Chapters Max suddenly woke up from being unconscious for three days. His body was sore all over for some reason. He couldn't move a muscle. It hurts every time he attempts to move. “Where am I?” he said as he looked around.
“You, sir, are in a tree house,” a voice said.
Max looked around, startled by what he heard. “Who are you,” Max said, fearing of the voice.
“Calm down. I'm in your head. Just talk to me in the nogin, alright? As for who am I? I'm your opposite, you dipshit.”
“What do you want?” This time, he thought of the words.
“Nothing, really. I’m just glad that the idiot that fell unconscious in the Everfree Forest is now conscious.”
“What happened?”
“Well, scene you’re in the dark, you poor soul of an idiot, I’ll enlighten your puny mind as to what happened.”
“…You’re a dick.”
“Well, what gave that away I wonder?”
“Whatever just tell me what happened.”
“Well, when you’re running away from the village mob-“
“Village mob?!”
“Yea. You were called a demon for having me. Got it memorized?”
"Where was I running away from?"
"Let's just say you're from an Equestrian town and you ran for your life. Period."
"Wait, why won't you tell-"
"Period."
"*sigh*So, what happened?"
"When you and the village found out your cutie mark, they flipped. Chaised you out of that city with torches screaming ' kill
it with fire!' It was so hilarious! Man, if I can put it on replay, I'll play that manure for decades!"
“…*Sigh* Go on.”
“Yes, you ran for your life. Man, that face that you made when running! Bucking priceless! You ran for a whole day! Even when the mob gave up, you kept running. Care to enlighten me as to why?”
“…You know why.”
“Yes, but I want to here it from your own mental voice.”
“…Because I was afraid.”
“And why were you afraid?”
“Because I’m afraid of facing the people that abandoned me.”
“So what does that makes you?”
“…A coward.”
“ *sigh* I love it when you admit your own faults.”
“Shut up! And if I may ask, who are you !?”
“Are you stupid? Oh wait, yes. I’m your bucking opposite you-“
“No, I mean: What’s your name ?”
“… Why you ask?”
“Well, sense I have to deal with you for the rest of my life, I might as well know what to call you.”
“… I don’t have a name, you retard. I’m you; your other. I’m the opposite of you. Why the hell would I need a name for?”
“…Xam.”
“What?”
“That’s your new name: Xam. Sense you’re the opposite of me, I might as well reverse my name and give it to you.”
“…You are seriously a retard. But since it’s from you, I’ll take it. And just so we’re clear: It’s not like I hate the name or anything, ok? It’s just that I have nothing else better in mind and I hate complications.”
“Alright, Xam, what now?”
“*sigh* After you passed out like an idiot, an orange Pegasus with purple hair came and took you here. Thank Celestia that you were breathing, or else she would leave your dumb flank back at that forest.”
“Huh. So I should thank her if I had a chance.”
Just then, Max heard footsteps from the door. “Who’s there,” Max asked.
“Oh, you’re awake. I thought taking you was all for nothing,” came a voice.
“Are you the one that rescued me,” he asked.
“Yea. Give me a sec to get up there. Then, we’ll talk,” the voice responded.
“Make sure you thank her properly, you dipshit, or else I’ll take over”
“Celestia, the idea of letting you taking control scares me.”
“Good. And I’d like to keep it that way”
“Are you ok,” the voice said that shocked Max into reality. He turned his head to find an orange pegasis with purple hair next to him, looking down at him.
“Oh, yea. I’m ok. Thanks for helping me out back there.” Max replied.
“No problem. Names Scootaloo. What’s yours?”
“My name’s Max. I was wondering where am I? Can you fill me in?”
Scootaloo filled Max in, from where he is, to the CMC, and basically anything any lost and confused pony would ask.
“Now that I told you what I know, it’s your turn to answer my question.” Scootaloo finished.
“Alright, ask away.” Max replied.
“Where did you come from?”
Max’s face expression turned from generous to a dark, blank expression. Even his black eyes, if ever possible, darkened. “I…I don't know.”
“What? Why,” Scootaloo pressed.
“Please… stop,” Max said. Xam was for whatever reason want to scream in rage. Max tries to control the endless rage coming from Xam.
“Come on, how can you forget where you're born and raised?”
“Just… stop… I’m begging you,” Max begged, trying to control Xam from exploding before-
“It can’t be that bad. Come on and tell-“
“STOP ASKING, YOU BUCKING IDIOT! CAN’T YOU SEE HE DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!?”
Scootaloo stopped and was both shocked and scared. Max’s eyes went from black to… red. His short main went from black to red. His coat was from gray to a straight black. His voice; from gentle and calm to harsh and scathing. It's as if... he's a completely different pony. Scootaloo managed the only words out of her mouth: "Who... are you?"
It was Xam. He realized he took over and quickly retreated, making Max in total control, physically and mentally.
“Scoot… I’m so sorry,” Max, said, shaking from his recent action.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pressed,” Scootaloo replied with a sad expression,” I guess my curiosity got the better of me.”
“No… sense I was the one who screamed, I should answer that question. The one that you asked 'Who are you'. Again, I'm Max and that guy was-"
"Don't you bucking dare!"
"She has to at least know who you are, Xam! After all, you SCREAMED at her!"
"Well, she should mind her own damn business, now should she."
"YOU'RE THE WORST!"
"GEE, I WONDER HOW THE TARTERUS DID YOU FIND THAT OUT! Maybe it's my completion? YOU BUCKING TELL ME!"
"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!"
"BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO PROTECT YOU, BUCKING IDIOT!!"
"... What?"
"*sigh* It's better this way. Trust me."
"Hey, are you ok?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yea, I'm-" Max managed before he blacked out.
Max woke up again, this time was at night. He slowly rose himself up and find that his sore's almost gone. He found gauze wrapped around his right hoof. He tries to move his left hoof, but couldn't budge. Not only that, there was warmth and pressure on his left hoof. He turned his head to find that he was next to Scootaloo... and closer than he should.
"Oh, buck."
"Dude, if you'er not going to buck her, I will."
"Oh, you're back..."
"Hey, I'm just trying to protect you, ok? It's better if you, that pegasus, or anyone doesn't know where you're from. Trust me. Now then, for that flank-"
"Xam, don't you bucking dare-"
"And what's going to stop me?"
"Me."
"HA. I laugh at that threat."
"Seriously, please don't do it."
"What, it's not like you like her, right?"
"..."
"Oh, Celestia. ARE YOU BUCKING KIDDING ME!? YOU LIKE HER!? You don't even know her for a full DAY!!!"
"It's not like that, ok? I mean... what would she think of me if I do that to her!"
"I will; not you."
"With my body!"
"Hey, the blame's on you. Not me."
"I let you off the hook for the yelling, but if you even touch a single strand of her hair-"
"What, that purple mess? Pu~lease, I wouldn't even touch that rat's nest with a 10 foot pole."
"Her hair is beautiful!"
"Coming from the guy that likes her? Yea, that sums it up."
"I don't like her!"
"Dude, you're me and I'm you. We practically share the same feelings. Your's is romantic (kill me), while I'm all about that flank that will be up all over this D!"
"Ok, one: Aww, thank you; And second: YOU'ER DISGUSTING!"
"Hey, like I said: You're me and I'm you. We are male. We have two heads. You take the top while I take over the *elbows* *elbows* *wink* *wink* *points down*"
"Don't you dare-"
"Look! Erect, cringe, erect, cringe, erect, cringe, ere-"
"Stop it!"
"-ct, cringe, erect, precum!"
