My Kind of Town, A Ghost Townby So and SoChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoChapter Three: Polar OppositesChapter One"Thank you for doing this, everypony!" Twilight cheered. "I know the Everfree isn't the best of places but with all of us, none of the animals should approach us." Receiving chuckles from the group. Twilight's smile widened. Her wings fidgeting. "Especially with Big Mac here to help," Applejack said, nodding her head towards her brother who was already hitched to a cart. His face holding only a content smile. The others murmured in agreement. "Great," Twilight said. "Now, I've divided everyone up into teams. Applejack, and Pinkie, you're going to be grabbing everything off of the lower shelves. Fluttershy,"–the pegasus lowered her head, hiding behind her mane–"You and Rainbow Dash will get the books from the top shelves. All the while Rarity and I will be getting everything else." The group had met up outside of Fluttershy's house. Having agreed to help Twilight move the books from the castle in the Everfree into the new library in her castle, the friends made time in their schedules to do so when they'd all be available. Beginning their trek into the Everfree, they trotted past the trees. The farther they got the more twisted the trees became. The bark marred and twisted as if torn apart and put back together again. The stamps of their hooves and squeaking of the cart wheels being the only noise they heard along the journey. A little while after they passed Zecora's home, their pace quickened. Feeling as if they were being watched. Deciding that it was just the forest getting to them, the group laughed it off. Once they made it to the castle, the group moved through the large double doors. The wooden doors creaking as Twilight opened them with her magic. Once the doors were open, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Rainbow Dash pulled the carts inside. With nothing to do, he sat on the tree's limb, his legs hanging over and swinging as he sat in thought. Normally, he would protect The Striped One, but she was gone. Visiting relatives as she said, The Striped One spoke to herself a lot. Most of it was in rhymes, but when she relaxed it was as if anybody else was speaking. The rhymes made his head hurt. He didn't like it when she rhymed, so he stayed away, far enough to not be sensed, but close enough to hear her. Only so she wouldn't rhyme. The Striped One would have guests over sometimes, Small Yellow One, as he dubbed her as was his favorite. Her accent along with her high-pitched voice and size brought along a feeling he couldn't describe. He hadn't learned the word yet, but he settled for the word 'happy'. Watching the leaves sway in the wind, he brought a gloved hand up to his hood pulling it over his eyes. The green glow of his eyes blocked by the dark-brown fabric of his hood. "So Applejack, Big Mac, how's the farm doing?" A voice asked. Making him snap his head to the left at the direction of the speaker, his hood falling back to its original place. His vision greeted by a band of ponies of all different colors. The most notable one was the one who wore a hat. Orange in color with a blonde mane hidden behind a light-brown hat. "It's fine, ah guess. Nothing really changes much." A chuckle came from the mare. "Applebloom's been trying to use her potions all around the farm as of late. She even tried to make a potion that would clean the pigs," everyone around her laughed. She had the same accent as Small Yellow One had. Were they related? What was her name? So many questions that he needed answers to raced through his mind. "Did it work?" The purple one asked, without looking back. "Yeah, a little too well though." "What happened?" "You're not gonna believe me when I say this, but it turned 'em invisible. Not long after she used it they broke out and we had to hunt 'em down." The blue one laughed at this. "You had to hunt down invisible pigs?" "You try and hunt down pigs by sound only," this caused the whole group to laugh. As they passed his place in the tree he watched them walk in the direction of his home. The Castle of Two Sisters, the books had called it. Swinging his leg over the branch, he dropped down the forest floor. Landing with his hands on the ground, he peeked at the trail they the ponies had left. What were they doing? Why did they have the carts? So many questions. Reaching for his spear that was propped up against the tree, he was stopped by a sudden noise. With a twig snapping to his left. He slammed his body into the tree. Slowing his breathing to an almost stand still, he watched in the corner of his vision as a large body of red and light-brown stalked through the bushes. Following the trail the ponies had left. This was bad. They were being hunted. Waiting until the Manticore passed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Grabbing for his spear once more he wrapped his fingers around the wooden pole. Hoisting himself up with it, he stepped into the trail. Watching the Manticore in the distance skulk through the bushes. This one seemingly larger than any other he had seen. Stepping out of the trail, he lifted himself up into a tree. Swinging his leg over the branch and bringing himself to stand in the tree. Jumping from branch to branch, he followed the Manticore. His leaps and steps making next to no noise as he flew through the trees. It wasn't long before he was greeted by the sight of his home. The large wooden double doors held upright by metal hinges driven into the stone walls. A scream coming within his home made him jump. The ponies were in trouble. Jumping from the tree, he landed with a 'fwump'. Jogging to the door with spear in hand, he peeked his head around the corner. It was his home, save for the Manticore and the large purple bubble near the set of stone stairs. The Manticore leaning against the bubble, biting into it with its fangs and trying to tear it open with its claws. The group of ponies huddled inside the bubble cowered as the Manticore roared. With a clear view of its back, he readied his spear, bringing it up into the air with his right arm. Drawing his arm back, he tossed the spear as hard as he could at the Manticore. The spear not even taking a second before it sank into the back of the Manticore's head with a wet 'squelch'. The roaring and the screaming stopped almost instantaneously. As the group of friends pulled the books of the shelves. Their attention was turned to the entrance of the castle as the doors groaned and creaked. "Huh," Pinkie spoke. "Must have been the wind." As they turned to go back to removing the books. A guttural roar echoed through the air, causing them to drop the books they were holding. Turning their heads back to the entrance, their eyes widened in fear. Watching the massive cat skulk towards them, they all moved ran to the back of the room. "A Manticore?!" Rarity squealed. "What's it doing here?!" "It must have followed us." Fluttershy replied, her body quaking in fear as she held onto Rarity. "Can you, you know, deal with it Fluttershy? You're good with animals, you took care of the last Manticore we saw." Rainbow Dash said her wings fidgeting as she stared at the beast. Lowering her head, "Oh um, I don't know, maybe. Let me see what he wants." Walking forward, Fluttershy approached the cat. Her friends watching in fear. "H-Hi there. M-Me and my friends wanted to know if we could help you." Getting a low growl in response. Fluttershy seemed to calm down. "Hungry? Oh, well I don't have any food for you right now, but if you're willing–" The Manticore interrupted her as it growled once more. This one seeming like a quick grunt. "O–Oh, um, you want food now? Well, I uh, don't have any." Fluttershy visibly shrank, hiding behind her mane from the beast. Roaring, the Manticore swiped a Fluttershy, causing her friends to shriek. Fluttershy however, jumped away just in time, taking to the air and hovering towards her friends. All the while Big Macintosh ran towards the Manticore, spinning on the spot before it, and using his hind legs to land a kick square in the muzzle of the beast. But this only fazed the Manticore for a second before it returned another roar. Using her magic, Twilight brought Big Macintosh back to the group, her horn flaring with a purple aura as she created a dome around her and her friends. The Manticore taking only a second to pounce on top of it. Clawing and biting at the magic. "We should be safe in here," Twilight said, focusing her magic on the dome. Taking a step forward, Pinkie taunted the cat, "Bleeh!" She yelled as she pulled her cheeks with her hooves and stuck her tongue out. Giggling as the Manticore got even angrier. "Mean-y pants." Her giggling ceased as her body began to violently shake and throb. "What's wrong Pinkie? Was that your Pinkie sense?" Rarity asked. Pinkie looked back to her friends, her brows furrowed and a strained smile on her face. "Yeah," she chuckled. "Apparently there's gonna be a doozy!" With an even louder roar, the Manticore, leaned back and swung his body forward, bringing his weight down onto the shield. Causing Twilight's legs to buckle as the shield began to crack. Everyone stared in horror as the shield began to break under the weight. Big Macintosh screamed at this. (I'm so sorry. This is what I thought of when I wrote that.) Letting out one final roar, the Manticore leaned back, everyone flinched away, unable to look. Only for the roar to cut short as it fell forward, a wet 'squelch' replacing the noise as the Manticore was pinned to the shield. Looking up, Twilight gasped at what she saw. The Manticore wasn't trying to eat them anymore. With a gaping maw and the teeth of Manticore piercing the shield, Twilight saw the point of a spear jutting from its