Revenge of Jack

Chapter 2 - Target Marked

After i left hospital i couldnt help but notice one thing: This place is way too colorful. Everything is bright, it all looks like it's been drawed. Twilight told me i can live in her house for a while, so this is where we're heading right now to. On our way all the ponies around were looking at me. After a week of fighting with my phobia i dont feel that much scared of them now, but the fact that that they are all looking at me makes me quite nervous. I think Twilight noticed that, cause she quickened her step. We arrvied in front of her home in 5 minutes or so. God damn it, she's living in a tree?

"Ummm, Twlight? Are you sure this is your home?" I asked, still not sure of what to think about this.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" She asked innocently.

"...This is a tree."

"Yes, but also my home! C'mon, step inside!" She said happily. I couldnt help but to roll my eyes.

As we entered this place, i couldnt help but look all around me. Is this a Library? I saw a sign next to this house, but didnt payed attention on what's written on it. There was bookcases on every wall, and every bookcase full of books of all kinds, all alphabeticaly arranged. There are stairs leading into second floor and a wooden door on my left. After a while rest of ponies get inside and Twilight started to explain us her plan on what to do with me.

"Alright girls, Jack will live with me untill we discover what bringed him here, and if that's possible, how to make him get back to his world." Oh dear, i didnt expected they will want to send me back to my world. I'll need to talk about this with her later. "Well Jack, if you will need clothes, talk with Rarity, i'll pay for everything you need, so dont worry"

"Well, i dont know Twilight... it makes me feel bad to know that you will pay for everything, i'm sure there's a way i can get money on my own."

"Well, if ya think so, ya can always work on mah farm. It's near ponyville, so ya dont need to worry." Said Applejack.

"Oooooor you can work in Sugar Cube Corner! In this way we could see eachother everyday! I would teach you how to make cupcakes and muffins and other sweets!" Said... eh, you perfectly know who said that.

"Well Pinkie, i think i'll accept Applejack offer. I'm not really a cook, and at least i've seen how does farm looks like." I replied. Pinkie awww'd and Applejack smirked. I couldnt help but chuckle a little.

"Anyway, so you will be able to to pay for yourself. As i said, for clothes you can ask Rarity, i'll get for you food and drink, and Rainbow Dash can guide you throu town. And now, dont even think about paying me, it's all for my own cost." I could see Twlight face harden at that, so i didnt even wanted to argue with that.

"Eh, seems fair. So, what now?"

"Ah, right! I need to show you around my home! Follow me." And so i went on a quick tour throu her house. As it comes out, it is a library, which explained a lot of things. Throu this quick tour i almost jumped out of window because of a small dragon suddenly aproaching from nowhere. Later i've been explained that he's her assistant or whatever he called himself... for me it was more like he was her pet. At the end of tour she showed me my room. It was pretty small for my opinion, but it still was good enough. A single bed, a closet, a table with some stuff on it like quill and ink or some blank pages. Whole room seems to be pretty empy, but that wasnt really a problem.

"So, if you will need anything, just call me." Said Twilight. Ok, i think this is a good time to ask her about this.

"Actualy, i have a question. Do you happen to know who is Celestia?"

"Of course Jack, she's the princess of Equestria! She and her sister Luna are ruling together whole country! Additionaly, they control sun and the moon. Celestia controls the sun, while her younger sister Luna controls the moon. So i gues you can say they control the day!" She chuckled. So, Celestia have a power to control celestial bodies? Surprise, surprise... Thou i havent heard about this whole Luna before... I'll have to ask Discord about it.

"So, anything else?" Twilight asked.

"Actualy, no... Tell me, why do you help me?"

"Why do you even ask? It's normal to help a friend in need!"

"...Friend?"

"Of course, we're friends!"

"Huh... Friends. Thank you, Twilight."

"You're welcome!" She happily said as she left apparently my new room. So... Friends?

