> From somewhere, anywhere but here. > by Majorminor > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 1. An unprepared-for landing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The name’s Solar Flare. Most people just call me Flare, not that anybody actually knows knew I exist. Well, until now...” The sun’s golden rays of a surprisingly warm winter day beat down upon my matte orangish-red fur. My short, midnight blue mane had a single cyan stripe, and naturally spiked up and forwards. It blew freely in the cold wind zooming past. Whistling in response as I went. My chromatic eyes, darting lazily back and forth, mindlessly Identifying my surroundings. Glazing over the beautiful blue sky. The fluffy, plump clouds, the lush apple trees. The solid dirt ground coming ever closer and closer... ” ... “Oh f-” THUMP! “Ouch, that looked like a pretty bad crash. You okay there?” Said a mysterious teenage voice. That’s when I first laid eyes on her... “Wow... You’re really pre-GUK” (I choked from my tongue ramming itself down my throat.) “Yeah I’m fine, thanks. Hopefully just a bruise.” I replied ‘Or a cracked skull!’ I glanced at her briefly, and saw she was staring at me whist blushing profusely. She almost instantly dropped her face so it was obscured in her scarf. “That crash was almost as bad as some of mine! At least you didn’t end up stuck in tree sap.” She cringed. “‘Crash’!? I prefer the term unprepared landing.” I joked, “And for the tree sap, its like a magnet to me! I always stay away from it! “Huh, that first bit sounds like something my sister would say... And we have a lot in common.” She pondered. It was only now that I realised her friends next to her. Both giggling uncontrollably. Do they know what I’m thinking? I hope it isn’t that obvious, if they know... Maybe she does as well! Right, best poker face on... now! “I’m Scootaloo by the way, and this is Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.” She smiled nervously while gesturing towards her two friends. “Hi.” They said in unison and in the most innocent way possible. Just making me suspicious. They stared at me until I looked away, still laughing. I no longer know what for however. “Hi... I’m Sol-GUK...” (I’m considering cutting off my tongue at this point, (A. To stop myself from slipping any information, and B. Because it might cause me permenant breathing problems). “Soleguck? That's a funny name!" She giggled before abruptly apologising. 'Oh screw it, one person knowing won't kill anyone.'"Heh, that's because my name is actually Solar Flare..." "Oh, that makes more sense! That's a really nice name, I like it!" She smiled. Just as she said that, her friends whispered to each other. I heard it, but I don't think she did though... “Hey Sweetie Belle, check it out... He’s a blankflank!" The red maned and yellow coated filly exclaimed to her friend, who was a crisp white with bubbly bright pink and lilac hair that almost looked like edible bubblegum. “Actually I do have a cutie mark.” “...” “...” “Ya do?” “Then where is it?” “Uhhh... I... Uhh... Hide it.” I stuttered. Instantly regretting telling them this much already. ‘Damn my fast mouth and slow brain! Where’s my tongue rammer when you need it!?’ “IhideitforagoodreasonthatIwouldrathernottellyouwhybecauseitisagoodreasonandifitwasn’tthenI’dtellyoubutitissoIcan’toryou’dknowmysecret! Sorry!“ I exhaled repeatedly, gasping for the air that I lacked so badly. “Wut.” The southern accented filly blankly replied. “Ya’ll are proper creepin’ me out...” she gestured at... Well, me. “Yeah, not even Rainbow Dash could keep up with that!” Scootaloo joked. God was she beautiful, what with her tomboyish, radiating purple, hazey hair, and her sun orange fur. And those enticing purple eyes that ju-“ “Are you okay?” She snapped me back to reality once more. “Yeah... that ‘unprepared landing’ did look pretty painful...” Applebloom said, actually looking somewhat sincere. “I’m fine. Trust me, never better.” I stated, almost too quickly. Scootaloo silently pondered something before looking at me. “Well, you wanna join us? We were just about to go home and get our stuff for our weekly sleepover, but I guess it can wait.” She smiled warmly at me. Almost like an inviting log cabin fire on a winter day like today. “Yeah! Plus I wanna know about your real cutie mark! What does it look like?” Sweetie Belle