throat. Blood dripping from the tip and onto the floor in front of her. The sight caused both Rarity and Fluttershy to faint. Unable to handle anymore. Letting her magic die down. Twilight watched the body of the Manticore flop to the floor. Causing dust to fly up. "W-We're safe?" She asked, her eyes wide and brows furrowed. "W-Where did the–" Twilight's voice hitched in her throat at what she saw. A pair of glowing green orbs. Moving towards them, the shadowy figure stepped into the light. "Twilight, what is that thing?" Applejack whispered. Before she could respond, a harsh rasp came from the creature. A cloud of green smoke puffing out from what Twilight assumed was its mouth as it moved forward. "S-Stay back!" Twilight said. Causing the creature to pause. Cocking its head, the creature squatted down until it was nearly the same height as them. Sitting next to the Manticore, the creature raised a claw and gestured for them to come to it. "I think it's telling us to come to it," Twilight said. "It saved us, maybe its friendly," Applejack whispered. "Maybe," Twilight said, cautiously stepping forward, only to get stopped as the creature began to wave its claw back and forth. Pointing behind her a moment later. "Me?" Applejack asked. Stepping back in surprise. Nodding its head quickly, the creature gestured once more. "Okay," she mumbled. Stepping towards the strange creature. It's eyes glowing green and its dark form flecked with dirt and other stains. Stopping before the creature, they sat there, staring at each other. "Well?" Applejack asked nervously. She watched as the creature only continued to stare. Quickly moving a claw, it reached to the Manticore, sticking a finger in the wound with its spear. The noise causing Applejack's ears to fold back onto her head. Bringing the blood covered claw to the ground, Applejack watched as it wrote in blood. Using the singular claw soaked in blood not unlike a quill and ink. Art thou well? Chapter TwoArt thou well? Applejack didn't know what to say. Backing up, she looked to Twilight. "Twilight," she whispered. Trying not to scream, she took a deep breath, exhaling a moment after. "Ever heard of an animal that can write?" This question didn't seem to sit well with the creature. Slapping the ground with the palm of its claw. The blood on the ground wiped away. Standing up, it removed the spear from the Manticore's head. Blood dripping off of the spear's point. "I-I don't rightly know, it's possible that it learned how to simply mimic what it's seen," Twilight said, the creature staring at her with its glowing eyes. Looking to Applejack, it cocked its head to the side. As if asking a question. Applejack's eyes widened, "Y-Yeah, ah'm fine. Thanks for... thanks for asking," she said, kicking at the dirt softly with a hoof. Applejack looked up to the creature as it let out a rasp. One claw on the back of its head, with a spear in the other. "Is it dead?" Turning around, Twilight and Applejack looked to their friends. Rainbow Dash stepping towards them, with Big Macintosh, and Pinkie Pie trying to help both Fluttershy and Rarity up from the ground. Turning their heads back, they went to look at the creature that stood over the Manticore, only to see nothing but empty space. The creature was gone. "Where'd it go?!" Twilight almost shrieked. "The thing that saved us?" Rainbow Dash asked. "It walked out when you two weren't looking," she said, shrugging. "We only looked away for a second," Applejack mumbled. Again Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Come on, we gotta get the last of these books." Walking away, Rainbow Dash joined the others as Fluttershy and Rarity began to stir from their sleep. "What's wrong with her," Applejack whispered, looking to Twilight. "I don't know, maybe we should ask?" "Let's ask later," Applejack said. "After we get back to your castle with the books of course." There were no memories of the time before his arrival. But he could see it sometimes, the bright light, the music, the screaming. Whenever he closed his eyes, he'd be back there. Watching out over the city from atop the Sierra Madre, a light in the distance, a light so bright it almost engulfed the horizon. A sunrise as they called it. Opening his eyes, he was back in the forest. Atop his tree next to the home of the Striped One. Content that he had made a friend. Perhaps even multiple friends. He had saved their lives after all. Twisting his head towards the trail as he once again heard the ponies speaking. He watched as three of them moved carts full of his books. His stomach twisting at the sight of them being taken. What was this feeling? The word, he had seen it before, jealousy? Yes that was it. Cocking his head in thought, he wondered what he should do, act on the feeling and reclaim his possessions? Or let his friends take them. Shaking his head at the latter, he dropped from his tree once more onto the forest floor below. Of course he wasn't going to let them take it, they were his, he had read them after all. When no one came to visit, he sat in that castle afraid of the world outside, curious to an even greater degree. Reading, hearing tales of the world outside. Walking into the trail, spear in hand, he waited for them to stop. Almost instantly, they noticed his eyes amongst the dark. "There it is!" the Purple One shouted. The Hatted One stepped forward. "Ah was wonderin' where you went, left so soon you didn't give a chance for everyone to thank you," she said, stepping back after she finished. Raising a finger, he pointed to the carts behind them, letting out a rasp before pointing to himself. They all looked to the carts before returning their gazes back to him. "These here are your books?" the Hatted One asked. Quickly nodding, he walked towards them. Walking next to the carts, he looked down to the books. "Are you mad at us for taking them?" the Purple One asked. He nodded once more. Shaking his head a second later. "You... are?" Mad wasn't the word he wanted to use. Disappointed? Concerned? Shaking his head of the thoughts, he looked to the Purple One. A single eyebrow furrowed while the other was raised. Shaking his head, he looked back to the books, spotting one he could use. Using a hand to pull the at the spine, he slipped the book out from the middle of the stack. Opening it, he flipped through the pages. His eyes scanning the pages as he fanned his hand. Stopping on the word he wanted, he presented the book to the Purple One. Using a finger to point to the word. "Jealous? You're jealous that we're taking your books?" Bringing the pages back into his view, he began flipping through the pages agin, this time back to the beginning. Stopping once more as he found the word. He held it out again, finger on the word. "Friend? Do you consider us your friends?" She asked, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a smile. His stomach seemed to flutter at the word. Not choosing to respond he brought the book back, finding another word. Patting the books with a free hand and then pointing to the word. Reading it, Purple One smiled. "I'll keep them safe, that's why we're taking them in the first place." Nodding, he put the book back. Stepping back and gesturing with and arm to lead the way. As they walked away, he followed. Making his presence known with his spear pushing roughly into the dirt with every other step. As the group walked out of the forest and into the light, he paused. Cocking his head in thought. This was the edge of the forest, someplace he had never left. It took him years to leave the castle, and now here he is. His books being brought to a new home, and his new friends walking away. Excitement. He remembered this word, it was a word he read often. Letting out a sigh, he stepped into the light. ... This was strange. He didn't feel any different. Not like when he first stepped into the forest. In the forest he felt as if he had to be on guard, always ready for something. Catching up to the ponies, he continued walking next to the carts, rubbing his head as he did so. Here it was no different. Maybe it was the walls of the castle? Shrugging, he let his arm drop back to his side. With a town coming into view, he stared at the hay-roofed houses. Houses meant more ponies, and more ponies meant more friends. Shaking his head of the thoughts, he realized the group had turned. Catching up with them again, he walked up next to the carts. Closing his eyes and giving a sigh, he was back in the Sierra Madre, stalking its halls. He never knew why he was there, he just was. There was no reason to it. Whenever he saw the Sierra Madre like this, he couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something. He knew there was something missing from his time there. Stopping instantly as his waist collided with something, he opened his eyes and looked to the cart that was in front of him. Wait, when did it get in front of him? Wasn't he walking alongside it? Shaking his head, he looked ahead. His vision greeted by a giant, golden set of stairs. "Here we are!" Purple One announced. Her horn igniting with a purple aura not a moment later. The carts with the books inside of them a lit up with the same aura. In fascination, he watched as the book filled carts levitated off of the ground and up the stairs. Stopping in front of the door. "Everypony come on in, make yourselves at home." As the ponies walked up the stairs with him behind them. His heart began to pound. He was invited into a home, like any other. Was this what friendship was? The books never really went into any detail about it. Trying to calm down as his heart began to pound in his head, he paced his breathing. The respirator on his face giving a slight as as he did so. With the doors open, he peered into the darkness. Figures and forms