Max covered his private, hoping that Scootaloo wouldn't wake. Sadly, because Max moved his left hoof,Scootaloo woke up, stretching. "Oh, hey Max," said Scootaloo as she finished stretching, "You'er up. Good, cause I was getting worried."
"Yea. Hey, what time is it," Max asked, hoping to stall Scootaloo long enough to convince Xam to settle down. Luckily, Xam obliged.
Scootaloo looked around and saw the clock."Um, it's 6:30 A.M. Just in time for the sunrise. Hey Max, wanna come with me to see the sunset? There's a hill over here that's great for the scenery. It's really cool."
"That sounds nice. Sure, why not. I need to move after not moving for so long."
With that, Max and Scootaloo walked to the hill and waited. Max noticed that there are trees bearing apples as far as the eye can see. He decided to take one since he was hungry from not eating for what is now four days. He gently bucked a tree making a perfect apple fall down. He picked up the apple and takes a bite. The sweat taste of the apple filled his mouth. With every bite, a new splash of sweet, sweet apple taste takes over his mouth. Next thing he knew, he had inhaled three apples and was on his way for the forth one.
As he was finishing his forth one, they were already at the hill. Max was about to start on his fifth apple when he heard a low growl. He turned his head to the direction of the noise, only to find out that it came from Scootaloo's tummy. "Whoops. Heh, sorry 'bout that. I haven't ate yet," Scootaloo said with a blush.
"Haha, it's ok. Here take it," Max said, tossing the apple to Scootaloo. Scootaloo caught the apple, looked at Max, then back at the apple, and devoured the apple. When she finished, she looked up to Max, finding out that he was holding back his laughter.
"Hey! Stop laughing," Scootaloo shouted.
"Sorry, sorry. It's just... it's so funny watching you eat. It's kinda cute, really." Max replied. Realizing what he said for the last part, Max suddenly blushed and quickly tries to think of an escape plan.
"So, er, when will the sun rise?" Max asked, trying to change the subject.
Then, as if on cue, Celestia's sun rose sending a wide spread of yellow and light to the big blue sky.
"It's...it's beautiful," Max said. Seeing the sunrise gave him... something. He can't put his hoof on it, but seeing the sunrise made him feel... warm inside.
"Yea, it's cool, isn't it?"
"Yea. Hey, I was wondering: What are you doing today?" Max asked, out of curiosity.
"Hmm? School, why?"
"I got nothing else to do, so I might as well go where ever you go." It's true. Max has nowhere else to go. According to Xam, he was chased out of his home. He has nothing to do; nowhere else to go. Unless, that is, if Scootaloo agrees if he can come with her to school.
Scootaloo thought for a moment, then said, "Sure. That way, I can introduce you my two other friends."
"Cool. Can't wait." Max replied. He can't wait to meet two other ponies. Except that the two he will meet in the future will be his worst enemies.
If Max can say one thing: It's that he regrets letting Xam out for the second time. Who knew he would cause more trouble as already is. Granted, she deserve it for what she said to Scootaloo, maybe less. But still! If only he didn't agree with Xam, would things be different? Or would things be the same? He even scared Scootaloo! Letting Xam out was the WORST idea he had ever done. Now, because of him, Max has two possible new enemies in Ponyvile. Max shook his head trying to forget what had happened. He curled himself in the bush and continued to attempt to forget what had ever happened.
Ten Minuets Ago ......
Max and Scootaloo were walking to school. The day was clear, the air was cool, and the scenery was joyous. Nothing could ruin the day if it tried. Scootaloo was telling him about Sweetie Bell and Applebloom, how they met, how they made the CMC club, and the adventures they did.
"Wow, that sounds... dangerous." Max examined as she finishes her stories.
"But how else are we gonna find our cutie mark," Scootaloo asked, " I mean, that's why we have The Cutie Mark Crusaders, to find our cutie marks. Hey, why don't you tell me how to get a cutie mark. You know, since you have one and all."
"Well, to get your cutie mark you-"
"No, no, no, no, no, no no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no Max. No. I'm going to stop you right there and make sure you don't tell her."
"What? Why not! They're hurting themselves if I don't tell them. Didn't you hear? What ever they do, they often end up in tree sap! And THORNS!"
"And, all the more reason why I'm going to stop you so they can continue to find what their cutie marks are. I won't have my comedy!"
"Your's; not mine."
"And your point is?"
"... How is it that I can deal with you?"
"Because you have to deal with me for the rest of your life and the fact that you give up so easily. Also, because you love me."
"Disregarding that last part."
"Eh, you have no obligation to object."
*a quick pause* "Touché, Xam, touché."
"Max," Scootaloo said as she waved her hoof in front of Max as he stared into space while having a conversation with Xam.
"Ma~x, you there?"
Max shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Sorry, what was I doing?"
Scootaloo gave him a puzzling look. "You were going to tell me how to get a cutie mark."
Right, Max thought. How is he going to get himself out of this? Should he lie? But if he tells the truth, Xam would take over. And the idea still scares him.
"Well, you see Scootaloo," he swallowed, " to get a cutie mark-"
"Means that you are worth something," a voice finished.
Max turned to find two earth ponies, one pink and one gray. The pink one wore a diamond tiara and looks like a princess or something(minus the wings and horn). The gray one wore huge glasses and... was it Max's imagination, or did she... frown for a second. Max brushed off the idea.
"Can I help you...?" Max began.
"Oh, for give me. I'm Diamond Tiara, daughter of Filthy Rich: The richest pony in Equestria," the pink one explained.
"And I'm-" the gray one began.
"This, here, is Silver Spoon," she said bluntly, cutting of Silver Spoon.
Ouch, Max thought. He looked at Silver Spoon again, and this time he knows he didn't imagine it. Silver Spoon frowned for a second, then her mood was up and posturing. "Something's wrong here," Max thought.
"What do you two want?" asked Scootaloo. Max noticed the air around him seems... tense.
"I'm guessing you two, umm, hate each other?" he guessed.
"Oh no," Diamond Tiara started, sarcastically, "hate is such a strong word for this blank flank."
"Oh yea? What wrong with being a blank flank!?" Scootaloo shouted angrily.
"Oh nothing, blank flank. It's just that you don't have anyone to take care of you. I mean, you don't even have a mom or dad," Diamond chuckled.
The words took Scootaloo back a little. But she kept her defense. "I'm being taken care of by Rainbow Dash! At least she's better than your mom and dad!"
"Ha! At least I have one. Besides, your being taken cared of by the Element of Loyalty. If she wasn't loyal, she'd drop you like stone; as a blank flank you are. heck,you two aren't related by blood. That's what you are: abandoned, worthless, blank flank!"
"I... well, I..." Scootaloo began, when tears starts to well up. "It's... It's true," she thought, "I'm...I'm..."
Her train of thought was stopped by Max, placing his black hoof in front of her. Wait, black? She looked up to see that...other Max again.
"Don't cry," he said. His voice was still scathing, but there's something different about it. Something... reassuring. "This's going to be over real quick."
Max/Xam's POV
"Oh no," Diamond Tiara started, sarcastically, "hate is such a strong word for this blank flank."
"Oh no she did not just, "Max thought.
"That's strike one."
"Xam?"
"I'll give her two more. If she crosses the line, don't you bucking dare hold me back."
"No! I'm not letting you take over again!"
"Try me, you dipshit."
"Oh nothing, blank flank. It's just that you don't have anyone to take care of you. I mean, you don't even have a mom or dad," Diamond chuckled.
"That's strike two."
"Ok, I'll admit; that was uncalled for. But still, I'm still not letting you take over."
