Spike's Imaginary(?) Friendby FeatherCordChaptersI-FEDI Hate Ghosts!Too Late For That Now.Romance?Best Night EverSeriousnessLOL: Lots Of LiarsRoots to My Heart's Hunger: Sleep PhilosophyApple Of DiscordApple Of Discord Pt 2: StressApple Of Discord Pt 3: HardcoreImaginary Accident [PROLOGUE]I-FED Dizziness is all I could feel...If that was a feeling. All I could figure out is that I was sucked into the wormhole that leads to an Imaginary world or something. "We are the I-fed. Please, come with us" A freaky...being said while flashing me a batch. There were more behind him, all looking at me. "I'm sorry for popping here but I don't have and imaginary passport nor an imaginary ID" I said. Probably was the wrong thing to say but I guessed the 'I' meant Imaginary and the 'fed' part wasn't very friendly. "Passport? ID?" another one said. "What do you think we are? we just want you to come with us for basic training" "Basic t- I never volunteered for anything" "Just come with us and we'll answer all of your questions" That sounded like a 'The Matrix' moment, but I follow regardless. We passed by so many crazy stuff. I mean, Pie Throw Aim? What good is that for? (I say this because I sucked like a trash can... on second thought the can would've done better if you press hard enough) Anyway, that wasn't the only test. I had to stand on my head, Listen to a talkative...whatever, make a cupcake, eat a muffin, star at a TV and perform surgery (wut?). "Done, now can you please answer my questions?" "Not us, head over to the Lecture Sector" one of them said "It's over there" I go to where he directed me. There were many confused looking wetas (weta is short for what-ever-they-are) "There you are Alexander. Please, take a seat." A voice that came from nowhere and everywhere at once said "How did you kno-" "Please, take a seat." The feminine voice repeated with the same monotone as before. I take a seat. I don't know the rules here and as far as I know I could be dancing over lava for not taking a seat. Can't blame me for saying that after the madness I went through. "Welcome Imaginary friends to the I-fed, Imaginary Friends Employment Department" The voice said in perfect sync with the projector. So that's what the word meant. Hey! I'm no Imaginary friend! "This is where Imaginary friends return after finishing their job and get reassigned to another host in need, even if the Imaginary friend is a first timer" What's a first timer? my question was quickly answered. "First timers are the recently created friends. When they are no longer needed they get sent here they have no idea what this place is, such as you all. And that's why you are all here." So an Imaginary friend is a first timer if they get sent for their first time, and after that they keep meeting kids for all eternity? Makes sense. Except that I'm not 'created' by imagination. "I'm sure that you're wondering if we can live forever." She's good "The answer is no, we live as long as we are remembered, and we are remembered by working." Whoa, so I'll have to bust my back over work just to keep living? sounds like a job to me. But I have no choice. "As first timers, you need to swear to the 'Terms Of The Imaginary Friends' and they consist of:" I knew this wasn't easy. "Never talk-about/hint-to your former hosts.Never attempt telling information beyond the host's knowledge. Never talk-about/hint-to this place. Never talk-about/hint-to other existences, world or universes." Wait, what? "Disregarding those rules would lead to immediate termination." *GULP* Man, they mean business. "Now, please exit through the back door, Jeff will lead you to your next hosts." "But what did you mean by universes?" "Please exit through the back door, Jeff will lead you to your next hosts." "Yes, yes but-" "Please exit-" "OK, FINE!" I stomp my way out, her monotone is extremely provocative! "So my host is a dragon named Spike?" Jeff nods "Who lives in Equestria?" he nods again. This might not turn to be bad at all... at least not as bad as I thought it would be, because it's obviously a dream. "Lead the way then." He walks me to a platform. machinery starts moving above me and the floor becomes twisted. The twisting ground turned into a wormhole and soon the dizziness began again and I was zapped to someplace, hopefully Twilight's library. I was still dizzy but conscious enough. I was in Twilight's study... I guess it is. It's hard to tell a place from another, it's all covered with books. I start searching for the dragon, didn't take me long as I found him in front of a mirror admiring his fake mustache, the poor broomstick forgotten. "Can I help you handsome sir?" he said in a weird voice "Yes, you can. I want a comp for MY AWESOME MUSTACHE!" he said in his normal voice. "There is a delivery for Mr.Spike" He jumps at my voice. "Who are you? What are you? How did you get inside? How long have you been there?" he said in one breath. "I'm Alex. Human. I sorta popped here. long enough." I answer in perfect order. The reason I'm so calm at this is because I know I'm dreaming. I know that because it doesn't feel real and it's all foggy. I just thought I'd play along. "Alright, what have you got for me?" giving me a look of suspect. "Oh, right, I'm the package." "Huh?" "It's complicated, the bottom line is: I'm your friend from now on and there is nothing you can do about it." "Ok, but sneaking and sc- startling me isn't very friendly." "Fine, so what do you want to do now?" "I don't know. I'm not even sure I trust you." That cut me deep. "Ok, let's just talk and learn about each other, sounds good?" "I guess" "I'll start" "... And that's how I got here." I finish my story "Now it's your turn. "Ok, I was an egg when Twi..." I Hate Ghosts! We're done telling our stories and now we're playing Monopony. Spike had to move the pieces... and roll the dice... and manage the bits. Man, being a ghost sucks, save for walking through walls. I'm sure I'm dreaming but do dreams last that long? I guess they don't, but why was I sure that this wasn't real before? maybe because I was in a daze. Uh-oh, This is real oh no...nonononononono- "You know, It's nice to hang around someone that has claws." He said interrupting my mental-panic-attack. "OHMYGOSHYOU'RESPIKE!!!!" I jump to my feet. "Yeah, I think we got past that." "WHAT ABOUT MOM AND DAD? AND RUST?" "Who?" Spike and Owlowicious said in unison. I would've laughed if I weren't too busy panicking. *SLAM* "Hey, Spike. Nice to see you playing with Owlowicous." A mare I recognize as Twilight Sparkle casually trots in and heads directly to her study. "Why didn't she see you?" Spike asks. Oh dear the Imaginary thing is real too. "It's better that she did not anyway. Spike don't mention me ever to anypony, Ok?" "Why?" "They'll think you're crazy, you'll think you're crazy" "I don't understan-" "Just don't tell." "Whatever you say." I can tell he's starting to get suspicious again. It was day two in Equestria. Spike and Twilight were heading... somewhere but I decided to tag along too, simply because I wanted to get a closer look of Twilight. Hey, Don't gimme that look! I'm no creep! "Are you alright Spike? You seem a little off today." Twilight asks. "Huh? oh, nothing." "Are you sure?" Dang, she's smarter than being fooled by 'nothing'. "Positive." "If you say so. I'm sure a sapphire cupcake will get back in the mood." So they're heading to SugerCube corner. "Yeah..." "Hey, lighten up. She's going to suspect something." I whisper to spike. I don't even know why am I whispering, it's not like anypony will hear. "Ok" He replies "What was that?" Twilight asks "Nothing, can we go a little faster?" "We're not moving untill you tell me what's wrong." Uh-oh. "Lie Spike, just lie." I command. he starts to sweat bullets. "Helloooo, Spike?" She says. "Ok, fin. Can you see a human here?" "Human? Whatever do you mean?" "Can you see someone standing here?" "No..." "Because my friend Alex is right in front of you." "Are you telling me you have an Imaginary friend? Who is a human? Whatever that is." "You can say that." "Spike, do you feel lonely?" "What?" "A psychology book I read said that when you have an Imaginary friend you are lonely." "But he's real!" "How come I can't see this human then?" *GASP* "A human?" Lyra Heartstrings said "Tell me all about them!" "Alex is-" "A symptom. I need you to come with me to the tree library, there is a book-" "No way! I need him to tell me all about this human!" They both levitate Spike at the same time. "I need him for my study of friendship!" Twilight says. "I need him for my study of humans!!" Lyra shouts. "LET. GO!!!!" They both say in unison. The fight continued on for some time then a pink blur zoomed right through us. I immediately recognize it as Pinkie Pie. "Where did he go?" Asked Lyra. "PINKIE! WAIT UP!" Twilight's demands fall to deaf ears. She starts galloping like there is no tomorrow followed closely by Lyra. "Wait up" Now my demands fall to deaf ears, quite literally. We finally stop at SugerCube Corner. Ironic, it was our destination in the first place. Catching up with pinkie was easy since I'm a ghost. I enter before anypony else. And by 'enter' I mean 'through the wall'. I see Pinkie making a full break sending Spike flying to the counter. "Oh, Hey, Spike. When did you get here?" Pinkie asks. "Just now." He stands on his feet "That was not cool." I say to Spike. "I should've listened, although they didn't think I was crazy, this was an experience I don't want to repeat soon... or ever" "Told ya" "Spike, can you help me hang those banners and streamers and balloons?" "Sure. What party is it for?" "It's a welcome-to-Ponyville-Cloud-Burn party!" Typical Pinkie. *SLAM* "SPIKE!!" Guess who said that, if your answer was 'Twilight and Lyra in unison' then congrats you guessed right but won nothing. "You're just in time for decorations!" Pinkie says and shoves some random stuff to pair. They start decorating and nothing else happens. Except for the occasional glares between Lyra and Twi. "PARTY TILL WE DROP!!!" I shout to no one. This party sucked greatly for me mainly because I can't eat or drink anything. The only amusement I have is stalking and eavesdropping. Oh, there is a night-blue coated stallion talking to Fluttershy...And he's a blank flank despite his age. Better eavesdrop. "Oh, um... Hi Cloud." "Where is Angel?" "He's at home. But if you want to see him you can visit tomorrow." "Sure, I'd love to see the little bunny." There was a hint of disgust in his voice. "Enjoy the party" and trots away to join his friend. Ok, next target would be- "THUNDER!!" The same night-blue guy shouts "Carry on ponies, never mind me" Then he turns to talk with his friend. Everypony returned to their home between 11:00 and midnight. The walk home was so boring, but we got there eventually. "Had fun Spike?" I ask. "Yeah, Pinkie's parties are always fun." "Oh yeah, they'll be better if had something to eat." "You know, I can Imagine something for you." "Then do it!" A cupcake poofed into existence "Spike, I love you man!" I grab the cupcake and bite "Ouch! What is in this thing, rocks?" "Gems actually." "They are rock you know." I reply "Now imagine it out of my sight" it poofed away. "I guess I'll just sleep without dinner, not that I feel hungry." Then I realized something... I can't even sleep! God, I hate being a ghost. "I'm going for a walk, but first do you know what jeans is?" Here I am, wandering the night searching for anything amusing to happen with my new clothes Spike just poofed for me. (That was a long sentence) "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" What was that? AUTHOR'S NOTE: go read Understanding Confusion. It'll explain this chapter. Too Late For That Now. "If you can hear me Twi, blink once. If you can't, blink twice" I say to Twilight while she is reading some book. She did not blink, not even once. With all the cool stuff I can do from flying to stalking to walking through walls, it's not worth it. At least I wish I was a normal ghost, you know, the kind that stays behind you the whole time waiting for you to turn around and scare the living cookies out of you, or the ones that make things fly like crazy, or the ones that manipulate photos, or the ones that make sounds, or at least the friendly ones (Casper for example). Of all these kinds, I am this. No sleep, no food, no pain, no needs generally, and nobody/nopony can see or hear me beside Spike. And the last time he let the cat out of the bag crazy things happened. Speeking of which, why dont I jump from Canterlot Castle and see what it's like to free fall? It's not like I can die or feel anything. "I hope I don't die. It's amazing what boredom does to you." I speek to myself from the zenith of the castle. "I FEEL PRETTY!!!" Was the only line I could think of after leaping, so I decided to complete it. "AND WITTY AND BRIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!" The ground got so close that I could see its details. "BCAU- AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" I closed my eyes waiting for the stone pathway to come but it never came. "What the...?" I was hanging in the air before I hit the ground just like cartoons. "Of course this happened!" I then proceed to fly back to the library. Spike is my host after all and I havent been spending much 'friendly' time with him... And he's the only one that would actually reply. "I hope he's not mad at me." "Hey, Owlowicious, seen- never mind, you