The Catacombs of Zalgo

Chapter 10: The Boy Who Shouldered Scars

"My god… *Pant*… that… was too close…" Jack said, as he heavily panted for breath. His hands shook from the intensity of his hatred hallucinations. His blood pressure was racing like a maniac. And his body felt sore like never before. But Jack came prepared for any situation. He struggled his way down to his right pouch and pulled out a tablet bottle. He unscrewed the cap and pulled out a blue colored tablet. He placed it in his mouth and swallowed the tablet. After the tablet went down his throat, Jack inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. With the medicine almost immediately kicking in, Jack's muscles begun to relax. Each time he breathed in and breathed out, he felt more and more calm. The ponies got back their strengths from the intense encounter they faced. Applejack sighed in relief as she stood back up.

"Golly… that was the wildest episode I've ever faced! Even… even wilder than the crazy nightmare I had not too long ago. I was strapped on some sort of rack… and… I saw you gals just sittin' there doin' nothin'. And then Apple Bloom came in… with a knife… and… started to eat mah insides… and…" While she tried to recall the memories of her recent nightmares, Rainbow Dash reeled her eyes back in shock.

"W-Wait… you actually were there?! B-But… how?! We thought you were just an illusion back there… how in Equestria did you know all of this?!" Dash asked. Applejack replied with a shrug. At that moment, Jack stood back up and sighed in relaxation. He looked at Applejack with a serious face.

"It's… a bit complicated to explain. But basically, it's like this. While the fog does senses and manifests the illusion on any user, it also comes with a side effect. Some of the illusions we faced were actually... real fractured essences.” As Jack continued, he cracked his tired neck. “In order to form, maintain, and control the personality traits of an appearance of a real living being, the fog must search the exact essence within our world and drag it in the Illusion Quarter, leaving the victim's body unconscious for the full duration until its dismissal. Throughout that process, the essence experiences what transpires within those rooms.

“How the fog responds and reacts to the fractured essence really depends on the user's perspective mind. In other words, whatever real living beings you met in there… they too have experienced it. Your friend… Pinkie Pie, was it? She was shown the vision of the encounter… even when she's conscious or unconscious. Same thing to you too… Applejack. It's all but a nightmare vision you were forced to experience. It's the only flaw we have from using the Illusion Quarter."

The explanation Jack spoke dumbstruck the ponies, leaving them confused and puzzled. After a few seconds to understand it all, Rarity came to a conclusion.

"So… what you're saying is… after all the things Sweetie Belle did in there… did… did she somehow… saw what happened in there? A-and if so… *Gasp*" Rarity gasped in horror after she understood the explanation. She slowly collapsed to the ground and started to weep. The thought of the horrific events Sweetie Belle had to watch made Rarity sick.

"Oh, my poor, poor Sweetie Belle! She didn't deserve this at all! If… if only I were a nicer sister… none of this would've happened! Oh Sweetie Belle… my one and only sister… forgive me!!" Rarity cried out. At that point, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash finally understood what Jack meant and felt the same sorrow Rarity was experiencing now. Dash squinted her eyes as she began upwelling in tears.

"Oh gosh… Scootaloo. I sure hope your doing okay… I… I'm so sorry…" Dash mumbled in sorrow. Then she let her tears come out, before weeping.

At the entrance to the Everfree Forest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were recently left unconscious by an unknown force. All the three fillies started to regain consciousness after the events that transpired in the Illusion Quarter. Scootaloo's body felt numb from all the pain and fear she endured during her vision. She tried to stand up, but the horror she experienced weighed her down. Tears were already escaping her eyes from the encounter with Gilda. But she wasn't the only one; Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were too in the same state Scootaloo was in. All three fillies curled up their bodies and cried in torment. They cried so hard, they started to develop the hiccups. Apple Bloom sniveled her wet nostrils and stared at her fallen friends.

"I… I had the scariest nightmare! I was eating mah sister… while she begged fer mercy! Why would I wanna dream somethin’ like that?! I wanna go home… *Hic!* I'm so scared…!" Apple Bloom whimpered. Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom and slowly noded her head in agreement.

"Y-Yeah… me too! A-and I had a nightmare as well! This griffon… was beating me up… while Rainbow Dash… stood there and did nothing to save me… *Hic!*" Scootaloo cried while her lips quivered. Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo spotted Sweetie Belle weeping away. Her hooves covered her eyes as she cried.