"Don't you dare stop me, Max. I'm not in the mood for your shit."
*Mutters* "...What happened to you, Xam?"
"I'm not letting this bitch live, you hear, Max? So if you want to fight me, then let's fight for control."
"...That's what you are: abandoned, worthless, blank flank!"
"Xam."
"What do you want?"
"Buck her up. Make sure she knows what fear really means."
*grins widely* "With pleasure."
Max closed his eyes and inhaled. As he exhaled, he slowly turn into Xam. Xam opened his eyes and looked at Scootaloo. She was on the verge of tears. He had to reassures her somehow. He slowly lift his hoof and puts it in front of Scootaloo.
"Don't cry," Xam said, calmly, "This's going to be over real quick."
With that, Xam dashed over to Silver Spoon. He was so fast that she barely reacted. Luckily for her, Xam only wanted to pass a message: "You might want to back up if you want to be safe."
Then, in another second, he was in front of Diamond Tiara. She was frozen in fear when she stared into Xam's eyes. "You should learn when to stop, you know," Xam said.
Before she could react, or even utter a sound, Xam grabbed het throat with his right hoof. Then, he stood up, pulling her throat with him, making her stand as well. Next, he took a wide step forward next to her, force his hoof down making Diamond loose her balance and fall backwards. Last, Xam shifted some of his weight on to his right hoof, making it hard for Diamond to breath. "You are a naughty one, you know that? You need to be punished ." Xam said with a devilish grin.
With his free hoof, he slapped Diamond left to right to left again.At this point, Diamond was more scared of Xam then death. Death was instant, Xam made it torture to be conscious. He continued to slap her back and forth until he heard "Stop!"
He looked to see that it was from Silver Spoon. She, herself, was on the verge of tears. He looked at Silver Spoon ,then at Diamond, then back to Silver Spoon. He realizes that he might've taken it a bit too far. He might as well end it. With one more sigh, and one more inhale, Xam shot he two front legs and screamed, "DAMNIT!!"
With all of his energy, he forced down his two legs down at Diamond, only he missed on purpose. "If you even DARE make her cry again, I swear by Celestia's sun and Luna's moon that I will make sure that you'll never speak again. Do you understand, bitch?"
Diamond was still recovering physically and mentally as to what happened. Xam has no patience what so ever so he repeated, only louder. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?"
"Yes," Diamond finally mustered.
"Good. Now, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
With that, Diamond dashed out of Xam's clutches and next to Silver. They slowly walked away until Silver Spoon stopped, turned, and ran to Xam. "What do you want?" he gleamed.
"I just want to say... thank you. For stoping and..." she paused, as if her whole life she wanted to say the next few works, but she stopped, shook her head, and tries to continue," for showing mercy on Diamond Tiara."
"Is that all," Xam asked.
"Yes," Silver confirmed.
"Then go. Get out of here before I change my mind."
"...Thank you."
She turned and ran back to Diamond; continuing their way.
Xam calmed down a little and turned back to Scootaloo, only that she was scared. Xam gave a confused look and took a step forward. Scootaloo took a step back, scared of the new Max. Realizing what was going on, Xam looked down and smiled a sad smile. "So, it's come to this."
He looked up at Scootaloo one more time, smiling, "I'm sorry I scared you. I'll be off now."
He turned and aimed wondrously running away from Scootaloo and. As he ran, Xam slowly turned to Max. As Max continues to run, he found a bush large enough so he can cry in. He was practically heartbroken. The look on Scootaloo's face when Xam looked at her. The face that Max never wanted to see, yet he saw. He kept running until he was in the bush and curled himself up and cried. Salty tears ran from his eyes to cheek as he tries to muffle his cry.
...then there's the meeting...
Scootaloo stood as she witness what had happened. Max was suddenly at Silver Spoon, then to Diamond Tiara. On top of that, he’s BEATING Diamond Tiara to a pulp. Just who is this pony? Where did he come from? …What is he? Thoughts and questions flow into Scootaloo as she stood there, looking down and away from what was going on.
What can she do? What should she do? Scootaloo was thankful that Max is stopping Diamond Tiara from talking, but not to this extent. Not to a point that anypony would do this. Why is he doing this? More and more questions and thoughts poured into her mind, but were stopped when she heard “Stop!”
She looked up to see Silver Spoon on the verge of tears. Then Max raised both of his hoofs, screaming “DAMNIT!” then slamming them down on Diamond Tiara. Did he miss? “Please, Celestia,” Scootaloo prayed, “Please tell me that he missed. Please!”
As if her wish was answered, Diamond Tiara ran from Max and next to Silver Spoon. They slowly turned and walk away. Then, Silver Spoon turned and ran to Max. What now? It looks like they are having a conversation. What are they talking about? Silver Spoon turned and ran next to Diamond Tiara and they continued on walking. Max turned around and Scootaloo found herself staring at his red eyes. Those eyes. Why does it strike fear into her? “Their just eyes… right,” Scootaloo thought,” There’s nothing scary about red eyes. “
But, those eyes… they strike fear into Scootaloo. Those eyes made her pony blood run cold. Max took a step forward. What’s he going to do to her? Scootaloo took a step back out of fear. Why did she do that? Nothing bad was going to her… was it? She continues to wonder, but max spoke broke her train of thought. “Sorry if I scare you,” he said, smiling,” I’ll go now.”
Max turned and ran away form her. “Wait!” Scootaloo shouted, but was too late. He’s already gone. She wanted to run after him, but she’s still to scared. “ Come on, legs! Move!” Scootaloo urges. She wanted to catch up to Max, but why does she want to run away from him as well? At last, with all of her might, she ran and chased after Max. After the hopeless search, Scootaloo gave up and continued back to school. Hoping at least Max's there.
Max/Xam’s POV
“Oh, Celestia. What have I done?”
“Are you still crying, Max? Get over that already!”
“And your not!?”
“…No, I’m not. But if I keep crying, what good would that do? It’ll just waste time. Nothing good will come if you sit and cry all the time.” *looks down with an angry look* “Believe me, I know.”
“Ha, like you know anything.”
* looks up at Max*“Don’t test me, buddy.”
“I’m not your buddy.”
“No, of course not. Want to know what you are? A CRYING BABY THAT STILL SUCKS HIS HOOF! GET OVER IT ALREADY! ...*sigh* It’s not like she’s goanna come and find us anyways. You saw her.”
“Don’t remind me, you monster.”
“And who let me in the first place? If anything, you’re the same as me. We’re both monsters. Never meant to exist.”
“…How can you say that? Even if-” *stops for a moment, then looks down* “Even if it were true.”
“… Look kid. I’m… sorry you had to see that. That… maybe was a bit to far.“
“A BIT?”
“Hey, you agreed with me, so shut up.”
“*sigh* Does it matter anymore? We might as well leave Ponyvile and go far away.”
“Just like home.”
“Hey. Since you remember what home was like, tell me about it.”
“…I prefer to keep that to myself, thank you.”
“Why not?”
“Drop. It. Now!”
“Fine. Don’t tell me. But one day, you will.”
“Ha! Over my dead… body.”
“Xam?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Max heard some ruffling in the bush and looked around. Who’s here? He doesn’t want to speak, fearing that somepony was near the bush and find him. Who could be in this bush? As far as he knows, it’s only him and him alone. Well… minus Xam. Who else could it be?
“Hey. Are you ok? ,” said a voice.
“Gee, smart one. What gave that away,” Max caught himself murmuring. He looked up to see a white pony with purple and pink mane.
“Uh, yea. I’m ok,” Max said, quickly whipping the tears so she won’t notice.
