Destiny's Embrace

Intro: The Arrival

A drop, the scent of jasmine,

I smelled it, the scent of familiarity, one of jasmine and the comforting embrace of a loved one. I moved forward without hooves, as I saw shifting shapes through the darkness. Then, I heard her, her faint whispers call out to me, faint, like the whispers of the wind....

Zanon...

I moved towards the voice as it called out to me again, louder, more defined as I cut through the darkness, grasping for it...her...no

Why did it all sound so familiar?

Zanon...

Come back.

I felt the tears in my eyes, but I couldn't pin it down. That voice...that...

Zanon...

It's me

I gasped out to the darkness.

“Mother?” I shouted as I felt the darkness give away. “Mother! No! Mother!” I shouted as I fell to the light, my eyes opening to the sensation of a quiet chill, my hooves tingling with soft cold as I heard her voice one last time.  

I love you

My eyes snapped back as I saw a mare look at me in the eyes.

“Mother?” I whispered, my voice far too weak to be my own as I tried to lift a hoof. Her shouts just passed me by as she called out to me. I felt her lift me on her back, her shouts melding into the soft snow. Her hair whipped in the somber winter winds as I felt only a quiet numbness begin to settle in, my eyes looking up at the drifting sky, with those falling clouds of ice.  

White turned to black, as the sensation of the cold winter winds left my mane.

Chapter 1: Arcadia

I awoke to the concerning look of a motherly eye. I shivered slightly as I felt a hoof on my forehead.

“You have a fever, just rest for a bit...” She began, looking at me with concern as I just looked out the window, the chatter of winds loud and clear through the glass.  

“Hey! I'm talking to you!” She shouted, clearly concerned but with a sense of irritation. “What was a little colt like you doing out there in the snowstorm anyways? It's dangerous when it gets that cold, didn't your mother tell you?”  

I squeaked into my covers at the sight of her getting angry, but slowly rose up. “Sorry...I...” I felt tears stream down my cheeks as she came to comfort me.

“Oh it's alright dear, I'm not angry.” She spoke softly as I felt her hooves brush across my mane. “I'm just worried.” She brushed my mane softly as I cried across her.  

“Mother...mother...” I cried out as I felt her stroke me, comfort me, as I just felt the tears stream down my cheek.  

“Shh...shh...don't cry. I'm here, I'm here...I'm here.”  

---

“Your mother is where?” She asked as I shook my mane.  

“She's with me, here.” I pointed to the soft jewel on my head.

“Dear...I'm not sure...” She sighed as she trotted closer to me. “You still need someone to take care of you little one...and...” She began droning on with concern as I gave her a great, big hug. She smiled as she brushed my mane again.  

“My...your mother's name is Arcadia, until we find your real mum.” She spoke softly, hugging me the entire time as I shook my head.  

“You're just like my mum...she...she...” I struggled to remember those fleeting thoughts as Arcadia just held me, my tears dripping onto her brown coat.  

“It's ok, it's ok little one. I'll take care of you. Mommy Arcadia promises.”  

“T...thank...thank you.” I stuttered through the tears.  

I felt the faint sensation of a third pair of hooves hug us, as I smiled. She was watching.

---

“So what's your name little one?” Arcadia asked as she brought me a bowl of warm mushroom soup on a tray. I smiled at the scent of delicious home-made soup.  

“Zanon!” I smiled as she handed the tray of soup to me with a soft smile. I felt her hoof on my head as she waited patiently for a moment.  

“Your fever's getting better...” She smiled warmly as I enjoyed the taste of cream and mushrooms. “That's good.”  

I nodded. “Mommy...” I said as I saw her blush as she put a hoof on cheek. “Thank you.”

Arcadia smiled. “Anytime, now, you need some shut-eye. You've had a long day.”

I nodded as I was slowly becoming more aware of the heaviness of my eyelids. I nodded as she took the tray from my bed, and as she walked away, ruffled my hair playfully.

“I promise you, I'll take care of you little Zanon. Just like a filly of my own.” Arcadia lovingly vowed as her voice made me smile.  

“I know mum. I know you will.” I whispered as I felt the blankets wrap around my exhausted frame, the rhythm of the falling stars outside swaying me to a soft, comforting sleep.  

Chapter 2 – Cold winter's night

“No you silly filly! You press the buttons this way!” Mom laughed as she saw me toying around with the controller in my mouth.  

“buu I cuu pluy tuus wuy!” I cheekily mumbled, controller in my mouth as Arcadia rolled her eyes.  

