AiE Chapter 4: Black Caster

>Three adolescent children were sitting inside of a small containment cell; each were in a white uniform, and bound in a different way. A medium sized steel bracelet had been strapped to either the ankle or wrist of each child; on each label the bracelet had indicated the child's height, weight, sex, and eye color.
>One young man  with dark brown hair was held to the wall by a single chain with a large black cuff going around the lower half of his face and neck; he was making a sharp grinding noise that resembled a power saw from the covered part of his face.
>"Cut it out Chainsaw; you know as well I do that it won't break."
>The comment came from a young girl with gray hair who sat in a small glass cylinder from the opposite side of the room.
>The specialized cylinder had a thin slot going through the top, and the bottom had a medium sized heating unit constantly pouring hot air into the container.
>The grinding noises coming from Chainsaw stopped, and after a few minutes he sighed heavily before leaning against the stone wall.
>Chainsaw(Cs): "Whatever, it's not like I have anything better to do with my time anyway. So Ivy... I heard that we were supposed to get a new guy today."
>Ivy(I): "Yeah, rumor has it that he was in a level three cell, and it was destroyed because he snapped and went ballistic."
>Chainsaw began to laugh while holding the side of his ribs.
>Cs: "You serious!? You mean to tell me he destroyed a whole level  three containment unit with his bare hands? Ha! Does he have Superman hacks for reality?"
>Ivy held a serious face, failing to see the humor in Chainsaw's joke.
>I: "I dunno... but since being here I've seen people do things I could only read in comic books."
>Cs: "Ahhhh man! How long has it been since I've read Red Riders? That was my shit..."
>The steel bolted door suddenly unfastened the seven locks that held it in place; it then slid open to reveal two soldiers dressed in black army fatigue dragging a young boy into the containment cell.
>The boy looked horrible with large gashes and bruises that seemed to outline his entire body; his eyes were bloodshot red as remains of dried tears could be seen going down the sides of his face. He was walking with great effort due to boulder sized steel bracers that were strapped to each arm and leg; although, one appeared to be cracked from an obviously failed attempt at removing the device.
>As the boy was struggling to make it to the spot assigned to him a gaurd in black shoved him to the ground without warning; causing the boulder sized restraint around his arm to collide with his foot.
>As the boy fell the soldier then quickly pressed his black leather boot against the young mans back; knocking the air out of him. At this point the boy couldn't even scream, but could only make retching gasping noises with his mouth as he struggled for air.
>The young adult was trying to remove the weight of the foot crushing his back; only to have his arm collapse under the weight of his restraints. The soilder on him laughed at his turmoil before releasing the boy; causing the young man to cough violently, and began desperately trying to take in the air that he lost.
>The soldier then made a hocking noise before spitting a large wad of mucus filled saliva on the boy before exiting with the other soldier. The room was now quiet with the exception of the boy trying to regulate his breathing; Chainsaw and Ivy then exchanged glances at one another before coming back to the boy.
>Cs: "Welcome to sector- s12 kid! You just lost your right to live as a human being."
>I: "Chainsaw!"
>Cs: "What? like this is supposed to a five star hotel or something."
>I: "You don't have to be so blunt about the matter."
>Cs: "Yeah, yeah... so anyway let me give you the grand tour kid."
>Chainsaw then stood up and pointed to Ivy, who looked at the boy and Chainsaw from inside of the transparent cylinder.
>Cs: "That's Ivy; also known as the ice queen, and her body can absorb all the heat out of any space, object, or person.
>This grabbed the boys attention, and looked up at the girl in the container with surprised eyes.
"Really? So you can freeze anything?"
>I: "Sort of... as long as I'm touching it I can take the heat from it."
>Ivy then held up her hand and began to produce a white mist, which slowly rose into the air before disappearing.
"Wow..."
>Cs: "Hey! I'm so much more awesome than her; I can tear through and digest ANYTHING."
"Woah, so your like a human eating machine or something?"
>I: "Nah, more like a fatass with a severe eating disorder."
>Cs: "How about I tip over your built in toilet again?"
>Ivy stopped laughing and looked at Chainsaw with a mortified face.
>I: "You wouldn't dare..."
>They both stopped the altercation with each other when they heard the boy on the ground snickering before bursting into full blown laughter.
"Hah, you guys are pretty funny."
>I: "Hmmm well its nice to see somebody appreciate my sense of humor."
>Cs: "The days go by a lot easier if you find at least one thing to laugh at."
>Chainsaw extended his hand to the boy laying on the ground, a smile known to no one but himself on his face.
