The stone on Raritys back was more than it seemed. Tom is an eternal.
When Rarity was tricked to fall in love with a stone it was something she would rather forget. However not all is as it seems for Tom is not a common stone. No, He is an old one. A being from before the universe began. He watched the rise of pony kind and so many others............. But how can it be that he would love a mortal?
To be honest with myself I have always been this way.
One must first have something in order to miss it however.
If she had never come then I would still be content,
I would still be staring unblinking
While calmly stirring the pool that is the world.
She had come however.
Digging me out of my resting place.
Carrying me on her back.
I had given her my name.
Then she abandoned me.
Oh yes, I know she did not realize that I was living.
I should forget her.
But...this feeling is like a poison.
Love,
I had not known I could love.
Oh never has any word meant so much.
Tis a cruel twist fate has cast upon me.
How is it that my heart would be cut in twain by the words and actions of a mortal?
Can such a thing be?
I am tom
Absolute.
Eternal.
Yet I have changed in the briefest of moments.
My thoughts begin to turn quickly and for the first time I do not have enough time.
How can I go on with this pain in my soul.
I, an Eternal, have been struck down and laid low.
For I now love a mortal.
But dare I?...
Dare I!?
I am tom!
The mountains crumble when I speak!
The oceans run dry!
Dare I? Of course I dare!
I will go to her.
I will go to Rarity.
Wait no... I cannot.
If I were to go to her and speak then she would no longer be the one I love.
But without her will I not suffer in agony for all time?
Oh what a cruel fate to look on as she lives for one brief life and mourn her for eternity.
Knowing she never loved me.
It is my form that curses me.
I cannot be with her as I am.
But perhaps another…?
Am I willing to make the sacrifice?
Nothing of value is gained with ease.
Everything requires a sacrifice.
But, am I willing to take on flesh?
To risk an imbalance in this world?
Would I lay down all that I am for the chance of love freely given?
Yes.
Though the world may break,
She may love me.
That is enough
I am tom,
And I am not absolute anymore.
***************************
The moon hung high in the sky above the forest known in this time as the Everfree. The tree branches hung low and blocked out most of the little light that came down from the night sky. This light shined dimly on a simple-looking stone plugging a hole in the ground. Beneath it was a cavern wherein resided a magic pool, but that is not what this tale is about. This object, despite its appearance, was no stone. No, it was a living thing. This creature had watched as the stars flared to life; as the seas first began to sway. He was there at the rising of the first nations...he saw their fall. It was his will that brought the Alicorn back into the world and his nature manifested that had sent Discord into stone.
He is tom.
The stone began to glow. It had reached a decision. The spirit called out into the forest. Stones did not move so he called the animals in the forest. The smaller animals arrived first and tried to move him, failing miserably. It took two manticores to finally lift him up and carry him over to a flat piece of ground. Then he commanded them to leave.
There he sat, to a casual observer doing nothing but in truth so much more. He preferred to work slowly as to avoid detection from those that may work against him. He only did what was necessary but because of his nature, beings would fear him and in many cases try to resist his actions. Tom was, in reality, pulling together the needed resources. He first made his stone body hollow, and then began to make the body. It took three weeks before the flesh was done. On the rise of the last day the stone cracked. Sitting in the hollowed-out center was a pony. His mane and hooves were black; the coat an earthy brown. The eyes opened, looking out at the world through stone gray.
You cannot understand what it was like for him. The sensory input was so limited in comparison to his other senses, yet it did have a certain charm. Trying to move proved pointless. His muscles were too small so he made them grow. While waiting he laid there, feeling his heartbeat pushing blood throughout his limbs. He could feel the cells divide and the brain begin to produce chemicals in order to take control of running the body. This brain was so small. He had to improve it in order to contain his consciousness. Then his stomach growled. He was…hungry. It was a simple thing to reach out and command the small creatures to bring food. It would take a moment so he sat there, thinking in order to collect himself.
I am tom. I am older than the earth beneath me. I will outlive this world. Yet...I am flesh as well. I could burn this body in the sun and still survive. I have never even spoken with anyone before…I speak and they obey. That was the natural order of things, but if I am to woo her then I must learn the most basic of things. The first must be learning to walk. Wait…no I must breathe.
Tom gasped and sat there shaking.
IN and OUT
IN and OUT
IN and OUT
Now he was growing light headed.
Confound it he thought. I cannot even breathe without killing myself. This body cannot stay still! If I ddi not need to blend in then I would do away with the whole thing Power is one thing knowledge is another. Creating a body is easy for him. However running It correctly and normally. That will take knowledge. All of his was of an outsider looking in.
Tom looked at the creatures and focused on moving the lips appropriately.
"Thank you," he said.
Three of the rabbits died right away as their hearts gave out from internal stress. He had spoken to them. His voice carried power. He restarted their hearts with a simple spell and sent all but the mentally strongest away. Then he ate, tasting the sweet juices of the fruit as it went down his throat, reminding him of plasma.
Thinking on the issue he made a decision. If he was to function in pony society he must be able to do the simple things they all could do. Walking, talking, eating. With all his power the ponies would break. Reaching inward he…folded himself. He became less without becoming less? That is the best way it can be described. His power was suppressed, but still there. Opening his mouth he spoke normally for the first time.
"Let us try this again."
Tom went to work in the clearing, using the animals when needed. Every task took effort to learn. He had to remember to maintain his organs until the brain started working properly. Just keeping the body running was taking up a large amount of thought power.
Later that evening Tom lay down to let the body rest. He worked all night to flesh out the muscles and make the brain more comfortable. There he rested until his flesh felt the warmth of the sun. Glancing once more around the clearing, he then turned and headed for Ponyville.
Tom was walking when he saw a pool of water and took a moment to look at his reflection. It did not show on his face but he was rather pleased with the results. Molding flesh was so much more difficult than the fundamentals. It was hit or miss if he would look good by pony standards. As he stood there looking at himself three timber wolves jumped out of the brush. He did not bat an eye as the beings ran toward him, not even bothering to turn. It was only about a half a second before they struck that he realized he was under attack. After all, he had never faced a physical assault before.
The three animals suddenly froze. Their minds filled with fear so strong all hope of escape was lost. Then he spoke. REALLY spoke.
"Hear my voice and obey." He turned to look at them, his will upon them. The mountain behind looked so weak.
"I will not punish a being who does not know its folly. I command you to SPEAK."
The first wolf’s eyes widened and it understood. For the first time it truly saw its place. The old one had given him understanding. Turning his head to look at the other wolves he felt excitement as they looked back. He could see understanding in their eyes, real understanding. Then he looked back at the being before him, and spoke for the first time.
"I beg your forgiveness O great one," he said, his eyes full of fear. “But if I may ask, how is giving us the ability to reason punishment?"
"I give you the ability not for your own benefit, but so that you may succeed in the task I set before you." What can one do against such a being as this? The wolves bowed their heads and waited, hoping to not only gain understanding to see the end of his new kind.
"Speak, and we will obey." Seven other wolves came out of the forest, their eyes open like the three.
"Yes you shall. For attacking me I sentence you to guard those lesser than yourself. You will no longer need flesh but will gain your strength from the sun. Each night you will set root in the earth and each morning those roots will return to you. It is your responsibility to guard ALL sentient life in the forest and to take no life at all unless needed." Then his eyes grew dark. "If you should fail through negligence of this task then the gift I gave today will be taken back. The transition will be painful but it will only last through tonight."
The ten wolves bowed and left the powerful being, and thus a new race was born.
A certain rainbow-colored Pegasus was flying casually through the air. Her blue coat was swaying softly as she broke through turbulence and hit updrafts only to twist into nose dives. She was doing such a simple trick when she saw the black-haired pony walking out of the Everfree forest.
Wow she thought. He must be brave. No one went into the forest without good reason and even then never alone. That would be crazy. The mare flipped about and glided until she was flying right beside him. He never even broke pace.
"Hey buddy," she said, incorrectly thinking she was just catching his attention. "Haven't seen you around here before. Where are you from?”
"I am from…" Well, he could not be exact. "The forest."
"What? Yeah, I saw you come out of there. What were you doing in there?"
"I was taken there."
"Really? By who?" she asked, startled.
"…"
Tom did not know how to respond. Mortal beings could not interact with him if they understood. So what was he to do? Rainbow Dash felt her heart sink for the strange earth pony beside her. He was obviously traumatized and in shock. His coat was ruffled and he seemed completely out of it.
"Hey buddy, cheer up! I'll take you over to a friend of mine’s house and she can help you."
Tom heard a strange tone in the flying pony's voice. He was not sure what it meant.
"Very well, loyalty."
The wings on the Pegasus froze mid-flight for a second before she caught up to Tom and landed to trot beside him.
"What did you call me?"
"You are loyalty, so I called you what you are."
Rainbow did not know what to think of him calling her loyalty. After a while she just decided he must have heard of the Elements of Harmony and recognized her. Maybe he just forgot her name.
"By the way, I’m Rainbow Dash."
"Very well. I shall call you by that name."
"…Right. Well, what is your name?"
"I am tom."
"Tom," she said unimpressed.
"Yes, what do you need?"
"Uh…nothing." Rainbow was not sure what the stallion's problem was, but she knew that Twilight would know how to handle him.
Tom walked on but was surprised when a piece of metal smacked him in the face. Looking around he caught sight of a single pony with an hourglass cutie mark trotting over a nearby hill. The object was a small gold coin. If that had just happened then it must be important so he decided to keep it despite the method of delivery.
Despite this, Tom had a calm feeling telling him that this was going well. She did not appear to mean him harm. He was tom, so there would be no issue with interaction it seemed. If there were any that came up then he would have to adapt, if possible. None of this was said as he walked with the pony into Ponyville. In fact, they did not say anything until arriving at the library.
"Why don't you wait here big guy."
Rainbow waited for an answer. When none came she rolled her eyes and walked through the door. This guy was going to be a lot of trouble, she could tell. Rainbow found Twilight sitting calmly in her chair reading a book on enchanting. The purple mare looked up, a smile coming onto her lips.
"Hey Dash, what's up?"
"Something actually. I found this weird guy outside of town. I think he’s…" Rainbow started hitting her hoof lightly against the side of her head. Twilight gave her an annoyed look then smiled and pointed.
"Uh, Rainbow? You might want to look behind you."
The Pegasus spun around and saw that Tom was standing there with a neutral expression on his face.
"What is the meaning of this motion?" he asked, repeating Rainbow’s action.
The two mares stared at him not knowing how to respond.
"Is this a symbol to indicate mental retardation?"
Both girls stood stark still. This was so awkward. Finally, Rainbow spoke up.
"Look, I'm sorry, it's just that…well…you seem…"
"Mentally subnormal?"
"No! I just thought you might be hurt from somepony taking you to the Everfree."
"Your assessment is wrong."
They stood there for a long time. Tom was confused. Was this normal?
"So…um, what's your name?" inquired Twilight in an attempt to end the silence. She knew Rainbow would not bring him if there was not a problem.
"He calls himself Tom," butted in Rainbow.
"I do not call myself Tom, I am tom," he retorted.
"…"
Tom looked irritated. "I believe you may be requesting more information from me than just my name. First, I must know what information you seek."
"We were just wondering where you came from before the forest," Twilight said.
"How long before the forest?" replied Tom.
"Um…a year ago."
"I was in Canterlot."
"Do you have any family there?"
"No."
"Any friends?"
"No."
"Shocker…" mumbled Rainbow. Twilight glared at her.
"Ok, where was your home?"
"Nowhere."
"…Did you have a job?"
"No."
Twilight just stood there. There were jobs available for anypony. In Equestria, if you could work then you could find a job. Even if you couldn't, there were programs for you. Nopony would be without a place to live. Without any knowledge of where he came from there was no way to figure out where to send him. Then she had an idea.
"Ok Tom. Where was your last home?"
"Nowhere."
Twilight facehoofed as Rainbow began to laugh. The unicorn began to grind her teeth.
"Ok Tom! Where is somepony who knows you?"
"Here."
Of course! He must be here for help. she thought
"OK! Now who in town knows you?"
"Rainbow Dash and Magic."
"What?"
Rainbow spoke up. "He called me loyalty at first."
"Loyalty, magic. Tom, are Rainbow Dash and I the only people you know?"
"No."
"Then who besides us knows you?"
"No one."
The room filled with silence once more, but this time it was broken by a purple dragon walking down the steps.
"Hey Twilight, I finished cleaning…who is this?"
"I am tom."
"Uh, ok. Twilight I'm going over to help Rarity collect some gems, see ya!"
Spike left quickly…and for some reason beyond his understanding Tom felt anger toward him. It was strange since they had never met before.
"Should I call you Twilight Sparkle?" he asked, turning to the purple mare once more. It would be best to clear such things up.
"Yes, please do. Wait no, you take everything literally. Just call me Twilight."
"And me Dash."
"Very well."
Twilight offered him some lunch, which he accepted. It was during the meal that their conversation continued.
"What are your plans…Tom?"
"I intend to make a place of residence."
"Make? Do you have a building permit?" asked Rainbow.
"No."
"Well then you can't build a place to stay. Plus, you need to own land." Twilight paused for a moment. "I’m sorry but do you remember your childhood?"
Childhood was a time when you were young. He had never been young.
"No."
"How far back do you remember?"
"…" He could not answer that either. He had always been. He was tom.
"I remember back far enough to know that all I want is to be here."
Twilight looked straight into tom's eyes. She could not pierce that stone glare. In the end it was up to him what he did with his life. She had scanned him and there seemed to be nothing physically wrong.
"Very well, what is your talent?"
He calmly turned his flank to them.
"Hey! That is the same cutie mark as Rarity!” shouted Rainbow. “Well, almost. The colors are different."
"I've never heard of two people sharing a cutie mark before. We have to go see Rarity about this immediately," commented Twilight.
They set out after cleaning the kitchen, tom calmly walking behind them. With every step he takes the dust settles and the town is changed ever so slightly. With every word his speech would adapt. In time he would not stand out at all.
He is tom, a being older than time, and he is going to meet his love.
Its dry breeze forever blows on the little lives of mortal's. They are just sand, flying on only to fall.
Some beings are the wind, others the ground, even a few are the sunlight and the rain.
I, however, am deeper than that.
I am not like Time or Law.
My strength is different. More…subtle.
Well at least I was.
As my form stepped, every rock and grain of sand was felt underhoof.
My power may have been folded but with my mind I could still feel the earth turn.
Would ponykind know what blood had been spilled on this land in the ancient past?
Of the age of dragons and the fall; of Trina, a city of stone raised in this very spot?
Or the slight trails of chaos magic that were still left from Discord’s rule?
No, it was against their nature.
But I am tom.
And I am powerful.
******************************************
Two mares walked through town with a stallion trailing behind. They were talking about such inconsequential things. Like the weather or what was for sale in the market. Tom had no care for such things. No, what concerned him were the ramifications of his choice. He had watched life turn for so long, but now he was a part of it, affecting their world in subtle ways. What did that mean? He had always been tom; being Eternal and Absolute had always been a part of that. Now, however, he was changing. Did this make him less tom? Was his identity compromised because of this deviation from his path? He would not admit it to himself, but that concept made him afraid. He feared he did not know if he could adapt to this life.
The market…he had watched for a long time from the forest and still did not understand its nature. Why did they collect in such a way? Was it for the company or efficiency? Who decided where it came to be? Mortals still confused him. What small being could of come up with such an idea? It did increase productivity. Tom noticed an argument breaking the sea of harmony. There was Honesty and…some orange-haired mare.
They were angry at one another. He could feel the discord in the air. It was a natural chaos, not…him. Tom came out of his thoughts to stare at the two conflicting ponies as Twilight and Dash walked on.
"Consarn it, Carrot Top! Ah can't have ya scarin' away mah customers!"
"You just don’t want them to hear about how good carrots are for them. Why, if you just eat three carrots a day…"
"I don't care if you only have to eat ONE! You Carrots have always been a problem in this here town!"
"Oh, and the great Apple family is just…"
"Why are you stopping Tom?" asked Twilight, coming up behind him after noticing his absence. Her purple hair stood out against the crowd. He remembered pushing her grandparents together. It had taken some effort to cross the two most powerful unicorn lines. The two houses had been competitors before. He had to make one of the sons become disavowed and then cross him with a long lost line of another clan before making the son from that union be married to Twilight’s mother. It had been even more difficult to push the correct genes through four generations.
"Honesty is fighting with somepony," he said, indicating the two stall owners.