“Yes, I know dear, but if you do that too much you'll break it. Controllers are not meant to go into your mouth dear.” She mumbled as she walked up to me, gave me a loving pat on the head before she took the controller out of my mouth.  

“Aw.” I remarked with a frown. “Why? I was doing pretty good!” I remarked as I looked at the screen.  

“No, you entered a cheat at the start of the game. Now food's ready, and we wouldn't want dinner to go cold now would we?” She crossed her arm with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

“No...” I remarked as I took a whiff of baked corn, “mmm! It smells nice! Thanks mommy Arcadia!” I exclaimed as I rushed over to dinner, catching a glimpse of mom shaking her head with a heartfelt smile as she trotted behind my excited form, giggling to herself.  

She found me in a state of gouging on corn as she just kinda sat there, quietly eating and looking out to the white specks of sky falling outside.

“Hey Arcadia?” I asked, my cheeks full of food.

She gave a quint smile, an eyebrow raised playfully, “Now, you know we don't talk with our mouths full.” She remarked as I swallowed.

“Sorry,” I remarked as she nodded.  

“Go on Zanon, I'm listening!” She leaned in as he ears perked up.  

“Do you have any foals? I mean, any other foals?” I asked innocently as I saw her take a few moments to compute that question.  

“I mean, you seem to really like foals! But you just seem to be stuck here all by yourself until I arrived!” I continued talking as I was unsure what to make of Arcadia thinking to intently. A seemingly infinitely-long moment passed before Arcadia sighed.  

“Ya, you got me there,” She gave me a loving pinch on the cheek, “although only partially.” Arcadia stared out the window, to the sheet of snow that laid just outside. “See, I love foals, but this is a small town, so...well, not much happens here, well, other then snow.” Arcadia frowned. “So normally I have an arcade open! So that little foals can enjoy their time off of school!”

Arcadia twiddled her hooves as I continued eating as she continued, a soft shade of red on her cheeks.

“It's like...I really would like having little colts and fillies of my own but...” She began mumbling to herself as her cheeks turned to a flush shade of red, “I don't have any...stallions...I really like...here...” She shammed her face in embarrassment across the table as she mumbled to herself, hooves across her flush red face. I, my cheeks still filled with food, gave a pat on the shoulder as I gave her a bit of time to collect herself.  

“Um...I'd really like to visit your arcade someday!” I remarked, somewhat confused and clueless as Arcadia perked up, her face still a shade of red.  

“Ya! We should! It's just that we're all snowed in right now, which is a bit of a problem...” She remarked as she began mumbling again, “Because I like...seeing all the little foals have fun and enjoy themselves...” I looked at mommy strangely, head crookedly as her cheeks remained a rosy tint.  

“That's great! I can make some new friends then!” I exclaimed, still oblivious as Arcadia nodded in delight.  

“Ya! It'll be fun!” She paused and stared out the window in disgust. “It just needs to stop snowing for a bit.” Mommy remarked with a frown as I smiled, excusing myself from the table.  

“I hope it does too! In the meantime, I'm going back to beating this game!” I exclaimed as I rushed off from the table with a zip of my wings, only to hear mom shout, “No biting the controller!”  

“Oh come on!” I complained, controller already ready to be wielded by my trusty mouth.  

“Use your hooves you cheeky little colt!” mom shouted as she began to wash the dishes.  

I scoffed as I put the controller in my mouth. So much easier, I thought, as I began blasting away waves of bad guys. The hours faded away like the...

“Zanon...what did we say about that controller?” I heard a whisper behind my ears as I jumped, controller landing on the ground with a thump.  

“um...” I turned around to face the dreaded stare of Arcadia “that we shouldn't put it into our mouth?”  

Her squint narrowed.

“And what did I see you do?”  

I gave a playful grin as I shrugged, fainting innocence.

“Next time I catch you Zanon, there's gonna be a distinct lack of controllers for the next day, got it?” Mom warned me as I looked at her thousand-yard stare.  

“Yes mother...” I looked up with puppy-dog eyes.  

“You know those don't work on me, now, go to bed mister. It's your bed time.” Arcadia remarked as she pointed me off to bed with a bit of a I-warned-you grin. I skulked off, only to receive a lovingly tussle across my mane.  

“Now off to bed dear. It's late.” She remarked as I nodded with a hint of a cheeky smile.

“I know.”

As I went off to bed, I could see Arcadia shaking her head, smile still on her face as she went to clean up after me.