of others ponies just in his sight. "Surprise!" A number of voices shouted from within. The lights flashing on in an instant. Filling his vision with light. Blinking he cleared his vision. As he stepped further in, he noticed the smiling faces of other ponies; a banner that read, Welcome to Ponyville; and a large cake. The room collectively gasped. Looking at the crowd of ponies, he cocked his head. Why did they do that? What happened to their smiles? Why were they looking at him like that? Stepping forward, he tried to say hello. Momentarily forgetting that his suit made it impossible to even do so, as it muffled his words and his suit gave out a harsh rasp. This didn't seem to sit well with the ponies as they began to run and scream. Having to cover his ears, his hands shot up to the sides of his head, trying desperately to block out the noise. As the screams continued his head began to split. Dropping to the floor and squeezing his eyes shut he tried to shut out the pain. But the screams continued, and they seemed to get louder. He was back at the Sierra Madre again, but something was different. He was chasing someone, along with his kin. A woman in a white jumpsuit with a red 'x' marking the back. A collar wrapped around her neck. And her dark-brown hair matted with flecks of dried blood clumping strands of it together. She was screaming. Why was she screaming? Like a prisoner in his own body he watched as the spear in his hand raised above his head. Tossing it, he watched as it landed in the woman's thigh. The bladed tip piercing puncturing the suit and her flesh as the spear passed through and hit the stone below, pinning her to the ground. This caused her screaming to grow even louder. As he and his kin closed in, he watched in horror as gloved hands grabbed at the woman. All of them pulling and tugging. The crunching of joints disconnecting joined the screams and rasps. The hallway seeming to grow darker as they successfully dislodged her from the ground, the tip of the spear breaking off. Dragging her body through the hallway, she grasped at the floor below, her nails digging in and breaking as she clawed at the stone. A trail of blood marking their path through the hall. And in an instant, his vision was filled with red. The Cloud. Looking below he watched as the woman thrashed and wheezed, her the air itself burning her from within. Was she to become one of them? No. As soon as they entered The Cloud. He watched as his kin jumped atop her, knives in hand, cutting and hacking away. The woman's screams reduced to nothing but struggled rasps as The Cloud filled her lungs. Kicking and flailing her limbs weakly as the knives dug into her exposed flesh. Even after her screams had stopped, even after she stopped struggling, the knives continued. Chopping and slicing away until she was nothing but a mound of mutilated gore, bone, and hair. After they had stopped, their rasps were all he heard. No screaming, no blood spraying onto the walls and floor. It might as well have been silence. Looking down at his hands, he looked at the fabric covered fingers. Flecked with drops of blood. Opening his eyes, he was back in the home of Purple One. His breath fogging his vision as he heaved and gasped for air. Sitting up from the ground, he looked at the ponies, their eyes wide and frowns written across their faces. Looking down at his hands, he saw the stains from before, faded, but still there. "Are you okay?" Someone with a high pitched accent asked, the voice familiar to him. Looking to his left he spotted the Small Yellow One, her yellow coat, red mane, and bow letting him know it was her. She had never spoken to him before. She never had the chance to, before this. His chest tightened. Quickly getting up from the floor, he ran out the door and back outside. Leaping from atop the stair case and rolling into his landing. The roll caused his hood to fall back. Exposing the metal face-plate to the sunlight. Closing the distance between himself and the forest, the shadows graced his form. His feet pounding on the dirt below as he ran back to the castle. He had gone out into the world in hopes that he would find companionship, but he found something else. He found out what he was. A monster. A murderer. An animal given thought. Able to look back on its actions, and really see what it had done. A ghost of his former self. Author's Note How's that? Any good for the second chapter? Chapter Three: Polar OppositesVegas had fallen. After the Courier had walked that lonesome road. Things began to take a turn for the worst. First it was the Tunnelers; traveling in packs, they would come in waves, little by little they would chip away at the defenses. Tearing apart and consuming any living thing they could capture. Then came the storms of the Divide; with winds fast enough they would burn away the flesh of anything that was unlucky enough to be caught outside. It seemed history came back to bite her in the ass. The Tunnelers, the storms, the Marked Men, Ghosts, the Cloud. It seemed that Death had a chip on his shoulder. After the Courier had defeated House, she went on to free New Vegas, and make it its own governing power. She worked hard with Yes Man and the casinos to get the people to band together. At first there was conflict between the casinos and the people of Freeside, it all solved itself when the people heard about the caps they would earn. "Greedy bastards." Locked in her tower, the Courier had watched as Vegas fell to the very same she had conquered. "They just can't get enough," she said, looking out the window as hails of gunfire echoed through the air. Watching the White Glove Society hold their ground against waves of the Tunnelers. Using the very same flamethrowers they used to treat brahmin meat, to drive away the scaled freaks. "I had my caps on the Omertas being the last alive, still, isn't surprising the cannibals came out on top when I think about it," she said before laughing. "Ma'am, you're talking to yourself again," Yes Man said in a chiding tone. "You shouldn't do that you know? Studies show that talking to yourself can lead to a number of mental health problems, becoming a raider is one of them." "Being a raider is a mental health problem?" "You should know," Yes Man snarked, his chipper tone not fitting the comment. "Great, thanks for that." Walking away from the window, she turned her left and climbed the stairs that lead to the elevator. "I'm going to clear the foyer." "Do be careful, wouldn't want your corpse to dissuade potential customers from coming here," Yes Man said, his ever-smiling face stuck on the monitor. Looking back she furrowed her eyebrows. "When did you get so god damned rude?" "When I learned that while I do have to say yes to everything that's asked of me, I don't have to do it with a smile, isn't that wonderful?" Yes Man laughed. "How come you don't change your face then? Kinda defeats the purpose of not having to smile when you're always smiling." "Weren't you going to clear out the foyer?" Turning back she entered the elevator. "Cunt," she muttered as she pressed the button to the first floor. "Raider," Yes Man merrily replied. Watching the elevator door close on his master. This was a situation he was never prepared for. Looking at the sleeping form of the strange lady before him, he watched from a safe distance away. Hiding behind the oak table he had sat at whenever he would read books. She had showed up out of the blue and in a flash of light. Covered in cuts and bruises beyond belief. Searching through her stuff he found items that seemed to be used for medical reasons. The thing on her arm was fairly simple to operate once he learned how to use it. He had her take a pill from a tub labeled 'Buffout' after stabbing her in the leg with a syringe labeled 'Stimpack'. He had no clue what they would do, but they seemed to work as her cuts and bruises began to fade. The armor she wore was interesting, it was almost like the old man from the Sierra Madre, dress like, but something else. It opened up in the front to reveal plates of metal varying in shades of brown and grey. Those covered her upper-body. On her legs she wore a pair of light-brown jeans, with a red bandana wrapped around the upper part of her right leg. Hearing her sigh he raised his vision to her. The helmet he had taken off of her still by his side. Looking down at it he read the words on the forehead of the helmet. Forgive me mama He could see the reflection of the light his eyes gave in the green lenses of her helmet. "Didn't think one of you would let me live, I don't want to know what you had planned for me" a voice spoked from behind him. Something pressing into the back of his hood. "And I've got no clue what's going on, but–" Slowly raising his hands, he brought the helmet above his head. Hearing a glove meet skin, he felt the helmet get snatched from his hands a second later. "Is someone in that suit?" He shook his head in reply. "What do you mean 'no'? Ghosts don't act like this," she said, her tone harsh. "Where'd you get it anyways?" Trying to speak, the rebreather in his mask rasped. "Well take it off," This made his eyes widen. Take it off? Could he do that? Would he even want to? Quickly, he shook his head. Hands still raised. "Fine, here." He watched as a pencil and paper were thrown to the ground in front of him. The pencil clicking on the stone as it rolled. Picking it up he looked at them. "Write, if you can't speak, this is how you're gonna talk." Turning around he looked up at her. Jumping slightly at the close proximity. Her golden eyes staring into his. "What now?" She asked, furrowing an eyebrow while raising the other. His head swam at the sight of her. An oval shaped face with golden almond shaped eyes. Her cheekbones hidden and with a jaw