can't hear me anyways. Wait... Why did you say 'who' yesterday when I mentioned Rust?" He did not 'who'. I sigh. "A coincidence..." I was slowly losing it, hence talking to myself all the time... On second thought I was already used to doing that before all of this happened. I 'sit' and wait for Spike because I got bored of being a creep and playing suicide, and by 'sit' I mean float. "I can't even play the boring board games!" "Hey Alex, what are you whining about?" Spike entered carrying quills and parchments. "I'm not whining, I'm complaining. You wanna hear whining?" I thought I'd quote Rarity "Thiiis is whiiining! Why is this ghost body sooo uncomfortable? I can't eat or sleep or contact with anything like thiiis! I can't even play chess... And it's sooo booooring!" "Alright then, stop whining and tell me where have you been?" I saw my chance. "But I thought you waaaanted whiiiining!" nailed it! "Seriously, explain. I can't let you run off like that, specially that you're something I don't exactly know." Buzzkill. "Fine, I went to jump off the Canterlot Castle. Don't ask." I just told him something out of his general knowledge, but it's not useful. Does this count as violating the rules? Am I going to be insta-terminated?! Noooooooooooo- "Ok, then. Can you help me with these?" "Dude, no hands... Or anything really." "Oh, right." I kind of felt bad for not helping the little guy. "Where is Twilight?" I wanted to make a friendly conversation. "I don't exactly know, she's kind of always with her friends. And they don't have a scedual, just run off untill something happens... Twilight wasn't always this unorganized." That made me regret asking. I can't even do anything for the dragon. "Spike, do you have friends?" "Plenty, there is Pinkie-" "Other than Twilight's" "Well, I think Snipes and Snails count." "Do you see them often?" "What's with the intarrogation?" "Answer my question. Do you or do you not see them often?" He didn't answer "Let me rephrase it. When was the last time you met them?" Still, no answer. "Answer Spike." "I don't remember, ok?" he crossed his arms. "It's either the chores or Twilight wanting something from me. The only way to get out of this library is when I go get something for her!" Nice outburst. "And why do you do this?" "Because I'm her number one assistant." "An assistant isn't a very great job to keep if you ask me." "I didn't ask you." He stmoped his way up the stairs. I could've followed him and spied, but I don't want to upset someone who could poof up a chainsaw into existence and slash me to stakes. Well, not a chaisaw, but I'm sure that the butter knife is painful too. "Spike! did you get the necessities?" Twilight shouted as she entered. "Spike?" "Yeah, I got them." he said without showing us his face. "Alright then." It's 1:00 AM according to my biological clock and everypony and Spike were asleep. I was on the roof (which is branches and leaves) I floated on my back pretending that I had a bed. and thinking aloud to myself. "If Spike really hates being an assistant, why does he put up to it? I mean, an assistant isn't a very honoring title." "He doesn't hate the job; Remember when Owlowicious first came to sight?" "If you put it that way, but I think that he was more annoyed at being unappreciated than the loss of his work." "Yeah, that's it. he wants appreciation. And as his Imaginary friend I will make that happen." "But how? I can't touch anything or talk with anypony. And I certainly can't tell Spike any outer knowledge... Things will get ugly." "Twilight! She's the answer! If I can just get her to find another assistant that'll be number two, spike will be appreciated and at the same time he will have free time." "There is the owl." "Who?" I laugh at my own lame joke. "But seriously, let Owlowicious do some work and get Spike's scaly behind out there." "Man, thinking aloud is way better than keeping it silent." "But how are you going- I mean, how am I going to make my plan happen?" I ponder the thought for a moment, then I realize something. "I could've had some friends if I got my behind out there...maybe even a girlfriend, the new girl next door was cute..." There, now I have to get her out of my head, even though I only saw a glimpse of her when her family was moving stuff in, and I was forced into greeting a simple 'hi' and that was it, I would've slept over the matter and forgot it by the time I normally wake up (noon at holidays), but there are certain 'conditions' preventing that. "So much for thinking clearly." Romance?"Wakie wakie, Spikie Wikie." I try to poke spike and my finger goes right through him. Now I know that was wrong because he's supposed to feel that. But this is not the task at hand. "Chores don't begin till half an hour later." He groans. Time to use the secret weapon. "Fine, then you don't want to see Rarity today, eh?" He was up on his feet. But realization strikes soon after as his expression turned to a questioning look. "But it's really early, don't you think she'll be sleeping?" "We're not going to the Boutique right away." "And why did you wake me up so early then?" "You need to prepare." "Prepare? Isn't it a normal visit?" "Oh, it's perfectly normal. Now come on, we need to get moving." "What's with the 'we'?" "You are on a date, I am your support, and we need to get moving!" I repeat. "Date? Like a date, date? Like a seriously serious date, da-" "Look, I'm growing bored with your questions. Are you coming or not?" "Hey, sorry that I asked about when I joined this dating service." We walked most of the way to the Carousal Boutique. It was a beautiful morning without the noise of the day... Except for the noise of a certain dragon. "Do you think Twilight will be mad that I left? I mean, I didn't leave an excuse or a note or anything... and she tends to overreact to things." "That's your future self's problem." He gave me a confused look. "What I mean is, you don't need to worry about that now." "okay then." He paused, but not for long. "How did you even arrange this visit?" "I did not." Again with the confused look. "Come on Spike, you know I can't interact with anything." "But I don't even know if she has other plans, maybe we're disturbing-" "Disturbing is good." STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! "Just try to make a friendly conversation." "I don't know..." I stop walking. "What's with you? You're supposed to be there by now. The Spike I know will sprout wings just to get there A.S.A.P." "But there are so many flaws in that plan, if you can even call it that." "Looks like the time you spent with Twilight broke you." "No it didn't." "Are you sure?" "Positive." "You don't sound so." "Can we just go? Or go back?" "We can't." "Please?" "No seriously, we can't. I don't know where we are." "Really?" "Yes, really. You didn't say anything so I assumed that it was the right way." "you didn't say anything so I assumed that it was one of those 'preparations'." Touche "At least we got all day." "But we didn't eat breakfast." "You're right, summon me a sandwich." He does so and throws it on my face. "Good I didn't ask for pie." "The Boutique! At last!" I shout as we reach our destination around 10:00 A.M. "I'm so tired and hungry and sleepy and..." Spike whines. That reminds me that I wasn't exhausted at all, just really bored. "Good, now you can eat at Rarity's. Oh Element of Generosity." I try to knock and end up face-palming. "Allow me" Said Spike with a smirk. As his fist reaches the door he freezes and his smile vanishes. "Well? What is it?" "It's a date..." I groan. "Yes, now deal with it. Knock the door!" He's still frozen. "It's easy just move your fist back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Done." No movement. "At least say something." Is he... stoned? "AAAAAAHHH!" I go to find something else to do leaving a completely zoned out Spike at the Rarity's doorstep. Eventually somepony will open the door. "What to do, what to do." I start talking to myself as I ascend to the sky. "I could take a peep on the princess." "You creep! Haven't you had enough Twilight last night?" "Maybe, and maybe not. And for my information I'm just going to see what Celestia does with her free time." "That doesn't explain watching her faithful student sleep." "That... was another case. I was bored OK?!" Man, I am going crazy. "Oh, here we are, just dozens of hard rock walls to search in ahead. Shan't be a problem." I chuckle as I go through said walls. It feels weird. Internal wind, and feeling the stone and not feeling it at the same time. Anyway, here is the ruler of Equestria and... My God. "Princess Celestia, this is too much. even for me!" "Oh,Twilight, don't be so humble. We both know how talented you are at this." Twilight blushes. My God. "Alright." Twilight spoke with a shaky breath. "Don't be so nervous, you can handle this." "But not something this big. I'll need assistance." "Is there somepony particular on your mind? I'll invite them over to join in." "Spike." My God those are a lot of books. "Of course." The princess went to write a letter. I tear my gaze from the uncountable books and peep on what she is writing. Dear Spike, I hope that you are having a good day and I apologize if I am interrupting it. We are reorganizing the Canterlot Library and Twilight cannot do it alone. Please attend as soon as you can. Princess Celestia. Then, she departs the study to her...well...other study. "If only I was that serious about school." She perks up. "Who said that?" she speaks calmly. for a second there I thought she actually heard me. "I'm nobody in particular, just a ghost haunting your study because it was built over a graveyard. whooooooooo" "Discord? you don't sound like him." "Wait, you can hear me?" "Quite clearly." "Well, can you see me?" She looks for any living creature around. "No." I sigh. "At least I have someone else to talk to." "About talking, how long have you been haunting this place? because I've lived long enough to confirm that there is no graveyard here." "No, you weren't meant to hear that. And I'm an alien ghost from another dimension brought here by a wormhole." I decided to shut up as soon as a realized how stupid I sounded. "Please continue, your story sounds very amusing." Amusing? is that what I am? an amusement? "Okay then, this is going to take a while so grab a seat...or you can sit on the floor too." She is going to have to explain a great deal on how she is able to hear me, but that's for later. Best Night Ever "You are human?" "Yeah, I doubt that you know what a human is." "Can you tell me more?" "I told you everything, there is no more." "About humans." "Um...Well, we're bipedal, opposable thumbs,-" "I already know that. My question was to tell me more, not tell me what you are." Celestia's voice was more demanding and... upset? "How do you know about us?" "That is not the subject in question." "That is not an answer. What's wrong? ever since I've mentioned my race and you're acting like this. I think I'll go see what's Spike is doing." "Wait, I was just curious and I have demanded knowledge in the wrong way. Perhaps we can talk some other time." That was not Celestia like. Was that an apology? I don't even know. "Sure. I'll be on my way now." I hear a crash after five seconds or so. I never thought that finding Spike would be so hard. Maybe I could find somepony else like Luna or Cadance, maybe Chrysalis? I sure they can hear me too according to Celestia's Astral Plane Theory. It basically says that a real being has an astral projection. And when I was transformed, my astral self was not effected. That is why she can hear me. And according to the theory other Alicorns can hear me too. I hope it's true. "Was that Twilight?" I hover back a bit to see Twilight and Spike on a chariot heading to Ponyville. I follow their suit and float on the side of the chariot. "Hey, Spike." "Hey." Is that a hint of boredom? "Not such a great day, huh?" "I don't want to talk about it." "So what happened at the Boutique?" "Rarity opened the door to find me starving thanks to a certain human." "She invited you in, didn't she?" "Yeah, and I had some rubies. but my breakfast didn't last very long." "Why is that?" "A letter arrived from the princess and I was required in some rearranging." "Cheer up Spike. At least you got unfrozen." He gives me a glare. "Is Twilight awake?" "Yeah, why?" "I just thought she'll be curious as to why you are talking to yourself." "She's just thinking." "Oh, good. And what did she say about you running of?" "She never noticed... Or she forgot to ask, I dunno." It's almost sunset. makes me wonder where Luna is. I can always search Canterlot for her, and I can always make a game out of it. "New Objective: Find Luna before moonrise." I fly through Canterlot searching it inch by inch. I give a glance over at the sun which was giving away it's final blink of daylight. Time is running short and I must hurry. "Where are you?" I try to pick up my pace and stop. "This isn't helping. If I were Luna, where would I be at moonrise? The hills? Maybe. The streets? never. The tower? Of course!" I hurry my way to the tower and I was right. Luna was there and she was preparing to raise the moon. I place myself quietly near her and feel that something was behind me. I pay it no mind since the midnight princess started working her magic bringing a beautiful full moon to the sky. "Objective Complete." "EEEEP!" *KABOOM* I reopen my eyes to see that half the place was