Chapter 3 – Ghosts of the Past

Pst...

Zanon!

Zanon! Wake up!

It's your mother!

“Mother?!” I yelled out loud as I woke out of my bed with a jolt, and then I saw her. A cloak of stars surrounded her form, illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight. Her eyes, they were that shade of purple that I saw on my forehead when I stared into the mirror, her face, youthful but wise, a somber expression of joy as I felt her star-made hooves touch me on the shoulder, caressing me with comforting warmth. Her ethereal form passed through my bed, passed through me, as she looked at me with those all to familiar eyes, the smile and joy on her face practically beaming.  

Oh Zanon! You're alive and well!

I heard her voice without words, her mouth unmoving as my tranquility was interrupted with a very literal explosion of noise from the door.

“Zanon!” I heard Arcadia shout as my real mother to face her, curiosity in her eyes as Arcadia rushed to  

embrace me.

“Shhh, shhh, it's alright, it's just a nightmare, it's alright.” She spoke as all I could do was look up at the ephemeral being standing in front of me.  

“Don't you see my mother?” I whispered as Arcadia looked at me with confusion.

“No dear, I'm here, I'm...” a silent realization dawned on her as I guided her view with the point of my hoof.  

“There...” I pointed it at my mother. “There is my mother, she's...here.” I whispered as I felt those stars stroke me on the cheek.  

It's ok dear, I know she means well. Sometimes...just having me won't do. You...deserve a mother who can truly be there for you too...

“There's nothing there dear,” Arcadia remarked as her eyes followed to my point, “There's nothing...” I heard her cut herself off.  

“Dear...” She hugged me harder as her eyes focused on that purple crystal, and back to me as I just looked on in a trance at the figure illuminated by starlight.  

I'm so happy for you Zanon...you have a loving mother, a nice home, a beautiful place...

Her starlit face looked up, and a single enchanted tear fell from her eyes.

I'm sorry I couldn't provide that for you the first time around...

As she let go of me, her form melted into the night, and a faint smile crossed her face as she turned to face me, beads of light still falling onto my lap.

I love you Zanon, and I have always wanted the best for you...

As her form melted into the moonlight, a faint trickle of voice escaped their grasp, and rung in my empty mind.

This is the world you deserve...

Then nothing. I reached to grab the moonlight, but nothing. All I felt was Arcadia's embrace, her head resting on my shoulders, making sure I was still ok in my lucid state.

“She's...gone...” I whispered as I grasped for any little speck of her ethereal form, only to return with nothing.  

“Mother...mother's gone...” I whispered softly as I felt my own tears drip down my cheeks.  

“It...it's all terribly sad...but I don't know why. I don't know why I'm crying...” I remarked as I embraced Arcadia back, crying softly into her shoulder this time. She just gave a faint smile as she offered a shoulder for me to cry on, never letting me go of her embrace.  

After what seemed like another eternity, I collected myself, tears still running down her brown pelt as I shuffled, “Did you see her? Mother...mother.” I asked as I still felt tears running down my cheek.

Arcadia just shook her head.

“I didn't need to. I understand.” She spoke softly as she caressed me.

“I understand now. I understand.” She remarked as I nodded, tears still in my eyes.  

“Can I...can you just not let go? Tonight? I...” I asked, crying all the way through as Arcadia just stroke my mane, and slowly, with me crying the entire time, got onto the bed, embracing me the entire time.  

“I'm here for you, anytime.” She whispered as she gave a faint smile.  

“Thank you.” I shuffled as I began to softly close my eyes.  

“I'm your mother Zanon. Anytime.” Arcadia also closed her eyes, and we drifted off to sleep together, still embraced in a hug.  

Chapter 4: A little bit of each other

“Wow! This place is amazing!” I exclaimed as Arcadia gave a smile.  

“I know, I know, lots of little fillies for you to play around with!” Arcadia exclaimed as she grinned. “Feel free to...Zanon?”  

I ignored mom as I zipped around the arcade, pocket full of bits as I examined the various machines, as I zipped around, I suddenly slammed into an unexpected filly.

“Ow! Watch it!” I heard her yell out as I groaned from the impact of the collision.  

“Ugg...I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...” I began apologizing as I saw her tilt her head curiously at me.  

“Hey wait a minute! I don't recognize you! Are you new?!” She exclaimed as I nodded.  

“Yay! Hey everypony! We have a new pony in town!” She hopped up and down in excitement as she shouted across the arcade. I could just barely contain my blush as a small mob of ponies rushed towards me.  