"I… I-I dreamed that… that I was attacking… my sister! The way… I attacked her… it felt scary! I-I… I… waaaaaaahahaaaa!" Sweetie Belle bawled out. At this point, all of the three fillies resumed their cries in fear. The thought of recapping their nightmare memories, made their hearts sank. The louder they cried, the more misery it drove inside their minds. Soon, the feeling of pain, fear, and suffering they've experienced overwhelmed their thoughts. They couldn't help themselves but to continue crying and weeping. It is as though they've felt the extent of their fear. While the fillies helplessly cried, the distant sound of flapping wings became noticeable. A shadow flew passed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The shadow that loomed over them startled the fillies.

At that moment, they felt like their lives were in jeopardy. They sat perfectly still; their ears perked up as they listened to the sound gradually become louder. They looked up, but found nothing in the sky. Suddenly, a loud thump came from behind them. The Cutie Mark Crusaders swerved their heads around and screamed in terror. However, the screams came to a complete stop. They spotted a cross-eyed grey pegasus with a yellow mane, and bubbles for a cutie mark. The fillies gasped in unison.

"Derpy Hooves!" They yelled out. All three of the fillies scared façade cease when comfort had just arrived. Derpy was a friendly, yet a not so bright pegasus. Her crossed eyes could speak for themselves. And on top of that, there was a banana muffin resting on top of Derpy's head. Her left eye was fixated on the three fillies, while the right eye kept watch on the muffin on top of her head. The grey pegasus smiled at the fillies and saluted to them with her hoof.

"Mission complete, sir! We have found our objective!" Derpy said proudly to herself. Just when she said the word, 'We', it left the Cutie Mark Crusaders confused. Is she not alone? Is someone else with her? The fact that Derpy can be random at sometimes, this leaves the fillies into questioning. Apple Bloom cocked her head while tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

"Whah… we? Who's we?" She asked in confusion. The grey dim-witted pegasus let out a girlishly giggle. She grabbed the muffin that was sitting on her head and present it to the crusaders.

"Why Commander Banana Puff and I, of course! The princess sent us out on a mission to find you girls," Derpy said while bringing the muffin closer to the crusaders. "And boy we were lucky too! He's a good tracker when it comes to a searching mission! Though," Derpy paused herself for a brief moment. She craned her neck over to the side looking a little embarrassed. What has gotten into her mind this time was a complete mystery to the crusaders. Then, Derpy leaned her head about level with them. The cutie mark crusaders carefully perked their ears wide open. Then, Derpy whispered, "He's a bit clumsy sometimes. So don't mention that to him… you'll hurt his feelings."

Derpy raised her head back up to her level and smiled ever so brightly. The three fillies were left dumbstruck from the absolute randomness. Confusion flashed across the crusader's faces. Never in their lives they had experienced this much mystification presented to them. But just as they were getting off the main topic, Scootaloo snapped out of the trance and brought back up the situation.

"Please! Derpy, I can't feel my legs anymore! I wanna go home!" Begged the helpless filly. When Scootaloo brought up the topic again, the other two fillies nodded their heads at Derpy. They all were anxious to return to their homes and pray that their friends and loved ones would soon return. When Derpy heard her cue, she placed the muffin back on top of her head and saluted to herself.

"Righto! Just climb on my back and we will escort you to Ponyville in no time at all!" She said, while looking all pumped up. Once the fillies were loaded on Derpy's back, the grey pegasus took flight and headed straight towards home.

It's been ten minutes since the events in the Illusion Quarter had quiet down. All the horrific memories they had in that atrocious room were now behind them. They all were focused back to the task at hand. With Jack leading the way, the ponies followed after him. While they walked, the ponies whispered to one another. Carrying quiet conversations, it became clear that the volume was too noticeable. Jack was agitated to hear the ponies talking about him. They secretly questioned one another about Jack's rotten attitude and mysterious intentions. Additionally, the volume had become so loud enough; it drove Jack's solitude mind to a boil. He turned his head a little to the side and glared at the ponies behind him.

"Hey, stop whispering. You're giving us away to the enemies around us." Jack whispered back to them irritated. Rainbow Dash was the first to pause herself from the conversation. However; instead of being brought down by Jack's orders like a slave would, she unexpectedly glared at him in return.