"Uh, her name is Applejack. And yes, she and Carrot Top are always arguing. They are competitors."
"If she dislikes the orange one being there why not simply remove her by force? She seems quite physically superior."
Twilight and Rainbow gasped in shock.
"What!? She can't do that!!"
Tom shook his head knowingly. It was always true about mortals. "Ah, I see." The two mares sighed in relief. "I will do it, then." They lacked strength. Tom only made it two feet toward the mares before Rainbow landed in front of him.
"Are you crazy? You can't go and force somepony to leave!"
"Why not?"
"Because it's against the law!"
The Law…he was familiar with such things. It was always ill-advised to break them. Bad things happen. Usually reality breaks. Such situations were a nightmare to fix. Tom shook his head. He would have to listen if such important constructs were involved.
"Very well I will obey this…the law. No one will be harmed by me."
After a moment they began walking toward Rarity's again. Twilight was making some kind of list labeled ‘Things to teach Tom.’ He was unsure who she meant since he was tom. Did she misunderstand? They arrived shortly after, but unfortunately the two mares were ahead of him and closed the door before he got inside. So there he sat, contemplating an unexpected question…how did one open doors? He had never really paid enough attention to see how. Such a small detail, perhaps if he…after a few minutes he decided on the only logical option available. Rearing back he kicked the door down. With a great crack it busted down, startling the ponies inside. He then calmly walked in, looking each of them in the eye as they stared with their mouths open.
His eyes froze on the last one, however. It was her…Rarity. Her purple hair matched perfectly with the bilateral mental fracture on the left side of her brain. The eyes had just the right discoloration to be interesting to any who could see. The white mane and red blood was a perfect contrast. He found everything about her…beautiful. The one thing he loved most of all, however, was her soul. Such passion for beauty and care for others so evenly mixed. He loved her all the more and yet had not even heard her voice. What he did not notice was the purple dragon running strait for him, enraged and with his claws extended.
Luckily Twilight reacted quickly, encasing the young dragon in magic and lifting him into the air.
"Let me go Twilight! He is attacking Rarity!"
"Calm down Spike, he just doesn't know any better! He is not attacking!"
He kept struggling until Rarity spoke up.
"It's quite alright, Spike. I assume this is the Tom that you were speaking of? It is clear he lacks…social grace."
Perfect. Her voice was perfect.
"That was awesome! I can't believe you just broke down that door!"
Twilight first had a worried expression on her face, but it was soon replaced by excitement.
"I don’t think he understands anything about social norms! This is an amazing insight into pony mentality outside of social stress!"
"Well yes," said Rarity, smiling slightly at Twilight's reaction. "I believe he may need instruction in such things. It would be my pleasure to teach him." She turned to the baby dragon and smiled apologetically. "Spike, we will have to collect gems together some other day."
Spike agreed but angrily walked past tom with near hate in his eyes.
"Have I done something inappropriate?" Tom asked, feeling disquiet. Would they throw him out of the town?
Rarity smiled. "Why…yes dear, I’m afraid you have. Please do not damage anything that is not yours?"
Yours? What did she mean?
"What do you mean yours? Why would I hurt myself?"
"No Tom, she means things that you own."
"Own? What is that?"
"It is when you have the right to decide what happens to an object. Like how I own this quill or this scroll. It is mine and only I have the right to decide what happens to it," Twilight explained.
Tom shook his head. Yes, this concept made sense with what he had seen. Rarity felt sorry for the poor thing. How would it be to not know how to react at all?
"Very well. If I may inquire, where might I stay while in Ponyville?"
He knew homes were traditional.
"Well…there is an inn but I doubt you have any money…"
Rarity had only seen this strange pony for a few minutes but her element would not be denied.
"He can use my guest room Twilight. At least until he is back on his feet."
"Thank you Rarity, there is really no room in the library."
It was decided a few minutes later that travel to the market was once again necessary. Twilight used her magic to repair the door and show Tom how to open it. Rainbow sat looking out the window board.
A few minutes later, they were walking down the path and Twilight was having a deep discussion about the concept of exchange and money.
"No you see, objects have value and money also has value. This value is exchanged for goods and services."
"Why do they not take what they want?"
"Because it is against the law to steal"
This law must be more extensive than he realized. It would be difficult to defeat.
"I will have to find this law…but for now what is this money, exactly?"
"Well here darling," said Rarity as she floated a bit over to him "It is made of gold. This is rare and valuable."
"Like you?" asked Tom innocently.
Rarity blushed. "Well, yes some might say that."
"Where can I acquire some of this…money?"
"Yes," said Twilight, smiling slightly. "You can do that by getting a job."
It took a while to explain work to him but he was quick to understand. They talked about banks and wages mostly. The entire concept of perceived value versus actual value was hard to get across, but he grasped it after a while.
"I must acquire money if I am to fit in with society."
"Well, I could help-" Tom cut Twilight off.
"No, I can acquire this currency by myself."
Another uncomfortable silence hit. Tom was getting tired of those.
"I have to ask darling, do you intend to steal?"
"No. I will acquire the money within the law," he responded quickly. "First, however, where is this law kept?"
"I could lend you a book on law, Tom." Twilight was glad that he at least understood the need to change.
Tom nodded. "I need to go somewhere alone to think. I will come back here soon," he explained, and then left.
The three mares stood talking for a while about what they should do. Rarity was still looking at the door after he had gone.
Tom walked into a secluded area near the forest. A small hill protected him from the inquisitive gazes of onlookers. For a moment he relaxed and let his mind expand. If any soul had somehow gotten through the perfect wards compelling everyone who desired entrance to leave, they would have seen the stallion's hair start to wave and the stone wall in his eyes give way to show his true power. He spoke in but a whisper.
"Come to me…"
His power reached into the very core. It was powerful magic tied into the very world. None could feel it save those tied deeply to the world.
On the ground a golden pool began to form. He could not make something from nothing but it was well within his abilities to draw the minute amounts of gold to one spot. Most did not know but there was a small amount of any material beneath their feet at any time. After only a few minutes there was a block of gold sitting at his feet.
He focused and took out the coin thrown at him earlier. It was good of him to give this coin even if the delivery method held something to be desired. Using the coin as a blueprint Tom turned the bars into replicas of the coin and pulled them into a sack.
When he left for Rarity's the sun was low in the sky and he felt restless. That was strange. He had never been restless before. During the trek he noticed the orange one. The one called Carrot Top.
It would be so simple to remove her. Simply weaken the bonds holding her flesh together. It would make Applejack happy and therefore Rarity happy. His hoof raised but then stopped. It came to his mind that he had promised the one called Loyalty to obey the law. It had been said so simply but only now did he realize the full implications.
He was eternal. His word simply was. He would not go against it.
That meant that if the law said anything, he would have to obey.
Even if it was to never speak to Rarity again.
Even if it was to cease.
And he was eternal.
He would have to obey forever.
**********************************************
The two Alicorns stopped in the middle of their conversation over afternoon tea. They sat, feeling power that neither had known since they were but foals. In a moment it was gone. It was as if a hoof that held the world in it had suddenly appeared and then vanished without a trace.
There was silence. The royal guests’ conversation and smiles slowly died down at the sight of the immortal Alicorns shaking in fear.
"Sister," said Luna tremulously. "Was that what I think it was?"
"Indeed Luna," replied Celestia. She then turned to the other dinner guests. "I apologize, but you must leave immediately. A matter of great importance has come up."
The guests thanked them for the tea and nervously left. The princess had never spoken to any of them in such a way.
The two sisters walked out onto a balcony.
"Sister. I have not felt that power since the creation of the Elements that was so long ago…we searched so long for the source, but there was nothing. Why now?"
"I think he has been moving, but not strongly. Not like before. He talked to me while you were…gone, " Celestia informed her sister, her voice becoming quiet. "I even heard his voice."
"When?" Luna gasped. Celestia looked at her sister, fear and sadness in her eyes.
"I had a…vision two hundred years ago when I was alone in my bed." She bowed her head.
"I know that no matter how long I live those words will always be with me. He told me to tell the Apple family to settle where they did, thus making Ponyville. Then..." she shook. "Then he said three sentences containing more power than I could ever hope to muster. I never considered for a moment that they might be false. ‘The one who was cast into the moon shall return. She will come to bring about eternal night. On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape.’"
They stood in silence.
"What does he want? What should we do?" asked Luna.
"Watch…and wait."
*************************************
Rarity was cleaning as she thought about the pony that she would now be living with. He was so strange. Twilight and Rainbow had told them about their conversation before leaving. First, he comes out of the Everfree and then he does not even seem to know what is right and what is wrong. He had even thought about harming Carrot Top! Sure it had been to help Applejack, but still. What kind of pony would think about doing something like that? It is understandable if he did not know any better but…
The front door opened and Rarity walked down to see Tom standing at the door. He calmly walked over to her and dropped a sack of gold in front of her.
"Where did you get this?" she asked, concern in her voice.
"…I made it"
"And how did you make this much?" Her voice was beginning to show disappointment.
"I used gold."
"And where did you get it?"
"The forest. I took what was owned by no one."
What is wrong with this pony? Rarity thought. He just makes everything so difficult. Does he really not know any better or is that just him trying to get on our good side?
"Rarity, where should I sleep? This body needs rest."
"Right this way, darling. But I must ask, why did you bring all these bits here?"
"You are helping me. That is a service. You gave me food. That is a good. Ponies pay bits for services and goods. I intend to become a normal pony."
"Have you never heard of generosity? Those were gifts Tom."
"Gifts?"
"Gifts are when one pony gives another an item for free."
"Very well, then. This is a gift."
"I couldn't accept this much as a gift! You will be destitute!"
"I will be fine. Take the bits and pay for my expenses. I don't wish to burden you."
Rarity would normally have said no, but the pony might be there a while.
"Ok, Tom. I will take it, but you can't leave until you are ABSOLUTELY ready."
"Ok, Rarity."
The room was small, but Tom did not care. It was only a space like any other. He lay down on the bed and thought about what he had learned this first day. It had gone well, but there was still a feeling of failure. That promise would hang over him for millennia until this nation ended. That was the minimum that he could stretch what he had said. Until then, he would have to stay far from here or risk…complications. But he could not leave while there was still Rarity. Tom worked on the problem for a whole ten minutes before allowing his mind to rest. It was going to be a difficult day tomorrow.
Tom increased his breathing rate quickly, bringing it up to waking levels. A simple command made his heart begin to beat faster. He woke exactly eight hours after going to bed. Even before becoming flesh he knew Rarity did not wake until ten. Tom decided to wake up early. Besides, he had much to do today. First, he must learn this law. Then he needed to help Rarity and learn social graces. He calmly got up and prepared for the day by pushing all of the dirt and stink off his body. Then he went to eat breakfast with Rarity.
*******************************
Sweetie Belle was making breakfast once again for her sister. Thankfully, she had learned to avoid burning the food since her first attempts. The little one truly loved her older sibling. She was so creative and liked by so many others…the kitchen, however, was still a mess. Tom walked in and considered it to be appropriate to introduce himself to her.
"Hello."
The young filly jumped up into the air. The pancake she had been cooking neatly flew through the air and landed on the stallion's face.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! You startled me!"
Tom had done nothing to avoid the food product. He walked forward with the pancake still resting on his face and dumped it on a clean plate. Turning toward the young filly he replied, "that's quite alright. I am Tom and I will be staying here some time. You are...?"
Sweetie was grateful that the strange stallion had not become angry. It would of been hard to explain to Rarity. She was also in trouble from the frog indecent last week.
"My name’s Sweetie Belle. Why are you going to be staying here?"
Tom told the simple truth. "Because your sister is a good soul. Would you like some help cleaning before she awakes?"
Sweetie Belle smiled. "Yeah!"
*****************************************
Rarity woke around two hours later. The first thing she noticed was the smell of breakfast coming up from the kitchen. The mare calmly rolled out of bed and went to take a shower. While washing she thought about Tom.
I really don't know what to think about him. Not only does he seem to lack even the most basic understanding of etiquette, but he also has a very similar cutie mark to me. That had given her pause when Twilight had told her that yesterday. She had not really believed it until checking last night. While many ponies had similar cutie marks, hers was an extremely rare type. Not many had the ability to find precious stones. And then there was the tint to the gems. What did that mean? And why am I cold?
Rarity shivered and quickly finished showering. It was very odd because even with the extra pony in the house there still should have been plenty of hot water left. The heater must be broken. Toweling herself dry, Rarity looked at the mirror. Her mane was in complete disarray. Sitting down with a heavy sigh, she prepared to tame her mane for another day. With one swipe of her brush the hair simply fell into perfect place. Rarity's mouth dropped open at this. It would normally take at least five minutes of brushing to make her hair strait. Things were getting stranger and stranger.
She trotted down the steps. There was Tom at the front door talking to the gray mailmare.
"Hello. How may I help you," he inquired politely.
"Oh, uh…" The cross-eyed mare eyes would look in random directions all the time. She rarely focused for even the shortest amount of time. However when looking at Tom both of her eyes stared straight at him for five whole seconds before she started talking again. "H-Here is your package." Tom accepted it gracefully. The mare flew off as quickly as she could.
"Hello," Tom said as he turned to address Rarity. He seemed to look at her with a blank look on his face as he placed the box on a table.
"Good morning," intoned Rarity.
Tom’s face began to twitch. At first she thought that he was having a stroke but after a moment the lip pulled back into a strange smile. It looked like he was only moving one muscle at a time. Then it was gone.
"I need to work on that," was all he said before turning to sit at the table. Rarity sat down with Sweetie Belle and Tom to enjoy the breakfast they had made. It was only a moment before the young filly spoke up.
"Hey Rarity! Is this your new special somepony?"
Tom of course didn't react, but Rarity spat out the coffee she had been drinking.
"W-What!?! No we are…we are not like that Sweetie Belle." She quickly regained her composure even as the little filly laughed. Tom smiled. It was still awkward but better than his first one.
"Rarity, how long have you been in Ponyville?" In reality, Tom knew down to the millisecond when she had arrived, but considering the petty conversations that he heard yesterday and how uncomfortable ponies acted around him, he figured some small talk might do some good.
"Oh, many years...where all have you lived?"
Difficult question answering would require tact.
"I have been everywhere." Literally.
"Oh! So you are a traveler?" she asked while trying to think of things that would require somepony to have to travel so much.
"No."
"Then how is it you have been everywhere?"
"By being there. My…skills require me to be in a lot of places. Sometimes two at once." It was incredibly difficult to split himself but possible.
"Oh, really? What sort of things do you fix?" asked Rarity, thinking him a handypony.
"Everything."
"Such a wide range of skills! Does it pay well?"
"No," replied Tom. "It does not pay at all."
They continued to eat in silence for a time before Sweetie Belle spoke up.
"Hey! You have the same Cutie Mark as Rarity except for the color. Why is that?"
Another difficult one.
"Because of whom I am."
The filly's face scrunched up in confusion. "And Who are you?"
"I am tom." Rarity paused for a second. Then she smiled, supposing he was himself.
After cleaning up breakfast, Tom asked if there was any way he could help before leaving. Rarity smiled and answered, "When you get back we simply must give you etiquette lessons! You need to act like a gentlecolt."
"Very well."
*************************************
Tom left shortly after. He needed to acquire this law from Twilight. As he was walking through the town square, a careful observer would have noticed some strange occurrences. The blowing wind became constant. A pony was tossing four bits, all of which landed stacked perfectly on one another. There was a unicorn whose magic surged as he passed, causing her to crush an apple. Nopony, however, associated these strange events with the new pony. After all, he was just an earth pony.
Twilight was shelving books when he arrived.
"Hello," said Tom.
"Hi, Tom."
Tom stood there for a short moment.
"I came for the law."
Twilight smiled awkwardly.
"Well, ok…I have many books on the law. What kind do you want?"
"All of them."
"Really?"
"Yes."
There were twenty books involving law. Tom sat there for the next two hours, reading. Twilight asked Spike to bring Tom some water and food while he waited and she stepped out to get some more quills.
"Spike?"
"What do you want?" asked the little dragon.
"I am wondering why you hate me. In what way have I wronged you?"
Spike stood there, his mouth open for a moment before closing. The young dragon ground his teeth and clenched his claws.
"You come into town, knock down Rarity's door, and then abuse her generosity by staying at her home! You don't deserve her!"
"Deserve her?"
"Yes!"
Tom was greatly confused. How did Spike know he wanted to court her? How…
Then Tom thought about how he had grown angry at Spike when he saw that he was going to Rarity's place. What if this small dragon felt the same way as him?
