The Story of Atrox

“Hello?!” the great white beast said rather loudly expressing a fair amount of surprize. “Is that all you have to say for yourself.”

“Umm, what else would ya like me tah say?”

“How about the truth?” the great white beast hissed out.

“‘Bout wha’? You ‘avn’t axed me anyt’ing yet. Ah don’t even knows where Ah am. Why are you so upset? Ah should be the one ‘ave a temper tantrum.” I spat out at the beast, whom to my surprize looked taken back. The beast’s expression was short lived as it collected its thoughts.

“You are wearing skin, that in and of itself is sick.” The great white beast’s eyes narrowed. It’s voice transducted an extreme seriousness whilst remaining quiet.

“And?!” I said loudly, I really didn’t care, I gave up once I saw the lizard-man. I was no longer scared, a nice heavy dose of apathy was setting in. “Y’are naked.” I think that statement caught her (assuming by the voice again) totally off guard. Her cheeks became red and she looked away.

Once she had regained her composure she turned back to me and softly asked “Why does that matter?” The beast had a disgustingly smug grin across it’s face.

“It’s sick. Tah be nude is far worse and much more sick.” I mimicked her smug grin as her grin slid into a scowl of confusion. She took a step back and her mouth opened and closed trying to make words. After a moment or two she closed her mouth and turned her body away from me and began pacing.

After she took a step back and I had some breathing room I stood slowly, with the beast no longer in my face I was able to take a look around. The pair of us were dwarfed to the room we were in. I use the word room lightly, we were in a giant great hall. White marble and gold leafing everywhere. There was only the fading natural light coming into this expanse of whiteness from behind me. I did not dare to look away from the beast, I kept her in my sight the entire time I looked around. The far wall in front of me and behind the beast was a rather ornate display of stained glass rising further than I could see without looking away from the beast. Pillars coated in stylistic carvings and bordered by a grotesque amount of gold leafing proudly rose from their bases reaching above my field of vision. The sights were disorientating but oddly enough I smelled something familiar in a place that is anything but, it was vanilla.

“I smell cake, and Ah’m ‘ungry.” I said calmly but loudly so the beast could hear me. Her head turned to me with a very confused face.

“Y-you, What?!”

"Ah want cake.” I said flatly, quieter with her attention. I sniffed the air loudly, “Vanilla and sugar” I sighed out. “Ah was already ‘ungry, but now Ah wants some cake.” I said.

The great white beast made quite a funny face of incredulousness, both of her eyes were wide, before asking “You want cake? Twilight gave me the impression that you were a carnivore.”

“Ah’m an onmivor, Ah eat loads of different foods.”

“So you admit you eat meat? I must know what you hunt,” she quickly and authoritatively spat at me.

“Ah don’t, ne’er ‘ave. Ah’ll cook and eat damn near anyt’ing but,” I pointed at her obnoxiously, “Ah don’t know ‘ow ta ‘unt.”

She chuckled a little bit at first, then burst into unadulterated laughter. Whilst laughing she sat. Once she was done laughing, she wiped her eye and regained what looked to me as a more formal posture, remaining sitting on the ground facing me. she was a few metres from me. “I have never heard of a non hunting meat eater before, I also know that you are not lying. I enchanted my horn with a detection spell. You are most strange. By any chance, do you know who I am?”

“Notta clue” I stated boldly before. “Ah told tha’ purple one Ah was lost, an’ Ah meant it.” I crossed my arms at that point and sighed. “Ah’ve no idea even where Ah am nor what you even are.”

The beast gave me a look conveying confusion, “Twilight… relayed that you've positively identified that she was an unicorn and-”

“And the blue one was a pegasus? Yeah, Ah’ve ‘eard of them as story only. But they s’posed tah be like y’are size. Dem ot’ers are too small.” My hand waved in a nonchalant manner to match the tone I was giving and swiftly returned to it’s resting place.

“What type of stories?” She asked.

“Fictitious.” I stated quickly. She giggled, “Wha’s so funny?” I was irritated.

“Perhaps there are stories of them because they exist outside of your people’s territory.” It was my turn to laugh. And laugh I did. like, really? We woulda seen them. My fit of laughter brought me to a knees, my face was red and I was tearing.

“Out- out- outside” I paused and took a breath, “Me people di’t ‘ave an ou’side.” I know I was unclear, but I was laughing too hard. The white beast was simply staring at me.

“I think my sister would be better inclined to deal with you. I am just lost on what to make of you.” Her voice was neutral, I believed her, but it made me wonder what type of thing it’s sister was.

“iight ‘kay. bu’ first Ah wanna trade names if y’are chill wit’ tha’.” I said with a shit eating grin as I was recovering from the fit.

“What do you want?” she asked, not understanding me.

“Yo name. I want yo name. Yo can be callin’ me Atrox.”

“Oh, you have a strange way of speech Atrox. My name is Celestia, my sister’s name is Luna.” She said in a pleasant tone. “I am going to send Luna to you. To be honest you are just too… unique for me to evaluate.”

“Evaluate?” I said in a curious tone.

“Yes, It means to determine-” I cut her off.

