Smokey Arrival
Chapter 10:
Dramatic Realization
Written by: Smexy Sombra

Chad had spent the better half of the day exploring the castle and learning about the story behind it. He had finally ended up in the gardens as the sun began to fall from the sky. He watched from a bench with a smile on his face, the familiar view giving him the opportunity to remember what he once had. Sapphire was laying across his legs, snoring softly as Chad gently pet her neck.

Leaning his head back, he took in a deep breath, relishing the scent of the flowers and plants around him. Everything seemed serene at that one moment. He closed his eyes and let out a small sigh of contentment. Slowly, memories began to fill his mind.

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Chad let out a deep and hearty laugh as Eric was lying on his back, groaning with a large smile on his face. Next to him was a broken Skateboard, a testament to his failure, as Eric was simply laughing behind his teeth. Chad looked over to see the large ramp that overlooked an even larger set of stairs with a now scuffed up railing.

Eric sat up, taking off his helmet and sunglasses. He ran a slightly bloodied hand through his ratty short chocolate brown hair, his green eyes showing mirth as he looked at his now splintered board.

“In what way did you think that would work, Eric?” Chad asked as he held out a hand for his fallen friend. His friend took the help and pulled himself up and onto his feet, wavering a moment. Eric just gave a loud laugh and shrugged.

“To be honest, I was sure I was just going to over shoot it! I didn’t think I’d hit the rail and snap my board!” Eric cackled out as he looked at his battered body. Several of his knuckles were busted, his lip split open, and several bruises from hitting the stairs. “But hey! I tried and failed, all I need to know in order to never do that again.”

The two looked at each other a moment before letting out another roar of laughter. Chad threw his arms around his friend and gave him a hug from the side before beginning to walk. “Come on, you crazy bastard, let’s go get something to eat.” Eric laughed again and jogged after him, grabbing the shattered pieces of his board as he did so.

~=~=~=~=~=~=~

Chad opened his eyes with a smile on his face and few stray tears that had collected during his reminiscing. He wiped them away, happy to know that he had had some good times with Eric. The young man gave himself a few moments to relax before he attempted to get up, only to find that a three hundred pound dragon was using him as a Pillow-teddybear and keeping him from moving.

Chad let out a small sigh of irritation, shaking the dragon and prodding her to get her up. The only response he got was a small annoyed growl. He came to the conclusion that it was best to just let her snooze and avoid something painful happening. Leaning back as best he could, Chad continued to watch the sunset.

His mind drifted to other thoughts as he gazed off, mostly with what he was going to do with his life now that he was in a completely different plane of existence. The thoughts only began to build up, shifting from anger to denial to minor acceptance. He kept his heart full of hope as he thought, keeping a positive outlook on his situation, how ever bleak it may be. With a final sigh, he leaned back and let his eyes close and mind wander to other things. Specifically his friends and family back home.

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Eric sat at his desk, the program on his computer blank and stale from his lack of work. It had been almost three months since Chad had gone missing, simply blinking out of existence like a bubble being popped. The nature of the situation was still blurry, he couldn’t believe how crazy it sounded

The man rubbed a calloused hand across his unshaven face, feeling the shadow that had made its place on his jaw from his lack of hygiene. He couldn’t believe what had happened when he got the call. Chad’s family had no idea where he was, his boss had said that he had fired him and then Chad had left, and his soccer team said they had seen him walking home.

Eric rubbed his eyes with somber motions, feeling the lack of sleep and his enormous amount of work eating away at his energy. The only thing keeping him from sleeping or working was the situation behind his best friend’s disappearance. Chad was walking home and then simply vanished. The police had told Chad’s family very little, and even less was passed on to Eric.

Security footage of him simply walking into the Alleyway and then never coming back out. Said alleyway had no other exits, not even a fire escape ladder. There were no reported strange noises or signs of struggling. Either his kidnappers were VERY good at their jobs or someone, or possibly something, was playing a role in his disappearance. Either way, after the first three weeks, Police had given up the search.

He grabbed his coffee mug and took a small sip of the brown liquid, frowning as he found it to be ice cold. He stared at his mug a moment, then swirled the beverage in place and looked at the blank computer. Eric sighed and hit the sleep button before standing up and walking towards his door. He needed a moment to clear his mind, if only a few minutes. While his buddy Chad used cigarettes to calm his nerves, Eric found Coffee to be a delightful alternative.