I wouldnt recommend being a friend with her Jack, this is dangerous.

Why is that? She helped me in need, she helped me fight with my phobia, and now she let me live with her. I owe her a lot.

Because maybe i havent told you yet, but she's Celestia most faithful student.

...

I was just standing there, looking throu the window, shocked. Celestia's most faithful student? I cant believe i just became a friend with someone like her! But still... she did helped me. I dont have anything against her, but why she have to be Celestia's student? ...Actualy, this is good. This is great! If she's her faithful student, maybe she will be able to prepare a meeting for me with her! That would be a perfect chance to... to... Exacly. Even if i will meet her, what do i plan to do? If she's able to control sun as Twilight said, i wont be able to do anything to her. But this is my main problem right now. Do i even want to do something to her? I think i would just talk with her about it and-

YOU SHALL KILL CELESTIA!!!

Suddenly i could feel a splitting headache. It was so powerfull i instantly fall on the ground and twisted in pain. Everything went blurry around me and it felt like there's a powerfull earthquake going on. After a few more seconds it all suddenly stoped just like it started. I slowly get back on my legs and tried to think of what just happend... Discord? He was silent. I was terrified by the idea that he can do something like this and i cant control it. I knew from the beggining it was a bad idea! Now it looks like i have to kill her, not because of my own need, but because i'm forced to do it. Discord really is a traitor.

As i looked throu the window, i could see a night approaching. I just realized how tired i am, so i went straight to my bed. It was way too small for me, so i had to curl in ball and sleep like that, with a hope i wont fell off throu the night.

And then, once again i arrived in the same room as when i first meet Discord, but this time something was changed. Whole room was a lot more darker, and Discord was almost entirely black, only his eyes, one of his horns and his teeth glowing bright yellow throu the darkness. His eyebrows were white, and once again he had this face expression like he knew something i dont. And this time, there was a single chair in front of me. I've slowly walked to it and took a seat, only to suddenly fall on the ground as chair somehow pushed itself away on it's own. Discord instantly started to laugh.

"Hahahahaha! I wish you could see your face! Priceless!" I couldnt help but to clinch my fist tight as i sit on this chair, first holding it with my hand to make myself sure i wont fall again. "Oh c'mon, you dont think it was funny?"

"I'm not here to watch your bad jokes. Tell me, what do you need me for?" I could see his face harden when i called his jokes bad, but he quickly recovered as he walked to me.

"Well, you see, there's a little problem we have. I know you dont want to kill Celestia, even if you sure feel hate to her, so i decided to change my rules a little bit. Here's new rule: I'll help you get to Celestia and give you power enough to kill her, but you have to do it."

"...No." He instantly get more serious as he suddenly teleported behind me.

"I think i didnt heard you, my friend. What was it?"

"I dont want to kill her. She did something really wrong, but if she's a ruler of this land, then probably she had a reason to do it. All i want to do is to talk with her about it." Now i think i pissed him off. Discord teleported away, once again back at his position behind a table.

"Alright, you have two options now. First option, you will do as i said and we will be all good, or second option. You will do it on your own way, and you can forget about my help. Even more, i might be able to make it harder for you to get to her. Choose." I pretend to think for a while about it, but my choice was obvious.

"I want to do it on my own. I dont need your help, Discord." I was sure he would tear me apart now, but he just smirked.

"Very well. Let's see how you will get to her with that." At this moment i could feel a sting at my forehead. I put my head in my hands and try to not focus on it. It didnt really hurt, i would say it was just annoying. After a few seconds it stoped, and when i looked around, i saw Discord right in front of me.

"It's time to wake up now."

When i woke up, i felt pretty bad, like i havent sleeped forever. I wish i could just stay in my bed for the rest of the day, but after a while i heard Twilight knocking at my door.

"Jack! Breakfast is ready!" After a few seconds i could hear her walking away. I sighed heavily, get up from my bed and went straight to bathroom. I will need to ask Rarity for a new set of clothes soon, i have these since i arrived in hospital, so it was pretty smelly right now. Eh, such is life.