“Ah know da word, what’re you evaluating?” I said getting irritated again. As I spoke I realized that my moods were swinging, I had low blood sugar. “Ya know wha’, I don’t care. I nee’ some cake. Sumpt’ing tah eat, unless you want me getting pissy.”

“I’m not sure what pissy means but, I will send some food with my sister.” She got to her feet and started to turn away before looking back at me and asked “What will you do if you don’t get food?”

“Umm, Ah’ll be even mo’ ‘ungry.” I said shrugging and wondering what type of question that was.

“Very well.” the beast stated before a pop and flash scared me off my knees, unto my butt. The beast vanished. I twisted my head around with such speed I popped my neck, looking for Celestia. She was nowhere in sight.

What I did see gave me pause, that is to say that the sight of the ceiling, high above my head, was filled with details and colour. Pulling my attention away from the ceiling was quite difficult, I had more pressing matters than the artwork. I got to my feet and looked behind me to see where the dwindling light emanated from.

It was a walk to the glass doors that stood tall, a solid 20 metres. I stood a few steps back from the doors, looking through them. A large balcony made from the bright white stone and a golden rail greeted my eyes but, that was not their focus. Pushing the doors open, I stepped out onto the balcony and walked to the gaudy rail placing my hands on them.

The sun was retreating, it was nearly gone, nothing but a sliver of it remained above the horizon. Small gagged lines made up the silhouettes of the vastly distant mountains. The sky had darkened and small wisps of clouds glowed in the softening glow of the sun. Leading to the distant mountain was a series of green lush fields on gently sloping hill.. It was truly beautiful sight, unlike anything I had seen before. This was the turning point; I had made my decision. I let go of the idea that I was dreaming, I was on an alien world.

I peered down off the balcony, straight down. One of my greatest fears exploded through my mind; heights. I was not afraid being on the side of a cliff, or the top of a mountain. What I was afraid of was heights from constructed structures, like skyscrapers, tall bridges, and fire towers, just to name a few. It truly is a phobia.

I was frozen, staring at my potential death. Green fields shifted below in the soft wind, seemingly miles away. I wanted nothing more than to run away from the edge, but all I could manage was to close my eyes. I could feel a cold sweat creeping over my body as I screamed at it internally to move, to avoid death. I felt my legs shaking. The worst part about all of this, I know I’m fine, on an intellectual level I know I’m physically fine. On an emotional level, I’m dying. I know the only thing I have to do is move from the edge but I can’t. I actually think I stopped breathing because everything suddenly stopped.

I awoke on the couch in my living room, the black leather was sticking to my legs. It was dark in the room, the only light was coming from the t.v. I stood up after peeling my sweaty body from the couch and walked to the kitchen. “What a weird dream.” I thought to myself as I reached for a glass from the tall wooden cabinets and turned on the tap with the other hand. with the water running I filled the glass and set it aside, I splashed my face to wake up a bit more.

Something was wrong. I shut the water off and listened carefully. I could hear the static on the t.v. Static? it’s digital. I went back to the living room and searched for the remote, I found it in seconds. Shutting off the t.v. left me in silence. I closed my eyes and focused on my hearing. Nothing. I heard nothing. The sounds were missing from outside. I heard no traffic, no airplanes, nor birds.

WRONG.

The thought screamed at me, burning in my mind. The feeling of wrongness permeated me. I ran from the living room to the stairs leading up to the second floor, scrambling as fast as I could, knocking items down. I heard glass shattering behind me as I hit picture frames off the wall, leading up the stairs. I was using my hands and feet to get up the stairs, like a wild animal. I needed to see it.

Once I was on the landing, the second floor, I hauled ass to the furthest room of the house, my room. I got to the door and froze, my hand stretched out about to touch the door. I looked down at my hand, it had a plethora of thin slices, all on the palm-side of my hand. I have dealt with cuts before, I have even stitched myself closed on a few occasions, but this was different. There was no blood. I had cuts from glass and no blood. The feeling of wrongness blared even louder. It consumed my thoughts.

I fell to my knees, grabbed my head and screamed. It was all I could do to keep the wrongness away. I screamed and bellowed and shouted. It was WRONG. Everything was WRONG. During my fit of helplessness and frustration, expressed in the form of shouting and such, I remembered something very important, rather someone important.

Jesse.

Running from the hallway, slipping and cutting myself down the stairs, I burst through the front door. I ran out onto the lawn; I had to find Jesse. I ran into the middle of the street and stopped. looking up the road I saw fog obscuring said road. I could not see the homes of my neighbors. There was silence all around me, the feeling of wrongness was growing ever stronger. My mind whirled in thoughts, but I did have a single focused thought; Jesse.

I needed to get to Jesse, I needed my car. I hurried to the driveway and ran up it along the side of the grey and red house. I made it to the backyard and I was greeted by an empty yard. My car was gone; I started running to Jesse’s home. I needed to find him.

Down the street I ran, sprinting towards the fog and right into it. I couldn’t see but I continued to run straight. I needed to escape the wrongness and I needed Jesse. Soon the fog broke and I stood at the foot of jesse’s house.

Jesse’s tall yellow house stood towering over me; it was much too soon to be here. Jesse’s house was miles away. I didn’t give it any thought, I just wanted Jesse to take me into his strong arms and hold me.