"Do you love Rarity, Spike?"
The purple dragon blinked, growled, and then answered.
"Yes I do, and if you think you can take her from me you are wrong. You could not protect her like I could."
A scowl came across the earth pony's face. He briefly considered removing the dragon from existence…but that would be against the law.
"Listen to me, CHILD. I have seen and done things your puny consciousness could not even conceive of. I have defeated foes that could level this tiny town. Do not think to be competition for me, dragon. None can compare."
The hate in Spike’s eyes gave way to shock.
"You are delusional. You're just an earth pony! How could you guard her?"
"I can guard her better than any other. Leave, little one. I have no time for the weak."
Spike was going to respond, but decided to walk away instead. Tom was delusional. He was crazy. And Spike would protect her.
*********************************************
It was one in the afternoon when he finished. The law was quite complex. Tom calmly placed the books back in their appropriate places. Reading that many books would normally take several days, but he was tom.
"Are you done already?" asked Twilight, assuming he had given up.
"Yes, thank you. If it is not inappropriate what are you doing today?"
Twilight brightened at his question and detailed a long list of activities. Tom felt proud. He was socializing with one of Rarity's friends successfully. The only thing of interest to him was the last item.
"I will also be observing the new star in the Triton constellation."
"New star?" Tom asked.
"Yes! There is a new star in the sky. It is being called Osiris. Isn't this exciting? This is the first time it has occurred in recorded history!"
Tom simply shook his head. It was abnormal for a star to form in such a way but not impossible.
"Oh and Tom?" Twilight suddenly asked, remembering something. "Can you come with me to the hospital really quick?"
Tom froze mid-stride. "Why?"
"You came out of the forest and the hospital has no history for you. The doctors said that they would need to do a physical."
Tom knew that the mare was obviously leaving something out. These ponies, however, could not hold him. Only make gaining Rarity that much harder.
"Very well."
Only an hour later, Tom was sitting in a white room talking to a doctor with a chart.
"Well, your health is normal and despite your apparent loss of childhood memory we can find nothing physically wrong with your brain. Your magi graph came back normal. However…" He sat down with his chart. "I think that your condition may be mental. There is a local psychiatrist and nurse named Redheart. Would you see her?"
Tom almost smiled.
"Of course."
The white-coated nurse, with a red plus sign as a cutie mark, had only a few questions about his memory and past. All of which allowed her to learn nothing.
Before he left, however, she took a blood sample. When her hoof made contact with him she suddenly grew very still. She seemed to run out as quickly as she could.
*****************************************
"...and you should knock and wait for an invitation to enter before entering a room with a closed door."
Rarity had been going at this for over an hour.
Tom was having no difficulty learning the niceties of society. It was really just a long list of rules and ‘what if’ scenarios.
"Well, I think that is enough for today. How about we get dinner started?"
Rarity and Tom moved into the kitchen and began to make dinner for three. Sweetie Belle would be arriving shortly, back from crusading. They cooked in silence. Tom was getting better at reading these flesh beings’ body language. She wanted to speak about something. Soon, she turned to him with a slightly confused but firm look on her face.
"Tom…do you feel comfortable here in Ponyville?"
Tom actually paused for a moment.
"No."
Rarity nodded her head.
"It can be quite hard to...trust again after being betrayed."
Tom simply waited, not understanding her words.
"Rainbow Dash told us about how you were forced into the woods. Did you feel betrayed? Was it done by somepony you know? Somepony you...cared for? Is that why you don't want to talk about it?"
Tom stood silent. Did he feel betrayed? Rarity had known him but for a short time. Then he had been moved and used to plug a hole leading to a magical pond. How could you feel betrayed if the ‘betrayer’ did not know they were abandoning somepony? Yet...
"Yes," he answered, surprised at the truth.
"To which question?"
"All of them. It hurts..." Tom put his hoof over his heart. "…here to talk about it. Even though they knew not what they did."
"It's ok. You can tell me about it."
Tom straightened. "There is nothing to tell. She did not even really see me and then left me in those woods. I forgive her anyways."
Rarity stepped forward and hugged him. He stood still for a moment before slowly returning the hug.
"Ha! I knew it!" The two adults turned to see Sweetie Belle at the door.
Both of them stepped back blushing slightly. The fily continued to smile and laugh.
"Now Sweetie Belle I was just giving our guest a comforting hug. He has been through a lot and I believe it was appropriate. " Explained Rarity her voice becoming more confident as she spoke " Besides it is time to eat."
The dinner was uneventful they talked on normal topics. What the weather would be tomorrow. How traveling to Las Pegasus would be fun. Tom contributed as he could and in many cases they were laughing.
Later Tom laid his head down to rest. This body…it was so weak. Like so many other things this made him remember and think on his state of being.
Who am I? I am Tom, but…I have been around for so long. So very long. Time used to have no meaning to me. Now I look to the future and wonder... can I truly go on forever? Yes, I could outlast this universe and the next, and the next, but eventually I will grow tired. I will weaken. In the end, will I care to go on? Here I am in the flesh and for the first time vulnerable. If I am weakened and can't escape, what would happen to me if the flesh died?
Tom knew the answer but it was something a true immortal like him could not comprehend: he would die.
The two sisters were standing on the patio staring into the distance. A light breeze flowed through the town as a worried look occupied their faces.
"Luna, I can't feel his location."
The dark colored mare ground her teeth in frustration. She had promised to protect her citizens from all threats, yet she could not even prove this one existed!
"That is impossible! We can feel the magic moving. It must have a focus! No mind can directly hold that much power. Nothing should be able to hold that much power."
It was only because of their immense strength that the two sisters could sense the subtle changes at all. The magic around Ponyville was warped. It was bunched up, almost as if somepony was casting a spell constantly. There was no source, however. No point that it focused to. It was the difference between still pool water and water with random ripples all over it. The sun ruler then spoke up.
"Sister, this has proven fruitless. I am afraid we must act."
"What do you think is best?" asked Luna.
"We must go to Ponyville."
***
Tom awoke at the same time as the day before. The morning was uneventful. He made small talk with Rarity and made breakfast again. It was when he was walking to Twilight’s that he felt them move. Tom's brow furrowed as he stepped into an alley. The two were coming here. They would arrive in approximately three hours. At close range, beings of their power might be able to trace his influence. His power was already suppressed. It would take a great deal of effort to push it low enough to avoid their detection. Tom looked around and upon seeing nopony around, he began. After a moment, sweat broke on his brow. The air which had always been still and cold around him began to blow more easily. The three colts on the other side of the wall groaned as the die which had rolled six twelve times in a row began to roll normally. An insect flew close to his body instead of avoiding him.
Tom finally finished. His sight was decreased to twenty feet and affecting the world would take conscious effort. It was strange. His earth sense was no different than that of normal earth ponies. His magic channeling was nonexistent. Weather magic was only there enough to feel the flow of air. But there was his spirit magic, which was still above Celestia's level. Ah yes, he had almost forgotten. There was no visible change but now they would detect a pony soul in him. Leaving the alley, Tom went on his way again.
He only made it four feet out of the alley before a pink blur assaulted him.
"Oh my goodness! You must be Tom, Twilight told me so much about you! How they found you near the woods and how you were sensitive and so I should wait a few days before…" Tom had seen others doing so in long conversations, so he was nodding his head as she spoke. "…Talking to you and throwing you a party! But I was like: ‘when I am sad I like to have my friends smile and that makes me smile’ but then they told me you had no friends which made me so sad. So I just went over to my hidey hole and got my Flugle horn and started playing the music to "don't you want to I want to be a chicken" while giving Scootaloo a present and smiling to my friend Chelsea Porcelain who is having a birthday in two days! I'm going to give her a special teacup shaped cupcake. So I went to the store to get some sugar and flour and starch and chocolate and eggs and some pens and a beaker and some sodium bicarbonate and paper and a backscratcher for when the stampede happens next week after the frog storm and they find out about you and so I need to throw you a GIANT PARTY! Oh, I LOVE PARTIES! DO YOU LIKE PARTIES?! So when do you want it-NEVERMIND! I'll just do it when I was going to do it. "
Odd… Tom thought. She has not paused for breath.
"Do you want it to be a surprise? WAIT I already told you and since I already told you you know about it and since you already know about it you won't be surprised and if you are not surprised then you won't become my friend and if you don't become my friend then I will have to go eat WAY. TOO. MANY. Cupcakes and IF! I eat too many cupcakes my friends will worry and if they worry they won't sleep and if they don't sleep then they will be too tired and if they are too tired the world will end and if the world ends I WON’T BE ABLE TO THROW ANY MORE PARTIES!!" Pinkie began to cry. Her turning strait as the magic field around her lessened.
Tom considered her statement and the obvious solution to the problem. "There there," said Tom, patting her on the head. "I am already your friend. Therefore, that will not happen."
Pinkie was immediately better.
"OH! That's good because I LOVE PARTIES! And making new friends and making things to help make new friends. WAIT! IF YOU ARE ALREADY MY FRIEND THEN I BROKE THE SCHEDULE! First, I'm supposed to meet somepony new. Then I sing a random song. Then we become instant best friends and I throw them a party. BUT NOW I have meet you and became your friend immediately! NOW I will have to work extra hard to become your best friend! Which reminds me of this one time when I met a donkey and at first he was like ‘hmmm’ and then he was like ‘groan’ and then he was like ‘grrr’ then ‘aaaaaah’ then ‘Yaaaaa.’ Say, do you want a cupcake now?!? Wait, you can't go get one now, come by after you meet with Twilight and then you can come and I'll give you a cupcake and WE WILL BE LIKE TWO WOMBATS IN A PIKLE JAR!!" Then she sped off around a nearby corner.
Tom was still nodding his head up until Pinkie Pie had finished. She had made many valid points and he would consider them. What an interesting creature she was.
Tom arrived at the library with no difficulty but was surprised to find Twilight talking with Honesty and Rainbow Dash. The orange mare quickly caught sight of him and rushed over.
"Well, hi there! My name is Applejack and I’m the proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres, the finest apple farm in all of Equestria! What’s your name?"
"I am tom, an acquaintance of Twilight’s. What are you discussing?"
"Oh, I was telling them about the nature of magic and why only unicorns can manipulate it."
A strange look comes over Tom.
"Proceed."
"…Right. As I was saying, Unicorns are the only race that can manipulate magic because of their horns. All the races have magic but without something to focus the power there is no way to redirect it. The magic of all races does affect their environment but not in a conscious manner. "
"Well, I guess that makes sense Twi. So that's how the Cakes can have a baby unicorn and pegasus that are still good at flyin’ and magic," said Applejack.
"Yeah. I had always heard that flyers born from earth ponies were weaker but…I guess that makes sense," said Rainbow Dash.
"Thank you girls, I'm glad to answer your que-" Twilight stops speaking as Tom interrupts.
"You are incorrect." The three mares gasp in response.
The four stood were they were, surprise evident on the three mare’s faces before Twilight smiles.
"No, no you don't understand. I was saying that only unicorns can manipulate magic, not that they are the only ones who have it."
"Yes, I heard you and I am telling you that you are wrong. Magic can be manipulated by any pony. It is only the type that is different. Your magic type determines your race. Whichever kind you are strongest in, that is. All have some of the four magic types in them. "
Twilight's brow furrowed. "There is only one type of magic. It is only the race that determines how the ponies can use it. Not the other way around! There are thousands of years of research behind this theory. Why do you say it is wrong? Where is your proof?"
"My proof…very well, Twilight. I will give you proof. Follow me." With that, the four of them left the library and headed out of town until they were alone. Then Tom turned to Applejack.
"Please come here and look at this seed," Tom said, showing her an apple seed and pushing it into the ground.
"Why would I need to do that?"
"Because I'm going to show you how to make it grow to full bloom in seconds."
Earth magic was strong in the Apple family. It would be well within the young one’s abilities.
"Now stand here…good. Now, I want you to concentrate but not on the flower. Concentrate on the earth. The dirt beneath your feet. Feel the power in that dirt. It should feel like a lake."
"A lake? Magic is not like a lake."
"Quiet please, Twilight. This is difficult enough for her. Ok now, do you feel the earth beneath you? That massive power?"
"…Yeah. I’ve kinda felt it my whole life."
"Good. Now, will some of that power into the seed. Will it to grow."
Applejack was sweating. She had never even thought to make things grow. It was against the normal flow of things and the earth resisted. However, in a moment she felt a wall give and opened her previously clenched eyes.
There was a small apple tree sticking about a foot out of the ground. The earth pony collapsed, breathing hard. It was like she had run for days nonstop. Twilight was frozen stiff, her brain unable to process what she saw.
"Now with Rainbow, no more evidence than her Sonic Rainboom is needed. She converts air friction to light in order to go beyond her physical and passive magic limits. There are also other things your kind are trained to do but you seem to not realize that they are magic. "
Twilight was about to start bouncing around when Spike came over the hill waving an opened scroll. She grabbed it with her magic and pulled it close to read. Her eyes widened.
"Princes Celestia and Luna are coming to Ponyville for a week!" She then dashed toward the town.
One hour and fifteen minutes thought Tom. They have come quickly. The rest of the group followed Twilight.
***
"Hello, my faithful student," Celestia greeted Twilight in front of the library, a crowd starting to form around her as guards stood watch. She continued to talk. She wanted to see her subjects and speak to some of them. Tom, however, was not listening. He was looking at the flowing mane of the sisters and remembering. The surge of power as the world began to turn and the sun flashed into life. It was a thousand years before the first of the starlight was visible.
He missed those nights. The darkness on the endless plain. Then the moon came, its reflection of the sun’s light giving shimmers to the night. Those first beings who gave life even as they ceased. The turning ages as he stared, unblinking, time passing unnoticed. His first act: giving the touch of power to this race. Then they came. His children. The two sisters, one a unicorn the other a pegasus. He was as much a parent as the mare and colt who birthed them. It had been his spirit forced into the womb that had given them their strength. Did they know? Of course not. He had watched, however. He had watched as they grew. Little ones considered freaks by their village as they grew too large for the average pony; as they did not grow old. The day their parents died and they were left alone he had pulled them into the woods. There they found them. The Elements of Harmony. At their touch a change began in them. The magic that had resided grew. Luna gained a horn. Celestia, wings. The Elements, a part of my nature, had given balance and brought out their true selves and the strength I'd given them. With two Alicorns wielding the Elements Discord fell and I felt...
"And who is this? We have not seen him here before." The ruler of the night looked into the earth pony’s eyes. "And why does he shed a tear upon looking at us?"
Tom lifted his hoof and rubbed it against his cheek. Sure enough, a wet tear rested there. Luna was looking into his eyes.
The Lunar Princess was different from her sister. The world of dreams was her domain. Those dreams that rested in the subconscious of all those around her, allowing her to see their true nature. Over time she had come to expect the adulation or fear of so many before him, but this was not the case. Instead his eyes were like pits. A vast consciousness resided behind those eyes. They showed not adulation but pain… Those eyes were not asking for her approval, they were asking for an apology.
"Tell me, dear subject. Who are you?" Celestia had come to stand before him. Her sister was acting strange and then she looked at him. She may not have been as strong as Luna but she was still pulled in.
"I am tom," he said. The two sister's hearts skipped a beat and then quickened. Suddenly, his front hooves went up to the two sisters and touched their faces, causing the crowd to gasp. "I am so proud of you two. You have done so much."
A tear came unbidden into both of their eyes, but the earth pony was quickly wrapped in a purple light and pulled back behind several of the Element’s bearers.
He sat there, staring at the ground as Rarity comforted him. He did not notice that, however. His thoughts were too strong. Why did he have so much…feeling? Just how much was this body affecting him? Tom continued to contemplate such unanswerable questions. At the same time, however, he listened to the others.
"I'm sorry, Princess. He is new to town and seems to lack even the most basic social etiquette. Would you please pardon him for laying a hoof on your person? He did not know any better."
The sun queen stared at the earth pony for a few seconds and then looked over at Twilight, smiling.
"Of course, Twilight. Such things cannot be expected of ponies who know no better. He is pardoned. Think nothing of it. Now tell me about this new star you and Luna are talking so much about."
"It is not a star, my sister," said Luna, looking away from her. "It is a comet."
"A comet?" inquired Twilight.
"Yes. It is too far away for most telescopes to see, but ours can reach it. It is still too far for us to tell much about it, but such strange behavior warrants observation."
The talk goes on for a while before the two sisters continue on to the Town Hall, where they would be staying. Twilight comes over and they all go to the library where she gives Tom a speech about what to do and what not to do around the Princesses. It was quiet extensive. By the end, Tom is back to his calm self.