>Cs: "Names Chainsaw by the way, now lets get you off the ground kid."
>Chainsaw grasped the kids left arm, and in one swift movement picked him up and placed him against the wall.
"Thanks, you're really strong."
>Cs: "You gotta be to make it down here kid."
"Ummm... who's that over there?"
>The boy pointed to the young man sleeping on the ground; he had blonde hair and was bound to the far end of the room with a single leg chain.
>I: "Oh that's Flashback, he doesn't say much and spends most of his time asleep."
"Why do you--"
>Cs: "Call him Flashback right?"
>Chainsaw walked up to the boy and brought his fist down to the boys face; the collision with the blonde boys nose made an audible crunch noise. Though after a moment Chainsaw's fist was back in midair, and the boys face was completely unharmed.
"How did you--?"
>Cs: "I just showed you why, you just aren't aware of it."
"W-what?"
>Cs: "Heh, did I blow your mind?"
>I: "Don't just mess with him Chainsaw, he's new here."
>Ivy turns over to the boy sitting against the wall,  flabbergasted and perplexed by Chainsaw's demonstration.
>I: To put it simply he can't die; any harm that befalls him brings time back to the point before it started. This usually causes mass deja vu, or the experience that something has happened before."
"Woah..."
>Cs: "Yeah I know what you mean kid; its been two years of this guy and I still haven't been able to wrap my head around it."
>I: "So anyway...welcome to the team, and I hope we can all stay alive down here."
"Team?"
>Cs: "Yup! The things we fight down here in our "experiments" are nothing like the modded animals you were used to killing; these things are true abominations of nature."
>I: "We fight as a team though, and nobody gets left behind."
>Chainsaw reaches out his hand to the boy for a handshake, to which the boy raised his arm with some difficulty and met the hand halfway.
>Cs: "Welcome to the team errr...name?"
"I don't need one, just call me #0624."
>I: "You don't want a nickname, or something else besides your tag number?"
"Nah, I'm okay with my number."
>Cs: "Whatever floats your boat man, now lets get some rest for tomorrow."
>The boy lays back against the wall while Chainsaw and Ivy talk about random subjects; a smile had crept on his face as he drifted off into slumber.
>He had finally found something in this hell of a prison to smile about.
>He had found his first companions.
-----

>You open your eyes slowly to see a white marble ceiling, and began sorting out the events that happened earlier.
>You were nearly killed by a talking unicorn just because you asked for directions to the kitchen. If it weren't for the fact you had the jewel you would've been in two pieces in some kind of pony morgue; you glance around the room to see a row of beds made similar to a hospitals.
>The beds were all empty except for the one you were laying in; you began shifting your legs, trying to find a good position to get more comfortable in.
>For some reason they seemed heavier than you remember.
>Did Celestia decide to chain you up again?
>You then notice a multicolored patch of hair casually flowing from the lump in your sheets, and there was a very large mound rising and falling at a steady rate where your legs should be.
>How did you not notice that first?
>You turn the covers over gently to discover a familiar looking white alicorn laying across your legs sleeping soundly; her small golden tiara glowing in the light of a nearby lantern.
"Celestia decided to watch me personally huh?"
>You felt a little guilty about being such a burden to her; she seemed to be sacrificing a lot of her time just to look after you. You decided to let her be and rest a little while longer, she looked like she could use it.
>The white alicorn stirred a little before turning her head over to her other hoof she had wrapped under her head; it was amazing how elegant she looked even when asleep with the constant sway of her colorful mane.
>You couldn't hear her a sound from her either; in fact the only way you knew she was breathing were from the movements of her body.
>Laying your head back down you brace for the pain as you try to move your right arm; you knew it was badly damaged from the immediate pain you felt from moving it.
>It felt as it you placed your entire arm in the middle of an open flame, and let it sit there until it was burned to a crisp.
"Uggh!...yeah it's fucked up." you say through clenched teeth.
>Celestia immediately shot up from where she was laying and looked at you before springing off the bed and landing on the floor; a faint red blush could be seen across her face.
>Celestia(C): "Oh, I'm very sorry Anonymous...I fell asleep before I knew it and I seemed to have caused you some pain."
"That wasn't your fault, I tried to move my arm and did that to myself."
>Celestia then took a long hard look at your arm before speaking.
>C: "Anonymous please try to forgive prince Shining for lashing out at you---"
"Wait that nutcase is a prince!?"
>C: "Yes, and please refrain from calling him a nutcase; what you experienced from him happens once every blue moon. He usually only has small migraines which come from him constantly having a barrier raised around Canterlot and the surrounding area; causing him to be a little cranky, but lately he has had to use more magic since a large portion was destroyed by an unknown force."