The white door at the front of the house creaked open. That’s when he came out, smiling. “There you are, come here.” he said reaching his arms out. With nary a thought I ran to his and embraced him; his thick arms pulling me tight against his warm strong body.

WRONG.

My mind exploded with doubt.

Jesse seemed off. Very off. He didn’t bite my neck. Jesse ALWAYS bites my neck.

He seemed so still against me, usually he cops a feel or two (which I like).

I pushed ’Jesse’ away from me and his head turned away from me, I grabbed his shoulders. “look at me” I growled. “Jesse’s” head turned towards me with his eyes closed. “Look at me, open ‘em.” I growled loudly. ‘His’ eyes opened slowly.

Teal eyes.

I broke down onto my knees, sobbing. Not out of fear. Not out of sadness. It was pure hate. I was sobbing like a small child because of hate. I fell to my side. I was so consumed by hate I could not do anything but cry and hyperventilate. I hated the teal baku. Instead of calming down I felt rage swell up in me.

“Teal Baku! The Tea Eyed Baku!” I screamed in rage, again and again. My throat burned from screaming in rage but I continued. How dare a demon come into my mind. I lifted myself from the ground and began screaming louder “DO YOU ‘EAR ME TEAL BAKU, AH’LL GETCHA!”

In my screams of rage I tilted my head to the obscured sky and shut my eyes tight. Every muscle in my body was tight, all working towards my expressing my hate.

A strong cool breeze blew over my sweaty body and I stopped yelling immediately. Opening my eyes revealed the balcony, I was a safe distance from the edge. I looked down to my hand that was cut in several places; nothing was there, no cuts.

My inner rage continued to smolder and increase, in response I walked towards the only door I saw on the other side of the football-field sized room. I want to say I swaggered over to the door but I probably looked more like Gollum, trying to find his ring.

Once I stood in front of the door I paused only long enough to study the handle layout of the door. I grabbed the handle forcefully. I was meet with what felt like 40 thousand volts streaming into my hand. I could not let go of the door handle, the muscles in my hand tensed up. My rage was simply fuelled by the pain of the door. I used the fact that my hand would not let go by yanking my body back.

It was so very painful, all the muscles in my forearm were vice-locked, I twisted and jerked my body trying to get off the door. In a last ditch effort to get off the door I jumped backward hearing a pop.

I did get the door open at the cost of my shoulder, it was dislocated. I know this because it has happened before, a loud pop is a good indicator. When the door opened, the energy stopped and my hand let go. I had landed hard on my butt, again. feeling the swelling sharp pain in my shoulder kept me alert and focused on my anger.

Getting off the ground I went straight through the door I had opened and found myself in an extremely long, majestically large hallway. I knew I had to take care of my arm so I slammed it against the door frame I had walked through. It took three tries before I heard the pop. It still hurt like all hell, but I had a demon to slap around. I was not going to be pushed around by fate any longer. Left down the hall I went searching for the wicked beast, that Teal Eyed Baku.

The hall was somewhat plain, with the exception of the woodwork framing each door and the carved base board running along the bottom of the wall, meeting with the red patterned carpet. I was too pissed to take in many details but I can say that it had fine craftsmanship.

Behind me a door had opened that was accompanied by a small set of ‘clip-clop, clip-clop.’ I slowly turned to see an another mini horse in what seemed to be a maids outfit, walking away from me with no haste and no concern of my presence. I needed information. “Excuse me, Ah’mma bit lost. Ah’m s’possed to see a Luna, but first I must know if there is anything that can enter dreams?” I said, straining to be polite.

“Oh dear me, I’m very sorry. I didn’t see you there. As far as I know only Luna can enter dreams. See protects us from the nightmares.” she responded quickly. “I’m sorry that I cannot be of any no use to you.”

“You ‘ave ‘elped me so very much. Ah t’ank you.” I said in as calm of a voice that I could muster. I believe it may come of wrong because she maid blushed before scurrying away in a hurried mess of ‘clip-clops’.

The name of the Baku has been revealed to me; Luna. I assume this to be the same Luna as Celestia mentioned. That means the demon can be found right where I was. I stormed right back to the door I had left open and sat down, I did not want to enter that massive room again.

A bright flash and pop drew my attention to the centre of the massive room. A tall and dark unicorn looked around wildly before seeing the open door and myself sitting there; She then came towards me. “Ah assume ya tah be Luna.” I said loudly when she was nearer. She nodded and I continued, “Ah’m pissed off at ya. What the fuck is wrong with ya?”

She stopped dead in her tracks “Such boldness, What have I done to you?” she sounded surprised.

“Shut the ‘ELL up Baku!” I got to my feet and walked into the room and put my face in hers staring at hers. She held one eyebrow up and had a confused expression.

“What is a baku?” she said unfazed by my anger.

“Really? It’s what you are, Dream Eater,” I said in a cold callous tone. Once I said ‘dream eater’ her eyes closed and her face relaxed to a frown; her head tilted downwards slightly. “look at me, OPEN ‘EM!” I screamed at her, causing a small flitch. Her lids peeled back, causing her eyes to frown in their own right. “Teal Baku, why did you enter my mind? Did you do it to hurt me?” I said in an extremely angry, yet civil tone.