"So what?" Dash replied with her volume rising. "We got you to protect us. There's nothing wrong about a little conversation to lift our spirits up just a bit. And besides, I still didn't receive a thanks from you back there." Dash expected him to express his gratitude to her. Jack rolled his eyes and grunted in frustration.

"Thanks. Now be quiet." He spoke in a rude tone. The gratitude he gave out was not what Dash had in mind. It almost sounded like an insult. It sickened her by thinking the trouble she went through to saving his life. But just before Rainbow Dash could raise a grievance about the way she's being treated, Applejack suddenly took her place.

"Now just hold on there, you! Rainbow Dash here saved yer sorry life! And yet, you just shove her to the side like a rag doll! Who do you think you are?!" She thundered, while rage began to boil up inside her head. The way she stood up to Rainbow Dash was very promising. At that moment, Jack came to a complete stop. He just stood there silently, unable to focus on the task at hand. He stared at the ground and curled his fists in. Applejack didn't stop there; she continued her campaign to defend her friend's honor.

"Why, out of all the people I've ever met, you are the most cold hearted person there is!" While Applejack continued her criticism, Jack's fists shook in cold anger.

"Shut up…" He mumbled to himself, containing his rage. Applejack didn't hear his warning and pressed on with the criticism.

"You never care about us, ponies! It's just all about you, isn't it?! Can't you just at least show us a least bit of gratitude and sympathy? It's bad enough that our other two friends are in great danger, but using your ignorant behavior towards us is just too much! But you don't care… you don't even care at all! Face it; you're just a stubborn, disrespectful, arrogant little-" All of a sudden, she was cut off by Jack. He swerved his body around and swung his arm to the side.

"SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" Jack roared in anger. The uproar of rage startled the ponies. It made them back up a few steps. Jack's head was infuriated by the insults he received. His muscles tensed up with a blood vein popping up on his head. Clenching his teeth, he glared in seething rage at the ponies.

"You don't have the right to talk to me like that! You all don't know me… you all will never understand me! I didn't want to save your sorry assess in the first place! I NEVER EVEN ASKED FOR THIS!!" Jack screeched in anger, leaving the ponies frightened by his wrath. All the ponies froze in fear from the outburst of wordless rage. While Jack glared at the ponies, he slowly turned his body back around, giving off pressuring grunts.

"The fact that I'm like this is because my life is a living hell! I lived with no contentment, no grace, and no harmony! I wasn't shown ANY mercy, not even the slightest pity was given! This feeble life that weighs on my shoulders is just too unbearable! Everyday is just the same as always! Just a cold and ruthless world I have to endure…" At that moment, Jack's rage began to wane. His muscles all over his body started to loosen up.

"And… I still don't even know why I'm living. The only thing that's lifting me up… is vengeance. I asked myself, 'Why couldn't I just end myself right now?' countless of times. It’s maddening enough I can't come up with an answer… let alone find a bit of comfort in this god-forsaken world." While Jack has the opportunity to calm down, he did his best to cool his simmering rage. Fluttershy couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She always knew that something was wrong with Jack’s life. And since this could be the perfect time to learn Jack’s life, Fluttershy was prepared to lend him a hoof. She gathered her courage and spoke carefully.

"J-Jack…? What happened? Why is your life so miserable?" She asked, with a bit of dismal. The other ponies were suddenly interested in listening to his pitiful life. No one spoke a word for a few moments. They gave him time to come up clear and clean. When it felt like a minute had passed by, Jack gave a sigh in depression.

"Those… shadowy demons we faced in the Illusion Quarters. They… they were my parents." The ponies gasped from the dramatic twist. After they gasped, Jack continues on.

"Or so I picture them… since I haven't really saw them for a very long time. Oooh… how much I hated them is beyond your imaginings. But, it wasn't just me that they hated… it was also Zalgo. Every hundred of years, on the very beginning of the first of January, Zalgo enters inside the very first infant that's been brought into this world. And when that happens… the people ordered an execution on the infant to prevent an apocalypse." Once more, the ponies gasped in horror. This lead them all into thinking, "Why isn't he killed if he's the avatar that the archbishop claimed?" Just before anypony could ask, Jack immediately continued on.

"You see, I was the first to be born on the first of January. But… miraculously… they let me live for an unknown purpose. But, it wasn't soon that I realize why they did it." Jack sighed and stared at the ceiling.