dust. "Note to self, never scare Luna if you have real flesh." I decide to leave as long as she can't see me. As soon as I get to Ponyville I see a pegasus wandering the night. Seems suspicious about something, as if somepony is following him. As if on cue, something appears at the corner of my eye, "Moving shadows?" the shadows disappear as soon as the stallion looks at them. In his point of view it must seem like he was imagining it. "Imagining, that's the word. I must be able to see imaginations! I thought I saw something at the tower!" but can I interact with those? "Only one way to find out." I touch a piece of darkness and... It feels odd. "It's as if I'm touching pure emotion." my thought get interrupted as absolute panic takes over me. The dark stuff climbs my arm and the more touches me, the more I panic. "Get off!" I try to depart myself from the shadows but to no use. There is only one way to do this. I fly as fast as I can to get in the stallion's field of view and the shadows climb faster. "Stupid. stupid. stupid. STUPID!" I scold myself. "Oh yeah, let's touch the suspicious-looking evil darkness. What's the worst that could happen?!" The darkness devoured my arm long ago, and is now making it's way to the rest of my body. "There he is!" I place myself in front of him. he stops for a second and the darkness vanishes in thin layers of smoke. He carries on his way going right through me. I get partly calmed down but for some reason I feel scared of the openness of the darkness. "I would've probably fainted in normal conditions." Now I want to see what was that thing with Luna. "Rust?!!!" "Bot-master!" "What? How? Where? When?" I actually know all of those. "Why didn't you say anything when I was here the first time?" "I was originally programmed to talk only if I get a straight command to interact." "That never stopped you from running your mou- Sound card." "So, Luna is your host now?" "Yes, for a year, 2 days, 32 min-" "A year? It's barely a week since I've got here!" "Wormholes work strangely. This was the reason I told you not to mess with them." "You never said anything." "May I remind you?" he starts replaying a recording "Ok, fine. You told me so. I hate it when you do that." I think for a moment. "Where is Luna anyway?" "I do not know." "Aren't you supposed to always be with her?" "Aren't you supposed to do the same thing master?" "Touché. And I'm no longer your master, you have a new one." I start making my way to the 'door'. "Seeya". "That lucky tin-can, he got Luna!" Seriousness"Here I am, walking down the roads of Canterlot. And, I'm all alone, there's no one here beside me~. I'm all alo-" I take a glance at my surroundings again. "Where...? Books and Branches? How did I get here?" "Having a nice day?" "You don't seem surprised, Spike." "Why would I? I wanted you here." "You mean-?" "Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about something important." "Uh-oh, time to hit the road" I make a mad dash for the door or the wall or anywhere away but as soon as I get 5 feet away I return to square zero. I eventually stop. "Fine, what is it?" I say crossing my arms. "I need you to explain something. First, you said that you are here to help me make friends, right?" "Right." He starts pacing around the library. "And you said that you did not have real ones on... wherever you're from, right?" "Correct." "Those two don't meet." "Yeah, but- I mean-" I sigh. "What?" "Do you really want to know?" "Why would I be asking then?" "Okay." I inhale a deep breath. "The truth is that I used to have a group of friends but lost them." "How did that happen?" "It's the magical phase called 'High School'. Basically every parent had their child's future planned out for the next fifteen years. Our group wasn't an exception and everyone went on their own ways." "But that doesn't mean you didn't meet others." "Yeah, that's the thing. I tried to fit in my new school, but I wasn't very accepted by anyone." Spike found this interesting so he took a seat. I made myself comfortable too by sitting on... well, air. "And what did you do?" "What do you think I did?" "Gave up and became a total loner?" "What? No, I decided that if no one would like me, I will make them! So I started building my own psychology by observing everything, from how to hand-shake to the subliminal messages in speech, such as using certain language with certain people. you know what happened? I won everybody and lost myself." "Huh?" "Getting to it. I lost myself because I had to build a whole other me, thus feeling disgusted from everything. So I made a decision that I will restart the second year with the real me. It was harder than I'd expected because when somebody I know takes a road I had to take another one just in hopes that they will eventually forget me... they didn't." "You wanted friends and then throw them away?" "Just wait, I'm getting to it. I got so choked that I threw it all away. I acted like a nutjob, a jerk, a bully you name it, they still didn't leave me. and the irony is that I got more! And earned myself some enemies too! It got to the point that I could not get through the door of the classroom without running into a chatterbox. I always had an excuse backed up so I don't go 'hanging out'. But I was running out of pre-written excuses and wanted some alone time and fast. So I told them loud and clear to leave me be. you know what they said?" "What?" " 'How could you say such a cruel thing?'...With sarcasm... and laughed. That was basically how I went through life ever since." "Are you saying that you can still help me?" "Yes, that is what I'm saying." "But what if I get disgusted like you?" "Never thought of that actually." I thought that I'd go to Luna and apologize about blowing up the tower thing. "Technically, I didn't blow it up to fine dust." I start talking to myself. "But technically, I caused what caused the explosion. Oh look, we're- I mean, I am here." Damn, this can get confusing sometimes. I tip-toe into the tower. "How do I do this? I can't risk startling her agai-" "But it's not my fault Tia!" "Dearest sister, I never said it was, I simply stated that you must not act as such, ponies will start asking questions and will get frustrated." "Questions like why did you destroy your room?" "That is not of your concern, and being the princess of night does not give you the right to spy on me." "We did not! The noise was too loud to..." "Maybe this is not the best time to visit. Sheesh, glad that I don't have a brother." "... and I told you before that 'The Royal We' is..." Celestia scolds. I try to get out of there and- "But why did Celestia destroy her room?" Curiousity -of course- got the best of me, so I make my way to the Royal Bedroom. "Whoa, she really broke it down. Mostly the furniture." "Enjoying yourself?" "AH! Princess, you scared me." "Ironic, you are the ghost. And please excuse the mess." She paces across the bombarded bedroom. "What mess? I haven't noticed a thing." "It's good to see that you are committed to your word, because I have some news for you, take a seat if you please." Heck, everybody wants something. "Yeah? What is it?" "First, do you despise being your current form?" "Very much." "I may hold the key to turning you real." "For real?! What are you waiting for then? Zap me to existence!" "The spell needs some more time. I just wanted you to know that it will be ready soon." "Oh, okay then." "And, did you happen to converse with anypony else?" "Other than Spike? I don't think so." I wasn't lying because what happened at the tower wasn't exactly a conversation. "Good, we don't want somepony panicking and attracting attention now, do we?" "I guess not." I take a glance at what was supposed to be a desk. Mess, mess everywhere. "I'm sorry, but there is a thought that is too big to ignore, why did you go all wrath mode on the place?" "It's an accident." "Yeah? That's not what I heard" Her expression tells nothing. "Then, what did you hear?" I don't want her to know that I know that Luna know that she- whatever. "Nothing. I'll just... be off. Nice chat by the way." She nodded, I scram. "What's with everybody being so grim serious all of a sudden? I hope the future doesn't hold any surprises, because I'm a bit annoyed that *I'm the ghost and yet I'm being startled."* LOL: Lots Of Liars "I'm bored. I think I'll go see Rust again...since I'm already at the tower." As I ascend a certain thought creeps in my mind. "What's with princesses and towers?!" I step into the room and Rust was not alone, he was accompanying Luna. "This ought to be interesting." "Luna, locking yourself up is not going to solve anything." Rust says. "It's not like I always go out." "You know what I mean." "I'm not talking to anypony unless I know what spoke to me." At that second Rust looks at me. I nod. "Species: Homo Sapien, Human. Gender: Male. Name: Alexander Christopher Rowe. Age: 15 earthly years and 7-8 months: 19th of December. Profession: Student..." I facepalm as he continues to overload the poor mare with info about me. "... Favourite time of the day: Midnight, Hobbies-" "Stop, just stop. I can speak for myself." I interrupt causing Luna to jump. "Hello, princess. The name's Alex." "Uh, Hello...Alex. Are you the one that spoke to me the other day?" "I didn't specifically speak to anyone, I just said 'Objective Complete' and you know the rest." "Oh, well what was that objective?" "I wanted to find Rust here. Speaking of which, can I borrow him for a sec?" "Uh, sure." I grab him and go somewhere far in the room. "Rust, I need a favor, I want you to keep Luna away from her sister and cheer her up a bit...and maybe mention a few good things about me, a few. Okay?" "Affirmative." "Good, now is there anything you want to tell me? anything at all? Imean, you're usually more talkative." "Just stick to 2,3 and 7." "Right, can you remind me of what they are?" "Kindness, integrity and amnesty." "Ooookay, why?" "Is it wrong to practice virtues?" "No, not at all. well, seeya." I look over to Luna and step closer "Have a nice day, princess." "Thank you. B-but before you leave... Do you... Are you always around?" "Around here and there.-" I notice that she is quite disturbed. "Oh, not always. I mean... I'll just go." "Okay, all I need to do is waste time until I hear from Celestia...But what to do? *mental sigh* I could see what's Spike is up to, again" my 'wish' was granted as I find myself in the tree library. "Don't get used to this, Spike." I say pretty annoyed. "I wanted to talk to you about something." Again? "What is it? I already told you the story of my life." "I think that you need to go." "Alright." I proceed to fly away. "See that? You don't even want to be around." Dammit. "It's not that, I know when I'm not wanted." He glares at me. "Where is Twilight?" "She is packing to go to Canterlot, again. She wants to see if the library there is unorganized again." "Will she meet the princess?" "Yeah, why?" "Tell her to either avoid Celestia or not go at all." "Why?" "Let's just say that she is not in the mood to meet anyone." "How do you know?- Oh, right." "Well? Go tell her!" He walks upstairs and I follow suit. "Uh, Twilight?" "Yes, Spike?" "Are you sure that you want to go?" "Positive, why?" "And meet the princess?" "Yeah, what's wrong with that?" "Oh, um, It's just that there are books that need to be organized here." "But you already did that, this morning." "Oh, well in the other library." Twilight perks up. "There is another library around?! I've got to go see it!" Nice one Spike. "Y-Yeah! Right in front of the Everfree forest!" "The trip can wait. Watch the library for me!" Aaaaand she's gone. "Phew." He wipes drops of sweat. "What's the matter? I mean sure you lied but it's not that hard." "I never lie to Twilight." "Oh yeah? I remember one Incident that involves a book and some green fire, Spiked punch." "I was under a lot of pressu- How did you know that?" "Uh, I heard that somewhere. You're a bit famous." "Really? Whoa." "Yeah, I've got to go-" *SLAM* "There was no library Spike!" Back so fast? "Oh, um... What happened to you?" Yeah what happened? She looks really messed up. Tree sap and mud and a whole jungle in her mane. Is that gum? "Long story. But I want explanation to your act. Is this some kind of joke?" "No!" "Then what?!" "I don't think that you should see the princess." "And why is that?" "Uh, Alex told me?" "Alex again? This is getting too far." "But he exists!" "Sure Spike." She trots across, probably to shower. "We need to talk, wait right there." "See? That is why I was nervous!" He whispers to me. "She's a really quick tempered mare." "I swear, when this is over I'll-" "Hey, would you prefer Twilight to get thrown out of Canterlot?" "That will never happen. Now I want the real reason you made me lie!" "I didn't tell you to lie, I just said that you need to talk her out of going." "Doesn't matter now, what is the reason?" "Okay, Celestia is working on some spell to make me real again and-" "You talked to her?! How?" "I don't understand it myself. Something about the astral...something. We meet everyday." "That explains where you go most of the-" Twilight walks in interrupting the worried dragon. "Now, where is that book?" She heads to the countless books. "Here it is! Your Inner Mind: The Complete Guide To Psych-" "This won't work. He is real and you will see very soon." "Well where is this Alex? Because if I can't see or hear him, then he does not exist." "Princess Celestia will change him back real." "Then I'll ask her." Crap! She started jotting a letter but there was something in the inbox. *BLECH* The parchment drops in the middle of the room. Twilight picks it up and reads, and puts on a confused face. "What does it say?" Spike asks. "It says that you're... right." She pauses "I'm sorry that I doubted you but it seemed so unreal." "Yeah, but what does it say?" "Here, read it yourself." She backs into a corner trying to comprehend what just happened. *> Dear Spike, Please come with Twilight to Canterlot right away, and bring Alex with you too. There is a lot to explain. Princess Celestia.