“No!” She cried out, “It is my duty to protect the dreams of my subjects. that is why I entered your dream.” Her answer seemed rehearsed, she answered too quickly.

“Do you take me as a fool? Such a bullshit answer. Ah am not your subject. Ah may not ‘ave enchantments to detect lies but Ah’m nah stupid. There is no way quicker to anger me dan ta lie to me. Ah’ll ask ya again, Why did you enter my mind?” I had lost all zen.

She let out a defeated sigh, “I noticed a strong dream, unlike the ponies’ dreams. I figured it was the atrox creature my sister told me of, I wanted information.”

“Do you know why Ah’m so anger-y?” I was straining to not scream like a fool.

“Was it the form I took within the dream?”

“Dat’s only teh cherry, dat is ‘ow Ah knew. My people do not ‘ave der ability to enter minds like you do. Infact we ne’er encountered anything that can that, but t’anks to the limitless imagination of my people we have the concept.” I paused, gathering my thoughts. I thought of the cruelest thing I could say in that moment, I also thought of a specific episode of Startrek as means of inspiration. “Do you know wha’ we call it when someone’s mind is entered wit’out permission or provocation?”

“No.” her tone was neutral, her face sad.

“We call it,” I pressed my nose to hers, getting her to open her eyes wide, “mind-rape.”

She Gasped loudly and took a failed step backward, falling on her butt. “NO!” she protested loudly. Her hooves scraping against the hard polished surface, failing to give her grip, in an attempt to back away from me

“Do you know what form you took?” I pointed angrily at her.

“The one you love the most, your brother.” she said in a shaky voice, avoiding eye contact.

“Look at me! Ah don’t ‘ave any brothers.” I crossed my arms and looked into her eyes. “Ya’ve disrespected my lover by taking his form. ‘Ow dare you defile his image? You t’ought you could scry and scurry? Wha’d you learn of my people? Was it wort’ it in exchange for my anger? Especially when Ah was more than willin’ tah answer questions? Was it wort’ it? Huh? Was the information wort’ ‘aving me call you a rapist? Huh? WAS IT?” With every word I spoke Luna’s face flinched, when she closed her eyes again, that’s when I lost it and began screaming. I know my face was red, like a beet and I was foaming at the mouth, globules of spit flying at the dark unicorn.

“NO!” Luna yelled with a ferocious volume “IT WAS NOT!” her long spiraled horn lite up and she vanished in a flash and pop. I tasted ozone.

“Yeah, just run away,” I said to the space that was previously occupied by the dark beast. I turned and walked into the hallway again and took up my previous post looking into the room. My shoulder was swelling and I stewed in my pain and anger. I spent a few minutes in the bright hallway before I looked up looking for a source of light. Above me, on the wall was a torch glowing brightly, held up by an ornate brass work. The oddest thing of the torch was the lack of flame. It was just on orb at the end of a stick glowing white. I was consumed by this mystery, quelching some of my anger by distraction.

A flash and familiar pop emanated from the ballroom. “ATROX!!” Celestia’s voice exploded from the room.

“Whadda you be wantin’?” I shouted, to be heard. there was a rapid popping noise and a flash. Celestia stood tall and angry, crowing her neck down to give me a stern stare. “God damn lady, talk about personal space.” I said quickly and out of surprize, leaning away from her, it’s not everyday that an animal that can crack ribs by weight alone appears before you in a flash. My statement caused her a slight pause, long enough for her to notice.

“How did you open this door? I sealed it with magic.” Celestia's hard stare softened due to her incomprehension of my daring escape.

“Painfully,” I rolled my arm a few times, easing no pain, “Why were you yelling for me?”

“What did you do to Luna? What hidden magic do you have?” Celestia’s voice was tight, like she was worried.

“I used my words, I made her aware of wha’ she’s done wrong.” I said in a tired voice.

Celestia’s eyes went wide, like really really wide. Like it seemed her eyes might fall out her head sort of wide. “Th-th-that is not for you to do, she knows what she has done.” Celestia’s voice changed. It’s tone alone had frightened me. It was quiet yet conveyed a thousand screams. Before I could even twitch the white beast’s horn flashed and I receded into darkness, Celestia’s face, still with anger, was the last thing I saw.

Let me pose a question to anyone reading this; have you ever woken up shivering from the cold? I’ve gone camping in the snow, and I’ve awaken hungover on frosty grass late in the autumn season not feeling my hands or feet.

This was a new level of cold, but it was not the cold I was first aware of, nor the hardness of the ground. My own body’s movements woke me up, all of my muscles moved, of their own volition, Rapidly. My eyes slid open, a weak indirect light revealed to me a flat grey slab of stone making up the ground. I groaned from the uncomfortableness of the hard surface on my forehead and chest. Shaking uncontrollably from the cold made getting to my feet difficult. I tucked my hands under my arms to warm them up, that’s how I knew I was naked. totally naked. looking up and around for the source of light, I saw that I was in a cell. Three stone walls and one of bars.

“Oy! Anyone around?” I asked through the bars of the cell, cupping my junk with both hands. “Ah nee’ some ‘elp!” I stated louder then my question. There I was, shivering and naked, standing pleading to a quiet stone hallway. I heard no answers.