"I once lived in a town called, 'Graniteville'. It's located within the center of Mild West. Its population was at its standards. It even got its name for the granite they discovered at a nearby mine. Anyways… Graniteville existed for more than four hundred years. It is also where… that damned archbishop used to live. Herald Matronly Patio… one of the worlds famous Archbishop there is. He is the one that baptized me… and also…" As he paused, he gave a depressing sigh. He turned around to face the ponies. Then, he used both hands to grab his shirtwaist. With his arms overlapping each other, he lifted the shirt up. Once the shirtwaist was at his neck level, he held it still. The ponies gasped in shock from what they were seeing.

On Jack's flat abdomen area revealed several hypertrophic scar lines, that all took the shape of an eye symbol. It was the same exact symbol that's been scrawled on the steel door leading to the Illusion Quarter. The scars looked outrageously infected, as if they haven't been treated at all. After a few seconds of showing the symbol that's been engraved on his abdomen, he continued his story.

"He is the one that engraved this on my abdomen during scarification. This symbol represents, 'The Eye of Eternal Darkness' which is the concept of Zalgo. I had this symbol ever since I was first born. The pain was so overwhelming; I can still feel it stinging today." At that moment, Jack turned his body around to reveal his back view. On his slender back had tons of severe scar lines all over it. The scars were a little different from the hypertrophic scars he had on his abdomen. They were a little bit more infected and swollen. Several tiny portions of dried skin hanged over the jagged areas. After another brief moment for the ponies to gasp in shock once more, Jack picked up where he left off.

"These… on the other hand, were given to me every birthday I had in Granitville. Herald used a razor sharp whip to lash my back. Every year, I receive the number of lashes depending on my number of age. As you can see, there are a total of forty-five lashes. Which means, I received nine years of merciless lashing. No one even cared to tend my wounds. I had to deal with those scars by letting them heal on their own." He gave another depressing sigh, letting his shirtwaists go. Once his shirt covered his back, he pressed on with his story.

"Pain… suffering… hatred… fear… sorrow… and despair. Those six things have been torturing my existence ever since. All the comfort in the world was out of my grasp. The children called me horrific names, threw hurtful objects at me, and even beat the living crap out of me. It was just too agonizing to accept my fate. But, the worst part of my life… were my parents. They treated me with contempt and uncaring more than anyone in Graniteville. My mother abused me by painfully thrashing me. And my father tortured me with his vile ways of disdain and cruelty. While fear and suffering overtook my life, deep down, I developed a delirious feeling of anger and hatred over the years towards my parents and everyone that lived within the city. The only comfort I ever received in my life was from my older brother… Jared Armstrong." Jack's fists curled up from mentioning that name.

"Jared… was… what you might say… a stolid person. Jared never expressed any feelings towards me. He always had that dour facial expression on his face, and submissively stared at me every time we make eye contact. But on the brighter note, he was the one that secretly taught me how to walk on my two legs. He also taught me the ways to speak properly, while he sometimes gave me some helpful advice. And he always provided me scraps of food and water. Though, he always talked to me with a tepid attitude. I really never understood Jared's personality… but it didn't concern to me at anyway. Everyday was the same for me. I hid myself from the people, gathered up as much food and water as I could, and survive the outcome. It was a rinse and repeat process… until… that fateful night came."

At that moment, Jack stopped talking. All of his anger, hatred, and frustrations were now simmering down. He just stood there silently as the next words were logged down deep inside of him. His eyelids squint, along with his fists shaking as he was struggling to continue his story. Many memories and thoughts raced through his mind, and he kept reliving the horrible events that transpired at Granitville. It almost felt like an endless cycle of torment to him. While seconds silently went by, Jack just stood there wordlessly. Anxious to listen to more of his past, Rarity leaned her body forward from anticipation.

"What night, darling?" Rarity asked. Then Rainbow Dash supported Rarity's question further.

"Yeah, what happened? What happened on that night, Jack?" Dash asked earnestly. The ponies stood silently, waiting for Jack to continue. It took a few more seconds for them to see him react. When Jack finally had the strength to cough up his words, he stared up at the ceiling again.

