Myths & Legend Act 1: The Scholar

by Streamtouched

Chapter 1: Night Flare

 
 
Twilight lay in bed, contemplating the properties of friendship and harmony

A week ago she had been Living in Canterlot. A week ago she didn’t have any friends.

But now she had friends that had helped her face the greatest challenge in her life. she regretted that she hadn’t made any friends before this week.

Perhaps she could’ve got to know some of the ponies from Canterlot.

She could’ve gone to Moondancers party or got to know Twinkle Shine, Colgate or Lemon Hearts.

If that had happened though she might not have learned about Nightmare Moon and there wouldn’t have been anypony to stop her.

“And now I’m worrying over what ifs” she groaned trying not to wake her assistant.

She tossed and turned. She obviously wasn't going back to sleep tonight.

A loud bang echoed through the tree shaking it to it's roots.
The noise was followed by a wave of magic that passed through her leaving her breathless to the pure magic filling the room.

Twilight’s mouth flopped helplessly open and closed as she struggled to restart her lungs and fell out of bed.

It took a few minutes to stop gasping for air, another few moments before she regained coherent thought. “What… in Celes… Celestia’s mane was that” she rasped her throat sore from the gasps.

She slowly attempted to gather magic into her horn. She felt like a filly as her attempt to spluttered and fizzled.

Dread suddenly filled her mind at the very idea relearning magic. “No, no, no, no, no, no come on work” she stomped her hoof and determination won as her horn glowed steadily with magic.

She carefully scanned her surroundings for any trace that the wave had been real.

The wave of magic had faded like a dream but there were now two new occupants of her basement.

Where she’d heard the noise.

Where that wave had come from.

Before she made her way downstairs she quickly checked on spike. He was still sound asleep he really was a heavy sleeper. She charged a minor torch spell and made her way downstairs.

Images of Manticores, Basilisk and Hydras flittered through her mind but were quickly dismissed by fact. “Not enough space for a hydra. Manticores and Basilisks would make a lot more noise.” She Mumbled

As she approached the door to the basement she briefly debated picking up something large and heavy to defend herself with. “On the other hoof they might not be hostile and it may be a big misunderstanding.”

She flung open the door and aimed the torch downstairs. “Hello anything friendly down there?” She shouted into the darkness.

“Um well I consider myself friendly enough” said a male voice.

Twilight heard a soft whispering. “What…no they were unfriendly first” replied the male stranger to somepony.

Twilight slowly, cautiously made her way down the stairs ready at a moment’s notice to get out and lock the door.

She swung her beam around the basement until it landed on the male intruder. There sitting two hooves in the air was a crimson earth stallion with a short silver mane that shimmered under her light. The strange stallion had golden shimmering eyes and four strange golden bands on his legs.

“Su… no you’re not her…” he mumbled shaking his head.

“Alright how did you get in here and who was that talking to you just now” she said from the safety of the stairs. A frown creased his face then realization.

“NO Lu stop wait” he shouted frantically waving his hooves. She leaned slightly forward.

What it’s as if, she didn’t finish her thought, as something brushed past her and she lost her balance on the stairs. As she tumbled and fell from the stairs she briefly saw the colt galloping to catch her.

She felt her descent slow as she fell into the embrace of something soft and glowing.

As consciousness started to drift back into Twilight she heard arguing from nearby.

“How was I supposed to know I could touch her?” spoke a quiet guilty female voice.

“Because she could hear you, remember if they can hear you they can also see and touch you. Why do think I was shouting and waving my hooves, low flying pegasi.” This voice she recognised as the strange stallion.

Twilight heard the colt let out a deep sigh. “Look I’m not trying to be harsh on you, it’s just that could’ve turned out badly. There is one pony we don’t want to make a bad impression on, you accidentally pushed her off some stairs. This pony also happens to be a student of princess Celestia which is kind of a big thing.”

Twilights eyes shot open, she bolted up. How did he know that? Who was he? Was he from Canterlot?

She slowly turned her head and looked around the room. She was back in the library lying on the couch and the lights were on.

The conversation was coming from behind her so she quietly lifted herself and peeked at the trespassers.

The colt was standing with a sad disappointed look on his face, one of his hooves was on what she guessed to be a shoulder of his friend/thing. Twilight didn't know what to call it, she could only tell it was female from its voice.

The creature looked feline but was standing upright on two leg. Her arms ended in what she thought were paws but they resembled spikes claws. Twilight looked at the creature’s whiskered face, possibly feline then.

She pondered, this creature was similar to the description of another she’d glanced at. What was it? rock hound no diamond dog that’s right, this thing looked like a diamond dog but sleeker.

Twilight quickly noted that the creature seemed to be crying.

“You know it’s considered rude to stare” spoke a stern voice.

Twilight flinched and noticed the earth pony was looking at her. She was about to apologies when she remembered that they were the intruders not her.

She got off the couch, walked over to the intruders and tried to draw authority to her body like she’d seen the princess do. “What are you doing in my house?”

The male intruder scratched his head and gave a nervous grin. “That uh, yeah that wasn't completely on purpose. I was uh, how can I put this, tangling with a particularly nasty monster.”