“OY! Ahmma freeze to deat’! Dis ist cruel!” I screamed after a few minutes of silence. The tight hard space had me wincing at the echos of my own voice. A few second after the echos stopped a few metallic clanks echoed quietly through the space, followed by a few soft clip-clops.

“What’s wrong with you?” A masculine voice asked from out of sight.

“A-Ah need some c-clothes, A-Ah t-too cold.” I hushed out, having trouble speaking from shivering.

“You’ll be fine, do you still have your summer coat of something?” His voice carried no concern for my coldness. Coat? Like fur? Like a dog?

“Fuck you Asshole! ‘Ave ya seen me? Ah’m ‘airless!” I shouted angrily. A clip-clip noise was the immediate response. I was soon greeted by the face of a white unicorn, with blue hair, leaning just into sight. “Der ya go, see,” his eyes opened a little wider.

“You are hairless!” he said in surprize before running away, and assuming from the metallic clanks, locking the hall.

“Really?” I said to the empty quiet room before me. I was alone for a few minutes, warming up very slightly, from not being on the ground any longer. I was still shivering and I could not feel my feet. The metallic sounds returned and a flurry of clips and clops echoed around.

The white unicorn leaned his head back into sight. “Hey d-dude, Sorry Ah w-was so r-rude. A-Ah’m just so c-cold.”

“I brought others with me, they are here to talk to you before we bring you clothes.” he said in a neutral tone. then after observing me for a few seconds he asked, “Why are you moving like that?”

“Ah NEED clothes. Dis is not for comfort.” I said in a defeated voice.

“I need you to lie, Atrox.” Celestia stated, stepping into view, her whole self, not like the white unicorn, with blue hair, that had just leaned into sight.

“Warm-p-th first.” The words shivered out of my mouth.

“Very well” and in a flash of light from her horn, I was warm. I felt my blood pulling warmth into my feet. My muscles stopped contracting sporadically for warmth. “Now, I need you to lie.”

“For what? Tah see if yo enchantment works? like a litmus test?” I heard a gasp as a response to what I said, from out of sight. It sounded familiar but I was not sure until it spoke. The gasp had pulled the attention of Celestia towards it.

“Did you say litmus test?” Twilight asked from out of sight, not stepping forward.

“Yes Twilight, litmus test, I mean it metaphorically.”

“Only scholars know what those are…” her voice trailed off before, “You remember me? by my voice alone?” Twilight asked stepping forward into view.

“Twilight, I need Atrox to do something for me.” Celestia cut off Twilight’s stream of thoughts.

“Two and two is five.” I rolled my eyes, mind you I’m still cupping my junk.

The white beast’s horn flashed red, and the same white beast gasped. “Twilight, set up the barrier.” In a flash I found myself in the purple bubble similar to the one from before, with the exception of it being much larger, allowing me to stand.

A few seconds later the bubble burst. I almost un-cupped my nuts to block the light. I was In an extremely well lite room. It was all whiteness for a bit. Blinking and looking around the room, it looked like a penthouse suite in an hotel.

Thinking I was alone I spoke to myself, “Well, Ah’m warm, but Ah nee’ clothes.” I was looking around and I quickly found the bed. I started to move towards it before a voice stole my attention.

“Why do you need clothes?” Twilight giggled from behind me.

I did not look back, instead I hurried to the bed and ripped off a sheet, hiding my body, lack of head, before turning and giving her a scowl. Her cheerful demeanor was robbed from her when she saw my face.

“You wouldn’t understand.” My tone was cold but not rude.

“Try me.” She found a challenge, something new to learn. A great smile adorned her face. It clicked in my mind, the very instant my brain interpreted what was said, she was what I call ‘Knowledge Hungry,’

“Okay, public nudity is a crime from where Ah’m from. If ya do it enough, you WILL be labeled crazy, unfit to look after yourself.” Twilight’s brow lifted, expressing the fact that her mind was processing information before it lowered.

“Why? Why is it a crime?” She asked in her soft, sweet voice.

“imagine, if you would, if your...people-”

“Ponies,” Twilight corrected.

“Right, Ponies, did not have any fur, you’d probably wear clothes all the time. right?”

“Right.” Twilight said, not seeing my point yet.

“Let me put it this way, How would you look shaved, hairless to the ponies around you? like in your daily life?” I said getting a little excited.

“They would think something terrible happened to my fur.” Twilight had a curious tone to her voice.

“Let’s say ya told them tha’ ya did it yaself, cuz you liked it.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide in comprehension. “They would think I’m crazy,” she hushed out.

“Now we’re cookin’ with fire.” Twilight’s face prompted me to speak more. “It’s an idiom.”

“Did you call me an idiot?” Twilight asked with an expression of disbelief.

“Oh lord no, Idiom, um, an expression.” I said waving my hands around under the sheet. Twilight perked up.

“You have a Lord?”

“What do you mean- NO! an ot’er expression, Is from superstition.” I then realized that I have to watch what I say, or suffer through an hundred or so questions. I did not want to talk about theology, and need to explain thousands of years of history. “Damn, Ah’m ‘ungry.” It was said mostly to myself.