“What are you doing here,” the filly asked.
“Uh… just, uh, admiring the view,” Max said quickly, ”Uh, yea! That’s it! Just admiring the view!. Hehe…”
The filly gave an unconvincing look. She took Max’s hoof and pulled him out of the bush. Max was confused, but decided not to fight against this filly. When they were both out of the bush, max covered his eyes from the sun. Was he in the bush that long? The filly turned to Max.
“So, what were you doing in there,” the filly asked again, this time was actually expecting an actual answer.
Max sighed. He looked down, avoiding even looking at the concerned filly.
“I ran away from someone. I… did something horrible in front of her. And now she’s scared of me. I can’t… see her again,” Max said.
Every word Max said made him shiver out of fear and loneliness. Xam screamed, telling him to get over it, but Max wasn’t listening despite the fact that he was in his mind. He can only think of Scootaloo and her scared face. He was slowly enveloping himself in that only thought until the filly placed her hoof on his shoulder. Max was startled a bit. He looked up to the filly and looked at her bright lime eyes.
“Want to come with me? I think Miss Cherilee can help you. She’s good at making other ponies feel good,” the filly said. (If you thought dirty thoughts while reading that, go to the Waterfall of Forgiveness. -by Brony Hectic)
“You… are you sure,” he asked. He doesn’t want to go, but he kind of needs Xam to stop nagging and he kind of needs to cheer up. Depression didn’t suit him very well.
“Yea! Come on,” the filly said, grabbed his hoof and ran towards a red building… that looks like a school.
“Oh, buck,” Max thought. As they continued to the school, he began to have the curiosity to ask who she is until he actually asked her out of compulsion.
“So, who are you,” he asked.
“Oh, my name is Sweetie Belle,” the filly answered.
“Oh, buck me twice,” Max thought. He had a feeling that bad things are going to happen to him, starting with Scootaloo.
Once they entered the school, the bell ranged and all the colt and fillies sat at a desk, except Max. He stood by the entrance, next to the door. He looked around and found three desks empty, one next to a green pony, who seems to be sleeping, and two next to each other. Scootaloo was also here in the class. Crap. He looked away from her, fearing of meeting eye to eye with her.
The door opened and a purple pony with two different hues of pink for her mane walked through. “This pony's a mare. So she must be the teacher,” Max thought.
To confirm his suspicion, the mare spoke.
“Ok class. Today, we are going to learn about- oh, and who might you be,” the mare asked.
“Miss Cherilee! He’s new here,” answered Sweetie Belle.
Not what he exactly had in mind? But it did cheer him up the fact that Sweetie Bell was trying to help, so he decided to follow along.
“Yes, I just recently, er, moved here,” Max lied. “Better then anything,” he thought.
“Oh, then why don’t you introduce yourself,” Cherilee asked.
“Ok?” Max questioned.
He walked up in front of the class, next to Miss Cherilee, coughed a little for preparation, and began.
“Hello, everyone. My name is-“
Then, the green filly bolted up as if her seat was electrocuted.
“Max...” the green filly muttered loudly.
“Um… yes?” he asked
“Oh my Celestia…Aurora...”
“Who?”
“Your…childhood friend.”
“What!?”
“I ...I can’t believe she’s here.”
“What’s going on!?”
“For the love of Celestia, shut up, Max.”
“Confusion!”
Max stared at the green filly skeptically. "Who is she and why does she know me," he thought. To his surprise, she ran up to him, tackled him, and hugged him tightly.
“I can’t believe it! It’s really you! I’m not dreaming, am I?” the green filly cried while squeezing the life out of Max.
“Um… Aurora, right?” Max attempted to confirm. The way he said id must've sounded lost because Aurora loosened her grip and lifted herself above Max. He saw a tear running down her cheek.
“This ...isn’t awkward at all,” Max thought.
“You… don’t remember me,” Aurora asked with a hurt face. She looked like she was actually crying.
“Oh, damn Max. Think, think, think…” Max thought.
“No, it’s… great to see you again. That’s all,” Max lied. He broke one heart already, he’s not going to break another one.
A wide smile formed around Aurora’s face and continued to squeeze Max. He used his last breath to cough, signaling Aurora that she is making a scene. She got up and looked around. All eyes are on the pair, even Miss Cherilee’s. She quickly got up and tries to compose herself as much as she can while Max slowly got up, trying to catch some air Aurora squeezed out of him. The silence felt forever until Miss Cherilee broke with a cough.
“Well,” Miss Chierilee began, “that was, um, quite a show you two, but we have a class to start. Since you two seem to have a lot to catch up, Max, why don’t you sit next to Aurora? But no talking during lessons, ok?”
“Yes miss,” Max managed to say, still recovering from Aurora’s attack.
Max followed Aurora to her seat and sat next to the empty desk next to her. With that, class began and Max went to snooze land.
...then fates intertwine...
As class began, Max suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. He tries to stay up, but quickly drifted in to sleep and dream.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the dream, he’s standing in a spotlight surrounded by black. He looks around, trying to understand what’s going on. Xam was suddenly behind him, in his own spotlight. Max quickly turned around to find Xam. Why is he here? Is this normal?
“What. You look like you saw a ghost,” Xam said with a joking skeptic look.
“It’s just… what’s going on,” Max asked, looking around seeing nothing but darkness.
“Well, you are in what we ponies call ‘dreaming’, little one,” Xam sarcastically joked.
“Ha, ha, funny. Seriously, what are we doing here,” Max said, cutting to the point.
Xam face dropped to seriousness. It’s as if he’s emotionless. Max swallowed, readying himself for what he just asked for.
“Alright, I’ll get right to it,” Xam started, “how much do you remember?”
“What?” Max questioned, trying to comprehend what Xam just asked. It’s like Xam asked him something in gibberish.
“Before you woke up in that tree house, do you remember anything before that?” Xam bluntly pressed.
Max ran through his memories, trying to “remember” anything before the tree house.
Nothing.
He remembers nothing before the tree house. Why is that? Xam cut in, stopping Max’s thinking process.
“By the look you’re making now, I’m guessing nothing?” Xam asked.
“How do you-. What’s going on,” Max demanded. His answer was a silent look of concern and pity followed by a sigh.
“You really don’t remember anything? Not even a little?” Xam said with a hurtful face.
It gave Max a shiver down to his hooves, seeing Xam like that. Why is he concerned about this? What difference does it make if he doesn’t remember? But, then again, why is Xam suddenly concerned about this?
As Max continued to think, Xam starred at him. “Does he not really remember? ,“ Xam thought,” At lease a little. I mean, she practically changed his life from that living hell. She almost literally raised him when those bastards of a parents couldn’t. Does he really not remember Aurora?”
As thoughts continued through their brains, Xam finally spoke: “Let me take over for the day.”
The statement threw Max off. Xam wants to take over? Why? There were multiple times where he actually took over, no questions asked. Granted, it was only twice, but now? Why now? Why is he demanding to take over? No… it’s more like he’s asking. Max can’t put a hoof on it, but he felt as if Xam was asking him to take over.
No!
He shook his head clearing his thoughts. He can’t take over! Every time he took over, another pony gets hurt because of him. Max finally decided to stand his ground and said, “No. I’ not goanna let you.”
“It’s for your own good, genius. Can’t you let me do something right? At least once,” Xam started, ”Things aren’t going to be as you always think. I can read your thoughts. I swear, on Celestia’s sun and Luna’s moon,” Xam raised his left hoof, ”I’m not going to make another pony fear us. If anything else, I’m going to fix it.”