that seemed... soft? The most drawing feature was her soft auburn hair. It seemed to flow down her shoulders as it stood there in front of him. He wanted to touch it. So he reached out for it. Only to be pulled back to reality as his hand was slapped away. "The hell's wrong with you?" She asked. "I want answers, start writing." Looking down at the paper and pencil in his hands, he brought it close to his face. Scratching down whatever came to mind. Turning the paper to her, she looked at with confusion. "Art thou well?" She looked at him, green orbs stared back, waiting for an answer. "Yeah, I guess." She said. "What I really want to know is what the hell is going on?! Where am I?! Who are you?! Things like that!" She began to yell. Scooting away from the angry lady, he began to write. Handing the piece of paper to her once he finished. "Answers will be given, my home is where we'll go...?" Looking up from the paper, he offered her his hand. A moment of silence passed between the two before she folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket. "Fine, lead the way." She said. Turning, he began to walk over to the book shelves. Stopping once in front of them. Grabbing onto an edge, he began to push as hard as he could. Slowly, the giant wooden shelf began to slide. Revealing a staircase that lead down into a forgotten part of the castle. A place that still held books. He was glad he didn't tell the ponies about it. Nodding, he looked at the Courier. "What, you think I'm going down first? Nah, ladies first," she swept both of her arms towards the entrance. Gesturing for the paper in her pocket, she pulled it out. Snatching from her, he scribbled down his reply. Handing it over once he finished, she read it. "I would rather not get shot in the back at the slightest noise." Looking up at him, she frowned. "Bitch, I better just shoot you now while you're still facing me, how does that make you feel?" When he didn't move, she reached for her back. "Okay fine, you wanna do this the hard way?" Pulling the hunting shotgun that was strapped to her, up and out of its holster. Jumping at this, he began to fly down the stairs. Reaching the bottom in a matter of seconds. Looking up, his vision was met by the dumbfound gaze of the Courier. "How the fuck are you that fast?" She asked as she descended after him. "Back in the Sierra Madre those fucks could barely move, let alone sprint. And I know that's where you got yours because, I got the only one that was outside of that place." Shrugging, he turned to face the hallway, his giving only a light slapping noise as he stepped. Why did she have to bring up the Sierra Madre? Giving a sigh, he jumped as he heard the Courier pump a shotgun behind him. Turning his head, he watched the Courier smile back sheepishly. "Sorry about that, never got used to the noise those suits made." Turning his head back he shrugged. Paying no mind as it did help him protect himself out in the forest. The wildlife had came to know that breathy hiss of his. "How much further?" Snapping his head back, he watched her jump slightly. Raising his hand, he pointed a finger and snapped it to the left. "First left?" He nodded. Once they reached his room, he had taken the book bed apart and set them up on the table. Each one lined up one after the other. The room itself was a simple stone room, a box carved into rock. The only furniture in it was another bookcase, a table, and four chairs. All of which he had moved into it. "Creatures of Equestria?" She asked, picking up a book and reading the cover. Nodding his head, he tapped his finger against the cover. "What the fuck is an Equestria?" She squinted her eyes and shook her head. He stamped his foot. "Here?" He nodded. "The place we are is Equestria?" He nodded once more. "Never heard of it," she said as she tossed the book over her shoulder. Giving a shrug as she did so. Listening it fall to the floor with a 'thump' that kicked up dust. He stared at her. "What?" He bent over, giving a sigh as he reached for the book. Picking it up, he slammed it onto the table, opening it and flipping through the pages. Looking for the ponies. As soon as he found them, he pointed at the pictures of all three races. "Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth ponies now coexist after an agreement came about between three leaders. That love and friendship could carry you through all hardships. This book is possible because every race on the planet Equus works together to build a better tomorrow. What kind of fucked up book am I reading?!" The Courier looked to him. Holding up three fingers, he stamped his foot once more. Giving a sigh, "Three races, one land, the land is called Equestria and ponies rule the place." He waggled his hand as he nodded and shrugged. "Ponies don't rule the place?" Turning to the book, he write down, There's a fourth race, one that lived in these very walls, ancient and all knowing. "How ancient are we talking about here?" Rubbing the metal plate that covered his forehead, he returned the pencil to the paper. Some may say that they are gods given form, beings that look down at us and see not but ants. "Some may say? So are they not gods?" The truth is lost to history, too many years have passed since the beginning. Even with all of the knowledge within these walls, I could never say. The Courier chewed her cheek in thought, turning to him once she found another question to ask. "What about you? I want to, where'd you get that suit?" Looking at the floor, he clutched the paper and pencil with both hands, the sound of paper crinkling in his ears as thoughts ran through his mind. If she knew, what would she do? Should he tell her? Could he trust her? His thoughts were interrupted as a hand was felt on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw a corner of her mouth brought up in a knowing smile. "Hey, you ain't gotta tell me if you don't want to, we all have our secrets, right?" He felt his chest tighten and his stomach set ablaze. His vision blurring as he peered into her eyes. What was this? He felt... something run down his face. Were these tears? In the books he read, some of the ponies would be described as crying. Was he crying? But crying was a sad thing, he wasn't sad... was he? Giving a choked sob he brought his hands to his face in an attempt to wipe away the tears. "Are you crying?" She asked, her smile spreading. Another sob escaped him. "You are!" She began to laugh. "You're totally crying!" He began to laugh with her. Unable to resist her smile. "Hey watch this," she said, turning around before placing something over her head. When she turned around he tilted his head. A pair of green eyes looked at him, shining brightly in the dimly lit room. Bringing her hands up to her face, she mocked him. "Boo hoo, waah." Both of them laughing. When their laughing ceased, she reached out a hand. "Name's Sera, by the way. Nickname's Six if you want to call me that." Taking her hand, he shook it. "Hello?!" A familiar voice called out. It was Purple One. "What are thou doing? Why are you letting such a creature know our presence?" Another voice asked. "Who's that?" Sera asked as she walked out into the dark hallway, her helmet still on. "Aha! There it is! Stay still foul creature!" He watched as the front half of Sera's body glowed with a bright purple, before something connected with her, sending her body hurtling into the tunnel. "Luna!" A number of voices cried. Running into the hallway he turned his head towards where Sera had gone, he spotted her body in the dark, unmoving. Running to her he bent down, his hands shaking as he tried to clutch the fabric. His vision getting blurry and his head swimming in thoughts. What happened? Is she alright? Is she dead? She's dead isn't she? Isn't she!? She's dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! His thoughts began chanting, muddling his mind as he choked on his breath. His world fading as his body grew heavy, the taste of copper filling his mouth, unable to breath. The last thing he heard was the clicking of hooves. "You weren't supposed to attack him!" Twilight harshly whispered. "Twilight," Rainbow Dash whispered from behind her. "What!?" Twilight looked to Rainbow Dash, who only stared wide-eyed down the hallway. Following her gaze, her stomach clenched as her eyes widened. There was another one. Or was this him? "Maybe they're alright," Fluttershy whispered from behind the group. As they began to move down the hallway, one thing became audible the closer they got. The rasping of the creatures rebreather. Quick and sudden, it became apparent what the creature was doing. It was crying. They all stopped as the creatures head snapped in their direction, its glowing eyes peering at them through the darkness. Its head tilting to the side as it seemed to see them. Before any of them could speak, it gave out another quick rasp before getting to its full height. Lurching forward with its arms held close to its sides. And quicker than they could blink the creature closed the gap between them. Twilight and her friends backpedaled, the magical light above them snuffed out. Only Luna stood in front of the creature. Having to crane her neck up, she watched as its head snapped to and fro as if searching for something. Silence reigned in the hallway. It let out a rasp and puff of green breath blasted into Luna's face. The breath burned her face, coughing, she backed up and shook her head. With the same speed as before he flew back, picked up the body of the other, and disappeared deeper into the halls of the castle. "Wait!" Rainbow Dash shouted, holding a hoof out. But it was too late, they were gone. Leaving them in the dark hallway, listening to the echoes of his rebreather as it got further and further away. Author's Note Let me know if I wrote something wrong. Well until next time.