Twilight looked nervous, “What?” I shot the question at her just a little hard.

“When you said you had a choice, did you mean, you were going to choose between eating me or spike? You said It wasn’t much of a choice.” She asked slowly, carefully choosing her words and a frown sullied her face.

“JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!” I yelped in shock, so much for being carefull. “NO! ‘ell no. Ah ‘ardly believe you said that. No.”

“Well, you were wearing hide. I can ONLY assume you eat meat.” It was rather amusing to see this little horse thing roll its eyes at me.

“Go talk to Celestia ‘bout tha’. Ah really don’t want to ‘ave this conversation again. Food. Please. Ah feel as though I ‘avn’t eaten in days.” I began moving around the room inspecting the suite. I found a door and opened it, reaching and turning the knob through the plain white sheet. It was a bathroom. I shuffled inside leaving the door open and looked around. toilet, sink, and shower all had polished brass fixtures. White marble, with beautiful veins of grey, lined the room.

“And Ah’ll need my clothes back, I don’t need the hide ‘sept fur dem boots.” I called to Twilight through the open door.

“I will see what I can do,” Twilight gently spoke back.

“Ahmma shower to try to feel alive.” I said closing the door gently. Once the latch clicked I dropped the sheet and opened the glass door to the shower stall. The controls were pretty much the same, just flipped. Hot on the right. After a minute of fiddling I had a nice steamy stream coming down.

I’m not going to tell you much about the shower other than; I needed it and it felt great.

Stepping out of the stall, and feeling much better, I grabbed a towel from the bar near the toilet. What else do you do with a towel? I dried myself and wrapped it around my waist. A small knock on the door brought me to it and I cracked the door open and peered out. A small grey maid err, pony stood at the door with my bag on its back. “Hello Sir, I have brought your items.” she said in an unsure voice. I think it was the fact that I had only cracked the door enough to poke my head out.

“T’anks, pass it here. And, it’s not sir.” I stuck my hand out the door and made a small gesture to bring attention to my hand. She grabbed the bag with her mouth and passed it to my hand.

“I’m very sorry, Lady, please don’t be offended. I thought your were male.” She pleaded, looking up at me.

“You don’t understand. Ah’m male. I don’t like honourifics. I rather you call me Atrox.” The grey little pony smiled widely at me, blushing slightly.

“A-trox?” she asked gently, getting it right. I smiled pulling the bag into the bathroom, It felt lighter but honestly I was not concerned about that. After all, I’m a alien in and alien world, it is to be expected.

“Yeah, tha’s righ’,” she giggled at my statement and blushed even more so.

“I also have left you a meal.” She pointed behind her without looking, with her hoof.

“Cool, Ahmma get dressed now, see ya ‘round sim tim.” I said cheerfully and quickly. The little pony’s face conveyed incomprehension. “Ah’ll see you around some time,” I spoke slower and more carefully. The little grey pony’s metaphorical light bulb clicked on when I repeated myself.

She turned and began walking away looking back at me, “I hope to see you again, Atrox.” Her speech was strained from smiling too much, and her tone sounded bubbly.

“Oy, before ya rocket outa ‘ere, gimme yar name.” I quipped back quickly, before she could reach the door to beyond the suite.

“Octavia” She said smiling much too widely as she retreated through the wooden door, closing it behind her.

I closed the door of the bathroom and dug through my bag pulling out some clothes I’d hastily packed. Come on, you know what I did next. I stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed. My bag had not had my boots in it.

Wearing pants felt good, same with a warm plaid shirt. I shuffled around the the room in my socked feet, towards the short dresser, that had a shiny platter on it with a bowl, vase and a plate. Grass, flowers, and raw wheat respectfully filled the dishware. I shook my head and grabbed the platter, balanced it in my left hand. I went to the door and tried the latch. It opened and I soon found myself face to face with the white male unicorn, the one with the blue hair, before I could exit the room.

“What’s the matter?” He asked in a polite tone.

“Can you bring me to the kitchen? Ah regret tah inform ya da’ Ah canno’ eat dis.”

“What is wrong with it?” The polite tone remained.

“Not’ing, Ah jus’ canno’ eat it.”

“Just give me a minute, or two. Please, Don’t go anywhere.” He said in an authoritative manner before flashing away in a pop.

“Dick” I said outloud to the empty space that once contained a white unicorn dick. “Octavia!” I shouted down the hall in each direction on the off chance she was nearby. Well, It payed off, kinda. A bright pink pony head popped out of a nearby door.

“I’ll grab her for you” and it popped back into it’s room and slammed the door. Like ten or fifteen seconds later the grey pony was shoved out of the room by two bright pink legs, the door was promptly slammed shut, again. Octavia’s expression was one of bewilderment until she saw me, It then had a smile and a soft blush.

“Hey dare, can ya bring me to the kitchen?” I tilted my head towards the platter I was balancing.

“Whats-”

“Nope, to the kitchen. It’ll make sense then.” I cut her off sharply and immediately softened my tone.

“Okay, just this way.” She politely answered and gestured by pointing her nose in the direction of travel. It was not far at all, about a two minute walk. She took me through a service hallway and we soon made our way to the door of the kitchen.