"It was the night… of my tenth birthday, and the night of my execution. I was hiding and sleeping inside a secret place only I discovered. The people in Granitville were just about to hunt me down and put me out of my misery… when suddenly, the town started to shriek in terror. When I heard the town's uproar, I awoke and went to see what was going on. When I arrived at the scene, I saw the whole town engulfed in a fiery blaze of madness.” As Jack continued, the ponies were left speechless from this point on. “The people were inexplicably turned against each other in a brutal onslaught. The cries of death echoed across the town, blood colored the streets in a vulgarly display, hundreds of corpses of women and children lied perished on the streets, and the buildings collapsed upon its destructive wake. It was the spitting image of hell's wrath you might say. I asked myself if this was my doing. It was maddening to even believe that the monster inside of me did this. While the town was on the brink of annihilation, I took this opportunity to gather up the supplies I could find and escape from this town. And when I was just about to head out into the cold desert, I spotted my brother." Jack lowered his head and sighed.

"He was on his knees what appears to be crying. His hands covered his bloody eyes. I felt a little worried about his condition. But just as I approached him, he started threatening me. Strangely, I can still remember those words he spoke. He muttered, 'Run away you fool! Live your pathetic life in solitude! Nyarlathotep is coming!'. With no time to think, I ran away from Granitville. As I ran away, I left all my haunted memories there to rot, along with the horrible experiences I have endured. Into the cold and ruthless desert I go, I wandered the endless wasteland aimlessly. I walked hundreds of miles across the desert with little food and water. My aching feet started to weigh me down, while my throat was burning from dehydration. I could barely see where I was going due to my condition. As the days went by, the heat of the sun slowly drove my mind insane. And on top of that, I kept hearing dark whispers inside my head. A demon named Nyarlathotep, the name my brother mentioned, kept whispering about my sins and my demise. And how I am supposed to be what he's searching for. I tried to ignore the maddening whispers, but it slowly fed off pieces of my humanity.

"I was just about to give up myself to death's hands, when I just came across another town. I found relief in myself… but also confusion as well. There was no one around… but… ponies. There were mares and stallions in human cloths, as they walked around the town like normal citizens. Plus, they had the ability to speak English in a western accent. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but I trusted my instincts that this was no illusion. With bad experiences of meeting and communicating with others, I quietly snuck up aboard what appeared to be an operational train. I hid inside one of the cargoes that carried food and water. I had no idea where the train took me, but I didn't even care. I rode on that train for what seemed to be like two days. Each night, the nightmares of Granitville haunted me. I could barely sleep with myself any longer. Not even crying myself to sleep helped anymore. It is as though this was my eternal punishment." While Jack's story went on, the ponies felt more and more empathy towards him. They came to an understanding conclusion that everything he puts them through wasn't his fault. While they silently pitied him, Jack's story went on uninterrupted.

"Eventually, the train unexpectedly bumped into an object that shook the whole cargo. I fell out the cargo and plummet down a pond below. Luckily, I survived the fall. Once I swam out of the pond, I found myself in the middle of the forest. I felt a little amazed to see something more different than the desert itself. But, I had no time to admire its stunning features, as I had to continue to search for my true salvation. Deep inside the forest, I began to feel that I was lost. The forest grew darker the deeper I went in. For the first time in my life, I felt scared for myself, rather than being scared at anything else. I can already feel myself breaking down inside. Eerie howls of bloodthirsty creatures echoed everywhere I turned. It felt like this forest would be my grave to sleep in. But suddenly, there was a loud sound of explosion. Then, a mysterious sign appeared on the sky. It looked as if it was… some sort of a rainbow sonic boom."

At that moment, the ponies gasped quietly as they knew what he saw. Rainbow Dash heaved her head in surprise.

"My Sonic Rainboom…" Dash quietly recalled to herself. She was recalled the event during her race to defend Fluttershy's honor. She made the legendary Sonic Rainboom, which helped the other main five to get their own Cutie Marks. While Rainbow Dash reminded herself that event, Jack's story continued.

"It was the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen in my entire life. But at the same time, I was also frightened too. The shock of admiration was very new to me. I had no idea that my body would react like that. Desperately, I had to follow the source of that colorful sonic boom. Miraculously, the sonic boom lead me to a small city. It was known as, 'Aerithian City'. It was a filthy and dangerous place to be… even the darkest alleys sent a chill down to my spine. Due to my problems with associating with people, I made myself a home underneath a highway bridge. While I took a tour around the city, I stumbled upon several local school buildings. When the schools were closed, I stole the books and documents from the classrooms. During my time, I studied the fundamentals of English, Math, Writing, Reading, Science, History, and many more necessities to survive the world. I was thankful that I had the ability to grasp new concepts very quickly.