>The last two words were emphasized as she looked sternly at you.
"Oh, so I guess... that's my fault eh?"
>C: "It's no ones fault, it was just a unlucky series of events."
>It wasn't like you completely forgave Shining, because there was absolutely no reason for him to try to kill you like that.
>However if what Celestia said wad true, you were partly responsible for his irregular behaviour.
>You rub the back of your head with your good hand while looking away from Celestia.
"I guess I can...I mean I hurt him as well, and speaking of which how is he?"
>C: "He only has minor injuries, and. he was hurt as a result of the explosion. However you were hurt several times worse due to the cost of your own magic."
>You turn to look at your right arm; which is bandaged completely and put in a white sling.
>Something you weren't gonna attempt again was moving it.
"So is that how magic works here?"
>C: " Not exactly, what you used was something called "black magic" or magic that requires a price to pay in order to function. It could demand something small like your hoof being immobilized for a period of time, or something costly like your eyesight. In some very extreme cases the cost could even be death."
>You start to see the dangerous nature of black magic, and from the looks of things you got off with a small price to pay.
"I see...so can all ponies who know magic cast black magic?"
>C: "No, only beings known as black casters can weild black magic."
"So basically I'm a black caster then?"
>C: "Yes, it appears that you ran out of your own magic a while back and were trying to use a spell to defend yourself from Shining that demanded more magic than you actually had; resulting in a price being set up for proper completion of the spell you used."
>It seemed like there were a lot of rules and conditions about magic and black magic that you've yet to learn, and asking anymore at this point would probably only confuse you further.
>You decide to move on to a new subject; one that had been bothering you for sometime.
"Celestia, you don't seem to be that surprised at my appearance, aren't I sort of like an alien here?"
>C: "*sigh* Anonymous you are indeed a rare sight, because humans were thought to be extinct here for thousands of years."
"But there WERE humans here at one point and time?"
>Yes, but that's a very long story for one sitting, so why dont I let you borrow these and you can read on your down time?"
>Celestia's horn started to glow a light gold aura, you hear rummaging from a nearby shelf as three books fly towards you before resting on your lap. The books were old and dusty with the bindings on the side beginning to peel. The first read "Humans: Fact? Or Fiction?" by Avenchi de Pone, the second was "Making Of History: Artifacts Of The Lost Human Race" by Runimere Finne.
>The last one seemed to be the oldest out of the three; you had to squint your eyes just to make out the barely legible title.
"Black Magic And Black Casters by Starswirl The Bearded?"
>C: "You can read the books in your free time, you may even find something in there to help you."
"Thank you Celestia, you've truly gone a mile and a half for me."
>A sly smile crept on Celestia's face, it was kinda creepy and made you feel uncomfortable.
>C: "Don't thank me just yet Anonymous; you still haven't heard your punishment yet."
"Punishment?"
>The whole situation with Shining Armor had made you completely forget that Celestia said there would a punishment.
"Ummm... may I ask what my crimes are?"
>C: "They're more like misdemeanors. Your slight misunderstanding with Luna, damage to the forest and palace---"
"Wait who's Luna?"
>C: "My sister and co-ruler of Equestria, who you manhandled in the forest near here."
"What!? That wasn't my fault! She attacked me first with that weird voice thing, and--"
>C: "Let me finish Anonymous, you will BOTH be punished  for fighting with each other. You will be assigned one hundred thousand hours of community service and Luna will be assigned to check up on you and help with half."
"One hundred thousand hours is bull!"
>C: "Would you rather serve dungeon time?"
>You take a minute to think and weigh your options; you didn't like the sound of one hundred thousand hours of community service, but it sounded a lot better than rotting in a dungeon for god knows how long.
"I really dont have a choice do I?
-----

>It was morning time before you realized it; the talk with Celestia had lasted most of the night. After some briefing on were you would start your community service she left the infirmary; leaving you restless with thoughts at what exactly you would be doing.
>The sun shined brightly throughout the empty infirmary, basking everything in a warm yellow glow. Birds could be heard chirping outside the window, and the bustling of the waking city outside began as you rise from your bed.
>You get up and stretch your working limbs; keeping wary of your incapacitated right arm which was nestled inside a sling. Making your way to the door of the infirmary the sounds of growling and emptiness escape your mistreated stomach; you had neglected to eat for two days now.
"Damn, gotta get something to eat.."
>You remember the directions Celestia told you to get to the dining hall, so you begin your descent through the palace. Various ponies could be seen as you made your way down each hall.
