Chapter 11

A New Beginning

My word hung like a thick fog, trampling over and permeating the very air with both emotional distress, and a heavy worry which threatened to register on my facial features. That singular word, which gave an admission of acceptance, allowance even, disheartened me to the depths of my soul and scarred me so horribly that I felt only a pang now of my former screams of denial. Only a shadow remained in my soul, watching over me, as my eyes found that of the machine.

The machine. The thing, the horrid creature who smelt of flesh, blood, oil, and metal all at once. The one who possessed the strength and resilience to withstand massive damaging attacks with only minor damages notable to its frame. The strange monstrosity of metal and flesh that was staring back at me from its formalized stance, its brown pupil narrowing slightly as it seemed to venture what resembled a breath.

A breath!? At this moment, now, a thousand questions were coming to my mind as I observed this, machine. How could this, thing, be capable of replicating something only organic, living beings could produce? If you're not a machine, or alive, what are you? I asked myself, somewhat baffled by the mystery that still stood before me, awaiting further words or instructions.

Looking further into the appearance of the creature, I could see something more than what originally had met my mind's eye. The machine, it seemed to occasionally make an extreme, deliberate effort to swallow. The mechanical actuators, which so closely resembled muscles, shifted vigorously beneath its pallid, dead skin, to convey what I could only surmise as lubricating fluids throughout its body. The facial tissue which surrounded that maw seemed to twist only faintly, forming the beginnings of what I could tell was supposed to be a sympathetic expression.

"Ma'am," The machine addressed, formally, its jaw moving tirelessly, stating, tasting, testing the word as if for the first time it was speaking normally. "My sensor array is indicating a steady increase in your hormonal levels, your cognitive activity has been growing consistently as well. Is something amiss, Ma'am?"

Any thoughts I could manage died in my throat before I could give voice to them. In only a brief moment, my mind was becoming more and more befuddled as I observed this monstrosity and, with a flickering that was starting to light up the gloom anew in my heart, I began to discover a new truth in my soul. This, thing, this machine; this cold, dead creature, it cared. In its own way, perhaps it didn't even realize it itself, it had expressed a modicum of warmth and heart that I could just not see it having until now.

Openly, however, I could observe that Liberator's face was slowly shifting, from a sort of concern to confusion, as it asked again, "Is something amiss, Ma'am?"

"No." I found my voice, and firmly, surely, said at last. My right hoof pressed the ground heavily, as for but a moment as I listened to its confusion, its concern, and saw the flash before my eyes. I saw this creature, how easily, horribly, carelessly, it dispatched of my close friend. The rage which had since become suppressed in my moment of thought was slamming my psyche full force, leaving me with a sharp stab of fresh grief and anger that tainted the air with its intensity. My own face, I could feel, was rigid with the cold, dank darkness which had overtaken the brief flickering candle that had illuminated my imprisoned heart. The eyes with which I used to observe the machine flitted about, as with any long-term exposure to the tall, bulky form now caused blurs to form in my vision. With ears flattening now slightly, and my teeth gritted behind slightly parted lips, I shook my head and slowly found my eyes settling on Mortem.

The stallion whom was still calmly observing me, with those big, steadfast, serious crimson pupils, was still at my side. He stood, dressed as he was in that full battle uniform, with his expression unmoved. Only the faintest twitch, which curved his right brow up ever so slightly, was able to be detected. Otherwise, he was as he had been when I had answered the question with which now I already was coming to regret. Actually, there was a difference to him. It wasn't direct, or noticeable really. He just, looked different. Something in the air that was between us was changed now. I couldn't put my hoof on it; but I did know that with every breath, every inhalation, there was a new scent among the others I was already familiar with. This scent, this smell; it was enticing, exotic, and encompassing.

My whole being took note of this, as I blinked and found myself staring once more into those eyes which calmed me. Yes, those eyes, lovely as they are, were steadying me. There was also a sense of shattering as well, as I felt my knees get a little weaker; and my body began to grow a newer, more intense ember to banish the darkness henceforth from my soul for a time.