"Now then," said Twilight, coming out of her speech. "Where did you learn of this theory about magic?"
"I made it."
"Really? Where did you get your ideas?"
"Observation and practice."
"Practice... so you can do earth magic spells too?"
"Yes, I learned it long ago."
"Are Alicorn individuals born with equal parts in all three types."
Tom looked annoyed. "No."
"No? Then what are you saying?"
"If all a pony has is strong power in all three categories, then you get a being such as Pinkie Pie."
"What?" the others chorused incredulously.
"Pinkie Pie is a failed Alicorn."
The silence was absolute as Tom continued.
"Her abilities that I have heard of must come from a magical imbalance and her association with the Element of Laughter. What she lacks is the fourth kind of magic."
"What kind is that?" asked Twilight
"Sky."
With that, tom asked to leave, and he and Rarity walked back to the boutique together. Perhaps they walked a little closer than necessary.
"I saw you talking to Pinkie Pie today."
"Really?" asked Tom, glad for the conversation.
"Yes. It was kind of you to call her a friend. I also saw how the Princesses looked. They were shocked, but happy. That was very brave."
"It is not brave if you know you are not in danger."
Rarity looks at him and then laughs. In a moment Tom joins her. They laugh until they arrive at the boutique and go to their respective beds.
*****
Rarity had a strange dream that night. She dreamed she was on the moon.
"Rarity…"
"Yes?"
"Rarity, this is Luna. I am speaking to you through your dreams."
Tom awoke with a snap, sky magic coursing strongly through him. Two children came to his mind. The first strong as the burning sun and wise as time itself. The second with a will of a rushing sea and the heart of the moon. He loved them both…for they were his daughters, even as Twilight would be. Twilight, with her love of books and knowledge that knew no bounds. He loved her already. Knowing that he would never be revealed made his heart break. It was a piece of him, a small part that brought the harmony necessary, yet it meant so much. Tom stood and went through his morning routine even though it was hours early. After preparing breakfast, he left to go about his day.
Rarity woke to the sound of Tom moving around. She got up after he left and cleaned herself. She was thinking about her dream. Did Luna really visit her in her dreams? It seemed unlikely… Wait, had she not said that there would be proof? After Sweetie Belle left for school there was a knock at the door.
"Yes?" there stood a unicorn guard.
"Miss Rarity?"
"Yes, I am her."
"I was ordered to show you this and then destroy it." A small note floated out from beneath the armor. Its words were simple.
It was not a dream -Luna
"Have you read it?"
"Yes." The piece of paper burst into flame and the particles were scattered on the wind.
"Good day, Miss Rarity." The Element of Generosity closed the door shaking. So Luna wanted her to spy on Tom…
Why was this happening to her? Of all the things that could have happened this was the. Worst. POSSIBLE. THING! She had started to…what was she going to do? A few minutes of panicking later, she remembered that Tom had left an hour earlier for Twilight’s. She was not sure why the Princess wanted her to track him but… She went for the door.
*****
Tom arrived at Sugarcube Corner. The previous days’ events had prevented him from going to Pinkie Pie’s place for a cupcake and to improve his relation with her. As he drew close, Tom was surprised to hear Twilight.
"Listen, Pinkie. I just need to run a few more tests. After reviewing Tom's theory and adjusting my instruments I was able to detect the different kinds of magic in all our friends. With further examination, I even saw that Tom's theory of the nature of magic was correct. But now when I measure you, I find the strong presence of all the kinds of magic, just like in the Princesses! However, I can't figure out why you did not turn into an Alicorn! My paper to the magic board won't be complete until I can explain why some ponies with your condition becomes Alicorn and others do not!"
"Oh, Twilight. I would but I just have SO many cupcakes to make and the Cakes won't be here to ba..."
Twilight put her hooves up on the counter as Tom walked in.
"Come on, Pinkie! It will only take a minute."
"The reason she is not an Alicorn is because she lacks sky magic, Twilight. Did I not tell you this yesterday?” said Tom, butting into the conversation. “It is something you must be born with or your mind would shatter from the strength."
Twilight grew angry. Who was he to make such claims? She had spent the whole night trying to disprove him and instead she had proven him correct. Now he was claiming the one thing she was unable to prove and acting angry that she had not accepted his assertions without question. Who does he think he is?!
"How could you possibly know that?" she asked through clenched teeth.
"If you seek proof, use your instruments on Celestia as she lowers the sun. You will see that the power comes not from her but from the sun itself. That is sky magic. It is not about having magic inside you but of being in tune with the fundamental magic of the universe. You are either born with it or you are not. Pinkie is not. This reminds me, Pinkie would you be so kind as to give me that cupcake you promised?"
"Of course, here you go!"
"Thank you." Tom left an infuriated Twilight, headed out the door, and turned towards out of town. Was she angry at me? he thought. I wonder why?
****
Rarity could not believe she had been wrong that Tom was going to Twilight’s. Where had he gone? How could she find…oh, there he is. Tom was walking towards the edge of town. Why was he doing that? The fashion designer followed him, her heart hurting ever so slightly at the thought of what she was doing.
***
Tom’s power was building up. It seemed that he had not sealed it as well as he had thought. If he did not use the extra power it would continue to build, burning his new flesh. It was not meant to hold such strength and that is why he had kept most of himself out of the body. Now, with so much of his nature folded into flesh it was destroying him. His body would burn up completely in about two hours, so he was in no hurry. If worst came to worst he would just use his power to cancel out all magic within a certain area. Walking near the forest edge, he contemplated how to release his power without informing his daughters of his exact presence. He walked for an hour before coming near the apple farm of Applejack and began to loosen the grip on his power. He pushed out with his mind and influenced them to come. He might as well if he is out here. It was at this moment that three shadows formed on the woods’ edge and one began to speak.
"Be gone, traveler. These forests are not for...." The Tree Spirit stopped, recognizing the Great One. They walked out of the woods, their eyes wide with evident fear. The three bowed low before tom as he stood there.
"Old one, we have followed your instructions. None have died in the whole of the forest save animals. Would you ask more of us?"
"No. Have you chosen names yet?"
"Yes, master. I am Treeline and these two are Runningwind and Nightleaves ."
"No, I mean for your kind."
"Oh…no master, we have not."
"You cannot use the name of the Timberwolves. Your kind is different from them now... I name you Tree spirits. Go in peace."
"Yes, my master. You are too kind."
"I am no one's master. Be gone."
The three wolves stepped back into the woods, still facing him the entire way.
"You may wish to make yourselves known to the pony officials, but they may not understand your goals. Oh, and yes." Tom focused and spoke with a whisper. "Do not tell the ponies about me after revealing yourselves."
Treeline shivered as he felt the compulsion to obey.
"Yes, Old one." And with that, the three turned and entered the woods.
His power grew a step father with a grinding crack. He winced and gasped. The wind ceased and the birds landed to sit still. All the hair on his mane seemed to move into place. It was good to be in his element. He smiled, content with the world.
Until he felt the panic and confusion from three fillies as the little unicorn began to lose control of a glider.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were running and screaming as Sweetie Belle flew uncontrollably through the sky on a hoof glider. If Tom was not still unfolding he could have just teleported her to safety, but he would not reach that strength for ten seconds after she crashed into the barn. Without intervention, she would not survive. Tom galloped toward the barn, his mane flowing in the wind. His power was well above the level necessary to hide from his daughters when they were this close, and he was growing stronger fast. Even as he worked to save a little girl, massive magic-based psychological warfare descended on him from the Princesses. All they wanted was his position, but he pushed delusions onto them and resisted. He did not want to hurt them so his options were limited. As he ran to the barn, a hundred yards away, the young filly crashed through the roof still holding onto her glider. He ran through the door and sighed in relief. He was alone, and the first one on the scene. He ran over to Sweetie Belle and winced. Her life energy was draining and would be gone in seconds. Her horn was snapped off, every rib was cracked, the spine was broken in three places, only one eye was in functioning order, and a large piece of wood was piercing her chest, grazing her heart and piercing one lung . Almost every organ was ruptured. Her eyes blinked open, untold agony in her one function eye. Her lips parted.
They mouthed ‘Help me.’
Tom took all of his spare power, throwing it at the filly. Every foreign body in her flesh was teleported into nothingness. The young filly screamed as her bones realigned and healed in two seconds. Then the flesh followed a second later, causing her to slip into a blissful unconsciousness. It took him a total of seven seconds to heal the little filly and delete her memory of everything up to just before she hit the barn.
Tom took only a moment more to remove all the blood and finish restoring Sweetie Belle to full health. Then he reached out with his mind to warp space and teleport to an empty crate in town. At that same moment he cast a wide magic suppression field, working around the hospital and other important areas. Then, in but a second, he pushed his powers so low he was basically an earth pony. This hurt badly enough to cause him to shed a tear but it was worth it. It was worth it…
What have I done?
******
Rarity was screaming and crying as she ran into the barn. It was not often you witnessed your sister's death. A part of her mind was wondering what she should wear to the funeral. But that was a small part; the vast majority was in absolute hysterics. When she ran into the barn she had expected to find Tom standing over a broken body. To her immense surprise, all she saw was a peacefully resting filly surrounded by debris.
The unicorn ran over to her little sister, casting a spell to see what injuries she had sustained. Her tears turned to joy as she found nothing. Not a single bruise or broken bone. Somehow, Sweetie Belle had crashed through the barn roof and come out unharmed. She was still holding the sleeping filly when the others arrived. First came the rest of the Crusaders, followed by Big Macintosh and Applejack. Then, a medical team who examined the filly before leaving, muttering about just how lucky the filly had been. The one in question opened her eyes shortly after and immediately began to cry. It took hours to calm the two sisters down. Even the Princesses came by to check on the filly, exchanging concerned glances before leaving. It was only when she laid her head down for the night that Rarity asked the glaring question.
"Where did Tom go?"
*****
The two sisters were walking toward the village. An hour before, both had thought the answers were so close. The thing they sought had revealed itself. Power to match Discord had been used there, but even that did not do it justice.
"We were handled like foals," said Celestia, lowering her head.
An hour earlier, the Alicorn had been sitting in a struggling restaurant when every unicorn grabbed their horn. Every magic line in the area had been ripped from their grasp. They had immediately begun to trace his location. However, they had been attacked. Illusions and psychic attacks had held them at bay for four minutes as they stood still as a statue, their eyes looking into the distance. After a bit, all of the magic lines shifted. They could detect nothing. Even maintaining the spell around her tea cup became impossible for Luna. After a few moments the lines corrected themselves and their senses returned, only for every trace to be gone. Then they had gone to the farm in question.
"Nothing… The place was bathed in magic but not a single clue pointing to the caster," said Luna.
"Yes, not to mention the foal."
"She was bathed in enough power to level a mountain without singing a single hair! I could feel the trace of energy. She should be dead. "
"Yes, but she is not. What do you think of this ‘Tom’?"
"If he is the being, then we have even more questions. We could not push ourselves down that far, but those eyes…I looked into them and felt like a child when he had…touched us," Luna mumbled.
Both sisters remembered the feeling when he had touched them. It was…comforting.
"What should we do about him?"
"I have already told Rarity to watch him."
Celestia stopped, a pained expression on her face. "Sister, did you not see the way she had comforted him?"
"Yes, I did. What of it?"
"Luna... She has feelings for him."
"I would think everypony has feelings about anypony they meet."
"No sister, romantic feelings."
"…Oh."
*****
Tom was alone, pacing in his room. In all likelihood, Rarity had seen him run into the barn. There would be questions, but that did not bother him now. Tom had a strict moral code to abide by. One: he would never lie. Two: he would not take direct action toward pony kind that would reveal him to the whole. Both were reasonable precautions but now he had broken the second one. He had saved a life. Not just saved it, but had been personally present. Now there would be questions and he would have to answer them or be ostracized. He would have to answer them truthfully because of the first rule. That would likely lead to him being ostracized anyways… Maybe he could lie, just this once? NO! Once he began he would never stop. In time he would be jabbering mad. It was so easy to start lying to yourself once you do so with others.
Rarity came home late with Sweetie Belle and took her straight to bed. He had thought she went to bed but instead she showed up at his room.
"I saw you go into that barn."
Tom sighed. It was as he feared.
"I was expecting to find you…over her, but instead you were gone and she was sleeping in the middle of that wreck of a glider." She stepped close.
"For now, I am just glad my sister is home… Do I have you to thank for that?"
"…Yes."
"Thank you Tom, but what you did…no earth pony could have healed my sister. Who are you, Tom?"
"I am Tom." His eyes were begging her to stop.
"What are you?"
"I am tom." A tear came out of his eye.
They stood there for a time, Rarity looking Tom in the eye.
"It's late Tom. Let's go to bed. Tomorrow evening, I will send Sweetie back to my parents and we will…talk."
Tom opened his eyes and stood up, cleaning himself off and then immediately heading out the door… He was not ready to speak to her. His heart just could not take it. How could this have happened? He was tom! He was strong! He…he had no idea what he was doing. Tom turned the corner, pondering his existence. How many centuries had he counted before that hoof had touched his stone body? How long had he been without thought or action? Tom was sitting, leaning against a building. How could he tell her the truth? What should he say? That he was older than the stones beneath their feet? That he had bound so much to earth and sky? That he had been pushing her through her entire life? That it was he who had pulled her to that stone? That it was him who had been sabotaging her career so she would be in the correct place and position to meet Twilight? It was all too much. How far back should he go?
It was at this time that a pink mare noticed her friend sitting against a building. She jumped forward, glad to get the chance to become best friends with him. Plus, there were the questions. But those were secondary to making him happy.
"Hello Tom! How ya doin’?"
The stallion looked at her for only a moment before casting his eyes down once again.
“I am sitting by the road contemplating my existence. It is rather unpleasant. How can I help you?"
"WELL..." Pinkie was biting her bottom lip. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about this Alicorn thingy. I mean I know that I am different from almost everypony else, but I'm not different except that I am…"
"Pinkie. Listen to me. You are a pony who was born with equal parts of the three basic magic types in you. But because you lack sky magic you could not become an Alicorn. In order to be an Alicorn you must be bound to a Celestial Body. You can do things other ponies can't, correct?"
"Uh huh…" Pinkie Pie was staring at him, her attention completely occupied.
"What are some of those things? Specific abilities, mind you, not what you did with them."
The mare sat there a while, considering the question carefully.
"Well…I can stop falling in mid-air. I can run for a REALLY long time and REALLY fast. I remember a lot of things and I sometimes find myself in other places. Though I'm not sure how I got there…"
"Teleportation is unicorn magic. All pegasi manipulate gravity to fly and can stop mid air much like you. The running comes from both your earth pony strength and the pegasus gravity reduction. The memory is because of…well, you are a smart mare. The problem is that all of these things should have been dormant except for your increased strength. There is one thing different about you than others with you condition. You are the Element of Laughter. You do not bear the Element. You are the Element. It has been embedded into your very soul from birth. It was your destiny… Whatever being that cast your fate must not have considered your…condition. "
The two sat there for a time before the pink one smiled once more. Pecking him on the cheek she turned and bounced away, saying something even he could not understand.
Rarity watched Tom go. She had made no effort to stop him. How could she? There had been an ultimatum. He would need time…
Was this the right thing to do? What if he never came back? Rarity went to the kitchen and made breakfast. She sat there as Sweetie Belle talked. The food tasted bland and spoiled. All the wrong flavors were coming out. The eggs were slimy with the pepper coming on too strong. The orange juice tasted like water had been mixed in.
"So do you love him?"
"WHAT!?"
"Tom. Do you love him?"
Rarity was staring at her little sister. Where did she get such an idea!?
"Sweetie...ponies don't just fall in love like that. There has to be romantic dinners and long walks in the moonlight. Tom and I have only met recently and he has not even asked me out ye-"
She stopped; he had not asked her out yet. Yet… Had she been anticipating him asking her out? Did she like Tom?
Sweetie Belle saw the look on her sister's face and laughed at how startled she was. It would only be perfect if she pestered her a little.
"It’s ok, sis. I always wanted a big brother."