While i was done cleaning, i looked in a mirror. I'll need to shave soon, i would use a haircut as well... wait a second, what is this? It looks like some kind of a brooch with 2 red gems and horns, quite similar to Discord. I had drawed this at my forehead. I tried to clean it somehow, but whatever i tried, it never dissapeared. Is that what he meant by  saying he will make it harder for me? It sure looks silly, but i dont know how that would make it harder to visit Celestia. Anyway, breakfast is ready, i'm sure Twilight will find a way to get this off my forehead sooner or later.

I left bathroom and went down stairs, straight to the kitchen. When i entered it, Twilight was already eating. I came to the table and looked at what she served. Flowers. Grass. Is these are pancakes? Well, at least something i will be able to eat, but thinking that they eat grass and stuff like that made me worry what these pancakes are made of.

"Hey, Twilight... these pancakes are... good?"

"Yes, of course! Feel free to try!" She said, at last looking from her plate. At the moment she saw me, her face had a mixed feeling of terror, shock and anger.

"What are you and what have you done to Jack?!" She angrily demanded as she suddenly stand from the table and backed away.

"What are you talking about?" I was rather shocked. What is going on?

That was all i could say before a sudden wave of light hit me and pushed me at the wall. I could see Twilight slowly approaching me with quite angry look on her face.

"Twilight! What is going on?!"

"Stop acting dumb! Mark of Discord is clearly visible!"

"Mark of Discord? What?!" Oh uh. I know where is this going to. Alright, it's time to play dumb.

"What mark?"

"Mark of Discord, a way Discord could distinguish between his slaves and other ponies! This mark simbolizes a total obedience to him!" Well, now that explains a lot. Discord put that thing at my forehead so ponies would think i'm some kind of a freak... but wait a second...

"Who is Discord?" I knew him, and i knew that he's from this realm, but i had no idea other ponies knew about him as well. I think Twilight was getting more relieved with each sentence, though she was still pretty tensed.

"Discord is a god of chaos and disharmony, he was once ruling this land, but Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sealed him into a stone prison. Now he's a statue at the Canterlot garden." At this point she wasnt helding me anymore, i've slowly slid back at the ground. "If you're really not his slave... But why you have this mark?" Oh uh. It's time for some explanations.

"Well, Twilight, you see..." And so it went. I've told her about my family, my home, about my pact with Discord and how i left him. After all that she was thinking for at least 10 minutes, all this time looking throu the window. Finally she turned back to me.

"Well, Jack... this seems really unbelievable... Wait here, i need to talk with Spike." And so she left. She came back after 5 minutes or so, looking pretty worried.

"Twilight... we are still friends, right?"

"Uhh... oh, yeah, of course." She seemed even more worried right now. I wanted to talk with her more, but she suddenly said.

"Hey Jack, i think you should visit Rarity! Your clothes arent really that fresh anymore."

"Yes, i do believe you're right. I'll be back soon." I left her home... and realized i have no idea where Rarity is living. If i good remember, Rainbow Dash was supoused to show me town, but i cant really- Oh, nevermind, here she is.

"Hey Jack, are you ready for tour?"

"Well, i gues i am. Can we visit Rarity shop first? I need something from her." Something tells me this is going to take a while.

"Yeah, sure, now c'mon!" And so we went.

First stop was at Rarity fashion stop as i asked, 'Carousel Boutique', as i learned before. Whole place looks... Strange. I dont even know how to describe it. Whole thing for sure looked fancy. Inside there was some pony mannequins, some fabric around and all this stuff for fashion. As we enter, a bell above the door rang and Rarity peeked out of nowhere.

"Oh, hello Rainbow Dash Darling, Hello Jack. How can i help you?"

"Well Rarity, do you think you could prepare a set of clothes for me?