“Hi! Wow! You're so fluffy!”

“Hello! We haven't seen you around!”  

“A new foal! Are you gonna be in school during the summer?”  

“Hi! We so rarely have new ponies here! Hello!”  

I just stood in front of an arcade machine, paralyzed in fear as I tried to search for the right responses.

“Um...uh...um...hi?” I gave a half-hearted smile as the group of mostly fillies and colts stared intently at me. I gave a squeak as I felt a hoof on my back.  

“This is Zanon everypony. He's gonna be staying at my place.” Arcadia said with a smile. “Now move along, you're making this little colt into a stone statue.” The mass of ponies dissipated as I quietly felt my cheeks heat up.  

“Thanks...” I mumbled as mum gave me a nice tussle on the head..  

“Don't worry about it! You looked like you were gonna be run over by a herd of goats!” She gave a teasing laugh as I continued blushing.  

“Now run along and have fun dear, and try to not get yourself in so much trouble.” Mom trotted off with a playful wink, as the curious filly just observed.  

“Yes mother.” I mumbled, my cheeks still flush red as she interrupted my thoughts.  

“Your mom is Arcadia! Oh my god! She's the best! You must have so many games in your house!” She exclaimed as I gave an embarrassed laugh.  

“Well, ya..”  

“Oh my god, you must have so much fun! Just the two of you! Eeeeee!” She squeeed before she reeled herself in, “Ahem, um, sorry about that. Doodles! Glad to meet you!” Doodles replied as she offered a hoof to shake. I shook it curiously.  

“Hey Doodles. I think my mom already made my introduction...so...” I mumbled embarrassingly as she gave a cute laugh.  

“Aw don't worry about it! It's a small place, so everypony ends up wanting to meet any new pony that arrives! That's just how it goes!” Doodles jumpily exclaimed as I followed.  

“Ooh! Are you staying? Please tell me that you're staying. We need more ponies at our school, so it would be nice if you were staying.” Doodles suddenly turned to face me, brandishing her questions.  

“Yes?” I replied, as Doodles cheered.

“Yay! We're gonna be the best of friends!” Doodles exclaimed as she put a hoof around my shoulder. “See, school starts in, like, a couple of weeks, when all the snow melts, and see, I, um, get overexcited, see, but I'll have a new friend! You!” Doodles exclaimed while I gave a fake smile.  

“Yay?”

“Yay!” She jumped up and down in a twirl.  

“We've gotta play some games! Which games do you like bestest friend?” Doodle excitedly asked me as I practically watched her bouncing off the walls.  

“Well I like the one where you shoot the...” I was halfway finished as Doodles dragged me off.  

“Yes! Shooters! We can shoot them together! Then we'll be the bestest of friends!” Doodles exclaimed as I just was dumbfoundedly dragged to one of those zapper machines. As we reached it, Doodles held a sigh.  

“Sorry about that, I get really overexcited sometimes. It makes it a little bit hard to get friends sometimes.” Doodles explained as I watched her practically try to contain her excitement. I just had a playful snicker.  

“Na, I just kind of find you funny.” I remarked as she grinned.  

“Yay!” She yelled with joy. “So let's play zappy zap! I'm gonna so beat you at this!” She remarked as I scoffed.  

“Oh I've had to play against Arcadia! You're so gonna lose!” I remarked with a grin as we popped in the bits, and the games began.  

---

“So how was the arcade?” Mom asked as she carried my exhausted form home on her back. “Doodles tired you out?”  

I grinned. “Only because she kept wanted rematches.”

Arcadia gave a playful laugh. “That's my Zanon!”

I just hugged her back as she trotted me home.

Chapter 5: A Call to Adventure

“Hi mom!” I shouted. “I'm home.”  

Arcadia trotted out of the kitchen to greet me. “Welcome home! Anything new?”

I nodded as I set my backpack aside. “Ya! Doodles and I, and maybe some other ponies are heading over to Tinkerton's for nightmare night! Is that alright with you?”

My mother raised an eyebrow.

“You know that Tinkerton's a bit...eccentric, right?” She asked as we both trotted to the kitchen as I began to help her wash the vegetables.  

“I know.” I replied over the sound of washing carrots over the sink  

“And you've prepared what you need for nightmare night?” She asked as I nodded.  

“Yep, pack a flashlight, sleeping bags, and a lot of common sense.” I gave a chuckle as Arcadia gave a playful smile.  