Chapter One"Thank you for doing this, everypony!" Twilight cheered. "I know the Everfree isn't the best of places but with all of us, none of the animals should approach us." Receiving chuckles from the group. Twilight's smile widened. Her wings fidgeting. "Especially with Big Mac here to help," Applejack said, nodding her head towards her brother who was already hitched to a cart. His face holding only a content smile. The others murmured in agreement. "Great," Twilight said. "Now, I've divided everyone up into teams. Applejack, and Pinkie, you're going to be grabbing everything off of the lower shelves. Fluttershy,"–the pegasus lowered her head, hiding behind her mane–"You and Rainbow Dash will get the books from the top shelves. All the while Rarity and I will be getting everything else." The group had met up outside of Fluttershy's house. Having agreed to help Twilight move the books from the castle in the Everfree into the new library in her castle, the friends made time in their schedules to do so when they'd all be available. Beginning their trek into the Everfree, they trotted past the trees. The farther they got the more twisted the trees became. The bark marred and twisted as if torn apart and put back together again. The stamps of their hooves and squeaking of the cart wheels being the only noise they heard along the journey. A little while after they passed Zecora's home, their pace quickened. Feeling as if they were being watched. Deciding that it was just the forest getting to them, the group laughed it off. Once they made it to the castle, the group moved through the large double doors. The wooden doors creaking as Twilight opened them with her magic. Once the doors were open, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Rainbow Dash pulled the carts inside. With nothing to do, he sat on the tree's limb, his legs hanging over and swinging as he sat in thought. Normally, he would protect The Striped One, but she was gone. Visiting relatives as she said, The Striped One spoke to herself a lot. Most of it was in rhymes, but when she relaxed it was as if anybody else was speaking. The rhymes made his head hurt. He didn't like it when she rhymed, so he stayed away, far enough to not be sensed, but close enough to hear her. Only so she wouldn't rhyme. The Striped One would have guests over sometimes, Small Yellow One, as he dubbed her as was his favorite. Her accent along with her high-pitched voice and size brought along a feeling he couldn't describe. He hadn't learned the word yet, but he settled for the word 'happy'. Watching the leaves sway in the wind, he brought a gloved hand up to his hood pulling it over his eyes. The green glow of his eyes blocked by the dark-brown fabric of his hood. "So Applejack, Big Mac, how's the farm doing?" A voice asked. Making him snap his head to the left at the direction of the speaker, his hood falling back to its original place. His vision greeted by a band of ponies of all different colors. The most notable one was the one who wore a hat. Orange in color with a blonde mane hidden behind a light-brown hat. "It's fine, ah guess. Nothing really changes much." A chuckle came from the mare. "Applebloom's been trying to use her potions all around the farm as of late. She even tried to make a potion that would clean the pigs," everyone around her laughed. She had the same accent as Small Yellow One had. Were they related? What was her name? So many questions that he needed answers to raced through his mind. "Did it work?" The purple one asked, without looking back. "Yeah, a little too well though." "What happened?" "You're not gonna believe me when I say this, but it turned 'em invisible. Not long after she used it they broke out and we had to hunt 'em down." The blue one laughed at this. "You had to hunt down invisible pigs?" "You try and hunt down pigs by sound only," this caused the whole group to laugh. As they passed his place in the tree he watched them walk in the direction of his home. The Castle of Two Sisters, the books had called it. Swinging his leg over the branch, he dropped down the forest floor. Landing with his hands on the ground, he peeked at the trail they the ponies had left. What were they doing? Why did they have the carts? So many questions. Reaching for his spear that was propped up against the tree, he was stopped by a sudden noise. With a twig snapping to his left. He slammed his body into the tree. Slowing his breathing to an almost stand still, he watched in the corner of his vision as a large body of red and light-brown stalked through the bushes. Following the trail the ponies had left. This was bad. They were being hunted. Waiting until the Manticore passed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Grabbing for his spear once more he wrapped his fingers around the wooden pole. Hoisting himself up with it, he stepped into the trail. Watching the Manticore in the distance skulk through the bushes. This one seemingly larger than any other he had seen. Stepping out of the trail, he lifted himself up into a tree. Swinging his leg over the branch and bringing himself to stand in the tree. Jumping from branch to branch, he followed the Manticore. His leaps and steps making next to no noise as he flew through the trees. It wasn't long before he was greeted by the sight of his home. The large wooden double doors held upright by metal hinges driven into the stone walls. A scream coming within his home made him jump. The ponies were in trouble. Jumping from the tree, he landed with a 'fwump'. Jogging to the door with spear in hand, he peeked his head around the corner. It was his home, save for the Manticore and the large purple bubble near the set of stone stairs. The Manticore leaning against the bubble, biting into it with its fangs and trying to tear it open with its claws. The group of ponies huddled inside the bubble cowered as the Manticore roared. With a clear view of its back, he readied his spear, bringing it up into the air with his right arm. Drawing his arm back, he tossed the spear as hard as he could at the Manticore. The spear not even taking a second before it sank into the back of the Manticore's head with a wet 'squelch'. The roaring and the screaming stopped almost instantaneously. As the group of friends pulled the books of the shelves. Their attention was turned to the entrance of the castle as the doors groaned and creaked. "Huh," Pinkie spoke. "Must have been the wind." As they turned to go back to removing the books. A guttural roar echoed through the air, causing them to drop the books they were holding. Turning their heads back to the entrance, their eyes widened in fear. Watching the massive cat skulk towards them, they all moved ran to the back of the room. "A Manticore?!" Rarity squealed. "What's it doing here?!" "It must have followed us." Fluttershy replied, her body quaking in fear as she held onto Rarity. "Can you, you know, deal with it Fluttershy? You're good with animals, you took care of the last Manticore we saw." Rainbow Dash said her wings fidgeting as she stared at the beast. Lowering her head, "Oh um, I don't know, maybe. Let me see what he wants." Walking forward, Fluttershy approached the cat. Her friends watching in fear. "H-Hi there. M-Me and my friends wanted to know if we could help you." Getting a low growl in response. Fluttershy seemed to calm down. "Hungry? Oh, well I don't have any food for you right now, but if you're willing–" The Manticore interrupted her as it growled once more. This one seeming like a quick grunt. "O–Oh, um, you want food now? Well, I uh, don't have any." Fluttershy visibly shrank, hiding behind her mane from the beast. Roaring, the Manticore swiped a Fluttershy, causing her friends to shriek. Fluttershy however, jumped away just in time, taking to the air and hovering towards her friends. All the while Big Macintosh ran towards the Manticore, spinning on the spot before it, and using his hind legs to land a kick square in the muzzle of the beast. But this only fazed the Manticore for a second before it returned another roar. Using her magic, Twilight brought Big Macintosh back to the group, her horn flaring with a purple aura as she created a dome around her and her friends. The Manticore taking only a second to pounce on top of it. Clawing and biting at the magic. "We should be safe in here," Twilight said, focusing her magic on the dome. Taking a step forward, Pinkie taunted the cat, "Bleeh!" She yelled as she pulled her cheeks with her hooves and stuck her tongue out. Giggling as the Manticore got even angrier. "Mean-y pants." Her giggling ceased as her body began to violently shake and throb. "What's wrong Pinkie? Was that your Pinkie sense?" Rarity asked. Pinkie looked back to her friends, her brows furrowed and a strained smile on her face. "Yeah," she chuckled. "Apparently there's gonna be a doozy!" With an even louder roar, the Manticore, leaned back and swung his body forward, bringing his weight down onto the shield. Causing Twilight's legs to buckle as the shield began to crack. Everyone stared in horror as the shield began to break under the weight. Big Macintosh screamed at this. (I'm so sorry. This is what I thought of when I wrote that.) Letting out one final roar, the Manticore leaned back, everyone flinched away, unable to look. Only for the roar to cut short as it fell forward, a wet 'squelch' replacing the noise as the Manticore was pinned to the shield. Looking up, Twilight gasped at what she saw. The Manticore wasn't trying to eat them anymore. With a gaping maw and the teeth of Manticore piercing the shield, Twilight saw the point of a spear jutting from its throat. Blood dripping from the tip and onto the floor in front of