screeched in her very prepubescent voice. “Ah bet he don’ even ‘ave one an’ he’s lyin’ to us!” Apple Bloom mocked. Within a flash, my flank shockwaved outwards and collapsed in a green mini magical supernova, revealing my cutie mark. A flare. But not a firework explosion, no. It was a wisp like the ones that would leave the sun’s surface. A literal ‘solar flare’. “Woah!” Came all three voices from all three unhinged jaws. “How did you do that?!” Scootaloo gasped. “Please tell me! I won’t tell anyone! Promise!” Little did she know, that she just asked me to do something practically ‘illegal’ if you like, without even knowing. “ ‘Me’! Ya mean ‘us’!” Applebloom punched Scootaloo in the arm. I laughed at their immature behaviour. “I could... Only you can.” I pointed at Scootaloo and smiled mischievously at her, reeling them in for more information. “Why only me?” She questioned, puzzled. I glanced around for anyone watching or listening to us, and then answered. “Because it’s Pegasus magic, and earth/unicorn ponies can’t use pegasus magic.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “Then how come only pegasii can cloak their cutie mark?” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom exclaimed disappointedly. “You can too, but only by using your own base types of magic. And I’m a Pegasus in case you hadn’t realised, so I can’t really help you. I’m also one of ten guardians of the universe, and there are only three on each pony race in existence, so I’m sorry to be so blunt, but good luck stumbling across an earth pony guardian. It is possible, but extremely unlikely. Sorry.” “Oh.” Applebloom sighed. “Then who’s the other guardian?” She realised I hadn’t said yet, to which surprised me she even realised it. “It’s an alicorn. Named ‘Starswirl the Bearded’, who comes from this Equestria and was originally a unicorn. Until time and space itself enlightened him to become an alicorn. The first ever. He’s the one who discorver over half of your known spells, and found out that base pony magic even existed. He found out that unicorns don’t get there power from their horns, they only focus and magnify their base magic, which is why they can control it so easily compared to Pegasi and earth ponies.” “Ohhh... Ah guess that makes sense...” Applebloom nodded in agreement, surprisingly understanding every word I said, the others still had questions though. “Why is the only book he made just about unicorn spells he discovered?” I’ll tell you a true story about him, he faced Discord, Tirek the merciless and Gui the widow-maker. He banished them all at once to the spirit realm for years. And they didn’t even get to breathe let alone attack him. And they were at least twice as powerful at the time, too. Now Discord has become ‘free’ and ‘retired’ from chaos, and you all had an ‘incident’ with Tyrek not to long ago. But at full power, we’d all be dead within less time than time itself. So he was the entire universe’s saviour, and yet no one knows apart from you three and us guardians. No glory did he receive.” I sighed deeply at his unfortold deed. We then carried on on our path in needed silence. For a little while at least... “Sooooo... Could you teach me? Please? I won’t tell a SOUL, I swear!” Scootaloo begged pleadingly. ‘I shouldn’t, under any circumstance, do this... Normally.’ “Sure, but it won’t be easy!” I smirked at her growing smug grin. “I’m the surrogate sister/daughter of Rainbow Dash! Anything we do must be hard, We don’t do easy!” Now that is motivation right there. “Impressive. But first of all, I would like to know a bit more about yourselves, if you don’t mind.” -Some (lots) more talking later- “Anyway, Scootaloo. Channel all of your energy through you as if you wanted this, and nothing else. Almost like commanding it. Then relax and almost ‘zen out’ until your mind is blank except for what you want, in this case, a cutie-mark cloak/concealment. Then you’ll know if it works.” I gave a brief demonstration of how to do it, and moments later my cutie mark just ‘poofed’ out of existence. It took at least fifty tries and fifty minutes, but she had finally done it... For several seconds until it flashed back with a loud ‘bang!’