“well you've been here a couple of years now, and as long as you little fillies and colts stick together, I think you'll be just fine. Unless you're in trouble, then you know what to do.” Mom began calmly, then reminded me sternly.  

“I know mom.” I gave a chuckle as I put the washed vegetables in a bowl. “There! Done!” I exclaimed as I passed the vegetables to my mother.  

“Then mommy approves.” Arcadia gave me a motherly kiss on the forehead. “Mommy thanks you for the help on making dinner, now remember to pack your stuff and finish your work before you start on the video games!” She shouted as I zipped off to pack.  

“I will mother!” I shouted back as out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile.  

---

“This place is massive!” Doodles exclaimed as I was inclined to agree. Walls were littered with various machines of all kinds, and relics of all sorts, from staves of the old to ancient diagrams, carefully maintained and kept in cases, boxes, and bookshelves. Gears clanked around the area, powering some unseeable machine as Tinkerton smiled.  

“Of course! Take a look around! But remember, don't touch!” Trinkerton shouted, his aged voice getting the better of him as he took a cough. “When I was younger, I was the real go-getter you know.” he began as he watched all of us foals zip across his mansion examining various artifacts as he let out a sigh and mumbled something like “getting to old for this.”  

I was personally interested in a series of crystals that looked similar to my own, as they glowed and sparkled faintly when I approached. They shimmered as I approached, almost as if they were beckoning me.

“Ohh pretty...” Doodles commented as I snapped out of my trance. “Ooh Zanon! Look at that sword!” Doodle pointed me as I just shook my head and followed.  

“Do you have any attention span?” I joked as Doodles shook her head.  

“Of course not. Weeeeee!” She rushed by as I was dragged along for the ride by an excitable Doodles.  

At that very moment I saw a very curious look come over Tinkerton, his eyes raised as we exchanged a look, him of ceaseless curiosity as I just looked at him embarrassed and dumbfounded.

“Now come along foals, gramps Tinkerton's gonna tell you lots of ghost stories tonight!” He commented with a cough as the foals instantly stopped fooling around and followed him. A stairs later, and we were in the attic, tents, creepy lamps, and sleeping bags all set for us.  

We were all impressed with Tinkerton's setup and then...

“Aah spider!” I yelped as I saw one scurry across the room. “Kill it with fire!”  

Doddles looked at me awkwardly and squished it in her hooves.

“Better?” She asked, confused as I nodded.  

“Mhm.”  

It took the four of us a while to settle down, as we scurried about, set up our own sleeping bags, and opened and unpacked our backpacks for the day. As the last of us arrived, Tinkerton began.

“I know it's not quite nightmare night, still a couple hours until it truly becomes nightmare night, but, I'll start now, so when it arrives, we'll be all spooked up.” Tinkerton whispered as we just nodded.  

“Back when I was still young, I was an explorer you see, and explore I did, I went across Equestria, mapped it out, but see little foals, some places don't like being mapped. Some places when you map them, take something that's not yours, they bite back...those places are...the nightmare lands.” Tinkerton whispered ominously as we all gasped.  

“And this was the start of my journey into the heart of darkness...”

Chapter 6: The Call

I awoke to the sound of Tinkerton knocking on my tent.

“Tinkerton?” I whispered, rubbing my eyes as I felt the grogginess get the better of me.

Tinkerton's head poked into my tent.

“Sorry about that. Bring anything you like and come with me.” He whispered as I looked up at him skeptically. “I bet you wonder where you come from sometimes Zanon, or where that crystal of yours comes from too. I'll tell you outside, don't want to wake the other foals.” Tinkerton whispered as I brought my flashlight. After I emerged, sleepier then ever, he nodded, and we trotted softly down the stairs and through the hallways, to a white kitchen with a beautiful dinner table, an old piece salvaged from a lost age, with chairs meant for royalty. As he turned the lights on, he nodded to me, beckoning me as I went to take a seat, impressively comfortable for a chair completely made out of wood with a single cushion on it. Tinkerton got me a little silver teacup as he poured some tea, the scent of savory wisps entering my nose. I paused as I considered what Arcadia told me, but continued to be pleasant. After he poured a cup for himself, he began.  

“Sorry about that Zanon. I don't want to wake the others.” He whispered as I shook my head.  

“It's alright,” I commented as I examined the place. “This place is quite...the sight.” I noted as he nodded, a bright smile on his face.  

“Aye, it's my collection from a life out on the field...” Tinkerton looked from his tea back to me, “But to you then. You, Zanon, I know you. Read about you. You want to hear?” he asked rhetorically as I nodded.  

