A Whole New World

This section is far too short for me to call it a chapter, but this subject needed to be on its own, so I thought I'd just make it an interlude of sorts. I might have some later, but I'll try and make full chapters if I can. Plus, I think this one will require me to put up the Dark tag. I'm planning other moments later, so it's probably going to stay.

As we walked back towards the farm, I asked Applejack if there were any other friends of hers that I could meet.

"There's one more, but Ah've said we're gonna meet her tomorrow. Fer now, it looks like ya need some sleep."

When we reached the farm and entered the house, I barely had time to react as a yellow filly leapt into my arms, "Dutch, yer alive! Ah'm so happy to see ya." Applebloom realised what she was doing, and immediately let go, "Oh, Ah'm sorry, Ah'm so sorry. Ah didn't hurt ya did Ah?"

Aww. She must think I'm still injured, "Actually, Applebloom, you didn't hurt me at all." I lifted up my shirt, which was still damp from the lake, and showed her my lack of wounds. Her eyes lit up, and her jaw hit the floor, "Oh mah stars! When did that happen?"

"Last night. Somepony left me a potion which healed me. Even I'm still trying to get my head around it," I said, with a huge grin on my face.

Big Mac called us through into the dining room for dinner, which was more apple pie. I wasn't complaining though, it warmed me up, and filled my stomach. While we ate, Applejack said that the guest room had been cleared while I was in the hospital. I could sleep in there tonight.

"Thanks AJ, but if it's ok with you, I don't want to stay here too long."

"Why? Is there something wrong?"

"No, your hospitality has been great. It's just that I would prefer to have my own place. I don't want to be a burden on you any longer than I have to."

Big Mac cut in, "Why on earth would ya think yer a burden?"

"Well, I'm going to be helping you around the farm, and you give me food and a roof over my head. I don't see that as a fair deal. I figured if I found an apartment or something, and got my own food, the deal would be balanced."

The Apple family continued to debate with me, but I remained resolute. Eventually, Applejack dropped her head in defeat and chuckled as she said, "Alright Dutch. But yer sleepin' in the guest room tonight. In the mornin' ya can go and speak to the mayor about findin' a place."

"Thank you." Dinner was finished by now, so I helped them clear away and wash the dishes. Afterwards I climbed the stairs up to the guest room and went inside. It was surprisingly roomy. The bed was small, built for a pony, but I didn't mind. I looked around, and saw my pack resting next to the door, with my bow and arrows alongside it. I also noticed my knife and sheathe on the bedside table. I was wondering where that had gone.

I changed into my old clothes again, and went back downstairs to put my wet ones next to the fire. The Apple sisters were on the sofa, and I said goodnight to them both, rubbing Applebloom's mane as I passed. I went back upstairs, stripped down to my boxers, and climbed into bed.

It was that same dream again. I was standing outside my house, but something was different. The sky overhead, which had been clear and blue, was now dark and ominous. I walked over to the garden, and I saw my family. They were still sat down by the pond, posing for the photo. I walked over to them, but I didn't need to call out before they noticed me.

I don't know what it was, but after seeing them there, with that look of disgust that I had seen so many times before, I just snapped. I felt anger rising in me, and I turned it on my family.

"That's it! I don't even fucking care anymore. I give up! I've tried being nice, I've tried to be reasonable, and all you do is turn your backs on me! Why do you hate me like this? Why do you keep leaving me?"

My family didn't reply, they just turned and looked towards another figure, walking up the garden towards us. He was hidden under a shadow, but when he got closer, I recognised him faster than I would've with anyone else.

It was me.

He walked over to my family, and embraced them in a hug. I could feel guilt and anger rising in my chest. But, like before, I couldn't move. When my copy released them, they all turned towards me, and he spoke.

"We didn't leave you Douglas," he said to me with my voice, "You left us."

Before I could reply, the grass around them turned black, and stated to burn. The embers encircled my family, and I could only watch with dispair as their clothes caught fire. The flames rose up their bodies, and their skin turned to ash. It fell away to reveal their skeletons, though I could still feel the hate from their empty sockets. The fire rose higher still, as I witnessed my family become engulfed by the flames.