The little demon was laughing as her sister sat there, gasping in distress. Later, after the two had calmed down, Rarity cleaned up the meal and went to work. She worked quietly without her usual singing, too concerned about Tom. What did she really know about him? He is quiet, except when he has a strong opinion. He’s honest to a fault, yet he won't tell her about his past. He is strong-willed, yet lets others decide his day. His job takes him everywhere, but does not earn him any bits. He is a fast learner but knew nothing about basic etiquette that even the youngest foal knows. He is kind and strong, weak and fearful, smart and ignorant, sad and calm… Nothing made sense. Then there was the incident in the barn. She had no idea what to think of that. Her sister falling, dying before her eyes, and then Tom runs in. She follows. He is gone. Sweetie is fine. No explanation. How could she love someone that she knew so little about?
But even as she sat there making her dresses and thinking such thoughts, a part of her wanted nothing more than for Tom to return. Even if it was to turn him away.
Tom stood up after the pink one had gone. He could no longer think of her as the Element of Laughter. She was so much more. Leaving, he made his way to a small cafe around the corner. It was a quiet place and Tom thought it might be nice to sit there and think for a while. However, he noticed a mare with a pink mane and three butterflies for cutie marks at a stall. The Element of Kindn-Fluttershy was buying some apples from Applejack, who was currently waving him over. Sighing, Tom walked over and placed a smile on his face. He may need to maintain good relationships with the others if Rarity did end up rejecting him.
"Hey there, Tom! Care to buy some apples?"
"No thank you, Applejack. How are you doing?" Small talk was still so foreign to him.
"I'm doing fine. Hey, have you met Fluttershy yet?"
"No, I do not believe I have. Hello, I am Tom."
The mare was hitting her hoof against the ground while maintaining a downcast expression. She seemed unable or unwilling to look him in the eye.
“Hello…have I offended you in some way?" Tom was worried. How could he have failed so miserably? Fluttershy would not even speak to him!
"Ummm…hi. I’m Fluttershy."
"It is good to meet you, Fluttershy. "
"..."
"..."
"…eep."
"Well…Tom, could you come by the farm tomorrow? I need your help with something," cut in Applejack.
"Of course, Applejack." He looked at Fluttershy, who seemed to be carrying a large number of bags. Thinking on it, Tom picked up some of them.
"Oh, um…no you don't have to…"
"It is no difficulty. You are a friend of Rarity's and therefore a friend of mine. Please allow me to help you." Tom interrupted. The mare took a few seconds to respond.
"Ok...follow me."
The two headed out of town toward her house. It was only when they were out of town that Fluttershy worked up the courage to talk.
" Ummm…so Twilight told me about you. Why were you in the market?"
Tom looked down to the ground, sadness in his eyes.
"I am having…difficulty with Rarity in our interactions."
"Difficulty? Oh, my…what did you do to upset her?"
"…I have not been open with her or anypony else. Since arriving, I have avoided saying anything about my past."
"Why would you do that? Did...you do something evil?"
"No…in fact, I have done a great amount of good. It's not that I do not want to tell her, it is that I can't."
"Why can't you?"
"I made certain promises to myself which prevent me from doing so. Now if I do not tell her the truth she will cut all ties with me."
"Really? …Have you told her this?"
"No. How could she accept that? A refusal to tell anything?"
"But it would be the truth. She will understand. If you're honest, she will accept it."
Could it be so simple? Tell her that he can't say?
"I will do as you suggest."
After putting her food in the house, Tom left and headed back to town.
He walked to the library, hoping that he could find a book on relationships and not make contact with the one named Spike. There was no such luck.
"What are YOU doing here?" asked the little dragon.
"I am here for a book. Where is Twilight?"
"Out. Why don't you go ahead and leave? You're not wanted here."
Tom was angry already. "This is a public library. I know that means I can be here without your permission as long as it is open."
"We’re closing."
"It is in the middle of the day."
"We’re closing early."
"No wonder she should of not left a child responsible for so much knowledge. Especially one who breathes fire."
The dragon growled.
"I’m sixteen and not a child."
"I would not care if you were a hundred years old. A child is a child. "
"At least I can talk normally and know how to open a door."
"Yes, but I have the excuse of never being a part of society before. Unlike you, who has been in high society your whole life."
"I can't believe Rarity can't see through your lies. Of course you have been in society before! How else would you know how to talk? She should kick you out. I am the only pony for her."
Tom took a step back. Then stepped forward again. "Pony? Can you not even call yourself what you are? A Dragon. That in and of itself is not what will keep her from loving you. It is your childish nature."
They were about to come to blows when Twilight walked in.
"What are you two doing?" she asked, seeing the two glaring at each other.
"NOTHING. Good day." Tom walked out right past her. However, he only made it twelve steps before two guards stopped him.
"Are you Tom?" The guard seemed almost bored.
"Yes. What do you want?" Tom was still slightly angry but calming quickly.
"We were ordered to bring you before Princess Celestia. Follow us."
Tom could have said no, teleported them to orbit, and make them forget about their orders but that would alert his daughters.
"Very well. Lead on." He would need to calm down before arriving. It still surprised him how angry the young dragon made him.
*************************************
Rarity and Rainbow Dash were sitting in her boutique talking. She had come over to say hello but the conversation quickly turned to Tom.
"Look, Rarity. I don't know what you see in him but there is obviously something. Who cares if you know about his past?"
Rarity was sometimes annoyed by her friend. "Look, Dash. I am not interested in a short fling. How can I think of being with someone if I don't know anything about him?"
"Well…he did say that he wanted nothing more than to be in this town and that his past did not matter… Do you like him?"
"Well…yes."
"What do you like about him?"
"He is good looking, smart, confident, generous, and kind. He seems to always be caring about others before himself. You know, I saw him listen to one of Pinkie’s rants in its entirety. Even responding to make sure she was not sad!"
"Could knowing his past change any of those things?"
"…No."
*************************************
Entering the room set aside in Town Hall for royal visits and leaving the guards outside the door, Tom looked calmly at his daughter Celestia sitting behind a table. Then, the door closed and they were alone.
"Hello…Tom. It is good to see you again." The monarch was sitting there smiling, drinking a cup of tea."It has come to my attention that you have discovered a new explanation for magic. One that can actually explain how I raise the sun. What do you have to say about this?"
"Yes."
"... Yes." She set down her cup. "Your new theory of magic has , in only two days, completely shattered over two thousand years of magical theory. The University is in an uproar. The vast majority of texts are now completely useless. They had to be thrown out because of an earth pony and the sun ruler's personal student who confirmed his theory. Look at this. " She took a newspaper and floated over to him. The front page clearly read: The age of Star Swirl is now over Here comes Tom. There was a low quality picture under it of Tom eating a sundae. "This was the calmest newspaper response. Now, not only have you sparked a new age in the understanding of magic, a position many ponies would do almost anything to occupy, you also show that earth ponies are capable of affecting the world directly. What do you do in this position? NOTHING. You DO nothing. SAY nothing. Do you not realize that the entire academic community is waiting for your statement?"
Tom sat in shock. Had he become so focused on Rarity that he had stopped considering the implications of his actions? This was so out of his rules. Ok…ok, they think I am an ordinary pony. I will have to play that role. What should I do? Celestia saw his confusion.
"Well, luckily for you they have no idea where you are. BUT! A statement will be needed, so what should I tell the reporters?"
"Tell them…to leave me alone."
Celestia smiled. "That would only make them seek you out even more."
"Then tell them that the theory is correct and that Twilight will be the one to publish any more theories I may wish to release. Unless they come bother her, in which case I will release nothing."
The ruler sat there, looking straight into his eyes. Normally, ponies would wilt under her gaze but this one just seemed to stare right through her. It was unsettling.
" I will need more than that. They will want to know your past. Where you came from. Your supporting evidence."
"No."
" ...No. Well then, can you at least elaborate on Cadence?"
"Cadence?"
"Yes, the third Alicorn."
"There is no third Alicorn."
The Princess looked at him questioningly.
"Yes, there is. She is the Princess of Love. She is able to increase it in those around her."
Tom seemed really intrigued.
"What body is she bound with?" Inside he was wondering how he could have failed to notice such a thing.
"None. She is bound to the love of the world alone."
"…" That was quite a shock. He had thought only the big things could have something bound to them. "How did she come to be?"
"I made her. During the time when my sister was on the moon. It was necessary that there be a back-up ruler and the Crystal Empire would be returning. I decided to bind the last daughter to love in her womb. It was quite difficult, I assure you. Now that the empire has returned, it will be more stable with an eternal ruler."
"I…see. Well then, I suppose an Alicorn can be created if the unborn one has the right ancestry and is bound to something." Tom felt such pride. It was good that his daughter could do so much.
"Indeed… Tom. I need you to perform your magic in front of a professor. Would you do so?"
"Ask Applejack. She can do it as well now."
"No, it must be you."
"…Very well."
The scientist ran many tests as tom preformed magic of the earth type. An hour later, Tom pushed his way out, unwilling to continue. Celestia met him before leaving.
"Why won't you tell anypony about your past? If it is unpleasant, then just tell me. I will keep it in confidence."
Tom stopped walking.
"Very well. Answer this and I will tell you everything. Why did you send Luna to the moon?"
"She was going to bring eternal night. I could not stop her."
"Yes, but you love her. How could you do that to your only family?"
"…I can't answer that."
"Then I can't answer you."
He left, and Celestia stared after him for a long time before turning to her guard and ordering him to get Tom's history.
Tom arrived at Rarity’s, his heart beating fast. Opening the door, he was surprised to find only Sweetie Belle there. She was drawing on some paper.
"Hello, Sweetie Belle. Where is Rarity?"
"Oh, she is out. Hey, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes," he sighed. "Everypony else seems to be today."
The young girl laughed but then became quiet when she remembered her question.
"Did you save me after the glider crashed?"
Tom froze. "…Why do you ask?"
"I remember just before I blacked out. You were running towards me."
"You remember?"
"Well…I remember up until that point, but not after."
Tom was mentally beating himself. She was a child, not an adult. Her brain was different. Even considering the circumstances it was so unlike him.
"Yes, I healed you." The filly jumped at him, instantly hugging him.
"THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! I am so grateful! If you had not been there…" She began to cry. Tom put his forelegs around her.
"There, there, it is alright." Even his stone spirit was moved by the young crying filly. She kept it up for a long time until looking up at him.
"How did you do it?"
"…" She deserved to know the truth. "I used magic."
"Magic?" her eyes widened. "I thought only unicorns could use magic."
"Yes, well. That is not true. All the different races have their own magic."
Her face scrunched up. "Where did you learn that?" What was with everypony today? The filly went straight to the problem at hoof.
"I learned it long ago. No, before you ask I cannot tell you. Your sister wants the same answers but I care too much for you both to give them. My past is unimportant. In some ways, I do not have one. I did nothing in my life, but the nature of that life is something I CANNOT share… I'm sorry."
Sweetie Belle looked straight into his eyes, staring into them for a while before smiling. "Ok, that is fine. I will be your friend anyway!"
They hugged again but were surprised to hear somepony crying.
Rarity stepped into view with tears on her face. She ran up and gave Tom a hug. Sweetie Belle smiled and slipped away, hoping that this was the beginning of her having a new brother.
"Rarity..." She put her hoof over his mouth, smiling at him.
"I heard everything. I am sorry I asked for something you cannot give. However, I know enough about you to know I do not want you gone."
The two hugged again, both crying. With time, they would calm down and talk. The conversation never strayed toward his past. Only the future. He told her his day and she hers. In the end, they went to their separate beds, going to sleep in order to prepare for the new day.
Tom was in a good mood. This in and of itself should have been enough to worry him, but not even his changing nature could bring him down today.
He was going on a date with Rarity.
Yesterday they had agreed to meet at Sugarcube Corner at three. It would be great to finally begin to grow closer to her. However, even if he could not despair at the way his mind seemed to be slipping it would still concern him. He had already made three mistakes. Healing Sweetie Belle and not thinking to just erase himself from Rarities memory, revealing the nature of magic, and even his promise to obey law were all terrible mistakes. Three in the space of a week. He had gone for…well, an eternity only making one. That one being unavoidable since he had no way of seeing that Luna could not control the night alone. Even if it had worked out in the end with the Elements purging her of the taint it was still a mistake.
"Howdy, Tom."
"Hello, Applejack."
The farming mare had asked him to come over yesterday as well. He had agreed. He was quite surprised, however, to find a really large group of ponies apparently waiting for him…all of them with apple-themed cutie marks. Uh oh...
"Let me introduce ya to th’ family, Tom this here is Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp…" This went on for some time. "...Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. This is the entire apple family. From Manehatten to Fillydelphia to Appleloosa. Welcome to the Apple family reunion." She smiled. All of the ponies were smiling as well; however, he could see some seemed afraid. Not of him but something involving him.
"Why thank you, Applejack. If I may ask, why you have brought me here?"
The entire crowed started to fidget and look away.
"Well…" she said, fidgeting more than all the rest. "I started ta notice that the magic you taught me was, well…rather useful. There was the old sickly tree that I was able to heal up good as new! Then I was able to work even longer! The whole Apple family would really appreciate if you could teach them to do it as well.”
Tom stood there for a moment as some of the ponies started saying please… He could not say no. It would push him away from Applejack.
"Very well. The first step…" Tom worked with all of them over the next few hours. Many had the potential to manipulate earth magic but few had the strength of will needed. Though by the time he left, all of them had a deep respect for the stallion. If he knew anything he knew the earth.
************************************
"Now Rainbow, thank you for helping me deliver those stylish dresses to Mrs. Rich. She so dislikes it when I'm late." Rarity and Rainbow Dash were walking away from the small estate owned by the Rich family. It was rather overdone in her opinion, but definitely in good taste.
"No problem, Rarity. I got to go now though. Stuff to do!" The Pegasus shot off, leaving her friend in a small cloud of dust. The entire trip to Mrs. Rich’s house Rarity had been talking about Tom. How he walked , how his talking was getting better, how he was just NICE to Sweetie Belle… It was obvious the mare had fallen for the crazy stallion. Rainbow did not really see why. Then again, she had only really talked to the guy once.
Speaking of Discord.....there he is.
Rainbow swooped down to land beside him, trotting up to meet him.
"What's up Tom! We have got to stop meeting like this." The stallion smiled at her remark.
"Well, that would be quite difficult to arrange, seeing as I have no wings."
Wow...was that a joke? "You been getting around I hear. Rarity just won't stop talking about ya."
Normally stallions would jump at this but Tom seemed confused.
"What has kept her discussing me for such an extended period? Should I be concerned?"
Rainbow laughed. "No, no, big guy. You just keep doing what you're doing. You'll figure it out."
"Very well." He kept walking in silence, staring intently at the ground.
So he still does this. Hmmm…I wonder if...
"So what do you think of Rarity?"
The stallion stopped mid-step, catching Rainbow by surprise. He turned and asked, "why do you want such information?"
" Well…I was just curious. I mean, do you like her?"
Tom turned and started walking again. "Yes Rainbow, I do like her."
"Well, uh… I mean, do you like like her?"
"Yes." There seemed to be no hesitation. Rainbow was unsure if he misunderstood or not but it was too awkward to ask for clarification. The conversation wavered after that until Rainbow said she had to go. She still did not understand why Rarity liked him so much but, well, at least he was not as crazy.
*******************************************
Rarity watched Rainbow Dash blast off, coughing at the cloud of dust left behind. That mare was just so inconsiderate sometimes. She turned and began to trot towards town.
It was shortly after entering the boutique that a guard brought her a note again.
To Rarity,
Would you be so kind as to come to town hall?
-Luna
Rarity was apprehensive about her agreement to help Luna. Though there was no denying royalty, she was developing feelings for him and, well…it just felt wrong to be spying on him.
She came into the room with Luna an hour later and sat down. The princess was drinking something out of a cup and had a friendly smile on her face.
"Now, Rarity. Please tell me what you've learned about Tom," she asked.
Rarity shifted uncomfortably. She decided to get straight to the point.
"Miss Luna. I will tell you what I have seen but I…I don't want to do this anymore."
"I see...go on."
So Rarity recounted how Tom had acted at first. How he had seemed to not understand what was expected of him. How he was kind. Luna listened intently all the while, the part about the barn catching her interest most of all. In the end, she knew that the mare was infatuated with Tom. Rarity was soon dismissed. Luna stared at the door as Rarity left, thinking deeply. She pulled a file from a saddlebag sitting in the corner.
It has been over a week… A week since we began to search for this…being. Not only do we seem to be unable to find him, we cannot even prove the existence of his servant. Then there is this file. This thick file filled with papers confirming that there was nothing. Nothing at all. He did not exist. It seemed that whoever he was, the being was helping him for some reason. Though…what if he is the being? No, no. It can't be. I am talking of a creature that has twisted the fate of ponykind for time unimaginable. Why would…Rarity…?