“We aren’t really supposed to take guest to the kitchen” Octavia stated when we got to the door.

“Din worry ‘bout da’.” I pushed the door open and stroud in like I owned it. “[wh]’O ‘ere t’ought Ah’d eat grass?” All movement in the busy room halted, an half dozen workers stared at me. “Ah need a proper meal. Do you have eggs for eating? Bread? Fruit? Cake?” I was just naming random things.

“What’s-” one of the worker started.

“No!” I cut him off and gave myself a second to think. “My body canno’ ‘ave grass and flowers. Ah can ‘ave wheat, but it has to be ground and baked first. Ah am very ‘ungry. Jus’ let me cook sumpt’ing.”

“Umm-” the same worker started again.

“Sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions…” I listed off what I needed for a good stir-fry, minus any meat. To my astonishment the workers scrambled (no pun intended) around gathering the ingredients. I looked back to Octavia,she had a great smile, had her eyes closed and gently shook her head before backing out of the kitchen.

One worker boiled the rice for me, stirring it with it’s horn glowing the same colour as the spoon handle. I did the rest, quickly chopping the vegetables up. Slip, tink tink tink, pause. slip tink tink tink pause. I was very focused on slicing up my food, I did not even notice until I was done that the entire staff was staring at me. I was holding a bowl of chopped vegetables about to drop it in a large pan with some oil.

“Wha’?” I said becoming still.

“You did that so fast, and without magic.” Mr. rice said with his horn still glowing.

“Oh, It ‘appens” I shrugged and dumped the contents of the bowl in the pan. “‘Ow close is that rice, I wanna try to time it righ’.”

“Oh, give it ten? more minutes.” he’s voice was unsure.

“‘kay, medium flame please” I said to the closest worker. “Ah don’t know how to work this stove to stay on standby to adjust it.”

“Yes sir” the pony responded and her horn lit up along with a knob at the edge of the stove that I had not seen.

“Oh, a knob, Ah got dis. shoe, boot and stiletto heel.” The pony stared at me. “It’s a joke that means shoo.” The pony promptly went back to her previous task, I don’t know what she was doing.

A solid fifteen minutes later I had a big steaming bowl of vegetable stir-fry, with a spoon hanging out the side, In my hands. “Where is the dining room? or a good place to sit and eat?” I asked Mr. rice.

“Umm…” He tried to think.

“Too late, Ahmma leave and eat whilst explorin’. Ah’m sure Ah’m in trouble anyway.” I punctuated my statement by scooping up some of my meal into my mouth and exiting the kitchen doors before he could answer. I turned left and began walking and eating with no place in mind. I forgot salt, it would have been better with it but I was hungry and was good anyway.

I tried to eat slow, I really did. It did not turn out that way. After a few turns down random corridors I was finished with the food, walking with the empty metal bowl and spoon in hand, I heard a shout. “There he is!” Great, Dicky found me, along with two other ponies wearing golden shirts or something weird. I just paused and let them get up to me. “Where did you go?! I told you not to go anywhere!” He was a little angry.

“Did you try the kitchen? Ah cooked an [wh]ole meal dare.” I shoved the bowl and spoon towards him, one of the other ponies grabbed it.

He did the same sort of gesture with his hoof that Twilight did, like a face-plam, but with an hoof. “H-how did you get there?” He was no longer angry, but he was serious, unlike me.

“Well, if you were to look down,” I pointed at my feet and his eyes followed, “well, Ah walked.”

“Just follow me, you got somepony that wants to see you.” He turned and waited until I was at his side before walking.

“If’t’s Luna, tell her ‘No’,” I said falling into step next to the unicorn, whom stopped at my response. The other two continued onwards.

“She said it was important-”

“Ah’m mad at her.” I said sharply cutting him off from speaking. “Ah’d much rather see Twilight, see was cool.”

“She was what?!” He snapped back at me, giving me a death glare.

“Da fuck man?” I didn’t know what his problem was, the only time I’ve seen people snap like that is when it’s about their family. “Wha’ are ya, her brot’er or some shit?” I was only joking when I said that. His mouth opened, moved and shut again. “Jesus, Ah’m righ’, right?”

“Yeah, just let me bring you back your room. What do you mean about Twilight?” He asked politely this time and we began walking again.

“All Ah mean is that she was nice tah me, Ah’d like tah see her again.”

“Okay, that makes sense. Just-” I flicked him on the nose.

“Yeah, Ah know dat song an’ dance. Don’t mess wit’ her.”

“That was unnecessary, but as long as you got the message...” he paused and rubbed his nose. The walk was rather short, but it seemed very long. This dude said nothing else until we got the door of my suite.

“I’ll tell Twilight that you want to see her.” He said opening the door.

“Cool, ta.” I quickly retreated into the room and the door slammed behind me. “Dat dick, probably locked dem door now.” A quick check confirmed my suspicions, good thing the door opened into the room. I popped into the bathroom and popped out with my bag. I dug through it fiercely searching for a tool. And bingo was his name-o, I found my swiss army knife.