>Some ponies were flying, had nice clothing on, wearing armor, or levitating certain objects with magic; all of which stared at you as you passed them. You didn't blame them for staring however, because you were looking at each one back twice as hard.
>They were as different to you as you were to them, but some were nice enough to even greet you with a "hello" or a nod. This is what suprised you the most; with as much trouble you had been causing they were still polite.
>You spot a large white door that had a gold plate going across the top reading "Dining Hall" in ivory colored letters, and the aromas of different food could be smelled as you open the door.
"Woah..."
>Dishes upon dishes of various foods and cuisine were placed artfully around a very large table; no two dishes held the same food as you approach the breakfast galore. There were all sorts of steamed, boiled, and marinated vegetables; along with freshly picked, washed and cut fruits.
>Though the chefs really overdid it with the baking; toast, muffins, pastries, and bagels lined the outside of the table, while different individual slices of cakes were piled in the middle. It was like a feast for a king; there were three seats, and all of them were vacant so you assume this is a private room of some kind.
>You see one seat to the far right with a small card near it labeled "Anonymous", so you approach the seat and begin to sample some of the nearby dishes...and by sample you mean stuffing whatever fit inside your mouth.
>There were so many delicious tasting pastries that you start to feel bad knowing you wouldn't be able to finish them all.
>The door to the private dining room opened to reveal Celestia and the dark colored mare you saw in the forest; they walked past you and sat at the remaining seats across from you.
>Celestia(C): "Good morning Anonymous; I see you found the dining room without destroying another section of the palace this time."
"Sorry again about that..heh"
>You then then turn to face Luna; who glares daggers in your direction.
>If looks could kill you would've been in pieces; she was obviously still pissed off about the forest incident.
"Look Luna--"
>Luna(L): "PRINCESS Luna to thou, talking monkey of the forest."
"Monkey!?  My names ANONYMOUS."
>L: "Tis a pitiful name regardless."
"Look I'm trying to apologize to you..."
>Luna suddenly grabbed a bagel with a light blue aura and sent it hurtling towards your face; which you moved away from with ease.
"Whats your problem!?" you say while grabbing a piece of toast and throwing it back at her.
>The toast collided with her face and scattered into a million crumbs which entangled themselves inside her night sky mane.
>L: "Ah! How dare thou!"
"Ha! Serves you right.."
>Celestia remained impassive as you two began throwing food at each other; nonchalantly stirring a cup of coffee with her magic before sighing slightly.
>Luna tossed a piece of broccoli at you that hit the side of your chair, you then grabbed a delicious looking banana nut muffin and sent it soaring at luna. The muffin hit the end of a plate sitting beside Luna; causing its contents to spill all over her.
>She let out a suprised shriek as you began bursting into a fit of laughter.
"HAHAHAHAA!! THATS TWICE, YOU CAN'T DODGE FOR SHIT."
>Luna growled deeply, her face blushing a furious shade of red.
>That's when she suddenly lifted the entire table into the air with magic.
>L: "STUPID. HUMAN!!!
>The table was then catapulted at the chair you were sitting in; dishes and all zooming in your direction.
"Oh shi--"
>The table and assorted dishes crushed you instantly; your left arm was the only thing left sticking out from the table as you were buried beneath it.
>L: "Ha! Thou cannot dodge everything it seems."
>The food covered Luna then got up and casually strolled out of the room; leaving you and Celestia to enjoy the rest of breakfast...or what was left of it.
-----

>It took five guards to pull the table Luna threw at you off; and you were covered in all that food that you could've been enjoying too.
>She was supposed to be your partner?
>You would rather have nobody, and it would be a cold day in hell before she got an apology from you again. You are currently walking through the large hall with Celestia heading towards the throne room of the palace; Celestia was attempting small talk with you to lighten your mood.
>Celestia(C): "You and Luna really must learn to get along better than that; otherwise it's just gonna be a long and hard punishment for you both."
"You saw what happened didn't you? I tried to say sorry and she flipped a damn table on me."
>C: "You also threw food back at her; that didn't exactly help the situation."
"Arrrgh! You know what? Fine! I will work on getting along with Luna... happy now?"
>Celestia giggled a little, it was surprisingly cute for someone of her personality.
>C: "Yes, now I want you to meet a very special student of mine who will also help watch over your community service."
>You think back to what Celestia had informed you of last night; she said you would be helping around a little town called "Ponyville".
>She would send you letters to inform you of who needed help and how many hours it would be worth. Luna would also be dropping in once a week to check up on you and help with a job or two.