“Ya...if somepony like you knows where I came from, it would help a lot. I mean...I know I'm different. If the jewel on my head wasn't enough, I know it.” I put a hoof on my heart. “That something's not quite right.” I added as he nodded.  

“Aye, no need to say more, although it is pretty out there.” he took a deep breath. “Alright, we'll begin. Once upon a time, you were the unfortunate recipient of a curse and a blessing. You were skilled, no, talented. You walked the shadows and discovered something that no pony was meant to see, which began an epic tale of conflict and strife to ensure you,” Tinkerton pointed at me, “You little pony got a second chance, and no other ponies would ever have to suffer the same fate.” Tinkerton looked at my stunned face as he took a sip. “You and your allies rose to the challenge. At a great cost, you, the accidental hero, fought and defeated the encroaching darkness.”  

I gave a faint laugh of disbelief, “Me! Really?” I scoffed. “I'm no hero, I'm just...” Tinkerton continued regardless of my critique.

“Your mother, real mother, gave up her life to complete your heroic deed. But she did leave you one thing. That jewel on your forehead, or rather, her one last parting gift so that she could guide her son in his next life.” Tinkerton concluded as I looked at myself in the faint reflections on the polished wood surface.  

“So...I was a hero? Then why am I here? Shouldn't I be long gone!?” I asked, frantically disbelieving his story as my mind ran through the possibilities.  

“You are here because past you wanted a quiet life. And your friend's sacrifice made it so.” he commented coldly as I just shook my head in disbelief.  

“No...but...” I shook my mane in confusion. “Ok, let's say everything you say is right. How do you know and what does it matter?” I asked, still running through the possibilities.  

“It matters...” Tinkerton sighed, “because even where past you have succeeded, great and grand evils still exist in the world. I'm asking if you're willing to do what I did all those years ago, raise up from your quiet life, and take your part among the heroes once again.” He looked to the side, somber, as he glanced to the side.  

“I ain't got much longer to live kiddo, and I'd like it if I could mentor you, train you to be the hero you always could be, or in that past world, was. I'd like that a lot.” He commented as I sat here, quietly.  

“What if I say no?” I looked up at him, no expression but a somber wisdom etched across my stare.  

“What do you mean no!” Tinkerton yelled, his eyes squinting.  

I looked to the side, and up, around, as my gaze finally fell back to him. “I like it here. I like having a peaceful, quiet life. I like having Arcadia as my mom. I like these things, and they're what make me happy...” I realized as I talked, I was only making him angrier. “I'm sorry, but the hero you're looking for isn't me, it was past me, and he died long ago.” I gave a faint smile. “I can't do those things Mr. Tinkerton, I just can't. I'm sorry.”

Silence hung in the room as I looked down at the table. It lingered as I got up, pulled myself up, and began to leave.

“Thanks Mr. Tinkerton, and sorry about that.” I spoke embarrassingly, trying to break the tension.  

“I think all this hero business is quite over my head.” I whispered as I prepared to leave, only to feel an invisible hand stop me in my tracks.  

“Sorry.” I heard him whisper as I saw out of the corner of my eye his face change, to one of contemplation to a snarling face of anger as I felt myself hurled across the room by unseen forces.  

I gasped as I felt my wings slam into the wall, as a sharp pain overtook my vision. From white, to gray, then to black, as I found myself staring at the visage of Tinkerton, not an old pony, but, something entirely different.

The last thing I heard was the humming of his gears my form.

Chapter 7: Crossroads of Destiny

Zanon?

Zanon!

I awoke with a groan to a plane of white, my wings maliciously intact, and the pain from my body gone.

“Whaa?” I looked around me as I shouted into the white depths, “Where am I?”  

As I asked that question a faint realization emerged from my mind.

“Where's Tinkerton? What...” I asked out loud before the faint ethereal hum of my mother's voice echoed around the formless chamber.  

Shhh...you'll be alright for now. I've dragged you into my world for a little bit, for a bit of repose before you must...

Her voice dropped into sorrow in that last pitch, and I nodded.

“I know, but...hey, was Tinkerton right? About that other me?” I asked softly, but with intent as my mother's voice rung true.  

Yes.

I slowly began piecing together, running through the possibility with my hooves.

“So...Tinkerton isn't just some crazy freak, he meant everything he said?” I asked, as I felt a nod from my mother.  

Likely, however, it is up to you to choose what you do in spite of that. His desires do not have to be your own.