The man chugged what was left in his cup before grabbing his jacket and walking out the front door and into the cold outside air. Eric walked down the road, away from the apartment complex, his thoughts focusing on the details of Chad’s disappearance.

While Chad’s family grieved, Eric pressed further into the case, angry and frustrated by how little anyone knew. He only wanted to know the fate of his friend. His determined nature ensured he was going to find out, one way or another.

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“Ahhh... Feels good to be home.” Chad said as he walked up to his old home, seeing his father sitting on the porch with his husky sitting across his lap. The grey furred dog yipped happily as it bound off of the chair and towards him. Chad laughed as he felt a slobbery tongue across his cheek. “Alright, down boy! Good to see you too!”

“What? No ‘how do ya do’ for your old dad?” His father said with a chuckle as he sat up from his chair. The gray hair man cracked a large smile as Chad walked over and hugged him. “It’s good to see you still remember us, kiddo.”

“Oh like I would forget mom’s birthday!” Chad stated as he let go of his father and looked towards the house. “Is she in or is she out shopping?”

“Naw, she is relaxing in the living room. Go on, I am sure just seeing you after all this time will be enough to make her ecstatic.” His father said as he walked back over to his chair and sat down, the husky hopping back onto his legs.

Nodding, Chad went to the door of his home. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the gift he had gotten his mother. A small white, rectangular box with laced golden ribbon laid in his palm. It wasn’t anything huge or expensive, but it was a gift from the heart. A simple golden locket, encrusted with a singular diamond in the middle of the locket, with a picture of their family inside. As he got inside he gave a call out to his mother.

“Hey, Ma! Are you in here?” He got silence in return before a clattering filled the air. His head turned towards the kitchen, worry beginning to fill his mind. He slowly made his way to the door, gently pushing it open. Inside was a party ready to be had, cake, presents, and streamers hung all around.

Inside he found his mother sitting at the table, tears dripping down her cheeks and his entire family sitting around her. He walked over to her, starting to put a hand on her shoulder before she began to speak. “Where could he be? Who would take my baby boy!!” She nearly shouted, bringing on a new bout of sobbing.

“We don’t know Ma, but the police have been looking everywhere for him. Even Eric has been looking none stop. Don’t worry so much, we will find him.” One of his brother’s spoke out as he leaned down to hug her.

“Wh-What are you all talking about? I’m right here!” Chad spoke out uneasily. He began to chuckle nervously. “What are you guys doing? Is this a joke or something?”

He stepped forward to reach out to his mother, to console her and show he was still there, only to find a large window in his way. He tapped the glass a few times, attempting to get through or at least get his family’s attention. After a few attempts he began to pound on the window, trying to smash his way through. “Hey! I am right here! Look at me! MA!!” He began to shout, trying to get his mother’s attention as he repeatedly beat his fists against the glass.

“I just hope he is safe....” She muttered through her sobs before the sound of a door opening was heard. Inside walked a policeman, who somberly took off his hat and looked around, his expression taking a turn for the worst.

“Mrs.Holden? It’s with our deepest regrets that we have closed the case on your son. Over the past few weeks investigators have found very little to the whereabouts of your son. We are to believe he is either out of the country or... Possibly deceased. I am truly sorry.” Before Chad could even see the reactions of his family, the window vanished, leaving him in a blank black abyss.

He was left agape, his eyes widen and pupils shrunk. He couldn’t respond. He merely dropped to his knees and began to feel tears streaming down his face. Before he knew it, he was sobbing quietly into the empty void before a voice tore him from his tears.

“Chad! Wake up!” He looked up to see who was speaking before he felt his vision become hazy and the abyss slowly faded to white.

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Chad shot up, his chest heaving with heavy breaths as he felt warm tears streaming down his cheeks. He looked up to see Sapphire sitting next to him, her claws on his shoulders as he raised a hand to wipe his eyes. As his vision cleared up a bit more, he saw the worried expression on the drake, her brow furrowed and frown pulling down the curves of her lips.

Chad was about to speak before he felt the words die in his throat, the crushing realization of what would be happening back home. The day he arrived was the same day as his mother’s birthday, and he never missed a single family birthday. That was two days ago, by now they would realize something was wrong.