He looked to his companion who just shrugged back at him. He let out a sigh “The monster could teleport but it was injured while it was trying to and somehow we ended up here.”

“Oh... Really?” Twilight was puzzled, she’d never heard of any creature like that.

“Um well yeah really” he said nodding. He looked around "Uh, where is here anyway?"

Twilight straightened and regained her composure. At last a subject she did know about. “You’re in Ponyville, the library to be exact.”
She motioned to the surrounding walls adorned with books. The stranger looked around with a surprised look on his face.

“Wow Ponyville that’s pretty far I’m surprised we got here in one piece.” The cat thing cleared her throat. “Well I did at least, Ponyville wow been a while since I've been here.”

Twilight looked at his female companion. “I’m not trying to be rude but what is she?” she gestured to the cat thing.

“What huh” The Stallion look around snapped from his daydream. “Oh I’ve forgotten to introduce myself again haven’t I” he moved to the cat to stand next to his companion.

“This is Lumin the Crystal Cat and I am Nimbus Flare the traveling storyteller” he said with grin.

“What’s a Crystal Cat and why wouldn’t I be able to see her” Twilight enquired.

“Oh so you did hear that weeelll.” Nimbus looked at Lumin his grin stretching and gestured for her to explain only for her to shake her head.

Nimbus mumbled something under his breath. “Fine it’s a long story but short version she’s the last of her kind. As for the seeing her part I’ve got no idea why you can see her. When we were attacked she was badly injured. When this normally happens to her she becomes incorporeal until she recovers. I can only see her because we have a connection.” He grinned nervously.

Twilight looked between the two of them and paused. "Wait this has happened before?" They both nodded.

"And what did you mean by you had a connection?" she continued. Nimbus shook his head and sighed "that would take way to long to explain."

An idea started to form in Twilight's head. She studied Nimbus.

“Mr Flare” she began but was quickly cut off. “Nimbus is fine” he said waving a hoof. “Fine Nimbus, do you have any bits or a place to stay?” She replied fully prepared for his answer.

Nimbus starred at her with a puzzled look on his face. “Well no the teleport was quite sudden, why?”

A smile slowly crept across her face. “You and Lumin could stay here until you can afford something.”

Nimbus looked at Lumin who gave him a slight nod. “You know you can talk right” he said turning to face Twilight again. “Well as long we're not imposing we don't want to be too much of a bother.”

Twilights face went serious. “I do have some conditions though;

One, I want to study Lumin. This won’t involve anything dangerous or that could cause any harm.

Two, if you’re going to stay here you need to meet my friends.”

Nimbus looked to Lumin. “Your body, your call.” Lumin looked around considering the proposal. “Nothing that’ll hurt” she replied in a quiet meek voice. Twilight nodded. “Then it’s alright” she replied more confidently.

“Well since that’s settled, how about a story to celebrate” suggested Nimbus moving to sit on the couch.

Twilight moved next the couch “I really don’t think…”

“Think of it as my way of repaying a kindness and besides this is a very special story.” He replied gesturing for her to sit.

Twilight didn’t know what it was about him but again Nimbus had piqued her curiosity. She sat on the couch and nodded for him to continue.

“Like I said this is a very special story I couldn't tell any but my best for one who has been so gracious to take us in. This story’s special because of those involved. This is the true story of “The First Knight.”

 
“So Princess which way do you want to go in to start this journey” Knight said looking out at the midday sun. They had just finished the measly breakfast he’d managed to gather and he was eager to set off.

“Why does she get to be a princess?” said Luna still cranky from being woken early.

“My Lady” he began, turning to Luna. “Lady is another name for a Princess’s, but I suppose.” A teasing grin spread across his face. “That Lady is a grown-up term and if you don’t want me to use it anymore.”

Luna’s ears perked up and she kicked the ground “I suppose I don’t really mind if you call me that.”

Knight walked over to her and ruffled her mane “No I can see you’ve made up your mind.”

He started to pace with a contemplating look on his face “Now I need a new nickname for you.”

He stopped and looked at Luna with a wide grin “I’ve got it, I’ll call you Woona. The Cwutist little fiwe there is.”

“NOOOOO” Luna shrieked cowering under hooves.

Knight’s teasing was interrupted with a loud fit of laughter, Celestia couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Luna finally put it together and crossed her hooves with a huff.

Celestia calmed down and wiped a tear from her eye “As long as we’re on the subject of names, I probably should’ve called you a Joker instead of a Knight.”

This time it was Knights turn to recoil in horror “No, no, Knight is a fine name.”

Celestia started to chuckle. “Fine I get it” Knight said with a huff.

He sat in front of Luna “I’m sorry my Lady I took the teasing a bit too far, will you ever forgive me?”

Luna peeked out from her hooves “I suppose.”

Luna slowly emerged and looked at her sister “can we go now Tia? We’ve had breakfast and I wanna go look for mum and dad.”

Celestia suddenly panicked realizing that she still hadn't told Luna.

She looked at Knight pleading for him to take this burden from her. He slowly shook his head “trust me it’s easier if it comes from family.”