>It was gonna be awhile before you would be able to get your own place or settle down.
>You hang your head low and sigh as you and Celestia enter the throne room; where you both greeted by a stallion in gold armor.
>"Good Morning princess and Mr.Anonymous; Twilight Sparkle awaits outside the palace for you."
>C: "Thank you; do you have the things I requested?"
>"Yes."
>The gold armored stallion presented a large carrying bag filled with unknown items; he walked over to you with it before placing the bag at your feet.
"What's all this?"
>C: "Just a few essentials you may need."
>You pick up the large bag and throw it over your left shoulder; turning back to Celestia you look her in the eyes.
>C: "What? Is there something wrong?"
"Well I... uh... err...*sigh* ....thank you Celestia; you may be punishing me, but you're helping me twice as much; so.. thank you."
>Celestia smiled warmly and placed a wing around your shoulder, you're pretty sure it was a hug of some sort so you accept it.
>C: "Anonymous you don't need to thank me, I'm glad to help you in anyway I can. Though there is one thing I need to see before you go."
"Sure, what is it?"
>C: "The jewel you used as a medium for black magic, I want to put a limiter on it so that it wont try to burn you alive when you approach you magical limit again."
"So I would still be able to use normal magic?"
>C: "Yes, if that's what you want."
>You take the jewel out of your pocket and held it up to Celestia; she closed her eyes as her horn turned pure white. Celestia then tapped the center of the jewel; making a white sun with a ring around it appear in the middle.
>Suddenly the same marking shined through the sleeve of your shirt where your left shoulder was, then dissapeared underneath the fabric as Celestia's horn stopped glowing.
"So I'm good to go?"
>C: "Yes, follow me so you can meet Twilight."
>You step outside and feel the bright sunlight hit your face, taking a deep breath of fresh air in you realize this was your first time being outside since landing here.
>The breeze felt refreshing as you walked through the courtyard with Celestia; it felt good to get some distance between you and the palace.
>Making your way out of the courtyard you spot a purple pony with violet eyes and a very dark shade of blue colored mane; there was a highlight of violet and rose going through the pony's mane as well.
>Upon seeing you and Celestia the purple mare jumped to life and ran over to where you both stood.
>C: "How are you my most faithful student Twilight?"
>Twilight Sparkle(Ts): "Excellent princess Celestia! I have a detailed report on what I learned about friendship this week ready for you at home."
>C: "I'll be sure to read it later, but for now let me introduce you to Anonymous."
>You wave lamely at Twilight as her eyes go wide an begin to sparkle.
>Ponies can't shoot laser beams can they? Well you take a step back just in case.
"Ummm... hey there?"
>Ts: "Wow!!! It's a real live human!--"
>C: "Twilight--"
>Ts: "Humans haven't been in Equestria for thousands of years and there's suddenly one now!--
>C: "Twilight!--"
>Ts: What does he eat? How does he sleep? Can he move really fast? Can he--?"
>C: "TWILIGHT!"
>Twilight finally calmed down from her rambling and questions enough for Celestia to continue.
>C: "Please respect Anonymous as you would any other pony; he is a guest and should be treated as such."
>Twilight then looks over to you and extended her hoof, looking at you with a nervous smile.
>Ts: "Sorry about that, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and it's nice to meet you Anonymous."
>You return her outstretched hoof with your hand; shaking it as you would anyone else.
"It's no problem Twilight, and just call me Anon."
>C: "Well now that introductions are out the way, you two need to be off if you wanna make it back to Ponyville before nightfall."
>Ts: "Let's go Anon, we have a schedule to keep and we don't want to be...tardy"
>You could've sworn Twilight sounded a little weird when she said "tardy", but you brushed it off and proceeded to get into the hot air ballon the purple mare had arrived in.
>You and Twilight then were lifted off the ground and into the sky; watching Caterlot slowly shrink as you gain altitude.
>Ts: "Darn."
"What's wrong?"
>Ts: "Nothing... it's just I didn't get to say hi to my brother."
"Oh really? What's his name?"
>Ts: "His name is Shining Armor; he's a prince and captain of Celestia's royal guards."
-----

A distant scream can be heard from the ballon as Celestia watches it drift slowly from her line of sight.
>Celestia(C): "Good luck Anonymous; you're gointo to need it for what lies ahead. You come from a dark past, but your heart remains pure; it really is sad that you're cursed to be a black caster."
She slowly rises from her spot and begins to walk back to her castle, her colorful mane swaying slightly in the breeze.
-----


End Of Chapter 4: Black Caster