* Whoa, what a short one. "Now Alex, I want you to stand completely still." Celestia instructs. "Alright." "Where are you now?" "Right in front of you." Her horn starts to glow. I feel the dizziness again. It lasts for two minutes. "Are we done yet?" "Almost." The magic flow stops. Aaaaaand I don't feel any different... Actually I don't feel anything. "I think my legs fell asleep, and my arms, and everything else. But am I real now? can you see me?" The feeling slowly returns causing UNBEARABLE PAIN! "It depends on your location." I sigh. "I'm just destined to stay like this. Foreverrrr." Even Celestia seemed disturbed by the 'foreverrr' department. Roots to My Heart's Hunger: Sleep Philosophy *> Twinkle, twinkle little star... How I wonder what you are... Up above the world so high... Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone... When nothing shines upon... Then you show your little light... Twinkle twinkle all the night. Then the traveler in the dark... Thanks you for your little spark... He could not see which way to go... If you did not twinkle so. When the blazing sun is gone... When nothing shines upon... Though I know not what you are... Twinkle twinkle little star.* "How did I get here? It's dark, absolute nothingness." I look at my hand and I see a feather. A white one to be precise. I swipe it and it turns yellow. I swipe it again and I see gray, then zebra and finally, black. I look at my fingers and there seems to be something thick, something like ink only darker. a drop of the substance touches my foot and stings. soon the pain infects my whole leg though the matter maintains the same volume. I kick it away quickly and get rid of the feather, then I wake up instantly. "Wait, wake up? I slept?" I glance around and find myself in the middle of the Everfree at midnight. then I remember what happened yesterday, I wanted to wander around when my head got up in the clouds and apparently slept, and man it feels AWESOME! Speeking of awesomeness, I was standing witnessing a sight never more beautiful. Fireflies around. a tiny lake on the side that reflected the silver crescent moon. The soft breeze only completed the sight. Deathly silence. And finally, An old weeping willow. The tree just radiates virtues, so many that I'm jealous of it, yes, plain jealous. There is always a difference between a beautiful and a useful thing. The tree carries them both and it's hardly ever to come. It just teaches us so much. How it is always ever green in the face of the four seasons, in the face of heat, coldness and raged wind. that lesson we call (Hope). And it never gives up, it resists the rock with patience, strikes it from it's weakest spot until stone is turned to soil. The lesson is (Continuous Striving). Above all the tree was attacked by Axes, but it's love for survival did not let it be a prisoner to it's wounds, it knows how to remedy itself anew, sprouting new branches, never dying, never defeated. Also known as (Withstanding). The tree moves too; downwards and upwards, never leaves it's home. If the tree ever thought of moving away it dies, but it doesn't, because it doesn't want to die before the pointed hour. and this is the secret of it's strength; stability, and aspiration to highness. Lets take this wisdom and learn a lesson in (Home Loving). "Home, that's the word. Ah, I wish I were a bird to make it my home." Getting pretty homesick, I start blabbering some more nonsense. "I got so distracted that I forgot to tell Celestia of the progress. Oh, wait, she's probably asleep...Does she sleep? One way to find out." I search the castle thoroughly and finally find her in her bedroom. She did some serious fixing around. She looked deep in thought over something. I didn't want to interrupt but hell, I'm rude. "PRINCESS!" She looked shocked at the call. "WHAT? WHAT IS IT?!" first time to see her lose her temper, but she got her composure back almost instantly. "Your spell made huge progress, I can sleep now. Maybe tomorrow I'll be visible!" She lightened up a bit. "In that case, why not turn visible now?" "Huh?" "Just focus on feeling your surroundings." I did so and closed my eyes. "Am I real now?" I open my eyes to see that my hand is see-through. "AAAH!" "You will eventually be fully visible." she runs a hoof through me. "And maybe touchable too." "But do I have to focus every time I want to be real?" "No, time will solve that. At least you can now greet me with less hassle." "What do you mean 'hassle'?" "I am not trying to be impolite but I am not used to talking to air." "Okay, then." "By the way, what did you dream about?" "Black feathers. What do you think that means?" "It's just a dream." "Yeah, bye now." Time to fly, over the rainbow, so high. wait. "I can't fly!" "It's faster than I've thought. Do you mind staying within the castle as a guest?" "Show me my room." "Once the spell has done it's work, come and see me at the study." She commands. "Sure thing." I yawn "Now excuse me, there is so much sleeping time to make up to." "Of course." Aaaaaand gone. "This isn't bad at all. Room service and everything. Besides, all Human In Equestria fictions turn out good what's the worst that could happen?" What I was missing was that most of those stories are about self inserted people who hated their lives. I did not hate my previous life, at least not enough to give it up for Equestria. And overall, "I miss home." Author's Note: I know the chapter is short but stuff will happen in the next ones, and we're talking shitstormic. Apple Of Discord> "Nothing is true, everything is permitted."~Ezio Everything is white except for the horizon, but there is something darkening it. Monsters...made of kneading. Large chain teeth. They are getting closer. before they reach me I wake up. "What's with the weird dreams? Anyway, I have to see if the spell has done it's magic." I search around the room for a mirror aaaaaand "I can see me!" I extend my hand to touch the mirror. I can feel it! I'm finally real! "Maybe now Celestia can return me home." I knock at the door of the study that took me time searching for. "Come in." She didn't even ask 'Who's there?'. Oh well, there goes my knock knock joke. "Did you sleep well?" "Yeah. So what did you want me here for?" "Nothing too big, we just need to make things right." "And does it require evacuating the castle to do that?" "Oh yes, you don't want ponies running around screaming wolf." for some reason, I didn't feel that that was entirely true, though it made perfect sense. "Okay, well, can you like, zap me back? I hope that's what you meant by 'making right'." "Of course." Her eyes glow white and zap! "WHAT THE HELL!!" It went completely limb. Paralyzed. Useless. "MY ARM! I CAN'T FEEL MY ARM!" She glows again. "Better hit the road or I'm toast." (LISTEN TO THIS.) "STOP AT ONCE!" Whoa, royal voice is even more frightening with Celestia. "WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?!" I shout as I run through the castle maze. I see a door in the distance. "Please lead me out, please, please, please. DAMMIT!" A ray of light passes near me, I look back and I find the alabaster alicorn on full pursuit mode. I run through countless doors until... "Daylight, I hate you." No time to criticize, run! unfortunately, I had to run on rooftops, since the door opened to a balcony. "GUARDS! SEIZE HIM!" Okay, this isn't too hard, step, step, step, jump, grab,climb and run. I continue to repeat the motion surprised that I didn't run out of air. How did I get this stamina? Anyway it's working for me. "YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE THE ROYAL GUARD!" A guard shouts while catching up to me. He has wings! He's cheating! "What's that creature?!" A pedestrian pony from below asks. "Oh my, the Royal Guard is chasing him." "Oh, it's so ugly!" For the love of...give me a break. I suddenly feel very drained. The song in my head is my only fuel now. "DON'T LET HIM IT GET AWAY!" Faster, faster dammit! I trip and luckily fall on a haystack. They continue running and I sneak in the opposite direction. "How do you wish to be scourged?" A fimiliar voice from behind asks. "That depends on what scourge means." her eyes glow again, luckily she misses. Must find escape! The next thing I know I was running on Canterlot rooftops again. The exhaustion is unbearable, my vision is blurring. I'm assuming that Celestia is right behind me. I stop at the edge of a building due to low energy and look at my limb arm. Blood... I fall from the edge. Where did these black feathers come from? (STOP THE MUSIC.) Endless roads are all I see. I try walking on one and the fraction is over the top, almost ripping my shoes. Where will it lead me? There is nothing to be seen. no sun, no moon, no stars. Nothing, just the road.....I groan as I wake up. "Awww, what happened?" "You almost bled out." Someone from the shadows said. "And I assume you 'saved' me? Who are you?" The pony in question steps out. "Well, that explains the black feathers. How have you been Luna?" "Good for the most part." "Hey, since you're close to 'The Kind Ruler Of Equestria' I think you know why in the world did she just try to fry me." "That is classified information." "I thought you were on my side. Speaking of which, why did you help me?" "That is classified too." "Really? Your personal reasons are classified as national secrets." "Well, no." "Then what? I need to know the reasons so we can solve this." "And you need to trust me, it cannot be solved." "Then what do I do now?" "You must escape elsewhere." "elsewhere where?" "I do not know." "So that's it? I'm dead?" No answer. "Does she know about this?" "About what?" "You helping me out." "She will soon." "One last question, where are we now?" "The castle's underground." "WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? CELESTIA IS RIGHT UPSTAIRS?!!" "Shushhhh, it's the last place she'll think of." "Ooooooooh, smart." "It was Rust's idea. This way I'll keep a close eye on you without Celestia noticing me missing." "Whoa, whoawhoawhoa, are you saying I'll stay here for who knows when?" "Unless we come up with a plan then yes." "Look, I'm not staying locked here and you can't stop me." I try to get up and accidently support on my left arm, yes the wounded one. I bite my lip trying not to make a sound. "Ok fine, I'll stay." Those bandages make me look so badass. "Glad that you changed your mind." "yeah yeah, but I'm going to need some entertainment." "What do you do for fun?" She pronounces word 'fun' a little more than excited. "I don't think video games are available." I try to think of other things I do. Internet, TV, Ipod, school DAMMIT! I have nothing to do. "Uh, I don't do anything." She grimaced. "You never heard of fun? I used to be like you when-" "Nononono, I just can't do anything right now and- never mind. Do you happen to have a phonograph?" I can't believe I'm stepping so low. "Yes, it's in my room." "And some records of Vinyl Scratch?" "Guard!" She calls somepony. "Yes, your highness." "Find records of Vinyl Scratch." "Of course." "Anything else?" I think for a moment and plaster an evil grin. "Well, in that case, I'll need a large pepperoni pizza with extra mushroom and cheese, pineapple juice, ten cupcakes with with all flavors, two......." Apple Of Discord Pt 2: Stress > Honesty. Wouldn't it be easier if we could read each other like open books? No games, no lies. But it has it's price for honesty is not always the right thing. (LISTEN TO THIS.) "Awww, my stomach. I can see the light!" I shout obviously disturbed by waking atop of a food-stack...or is it the loud music? "Oh, sorry. I forgot to turn it off." "Luna? I thought you were supposed to be up there. Ya know, your sis." "Yes, about that, you cannot stay here." "I know but why?" I answer my own question before she pronounces the word. "Classified?" She nods. I get up on my feet. "I didn't mean now." She objects. "The sooner the better." "Now we have to work on a strategy to get you out of here." "No kidding." I look at the floor for a second and I can't stop my curiousity. "I can't help it anymore, what is the reason you are helping me, huh? And I'll not take classified for an answer." "It's a secret." She sips some coke, I look at her extremely provoked, nothing boils my blood more than not getting an answer. "Can you at least explain why Celestia wants to flay my skin?" "It's classified." Again with the darned word. "I said I'll not take that for an answer." "That was a condition only valid for the first question." Whaaaaa... She sips more coke. I guess trolling runs in the royal family. "Fine, I'll let the matter go and save me a headache." I think of my last argument with a troll. A complete mistake. "And by the way, how many other ponies know of my existence here?" "Not many, just a few guards." "Can they export me away?" "Yes, of