. “Oh come on! I thought I had it! That worked until the very last minute!” She groaned in frustration. Her friends left a while ago and were up ahead at the treehouse, probably waiting for not only her to arrive, but bring her stuff as well.” “So did I! That one was actually really good! However you really must practise more to pull it off like me, I’m now at the stage where I’ve trained my base magic to be as good and accurate as a unicorn’s horn. If I want to do something, it happens immediately.” I told her as I flipped upside down and floated next to her with my wings folded up against my sides still. “Woah.” She looked at me in awe. “Awesome! Can we try again once I get my energy back? I’m quite drained.” ‘Well, I guess I can stay for a bit here.’ “Using magic for beginners can be quite exhausting, but you’re stamina will improve. If you practise, that is... Tomorrow sound good?” she just puppy dog eyed me and leapt up in joy! Arghhh! So... Irresistably... Cute! I smiled. It was quite nice actually being social with somepony for once. I never would have thought in my quite long lifetime... “You coming or what?!” She called from the clubhouse rail. “I got a spare sleeping bag if you want it!” She teased. ‘Well, there’s no harm in that I suppose. Not like I’ve got anywhere else to go... And if I say no, I’ll probably just find myself in the realm again. Plus I did promise her I’d stay...’, “You sure?!” “Why would I offer if I wasn’t?!” She giggled. “Or are you too scared of playing truth or dare with three young mares in the middle of twenty acres of a desolate apple orchard!?” She said almost seductively but still obviously joking. I began trotting up the platform to the doorway, where I saw the three sitting there in their pj’s already and talking. I don’t know what about. I clambered lazily into my sleeping bag and prepared for what was obviously going to be a long, long night. “So who wants to talk more about Flare?!” Scootaloo bursted. “Me!” “Ah do! “... I’d rather not...” I whispered quietly. Almost inaudiblely. “Where do you live? I’ve never seen you around before.” Sweetie Belle stated whilst the others nodded in agreement. ‘That’s because I’ve only ‘been around here’ for less than a day. Not that I could tell them the truth... Or could I? I’ve already told them so much...’ I inhaled deeply. “Well...-“ > 2. An unprepared-for truth > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Wow.” She said simply. The other two just stared at me as if I just created the pony equivalent to a mobile phone. As if it’s crazy, barely (if at all) understandable, but still makes sense. Or at least what sense it can make to three non-daemonical ponies. The way they were taking it was... a mix of what I hoped for... ‘Yer crazy. Bonkers. Off ya rocker. He’s mad. Ah don’t believe it and nor should you. No way is that remotely possible. Everythin’ he’s told us ‘as been a bunch a hickey.’ Apple Bloom muttered throughout. Sweetie Belle was silently listening to me without interruptions, several times shushing Apple Bloom. Which was good-ish... I guess. Scootaloo just sat there slack jawed at the prospect of space, and how you just float without gravity. I thought they already knew since they didn’t ask what it was yesterday. Not only that but she intently listened to everything I said. More than once telling Apple Bloom to cram it. She also seemed really interested in ‘the abyss’... My ‘home’ as it were. Traveling through time and space, infinite dimensions and universes. Opening portals between them as a means of travel. Acting as a guardian by jumping dimensions. I’ve never had to fight any inter-dimensional beings, so I don’t even know what I’m here for. Sure, dealing with time warps and dimensional rifts sound fun to a normal pony... (or human, Martian, Plutonite or any alien that I know of and have encountered) but you don’t age when you’re there (which is almost always) so you’re just the same nothing for nearly an eternity. No-one to talk to, play with. Relax with. All alone... Forever. I also told them all how as a daemon I shouldn’t even be talking with them right now, that they are the only ones that know I exist. But I just want someone to be with... I’m alone. They all understood my loneliness. Even Apple Bloom. My guess is that before they all met, they didn’t have many friends or something of the sort. Still better than me though. After the hour(s) long talk we had, I made them all promise not to tell anyone about me. Not family nor friends. Sweetie Belle swore she wouldn’t which was a relief, also persuading Apple Bloom to as well, (even though she claimed that the only ponies she thought about telling were the nearest ‘mental asylum’. ([I’m guessing she meant ‘talk to someone, you need help’]... But that still isn’t exactly nice...) However, the fact she did promise at least told me I can trust her (hopefully)... But what really worried me, was the distinguished conflict in her mind, her facial expressions betraying her. She remained silent... > 3. An unprepared-for visitor. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scotaloo slowly got up, walked to the entrance and exit of the clubhouse, grabbed her scooter from underneath a floorboard, and took off. She was using her wings almost as if they were an engine, which was impressive for a race lacking mechanical objects, but she could’ve gone faster if she slowed her wings by a fraction. Still not nearly fast enough to lose me on her tail (even though she probably didn’t know I was following her anyway). Then out in a desolate field at three in the morning, she looked up at a massive cloud above her... “RAINNBOW DASH!!!” she half screamed half bellowed. After a minute or two I saw a hole form in the cloud house base above, and before I even noticed anything pass through it, a cyan mare with a chromatic mane and sleepy rose eyes was yawning, stretching and complaining at being woken up so early. At normal speaking volume, I was unluckily still too far away to hear them. I could only hope that lip-reading was an easy skill to pick up on the go. “What squirt.” She spoke with half lidded eyes and a saggy, slurring jaw. “I met this colt earlier today, well yesterday, but I think you should come meet him... But if you do, you must promise not to tell anypony about anything that happens okay?” She gasped for air after saying that at super speed. “No offence Scoots, but I’m too tired to care about what techniques you and this colt tried, and I’m not in the mood to join you, just not until past noon, at least. Plus I’ve tried ‘em all millions of times and I already know any position you could even imagine of imagining. What’s his name?” She sighed impatiently to get back to her ‘special’ dream that Scootaloo had so unknowingly interrupted. “Solar Flare. And I wasn’t talking about sex. I’m not as perverted as you are.” She cringed at what Dash was hinting about. Rainbow almost took offence to that, but shrug it off with a near silent mutter of how she was lying to herself and when she was Scootaloo’s age, she had already perfected the backwards cowboy. “Oookaaayyy... Will you please just come anyway?” Scootaloo begged Rainbow. Rainbow shrugged indifferently. Barely considering whether or not she should go. “Fiiiiinne.” She huffed. “But only if you still have that beanbag cusion in the corner of you’re clubhouse, and if I can take my camera. I already told you I’m not in the mood to join in. K?” Scootaloo punched her in the arm. “Wake up already. I told you it isn’t to do with sex! Are you deaf?” She snorted rhetorically. “Fine. Sure. Whatever you say. Hurry up and show me then. I’ll tell you if he’s a keeper.” She winked purposefully just to mess with Scoots’ mind. Ignoring her, she pointed at me, hiding within the tree line. “No need. He’s right there” she somehow stared right at me. In a way, it felt like she was piercing my soul... ‘What! How does she know I was following her? I kept my distance and remained silent the whole journey! What’s more, how does she know I’m standing right here?!’ *Sigh* ‘Why did I go and trust someone?! This is what happens when you tell someone you barely know your biggest secret...’ “How did you know I was here?!” I crept forwards slowly, keeping my distance and preparing to open up the abyss for a quick getaway... “I knew I shouldn’t have told you or anyone for that matter!” I glared at her. She broke the one promise she couldn’t break to me... I feel like a retard... “Don’t go...” She pleaded but not in a moaning way, which made me stop for a moment and look at her. She could probably tell I was about to open up a portal to leave. “I told you my biggest secret, I could die if any it got in the wrong hands. Many creatures of many species don’t particularly get along with mine! Don’t you realise? So, pray tell, WHY’D YA’ TELL HER!” I cried on anguish. “I won’t tell anyone, if it means so much to you...” the mysterious