Equestrian Visitors

"...so, there's some progress, finally."

somedude726 presents

"That's good, maybe we can start soon. How long have you been programming, now?"

"Oh man, like, three or four years. About time I'm getting somewhere."

A new story

"Well, maybe we'll get everyone together soon and get this going."

"How's your animating doing?"

A story of friendship, loss, and a journey that will change the course of everyone involved

"Good! I'm getting better at that 3D animating thing. Y'know, I still think we should've done a 2D game, though."

"Dude, trust me, if we wanna succeed we gotta make a 3D game of some kind. 2D is next to nothing anymore."

An end, and a new beginning

"But that's what I'm saying! No one sees 2D anymore, I have lots of practice with a pencil, we can make something new!"

"This is our first game, though. People are attracted to shooters nowadays, we make this one, unique, good game to get our name out there, and people will buy whatever we decide to do."

"True but--"

"FWOOOOOM!"

"Uh, what was that?"

"I- I don't know! Shit, hold on man, I'm gonna call you back!"

Equestrian Visitors

Prologue

I hit the 'End Call' button on the phone and jammed it into my pocket, before practically jumping through the door of my room. After hearing a too close for comfort explosion, I realized something was up. I didn't even bother looking outside the window, God knows what's happening but I need to stay safe, somewhere. I took glances around the small apartment, taking notes of each room.

'Parents' room, no, that won't work. I shouldn't go in there anyway. Outside, no, no-- Bathroom!'

My eyes landed on the bathroom, the most sturdiest room in the apartment. Father always said, when shit goes down, get in the bathroom of that house. He still does, even though my parents don't live here anymore. I sprinted over, grabbed the door knob and twisted it before pushing the door in with my shoulder. I didn't hear anything other than the ear-splitting blast just now, but I'm sure something is happening. I slammed the door behind me and threw back the curtain of the bathtub, and stood inside it.

I started breathing fast, as I got somewhere I might be safe. 'What the hell was that noise!? Couldn't have been a terrorist attack, right?' I sat down on the inner edge of the tub against the wall, and ran a hand through my frazzled, short, black hair. I could hear the faint sound of the television in my room playing some sort of reality show that was on, but other than that it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. No other huge explosions, no gunshots, no screaming, no-- okay, there's nothing. This surprised me, as I thought by now I definitely would've heard something else. But nothing was heard.

Except for the ringing of my phone. I pulled it out, to see it was James, my friend, calling me again. We had been talking before an explosion suddenly happened, talking about how we've been wanting to make a video game. The discussion had been going between our circle of friends since years, but we never got it going, mostly because I was apparently gonna be the leader as I brought up the idea, and didn't finish learning programming. He was pretty much ready to do in his animating department. I hit the 'Answer Call' button on the phone, and brought it up to my ear.

"Alex! Where are you, are you okay!?" he shouted into the phone, almost making me flinch back.

"I'm, I'm good. I don't think anything else is happening though." I respond, a bit shaken up.

"Jesus, man. Are you seeing this?" he asks.

"Seeing what?"

"The news! Are you not watching it?"

"I'm sort of in the bathroom hiding."

"Ugh. You're fine. Just get out, turn on the TV."

"Fine. Stay on the phone, I'll be back."

I put the phone to my side, and climb out of the bathtub. I walk through the tiny bathroom, and open the door. The television in my room was still playing something, but I didn't care. Upon leaving the bathroom, I could see the whole living room and the sixty inch television. Was a nice flat screen TV, good for watching movies. I got around the large L-shaped couch, before grabbing the remote and pressing the power button. Sure enough, CNN flickered on, with a report on the blast.

"...looks like a person is in the middle of the blast, laying in the backyard of this local's apartment. Police seem to be heading into the apartment, now."

Wait, that's not what I think it is...

"It appears it is a woman here, without clothes, it seems."

I raised my phone in a swing of my hand and pretty much started shouting. 'Who is this person? What is she doing in my backyard!?'

"James, what the hell is going on!? Who is in my backyard, what, what is happening!?"

"I-I don't know, man! You should go outside, talk to them--"

Knock knock knock.

"I think that's the police. Look, I'm gonna call you back after." Once again, I hit 'End Call' and put my phone in my pocket. I go over to the stairs leading to the front door, and sure enough, I seen four policemen through the glass door. I think I seen more, but I wasn't too sure. I run downstairs, and see that the front policeman before me actually moved his hand back, as if reaching for something. 'I swear, if he pulls a gun on me.' I push the glass door open, and my thoughts were quickly shut down.