Now that really threw Max off. The serious look he was giving and the fact that he swears makes Max actually starting to reconsider things. Will he? Will he really do that? Max took a sigh before answering.
“Fine. If you swear on Celestia’s sun and Luna’s moon, then I guess you can take over. Just remember, if you break that promise, pony hell will be the least of your worries.”
“Ha, good luck with that. But, seriously though,” Xam looked down for a moment, then looked backed up… smiling. An actual, genuine, kind smile, “Thank you.”
“Oh Celestia, please don’t do that, ”Max said, looking away from the surprising horror he had just laid eyes on, ”Just take over while I crawl in our mental corner and gouge my mental eyes. Celestia, the horror.”
Max turned away and walked to the corner, sat, and…well… slept. Turning into Xam and letting him do what ever he wants to do actually tired Max mentally. Xam looked at Max and kindly chuckled a little bit. “Thank you, Max. You won’t regret this.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xam slowly woke up, yawning and stretching. Apparently, class was still going on and Xam just happens to be interrupting. Luckily, Miss Cherilee almost didn’t recognize Xam. But, sadly, knew it was still him. “He must’ve asked some other unicorn to temporarily changed his colors. I’ve seen some of those,” Cherilee thought, then added, “well… myself included.”
Since Max (Xam) interrupted the class, Miss Cherilee coughed to get regain the class’ attention. “Max, since you have the curtsey to interrupt the class, why don’t you answer this question?” she said, pointing at the board.
On the board were a series of questions, but Miss Chirlee pointed to a rather particular one. It showed an outline of an earth pony and the questioned said: where are the main strong points of an earth pony?
Xam looked at the question skeptically. Is she asking for an answer that is as easy as any number plus that number? Then multiply the sum by two. Then take that and divide it by four. Finally, subtract the product with the original number. The answer would be zero. That’s how many fucks he was giving about the question. (Mindblown?)
Xam sighed looked at Miss Cherilee, back to the question, then back to Miss Cherilee. He can obviously tell she is waiting for an answer. He looked back at the board, seeing the same question again. He looked back at Miss Cherilee, only to find her nearly on the verge of demanding Xam to answer the question. He decided to finally speak.
“It’s the whole body, Miss Cherilee. An earth pony is known for their strength and stamina. Also farming, but that’s another story.”Xam stated, mater of factly.
“Thank you, Max,” Miss Cherilee said with a sigh. She was about to give in and demanded an answer rudely. And a teacher should not show her mean side to the students. At least, not Miss Cherilee.
As class continued, Xam stared out into space until he felt a nudge on his side. He turned to find Aurora giving him a note. He reluctantly took the note and opened it. It said: ”So, you’re back? Who are you this time?”
He quickly scribbled: ”His opposite. Name’s Xam, by the way.” He folded the note and passed it to Aurora. She read it and made some quick scribbles, folded the note, then passed it back to Xam. He opened the note and read: “Ok. So, how’s Max doing.”
Xam thought for a moment before he scribbled: ”He’s mentally tired and is sleeping. It’s really nice to see you again, Aurora.”
He folded the note (again) and gave it back to Aurora. She (again) opened the note and read it (again), quickly scribbled (again), folded the note (again) and passed it to Xam (again). Xam read the note, saying: “Do you really remember me? “
Xam was stunned by what he read. He felt a little pain in his heart, but was determined to prove to her that he still remembers her. He quickly scribbled: “How can I forget the filly that ‘accidently’ dropped my favorite ice cream down the pond? Just so you know, you still owe me 2 bits.”
He folded the note and handed it back to Aurora. She read the note and blushed. “That was new,” Xam thought.
She quickly wrote something, then quickly erased it and wrote again. Xam raised an eyebrow, wondering what she wrote before. Aurora folded the note and handed it to Xam. He was about to take it, but Aurora quickly took back the note and erased and rewrote it again. Then, she threw the note to Xam's face. “This is new,” Xam thought.
He bent down to pick up the note, opened it, and was a little disappointed. It said: “Let’s talk during recess.”
After class
They met under a tree. The day was still clear. The CMC are planning something, but they kept pointing at Xam, which made him uncomfortable. “So,” Aurora said, cutting Xam’s train of thought, ”you really do remember me, don’t ‘cha?”
Xam looked back at Aurora, who is blushing for some odd reason. Xam shrugged it off. “Yea. Like I said, how can I forget the filly that-“
“Ok, ok, ok, ok! I get it. It’s just… it’s really nice knowing that one of you actually remembers me, you know?” Aurora said, as if she was about to cry.
Xam was thrown off a little. She knew Max faked knowing her? Then again, they’ve been together ever since birth. She would always protect him; be with him through thick and thin. Xam gave a reassuring chuckle.
“Yea, he just didn’t want to hurt you, that’s all. And the fact that he, well, I made another pony cry so-“
“Wait….WHAT?!” Aurora screamed in shock. Luckily, Xam was anticipating it and muffled her mouth before anypony got suspicious. Xam quickly said, “Yes, I made another pony cry. Max didn’t want to break another heart so he lied. Now be quiet, please?”
Aurora nodded and Xam slowly let go of her mouth. He looked around, hoping nopony noticed. So far, nopony. Xam sighed in relief.
“Who’s heart did you break this time!?” Aurora whispered. Xam can tell she didn’t want to scream, but she had to let go of some pent up aggression. “Her name was… what, ‘Diamond something’. I can’t remember.”
“You mean ‘Diamond Tiara’? You made her cry,” Aurora asked. She thought for a moment before adding, “Who were you protecting?”
“What,” Xam questioned, “Why are you asking me that?”
“Usually, you turned into… well, this when you’re protecting someone. So again, who were you protecting? And who are you protecting now?”
Xam took a moment before pointing at the CMC. “The pegasus over there. She was getting picked on by Diamond whatever and she said some stuff that-“
“Made you snapped? Yea, that filly has a tendency to do that," Aurora said, paused for a moment, then added with a disappointing look, "a lot actually."
“Yea. Anyways, she said some stuff and well… lets just say that I’m her new death pony. As to answer the other question,” Xam pointed at himself, “I intend to make things right. Max and I came to an agreement that I take over under one condition: Not to hurt anypony. Period. Plus, he’s tired. The boy needs to sleep once in a while.”
Aurora thought for a moment, then said, “That’s very sweet of you. Believe me, that coming from me to you is really something.”
Xam chuckled. “Yea, I guess your right.” Suddenly, an idea came to him. “Hey,” Xam grinned, ”you still didn’t get a Cutie Mark yet, haven’t you?”
“No…?” Aurora didn’t like what Xam’s planning. It usually ends up in fire of some sort. One time, one of his plans was to dump water on the next pony that opens the door. The plan worked, except that the pony had his tail on fire for some odd reason. The water quenched the fire and Xam/Max was rewarded a piece of candy for saving somepony’s life. Life lesson learned: pull pranks to save a life.
Xam knew he couldn’t get close to Scootaloo because she is scared of him, but if he had someone else come in and help him, then the tide would turn probably against him. All he has to do is hope that in the future Max can forgive him for what he will do to Scootaloo.
(If you thought wrong thoughts, to the Waterfall of Forgiveness you go- by Brony Hectic)
... then there was forgiveness...
Scootaloo stared in shock as Sweetie Bell and Max walked through the door of the school. She had shock, fright, and relief emotions all mixed together. She wasn’t sure what to feel. She’s shocked that Max would come here, scared that he would turn into… that again, but also relief that he’s ok.
