at it I realized that it was really similar to…   “Missy?” I asked the thing.   “That hurts Will but I’ll let it slide because we're not Human anymore. Also call me Soul Taker when I’m like this.” Mis- Soul Taker said with a sad smile.   “Okay.” I said. It was about then that the situation around me dawned on me. I was alive again but in a new body. I started screaming and kicking my new legs out.   “You were so close.” Soul Taker sighed as she watched me. She sat down on her haunches. “I can wait.”   I didn’t stop screaming until I passed out from exhaustion. ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you--------- Celestia sighed and summoned a bookmark to put in the book. Then she put the book back on the nightstand.   “Why did you stop?” Twilight asked.   “It’s time for you to go to sleep.” Celestia said.   “What?” Twilight tilted her head.   “It’s past midnight Twilight.” Celestia said.   “Fuck!” Twilight exclaimed.   “Twilight!” Celestia cried out.   Twilight Sparkle was sent to bed post haste and was promised punishment if she said the ‘f’ word again. Twilight also got another question while she sat awake staring at the ceiling.   “What’s a Human?” > Walking and Marks (Chapter 2) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: Walking and Marks   “Celestia can you read me more of that story?” Twilight yelled when she came into her mentor's bedroom. “You promised me yesterday!”   Celestia once again looked up from her paperwork. She then looked between it and her apprentice contemplating which one was worse. This action repeated a for a few minutes. Celestia sighed.   “It has been a few days…” After reading the first two chapters of the book Celestia had avoided the book but Twilight had been pushing to learn more about it. She had also looked into the ancient mythical race of Humans. Twilight had not been impressed with the results of that search.   Celestia sighed again. She was going to have to read the book otherwise Twilight might start… begging. As adorable as puppy dog eyes were they always seemed to leave a lasting impression on Celestia. Nobles took advantage of this with no remorse. Many stupid things had come about after Twilight had used her deadly weapons.   “Okay.” Celestia said.   A second later the two were curled up in the same position they had been in three days previously. Twilight also felt smug for some reason but couldn't figure out why. After a few seconds of staring at the book Celestia brought it to herself with her magic, opened it, and began to read.   “Chapter 2: Walking and a Mark.”   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you---------   “So you’re better now?” Soul Taker asked. “Yes.” I replied sitting next to her. I was cold and angry.   “You sure?” She leaned towards me.   “Quite.” I responded with gritted teeth.   It had been a few minutes since I had awoken a second time and I had finally stopped freaking out. This was a good thing and a bad thing. Good thing because now I could think. Bad thing because I now was able to reason. What I was able to figure out about the situation I was in... scared me.   “It’s not that bad.” Soul chirped.   “Your mind reading does not help.” I mutter.   “Sorry Will.” Soul said.   I sigh before trying to stand. It ended in the same result as the ten times before it. I fell on my face. As most people know falling on one's face causes irritation and pain. I seemed to have forgotten that and had to relearn the lesson. Many times.   “You’re a quadruped now Will.” Soul said.   “I refuse to walk on all fours.” I grumble.   “Too bad.” Soul smugly informed.   After a few more tries of being bipedal I gave up and started to try walking like Soul had suggested. I got two steps in and then fell on my face. I was starting to suspect my face was going to break.   “Walk like a cat.” Soul said. “Two legs move as one and then the other two as one.”   That helped.   “Ha! I can walk again!” I pumped a hoof into the air. My face met the ground a second later.   After recovering I practiced until I could move at almost a run without falling over. After that Soul decided that it was time for us to move on. She then also pointed out that I had horrible observation skills.   “What do you mean?” I asked Soul.   “You haven't looked at the area we’re in once.” Soul responded.   I blinked before doing that. I gasped.   “We’ve been in snow this entire time?” My eyes were beyond wide.   “Wow… that’s sad.” Soul sighed.   I was in a winter wonderland. Soul and I were surrounded by drifts of ice and snow. Great pines raised from these drifts and hid the sun from my view. There was also fluffy snow coming down from the sky.   How had I not noticed that? I had been walking and tripping in the damn stuff. The damn paths were all over. I was also fucking cold and wet!   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you--------- Celestia glanced at Twilight.   “I already know what 'damn' means.” Twilight said.   “How?” Celestia asks.   “My brother got in a fight with Mom yesterday.” Twilight said.   “About what?” Celestia questions.   “Why he should't join the Royal Guard.” Twilight then shudders.   “What?” Celestia asks.   “After finding out what ‘damn’ meant I asked what ‘fuck’ meant.” Twilight’s eyes glazed over. "I am scared now."   “...” Celestia goes back to reading.   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you---------     “I don’t know how you didn’t see the snow.” Soul said.   “Do you have to read my mind?” I muttered in embarrassment.   “Yes.” Soul said with a grin. “Well I’m going to be helping you start a life here but first I need to change.”   “Change?”   “Yeah.” She said. “You don’t want an Alicorn following you around. It draws too much attention.” "Ali-what?" I questioned.   Soul then surprises me by becoming surrounded by a ball of swirling purple energy. When it disappears she is a much smaller. She also lost her horn and her fangs. Her wings were also birdlike and not bat like. Soul shuddered and then her entire body begins to change color. After a few seconds she is white instead of black, her eyes are blue instead of red, and her mane and tail are bright yellow. Her tattoo was the only thing that stayed the same.   “Cutie mark.” Soul said.   “What?” I tilted my head.   “It’s not a tattoo it’s a cutie mark.” Soul informed.   I blinked. "Okay." I tilted my head. "What are you?" "A Pegasus." Soul said.   Then I wondered. What was I?   “Well you’re a Unicorn. You already know your fur is black. Your mane and tail are both long and straight while being a dull grey. Your eyes are red like mine but without the glowing. But your mark is... strange.” Soul said.   “Strange?” I asked.   “It’s a broken sword.” Soul tilted her head. “It’s split perfectly in two.”   “What’s that mean?”   “I have no idea.”   ---------This is a line breaker you ignore it or it breaks you---------   “Why are you stopping? The chapter isn’t over.” Twilight asked as Celestia put the bookmark in and the book back in its place. Celestia the climbed off the bed and returned to her table.   “I need to finish the paperwork.” Celestia said in a quiet voice.   “Why?” Twilight said following her mentor.   Celestia sighs.   “That broken sword that I have on my wall,” Celestia started. “Belonged to William Vealor.”   Twilight gasped.   “He died wielding that sword.” Celestia whispered.   “How?” Twilight asks.   “I-I can’t tell you.” Celestia sobs. “All I can say that he died saving Equestria.”   “...” Twilight was deep in thought.   “I’ll read you the rest of the chapter tomorrow.” Celestia whispered. “Please leave me.”   Twilight slowly left the room but not before glancing at the sword and Celestia. After the filly had left the room Celestia closed the door. She then started to weep.   “Why did you try to stop her Will?” Celestia cried. “She was a god and you were not.”   “Because he was an idiot.” A dark voice snarls from the shadows of the room.   “Soul,” Celestia whimpered. “Why did he have to be so brave?”   “Because he was always too nice.” Two glowing red eyes were filled with tears as they stared at the broken sword.   “Why did he have to die?” Celestia laid her head on her table.   “Because he… wasn’t... meant...” Death herself started to cry for the second time in her existence.