I blinked, and then considered for one soft moment. In this moment, I decide my destiny for this, no, the culmination of our two lives, past me and future me. I stood, first shaking with fear and the weight of the world, then of uncertainty, then...

“Mother?” I asked with a renewed sense of purpose. “Will you back me on my decision?”  

Always.

I closed my eyes, clopped my hooves together, and thought. For a brief moment, I was not simply Zanon, the little colt that lived with Arcadia, but something greater. The heart of a greater story. For a brief moment I glimpsed the weight of this monstrous decision. Then I spoke.

“Tinkerton is right. I could be that hero that perhaps us ponies deserve, that we need for the coming ages. He is right in that there is things to stand up for, and I have the ability, no, more ability then most to defend those who I stand for and stand by me, but...” A silence penetrated the silence as I was in a trance as I raised my hoof towards the sky, to Tinkerton, to my mother.  

“I choose another destiny, because it is available to me. I choose to set aside those impassioned gifts for another, not because I cannot, but because I refuse to allow those around me to suffer the consequences of my choice, as perhaps, in my previous life, they have. Arcadia deserves a foal to call her own, Doodles deserves a friend to call her best, but those things could not be if I chose to be the hero that I could be.” I paused, taking a deep breath.  

“Heroes like Tinkerton fought for the greater good, but when I already have done so, and created the world that I have always wanted, what purpose do I have to take up the sword once again?” I finished my speech, stared down, and blinked confusingly.  

“Why can't I do that when I'm not here?” I asked as Mother laughed.  

This is a place of the heart Zanon. Words come easier here, because they must.

I grumbled.

“Wish I could always speak so well...” I mumbled as I felt the loving pat of a mother.  

In time dear Zanon, in time. For now, we must return, so that you can live the your words.

I nodded.

“Time to be a regular pony again?” I snickered as I felt my vision return.  

Not quite. First, we must deal with the problem in front of us.

I nodded as I felt the pain in my wings once again. I was back.

Chapter 8: Encroaching Legends.

I opened my eyes to a vision of red, with Tinkerton standing right over me, a wicked smile over his face.

“Good morning Zanon, or should I say your last.” Tinkerton remarked as I tried to stand up, only to be pinned down by a combination of broken hooves and Tinkerton's own hoof pinning me down.  

“You...” I weakly remarked as I felt a little bit of myself drain with every passing moment, his gears slowly draining my...

“Blood? Yes, do to your...unique properties, I would say that you're quite fit to repair...me.” Tinkerton snickered. “You know that you didn't have to die here, right? You could have just said yes. I would've accepted my death with honor you know!” He began shouting, tears streaming down his cheek, “I hate killing little foals don't you know!”  

“I'm...not...” I mumbled through my teeth, feeling strength, born of desperation well from inside me, as Tinkerton just stood there, soliloquizing.

“You know, everything I do is for the good of ponies everywhere! And here you are, a little hero in the making, a prodigy! Blessed! And you go and deny your birthright when I've worked so hard and lost so much!” He shouted at me as I heard the crack of my bones mending by some unforeseen hand.

“Dying...today!” I shouted as I flipped his pin, my jewel glowing a scintillating array of colors. I felt the crystal mend and reinforce what was broken as I slammed into Tinkerton, gears exposed. Where previously there was pain, there was none now. The whirl of the gears was softer now as he got up, but before he could recover, I slammed, putting most of my weight in my new crystal hooves. I could feel my hooves crashing through finely made gears as I twisted and threw him across the room, with newfound strength that I had never known. With a crash it was over, Tinkerton just laid there, not moving, as I still radiated a vibrant hue of purple light from my new crystallized form. I approached him, stared at him with anger, as he just gave a soft chuckle.  

“How, “ Tinkerton coughed something, blood, but oily, as he gave a faint smile. “How is it...like...one of heroes?”  

I looked at him intently as he continued to muster words, even while his own gears screamed in anguish.

“Sorry about...that...” He took another cough of oily blood, “I just did...what...I thought was best...”  

He looked up at the window, the soft orange glow of the morning sun breaking through the sully windows.

“Go...before they...blame this...on you...go, go!” Tinkerton shouted as I looked at him in silence, then ran.  

“Go, run little pony...go...go...” I heard his faint whispers as I ran back as quickly as possible, the sound of Tinkerton's faint whispers following me all the way home.  

Chapter 9: Back to Reality

“What?!” Arcadia practically shouted out of her chair as she looked at me with a mix of concern, amazement, pride and fear. She shook her head as she many deep breaths.  