Max was observing the place until they met eyes for a second. Max quickly turned his head to look away from Scootaloo. She thought for a second that Max blushed before Miss Cherilee walked through the door.
“Ok class, today we are going to learn about-“ Cherilee said, but was stopped when she sees a new colt in her class, “Oh, and who might you be?” Cherilee asked.
“Miss Cherilee! He’s new here” Sweetie Bell answerd.
Well, that threw Scootaloo off. Does Max really want to join the class? Scootaloo’s question was confirmed.
“Yes, I recently , er, moved here.” Max lied.
“That’s a load of bull,” Scootaloo thought, but decided to keep it to herself.
“Oh, then why don’t you introduce yourself,” Cherilee asked.
“Guess he really is joining this class,” Scootaloo thought.
He walked up in front of the class, next to Miss Cherilee, coughed a little for preparation, and began.
“Hello, everyone. My name is-“
Then, the Aurora bolted up as if her seat was electrocuted.
“Max...” the green filly muttered loudly.
“Um… yes?” he asked
“How does Aurora know Max?” Scootaloo wondered.
Aurora was a new student two days ago. Applebloom founded her in the Sweat Apples Acre a day before that. Apparently, she was separated with her companion after they were chased by a timberwolf. She ran away while her companion tries to stall the timberwolf. Running as fast as she could and before she knew it, she reached Sweet Apples Acre. There, she fell asleep due to tiredness. When she woke up, she wrapped in a blanket and next to her was Applebloom. Like that, she was quickly accepted into the Apples family. When Applejack asked her where she’s from, she said that she prefer not to talk about it. Since then, she rested under a tree though the Apple family insisted that she rests in their home. She rejected, saying that she prefers to be outside then under a roof. With much persuading and rejecting later, she rested under a tree, though the family suggests that she should have at least a blanket in case it gets cold. Aurora agreed to the term.
Then, two days ago, Applebloom asked Aurora if she wanted to go to school. Aurora was still tired, but said yes because she was interested in what they learned here. So, with that, Aurora was a new student until Max came. Not only that, but the fact that Aurora knows Max was a surprise all together.
Before Scootaloo continues her thought, Aurora ran up to Max and tackle hugged him.
“I can’t believe it! It’s really you! I’m not dreaming, am I?” the Aurora cried while hugging Max.
“Um… Aurora, right?” Max said. The way he said that made Scootaloo doubt that Max knows Aurora. Does he really know Aurora? Is he the companion that Aurora mentioned?
“You… don’t remember me,” Aurora asked with a hurt face. She looked like she was actually crying.
Wow. So she really knows Max, that’s for sure.
“No, it’s… great to see you again. That’s all,” Max lied. Even Scootaloo can tell that’s a lie.
A wide smile formed around Aurora’s face and continued to squeeze Max. He used his last breath to cough, signaling Aurora that she is making a scene. She got up and looked around. All eyes are on the pair, even Miss Cherilee’s. She quickly got up and tries to compose herself as much as she can while Max slowly got up, trying to catch some air Aurora squeezed out of him. The silence felt forever until Miss Cherilee broke with a cough.
“Well,” Miss Chierilee began, “that was, um, quite a show you two, but we have a class to start. Since you two seem to have a lot to catch up, Max, why don’t you sit next to Aurora? But no talking during lessons, ok?”
“Yes miss,” Max managed to say, still recovering from her hug. Really? Man up, you colt.
Max followed Aurora to her seat and sat next to the empty desk next to her. With that, class began and Max put his head down. “Is he sleeping?” Scootaloo thought.
She felt a nudge on her wing and turned to see Sweetie Bell passing her a note (here we go again). She grabed the note and opened it. It said: “Hey, so what do you think of the new guy?”
Scootaloo quickly scribbled, “I know the new guy. I found him after all.”
She folded the note and skillfully passed the note, which was to fold it on her wing and stretched her wing to Sweetie Bell. Sweetie Bell read the note, scribbled, and folded the note on Scootaloo’s wing. She felt the message and retracted her wing to get the note.
She opened up the note and read, “How did you find him? Did you know he was really depressed before he came here? Poor kid. Wonder what happened?”
Scootaloo easily answered the first question: She found him in the Everfree Forest. The second one took Scootaloo a moment to answer, because she doesn’t know how to respond to that. The third question took Scootaloo a longer time to explain, mainly because she was shaking due to her remembering the incident.
So she folded the note and passed it to Sweetie Bell. It took a while for Sweetie Bell to read and realize that she accidently brought a defender against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, but also a monster into the school. But then again, can monsters cry in sorrow? Max was crying in the bush when Sweetie Bell found him. Does that mean that he is a kind monster? The endless imaginative possibilities ran through Sweetie Bell’s mind.
Scootaloo was still recovering from the… incident. It looked like Max(?) wanted to kill her; make her wish she was never born. If Silver Spoon hadn’t yelled, then he actually would’ve…
She shook her head away from the thought. Right now, she is in class. She should be… stretching? Scootaloo heard a yawn as if somepony woke up from a nap. Max. She turned and the fear flooded her every fiber. It’s… that Max.
Max (it’s Xam, but this is Scoot’s POV so she thinks it’s Max) yawned and streached, making all eyes on him. Even Miss Cherilee.
“Max, since you have the curtsey to interrupt the class, why don’t you answer this question?” she said, pointing at the board. It was question #3: earth ponies. She looked back at Max to see him… not impressed? Max just stared at the question, moving his eyes back and forth before answering.
“It’s the whole body, Miss Cherilee. An earth pony is known for their strength and stamina. Also farming, but that’s another story.” Xam stated, mater of factly.
“Thank you, Max,” Miss Cherilee said with a sigh. Scootaloo looked back at Miss Cherilee, who is strangely tired.
As class continued, Scootaloo felt a nudge on her wing. Notes again. She took the note and read: “Why is the new guy’s color different?” Scootaloo simply wrote, “Atfter class. I’ll tell you during recess.”
After class
The CMC met up and Scootaloo filled Applebloom and Sweetie Bell in and explained everything that happened during the two days.
“So, yer sayin’ that that guy is a monster?” Applebloom asked. She pointed at Max, who was with Aurora, “But the guy is talk’n to Aurora, an’ he doesn’t seem to be harmful.”
“Though it’s weird,” pointed out Sweetie Bell, ”I found him crying in a bush. He looked devastated.”
“Maybe he jus’ fell guilty ‘s all,” Applebloom wondered, “You ok, Scoots?”
Scootaloo was staring at Max the whole time, not even looking away to look at Applebloom. “What? Oh, yea…” Scootaloo trailed off.
Sweetie Bell and Applebloom looked at each other and raised an eyebrow. Scootaloo never did this before. She just kept on staring at Max, like he was going to do something. Sweetie Bell signaled Applebloom to block her view. She got the message and walked in front of Scootaloo’s view.
“You ok there, Scoots?” she asked.
Scootaloo shook her head, snapping herself out of it. “Why am I staring at that colt?” Scootaloo wondered. She’s still afraid of him, but for some reason he is less scary then before. If anything, he looks…cute…
“What!?” Scootaloo shook her head, twice, as to what did she just thought, ”Why am I thinking that!? He’s a…a… gentle colt.” She started to cave in on the thought; the thought of the fact that maybe, just maybe, that she actually… likes him.
“I mean… he did protect me against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. He did that to protect… me.”
As she continues to think that, the idea of him being scary slowly drifted out of her mind.
Her attention was brought back when Applebloom booped her nose.
“Yes?” Scootaloo asked, a little annoyed.
“Ah said ‘are you ok?’ Seriously, are you ok or some’n? You’ve been spacing out ever since the new guy-“
“His name’s Max,” Scootaloo said.