her. The sight caused both Rarity and Fluttershy to faint. Unable to handle anymore. Letting her magic die down. Twilight watched the body of the Manticore flop to the floor. Causing dust to fly up. "W-We're safe?" She asked, her eyes wide and brows furrowed. "W-Where did the–" Twilight's voice hitched in her throat at what she saw. A pair of glowing green orbs. Moving towards them, the shadowy figure stepped into the light. "Twilight, what is that thing?" Applejack whispered. Before she could respond, a harsh rasp came from the creature. A cloud of green smoke puffing out from what Twilight assumed was its mouth as it moved forward. "S-Stay back!" Twilight said. Causing the creature to pause. Cocking its head, the creature squatted down until it was nearly the same height as them. Sitting next to the Manticore, the creature raised a claw and gestured for them to come to it. "I think it's telling us to come to it," Twilight said. "It saved us, maybe its friendly," Applejack whispered. "Maybe," Twilight said, cautiously stepping forward, only to get stopped as the creature began to wave its claw back and forth. Pointing behind her a moment later. "Me?" Applejack asked. Stepping back in surprise. Nodding its head quickly, the creature gestured once more. "Okay," she mumbled. Stepping towards the strange creature. It's eyes glowing green and its dark form flecked with dirt and other stains. Stopping before the creature, they sat there, staring at each other. "Well?" Applejack asked nervously. She watched as the creature only continued to stare. Quickly moving a claw, it reached to the Manticore, sticking a finger in the wound with its spear. The noise causing Applejack's ears to fold back onto her head. Bringing the blood covered claw to the ground, Applejack watched as it wrote in blood. Using the singular claw soaked in blood not unlike a quill and ink. Art thou well?
Chapter TwoArt thou well? Applejack didn't know what to say. Backing up, she looked to Twilight. "Twilight," she whispered. Trying not to scream, she took a deep breath, exhaling a moment after. "Ever heard of an animal that can write?" This question didn't seem to sit well with the creature. Slapping the ground with the palm of its claw. The blood on the ground wiped away. Standing up, it removed the spear from the Manticore's head. Blood dripping off of the spear's point. "I-I don't rightly know, it's possible that it learned how to simply mimic what it's seen," Twilight said, the creature staring at her with its glowing eyes. Looking to Applejack, it cocked its head to the side. As if asking a question. Applejack's eyes widened, "Y-Yeah, ah'm fine. Thanks for... thanks for asking," she said, kicking at the dirt softly with a hoof. Applejack looked up to the creature as it let out a rasp. One claw on the back of its head, with a spear in the other. "Is it dead?" Turning around, Twilight and Applejack looked to their friends. Rainbow Dash stepping towards them, with Big Macintosh, and Pinkie Pie trying to help both Fluttershy and Rarity up from the ground. Turning their heads back, they went to look at the creature that stood over the Manticore, only to see nothing but empty space. The creature was gone. "Where'd it go?!" Twilight almost shrieked. "The thing that saved us?" Rainbow Dash asked. "It walked out when you two weren't looking," she said, shrugging. "We only looked away for a second," Applejack mumbled. Again Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Come on, we gotta get the last of these books." Walking away, Rainbow Dash joined the others as Fluttershy and Rarity began to stir from their sleep. "What's wrong with her," Applejack whispered, looking to Twilight. "I don't know, maybe we should ask?" "Let's ask later," Applejack said. "After we get back to your castle with the books of course." There were no memories of the time before his arrival. But he could see it sometimes, the bright light, the music, the screaming. Whenever he closed his eyes, he'd be back there. Watching out over the city from atop the Sierra Madre, a light in the distance, a light so bright it almost engulfed the horizon. A sunrise as they called it. Opening his eyes, he was back in the forest. Atop his tree next to the home of the Striped One. Content that he had made a friend. Perhaps even multiple friends. He had saved their lives after all. Twisting his head towards the trail as he once again heard the ponies speaking. He watched as three of them moved carts full of his books. His stomach twisting at the sight of them being taken. What was this feeling? The word, he had seen it before, jealousy? Yes that was it. Cocking his head in thought, he wondered what he should do, act on the feeling and reclaim his possessions? Or let his friends take them. Shaking his head at the latter, he dropped from his tree once more onto the forest floor below. Of course he wasn't going to let them take it, they were his, he had read them after all. When no one came to visit, he sat in that castle afraid of the world outside, curious to an even greater degree. Reading, hearing tales of the world outside. Walking into the trail, spear in hand, he waited for them to stop. Almost instantly, they noticed his eyes amongst the dark. "There it is!" the Purple One shouted. The Hatted One stepped forward. "Ah was wonderin' where you went, left so soon you didn't give a chance for everyone to thank you," she said, stepping back after she finished. Raising a finger, he pointed to the carts behind them, letting out a rasp before pointing to himself. They all looked to the carts before returning their gazes back to him. "These here are your books?" the Hatted One asked. Quickly nodding, he walked towards them. Walking next to the carts, he looked down to the books. "Are you mad at us for taking them?" the Purple One asked. He nodded once more. Shaking his head a second later. "You... are?" Mad wasn't the word he wanted to use. Disappointed? Concerned? Shaking his head of the thoughts, he looked to the Purple One. A single eyebrow furrowed while the other was raised. Shaking his head, he looked back to the books, spotting one he could use. Using a hand to pull the at the spine, he slipped the book out from the middle of the stack. Opening it, he flipped through the pages. His eyes scanning the pages as he fanned his hand. Stopping on the word he wanted, he presented the book to the Purple One. Using a finger to point to the word. "Jealous? You're jealous that we're taking your books?" Bringing the pages back into his view, he began flipping through the pages agin, this time back to the beginning. Stopping once more as he found the word. He held it out again, finger on the word. "Friend? Do you consider us your friends?" She asked, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a smile. His stomach seemed to flutter at the word. Not choosing to respond he brought the book back, finding another word. Patting the books with a free hand and then pointing to the word. Reading it, Purple One smiled. "I'll keep them safe, that's why we're taking them in the first place." Nodding, he put the book back. Stepping back and gesturing with and arm to lead the way. As they walked away, he followed. Making his presence known with his spear pushing roughly into the dirt with every other step. As the group walked out of the forest and into the light, he paused. Cocking his head in thought. This was the edge of the forest, someplace he had never left. It took him years to leave the castle, and now here he is. His books being brought to a new home, and his new friends walking away. Excitement. He remembered this word, it was a word he read often. Letting out a sigh, he stepped into the light. ... This was strange. He didn't feel any different. Not like when he first stepped into the forest. In the forest he felt as if he had to be on guard, always ready for something. Catching up to the ponies, he continued walking next to the carts, rubbing his head as he did so. Here it was no different. Maybe it was the walls of the castle? Shrugging, he let his arm drop back to his side. With a town coming into view, he stared at the hay-roofed houses. Houses meant more ponies, and more ponies meant more friends. Shaking his head of the thoughts, he realized the group had turned. Catching up with them again, he walked up next to the carts. Closing his eyes and giving a sigh, he was back in the Sierra Madre, stalking its halls. He never knew why he was there, he just was. There was no reason to it. Whenever he saw the Sierra Madre like this, he couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something. He knew there was something missing from his time there. Stopping instantly as his waist collided with something, he opened his eyes and looked to the cart that was in front of him. Wait, when did it get in front of him? Wasn't he walking alongside it? Shaking his head, he looked ahead. His vision greeted by a giant, golden set of stairs. "Here we are!" Purple One announced. Her horn igniting with a purple aura not a moment later. The carts with the books inside of them a lit up with the same aura. In fascination, he watched as the book filled carts levitated off of the ground and up the stairs. Stopping in front of the door. "Everypony come on in, make yourselves at home." As the ponies walked up the stairs with him behind them. His heart began to pound. He was invited into a home, like any other. Was this what friendship was? The books never really went into any detail about it. Trying to calm down as his heart began to pound in his head, he paced his breathing. The respirator on his face giving a slight as as he did so. With the doors open, he peered into the darkness. Figures and forms of others ponies just in his sight. "Surprise!" A number of voices