"I've lived in Aerithian City for four years. I felt a little comfort living within the city… but it didn't help with my real life issues. Everything went on as usual… until… the day blackened once more. Buildings were collapsing onto one another; the shrieks of terror echoed all over the streets, and signs of death were everywhere. I thought my nightmares came back to haunt me once more. But, I soon realized this wasn't my doing. I spotted the demon Nyarlathotep coming into the city, and turned everything he saw into his own maddening creation. The way he looked… it was just too overwhelmingly horrific to gaze upon. There were no words to describe his repugnant form. I had to escape the city, even though I might not survive the next trip towards a new home. But just when I had escaped death's grasps once more, I somehow met an unfortunate fate.” Jack paused for a moment, and sighed hollowly.

"It was an ambush, as these guys captured me unexpectedly. It was the cult of Cthulhu that took me inside this place. R'lyeh, The Lost City of Cthulhu' was once its original name. The name was the inspiration for Cthulhu’s sleeping house. Within this hideout, they would harvest souls to sate Cthulhu's endless hunger. And frightenly, I was just about to become one of their victims. However, the cult's supreme overseer, 'Lady Ursula' stepped in and observed me. Her dark eyes stared straight down into my soul… my very being… my very existence. It was one of the most frightening experiences I've ever dealt with. I thought that this would be the end of me. But, Lady Ursula said I had potential and the dedication to become a part of her cult. I was surprised that they didn't decided to kill me back then. And so, over the next four years, I became one of them." Jack stopped for a moment. He lifted his hands up to his chest level, and stared at his palms with a pale face.

"I've been taught many dark things in this place. We’ve captured and killed innocent lives for research, experiments, material supplies, and even for our amusement. But the main priority was to harvest the souls for Cthulhu's resurrection. The feeling of torturing and killing living beings actually felt… good. We've slaughtered animals, monstrous creatures, critters, and even my own kind. For the first time, I felt like I had power. My lust for vengeance was inevitable. All the pain, the hatred, and the suffering I endured in all my life, I inflicted it all upon my victims. It was a satisfying delirious feeling to experience. But… during my time in there… I also felt remorse. It's true that my fetish for pain was a delight, but I couldn't help but think about comparing my life and theirs. Whenever I see a dying victim, I picture myself as that victim. The more innocent lives we killed, the more I blame myself for it. I asked myself, 'Was there lives more severe than mine? Was this all worth for naught? Am I inflicting my wrath upon myself?' All these questions raced through my head like an angry bee swarm, eating away my humanity. While I was driven into the path of despair, I noticed a black-cloaked man walking towards our entrance." At that sudden moment, Jack's fists began shaking in anger once more.

"It was him… the avatar. After all these years, I thought I was that damned monster. His aura of absolute horror shrouded the whole place. In an instant, the cultist's eyes melted out of their eye sockets by the overwhelming waves of terror. Then, their skin slowly decayed from unspeakable hysteria, before they finally died. One by one, everyone slipped into eternal darkness. They've slowly transformed into those undead freaks we've encountered so far. Everyone but me died on that fateful night. I was the only witness during the takeover. Miraculously, Zalgo let me leave the place for an unknown purpose that I still do not understand. He whispered, 'I have witnessed your tenacity over the years. Your resilience is quite admirable, but you are still weak. Your survival means nothing. Your very existence… even less. Either flee to your wretched life, and live your final days in your own pool of sins. Or… prove to me you're more capable of defying death endless of times. Either way, there will be no shelter from my wrath. Your purpose here in this forsaken world is now over'." With Jack's rage now boiling up inside of him, he growled silently.

"Those exact words… drove me to the peak of vengeance. After all these years, I figured out who was the one responsible for ruining my life, yet I still do not know who he was. But anyway, he thought that I was worthless… that my life didn't mean anything. And yet, here I am, holding a selfish purpose to redeem myself.” While Jack continued, he simmered down once more. “After I escaped Zalgo's wrath, I took it upon myself to do something for a change. For the next two years, I've searched around the entire content for the necessary requirements. I've been learning how to do severe martial arts, properly use weapons, and study witchcraft spells to help with my path of vengeance. And now, here I am… stuck with you four… holding me back from achieving my only purpose." At that moment, the ponies were left speechless from Jack's sad and miserable past. They never knew how much suffering he was going through. It was the perfect example of the word 'Disharmony'.