“Ok. You’ve been starin’ at Max the whole time. What’s gotten into you?”
“I think she’s in love,” Sweetie Bell said, ”She’s been staring at him for a long time. Don’t you think it’s suspicious, Applebloom?”
Scootaloo was about to defend until a voice spoke: “Um, can I, uh, join your crusade?”
They turned to see Aurora… with Max.
There was a long, long pause before Max spoke. “Um, and if possible, can I join too?”
When he spoke, Scootaloo was shocked. His voice was so… calm. It’s as if he’s the same, but also different.
“Sure!” Applebloom said, cutting Scootaloo’s train of thought, ”You and Max can-“
“It’s Xam,” Xam cut in, “If I look like this, my name is Xam. I’m sorry if this confuses you.”
“Oh, ok,” Applebloom said, still confused as to why Max, er, Xam would want to do that. But she dropped the subject; learned from Applejack.
“So,” Xam said, “After school and all, how do we join your crusade?”
This time, Scootaloo spoke.
“You don’t have to do anything. You guys are welcomed anytime.”
“Yea!”
That time, Sweetie Bell spoke.
“Alright! So it’s official,” Xam said, “we’ll meet at the… tree house?”
“Yep,” Scootaloo said, “That’s our club house. We’ll meet you there after scool.”
After school, at the club house after initiations (I’m too lazy :3)
“All right! New members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders! You are officially the new members of the crusade!” Applebloom announced.
Xam and Aurora look around the tree house and were surprised at the architect. As they awed in amazement, Xam decided to take his plan into action.
“I have an announcement to make! Applebloom, may I take the podium?” Xam asked.
Applebloom was a little skeptic as to what is he doing, but decides to let Xam do what he wants. She stepped down the podium and Xam got on.
“Ahem,” Xam coughed, ”I have an announcement to make. First, I would like to thant the Cutie Mark Crusaders for letting me and my childhood friend, Aurora, into your crusade. It is an honor. Second, I would like to clarify that Aurora and I do not want to talk about our past. So please, discard the thought of asking us. Lastly,” Xam slowly got down from the podium and walked to Scootaloo. He met eyes with her and she met eyes with him.
“What’s going on,” Scootaloo thought. Xam was making her nervous, standing close to her and all.
“Lastly, I would like to say,” Xam paused for a moment, then continued, ”Thank you, Scootaloo, for saving me back at the Everfree Forest. And I’m really sorry you had to see that. I just wanted to protect you. I didn’t mean to scare you. So, all I’m asking is… can you forgive me?”
The tree house was quiet. The moment was so tense that you can cut it with a knife. Aurora stood there, hoping that she would say yes. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell stood there in shock. Scootaloo stood there, still staring at Xam’s eyes. They were honest and true. She knew that he really meant every word.
Finally, after a long pause, Scootaloo finally said, "Yes".
“Thank you,” Xam said. He closed his eyes and he started to change. His black coat to gray; his tail and mane went from red to black. He opened his eyes to reveal that it was from red to black.
“Thank you. And I’m so sorry.”
Max’s voice was shaky and shed a tear, which shocked everypony except Aurora. She knew him for a long time, so she was expecting Max to cry.
“He is such a crybaby,” Aurora thought with a smile, ”He may not remember me, but he will always be my little brother.” Aurora thought for a moment. “Well, like my little brother.”
...then there was conflict...
After the CMC's failed attempted to earn their "Mayor Assistant Cutie Mark", they walked back to the club house ready to call it a day.
The day was almost over. Celestia's sun was on the horizon, readying itself for Luna's night. Applebloom said that she was going home first. She had to help out in the farm so she needs to sleep early. Sweetie Bell followed, saying that her sister had put up a curfew and she needs to go home. That only left Max, Aurora, and Scootaloo at the tree house. Max was tired, and by the looks of it, so is Aurora and Scootaloo. Who knew that working as the Mayor's assistant could be so tiring. Especially when the office's documents were on fire for some apparent reason. Luckily, the documents were only copies and were replaced.
Scootaloo finally broke the silence. "Hey, Max," Scootaloo asked, "You and Aurora need a place to stay?"
Aurora thought for a moment. She liked sleeping outside, but it has been a while since she slept with Max (The Waterfall of Forgiveness awaits. -By Brony Hectic).
"Sure, " Max replied, " I really don't have a place to go to anyways." Which is true. Max ran from the only home he had. Besides Aurora, no one really cared about him. At least, that what he feels. "Why do I feel that anyways," Max wondered. He parishes the thought. Feeling it made him sick.
Aurora noticed Max's sick face, and couldn't help but make a questioning face. "Max," Aurora asked, "are you ok?"
Max looked at Aurora and forced a "don't worry" face. Aurora wasn't so sure of that face, but she let the idea go away. Though, she decided to keep a close eye on him.
~Fast forward!!~
The time was night as soon the sun sets it's ending trip. Max, Aurora, and Scootaloo slept in the tree house. The night was cool and calm. Not a pony in sight; not a critter to be heard. Max was having his dream again. “No,” he thought to himself, ” it’s not a dream. More like a chance to talk to Xam face to face. So why do I feel… betrayed. I should ask him.”
The scene was the same: Max and Xam under the spotlight surrounded by darkness. Max is in the dream with Xam. He slowly opened his eyes in the dream.
“Here we are again. Nice to see you…kinda.”
“Same.”
“Kinda funny, don’t you think? Us talking all casual while you want to control me.”
“It is, isn’t it.”
“So, what now?”
*raises an eyebrow* ”What do you mean?”
“I mean, what are we going to do now? Our… childhood friend is here. Our rescuer is here. I can’t remember a thing, but it looks like you do. To top it all, I still don’t know who I am?”(Recommend to go to here . Go to 2:36. It really
“Max…”
“Xam… Who am I?”
“…”
“You and I share the same body. But you want to take over this body like it originally belonged to you. Right?”
“…Yeah. That’s right.”
“Is it that if I’m out of the picture, you can spend all the time with Aurora, Scootaloo, and the CMC; that you don’t need me anymore? Do you feel that way, Xam?”
“Of course not! You’re my best friend.”
“Best friends are honest with each other! Who am I? You keep pushing me away from the truth. Why? Am I the same as you?”
“You and I are obviously different.”
“Then-“
“The truth isn’t going to make you feel better, Max.”
“How do you know that!? I HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHO I AM!”
“…”
“Why am I here? Why do I exist? Why am I even here? I DESERVE TO KNOW THOSE ANSWERS!”
“Max…”
“Are you going to tell me or not, Xam? Who am I?”
“You’re just going to have to trust me, Max.”
“…No. I can’t trust you.”
“Max.”
Max turned and walked away from Xam and headed into the darkness.
“I need to know the truth about me. Who I am… I want to know why do I exist. If I learn that, then I …”
As he walked aimlessly, he began to wonder if it was the right move. “I want to know the truth about me. I have no reason to be here anymore.” He told himself before he confirmed that he wants to continue.
As he continued, he sees Xam waiting in front of a door. It looks like an ordinary door, wood and all. Max decided to keep walking, and the door was the exit. He walked past Xam, but was stopped.
“So you’ve made up your mind?”
“Why do I exist? I have to know.”
“It’s going to destroy you! The Door's memories could wipe your existence!”
“No one would miss me.”
“That’s not true! I would miss you; Aurora would miss you; BUCKING CELESTIA, SCOOTALOO WOULD MISS YOU!”