"Hello sir, I'm Sergeant Felix O'Connor. The recent blast had occured in your backyard just now, are you okay?" the man pulled out one of those flippy ID things, and showed me his badge. Well, good thing he didn't pull out a gun.

"Hi. Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?" I asked the man in front of me, and he put his ID back in his pocket.

"Well, we don't know yet. We advise you stay somewhere safe, a basement or something, this may or may not be part of a terrorist attack. Is there anywhere like that you can stay?" he responded, crossing his arms.

"Uh, yeah, I can go into the pizza place next door, they have a basement." The people there knew me, even the owner did, was a nice lady. They'd let me in if I asked.

"Okay sir, we will escort you there, it is not safe. If you want to take any personal items, go ahead, but be fast about it." Felix spoke with a straight face, trying to get me to move. 'Hold up.'

"Wait. Can... Can I see the blast, first?" I ask, seeing if they'll let me. 'Wait, they're letting me in my house... Oh, I could've just went myself. Stupid.'

"That wouldn't be the best of ideas, sir. If it was a terrorist attack, whoever it was may be prepping for another shot." Felix responded. Jeez, he sure is laying the terrorist plot thing hard.

"But, hold on. I seen the news. Someone is in there, someone is in my backyard. Look, call me corny, cheesy, whatever you want, but I feel like I need to see who they are. Just, please, let me." I pleaded.

"Sir, you really shouldn't, we're wasting valuble time here. We will take her away and see who she is," Felix said, with annoyance in his voice.

"Excuse me. It's my house. While I shouldn't be arguing with a police officer, it's my house, and my backyard. I have every right to go there, even if you keep telling me I shouldn't, don't you think?" I retorted, crossing my own arms.

"I'm doing this for your own safety! Your life could be in danger!" Felix shot back, angry now. For some reason, I didn't care about that, I didn't care that someone could possibly be trying to kill me with a missile, I just felt like I need to get that woman. Not out of kindness, because of something else. I don't know what, I just had this urge to find her.

"Well screw you, buddy!" Okay, maybe I went a little overboard there. "I'm going whether you like it or not!" I backed up into the house, not even caring for his response, and shut the door. I ran back up the blue-carpeted stairs, and sped through the house into my room. I slept in the back room of the apartment, and as such the door to my backyard was right there-- in the back. Thankfully I left my bedroom door open, so I just went in, walked straight to the back door, unlocked the latches and went outside, letting the afternoon sunlight come over me.

It was chaos outside. I thought I heard something before, but I can definitely hear it all now. Two different news helicopters hovered above the yard, each with the door open and someone holding a camera, reporting the area. Of course, all cameras were right on me as I stepped out. As I was on the second, and top floor of this apartment, I stood on the balcony looking over it seeing everything. Over the fence and on the gravel behind it lay dozens of other news reporters, people, everyone you can think of. I swear I seen a few of my friends there too, trying to rush in. Armored police, SWAT I think, were trying to get everyone out of the area, but to no avail. Once I had stepped outside, I thought I felt my phone vibrating, but couldn't hear the ring over all the noise and yelling that was happening. I didn't even bother picking up the phone.

I went down the wooden steps, into the blast site. The backyard was really, really tiny, small enough that no one ever even bothered to go into. In fact, I think this was my first time actually going down here, of all fifteen years I've lived here. Of course, I'd seen it from my room windows before, but that's it. The once lush, beatiful green grass was now scorched with a charcoal black. The fence was burnt a bit, and the old staircase took a little damage, but somehow everything seemed okay overall.

Then I got a better look at the girl laying unconcscious in the center.

I stepped forward, but slowly, tuning out all the sounds around. I think I heard someone telling me to get out of there, and my phone vibrating once again, but none of it mattered. The people busting down the fence didn't matter. The rush of footsteps through the house didn't matter. Why, I was hypnotized by this woman.

She looked... familiar. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I must have seen her somewhere. This wasn't anyone exactly brand new to me. I didn't know who it was or where I seen her, but I just felt this sensation when I was here with her. Warmth. I felt safe. I felt like nothing would hurt me. She didn't even surprise or shock me anymore. I didn't care that she was naked in my yard, or how she came here, or the blast. No, I felt like she had to come here, for a reason. Maybe not willingly, but it was some sort of destiny.

I tried looking her over again to get a good idea of what she looked like. She had pink, long hair that went down to her waist. A small, but peaceful, face. Uh, big tatas. 'Oh what the fuck, dude.' I closed my eyes and shook my head, trying to get rid of those recent thoughts. The woman seemed tall, but slender, not really the athletic type. I noticed something around her chest, seemingly making her rise up slightly. Not breathing, something underneath her. I took her left hand, and carefully put her arm around my shoulder, to see what was there, and to get her off the ground obviously. 'Wow, she's light.' Yet, when I looked on the ground, nothing was there. I looked back over to the woman over my shoulder, and that's when I seen it.