"Young friend, thou shouldst surely remember it is most impolite to stare. We have warned ye multiple times as of the current moment." Mortem said, his voice ravishing to my ears.

"Yeah..." I said, still lost in some sort of daze I couldn't bear to drag myself out of. A daze that, I knew if broken too soon, would do well only to snuff out the fire starting in the depths of my being and leaving me only in my ever-present hatred and anger.

The air was sweet, almost intoxicating, as I took a step only a bit closer to the one who already was by my side. I could feel a stirring in my chest, a beat in my throat, as I looked up into those eyes, handsome as they were, and was surprised when I read in them perhaps the same emotions and feelings which were running through my own body. Surely, they were there; but I could sense a kind of restraint that was not present before, as he brought up a hoof as if to let it settle on my shoulder. I pressed that hoof to my cheek, feeling the heat, the steadiness, the intense blaze within me multiplied by the warmth of this soft furry appendage on my already burning face.

"Come now, young friend," Mortem's voice broke up my thoughts, and rattled me deeply, as I came to blink rapidly. The happy, perfect world, disjointed, and shattered. In its place, the stark, somewhat frightening concept of reality now remained once more to take up the area around us. Nothing but pure fear and shame rose up in my heart, and nearly extinguished my heart's flame yet again as I expected to see judgement in those beautiful pupils; but I was surprised to see no judgement. There was only calm, which was the same as the voice which addressed me. "We have still yet a mission to attend to, and provisions to secure."

"Yeah. Yeah, alright." I finally said, my face feeling like it was on fire as Mortem removed his hoof slowly and let it settle on the hard floor once more. particularly, I could still feel where his touch had been, and in my heart of hearts, I knew how much I already longed for that lovely feeling again.

"Selena love," Mortem spoke, his tone taking on something of a special, more reserved tone; one that I could easily differentiate from the way he had just talked moments before with me. "Have ye yet prepared for us what we've asked?"

Moments passed in an unwavering silence, for the air was still quite charged with the emotions of the preceding hour as well as the feelings yet to come. An uneasiness was still visible on the expression of the mare whom Mortem had called out to, and her eyes were focused intently on the large machine which still was waiting in the doorway. The stallion, who still stood by my side, took notice of this, and with a faint smile gracing his lips, he left me and made his way steadily towards her. His hoof graced her cheek, his lips met hers, and for but a moment, a pang of jealousy hit me. Jealousy was crazy at the moment; but it was still there, as I watched the startled mare who was now blushing as she smiled, secretly wished I could be her.

"Now love," Mortem said, his tone questioning again as he looked through the windows into her soul and she did the same to him. "Did ye make ready the provisions I requested of ye?"

"Oh," Selena seemed released now, from her fear, as she gave her love a single nod in answer. "Yes, I have. Let me go get the bag for you."

"Thank you dearest," Mortem smiled, as he sent off his beloved to another part of the store.

A few minutes passed by, as the stallion waited patiently. He and I listening intently to the sounds which pierced the silence in the still charged air. The scrambling, the shifting of objects, the groans and scraping of said objects across the floor or out of the way. Finally, the grunt of taking on weight that was most definitely an indication that the mare had acquired what she'd set out to secure for us. Her return was slow, careful, and she was loathe to admit the truth where it was most evident as I could see. The strength required for the duty she was performing was beyond her means, as she seemed to struggle beneath the weight of the bag she had shouldered. Though it were but only a small distance to cover, from whence she came to our area, she was short of breath and beads of sweat had since broken out on her brow as she let the bag drop by her side.

"There should be enough..." She took a moment to catch her breath. "Enough rations, and clean water, to last you both at least two weeks tops."

"I can't thank you enough my love," Mortem said, as he moved over and shouldered the bag. To him, it seemed, it was nothing, as he took it in hoof easily and had rolled it to his back without any effort.

"Oh, I know a way you can thank me when you get back," There was a glimmer, a glint really, in the eye of Selena as she seemed to look almost hungrily up and down her love.

