Another World

Walking up to that bed was like getting shot right in my heart. I knew from the way she looked at me that she wasn’t going to make it. That didn’t stop her from smiling though. Her smile was just like the one she gave me on the first day we met. As I got up to the bed her smile grew brighter and she took my hand. No words were needed. I knew exactly what she was thinking and what I had to do. Due to the fact that the bed was only a foot off the ground, I was able to sit next to her and offer my company.

“I know she told you,” Brandi said in a weak tone.

“Yah. She told me what you told her,” I replied.

“Look I know it’s hard to believe but what I said was true. You were made a target when they choose you for the mission. Our orders were, if the mission didn’t fail, to kill you.”

“What, that’s not at all what they told me. Was the ship an inter-universal craft?” I asked.

“It was supposed to be… look if you want more answers you will find them in my lab. I’m just really tired right now.” She said in an even weaker tone.

“Of course. Yeah, you should rest up. Please don’t die. You’re the last person on this planet I can trust.” After I realized what I said I chuckled lightly. “Hell, you’re the only other person on this planet,” I said which brought out a giggle from her.

“Promise me something Lieutenant.”

“You don’t have to call me Lieutenant. Just call me Chase.” I said with a warm smile.

“Chase, promise me that you will do whatever you can to help these ponies. Also, don’t beat yourself up if I don’t make-”

“No, you’re gonna make it.”

“Don’t lie to me Chase. It doesn’t suit your personality. And about my promise…”

“I promise,” I stated.

As she closed her eyes I thought to myself if I really believed that she would survive the night. The answer I came up with took a few minutes to accept. Hearing her breathing become steady, I knew that she was asleep. I knew that that might be the last time I see her awake.

“Um…Chase? Do you want to move up to my spare room? It might be more comfortable than sitting on the ground,” Twilight asked as she walked into the room.

“No thank you Twilight. I guess it is pretty late isn’t it,” I said as I glanced out the window above the couch.

“I assumed that you were spending the night here so I told Fluttershy she could go back to her cottage.”

“Alright, thanks for letting me stay,” I replied.

“Chase?”

“Yeah?”

“About earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. It’s just that…I’ve never seen Princess Celestia take such a drastic measure as to lay lethal mines in Fluttershy’s house. She scared me,” Twilight said while lowering her head to the ground.

“It’s okay. Although I don’t know why your princess isn’t trusting of me, I don’t blame any of you for your actions. Just be glad I’m not some alien warlord…wait…I mean I’m not an alien that wants to kill you,” I said with a smile.

“Goodnight Chase.”

“Goodnight Twilight.”

I awoke to find my hand still gripped in Brandie’s. This time, however, it didn’t feel warm or soft. It just felt cold and dead. When I sat up I looked to her to answer the question that I already knew the answer to. I didn’t react to seeing her dead. Years of war have taught me not to. As I heard hooves on the stairs in the next room, I knew that I was in for a long day. I decided that I would meet Twilight in the next room so she wouldn’t have to see Brandi in her current state.

“Good morning Chase. How did you sleep?” Twilight asked with her usual happy smile.

“Okay given the circumstances,” I replied.

She seemed to catch on to what had happened and her smile disappeared. She looked into my eyes and asked the question without passing a word.

“Yeah,” was the only answer I could give her.

“I’m so sorry Chase,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I did all I could do with my magic but her wounds were too great.”

“After a crash like that I’m surprised that anyone survived. Do you, by any chance have a shovel I could borrow?”

“It’s in the shed next to the library,” she answered.

It took about ten minutes to bring Brandi out to the field North of the town where I thought it would be a good place to lay her down. Twilight didn’t accompany me on the trip. She said something about leaving me to it. I’m actually thankful for the peace and quiet. So far, I haven’t had much of it since waking up on this planet. It felt good to finally be able to think this through. While digging the grave, my thoughts wandered over the past five years of my life and how much of it had been lies.

After burying her and placing a medium sized stone on the grave I sat back for about five minutes and went over the five years I’ve spent with her. From what I could remember, there was no hint at what the actual mission was. Having taken the time to say my final goodbye and thinking over my current situation, I made my way back to the library. When I entered, I found Twilight reading one of her books. I walked up behind her and took a peek at the book. It was written in the same language that I saw before and I couldn’t read it.

“Is that some kind of ancient language or something?” I asked curiously.

“What? No this is equestrian; it’s the written form of what we’re speaking. You can’t read it?” She asked with a tilt of her head.

“No, I guess our written languages are different but our spoken language is the same,” I answered.

“By the way, I have a question about your ship. How does it work?” She asked with a quill and parchment ready.

“That’s a big subject but I’ll start with what powers it. There’s a power generator called a reactor. It’s…shit I need to get back to the ship.” I stated as I realized that the reactor is a big problem.

“What? What is it?” She asked.

“The reactor could be going critical.” I answered in a monotone voice.