course." "And where am I going?" "Elsewhere." "Oh c'mon, you can't keep doing this 'FBI classified' thing! I need info and I need it now." "Fine then, Alex." She stopps the record from spinning with a zipping sound. (STOP THE MUSIC.) She puts down her drink and starts explaining loads of information. "It will either be one of the two: Get exported to the Zebra land, does not differ from banishing out of Equestria. Get exported to the elite spell ponies to develop a spell, so you can blend in as a normal pony. This option is less likely. There is room for suggestions if you want." "Wait, let me get this right, you said that their are unicorns out there that know about me." "Yes." "But you said only guards knew." "That was before I decided to tell you." "And you fully trust all of them." "I do not question their loyalty to the crown." *Poker_Face.jpeg* "excuse my rudeness but you either really know your staff or you're just plain naive. Did you think I'll give up my own human body to run away for the rest of my natural life? Or get exported- no, banished until the next election, which by the way will never come!" I calm down and sit. "I never asked for this, all I want is to go home." There was an awkward pause. "What's been said is enough." She leaves the scene stranding me to my thoughts. I must leave...or die, anything but this. Meanwile, In The Old Study; Celestia stood in front of the dusty mirror, she swiped a hoof across to see a part of her reflection. "Where did the dreaded human run away to? How did he even run away? He is most likely dead but I must not take chances." She thought to herself. "This dilemma simply cannot continue." Celestia hears hoofsteps she can recognize. She steps out startling her sister. "Anything about the human?" The solar asks. "Were you in the old study?" "Answer the question." Luna sighed. "Not a thing, it's as if he turned to smoke and vanished." She lied. "Well, humans don't just 'vanish', he's the only one of his kind, almost six feet tall and nowhere to go and you're telling me that he vanished." "I would like to see you do a better job. If I recall correctly he practically fell from the building out cold and you still couldn't catch him." You can't even find him if he were just under your snout, and he is. She thought to herself. "How did you know about that?" "News travel quickly around here." "I evacuated the castle. The was nopony to witness it. How. Did. You. Know." "Like I said: News travel quickly. Yes you emptied the place but you also left a few guards just in case, those guards happen to know a few meadowlarks of mine. My orders are to tell me anything that's going on ever since I missed the changeling event. Plus, investigating about this is the job you assigned me to." "I specifically ordered those guards to keep it a secret." "Please, half of Canterlot saw you and your 'hoof picked guards' chase down the human, and fail. You are the last one to expostulate me about secrets and how to do my investigation because I'm not in the mood for it, in any other normal day I would've taken your ranting which lately became too intolerable." She starts stomping away. "Good day, sister." "She does not know how dangerous this human is. It's partially my fault, it must be kept unknown." Later, In Luna's Room; "Rust, I know that Alex is your friend, but he is causing me too much trouble." "I apologize for making you do this, you know it is the only way." "Yes, but this is an endless cycle, I hide the human away, his disappearance frustrates Celestia and it's back to me. My sister just throws it down on me." Tears were forming in her eyes. "And what's worse is that he is now angry with me too, and I can't take it. All I've ever done is assistance." A long silence settled in the room. "This is a phase that will end soon, don't let it get to you." No answer. "What are you thinking about?" "I was thinking of turning him in." "That would be betrayal." "But it's not worth it. He's not even my friend." "But he's my friend. Logically this makes him yours too. All you have to do is to bear it a little while longer." "How do I do that? I fed up with everything." "Ignore what you don't want to hear." She sniffs. "That's like lying to myself." "You've been a great liar lately." "I guess you are right. How did I think of renegading my friend." She smiles, but it vanishes as she hears multiple hoofsteps. "What could it be?" she thought to herself as she glides down and asks one of the guards. "Why are you running around?" The guard bows in respect. "Your highness! It is said that the human has been spotted not very far. I was called among the other guards to see if it was true and possibly catch him." Luna's face became an expression of confusion, anger and mostly, worry. "C-carry on then." The guard salutes and lets his wings to the wind. "I cannot believe this! And he calls me naive!" Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout. "Quick! There is a fire in Caper Avenue and some ponies are trapped!" A Sunshine guard cries to anypony in hearing range. "Do I have to repeat myself? MOVE IT PONIES!!" Apple Of Discord Pt 3: Hardcore The Royal Guard were in absolute chaos, some are after the runaway human and some are on the fire some could not believe what was going on. "Luna, I need you to go with them and see if the human is there." Celestia instructs. "No." "Pardon?" "I said no. All you ever care about is that human. Never for a second have you thought about your loyal subjects in danger and that is your job!" "If that creature escapes again there will be danger." "Like what? Why won't you tell me? How do you know for sure? Maybe he wants to go home. And if you do that the problem will solve itself." "I do not know where he is from, and inter-dimensional travel is a physical and magical impossibility. Now, if you don't know as much as you think you do. If you won't go look into it, I'll do it myself." Luna waited until her sister was far enough. "GRAAAAH!" She kicks some dirt forming a dust cloud. "Princess Luna! Princess Luna!" A meadowlark obviously did not notice Luna's bad mood. "There is and urgent message for you!" The guard hands her the letter. Meet at Nightmare's statue. "Rather simple but informative." She thought as she burned the childish note, she doesn't want clues. "You are dismissed." The guard bows and leaves the scene. "When I get to him there will be no mercy." Back To Alex; "Where should I go anyway? A few guards are with me but that's no protection, plus I'm pretty sure they've got lives of their own. Families, friends, homes..." I look at the fire expressionlessly. *THUD* A body unknown lands out of the blue, it leans in exposing the face to the light of the fire. "Hey! Luna, you made it. How are you? Good? No? Okay." "What were you thinking?" "You mean now or-" "When you ran away! For the love of..." "I thought you were upset because of the fire." "That too! Right now lives are in danger because of you!" "Luna." "And Celestia and the guards and the scouts and..." "Luna." "And the fire and the Avenue and Rust and Celestia, GOSH!!" "Done? Good. Cause I've got a load of storytelling to do." "About wh-" "Shush. listen." "Sooo, why can't you do this?" I asked. "Because my magic print will bond with the spell I use." The meadowlark in question answered. "Meaning..." "I will be the main suspect in this." "How?" "The print!" "And what am I supposed to understand from that?" "The MP or MS is the signature of every unicorn, it's what colors the aura and the object. It basically remains in the object when using long term spells, like the one you're asking me to do. Therefore, I will not risk being questioned in such a dangerous act." "Then wear a magic glove or something." I got a confused look from the stallion as I said this. "Can't you crypt whatever MP you're talking about?" "There is a spell, but it's dangerous to some extent." "Whatever, just get it over with." "You don't sound very worried about this... WE'RE BREAKING THREE LAWS!! I don't even know the punishment of this but I think it'll be my head..." "Hey, whiner flank, stop giving me lessons and start doing your thing." "Alright. step back." I did as I was told and let the dude do his hocus pocus. It took some time but not very long and the key to my success was complete. "Cool, will it work?" I asked. "Well it should." That was the O.K for me, so I started the new fireproof phonograph and *EAR-BURSTING MULTIPLE SCREAMS-CRIES FOR HELP* "Ok that's enough." I pulled the needle off and checked if I'm deaf. "I hope nobody heard that." "I think my work is done here." "Yeah, I don't think so. Somepony has to put that somewhere and burn it down." *sigh* "Four laws" he said as he floated the phonograph off my hands and trotted out. "Heh heh, Perfect. This idea is the.." "...WORST IDEA EVER!!" Luna completes. "Why?!" "Because you do not know my sister." ... "If she's such a hassle why are you still putting up with her?" Luna's expression changes from anger to sadness. "Did I say something wrong?" "No...maybe..." "I didn't mean to-" "Let's get to the point, what are planning to do now?" "Er, uh... Nothing." "Nothing...Just nothing. You're not serious, are you?" "E-Nope. I was never serious about anything." "How can you stay so calm when half the population -If not all- wants to shred you to bits right now?" "Because I'm already at the end of the plan. you have to imagine a portal for me. Genius, no?" "...Rust disagrees." "And why would that be?" "He says that this idea has already done enough damage...and I will get caught in it too...Oh, and he says that it may not even work." "So...I'm trapped?"..."NONONONONONONONONOOOOO-" I jump on my feet. "Calm down, just sit and think...and breathe too." "You're probably right..." I start walking away deeper among the trees. "Where are you going?" "I just need some time alone." As soon as I get alone it starts raining...great. "Why me?" I add my own tears to the rain. "Why?.." "Don't cry my dear, look at the sky." "You again, just leave me be it's not the time." "Don't let your heart soak in sadness." "Too late, I'm soaked like a fish in the toilet." "Hope is an effort and effort is never lost." "Just shut up." "Hope is an effort...Don't cry." "What if the days steal from us... A smiley heart so generous." "Will you surrender? Will you give up because of pain? Even if you're torn Asunder, just stand up...Again." "Easy for you to say, you're just a voice inside my head." "Droplets worked together, in their core and heart...A beat so full of life. They worked together... They stuck together... Be like them..." I look at a random leaf. Droplets do work together. "You're right. Now I know what to do" "Never cry my dear.." "Yeah..." "Don-" "OK, I get it!" Sheesh! Now what was I going to do again? Oh yeah- Something grabbed me and pulled hard around my neck. And it's made of...crystal? *COUGH* "Not a move." Whispers a voice from behind. "Look, whoever and whatever you are, I assure you that I'm no threat. Just let me go. I don't want trouble." Yeah, don't ruin the good moment! "I said silent!" "Ack! No you didn't." ................... Imaginary Accident [PROLOGUE] Dear Alex: Your dad and I are on a business trip and will be returning sometime in the next few weeks. I'm sorry we couldn't tell you in person but it sort of popped out of nowhere. There is enough food in the fridge but in case you need anything there is some money in the safe, I'm sure you know how to open it. Love, Mom P.S: Please try to socialize and make some friends, I heard that there are new neighbors and they have kids in your age. I crumble the paper and continue what I was planning to do: rummage through the fridge for anything that matches my taste. Sure enough, I found nothing but mortadella and some toast. I didn't even bother to make the sandwich, I just shoved the contents in my mouth and chewed. Hey, It's the same concept right? "What to do now? It's Saturday and I'm completely, certainly, definitely, surely, positively, entirely bored." I sigh "But that's not a new thing to me." "Why don't you make some friends as your mom said? It's a good idea if you ask me." Rust said. He's my *AHEM* robot imaginary friend. "Shut up." I grab a bottle of orange juice and pull a chair to the kitchen table. "But she's right. Friends are important, remember that show you like so much?" "What show?" "Just a show on The Hub you used to watch every Saturday." "What about it?" "Remember what happens at the end of every epi-" "Just skip the riddles and get to the point." "Fine, the whole focus of the show is on the importance of friendship." "Well, it's just a show." "Just a show with an important message." "Right" "Hey. you're a fifteen year old kid with no friends, and you sleep with a teddy bear" "I told you, Mr. Snuggles has his own bed" "Doesn't change the point" "Why are you so annoying all of a sudden? I thought you're supposed to make me feel better, not crush me with lectures. That's dad's job." "As your imaginary friend it's my job to annoy you until you have real friends and don't need me anymore." "Oh yeah? so you're saying I can't get rid of you?" "Unless you get friends, you can't" "Alright, I imagine a wormhole that sucks you to the place where all of you go in the end." I casually start draining the bottle. "Wait! No!" The wormhole appears in the middle of the living room. It devours Rust, and as soon as I wanted to close it, It starts pulling ME. "HEY! NOT ME!" Darkness...