To his credit, and a bit to my surprise, Mortem only laughed in response. His laugh was different than I'd expected. Having heard his voice, and knowing how intense and strong it could be; I had not thought his would be as delightful and jovial to my ears as it was now. The ringing it created, the joy it brought, the way it made me smile despite all that was in my stinging heart, that was something special there. by the end of his little tirade, he was smiling and shaking his head.

"Maybe," He finally said, chuckling a bit again, "Thee knows what happened last time I became...feral."

The singular word, the last which he had used to describe himself, sent an intense shiver up my spine and into my imagination. Feral? I thought. The word seemed to promise many things, the least of which was immense and lasting pleasure. The most of which promised unforgettable pain and suffering, as I saw there was a reflection of my thoughts on the face of the mare he had spoken to. However, she still nodded, laughed a little herself, and gave what I could take as a goodbye hug and kiss to her beloved.

"We'll be back before thee knows it love." Mortem whispered, placing a hoof on her cheek in a caring way, before he slowly departed from her and moved towards the door. "Say thy goodbyes for now young friend, for soon we march."

I could only nod to his words, before looking silently in the direction of the two friends I still possessed currently. Harkness stood there, his expression solemn, although he managed a smile as he gestured me to approach. Ginger still bore the look about her of her sadness from before, the puffy eyes, streaks where dried tears had once graced her cheeks. Her expression too became a small smile, as I slowly stepped closer and closer. Harkness greeted me first, with, surprisingly, a hug which was exceptionally strong despite his shoulder injury from earlier. His wife followed in this embrace, and we remained together like this for what felt like ages before I heard Harkness speak.

"You be safe out there," He said, "Because if I have to come in there to get you, you'll have a much worse time than all the wasteland can give you." His expression was stern, but I was biting my lip to keep from laughing. Ginger seemed much the same, as she eyed her husband and finally did break out into laughter.

I saw a smile curling the lips again of my friend, and he chuckled a bit before finally releasing me. Ginger, however, held on for a bit longer, and said, "Do be careful, I don't want to see another friend get hurt."

"I will be," I answered, giving her a faint nod and a reassuring squeeze before we parted our embrace.

There was but one last stop on my list of goodbyes. One that perhaps I shouldn't do, but yet I knew I must. One that would both haunt me until the nightmare was over, and give me the courage to press on in spite of the dangers to mount in the future. In that dark place, where the memories dwelt, I walked. In entrance, my eyes, which had been averted to the ground, now steadily settled on that piece of furniture which I had come to know so well. what i saw, brought a flood, a torrent of emotions; but above all, it brought a new sense of what I was doing this for. As the gloom settled upon me, from the shadows cast by that broken frame, that husk, the body that which once was my friend, I found myself moving without my consent. Coming to its side, I settled beside its damaged ear, stroking away a piece of its mane from closed eyes.

"I'll be back soon," I whispered, "And for us, it will be A New Beginning."

Author's Note

Hello once again audience, this is author Derpyness Maximus here. I'm just checking in with you all to see how you feel about both chapter eleven and the story thus far. Did you enjoy it? Did you dislike it? Are you somewhat in the middle? Either way, would you kindly leave me a comment or even P.M. me about your thoughts if you'd like; and remember to thumbs up or down the story. Also, I'd be interested to hear from those who do dislike the story especially, more so for their reasons of dislike and to see if I can change to become better at what I do.

As always, I would like to personally thank my Proofreader friend Tempest Knight, for helping to catch my errors and for reading the content I produce before it even gets to you, my audience. Give him as much credit as you do me for this important job.

Speaking of Tempest, he has made a suggestion that I found to be interesting. The idea he pitched was that I write longer, more detailed chapters, encompassing more of the story in each chapter. I thought I'd put this information out to you all before I wrote anything further from here on out, so I'd like to hear from you my good audience. Leave comments in the section provided and let me know both your thoughts on the chapter and this idea.

This is author Derpyness Maximus, signing off for now.