With the flathead tool piece, a dozen or so expletives, and a slightly bruised palm I had jimmied the pins out of the hinges. Remember kids, bottom hinge first. With the two pins in my pocket, I used my hands to pull on the brass hinges. It budged, then wouldn’t stop. I had to jump out of the way of the falling door. I heard the echos of the slam travel up and down the hall. With my work done I retreated to the bed with my bag and simply waited for Dicky’s tongue lashing.

I shifted through my items, the laptop was gone, my lighters, my other knives and any clothing that had leather or synthetic materials was missing. I think they may have missed my pocket knife, whoever ‘they’ are.

I was laying still for a few minutes, reviewing the last day or so in my head. ‘Fucking aliens’ was the summary of my thoughts on the matter. I sat up rather quickly and grabbed my shoulder, ‘I thought I hurt this’ I said internally. My questions and concerns were ripped away from me when the shouting began.

“NO! No No No! Where is he?” Dicky shouted in frustration, I couldn’t see him but I’m sure he saw the door.

“Yo, Dick-breath. Ah’m right here.” I jumped to my feet and he stormed into the room. A familiar giggle stopped him in his tracks.

“Yeah, you really outdid yourself Shiney. You sure made it so he wouldn’t wander off,” Twilight said brimming with sarcasm, strolling into the room. “Next time you might want to tie him up.”

“Oo, Ah migh’ like dat.” I quipped at the pair, earning myself some confused looks. “Ne’er mind, t’was nada bu’ a joke.”

Twilight came strolling past “Shiney,” confidently, up to me. “What up Twilight?” She stopped in her tracks and looked upwards. “Ah mean what is going on with you? Is a greetin’.” I quickly clarified for her.

“Oh, I just had a talk with Celestia,” I grumbled at the mention of the great white beast, “And we have come up with a plan of how to help you.”

“So you can send me ‘ome?” I gained a bit of hope.

“No, we do know how you got here but the knowledge to send you home is lost.” Twilight spoke sadly.

“Oh, well, ‘owed Ah get ‘ere?” I asked. “No, wait. Are ya sure Ah cannot get ‘ome?”

“We are sure. I am so sorry Atrox. The mage that performed the spell has been missing for a thousand years.” Twilight spoke very somberly.

“A t’ousand years?” I repeated back, unsure of what I had just heard.

“Yes Atrox, he’s been missing for a long time.” Twilight clarified for me.

“Missing? For a t’ousand years? Why not jus’ say he’s dead?” I almost snapped at her.

“Well, nopony knows what has happened to him.”

“A t’ousand years? He’d be dust by now.” I stated, crossing my arms.

“Well, I’m going to go talk to Luna. Twi, you gunna be okay with this… thing?”

“Yeah sure,” Twilight said in an extremely dismissive tone not even looking at the source of the question, before the great white dick sulked out of the room. “Why would you say he’s dust?”

“So let me get this straight, Ah have no way of returning home and the one err, pony, tha’ possibly could is no longer around, but Ah only missed him by about ten centuries?”

“Umm, yes…” Twilight knew it was not what I wanted to hear, I just sighed after she spoke.

“Well Fuck.” I said to noone in particular. I stepped to the bed and flopped down on it face first. After a moment I rolled onto my back and stared at the white ceiling. “Well, what shoul’ Ah do now?”

“Oh Atrox, I mentioned a plan, I am going to do my very best to help you out. I want you to know I’ll be here for you.” Twilight spoke in a very compassionate voice, I assume trying to comfort me.

“Okay, wha’s teh plan?” I was upset, justly so, I continued staring at the ceiling.

“I’m just awaiting for the approval, from Luna.-” My head shot off the bed quickly enough to cut Twilight off.

“Luna? No not her.” I pleaded.

“What? Why?”

“Not’ing, Ah jus’ really want not’ing to be doing with her.” As my statement concluded a pop and flash occurred in the room. It had shocked me but simply pulled Twilight’s attention towards the new figure in the room.

“That is just the answer I hoped for.” Celestia spoke kindly.

“Jesus, knocking is nice.” Twilight and I spoke at the same time.

“Hello Celestia” Guess who said what.

“Oh well, I was just so excited, I couldn’t wait to let you know that you passed.” Celestia said beaming.

“Past? Whad Ah pass?”

“Well, Atrox, you were a complete unknown and you showed signs of being possibly dangerous. You have passed, that is to say that, you have no intention to cause harm and even whilst the anger had you.” Celestia relayed this to me like a teacher would.

“Yeah, Ah gots pretty anger.” I said out of nervousness.

“No Atrox, I have never seen such anger before without its host being lost.” Celestia said in a somber tone.

“Wha’ ya mean host?” I did not understand.

“Well, without you knowing of magic it will be a moot point to explain.” Celestia said dismissively. “The point I am trying to make is that despite your large potential for violence you have not gone to said extreme. Even while... enraged. Instead of wanting to confront Luna for her transgressions, you what nothing to do with her.”

“Wha’ does passing mean for me?”

“It means that Twilight’s plan is approved!” Celestia cheerfully said.

“An’ she hasn’t told me anyt’ing yet.”

“Then by all means, Twilight.” Celestia’s horn lite up in a flash leaving me and Twilight to deal with the pop.

“Twilight, Wha’s yer plan?”