How strange to think that a mind could stumble onto the truth only to dismiss it as impossible. After all, why would an Immortal lessen himself into a mortal form?
What may have been an even stranger question was why a young purple dragon happened to be near a certain window. Why did the guard outside of that window suddenly find his stomach was not agreeing with him a few minutes earlier, shortly after having a sandwich from the local cafe? Why was there a pony with an hourglass Cutie Mark staring at the young dragon, a look of sad determination on his face?
Rarity and Tom had a simple dinner shortly afterwards. It was something that could be seen in any town in the world or any other world with a sentient species having more than one sex. It was a simple thing. A thing to treasure.
Tom was walking home with a small bag of ribbons at his side. Rarity had asked him to pick them up during their date, which had gone surprisingly well. He would have been absolutely happy if it was not for the being walking behind him. Tom grew somber. How did they even notice me? It must have been him. Yes, I must remember to give him the coin. Tom walked and then took a sudden right into an alleyway. There, he unfolded slightly, just enough so he could come to full power instantly while still remaining undetectable.
"Hello…I have been waiting to meet you for quite some time." Said the pony who was following him stepping into the alleyway.
"Yes, I know. Though I have not wanted to meet you. It is quite unfortunate for me, Time."
Time Turner's eyes widened. "Well, well. So you know who I am even at this point. How far do you go?"
"I go forever. Time why do you seek me out? Though these mortals have mellowed me slightly that does not mean I won't slip away for a few thousand years. Oh, well I knew we would have to meet eventually… I will even tell you my name. Should I do it now or at our next meeting? We don't want to cause too many paradoxes."
Time was quite surprised. He knew he did not actually know this being’s name yet, but it surprised him that he would understand the nonlinear nature of his existence.
"I will take your hesitance to mean that I should say it now. I am Tom. Also, here." Tom threw a gold bit straight at Time's face. "Take that back to my first day in Ponyville and throw it at my face. I will need that to be able to tell you this. So go, before you cause a paradox and make Law angry."
"Yes…very well, I'll go back and do that. We, however, need to talk to you. Since you have taken form for the first me we will need to inform you of our rules."
"I only obey my laws. Not his."
They stared at each other as the sun moved onward.
"We all must work within his system or there will be naught but chaos. Don't make me force this. You know I could go back and change your past so that you never meet her."
There was no hesitation. Tom struck out with his mind at the other being before him, implanting pure agony into his mind. At the same time, he raised a shield to block out the scream.
"You may have control of time, but my past is unchangeable. You know this. I know this. You cannot change the flow, Time. You are not its master, only its slave." Time was shaking and glaring at him. "I know your strengths and weaknesses, Time. Leave your hoof out of my line. I will know if you change it and I WILL tell him the truth about you. Don't believe me? Go ahead. Try."
So Time did. He jumped back to Rarity’s birth and attempted to give her mother a stillbirth. It failed. Tom, from that time, was watching. Then Time moved forward along her line, changing small things no one would notice. A stone above a filly's head would begin to fall only to be suddenly righted. He even got Life to not grant a place for the unborn child. That failed as well. Life was quite cross with him because of the distorted patterns. There were thousands of times he tried. Years of attempts. All failed. Tom was watching closely throughout that time. In the end he gave up. Tom was simply too…absolute. He came back. He went back to Tom, fear now in his heart. Here was a being that had seen him already move. Who with a minimal effort not only defeated him now but had been defeating him for a long time. Time had just spent a hundred years trying to break him for his slight. Seeing Tom standing there caused Time to hate him all the more.
"I apologize." Time blinked. What had he said? "It was necessary that I make you angry enough to try…since it already happened to me. In all honesty, I feel sorry for you. Because of my long view time binds me as well. Well…I choose to let it limit me in order to not anger Law too much."
Time calmed down. Yes, he knew about such obligations. He was a slave not a master and so was Tom.
"I forgive you, Tom. Beings such as us have to do strange things sometimes. Besides, you hurting me was over a hundred years ago from my perspective."
Both of the entities smiled at each other.
"Let us meet here." Tom sent Time an image and global position. It was on a mountain over a thousand miles away. "Do not forget to take the coin back."
"Fine, that will do well. You do realize that this will be the last point you know more than me? Oh, and yes, I will take the coin back."
"Just keep on believing that, Time. Thank you, even though you do not have a choice. Have a nice day Time turner"
The two left each other. Tom walked to a small venue and sat down, ordering a sandwich and sundae. He had been watching Time for so long… He was one of the few who was close to him. He wondered about the others. It was strange to him. Why did this village attract so much attention? Three of the four Fundamentals lived here. Death, Time, and Life. Why had they chosen here to live? Law was in Canterlot which made some sense to him. Well, it was time to listen. The Tree spirits were coming.
*******************************
Treeline walked down the ponykind's road. If he had a heart, it would be beating fast. Instead, the light inside his eyes dimmed. So much was happening. The gift of the old one was under his control. There had been three groups of Timberwolves in the forest. It had taken some significant concentration to reach out with his mind and convert them. Now, forty of his kind existed and bowed to him. Then there were the lives they had saved. Several fillies and a griffon had been saved already by his kind. The old one had suggested they come to speak to the ponykind. This being the closest village, it seemed a logical place to begin.
However, it was not going as well as he would have hoped. The ponies had run away from him and his escort, screaming fearfully. Guards rushed out, the lead one shouting orders to form a line. Treeline ordered his brothers to stop with a nod of his head. The lead guard seemed confused as they sat down, and his mouth opened in shock when he spoke.
"Bring your leader to me," Treeline rasped.
One of the guards ran off and returned with two larger ponies following. It was obvious that they were the leaders.
"I am Treeline, leader of the Tree spirits. It is an honor to meet you, Ruler of the Ponykind."
"I am quite surprised to be meeting you…Treeline. I am Princess Celestia and this is Princess Luna. We rule this land together. Your kind are quite similar to a species within the woods called Timberwolves. Are you related to them?"
"…There are no longer any Timberwolves in the Everfree. We have become…more. We do not speak much but understand that we will not harm any of your kind. Just understand that the forest belongs to us. Will you accept this?"
Celestia looked at Luna. They seemed to be speaking to each other. After a time, she looked back at the one named Treeline.
"As long as you do not harm my little ponies, my soldiers will respect your border… I would like to discuss the specifics at a later date. When can you meet...?"
************************************************
Tom watched as the Tree spirits were introduced to Celestia. The conversation was low-key and uneventful. They discussed a meeting time, and then Treeline turned to leave with the others. The wolf-like beings’ eyes focused only on Tom for a moment before walking on.
Tom left quickly, not wishing to speak with the rulers as his power was slightly out.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Rarity and Tom had dinner and talked some, and then the two went to bed. Tom sat alone, thinking on what would come.
Law will be obeyed even if he must take Tom's home.
Though there is another that they fear.
Law's foe that he is in no way near.
The answer to Discord will be the unnamed one.
He will bring balance to the world.
Thus says Prophecy, the keeper of fate.
***********************
Time stared out upon an empty field. He had been watching this time and knew when Tom would exit the forest. He felt a small warping and ground his teeth. Tom had created a rogue element this day, yet there was nothing Time could do. Tom bound him in chains of reason and fear of the paradox. He could do nothing as the Tree Spirits were made. As he waited, his mind turned to the events that had passed. It was something unbelievable when he had come to meet himself. That never happened. Some higher being, probably Prophecy, was pulling on the spirits. Who was Tom? Law seemed to think he knew his name. It had surprised Time when Tom knew his. Few really did. Oh they called him Time but they were thinking of Time Turner. The clock maker. No, Tom had actually called him Time in its full meaning. He understood me, thought Time. He had spoken with full understanding of my nature. No one else has ever done that. Now comes Tom right on schedule... He seems almost uncertain. There, I’ve got his line. Ok, I see my point of entry would be shortly after he meets Dash.
Time moved forward a few minutes along Tom's line. Then he walked out and threw the gold coin at Tom's face. Tom saw Time’s flank just before he went over the hill.
Time feels the Paradox close and time flow unhindered. It had been a close one. Jumping back to the relative present, Time Turner prepared to go to his meeting. It would be quite a time to see...he could almost feel the ripples from here.
**********************************************
Derpy Hooves was having a great day. There wasn’t much death around, so her left eye was almost behaving normally. She thanked the maker that she only had to collect the souls of the sentient beings or her eye would have probably been rolling out of the socket. It was so distracting and all she really wanted was to raise her daughter in peace. It had been a nightmare to get Life and Law to agree to even let her have a kid. Then she had to wait for Time to say it was ok. Ugh, Dinky was still just a child. She wouldn't have to take up her responsibility until at least a hundred years from now. Time said that she would be the new spirit of Knowledge. After all, the daughter of Death could not really be expected to take on a lowly job under Law.
Who was she kidding? Law pretty much ran this outfit. He decided the rules that all the mortals were under, anyways. Death sighed. The only one she could talk to was Life, really. She had given her a daughter and was just so kind... though it still confused Derpy as to why Life liked her. They were opposites, but according to Life they both gave a kindness... Oh well...
Derpy Hooves, the incarnation of Death, continued to fly on her errands. She would make it to the meeting on time... probably.
The mare beneath her screamed as her bones creaked and moved to make way for new life... though it would partially fail. Life herself knew this and presided over the birthing.
The first would be stillborn while the second would have a half-life, dying early of some accident. Whatever accident that was would be up to Fate or Prophecy as he preferred. Time may also step in if needed... ugh. The politics of the sprits was a convoluted mess. Death at least only seemed to care about performing her task. Turning toward the mare again, she caught the first foal and brought it over to the station where they tried to bring it to life. Turning again, Nurse Redheart went to get the only of the two foals who would live.
Law looked out from his patio across the city as his uncaring eyes continued faking mirth and life to those around him. Time had delivered the meeting point. He would be there last, of course. It would show his position of superiority. Until then, it was time to get that new bill passed.
Tom inhaled deeply. Focusing, he used his earth magic. The earth turned beneath him at the push of his daughter. Life's craft was all around him.
Turning, he warped the power onto a single spot. There, the living matter began to grow, forcing a great weight to lift above it even as the once nearly-dead cells sprung back to life. Reaching out, the building creaked and groaned slightly as wood shifted on its own. The roof grew so close that there was virtually no space between the boards. Then, there was none. The roof of Fluttershy’s cottage was leaky. The table was wobbly. Well, at least they had been. The mare in question was not in at the moment. She had left to go get some carrots and had taken her rabbit with her. He had agreed to fix the leak, and while he was at it he decided to fix the table as well. Feeding the animals for her had been easy. Just a few words and they got what they needed and left. Now he was standing in the doorway with nothing to do... Sometimes being powerful had its drawbacks.
Next time I'll just use these hooves, he thought. Doing so will at least keep me occupied. Tom needed to be occupied. He would be meeting with the spirits today. Then they would begin to manipulate him and expect things... They would want him to explain his actions. He was tom. No one has that right save for the Creator and he did not talk much.
He decided to leave before Fluttershy returned. He had much to think about. Tom walked out toward town but was quite surprised when Twilight came up to meet him halfway there. In her eyes there was a mad look. She seemed crazed and frantic, evidenced by the large stack of papers in her satchel. "Tom! There you are! We have a LOT to talk about!" She pulled out a scroll and shoved it in his face. "There are a thousand magical authorities that have questions and they still need the clarifications on the nature of the Alic-" Tom stopped her right there by putting his hoof over her mouth. Then he thought for a moment… Yes, that was really his only option. It would cause some disturbance to move ahead early, but it would definitely distract her and the rest of the society from the new understanding of magic he had given them. He could force it on her but that seemed wrong for some reason.
"Twilight, I'm going to offer you a deal. Listen quite carefully and answer as if your life depended on the answer... In truth, it does."
The mare was staring at him, her eyes wide and unblinking.
"Now, I could do something that would make you understand the nature of Alicorns with ease and give you all the time you would wish in order to study it. There is a catch. If I do that, you will forget that it was me who did so. I will delete your memory of this conversation. The second option available to you is to turn around and walk away. I cannot take your rambling on about this and I have no desire to answer so many questions. So which do you choose?" Twilight almost took the turning around option, she really did, but in the end it was too much for her.
"I choose the first option..."
"Are you sure? This is your last chance to back out."
"I'm sure."
Tom used a tight beam of magic, and like a key to a lock it slipped right into her essence. The spell had been on her for such a long time. It had to be. Suppressing her powers and building a base of strength would allow her to take on the aspect of the night.
He hesitated for only a moment. Did he really want another daughter? Then he remembered Luna screaming as she was sealed away. He pushed further and snapped the barriers. The unicorn gasped as her power grew. She felt the push of the two new magics in her. She was about to cry out in wonder when her higher brain functions were shut down by Tom. He deleted the appropriate memory and implanted instructions. He ordered her to teleport to her room, go lie on the bed, and sleep for a full day after telling Spike she wanted no visitors for the day as she was tired.
Tom was rather pleased with himself. The transition had been incredibly smooth. She would wake tomorrow with a mild headache and a new pair of wings... It really was necessary anyways. Luna had gone mad trying to govern the ponies' dreams and move the moon. With Twilight to help her, there would not be a second Nightmare Moon incident. Plus, Celestia would be able to keep her favorite student.
He continued walking toward Ponyville awhile before turning east. From there, he walked until nopony could possibly see him or feel his teleport. Tom finally found such a place... There could be no hesitation in his strength during this meeting. For the first time Tom took the fullness of his power into the pony form. Then he brought himself up to full strength. The brown fur shifted into a darker tone. His mane began wave in the air. His gray eyes changed to gold and his whole body gave off heat. The grass around him withered and died.
In a moment his mind expanded as his full depth returned. It was a trivial thing in this form to go undetected by the Alico... His daughters. Reaching out, he checked on a few things. That buffalo tribe was still fighting. He moved on. They would need to learn the lessons of war. There was that one unicorn practicing necromancy. After a moment of consideration he looped her spell causing her horn to explode, serving her magic without killing. Lastly he shouldered the bulk of his power. Now.... he would need a form. Mentally smiling he created an image of his pony body at the location and entered it. Tom opened his eyes and looked upon the frozen summit. No living being could come here. Tom noticed the snow melting all around him and the stone he stood on cracked. The temperature change was too much. He willed a simple shield against the wind and cold into being. Shining Armor would have gawked at the power used so calmly for comfort but to Tom as he was, it was next to nothing.
The next to arrive was Death. She walked out of a shadow. Her simple form expanded. The detail in her cutie mark returning. Those spheres were the souls she controlled and ferried. The mare opened her eyes, both of which glowed red and focused on him with an expression colder than the wind that whipped around his shield.
“As always, Death, you arrive exactly on time."
“Of course, Tom. I have to be.... Well at least with my real job." The mare smiled at Tom. He was a big tipper and she liked that.
“Life is as unpredictable as ever, I see. Though I believe she will be here shortly."
“Of course none of us would miss meeting you. Would you like a muffin?"
Tom graciously accepted the proffered treat. Dispelling the death enchantment and leeching spell took only a moment before he bit a large piece out of it. It tasted of death.
“Where did you get such a treat?"
“Oh there was a baker in Trottingham. It was his time to pass this morning so I went to collect his soul personally. He insisted on finishing his last order, though. Even if nopony would eat them. So I took them."
"I'm sure he took that well."
"Not at all. Well, at least until I explained how food made by the dead would kill."
"Yes of course.... You ate the rest?"
"Of course..."
The two beings stood in silence till Life arrived.
She came in the form of a ball of light. She had her full power as well. Her eyes of many colors you could not name mixed well with her ever-shifting form. It stayed pony-like, however. Though sometimes it would have scales. Her cutie mark represented the blood and the conflict needed for life.
"Tom... It is not well between us."
"I would assume so."
"It was wrong of you to bring that life into the world without my consent."
"I need no one's consent. I am tom."
"tom, hmmm not Tom. Yes in this form I notice the difference. Tell me: what is tom?"
"tom is my nature. If you cannot see it then I will not explain it."
"But if I could see it then why would it need to be explained?"
"Why indeed."
"You two stop fighting," butted in Death. "Time will be here soon."
"Law will probably be fashionably late," chuckled Life "He always was one for image."
“Of course he is. Ah! My good friend!" Time simply came to be. His pony body looked normal, except you could never pin down his age. He seemed to be incredibly old one moment then a child the next. But those eyes... Timeless. He walked up to Tom and gave him a big hug much to the others’ surprise.
“What is the word, Time?" He threw up a spell so the others could not hear.