I-FED Dizziness is all I could feel...If that was a feeling. All I could figure out is that I was sucked into the wormhole that leads to an Imaginary world or something. "We are the I-fed. Please, come with us" A freaky...being said while flashing me a batch. There were more behind him, all looking at me. "I'm sorry for popping here but I don't have and imaginary passport nor an imaginary ID" I said. Probably was the wrong thing to say but I guessed the 'I' meant Imaginary and the 'fed' part wasn't very friendly. "Passport? ID?" another one said. "What do you think we are? we just want you to come with us for basic training" "Basic t- I never volunteered for anything" "Just come with us and we'll answer all of your questions" That sounded like a 'The Matrix' moment, but I follow regardless. We passed by so many crazy stuff. I mean, Pie Throw Aim? What good is that for? (I say this because I sucked like a trash can... on second thought the can would've done better if you press hard enough) Anyway, that wasn't the only test. I had to stand on my head, Listen to a talkative...whatever, make a cupcake, eat a muffin, star at a TV and perform surgery (wut?). "Done, now can you please answer my questions?" "Not us, head over to the Lecture Sector" one of them said "It's over there" I go to where he directed me. There were many confused looking wetas (weta is short for what-ever-they-are) "There you are Alexander. Please, take a seat." A voice that came from nowhere and everywhere at once said "How did you kno-" "Please, take a seat." The feminine voice repeated with the same monotone as before. I take a seat. I don't know the rules here and as far as I know I could be dancing over lava for not taking a seat. Can't blame me for saying that after the madness I went through. "Welcome Imaginary friends to the I-fed, Imaginary Friends Employment Department" The voice said in perfect sync with the projector. So that's what the word meant. Hey! I'm no Imaginary friend! "This is where Imaginary friends return after finishing their job and get reassigned to another host in need, even if the Imaginary friend is a first timer" What's a first timer? my question was quickly answered. "First timers are the recently created friends. When they are no longer needed they get sent here they have no idea what this place is, such as you all. And that's why you are all here." So an Imaginary friend is a first timer if they get sent for their first time, and after that they keep meeting kids for all eternity? Makes sense. Except that I'm not 'created' by imagination. "I'm sure that you're wondering if we can live forever." She's good "The answer is no, we live as long as we are remembered, and we are remembered by working." Whoa, so I'll have to bust my back over work just to keep living? sounds like a job to me. But I have no choice. "As first timers, you need to swear to the 'Terms Of The Imaginary Friends' and they consist of:" I knew this wasn't easy. "Never talk-about/hint-to your former hosts.Never attempt telling information beyond the host's knowledge. Never talk-about/hint-to this place. Never talk-about/hint-to other existences, world or universes." Wait, what? "Disregarding those rules would lead to immediate termination." *GULP* Man, they mean business. "Now, please exit through the back door, Jeff will lead you to your next hosts." "But what did you mean by universes?" "Please exit through the back door, Jeff will lead you to your next hosts." "Yes, yes but-" "Please exit-" "OK, FINE!" I stomp my way out, her monotone is extremely provocative! "So my host is a dragon named Spike?" Jeff nods "Who lives in Equestria?" he nods again. This might not turn to be bad at all... at least not as bad as I thought it would be, because it's obviously a dream. "Lead the way then." He walks me to a platform. machinery starts moving above me and the floor becomes twisted. The twisting ground turned into a wormhole and soon the dizziness began again and I was zapped to someplace, hopefully Twilight's library. I was still dizzy but conscious enough. I was in Twilight's study... I guess it is. It's hard to tell a place from another, it's all covered with books. I start searching for the dragon, didn't take me long as I found him in front of a mirror admiring his fake mustache, the poor broomstick forgotten. "Can I help you handsome sir?" he said in a weird voice "Yes, you can. I want a comp for MY AWESOME MUSTACHE!" he said in his normal voice. "There is a delivery for Mr.Spike" He jumps at my voice. "Who are you? What are you? How did you get inside? How long have you been there?" he said in one breath. "I'm Alex. Human. I sorta popped here. long enough." I answer in perfect order. The reason I'm so calm at this is because I know I'm dreaming. I know that because it doesn't feel real and it's all foggy. I just thought I'd play along. "Alright, what have you got for me?" giving me a look of suspect. "Oh, right, I'm the package." "Huh?" "It's complicated, the bottom line is: I'm your friend from now on and there is nothing you can do about it." "Ok, but sneaking and sc- startling me isn't very friendly." "Fine, so what do you want to do now?" "I don't know. I'm not even sure I trust you." That cut me deep. "Ok, let's just talk and learn about each other, sounds good?" "I guess" "I'll start" "... And that's how I got here." I finish my story "Now it's your turn. "Ok, I was an egg when Twi..."
I Hate Ghosts! We're done telling our stories and now we're playing Monopony. Spike had to move the pieces... and roll the dice... and manage the bits. Man, being a ghost sucks, save for walking through walls. I'm sure I'm dreaming but do dreams last that long? I guess they don't, but why was I sure that this wasn't real before? maybe because I was in a daze. Uh-oh, This is real oh no...nonononononono- "You know, It's nice to hang around someone that has claws." He said interrupting my mental-panic-attack. "OHMYGOSHYOU'RESPIKE!!!!" I jump to my feet. "Yeah, I think we got past that." "WHAT ABOUT MOM AND DAD? AND RUST?" "Who?" Spike and Owlowicious said in unison. I would've laughed if I weren't too busy panicking. *SLAM* "Hey, Spike. Nice to see you playing with Owlowicous." A mare I recognize as Twilight Sparkle casually trots in and heads directly to her study. "Why didn't she see you?" Spike asks. Oh dear the Imaginary thing is real too. "It's better that she did not anyway. Spike don't mention me ever to anypony, Ok?" "Why?" "They'll think you're crazy, you'll think you're crazy" "I don't understan-" "Just don't tell." "Whatever you say." I can tell he's starting to get suspicious again. It was day two in Equestria. Spike and Twilight were heading... somewhere but I decided to tag along too, simply because I wanted to get a closer look of Twilight. Hey, Don't gimme that look! I'm no creep! "Are you alright Spike? You seem a little off today." Twilight asks. "Huh? oh, nothing." "Are you sure?" Dang, she's smarter than being fooled by 'nothing'. "Positive." "If you say so. I'm sure a sapphire cupcake will get back in the mood." So they're heading to SugerCube corner. "Yeah..." "Hey, lighten up. She's going to suspect something." I whisper to spike. I don't even know why am I whispering, it's not like anypony will hear. "Ok" He replies "What was that?" Twilight asks "Nothing, can we go a little faster?" "We're not moving untill you tell me what's wrong." Uh-oh. "Lie Spike, just lie." I command. he starts to sweat bullets. "Helloooo, Spike?" She says. "Ok, fin. Can you see a human here?" "Human? Whatever do you mean?" "Can you see someone standing here?" "No..." "Because my friend Alex is right in front of you." "Are you telling me you have an Imaginary friend? Who is a human? Whatever that is." "You can say that." "Spike, do you feel lonely?" "What?" "A psychology book I read said that when you have an Imaginary friend you are lonely." "But he's real!" "How come I can't see this human then?" *GASP* "A human?" Lyra Heartstrings said "Tell me all about them!" "Alex is-" "A symptom. I need you to come with me to the tree library, there is a book-" "No way! I need him to tell me all about this human!" They both levitate Spike at the same time. "I need him for my study of friendship!" Twilight says. "I need him for my study of humans!!" Lyra shouts. "LET. GO!!!!" They both say in unison. The fight continued on for some time then a pink blur zoomed right through us. I immediately recognize it as Pinkie Pie. "Where did he go?" Asked Lyra. "PINKIE! WAIT UP!" Twilight's demands fall to deaf ears. She starts galloping like there is no tomorrow followed closely by Lyra. "Wait up" Now my demands fall to deaf ears, quite literally. We finally stop at SugerCube Corner. Ironic, it was our destination in the first place. Catching up with pinkie was easy since I'm a ghost. I enter before anypony else. And by 'enter' I mean 'through the wall'. I see Pinkie making a full break sending Spike flying to the counter. "Oh, Hey, Spike. When did you get here?" Pinkie asks. "Just now." He stands on his feet "That was not cool." I say to Spike. "I should've listened, although they didn't think I was crazy, this was an experience I don't want to repeat soon... or ever" "Told ya" "Spike, can you help me hang those banners and streamers and balloons?" "Sure. What party is it for?" "It's a welcome-to-Ponyville-Cloud-Burn party!" Typical Pinkie. *SLAM* "SPIKE!!" Guess who said that, if your answer was 'Twilight and Lyra in unison' then congrats you guessed right but won nothing. "You're just in time for decorations!" Pinkie says and shoves some random stuff to pair. They start decorating and nothing else happens. Except for the occasional glares between Lyra and Twi. "PARTY TILL WE DROP!!!" I shout to no one. This party sucked greatly for me mainly because I can't eat or drink anything. The only amusement I have is stalking and eavesdropping. Oh, there is a night-blue coated stallion talking to Fluttershy...And he's a blank flank despite his age. Better eavesdrop. "Oh, um... Hi Cloud." "Where is Angel?" "He's at home. But if you want to see him you can visit tomorrow." "Sure, I'd love to see the little bunny." There was a hint of disgust in his voice. "Enjoy the party" and trots away to join his friend. Ok, next target would be- "THUNDER!!" The same night-blue guy shouts "Carry on ponies, never mind me" Then he turns to talk with his friend. Everypony returned to their home between 11:00 and midnight. The walk home was so boring, but we got there eventually. "Had fun Spike?" I ask. "Yeah, Pinkie's parties are always fun." "Oh yeah, they'll be better if had something to eat." "You know, I can Imagine something for you." "Then do it!" A cupcake poofed into existence "Spike, I love you man!" I grab the cupcake and bite "Ouch! What is in this thing, rocks?" "Gems actually." "They are rock you know." I reply "Now imagine it out of my sight" it poofed away. "I guess I'll just sleep without dinner, not that I feel hungry." Then I realized something... I can't even sleep! God, I hate being a ghost. "I'm going for a walk, but first do you know what jeans is?" Here I am, wandering the night searching for anything amusing to happen with my new clothes Spike just poofed for me. (That was a long sentence) "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" What was that? AUTHOR'S NOTE: go read Understanding Confusion. It'll explain this chapter.