“Ok, ok, lets take this from the top.” She steadied herself as she sat on the floor, looking at me lying in bed. “You're in bed right now because you lost a lot of blood.”  

I nodded in my bed in a dizzy stupor.

“Mhm.” I nodded, the room spinning random directions as I once again closed my eyes.  

“You would have a lot of very broken bones, but they got patched up by that magical crystal in your forehead.” Arcadia went on in disbelief.  

I nodded silently as I closed my eyes to ease the sensation of vertigo

“And you went and fought a half clockwork half pony because he was trying to kill you because you didn't want to be his apprentice?” Arcadia continued, the disbelief in her voice reaching astronomical levels.  

I nod. “That's the idea...” I said, still dizzy as Arcadia shook her head.

“You know dear, I leave you out of my sight for just one moment and there you go out and...oh. Oh, you're asleep, well...” She sighed as I watched her put a hand over my forehead.  

“Just...get better ok? I don't think I could live with myself if you didn't.” Arcadia whispered, her head beside mine as the walls of the ceiling faded to black, and her voice was nothing more then a faint mumbling.  

---

“So Zanon?” mom asked as I was plowing away at mobs of slimes, “What now?”  

I kept my eyes on the screen, intent with slaying the monsters until the next level, “Hmm? What do you mean?”

Arcadia scratched her mane with her hoof nervously. “Zanon dear, what now, I mean...” She stared at my new crystal-encrusted hooves.

“Am I any different? I would hope not.” I responded quietly as mom shook her head.  

“No! Dear, that's not what I meant.” She took a slight pause as she watched me dance on the screen. “I'm just wondering where you'll go from here.”  

I continued playing for a few moments, and as I finished the level, I paused the game. I stared back at my mom. “Honestly, the exact thing you taught me.” I gave a smile as I tried to reassure her worrying features.

“Be who I want to be.” I said with a smile as I resumed playing. I saw her in the corner of my eye come up to me and give me a hug.  

“Mom! I'm trying to play a game!” I complained as she gave a cheeky giggle.  

“Yes I know dear, I'm just making your life more difficult.” She said with a laugh as I tried to control my character.  

“Goddam it mom!” I shouted as she wouldn't let go.  

“Hehe.” She giggled as she hugged me harder. All I could do was hug her back.  

“Sorry.” I whispered as I embraced her.  

“No apologies necessary.” She remarked as she let me go.  

“Oh, also you died.”  

“Mom!”  

Chapter 10: A Song to Remember

I awoke to the sound of hooves on wood as I got out of my bed. I looked up at the sky as I rubbed my eyes, as my confused retinas tried to process the fact that there was nothing but moonlight. I was alerted to the sound of the door slamming. I thought to call out to Zanon, but then I paused. What was my child doing at a time like this? I carefully tiptoed out, to follow him. He wasn't hard to track, his violet crystals making him stand out as he trotted off, his new pegkitar dangling off his back with a soft ring. I trotted softly behind him in the moonlight, as he trotted out of town, and looked like he was about to enter the woods, but then he just stopped. I was hiding in the shadows when I saw him sit down by the pond, his pegkitar out, as for the first time ever, I heard him sing.

What I wouldn't give

To see you one more time

Mother,

Oh mother

Yet you stand by my side

willing to even take up my fight

Mother,

Oh mother

Ooohohooohohoh, oh, ohoohohoh

what I wouldn't give

To see you

Mother

I felt a tear trickle down my eyes as I heard his singing, so sincere, kind, yet, so...different.

I was proud, here I was, suspecting him of something when all he wanted to do was to sing a song to me. I was about to trot out of the shadows, so that I could join him, an audience of one, as I felt a sensation on my shoulders. I instinctively knew who it was.

“You're Zanons mother...” I whispered as I felt the ethereal sensation of another mare besides me. I could see, out of the edge of her vision, her smile and nod.  

You have as much right to that title as I ever did.

I heard the thought in the mind as I put a hoof to my heart, Zanon's song filling my eyes with tears.

“Thanks.” I whispered as she replied.  

I should be thanking you.

I felt her blush and look at me with a mix of admiration and sorrow.

You took my son in, taught him what I never could.

Her voice paused for a moment, as if she needed to take in what she just said.

You know, he really does see you as his mother. He loves you.

I nodded.

“He loves you. He's singing to you.” I whispered as I felt her nod.  

Yes.

We just sat there, admiring the music.

How about we join our son?

I gave a smile.

“Of course.”