Just then, the ponies suddenly heard Jack quietly weeping away. They let out a small, quiet, shocking gasp as they saw his head held up. Streams of tears ran down his cheeks slowly.

"No one ever cared about me. They think I'm just a waste of space in this world. I couldn't fit into their society… and I even couldn't be accepted as a normal person. It was just me… verses the world. It sickens me why I can't just commit suicide. I've tried countless of times… but something's always keeping me away from that. It is as though I'm being forever punished. If only I weren’t this weak and worthless, I would've made a difference right about now. But... I can’t... I can’t escape my fate... it's… it's not fair! I’m just too scared!" Jack sniveled his final words before weeping in despair. The ponies never expected Jack to break down like that, let alone making a tough person like him cry. After a few seconds of hearing him crying to himself, Jack finally faced towards the group with tearful eyes.

"You all think I'm worthless, huh? That I'm weak… and unable to fit into your kind." He wept towards the ponies. But at that moment, his face paled. He was surprised to see that the quiet ponies were shedding tears of their own. Jack never expected them to look like this. He thought that they were snickering behind them after all this time. While the ponies let out their tears, Fluttershy was the first to shake her head slowly in response.

"No… you're not weak, Jack. I never knew how terrible your life was. The way you saved me and my friends… made me feel more… safer around you." She said emotionally. Rainbow Dash sniffed her wet nose and displayed a friendly grin at Jack.

"Yeah… and the way you took out all those monster… made me think you're more… reliable." Then, Rarity and Applejack nodded their heads in agreement.

"That's right, darling.” Rarity spoke passionately. “It was unfair of us into doubting you. The way you treated Fluttershy's wounds and mine like a professional… was just stunning. It made me feel more comfortable being around you." Applejack nodded her head again.

"And how you knew to deal with situations was simply remarkable. I feel like I should put all mah trust in you. I'm mighty sorry fer makin' rude remarks about you." She said, while wiping her tears off her cheeks. The feelings that they shared had somehow lit a small spark in Jack's heart. During that spark, he felt something he never experienced before… and it felt… nice. However, he also began thinking that this could be a trickery, a set up to mess with Jack's emotions. But, the way they said their feelings towards him… it felt like they weren't lying at all. Unsure about this, Jack looked away from the group, wiping his eyes to prevent any more tears.

"Y-You all are just saying that… just to put me back in line. I'm just a bad person to you all. I can’t do anything right..." Jack murmured. After saying that, he thought that they would exactly say something like that. But, all he saw was Applejack shaking her head.

"Now that ain't true, sugarcube. Listen to me; you are not a bad person. You're a good person… just a little misguided that's all. I know you have bad experiences at communicating with others… and that's completely understandable. But I can tell… deep down inside of you, there's a scared and lost child, waiting to be rescued in there. I already know that you're a trustworthy, friendly, loyal person deep inside of you. What I'm saying is the honest truth." Applejack sniveled. At that moment, Jack's jaw dropped a bit, looking a little surprised. Kindness, Loyalty, Generosity, and now the word 'Honesty' has struck Jack's mind.

No one in his entire life had ever said something thoughtful to him. Deep in Jack's heart, the spark grew more and more brighter. It was giving him strength he never had before. And… new tears he never shed before. Jack wiped the stream of tears off of his cheek and stared at the ponies neutrally.

"A-Applejack… and Rainbow Dash…?" He called their names quietly. Both Dash and Applejack had their full attention to Jack.

"Yeah?" Rainbow Dash and Applejack asked in unison. Jack was about to say something, but it was lodged deep down in his throat.

"I-I… w-well…" He was just about ready to spit his words out, when he turned his head away from the group.

"…Thank you…" He spoke in a quiet, yet friendly tone. Both Dash and Applejack smiled at him after the way he thanked them expressively. Fluttershy and Rarity looked happy to see a little bit of light in him. After that, Jack turned around and started moving forward.

"Let's keep going…" He said submissively. The ponies nodded to one another and continued their journey. While Jack has his back turned towards the group, he managed to do something he never expected. For the very first time in his whole life, he did something he never did before. What he did while hiding his face from the group… was displaying his very first smile of happiness.