Too Late For That Now. "If you can hear me Twi, blink once. If you can't, blink twice" I say to Twilight while she is reading some book. She did not blink, not even once. With all the cool stuff I can do from flying to stalking to walking through walls, it's not worth it. At least I wish I was a normal ghost, you know, the kind that stays behind you the whole time waiting for you to turn around and scare the living cookies out of you, or the ones that make things fly like crazy, or the ones that manipulate photos, or the ones that make sounds, or at least the friendly ones (Casper for example). Of all these kinds, I am this. No sleep, no food, no pain, no needs generally, and nobody/nopony can see or hear me beside Spike. And the last time he let the cat out of the bag crazy things happened. Speeking of which, why dont I jump from Canterlot Castle and see what it's like to free fall? It's not like I can die or feel anything. "I hope I don't die. It's amazing what boredom does to you." I speek to myself from the zenith of the castle. "I FEEL PRETTY!!!" Was the only line I could think of after leaping, so I decided to complete it. "AND WITTY AND BRIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!" The ground got so close that I could see its details. "BCAU- AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" I closed my eyes waiting for the stone pathway to come but it never came. "What the...?" I was hanging in the air before I hit the ground just like cartoons. "Of course this happened!" I then proceed to fly back to the library. Spike is my host after all and I havent been spending much 'friendly' time with him... And he's the only one that would actually reply. "I hope he's not mad at me." "Hey, Owlowicious, seen- never mind, you can't hear me anyways. Wait... Why did you say 'who' yesterday when I mentioned Rust?" He did not 'who'. I sigh. "A coincidence..." I was slowly losing it, hence talking to myself all the time... On second thought I was already used to doing that before all of this happened. I 'sit' and wait for Spike because I got bored of being a creep and playing suicide, and by 'sit' I mean float. "I can't even play the boring board games!" "Hey Alex, what are you whining about?" Spike entered carrying quills and parchments. "I'm not whining, I'm complaining. You wanna hear whining?" I thought I'd quote Rarity "Thiiis is whiiining! Why is this ghost body sooo uncomfortable? I can't eat or sleep or contact with anything like thiiis! I can't even play chess... And it's sooo booooring!" "Alright then, stop whining and tell me where have you been?" I saw my chance. "But I thought you waaaanted whiiiining!" nailed it! "Seriously, explain. I can't let you run off like that, specially that you're something I don't exactly know." Buzzkill. "Fine, I went to jump off the Canterlot Castle. Don't ask." I just told him something out of his general knowledge, but it's not useful. Does this count as violating the rules? Am I going to be insta-terminated?! Noooooooooooo- "Ok, then. Can you help me with these?" "Dude, no hands... Or anything really." "Oh, right." I kind of felt bad for not helping the little guy. "Where is Twilight?" I wanted to make a friendly conversation. "I don't exactly know, she's kind of always with her friends. And they don't have a scedual, just run off untill something happens... Twilight wasn't always this unorganized." That made me regret asking. I can't even do anything for the dragon. "Spike, do you have friends?" "Plenty, there is Pinkie-" "Other than Twilight's" "Well, I think Snipes and Snails count." "Do you see them often?" "What's with the intarrogation?" "Answer my question. Do you or do you not see them often?" He didn't answer "Let me rephrase it. When was the last time you met them?" Still, no answer. "Answer Spike." "I don't remember, ok?" he crossed his arms. "It's either the chores or Twilight wanting something from me. The only way to get out of this library is when I go get something for her!" Nice outburst. "And why do you do this?" "Because I'm her number one assistant." "An assistant isn't a very great job to keep if you ask me." "I didn't ask you." He stmoped his way up the stairs. I could've followed him and spied, but I don't want to upset someone who could poof up a chainsaw into existence and slash me to stakes. Well, not a chaisaw, but I'm sure that the butter knife is painful too. "Spike! did you get the necessities?" Twilight shouted as she entered. "Spike?" "Yeah, I got them." he said without showing us his face. "Alright then." It's 1:00 AM according to my biological clock and everypony and Spike were asleep. I was on the roof (which is branches and leaves) I floated on my back pretending that I had a bed. and thinking aloud to myself. "If Spike really hates being an assistant, why does he put up to it? I mean, an assistant isn't a very honoring title." "He doesn't hate the job; Remember when Owlowicious first came to sight?" "If you put it that way, but I think that he was more annoyed at being unappreciated than the loss of his work." "Yeah, that's it. he wants appreciation. And as his Imaginary friend I will make that happen." "But how? I can't touch anything or talk with anypony. And I certainly can't tell Spike any outer knowledge... Things will get ugly." "Twilight! She's the answer! If I can just get her to find another assistant that'll be number two, spike will be appreciated and at the same time he will have free time." "There is the owl." "Who?" I laugh at my own lame joke. "But seriously, let Owlowicious do some work and get Spike's scaly behind out there." "Man, thinking aloud is way better than keeping it silent." "But how are you going- I mean, how am I going to make my plan happen?" I ponder the thought for a moment, then I realize something. "I could've had some friends if I got my behind out there...maybe even a girlfriend, the new girl next door was cute..." There, now I have to get her out of my head, even though I only saw a glimpse of her when her family was moving stuff in, and I was forced into greeting a simple 'hi' and that was it, I would've slept over the matter and forgot it by the time I normally wake up (noon at holidays), but there are certain 'conditions' preventing that. "So much for thinking clearly."
Romance?"Wakie wakie, Spikie Wikie." I try to poke spike and my finger goes right through him. Now I know that was wrong because he's supposed to feel that. But this is not the task at hand. "Chores don't begin till half an hour later." He groans. Time to use the secret weapon. "Fine, then you don't want to see Rarity today, eh?" He was up on his feet. But realization strikes soon after as his expression turned to a questioning look. "But it's really early, don't you think she'll be sleeping?" "We're not going to the Boutique right away." "And why did you wake me up so early then?" "You need to prepare." "Prepare? Isn't it a normal visit?" "Oh, it's perfectly normal. Now come on, we need to get moving." "What's with the 'we'?" "You are on a date, I am your support, and we need to get moving!" I repeat. "Date? Like a date, date? Like a seriously serious date, da-" "Look, I'm growing bored with your questions. Are you coming or not?" "Hey, sorry that I asked about when I joined this dating service." We walked most of the way to the Carousal Boutique. It was a beautiful morning without the noise of the day... Except for the noise of a certain dragon. "Do you think Twilight will be mad that I left? I mean, I didn't leave an excuse or a note or anything... and she tends to overreact to things." "That's your future self's problem." He gave me a confused look. "What I mean is, you don't need to worry about that now." "okay then." He paused, but not for long. "How did you even arrange this visit?" "I did not." Again with the confused look. "Come on Spike, you know I can't interact with anything." "But I don't even know if she has other plans, maybe we're disturbing-" "Disturbing is good." STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! "Just try to make a friendly conversation." "I don't know..." I stop walking. "What's with you? You're supposed to be there by now. The Spike I know will sprout wings just to get there A.S.A.P." "But there are so many flaws in that plan, if you can even call it that." "Looks like the time you spent with Twilight broke you." "No it didn't." "Are you sure?" "Positive." "You don't sound so." "Can we just go? Or go back?" "We can't." "Please?" "No seriously, we can't. I don't know where we are." "Really?" "Yes, really. You didn't say anything so I assumed that it was the right way." "you didn't say anything so I assumed that it was one of those 'preparations'." Touche "At least we got all day." "But we didn't eat breakfast." "You're right, summon me a sandwich." He does so and throws it on my face. "Good I didn't ask for pie." "The Boutique! At last!" I shout as we reach our destination around 10:00 A.M. "I'm so tired and hungry and sleepy and..." Spike whines. That reminds me that I wasn't exhausted at all, just really bored. "Good, now you can eat at Rarity's. Oh Element of Generosity." I try to knock and end up face-palming. "Allow me" Said Spike with a smirk. As his fist reaches the door he freezes and his smile vanishes. "Well? What is it?" "It's a date..." I groan. "Yes, now deal with it. Knock the door!" He's still frozen. "It's easy just move your fist back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Done." No movement. "At least say something." Is he... stoned? "AAAAAAHHH!" I go to find something else to do leaving a completely zoned out Spike at the Rarity's doorstep. Eventually somepony will open the door. "What to do, what to do." I start talking to myself as I ascend to the sky. "I could take a peep on the princess." "You creep! Haven't you had enough Twilight last night?" "Maybe, and maybe not. And for my information I'm just going to see what Celestia does with her free time." "That doesn't explain watching her faithful student sleep." "That... was another case. I was bored OK?!" Man, I am going crazy. "Oh, here we are, just dozens of hard rock walls to search in ahead. Shan't be a problem." I chuckle as I go through said walls. It feels weird. Internal wind, and feeling the stone and not feeling it at the same time. Anyway, here is the ruler of Equestria and... My God. "Princess Celestia, this is too much. even for me!" "Oh,Twilight, don't be so humble. We both know how talented you are at this." Twilight blushes. My God. "Alright." Twilight spoke with a shaky breath. "Don't be so nervous, you can handle this." "But not something this big. I'll need assistance." "Is there somepony particular on your mind? I'll invite them over to join in." "Spike." My God those are a lot of books. "Of course." The princess went to write a letter. I tear my gaze from the uncountable books and peep on what she is writing. Dear Spike, I hope that you are having a good day and I apologize if I am interrupting it. We are reorganizing the Canterlot Library and Twilight cannot do it alone. Please attend as soon as you can. Princess Celestia. Then, she departs the study to her...well...other study. "If only I was that serious about school." She perks up. "Who said that?" she speaks calmly. for a second there I thought she actually heard me. "I'm nobody in particular, just a ghost haunting your study because it was built over a graveyard. whooooooooo" "Discord? you don't sound like him." "Wait, you can hear me?" "Quite clearly." "Well, can you see me?" She looks for any living creature around. "No." I sigh. "At least I have someone else to talk to." "About talking, how long have you been haunting this place? because I've lived long enough to confirm that there is no graveyard here." "No, you weren't meant to hear that. And I'm an alien ghost from another dimension brought here by a wormhole." I decided to shut up as soon as a realized how stupid I sounded. "Please continue, your story sounds very amusing." Amusing? is that what I am? an amusement? "Okay then, this is going to take a while so grab a seat...or you can sit on the floor too." She is going to have to explain a great deal on how she is able to hear me, but that's for later.