That's when I seen her wings. Her natural, skin and flesh, wings.

At first, I immediately thought it was some sort of costume part. Something fake. But no. These wings were tied to her, part of her body. Bone. Skin. This wasn't plastic, this was the real deal!

I almost dropped her in the shock of seeing actual wings on a human being. Actually, scratch that, is this even a human? Those wings are definitely real! I can tell it definitely wasn't some sort of trick, there was no way. Unless this girl is a master of disguise or something, but, it's things like this you see it and you just know. And I know that this is a bit odd, yet, the feeling of her need to be here still came through. I needed to see her. I needed to talk to her. 'And I need to see her fly... that's gonna be awesome.'

"S-Sir! Please, I, give her to me, please." I turned to see Felix and his squad of policemen standing behind me, all of them just as shocked as I was. Not entirely sure how they got here, but whatever. They were a bit more freaked out than I was, as somehow I still kept somewhat calm about this.

"No." I blurted out, without even thinking.

"No, I, sir... y-you, just, please, you have to." Felix just barely got his words together, looking pretty unprofessional.

"Or else what?" Again, not really thinking. Just going with the flow.

"Or else I will have you under arrest." Oh. I guess he had the same state of mind.

"On the grounds of...?" I asked, being a tad skeptical.

"Of disrespecting authority, denying authority, and withholding something from, well, authority." he responded, finally having full coherent sentences. Damn. 'Okay, so, what do I do. He's right, I should just give him the-- no. No, I'm not listening to these higher-ups.'

"Fuck you!" I blurted, again. 'I should try thinking more...' "Just leave me alone!" For some reason, I felt myself getting angry. Mad. Was it because I need to protect this person? Because this guy kept pestering me? I didn't even know. It was just there.

"Why!? Why are you so adamant on keeping her? Are you keeping something from us?" Felix stepped forward, getting all up in my face. 'Oh hell no!'

"Well, why do you want her so bad? According to you, I should have no reason to keep her, but how much reason do you have!?" I raised my voice. The policemen behind Felix seemed to get a bit angered. I could hear people screaming and shouting around me, putting in their own two cents. Actually... what are they saying?

"Give him the girl! It's his house! He should take her!"

"You wouldn't even help her, you would just do experiments on her! This man would save her!"

"You're stealing from him!"

"Listen to the people outside, Felix!" I shouted, after realizing whose side they were on.  "They all agree with me, I should be the one who takes the girl! You would just mess with her, her... wings, you wouldn't even do anything good to her!"

"She's dead, dammit! Tell me, how many people do you know can survive a direct missile!?" he yelled, balling his fists.

"Well, look at her! No scratches, no blood, not even scorch marks. And in fact, let's see if she is alive!" After I dropped that little bombshell, the people outside got even louder.

"Trust me. She isn't." Felix simply stated, and crossed his arms again.

I adjusted the woman a bit so I can see her neck, and put my free hand up to it. I kept it there for a moment, trying to see for a pulse. After a few seconds, my eyes widened, and I moved the girl back to her original position.

"She's alive! There's a pulse!" I shouted out, making sure my voice was loud enough. I turned away from Felix for a moment, and looked up to the helicopters above.

"She's alive! The girl is alive! She isn't dead!" I yelled up to the reporters, so everyone knows what is going on.

"The girl is alive, Felix! With all things considered, I don't think she's gonna want to wake up in an interrogation room with her wings tied up. I can tell, she isn't a bad person, she doesn't deserve whatever you're gonna throw at her!" I narrowed my eyes and gritted my teeth. I just need her in the house, and I need everyone to go away now.

"You know what? I'm not the leader of this operation. Someone else gave us the orders! I have no authority over this, in fact! And you know what? How about this, prick, I'll call him up right now, and tell him what's going on. Let's see if he'll let you keep her from us!" Felix stepped away and pulled out a radio from his belt, and started doing his own thing, away from us. Momentarily, everyone actually shut up.

As Felix went in the corner somewhere to talk to the one who gave him the orders, I looked over the girl again. Trying to see where she came from, why I feel like I've seen her before. No, like I've known her. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I ever seen someone like this, so where are these memories coming from?

'...wait, no.'

I looked at her face, for a moment. Her pink hair. Her wings. It was starting to add up to something I wasn't sure I wanted to believe, but I didn't see much other possibilities.