Luna looked at her big sister confused “what’s he talking about Tia?”

Celestia Swallowed “Lulu th…” her voice caught in her throat. She shut her eyes

Luna stared at her dismayed. “But you said when we left them. Y y you promised” Tears slowly streaked her and fell as she stared at the ground.

Celestia moved to Luna and brought a hoof to comfort her younger sister. “YOU PROMISED” Luna shrieked as she slapped away her sister’s comfort and ran outside.

Celestia moved to give chase but was blocked by Knight “no I’ll go get her you two need space right now.” Knight ran out in pursuit…
 

 
When Knight found her she was half way to the barren expanse beyond the cave.

“Luna you stop this instant young lady” he shouted authoritatively at her, freezing her in her tracks.

He quickly caught up and gestured for her to sit. “How did you do that?” Luna said sitting.

“I’ve got younger siblings and let’s just say I picked up a few tricks looking after them” he replied wistfully gazing into the expanse before him.

“Anyway” he waved a hoof dispelling his nostalgia. “What was that outburst for?”

Luna started to tear up again. “When we were running we got split up from our parents and she promised we’d meet up later. She lied she’s a terrible sister.”

Knight looked at her with a sad face “Do you really mean that or is there something else?”

Luna looked away. “It’s alright you can tell me” he said softly.

Luna looked back at him and the floodgates opened “It’s all my fault. The others were…sniff…and then…sniff.” Luna’s sadness swept over Knight. He scooped up the little filly her tears staining his coat.

“It’s alright Luna, it’ll be alright” he repeated softly until the sobbing stopped. He slowly released her but kept a hoof on her shoulder as he sat.

“For your information it wasn’t your fault they’re gone” he said. “How do you know?” she said with quite disbelief.

“I was there…” he started. “But…” Luna tried to interrupt but was immediately cut off. “Please let me finish. I was there near the end but was too late to help. What I did see however proved it wasn’t your fault.”

“What did you see?” she asked inquisitively.

“your parents bravely faced they’re end, they laughed at and insulted the one I assume was your village elder. Most importantly though they explained right at the end that they’d only stayed so that you two could get safely get away. That is how I know it’s not your fault they’re gone.”

“Really?” she replied.

Knight nodded “In fact it’s because of what I saw that I’ve decided to come with you, since I couldn't help them I feel I should take up their last wish.”

“Don’t you have a family that’ll miss you?” Luna inquired remembering something he’d said earlier.

Knight looked out at the expanse sadly. “My parents died years ago and my siblings and I have grown apart. Besides they all think I’m dead. There was an accident that I survived, it got complicated.”

Luna moved closer to Knight and tried to hug him. “Please don’t be sad I don’t think it would be good if all three of us were.”

Knight chuckled “Thank you for that.”

Luna starred up at him “What’s your real name?” He just waved a hoof at her. “I lost that the moment I was declared dead. Like I said before Knight is a fine.”

He picked himself up and looked up towards the cave. “Do you think it’s time to go back? Your sister, she will be awfully worried.”

Luna Nodded “I think I owe her an apology...
 

Celestia finally stopped worrying and pacing when she heard hoofsteps.

As soon as she saw Luna she ran to her. “I’m sorry Lulu.”

Luna jumped and tackled her. “I’m sorry too Tia.” Celestia hugged her little sister tightly.

After a few minutes Knight gave an awkward cough. “I’m not trying to break up this touching moment. However we need to think about leaving soon or we’re going to be spending another night in this lovely accommodation.” He explained politely.

The two sisters untangled themselves and got up. Celestia moved to the mouth of the cave.

Knight gestured to the wide expanse outside. “Well where do you want to go Princess?”

Celestia look outside at the afternoon sun. “I’ve always wanted to go where the sun sets.”

 
Twilight stared at Nimbus as the story ended. “That Can’t, Possibly be a true story” she exclaimed.

Nimbus looked at her slightly annoyed. “All of my stories are the completely true, I do very thorough research .”

Lumin coughed and Nimbus looked at her. “You’ve forgotten to mention something to her” Lumin Gestured to Twilight.

Nimbus suddenly looked away shamefully “Harmony's sake your right I will have to tell her” he mumbled.

Nimbus turned back to Twilight but wouldn't look her in the eyes. “There’s something I may have forgotten to tell you about myself. You were going to find out eventually with me staying here a while. I think I should tell you up front just so you don’t catch me in the act and freak out.”

Twilight's gaze narrowed “What are you hiding?”

He looked at her his eyes shifting nervously. “Try not to freak out OK”

Twilight slowly turned her head. There was a book, levitating and covered in crimson light.

Twilight checked herself. “Not using any magic but then.”

She looked at Lumin who just shook her head.

She slowly looked at Nimbus who was sheepishly nodding. “But how, what are, what, how wha wh” she stammered. The information was too much for Twilights mind as it promptly shut down and she passed out.
 

She awoke to Nimbus shaking her. “Oh good” he exclaimed breathing a sigh of relief.

“This time it’s all your fault” Lumin said bitterly behind Nimbus.