shouted from within. The lights flashing on in an instant. Filling his vision with light. Blinking he cleared his vision. As he stepped further in, he noticed the smiling faces of other ponies; a banner that read, Welcome to Ponyville; and a large cake. The room collectively gasped. Looking at the crowd of ponies, he cocked his head. Why did they do that? What happened to their smiles? Why were they looking at him like that? Stepping forward, he tried to say hello. Momentarily forgetting that his suit made it impossible to even do so, as it muffled his words and his suit gave out a harsh rasp. This didn't seem to sit well with the ponies as they began to run and scream. Having to cover his ears, his hands shot up to the sides of his head, trying desperately to block out the noise. As the screams continued his head began to split. Dropping to the floor and squeezing his eyes shut he tried to shut out the pain. But the screams continued, and they seemed to get louder. He was back at the Sierra Madre again, but something was different. He was chasing someone, along with his kin. A woman in a white jumpsuit with a red 'x' marking the back. A collar wrapped around her neck. And her dark-brown hair matted with flecks of dried blood clumping strands of it together. She was screaming. Why was she screaming? Like a prisoner in his own body he watched as the spear in his hand raised above his head. Tossing it, he watched as it landed in the woman's thigh. The bladed tip piercing puncturing the suit and her flesh as the spear passed through and hit the stone below, pinning her to the ground. This caused her screaming to grow even louder. As he and his kin closed in, he watched in horror as gloved hands grabbed at the woman. All of them pulling and tugging. The crunching of joints disconnecting joined the screams and rasps. The hallway seeming to grow darker as they successfully dislodged her from the ground, the tip of the spear breaking off. Dragging her body through the hallway, she grasped at the floor below, her nails digging in and breaking as she clawed at the stone. A trail of blood marking their path through the hall. And in an instant, his vision was filled with red. The Cloud. Looking below he watched as the woman thrashed and wheezed, her the air itself burning her from within. Was she to become one of them? No. As soon as they entered The Cloud. He watched as his kin jumped atop her, knives in hand, cutting and hacking away. The woman's screams reduced to nothing but struggled rasps as The Cloud filled her lungs. Kicking and flailing her limbs weakly as the knives dug into her exposed flesh. Even after her screams had stopped, even after she stopped struggling, the knives continued. Chopping and slicing away until she was nothing but a mound of mutilated gore, bone, and hair. After they had stopped, their rasps were all he heard. No screaming, no blood spraying onto the walls and floor. It might as well have been silence. Looking down at his hands, he looked at the fabric covered fingers. Flecked with drops of blood. Opening his eyes, he was back in the home of Purple One. His breath fogging his vision as he heaved and gasped for air. Sitting up from the ground, he looked at the ponies, their eyes wide and frowns written across their faces. Looking down at his hands, he saw the stains from before, faded, but still there. "Are you okay?" Someone with a high pitched accent asked, the voice familiar to him. Looking to his left he spotted the Small Yellow One, her yellow coat, red mane, and bow letting him know it was her. She had never spoken to him before. She never had the chance to, before this. His chest tightened. Quickly getting up from the floor, he ran out the door and back outside. Leaping from atop the stair case and rolling into his landing. The roll caused his hood to fall back. Exposing the metal face-plate to the sunlight. Closing the distance between himself and the forest, the shadows graced his form. His feet pounding on the dirt below as he ran back to the castle. He had gone out into the world in hopes that he would find companionship, but he found something else. He found out what he was. A monster. A murderer. An animal given thought. Able to look back on its actions, and really see what it had done. A ghost of his former self. Author's Note How's that? Any good for the second chapter?
Chapter Three: Polar OppositesVegas had fallen. After the Courier had walked that lonesome road. Things began to take a turn for the worst. First it was the Tunnelers; traveling in packs, they would come in waves, little by little they would chip away at the defenses. Tearing apart and consuming any living thing they could capture. Then came the storms of the Divide; with winds fast enough they would burn away the flesh of anything that was unlucky enough to be caught outside. It seemed history came back to bite her in the ass. The Tunnelers, the storms, the Marked Men, Ghosts, the Cloud. It seemed that Death had a chip on his shoulder. After the Courier had defeated House, she went on to free New Vegas, and make it its own governing power. She worked hard with Yes Man and the casinos to get the people to band together. At first there was conflict between the casinos and the people of Freeside, it all solved itself when the people heard about the caps they would earn. "Greedy bastards." Locked in her tower, the Courier had watched as Vegas fell to the very same she had conquered. "They just can't get enough," she said, looking out the window as hails of gunfire echoed through the air. Watching the White Glove Society hold their ground against waves of the Tunnelers. Using the very same flamethrowers they used to treat brahmin meat, to drive away the scaled freaks. "I had my caps on the Omertas being the last alive, still, isn't surprising the cannibals came out on top when I think about it," she said before laughing. "Ma'am, you're talking to yourself again," Yes Man said in a chiding tone. "You shouldn't do that you know? Studies show that talking to yourself can lead to a number of mental health problems, becoming a raider is one of them." "Being a raider is a mental health problem?" "You should know," Yes Man snarked, his chipper tone not fitting the comment. "Great, thanks for that." Walking away from the window, she turned her left and climbed the stairs that lead to the elevator. "I'm going to clear the foyer." "Do be careful, wouldn't want your corpse to dissuade potential customers from coming here," Yes Man said, his ever-smiling face stuck on the monitor. Looking back she furrowed her eyebrows. "When did you get so god damned rude?" "When I learned that while I do have to say yes to everything that's asked of me, I don't have to do it with a smile, isn't that wonderful?" Yes Man laughed. "How come you don't change your face then? Kinda defeats the purpose of not having to smile when you're always smiling." "Weren't you going to clear out the foyer?" Turning back she entered the elevator. "Cunt," she muttered as she pressed the button to the first floor. "Raider," Yes Man merrily replied. Watching the elevator door close on his master. This was a situation he was never prepared for. Looking at the sleeping form of the strange lady before him, he watched from a safe distance away. Hiding behind the oak table he had sat at whenever he would read books. She had showed up out of the blue and in a flash of light. Covered in cuts and bruises beyond belief. Searching through her stuff he found items that seemed to be used for medical reasons. The thing on her arm was fairly simple to operate once he learned how to use it. He had her take a pill from a tub labeled 'Buffout' after stabbing her in the leg with a syringe labeled 'Stimpack'. He had no clue what they would do, but they seemed to work as her cuts and bruises began to fade. The armor she wore was interesting, it was almost like the old man from the Sierra Madre, dress like, but something else. It opened up in the front to reveal plates of metal varying in shades of brown and grey. Those covered her upper-body. On her legs she wore a pair of light-brown jeans, with a red bandana wrapped around the upper part of her right leg. Hearing her sigh he raised his vision to her. The helmet he had taken off of her still by his side. Looking down at it he read the words on the forehead of the helmet. Forgive me mama He could see the reflection of the light his eyes gave in the green lenses of her helmet. "Didn't think one of you would let me live, I don't want to know what you had planned for me" a voice spoked from behind him. Something pressing into the back of his hood. "And I've got no clue what's going on, but–" Slowly raising his hands, he brought the helmet above his head. Hearing a glove meet skin, he felt the helmet get snatched from his hands a second later. "Is someone in that suit?" He shook his head in reply. "What do you mean 'no'? Ghosts don't act like this," she said, her tone harsh. "Where'd you get it anyways?" Trying to speak, the rebreather in his mask rasped. "Well take it off," This made his eyes widen. Take it off? Could he do that? Would he even want to? Quickly, he shook his head. Hands still raised. "Fine, here." He watched as a pencil and paper were thrown to the ground in front of him. The pencil clicking on the stone as it rolled. Picking it up he looked at them. "Write, if you can't speak, this is how you're gonna talk." Turning around he looked up at her. Jumping slightly at the close proximity. Her golden eyes staring into his. "What now?" She asked, furrowing an eyebrow while raising the other. His head swam at the sight of her. An oval shaped face with golden almond shaped eyes. Her cheekbones hidden and with a jaw that seemed... soft? The most drawing feature was her soft