'This isn't a person... that should be obvious, anyway.'

I noticed Felix's men looking my way, trying to determine what I was trying to do, or maybe realizing I was getting somewhere. I heard the reporters in each helicopter go on about what I was doing, but neither knew what it was.

'She's familiar because of one, crucial reason...'

I had seen this girl before. Not in this form, maybe, but I have. In fact, I'm not the only one. Millions of other people have as well.

'She's not real. This girl...'

I didn't want to admit it, I didn't want to believe it. But again, no other possibilities. It made no sense. Why would this happen? Why me? Why her? Who did this? I was asking myself a thousand questions a minute.

'If I'm correct, she's from a damned cartoon.'

I can't believe I'm actually going with this, there must be something else that can explain this! A cosplayer, or something! Why is this the only thing that makes any sense whatsoever!?

'Her name--'

"Alright, asshole. I just talked to the guy who made us come here." Felix stormed over, interrupting my thoughts.

"Well, what did he say?" I asked.

"He... he said it's fine. Take the girl." he answered, seeming dejected.

"Wait, why, though?" I raised an eyebrow, although I do get to have them off my back, so that's good.

"He says he's willing to let you keep her for twenty four hours. Tomorrow, at 3:45 PM, he will come and if you can prove to him you should keep her, then you can. However, if you don't, then he's taking her. I don't know why, but he's putting faith in you, kid. Take it." Felix glared daggers at me, before turning around, with his men following.

"Then get the hell out of here. Walk through the house." I replied, turning away as well, facing the wood fence keeping between me and the possibly hundreds of people outside. 'Should probably talk to them. God knows what's gonna happen after I say whatever, so I should be careful...'

I turn back to see Felix and his squad had gone, probably out now. I walked up the stairs, with the girl over my shoulder. Almost tripped on getting up, damn thing was ready to fall any time now. I faced forward, over the balcony, and seen everyone. Sure enough, it had doubled, no, tripled over time! The entire area outside was full, behind the building. The place out there was basically a road leading to the underground parking, the back of the apartment, and maybe a few flowers or something here and there. But now it was just a horde of people yelling and shouting, wanting information.

"Uhh... hello, everyone!" I started. 'Ugh, I can't speech! That's like the last thing I can do!' Their attention was given to me, but probably mostly the winged woman on my shoulder. The chatter had slowed down, but wasn't completely silent yet.

"Um, nice day today, huh?" I scratch the back of my head with my free hand, and awkwardly laugh to myself. 'This is horrible.'

"Soooo. I guess we aren't getting blown up by nothing. That's good! Good, good, very good." 'Am I even trying?'

"Okay, okay. I do not know why or how the blast happened in my backyard. I do not know who this woman is," 'Got a good idea though.' "Or why she ended up in the middle of the blast. I have gained permission to take her into my home, for twenty four hours. By then, we may know more information." 'That's better.'

"I will try to wake the woman, and talk to her. For now, there is nothing I currently know. If I may make a request, it is that I am not bothered for the next twenty four hours. If you could all return home, I would be grateful." I bow my head, and hope that everyone leaves me the hell alone and I can go inside now. I go over to the door, of which Felix seemed to have closed behind him, and open it before going right inside.

Disregarding my television now broadcasting the news, I close the curtains and plop the girl on my bed. She looked a bit uncomfortable, not the calm face she wore not ten minutes ago. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, who knows what she's been through. Right then I realized, she's still naked. Should probably do something about that. Well, actually, perhaps that can wait until she wakes up, for now she can--

Ring, ring, ring.

Again, I had my thoughts interrupted, except this time by my phone. God dammit, is anyone gonna realize I just want to be alone? I take my cell out of my pocket and look who's calling. Mom calling. Right, she'd probably want to know what's going on with me. I tapped 'Answer Call', and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey, M--"

"Alex! What is happening!?"

"I don't--"

"Who is that girl? Do you know her?"

"Well--"

"Why didn't you let the police take her?"

"Mom--"

"You should've--"

"Yes, yes, sure! Can I speak, please?" She always does this! Can never talk on the phone with her.

"Oh, right." she responded, realizing what she was doing.

"So, I don't know what's happening, I don't know this girl, I don't know why I didn't let the police take her, I just don't know. Please, I need some time to myself, Mom."

"Well okay Alex, but I want you to call me later, okay?"

"Sure. Bye." I hit 'End Call' on the phone, and put it down on my shelf, before rubbing my temples, and sitting on the end of my bed.

"Mmm...?"

'The hell was that?'

I swing my head around to the woman in my bed, to... see her eyes wide open, horrified.

"Oh."