The last comment made Max stop in his tracks. He may forget about Scootaloo, but he feels that Scootaloo would be hurt more then he is around her. He confirmed himself and opened the door.( You can stop here.)
“Max!” Xam screamed when he shot himself up. It was still nighttime, midnight to be exact. Surprisingly, his scream didn’t wake up the two girls. Xam was panicking, hard. He might just have lost his other self. He tried to talk to Max. Nothing. No response. No presence. No…Max. Xam curled himself up and started to regret. Now Max will never return; Aurora's friend: gone. Xam couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and screamed at the top of his lungs. Out of sheer unknowingness, he bolted out of the door, unaware that he woke up Scootaloo and Aurora. He jumped from the porch to the ground and looked around, desperately looking; trying to find Max.
"Max! Max," Xam shouted, still looking around to find Max, "Where are you!?"
Scootaloo and Aurora sheepishly walked out of the door to see Xam. After a few seconds, their brain finally clicked and realized something's wrong. They looked at each other and understood immediately. They jumped down and tackled Xam to the ground. Xam tries to struggle free, desperately searching for Max, but Scootaloo and Aurora’s weight together held Xam long enough for him to calm down.
After a few more seconds, Xam finally did calm down. Before Scootaloo and Aurora ask him what happened, Xam said, “He’s gone. He’s really gone.”
He inhaled one more time and screamed for the last time. Scootaloo and Aurora knew without him explaining; Max was gone. All three little ponies cried, but the rain never reviled the tears that were sheed.
After the crying incident, the three ponies decided to go inside the tree house and dry up. Xam did it quickly; only shaking himself dry. Then, he sat at a corner, curled up and slept due to shock and depression. Aurora and Scootaloo sat in the middle, silently talking amongst themselves.
“What’s going on,” Scootaloo asked, “Does this normally happen?”
“No,” Aurora answered, “This never happened before.” She, then, lowered her head and mumbled to herself. “ Then again…”
Aurora stayed quiet and stared at Xam, who is sleeping peacefully in the corner after a freak out. Scootaloo looked back and forth between Aurora and Xam and felt a little nudge in her mind. She shook the feeling, hoping that nothing would happen. It’s not like she likes him or anything… right? She forces herself to sleep, trying to perish the thought.
Aurora became concern of Xam. “What’s going on, Xam,” Aurora wondered, “What happened to you?” She nudge to Scootaloo, who almost slept, but couldn’t at the same time. She leaned close to Scoot’s ear and whispered, “Let’s keep him company. He looks lonely.”
Scootaloo’s face turned red in the darkness. She want’s to be next to Xam, but she doesn’t want to because she’s embarrassed to do so. “Get yourself together Scoots,” she told herself, “It’s just an invitation to sleep next to …to…”
Scootaloo turned not just red, but crimson red due to the thought. Luckily, it was still nighttime so Aurora couldn’t see her blush. She finally managed to finally say, “S, sure. L, let’s go.”
The two fillies slowly got up and quietly walked to Xam, who by now is in deep sleep. Aurora settled herself on Xam’s left, while Scootaloo was having difficulty setting herself next to Xam, mainly because she doesn’t know how. After a while, she finally found a comfortable spot and lay down. To her surprise, Xam was really warm despite the fact that he’s the one that jumped out in the rain and dried by shaking. Scootaloo pushed herself closer to Xam to a point of contact. Fur on fur contact was a little embarrassing, but she told herself that she could take it. Scootaloo decided to take a step further. She rested her head on Xam. His warmth slowly enveloped her. His fur was soft, like a pillow. A warm, soft, pillow. Before she knew it she fell asleep, resting on the pony she might like.
------Mourning-----
Xam slowly woke up, not moving because he felt two presences on his sides and a little something on his right hoof. He turned to his left and sees Aurora next to him. He wondered why, but decided to drop it. “Knowing Aurora,” he thought, ”she probably just wanted to keep me company.”
He turned to Scootaloo and almost jumped, but the only thing not letting him jump was the fact that her head rests on his shoulders and the fact that Scootaloo had the courage to lace her hoof around his. He tries to nudge away, but in return, she puled his hoof closer to her. Now his hoof is in a cage of a ticking time bomb of potential embarrassment. Xam slowly count the time she would wake.
Sadly, Aurora woke first. Xam quickly closed his eyes and fake sleep, hoping she didn’t noticed that he’s awake. Why he did that, he doesn’t know. Aurora woke up slowly and wondered where she is. It took a few seconds for her mind to click together. She looked to her right. Xam was there, asleep (so she thought). Aurora was still sleepy, so she doesn’t know her actions. “Xam looks cute sleeping,” she thought, “I wonder if…”
She leaned to his ear and whispered “Thanks for the meal.” Then, she proceeded to nibble the soft, little ear. It took all the courage Xam can muster to not jump and scream. Instead, he bit his tongue to control himself. “What in Equesrtia is this filly doing!?!?,” Xam thought, “What’s going on!?”
Aurora, then, stopped her nibbling and blew on his ear. “aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” Xam mentally screamed. He is on the verge of running from Aurora. Thankfully, Scootaloo woke up. “Wait a moment,” Xam thought for a moment and then realized, “OH CELE-“
Before Xam could finish his thought, Scootaloo screamed in shock. “H, his hoof’s between mine,” she quickly thought, “ It’s like we’re… we’re…” Scootaloo blushed and punched Xam across the room. Xam flew and crashed to the wall, head to the floor. Out of sheer pain and confusion, he opened his eyes and sees the two fillies…well, upside down. Scootaloo was blushing and covering her cheeks. Cute. He looked at Aurora, and he now knows: all pony hell broke lose. Xam knew Aurora better then most ponies, and when Aurora has the sleepy look on her face, she’s not her. She has become the complete opposite of who she normally is.
“Xa~m,” Aurora wined, “I want fo~od.” She walked to Xam, unaware of the confused and shocking look that Scootaloo was giving. “Xa~m,” Aurora said again and leaned down to Xam, “Give me fo~od.”
Aurora leaned so close she can almost kiss Xam. Luckily for Xam, Scootaloo came out of nowhere and pushed Aurora away. Xam looked at Scootaloo and she is still blushing, if not, even redder. “A, aurora,” Scootaloo managed to say, “w, w, what’re you doing?!”
The push fully woke Aurora. She got up and looked around: Xam upside down and Scootaloo blushing so hard she might pop a vain. “Mournin’,” was all she said as if she just woke up. The two little ponies looked at each other, awkwardly as already is, and looked back at Aurora, who is smiling like nothing happened or nothing looks out of place. “Uh,” the two ponies said in unison, “Mourning.”
After a long talk about the recent activity with some minor yelling and criticism from Scootaloo, she decided to get to the point. “So, uh, Xam was it?” she started, “What happened yesterday?”
Xam’s face dropped to dark. Scootaloo almost regretted asking, but she wanted to know what happened. What happened yesterday was something Xam doesn’t want to remember. But he also doesn’t want to leave Scootaloo out of it. He looked at Aurora for a response. After all, she knows those two since birth. Aurora gave the approval. Xam nodded and looked at the confused Scootaloo. “What I’m about to tell you,” Xam started, “Must never be known to anyone outside of this tree house. Can you do that?”
Scootaloo straitened herself and raised her right hoof and swore on the CMC club. Xam looked at Aurora one more time, wondering if Xam and Aurora might regret the decision. She looked back at Xam and reassured him with a smile. Xam returned the smile and nodded. He looked back at Scootaloo. She’s really determined to keep the secret by the looks of her eyes. Xam sigh and spoke, “I might have to start from the beginning…”