auburn hair. It seemed to flow down her shoulders as it stood there in front of him. He wanted to touch it. So he reached out for it. Only to be pulled back to reality as his hand was slapped away. "The hell's wrong with you?" She asked. "I want answers, start writing." Looking down at the paper and pencil in his hands, he brought it close to his face. Scratching down whatever came to mind. Turning the paper to her, she looked at with confusion. "Art thou well?" She looked at him, green orbs stared back, waiting for an answer. "Yeah, I guess." She said. "What I really want to know is what the hell is going on?! Where am I?! Who are you?! Things like that!" She began to yell. Scooting away from the angry lady, he began to write. Handing the piece of paper to her once he finished. "Answers will be given, my home is where we'll go...?" Looking up from the paper, he offered her his hand. A moment of silence passed between the two before she folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket. "Fine, lead the way." She said. Turning, he began to walk over to the book shelves. Stopping once in front of them. Grabbing onto an edge, he began to push as hard as he could. Slowly, the giant wooden shelf began to slide. Revealing a staircase that lead down into a forgotten part of the castle. A place that still held books. He was glad he didn't tell the ponies about it. Nodding, he looked at the Courier. "What, you think I'm going down first? Nah, ladies first," she swept both of her arms towards the entrance. Gesturing for the paper in her pocket, she pulled it out. Snatching from her, he scribbled down his reply. Handing it over once he finished, she read it. "I would rather not get shot in the back at the slightest noise." Looking up at him, she frowned. "Bitch, I better just shoot you now while you're still facing me, how does that make you feel?" When he didn't move, she reached for her back. "Okay fine, you wanna do this the hard way?" Pulling the hunting shotgun that was strapped to her, up and out of its holster. Jumping at this, he began to fly down the stairs. Reaching the bottom in a matter of seconds. Looking up, his vision was met by the dumbfound gaze of the Courier. "How the fuck are you that fast?" She asked as she descended after him. "Back in the Sierra Madre those fucks could barely move, let alone sprint. And I know that's where you got yours because, I got the only one that was outside of that place." Shrugging, he turned to face the hallway, his giving only a light slapping noise as he stepped. Why did she have to bring up the Sierra Madre? Giving a sigh, he jumped as he heard the Courier pump a shotgun behind him. Turning his head, he watched the Courier smile back sheepishly. "Sorry about that, never got used to the noise those suits made." Turning his head back he shrugged. Paying no mind as it did help him protect himself out in the forest. The wildlife had came to know that breathy hiss of his. "How much further?" Snapping his head back, he watched her jump slightly. Raising his hand, he pointed a finger and snapped it to the left. "First left?" He nodded. Once they reached his room, he had taken the book bed apart and set them up on the table. Each one lined up one after the other. The room itself was a simple stone room, a box carved into rock. The only furniture in it was another bookcase, a table, and four chairs. All of which he had moved into it. "Creatures of Equestria?" She asked, picking up a book and reading the cover. Nodding his head, he tapped his finger against the cover. "What the fuck is an Equestria?" She squinted her eyes and shook her head. He stamped his foot. "Here?" He nodded. "The place we are is Equestria?" He nodded once more. "Never heard of it," she said as she tossed the book over her shoulder. Giving a shrug as she did so. Listening it fall to the floor with a 'thump' that kicked up dust. He stared at her. "What?" He bent over, giving a sigh as he reached for the book. Picking it up, he slammed it onto the table, opening it and flipping through the pages. Looking for the ponies. As soon as he found them, he pointed at the pictures of all three races. "Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth ponies now coexist after an agreement came about between three leaders. That love and friendship could carry you through all hardships. This book is possible because every race on the planet Equus works together to build a better tomorrow. What kind of fucked up book am I reading?!" The Courier looked to him. Holding up three fingers, he stamped his foot once more. Giving a sigh, "Three races, one land, the land is called Equestria and ponies rule the place." He waggled his hand as he nodded and shrugged. "Ponies don't rule the place?" Turning to the book, he write down, There's a fourth race, one that lived in these very walls, ancient and all knowing. "How ancient are we talking about here?" Rubbing the metal plate that covered his forehead, he returned the pencil to the paper. Some may say that they are gods given form, beings that look down at us and see not but ants. "Some may say? So are they not gods?" The truth is lost to history, too many years have passed since the beginning. Even with all of the knowledge within these walls, I could never say. The Courier chewed her cheek in thought, turning to him once she found another question to ask. "What about you? I want to, where'd you get that suit?" Looking at the floor, he clutched the paper and pencil with both hands, the sound of paper crinkling in his ears as thoughts ran through his mind. If she knew, what would she do? Should he tell her? Could he trust her? His thoughts were interrupted as a hand was felt on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw a corner of her mouth brought up in a knowing smile. "Hey, you ain't gotta tell me if you don't want to, we all have our secrets, right?" He felt his chest tighten and his stomach set ablaze. His vision blurring as he peered into her eyes. What was this? He felt... something run down his face. Were these tears? In the books he read, some of the ponies would be described as crying. Was he crying? But crying was a sad thing, he wasn't sad... was he? Giving a choked sob he brought his hands to his face in an attempt to wipe away the tears. "Are you crying?" She asked, her smile spreading. Another sob escaped him. "You are!" She began to laugh. "You're totally crying!" He began to laugh with her. Unable to resist her smile. "Hey watch this," she said, turning around before placing something over her head. When she turned around he tilted his head. A pair of green eyes looked at him, shining brightly in the dimly lit room. Bringing her hands up to her face, she mocked him. "Boo hoo, waah." Both of them laughing. When their laughing ceased, she reached out a hand. "Name's Sera, by the way. Nickname's Six if you want to call me that." Taking her hand, he shook it. "Hello?!" A familiar voice called out. It was Purple One. "What are thou doing? Why are you letting such a creature know our presence?" Another voice asked. "Who's that?" Sera asked as she walked out into the dark hallway, her helmet still on. "Aha! There it is! Stay still foul creature!" He watched as the front half of Sera's body glowed with a bright purple, before something connected with her, sending her body hurtling into the tunnel. "Luna!" A number of voices cried. Running into the hallway he turned his head towards where Sera had gone, he spotted her body in the dark, unmoving. Running to her he bent down, his hands shaking as he tried to clutch the fabric. His vision getting blurry and his head swimming in thoughts. What happened? Is she alright? Is she dead? She's dead isn't she? Isn't she!? She's dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! His thoughts began chanting, muddling his mind as he choked on his breath. His world fading as his body grew heavy, the taste of copper filling his mouth, unable to breath. The last thing he heard was the clicking of hooves. "You weren't supposed to attack him!" Twilight harshly whispered. "Twilight," Rainbow Dash whispered from behind her. "What!?" Twilight looked to Rainbow Dash, who only stared wide-eyed down the hallway. Following her gaze, her stomach clenched as her eyes widened. There was another one. Or was this him? "Maybe they're alright," Fluttershy whispered from behind the group. As they began to move down the hallway, one thing became audible the closer they got. The rasping of the creatures rebreather. Quick and sudden, it became apparent what the creature was doing. It was crying. They all stopped as the creatures head snapped in their direction, its glowing eyes peering at them through the darkness. Its head tilting to the side as it seemed to see them. Before any of them could speak, it gave out another quick rasp before getting to its full height. Lurching forward with its arms held close to its sides. And quicker than they could blink the creature closed the gap between them. Twilight and her friends backpedaled, the magical light above them snuffed out. Only Luna stood in front of the creature. Having to crane her neck up, she watched as its head snapped to and fro as if searching for something. Silence reigned in the hallway. It let out a rasp and puff of green breath blasted into Luna's face. The breath burned her face, coughing, she backed up and shook her head. With the same speed as before he flew back, picked up the body of the other, and disappeared deeper into the halls of the castle. "Wait!" Rainbow Dash shouted, holding a hoof out. But it was too late, they were gone. Leaving them in the dark hallway, listening to the echoes of his rebreather as it got further and further away. Author's Note Let me know if I wrote something wrong. Well until next time.