"Of course, i can always try! I'll need to prepare some... ummm, Jack? What do you have on your head?" Crap, i hoped they wouldnt notice.

"Yeah... now that i looks closer, you did have something drawed on your head... it reminds me of.." Rainbow Dash was about to end this sentence but suddenly Rarity said.

"Nothing! It's nothing, Rainbow! It's just, ehmmmm.... Tatto! Yes, a tatto! I've showed him a... uhmmm... a one Stalion that's making tattos, outside of Ponyville!" ...Tatto? She's helping me? By reaction of Twilight, i can say it's somewhat strange, but i think i dont have any other choice now anyway.

"Oh, really? Great! You will need to show me that Stalion once!" Thanks god, she bought that.

"Well... maybe later. Now, you said you need some clothes? I'll need to take some measurments, wait a second dear." She said as she left.

"Alright Jack, i'll wait outside once you will be done here. Just dont take too long, ok?" Rainbow asked.

"Alright, thanks" She nod as she left. I've decided to look around while Rarity was preparing some stuff. After a while i noticed a short letter at the table. Curiosity won, so i checked what was on it. I couldnt believe what i saw.

'Dear Rarity

Jack is coming to you right now. He is probably dangerous, you will understand once you will see him. Try to hold him here, help will be here soon.

Twilight Sparkle.'

I slowly backed away, my eyes locked at this letter. Help is coming? I was about to quickly leave this place, but suddenly Rarity came back with some tapes.

"Alright Jack, if you could take off that shirt and pants, that would help a lot. It shouldnt take too long." I was rather nervous at this point. She wants to check if i have any kind of weapons with me. Well, i couldnt do too much now anyway, running away would make this whole case worse, so i start to take off my shirt and pants. Once that done, Rarity came closer and really carefully took some measurements. Once that done, she quickly step away and went back to her room. I put my clothes back and sat at the closest chair. Help is coming, eh? I need to find an opportunity to get away from these ponies, thou i dont really believe i will have such a chance. I had a plan slowly forming in my mind. After that i'll talk to Rainbow Dash to bring me back to Twilight. I dont know how much i can trust her, but from that place i can run away throu the balcony. After that... well, i'll think about it. Rarity just came in, looking pretty worried.

"Well, Jack, i have your measurements prepared, and soon i'll start working on a first set... Would you like maybe to stay for a while? Perhaps for a cup of tea? I do believe we could talk about how you want your clothes to looks like." Nice try Rarity.

"Sorry, but i forget something while leaving Library, and i need to get it quickly." Oh damn, that look at her face.

"Execuse me?! But... but... Wait! I can bring it, you can stay here!"

"C'mon Rarity, it wont take too long, i'll be back soon." 'Back soon' my ass.

Before she could say anything i left. Rainbow Dash showed me way back to Library. I have a feeling like... something big is coming. When i was in front of Twilight home, i could see a white, buff unicorn stalion going outside. He had some kind of a star as his cutie mark, and had a white armor. I gues he was some kind of a cop or however they were called in this land. As he noticed me coming, he and four other armored ponies came out of building and walked straight to me. I was about to turn around and run away, but suddenly a blue light surrounded me as i somehow levitated to the one with a start as his cutie mark. I saw twilight using something like that as well. Is it that whole magic Twilight and others were talking about back at hospital? As he slowly approach me, i could see his face hardener with each step. I tried to get away, do anything, but this magic was holding me in one place. When he was almost face-to-face with me, he said:

"My name is Shinning Armor, Captain of the royal guards in Canterlot. Are you the one called 'Jack'?" I wanted to say no, lie and hope he will buy it, but somehow all i could say was:

"Yes, i am Jack." What the hell? It felt like a part of my brain blocked any possibility to create a lie, and instantly send a truth instead. Is that another unicorn trick? I could see him smirk at my probably horrified face expression.

"Very well, Jack. You are under arrest."