The thoughts savagely tore down his positive outlook. He slumped forward, burying his face into his hands and trying his best not to sob. He felt the warmth of a leathery wing wrap around his shoulders. He looked from between his fingers to see Sapphire giving him a somber and worried expression. She didn’t have to know what he was thinking to know he was in a moment of great pain. As if given permission, Chad slowly began to cry out.

He prayed and hoped that he would find a way home, to see his family again. To play with his dog and hug his best friend. If only for a day to tell them where he has been. But in the deepest parts of his mind, he knew that it was a bit too much to hope for. He slowly quieted down after nearly an hour, the warm comfort of Sapphire’s wings and his dark thoughts slowly subsiding allowed him a moment’s respite.

Chad slowly pulled himself from her wings, wiping his eyes onto his shirt’s sleeve and sighing mournfully. He was glad he had gotten this out of his system, glad to be rid of the morale crushing thoughts for the time being and able to focus. He slowly brought his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes, clearing away any evidence of his break down.

“Thank you...” He muttered quietly as he hunched forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. Sapphire’s response was a gentle nuzzle, getting a small smile onto his lips.

“It is no trouble. If I may ask, what brought it on? I saw you thrashing like a fish out of water, nearly throwing me into the grass!” She stated, withdrawing and giving him a curious gaze. He rubbed his eyes again and leaned back.

“Just a bad dream and a soul draining realization. I’ll be fine though! Nothing to worry about.” He said quickly, waving a hand in the air to dismiss the subject as fast as he could. Sapphire’s gaze turned stoic as she look at him, making his brows furrow in wonder. “What’s with that look?”

“What are you not telling me?” She asked, leaning closer. Chad leaned away, slightly startled by the inquisitive drake. “It can’t be that simple.”

Chad sighed once more and scratched his chin. “Look, I will tell you more later, but... Not right now.” He told her. The drake looked at him a moment before nodding.

“Very well, I will be patient.” Chad gave a grateful smile to her and stood up, stretching out his arms and legs. He let out a small groan of relief as several joints and bones popped when he stood up.

“Well the moon is up. That should be a good sign that dinner is almost, or is, ready. What do you say we go take a look?” He asked the drake as he began to walk off towards the kitchen. Sapphire smiled and hopped off the bench, trotting after him.

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Celestia sat at the dining table, deep in thought over the past events. The calmness and smiles that the cooks and servants worked with always aided her in gaining a better mood. However, current events were preventing any positive thoughts from entering her mind.

The doctors had started working on ways to help lessen Chad’s condition and would get rather close before hitting a wall. The best thoughts given so far were physical exertion and ‘burning’ the magic out of his body. The latter would be a doctor literally putting a spell in the body and letting the body’s excess energy feed it until the magic inside him was at a safe level. Though slightly dangerous was so far the best means of getting the magic out of him. She was ripped from her thoughts by a sudden prodding. She turned to see Luna with a raised eyebrow staring down at her.

“I thought I would find you here.” She spoke as she put her hoof down. “I haven’t seen you thinking that hard since you were deciding with Cadence which cake to buy on her wedding.” Luna joked with a grin as Celestia groaned.

“It is an important decision!” Celestia argued before putting a hoof onto the bridge of her nose and sighing. “But that’s not important, what is important is wrong with Chad. He’s-”

“The doctors already informed me, sister. And if I may say, you are worrying a bit too much.” Luna spoke as she sat by Celestia and watched as the doors opened to see several servants and cooks preparing the dining room for dinner.

“And you worry too little.”

“He may be in trouble, but the levels of magic are not at levels of lethality. And until they are, you should let the doctors and professionals do what they do best.” Luna stated, giving a smile to the kitchen staff as they began to set the table. “I would seriously consider restraining from telling him about his condition. It would only induce panic and stress. And considering his most recent thoughts and dreams, it would be the wisest decision to keep him from doing anything rash.”

Celestia gave Luna a quizzical look, about to ask her what she meant, only to have her words cut off by Luna raising a hoof. “This is no place to discuss private matters. When dinner is over, I shall tell you what you wish to know.” Celestia only sighed irritably and nodded. Her mind wandered to what Luna could be suggesting, her mind slowly slipping from worry to curiosity. She remained with a quizzical expression on her muzzle until the dining hall doors opened.

Author's Note

Don't worry, I have a plan for the upcoming Chapters, so save your curious questions for later.
You will all get your answers in time. ;)