mare finally pitched in after intently listening to the conversation. “She won’t, Flare... I promise you.” Not that her promise meant much now... But she had said it in the most convincingly innocent way possible. No. Not the puppy dog eyes! “NO!” I warned her, gesturing to her purple gleaming orbs reflecting in the dazzling moonlight, but she carried on doing it it! “Look, Flare is it? I won’t tell anypony, you have my word. That word means everything to me, I’m the element of loyalty. I’m loyal to my friends, and my promises.” She smiled near-gently, but with a huge hint of satisfaction and bragging. “Well, my life is resting on your word. Don’t drop it.” I warned menacingly, slowly returning to my passive glare towards Scootaloo. “Well, I guess I’ll start from the beginning then, shall we? ... “ > 4. An unexpected reaction from an unexpected new friend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “He’s a keeper. Definitely. I mean, he knows Magic and he’s a Pegasus, he’s an awesome pony-like alien race called a daemon! And he is nearly immortal to aging aspects and can open portals to ‘the abyss’! He even has that dark, mysterious persona about him! I would say bang him right now, but I don’t have my camera...” Rainbow seemingly thought-aloud, until I realised who she was talking to. Scootaloo looked up at her sister/mentor horrified at what she’d just heard, and the images scars she had just had deeply etched in her brain. She shrank back in embarrassment as she realised that I had realised what was going on and had been looking at her while smirking with one eyebrow raised. ‘Boy was this interesting!’ “Rainbow! Stop!” she almost squealed. But was ignored by her horny perverted idol. “Shut-it Rainbow!” “Please just stop embarrassing me!” “I’ll beat you to a pulp you feather-brained sex-addict!” “CRAM-IT YOU CHROMATIC PEA-BRAIN!” Finally, she paused to see Scootaloo fuming and red in the face, both from blushing and anger. “What?” “I want to kill you right now.” “Oh. Wellllllllll, okay then... anyway...” she backed away from the eerily motionless Scooatloo, then looking at me as if I would help her in this awkward situation. I laughed sinisterly inside. “What an amazing friend you have, Scootaloo!” I teased. Makes me sad that I couldn’t meet her sooner, extremely charming, great with words... wouldn’t you agree?!” She puked a little inside. “Well, i’ll leave you to get back to your ‘special dream’ then Rainbow Dash. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” And with that, I left to go back to the clubhouse. Scootaloo following suit short after. Rainbow, all the while, sat bewildered at my apparent mind reading abilities. “Wait... how did you know about that...” she comprehended slowly. “There’s many things that you don’t know about me, but I’ll be more than willing to teach you a thing or two... Of course, only for a couple lessons of flying from the fastest mare in Equestria!” I joked. I was sure that if I tried, I might not beat her in determination, but I’m sure I could easily keep up with her in speed and skill. If I were to relate her and myself to potential, she’d infinitely break her own limits, however, I never started with limits in the first place. That’s what makes her skill so formidable. Even to me. “Auf Wiedersein!” I laughed at her puzzled look and took of once more. “I guess I should explain?” I asked knowingly to Scootaloo. “Yes, please do.” “I can’t read minds, as such. However I can enter people’s dreams, and yes, I could purposely alter them.” “You mean ‘ponies’s dreams, right?” She scrunched up her face at the unfamiliar term. “Oh, I forgot. Sorry, before coming here, I was visiting Earth.” I explained. “Oh. Well, before you describe to me in full detail, this ‘Earth’, I just want to ask one question.” She looked expectantly at me, hoping for conformation to proceed. I nodded. “Could you, talk to my sub-conscious in my sleep? So, like, I knew you were there and we could, like, talk and stuff?” She inquired. I must admit, I was not expecting such and intelligible question from her... “I actually don’t know... Why? Would you like me to try tonight?” She eagerly exclaimed “Of course! That would be awesome! If it works, that’s what i want our next lesson to be!” She giggled. “You have no idea how much fun this would be with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle! Just appearing in their dreams and telling them that this is conversation is real and that I could change their dreams! That’s like a superpower ability! Sooo cooool!” She squealed. ‘Another lesson?’ Without thinking, my mouth answered before my brain could counter, “Only if you use it wisely and for good.” I smiled. As we finally reached the treehouse, we noticed that all lights were off, meaning that either AB and SB had left, or were sleeping. I knew which, so I gently tiptoed up the slope and through the door. Deciding I’d mess with their dreams another night. Tonight would be about testing if it was even possible. ”Night Scootaloo. See you in a minute or two hopefully.” I sighed as she slowly fell limp and her breathing evened from eratic excitement of this test, to the slow, calm, steady inhale and exhale of a peaceful dream. I turned back to face towards the ceiling, and closed my eyes gently. And the next thing I knew, I was forming myself in the dreamscape, and turning the knob to Scootaloo’s dreams. As soon I entered, I called out in anticipation. Waiting for her sub-conscious to react to me. Then, off to my left, a deep sea began to materialise, as well as a small inflatable raft, big enough for two, and a just as stunning Scootaloo as my eyes remembered. She called over, glad to see it worked. “Hey, hows it goin’?” She smiled, before raising the sun higher and summoning sunglasses that accentuated her features further. She then patted he side to the spacious room on her raft, inviting me to her enticing side. I thought to split the raft, or whizz up another, but then saw the look in face, and realised that it’s not everyday that this opportunity would come. So I took it. Quickly opening a portal at my feet (hooves) and slowly appearing in front of her with two pina coladas. “Smooth.” She complimented my actions, taking a drink and wishin up a floating table and umbrella, as well as some extra ice in a bucket. “So what do you want to do?” She turned to lol at me slowly and calmly. In return, the corners of my lips began to concave upwards, as I replied relaxingly, “I dunno. It’s your dream full of infinite possibilities” Spending no time to waste, “I want you to conjure up ‘Earth’ so we can explore it together!” “Sure.” I smiled in return as she gawked at the size of it. I also decided to make a Equus next to Earth, just to compare their size difference. It was big. > 5. An unexpected proposal > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “That was amazing!” She screamed as she finished her burger. “Though I’m still a bit iffy on the meat...” she paused. “Then again, it wasn’t to bad. I’ll have it more often, but only in my dreams.” She declared. “That was great! So, we go an hour before dawn... Wanna see Rainbow?” Laughing at her expression. “I promise I’ll go, and if it’s not... PG, we’ll go somewhere else. K?” I asked. As much as I didn’t want to intrude other ponies’ dreams, I did promise Scoot that we’d have some fun. “I’ll be right back!” I stated before zooming off. Meanwhile, Rainbow was currently performing her signature move... but only this time, a double in one. Once she was done, I congratulated her on it, and she asked me (and I quote) how the f*** did my sub-conscious manage to dream you up?” To which I laughed, and quickly disappeared,only to reapear with Scootaloo almost instantly, to which Rainbow frowned at not understanding what just happened, and choosing to leave it before it got to egghead for her liking. “Oh, hi squirt. Is this real or my imagination?” She questioned in a civilised manner. “Real. Very real” she replied casually. “Oh. Well imma just leave it there before I get more confused. So why’re you here?” “To hang out and train or somin. You know, be sisters and whatnot.” “Oh, cool. Wanna learn how to do a sonic rainboom?” “OF COURSE!” Scootaloo screamed. I laughed at how immature she could be, yet all the while, it only made me hang around her more. “I’m sure you know that to do it, it has to be fro someone. Not yourself, so I’ll do one for you, then you do one for me. Okay?” Rainbow flexed her legs. “But I can barely fly straight in real life, and you expect me to do that without any actual training or practice!? Ante you bonkers?!” Scotaloo questioned. “Don’t forget that anything’s possible in a dream.” Rainbow countered. At least try it. Do one for me.”