“It is FH}WQ_HGOPRF5554JO Tom. Look, it is good to see you again. How far are we along?"
"We just spoke for the first time yesterday. You had no idea."
Time laughed
"Of course not. I was a child then... Look I won't be able to help you with this..."
"I know my old friend, I know." Time backed away, glad to know that this was not the first time he had called Tom friend. He was, of course, wrong. Tom had been as surprised as the other two at Time’s action. The code was one he had considered and memorized immediately after seeing Time. It was a message to himself to remember just for such an occurrence."
“I have never seen you so... old, Time," said Life, looking at him strangely.
“Ah yes, well the me you met yesterday to tell you the meeting point was… oh, about a hundred thousand years ago for me. Plenty of time to pick up some new tricks. I'm getting old, though. Perhaps I’ll be finished soon."
“Do not worry, Time. I will have a place for you soon." Death smiled
“Oh of course, Death. We all know you lay with every man eventually."
Death blushed as the other laughed. It was a good joke. Then Tom felt him.
Reality warped and broke down. He simply walked there. His control of the laws allowed him such power. No magic just.... It was so wrong in Tom’s mindset. Such things should not be used for showmanship. His cutie mark was a symbol of order and control.
“It is good to meet you, Law. Or should I address you by your title?" Tom sneered. He hated this being." Prince Blueblood, arbiter of the law in Equestria."
"You will address me by my real name Tom. Not by a title in a lowly country. I may have persuaded Life to give me a living body and had to suffer the indignity of being born, but that is far more honorable than a welp who bends MY domain and makes a body from stone alone, instead of following the correct procedures."
“Procedures you wrote, Law. I never agreed to them. This is the first time I have spoken to any of you!"
“And whose fault is that? You chose to never learn the rules, so you are still responsible for breaking them."
“I did know them, Law. I choose to break them."
“Do you think to speak to me that way, welp?"
"I will speak in any way I wish."
The other three gasped at Tom’s disrespect and his power. He matched Law’s voice. No one could stand up to Law once he began to speak.
Blueblood was taken aback. No other spirit should be able to stand after he used his power on them, let alone answer in the same tone.
"You dare use what is mine, Tom? Is there no boundary you will not cross?"
"Those chains were placed by you, Law. I will not bend to them. I am beyond them."
“Really, Tom? Beyond them? They are there for a reason. Let’s look at what your actions have caused: a civil war in Equestria between two immortal sisters. The thousands of lives disturbed and, yes, ENDED by your manipulation in order to create the elements of harmony. You trampled over Death's and Life's Domains. The Everfree forest herbivore population explosion which is sure to come. Applejack’s parents. Now, I'm not saying all of that turned out bad. Your actions caused discord to be sealed away, which is commendable. But because you acted alone, so much was broken that did not need to be. I was surprised when you acted. You have watched as civilizations fell doing nothing... Why did you stop Discord?"
"... I had to, Law. He was destroying the world, slowly but surely."
"Yes... he needed to be stopped. He used to work with us, you know. Before her... I tried to stop him but was unable to make it work. Then you come in, and a short time later he is sealed away and the balance restored. At first, I thought this meant you were Harmony, then Order. But now I realize the truth: You are Balance – the one who keeps the world from becoming too chaotic or ordered. Instead of going to face Chaos yourself, you created something to counter him. Then you had him sealed away."
Tom stared at Law who had a smug look on his face. The fool thought he could name Tom, but that was undermined by his basic assumption. That Tom was like him. The truth of the matter was that he was on another level from Law. The prideful fool would never have considered such a thing. There were levels of beings in this world. Mortals, immortals and spirits. Then there were eternals. And above all, the Creator. Law did not know of the Eternals. He was just a spirit – little better than an immortal. They would end with this universe while he lived on.
"Law... I could not speak with you... If you did, I knew that eventually we would clash. Leave me be. I do not want conflict between us."
The smug look on blueblood's face grew bigger. None could resist him.
"I cannot allow that, Tom. All must follow the rules and they will be enforced."
"I hope that it never comes to that, Law... I would hate to destroy you, even if you are a prick." Instantly, the look on Law’s face was replaced with rage.
"Now look her To-"
"I will work with you from now on, Law. And you others as well," Tom interrupted. "For now however, I must go."
Tom warped back to the field, leaving an enraged immortal spirit to be exposed to the freezing cold on the mountaintop. He calmly returned himself to normal and began the trek back to Ponyville.
***********************************
Spike was just about finished helping Rarity. "Is there anything else I can do, my sweet?"
"No my little Spiky-wikey that is all the help I need today."
He smiled at Rarity and turned to leave. Just outside her door, however he was confronted with something that set his teeth on edge. Tom, that overconfident blowhard. He scowled at the stallion, who glared in return.
"Well, well, look who returned."
Tom's mouth frowned downward at the little dragon. "Where else would I go? I live here."
"Ya mooching off of Rarity."
"I paid her my rent."
"How could you do that? You don't even have a job."
Rarity just happened to come out of her studio for a drink when she heard a muffled noise. Curious, she moved toward the stairs quietly. When she relished that it was an argument in hushed tones she snuck slowly down the steps and avoided being seen by the two males.
"I do not hate you, Spike, but you must let it go."
"Let it go. Let It GO! What makes you think I can just let it go?!?!"
Neither knew that the mare in question was listening and trying to understand what could be so important to spike.
"Yes! Let it go. You cannot have her."
"Oh what? You want me to give her up so you can? Why would I do that?"
"Because if you really do care for Rarity, you will understand what it would mean if two were together."
"What do you mean by that?" said the dragon, claws extended.
"You know what I mean. She does not think of you that way, Spike. To her you are a child and nothing you do will change that. She cannot trust you, Spike. "
The dragon's face twisted in rage even as he knew it was true. His eyes began to water.
"Do you think she trusts you any better Tom?"
"I would like to think so. We have been growing closer."
"That is just a lie, Tom."
"What would you know of that?"
"She has been spying on you for the Princess."
Tom noticed a gasp. He looked up and saw Rarity even as Spike continued speaking, oblivious to the mare coming out of hiding behind him.
"I was walking by the town hall not long ago when I heard Rarity speaking from a small window. When I leaned against the wall I heard Luna and her talking about you. She has been watching you. It was all for Luna."
Tom was looking into Rarities eyes, her head was shaking no. But he could see the truth of Spike’s words in her face.
His heart shattered. In a moment his eyes watered. She did not love him. All for the Princess. It was all for the Princess
"Tom... I–"
"Is it true?" spike was shoved aside by the stallion. He just stood there, wide-eyed when he saw Rarity.
"I–"
"Is It TRUE?"
"....Yes."
Tom closed his eyes and turned around. Rarity tried to get to him.
"Tom... I... I just couldn't say no. She nearly demanded that I answer. Look, I have told her that I won't do it anymore." He heard none of this. She continued to plead with him for a while before he said anything.
"You lied to me..."
"NO! I never lied to you."
"... Yes you did. Was I just the means to raise yourself, Rarity?" His voice was growing angry
"NO!"
"What am I to you? A pawn to become a lady of the court? Do you hope to just use me to reach Luna's favor?"
"NO!"
“Oh, it is just like you Rarity always working for yourself!" she stood stock still at those words. "You just help others for you own gain, is that it? Just look at Sweetie bell. Your own sister! You barely spend time with her. You just let her run off and do what she wants."
"I care about my sister!"
"Wrong! You just care what others would think if you did not pretend to love her! THAT IS WHY SHE ALMOST DIED!" His hooves slapped over his mouth as all the rage drained from his face. How could he have said that to her? He knew none of it was true...
"Rarity–"
"Get out." She was livid as tears ran down her face.
"Bu–"
"Get out."
Tom stood still.
"GET OUT! GET OUT!! I NEVER WANT TO SE YOU AGAIN!!! GET OUT!"
Rarity pushed Tom straight out of the door and slammed it, and there he sat with tears coming out of his eyes.
Spike walked up to the now crying mare
"Rarity..."
"Spike." She looked at the little dragon. It was not in her but to tell him the truth. "I...we cannot be together."
The dragon recoiled as if from a fire. He backed away the tears coming in streams. Then he turned and ran out the back door.
This left Rarity alone to cry in her main studio until Sweetie Belle came an hour later to lead her to bed. There she would still sob till she had no more tears to shed.
Tom is broken. Rarity has denied him. Her last words echo in his skull. Looking down the road he sees his future. An eternity of regret awaits him. So much has gone wrong in just two weeks. ‘Love blinds,’ as the mortals say. He needed somepony to talk to. Somepony that would comfort him. Fluttershy came to mind. Perhaps he could visit her before he left… Yes. He would leave. Staying would only bring more pain.
The trip was quick as he simply teleported to the door, not even trying to hide his use of magic. Celestia would try to pinpoint him and may even deduce... What did it matter.
Knocking on the door, Tom waited until Fluttershy opened it.
"...Hello, Tom. How are you?"
"I am...not well." His stone-like eyes were dark. She could see so much pain.
"What's wrong? Are you ok!?"
"Well, physically yes...may I come inside?"
"Of course, make yourself at home." Fluttershy took Tom over to a couch and left him there while going to get him some water to drink. Sitting down she looked at him with concern.
"Now, what's wrong?"
"...Rarity said she never wanted to see me again." Fluttershy gasped.
"Why would she say that?"
"I found out she was spying on me for the Princesses. I was...I was so hurt I said some things that were untrue. She told me to get out and never return."
"...Oh my… Did you ask her why?"
"...No, but I understand it. She barely knew me."
"Why did Luna want her to spy on you?"
"...They’re looking for somepony and they think I will lead them to him. They’re wrong, but that does not matter. I don't blame Rarity...how she could say no to her Princess?"
"That's good to understand Tom." Fluttershy was smiling at him. Then the tears started.
"Shh, it’s ok…it's ok."
"NO! It's not ok. I've lost her."
"Lost her?"
"Yes, lost her...I love her, Fluttershy."
"Love...love her?!?!" Fluttershy was so surprised. "B-but you only have known her for a short time! Are you sure?!"
"Yes! Yes, I'm sure. That is why I came here."
"...You came to Ponyville to meet Rarity."
"Yes, we met before but she never noticed me... I must go." Tom suddenly stood up. He had to leave.
"Wait!"
Tom ignored her and ran out the door.
The last Fluttershy saw of Tom was him running into the forest, tears still on his face.
*************************************
Spike was running though the town. Few even spared him a second glance. Most were still scared of him. The young dragon ran on until he was outside of town. There, he lay next to a tree with tears in his eyes.
He never even saw the two diamond dogs coming up behind him. The hit on his head knocked him out instantly.
***************************************
At the time of Spike’s kidnapping, Rarity was sitting with Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The orange mare had overheard Sweetie Belle telling her friends how sad Rarity was. Grabbing Rainbow Dash, she went straight over.
"Now, tell us what's wrong Rarity. Come on, don't be shy." Rarity was drinking a cup of hot chocolate and had a towel draped over her.
"Oh, girls...it’s just terrible. I hurt him so badly...and then he said those awful things and I threw him out."
Rarity took a moment to tell them what had transpired. Applejack was mad.
"He had no right to say what he did about you an’ Sweetie bell. You got nothin’ to be ashamed of."
"No, no, Applejack. He was just so angry. I know that he didn't mean it."
Rainbow was sitting over there, her eyes wide. "Uh, Rarity? What exactly did you tell Tom to do...?"
"I…I said I never want to see him again and to get out."
"Yeah... Doesn't he take everything literally? Won't he actually think you never want to see him again?"
Stunned silence. Then Rarity burst into tears.
"What have I done?!"
"Come on, Rarity, get a hold of yourself. Why are you so upset about this?"
"Applejack, I...I love him."
The two friends tried to comfort her to no avail. Eventually Rainbow went out to find Tom. It would be some time later when she came back saying he was nowhere to be found.
**************************************
Tom ran into the forest away from Fluttershy. Drawing into his full strength, he feels Celestia but he just begins diversionary tactics. He runs for some time until he finds himself in a small clearing. Sitting in the middle lays his original body, cracked in half. He runs and sits between the broken parts and then brings them back together. His subconscious works to make air for his body to breath as he gasps in the dark. To his mind, there is no hope. It was some time before he calmed down. Celestia had a bead on his magic now. She would be able to find this body in a day. It was when he was considering this that he suddenly noticed something he missed before. A mile away there was a bundle of fear. Twelve ponies and...one baby dragon were underground and surrounded by diamond dogs.
Tom simply grabbed reality and moved nearby... With a problem to solve, he could force himself to not think about Rarity. He could not just go in magic blazing, however. He would need troops.
"Treeline I have need of thee. Come with your clan."
An hour later, the former Timberwolves came out of the forest. Treeline walked toward Tom, an uncertain look on his face. Tom had called with more power than he had spoken with before.
"What do you need of me, Great One?"
"The time for you to be punished has come." The tree spirits froze, fear on their faces which turned to confusion as he continued to speak. "In the next valley there is a diamond dog hole. Inside are some ponies and a dragon they have taken prisoner. I want you to go in there and chase off the dogs. Kill if needed."
His command was met with stunned silence.
"Great One…we have not killed since our change. In fact, the thought of it sounds...unappealing."
"Then it would be an appropriate punishment, now wouldn't it?" Tom had, in fact, considered their punishment paid but he needed them to do this. A small lie would be fine.
"... We will do as you say, but afterwards... are we free?"
"...Yes, I will never call on you again. You will be free to live in peace guarding the forest and those who enter it."
Treeline looked at his brothers and sisters. Then gave a few short commands. They ran into the clearing and into any opening they could find. The Diamond dogs were caught completely by surprise. Most ran for it and the few who fought were either killed or knocked unconscious. Tom walked calmly in after the dogs had left. In a few minutes he was standing before a cage. He pulled the keys off a dead guard and released the ponies, all of which ran in terror. Nothing more needed to be said. The small dragon was staring at him and the wolves which passed by without a second glance. Only Treeline stopped to give a look. They left without a word. Tom grabbed Spike’s claw and pulled him out of the cave and they sat next to a tree. The whole affair took five minutes.
"....That wolf looked at you strangely, Tom."
The being looked at the small dragon, regret filling him.
"They are called Tree spirits. They owed me a favor. Look, Spike… I'm sorry about how I've treated you."
"...I am sorry too, Tom. Love makes us do strange things."
"...Yes. That is true. Do you know the way back to Ponyville?"
"Yes. It's about four hours that way."
"...Kind of a long walk for a dragon."
"Yeah...Twilight is going to be worried about me."
"...I can get you there in a moment if you tell no one that I did so."
They stare at each other a bit and then Spike nods his head.
"If you can make friends with...Tree spirits, who knows what else you can do? Also, if I get there right now no one will realize I was in trouble... I’d rather avoid that."
"Ah yes, of course...goodbye, Spike." Tom stomped the ground in front of the dragon who found himself suddenly in the town. Celestia was too busy trying to locate Tom to notice.
*****************************************
Rarity was sitting with Sweetie Belle. Her friends had left a while ago. Tom was nowhere to be found. Sweetie Belle whispered in a quiet voice:
"...I miss him."
Rarity reached over and hugged the small filly
"I do too."
*********************************************
Tom was sitting next to a lake when he felt space warp. He was looking at Ponyville, his expression cold and dark. The pink mare who appeared out of the rift probably did not know how she did that...and he was not going to tell her.
"HELLO MR. FROWNY FACE!"
"Hello Pinkie Pie..."
"Well, I know you’re really super-duper upse-"
"Pinkie, stop. I do not want your comfort."
"Oh, but I always have to help my friends and you are my fr-"
"I am not you friend."
The pink mare grew really still at this remark.
"Of course you are, silly. Everypony is my friend!"
"Not I."
The mare did not know what to do no one had done this to her. Her hair grew flat.
"But…but everypony is my friend and if you are not my frien-"
"Go away, Pinkie Pie. I cannot be your friend... I'm sorry."
"But, bu-"
"Go away Pinkie Pie." The mare shuddered at his voice. The compulsion to obey was strong.
"No! I won't go away! Pinkie Pie never lea-"
"Why can't you just leave me alone? I want quiet!"
"But if I leave you alone to the quiet you'll just fall further into sadness. Rarity wou-"
The being in the visage of a pony stood tall. His eyes shined golden with fury. As the sun began to set, its owner shuddered at the power released so close.
"BE SILENT!"
In a moment everything was as he commanded. The flock of birds flying above fell to the earth around him as their hearts stopped to obey his command. The small creatures in the grass and earth died as well. Even bacteria stopped moving. The grass grew brown and the wind ceased. The pink mare. A bearer of the manifestation of his power fell to the ground. Her mouth clamped shut. The stallion stared down in horror at what he had done. He broke into tears over her body. His cries were unable to be heard through the spell of silence.
He would bring the mare to the hospital crying. The doctors took her as she sat in a deep sleep. The stallion that brought her would not stay. He ran away.
The late morning sun beat down on the Element of Honesty as she trotted up to the Ponyville medical’s double doors. Her right hoof reached out and pushed open the door that stood in her way. Trotting into the room, she was greeted by the sterile atmosphere of the hospital. Applejack always felt alien in this place, being raised on a dirty farm meant getting dirty was a requirement and a lifestyle.
She quick glanced at her right and spotted a coat rack. More for hats and garments the many ponies would often bring in during the colder months of the year. She looked to her left and saw the lounge the family members would usually sit at. Currently it was occupied by a worried looking family of three. She walked forward to the nurse at the welcome desk. The nurse looked up and smiled. Applejack returned that smile and comfortably walked up to her, forgetting the alienating feeling of dirt on a clean floor.
“Howdy, ah’m lookin’ fer a friend of mine,” Applejack spoke contently.
The nurse nodded and picked up a large three ringed binder with the names of the patients.
“What’s her name dear?” the mare asked pleasantly.
“Twilight and Pinkie,” responded Applejack.
The mare looked through the binder of patients and flipped the pages. Applejack saw her skipping a large chunk of pages when she landed on ‘F’ and threw it to the left side of the ringed binder. She landed on ‘M’ and continued to flip pages until she landed on ‘V’. The nurse realized her mistake and flipped the pages back a few and landed on ‘T’. She scrutinized the pages until she landed on a name that made her smile.
The mare looked up at Applejack.
“Oh yes, visitors are allowed so head on down too room T273 on the second floor.”
“Thank yah kindly,” Applejack said with a tilt of her hat.
Applejack walked around the welcome desk and down the white plaster hallways. As she trotted she noticed trays of hospital equipment resting on a stretcher without a patient. She silently wondered if the hospital was on a tight budget and thought of how this would affect Twilight and Pinkie. She dismissed her paranoid thoughts when she saw a smiling doctor trot merrily past her. She began to think that the tray of hospital equipment was placed there for convenience purposes.
Applejack continued down the hallway until she met a three way intersection of the hallways. She took a right because she knew there was a staircase at the end of it. She picked up her pace as she began to become inpatient with her journey to room T273. She reached the end of the hallway and opened the door and rushed up the spiral staircase. She reached the second floor and began to look for the ‘T’ section of the hallways.
She trotted more slowly as she found the ‘T’ section of the hallway and began looking at the room numbers.
“157…180…200-” Applejack’s thought was cut off by a white figure.
None other than Princess Celestia was walking out of a hospital room down the hall. Applejack began to feel nervous and bowed as Celestia walked by. Applejack continued to watch the sun goddess go until she turned a corner and was out of sight. Applejack turned back down the hallway and looked at the door Celestia came out of. She quickly assumed Celestia just visited Twilight and she trotted with a purpose toward the door.
Walking in she was met with silence.
"..."
"..."
The first one to gain the ability to speak again was Rainbow Dash.
"So Twilight's an alicorn now?"
"I didn't even know that was possible," said Rarity. "Does anypony know what happened to Pinkie Pie?"
"Well um... according to the doctors, she was brought in by Tom."
"Tom!?" shouted Rarity.
"I knew he was no good! I'm going to go find him!"
With that the rainbow mare tried to shoot off through a window but was stopped by Applejack grabbing her tail.
"Whoa there, we don't know what happened."
"If he wasn't guilty he would be here!"
As the elements of truth and loyalty argued on, Rarity checked on Pinkie Pie, wondering where Tom had gone.
The green fields stretched on forever. Their hills having obliviously only recently given way from a long frost.
Tom could feel the groans of this land. It cried out to be cleansed of its taint.
But he cared not.
No.
He was on a mission. A alicorn had been raised without his blessing.
She could twist the fabric from his grasp and break the path.
You are no longer tom.
The being paused. It had been so long since he had spoken in his own mind. Even longer since he had addressed himself.
...I have taken life before its time. Of course I am not tom.
Then who are you?
The eternal grew angry with himself.
Even that question is flawed. Tom was not a name. It is a state of being.
A state only you have inhabited...therefore it is both name and description.
...if I am no longer tom I will need a name.
Yes.
...I am...Tom. I still have a mission.
What give you the right to judge her, Tom?
Nothing...I take that right.
...
Tom continued his walk to the city made of Crystal on the horizon. Already he could feel the spells reaching out to identify him.
He denied them.
He continued to step forward.
Two troops turned their spyglasses to look at the lone pony walking toward the city.
Their orders were simple. If the spell failed, identify the being then isolate him and take him to the highest army officer on duty.
That would be a stallion named Shining Armor.
Who happened to be with Princess Cadence at lunch.
One may think that Tom would have been lucky to gain such easy entry and they would be right. That is if he had taken it.
The four guards who had approached Tom fell to the ground unconscious as his hoof connected with their heads. He simply flowed around them, his body almost seemed to have no need to support itself.
Which it didn't.
The city alarm went off only a minute afterwards causing all the local ponies to run into their homes.
When the backup division arrived Tom had made it just into the town as the barrier came down.
The guards brought the pony before Cadence and Shining in chains. She stood tall. This was the first 'invasion' that she would be dealing with and would be the precedent to all her future endeavors as ruler.
"State your name."
"Tom."
"...Tom. Why did you this evening attempt to break through the barrier?" Her formal speech was needed. This was going on the record. Even a news pony was there.
"Ummm, Miss?"
"Yes?"
"He did make it through the barrier and surrendered ...once we told him he was breaking the law." Cadence stared at the guard before giving herself a little shake and turning back to the earth pony.
"Why have you come to the Crystal Empire?"
"To decide if I'm going to kill you."
"..."
Every pony was staring at him with their mouths open. What kind of ...killer told his potential victim he was thinking of killing them?
"...That is a very serious offence. Do tell. Why would you wish to kill me?"
"If you were evil or a destructive influence I would. However you seem...nice."
Now everypony was terribly confused beyond all reason. Eventually Cadence turned to the guard.
"Why would you bring a pony before me with such charges when his mind is clearly addled?"
"Well I-"
"My mind is not addled, little one."
More silence. Cadence's position in the empire was too tenuous to not confront such disrespect.
"You will address me as Princess Cadence, and as you can see-" She stood up and walked to stand before the pony in front of her. "-I am anything but little."
"...I was not referring to your physical size. I meant your mind."
The shock of the crowd turned to anger.
"Who do you-"
"SILENCE YOU LITTLE-"
"My Queen, let us take this -"
Many voices spoke out. So many that no one voice could be heard.
"SILENCE!" The royal Canterlot voice that Celestia taught her really brought the room to a stillness.
"I...am over two hundred years old." She began to walk around the unfortunate pony. She felt sadness in her heart for him, but this shaming had to be done.
For her position.
"I have seen the rise and fall of a nation. Battles and wars. I have fought with a dark queen herself and have survived. Sombra fell at my magic. Yet you dare to call me small?"
She had circled him fully and now turned to face him once again with her wings fully spread, expecting to see a cowing pony. Yet she found a being unimpressed.
"My name is Tom."
The silence of the ponies was just as palatable. Yet this went further. The stones ceased to settle and the city's noise fell to silence though the ponies outside still moved. Even the wind ceased.
"I am an eternal."
The silence continued. No half hidden grins were to be found when the chains that had bound him simply...fell away into pieces.
"I looked out on the first day at the rising of the sun."
A weight descended on the ponies in the room. The weight of his will.
"I was there when the first pony drew breath."
All others were on their knees save for Cadence. Though her legs trembled.
"I watched the rising of empires...and their fall."
All the ponies of the city lay on the ground barely breathing. His voice piercing their skulls. He began to move toward Cadence.
"I commanded. Celestia and Luna were made."
Cadence fell to her knees. She could feel that the only reason her subjects were not dead was that this...one did not wish them to be.
"I moved and DISCORD WAS SILENCED."
She trembled as the light from sun entering the room began to darken.
"I am Tom. I am here to judge thee."
Utter silence prevailed until one voice spoke out.
"...Spare my subjects...Punish only me for my insolence."
"..."
"..."
"...I have judged thee and find...you pass. There is no evil in you."
The will of Tom withdrew from the city and he walked onto a nearby patio.
With but a look back at the faces filled with everything but understanding, he simply vanished. A moment later Cadence cried out as the barrier was cleanly punctured. Not broken. Simply ignored.
Rarity, the other three, and Celestia walked into her boutique and crowed into and just outside Tom's room. Applejack placed the sleeping form of Spike into the bed. He had stayed up almost two days with Twilight to no avail. Pinkie had not made much progress either.
Celestia had insisted on being shown the room were Tom had stayed. What they found surprised everypony.
All of the wooden furniture had merged with the floor and had sealed shut. Rarity commented when she saw that the bath was untouched. The whole room seemed...off.
"...Celestia. Who was Tom?"
They had searched high and low for the stallion and Rarity...really wanted to know.
"Perhaps...Well...I don't know. There is a powerful being. One who has manipulated events since...well forever. It was he who made the elements and him who placed you six where you needed to be. I don't know if Tom is this being or simply a...construct made by him. All I do know is that whatever he moves with is powerful."
"How powerful?"
"...I am but a candle...nay a dull coal to his sun. Nothing can compare. Save maybe...Discord."
"Oh umm..."
"What is it Fluttershy?"
"...He visited me a few nights ago...before running off crying."
"Crying..." Rarity's heart hurt. "What did he say?"
"...He said that you had an argument...and that...well he came to Ponyville to find you."
"Me why?"
"...He said he loved you."
Tears came to Rarity's eyes and she fell to the ground.
A ripple was felt by the princess...in the far north.
He had been thinking a lot in the last hour and a half.
A virtual eternity in his current state.
It had come upon him suddenly.
How did Rarity come to be near me?
Such a simple question lead to many more. Tom did not believe in chance.
I did not think of it before...why would Discord wish a mare to find me? Unless...He is good at understanding others. Could he have seen my weakness?
Tom was near invulnerable. This would be one of the few ways to hurt him . Why would Discord do something like this?
Did he want to hurt me......... of course he did. I had thought he had forgotten. Entropy. It's time we speak again.
"Tom."
"...What do you want, Time?" He spoke to the other currently incorporeal being.
"I want you to leave Discord alone."
"...Are you trying to alter time, Time? You know that's forbidden."
"For me...not for you, tom."
"I am no longer tom. I am Tom."
"...I see. Then there is no diverting you?"
"No...I will go to Discord."
Tom began to reform in the castle gardens. His flesh falling back into place from the wind.
He will answer to me.
"AWAKEN"
The draconequus stature cracked. A laugh filled the garden.
"I was never asleep, Tom."
"...You know my name."
"Of course."
"How have you been, Entropy?"
"...Don't call me that."
"Of course...Discord."
The two stared at each other. Tom thought he was calmer than he should be. A long time ago he would have been pure madness. There was no talking to such a being ...now.
"I'm sorry, Discord. Truly I am. I could not a prevented it...How could I have known?"
Discord growled.
"You let it happen!"
"I gave you the baby! How was I to know? There had never been one like it before.... You and Love...It was impossible. What is love that falls inevitably apart? Nothing!"
"YOU KNEW!"
"I DID NOT!"
"WHY DID YOU NOT SAVE HER!?"
"IT WAS NOT MY PLACE! IT WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE UNIVERSE! IT WAS A MONSTER!" Discord roared. Tom felt him pull on all his power to attack then...nothing.
The draconequus smiled.
"Did you enjoy your time with Rarity?"
Tom sat still. Power building inside of him.
Discord leaned nonchalantly against a tree.
"You know love is such a...chaotic emotion. One that I understand quiet well. "
He leaned close to Tom.
"It hurts doesn't it?"
"..."
"..."
"Yes. Is that why she found her way to me?"
"Yes."
"...You put so much at risk...for revenge?"
"Of course."
"......................"
They stared at each other for a time, Discord feeling triumphant in his victory.
"You were always weaker than me, Order. I am the strongest immortal."
"...That is not my name."
Confusion crossed Discord's face.
"What?"
"I am not Order. I never was a fundamental."
"..."
"I am an Eternal."
"There are no Eternals."
"There is one."
Tom lashed out, but not to hurt. No, he did something...deeper.
Discords eyes widened.
"What did you do?"
"I made you understand."
The Lord of Chaos lifted his claw staring down at it in horror.
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
"I made you understand, Discord....there is no such thing as chaos."
The mad one was about to retort when he felt something. He saw all of creation. How it fit and how it moved. How everything was simply caused by another and how it all was ...logical.
He looked out and saw the order in everything. He saw the exactness of everything.
"When you became Discord...well. As you can see there is Entropy. But no chaos no...Discord."
And without chaos he is the aspect of nothing and so is not one at all.
"...You think you have beaten me!"
"Of course I have. You're mortal now."
"No," Discord growled. " You have only sealed her fate. I will kill her."
"I will stop you."
Discord laughed grinning evilly.
"You made one miscalculation."
"What?" Tom said confused.
"I still have my power."
"You can't use it. You would be destroyed."
"Yet I could do one thing."
Discord's fingers reached up. Tom moved to stop him but then the draconequus snapped his fingers.
Celestia, Luna and Twilight were in a panic. Luna had sensed the warping and the now confirmed planetoid's turn. They did not have long to move.
"Twilight, speak to the mayor. Have her prepare to house and feed the entire unicorn population of Equestria. Money is no object."
"Yes, Princess." The new alicorn turned quickly, telling herself she would deal with her change later.
"Captain."
"Ma'am?"
"Send a message. Every unicorn no matter the age is required to come to Ponyville immediately. All effort is to be given to have them here by tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am."
"And Luna...let us prepare."
The two sister knew there was no time for words. They simply walked out and began to prepare their magic for the next day.
************************************************
Law stepped forward, rage on his face.
"TOM!"
The eternal turned around. His power fully extended. There would be no more hiding.
"You have broken the Law."
"...I obey no law save my own. That I will never break again."
"You have destroyed the world."
"I will wait for the next."
"...Wait for the next? We will all die!"
"...I shall not."
"You're mad."
"Maybe... "
Silence. Law had not been prepared for this but he had a job to do.
"I judge you guilty, Tom."
"... And what will you do about it?"
The eternal stared at the immortal egging him on.
"...Do you want me to do it Tom?" he asked, confused.
"...Yes."
"Then how is it punishment...ah I know, I'll just kill the elements."
It was over in a moment. Tom was simply too strong.
The eternal would not allow her to be destroyed.
He struck out at Law who responded in kind.
Law was erased instantly.
Tom was...cut..and just like Discord he was now ....weakened. It left him empty. He had finally done it... the final rule of tom. He felt his connection fade and his body take form.
Take no life.
And he had. Thus truly was no longer tom.
"Do you three wish me harm?"
The three others, Time, Death and Life, all stepped out of the nothing.
"...No. I advised them it would do no good to help Law."
"...Very well. Leave me."
"Tom..."
"Leave me, Time...I have killed. What purpose do I serve now?"
"...Go to her, Tom."
The eternal was...surprised.
"Go to her...is that best?"
"Trust me it is...necessary."
"...Okay, Time. Thank you."
The three moved forward and hugged the eternal. He accepted it.
"I will go to her...What of the planetoid?"
"...It is beyond us, and now you as well," said Death. "You know what you must do."
Tom had awoken three days later. With the disaster averted the ponies had gone home, glad that their princesses had saved the day. Pinkie Pie made a full recovery and even came to forgive Tom.
Rarity had stayed by his side every minute.
He was different now just...a mortal.
A sick mortal at that.
Even as his condition worsened, Rarity stayed with him.
Right up until the end.
On a cold day Tom lay in his bed, darkness creeping up on him.
Rarity came in, having stepped out for a moment to talk to a nurse who had come for her.
She had news.
"Tom...can you hear me?"
The tired eyes of the pony opened. He knew his body was dying. There was no way it could take the strain of his full spirit.
"...I hear you my dear...Rarity."
"I have something to tell you."
The heart monitor was fluctuating wildly.
A nurse stood nearby ready to take the time.
"...yes?" his voice fading away.
Rarity picked him up and held him in a hug as he drew his last breath. She cried.