Best Night Ever "You are human?" "Yeah, I doubt that you know what a human is." "Can you tell me more?" "I told you everything, there is no more." "About humans." "Um...Well, we're bipedal, opposable thumbs,-" "I already know that. My question was to tell me more, not tell me what you are." Celestia's voice was more demanding and... upset? "How do you know about us?" "That is not the subject in question." "That is not an answer. What's wrong? ever since I've mentioned my race and you're acting like this. I think I'll go see what's Spike is doing." "Wait, I was just curious and I have demanded knowledge in the wrong way. Perhaps we can talk some other time." That was not Celestia like. Was that an apology? I don't even know. "Sure. I'll be on my way now." I hear a crash after five seconds or so. I never thought that finding Spike would be so hard. Maybe I could find somepony else like Luna or Cadance, maybe Chrysalis? I sure they can hear me too according to Celestia's Astral Plane Theory. It basically says that a real being has an astral projection. And when I was transformed, my astral self was not effected. That is why she can hear me. And according to the theory other Alicorns can hear me too. I hope it's true. "Was that Twilight?" I hover back a bit to see Twilight and Spike on a chariot heading to Ponyville. I follow their suit and float on the side of the chariot. "Hey, Spike." "Hey." Is that a hint of boredom? "Not such a great day, huh?" "I don't want to talk about it." "So what happened at the Boutique?" "Rarity opened the door to find me starving thanks to a certain human." "She invited you in, didn't she?" "Yeah, and I had some rubies. but my breakfast didn't last very long." "Why is that?" "A letter arrived from the princess and I was required in some rearranging." "Cheer up Spike. At least you got unfrozen." He gives me a glare. "Is Twilight awake?" "Yeah, why?" "I just thought she'll be curious as to why you are talking to yourself." "She's just thinking." "Oh, good. And what did she say about you running of?" "She never noticed... Or she forgot to ask, I dunno." It's almost sunset. makes me wonder where Luna is. I can always search Canterlot for her, and I can always make a game out of it. "New Objective: Find Luna before moonrise." I fly through Canterlot searching it inch by inch. I give a glance over at the sun which was giving away it's final blink of daylight. Time is running short and I must hurry. "Where are you?" I try to pick up my pace and stop. "This isn't helping. If I were Luna, where would I be at moonrise? The hills? Maybe. The streets? never. The tower? Of course!" I hurry my way to the tower and I was right. Luna was there and she was preparing to raise the moon. I place myself quietly near her and feel that something was behind me. I pay it no mind since the midnight princess started working her magic bringing a beautiful full moon to the sky. "Objective Complete." "EEEEP!" *KABOOM* I reopen my eyes to see that half the place was dust. "Note to self, never scare Luna if you have real flesh." I decide to leave as long as she can't see me. As soon as I get to Ponyville I see a pegasus wandering the night. Seems suspicious about something, as if somepony is following him. As if on cue, something appears at the corner of my eye, "Moving shadows?" the shadows disappear as soon as the stallion looks at them. In his point of view it must seem like he was imagining it. "Imagining, that's the word. I must be able to see imaginations! I thought I saw something at the tower!" but can I interact with those? "Only one way to find out." I touch a piece of darkness and... It feels odd. "It's as if I'm touching pure emotion." my thought get interrupted as absolute panic takes over me. The dark stuff climbs my arm and the more touches me, the more I panic. "Get off!" I try to depart myself from the shadows but to no use. There is only one way to do this. I fly as fast as I can to get in the stallion's field of view and the shadows climb faster. "Stupid. stupid. stupid. STUPID!" I scold myself. "Oh yeah, let's touch the suspicious-looking evil darkness. What's the worst that could happen?!" The darkness devoured my arm long ago, and is now making it's way to the rest of my body. "There he is!" I place myself in front of him. he stops for a second and the darkness vanishes in thin layers of smoke. He carries on his way going right through me. I get partly calmed down but for some reason I feel scared of the openness of the darkness. "I would've probably fainted in normal conditions." Now I want to see what was that thing with Luna. "Rust?!!!" "Bot-master!" "What? How? Where? When?" I actually know all of those. "Why didn't you say anything when I was here the first time?" "I was originally programmed to talk only if I get a straight command to interact." "That never stopped you from running your mou- Sound card." "So, Luna is your host now?" "Yes, for a year, 2 days, 32 min-" "A year? It's barely a week since I've got here!" "Wormholes work strangely. This was the reason I told you not to mess with them." "You never said anything." "May I remind you?" he starts replaying a recording "Ok, fine. You told me so. I hate it when you do that." I think for a moment. "Where is Luna anyway?" "I do not know." "Aren't you supposed to always be with her?" "Aren't you supposed to do the same thing master?" "Touché. And I'm no longer your master, you have a new one." I start making my way to the 'door'. "Seeya". "That lucky tin-can, he got Luna!"
Seriousness"Here I am, walking down the roads of Canterlot. And, I'm all alone, there's no one here beside me~. I'm all alo-" I take a glance at my surroundings again. "Where...? Books and Branches? How did I get here?" "Having a nice day?" "You don't seem surprised, Spike." "Why would I? I wanted you here." "You mean-?" "Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about something important." "Uh-oh, time to hit the road" I make a mad dash for the door or the wall or anywhere away but as soon as I get 5 feet away I return to square zero. I eventually stop. "Fine, what is it?" I say crossing my arms. "I need you to explain something. First, you said that you are here to help me make friends, right?" "Right." He starts pacing around the library. "And you said that you did not have real ones on... wherever you're from, right?" "Correct." "Those two don't meet." "Yeah, but- I mean-" I sigh. "What?" "Do you really want to know?" "Why would I be asking then?" "Okay." I inhale a deep breath. "The truth is that I used to have a group of friends but lost them." "How did that happen?" "It's the magical phase called 'High School'. Basically every parent had their child's future planned out for the next fifteen years. Our group wasn't an exception and everyone went on their own ways." "But that doesn't mean you didn't meet others." "Yeah, that's the thing. I tried to fit in my new school, but I wasn't very accepted by anyone." Spike found this interesting so he took a seat. I made myself comfortable too by sitting on... well, air. "And what did you do?" "What do you think I did?" "Gave up and became a total loner?" "What? No, I decided that if no one would like me, I will make them! So I started building my own psychology by observing everything, from how to hand-shake to the subliminal messages in speech, such as using certain language with certain people. you know what happened? I won everybody and lost myself." "Huh?" "Getting to it. I lost myself because I had to build a whole other me, thus feeling disgusted from everything. So I made a decision that I will restart the second year with the real me. It was harder than I'd expected because when somebody I know takes a road I had to take another one just in hopes that they will eventually forget me... they didn't." "You wanted friends and then throw them away?" "Just wait, I'm getting to it. I got so choked that I threw it all away. I acted like a nutjob, a jerk, a bully you name it, they still didn't leave me. and the irony is that I got more! And earned myself some enemies too! It got to the point that I could not get through the door of the classroom without running into a chatterbox. I always had an excuse backed up so I don't go 'hanging out'. But I was running out of pre-written excuses and wanted some alone time and fast. So I told them loud and clear to leave me be. you know what they said?" "What?" " 'How could you say such a cruel thing?'...With sarcasm... and laughed. That was basically how I went through life ever since." "Are you saying that you can still help me?" "Yes, that is what I'm saying." "But what if I get disgusted like you?" "Never thought of that actually." I thought that I'd go to Luna and apologize about blowing up the tower thing. "Technically, I didn't blow it up to fine dust." I start talking to myself. "But technically, I caused what caused the explosion. Oh look, we're- I mean, I am here." Damn, this can get confusing sometimes. I tip-toe into the tower. "How do I do this? I can't risk startling her agai-" "But it's not my fault Tia!" "Dearest sister, I never said it was, I simply stated that you must not act as such, ponies will start asking questions and will get frustrated." "Questions like why did you destroy your room?" "That is not of your concern, and being the princess of night does not give you the right to spy on me." "We did not! The noise was too loud to..." "Maybe this is not the best time to visit. Sheesh, glad that I don't have a brother." "... and I told you before that 'The Royal We' is..." Celestia scolds. I try to get out of there and- "But why did Celestia destroy her room?" Curiousity -of course- got the best of me, so I make my way to the Royal Bedroom. "Whoa, she really broke it down. Mostly the furniture." "Enjoying yourself?" "AH! Princess, you scared me." "Ironic, you are the ghost. And please excuse the mess." She paces across the bombarded bedroom. "What mess? I haven't noticed a thing." "It's good to see that you are committed to your word, because I have some news for you, take a seat if you please." Heck, everybody wants something. "Yeah? What is it?" "First, do you despise being your current form?" "Very much." "I may hold the key to turning you real." "For real?! What are you waiting for then? Zap me to existence!" "The spell needs some more time. I just wanted you to know that it will be ready soon." "Oh, okay then." "And, did you happen to converse with anypony else?" "Other than Spike? I don't think so." I wasn't lying because what happened at the tower wasn't exactly a conversation. "Good, we don't want somepony panicking and attracting attention now, do we?" "I guess not." I take a glance at what was supposed to be a desk. Mess, mess everywhere. "I'm sorry, but there is a thought that is too big to ignore, why did you go all wrath mode on the place?" "It's an accident." "Yeah? That's not what I heard" Her expression tells nothing. "Then, what did you hear?" I don't want her to know that I know that Luna know that she- whatever. "Nothing. I'll just... be off. Nice chat by the way." She nodded, I scram. "What's with everybody being so grim serious all of a sudden? I hope the future doesn't hold any surprises, because I'm a bit annoyed that *I'm the ghost and yet I'm being startled."*
LOL: Lots Of Liars "I'm bored. I think I'll go see Rust again...since I'm already at the tower." As I ascend a certain thought creeps in my mind. "What's with princesses and towers?!" I step into the room and Rust was not alone, he was accompanying Luna. "This ought to be interesting." "Luna, locking yourself up is not going to solve anything." Rust says. "It's not like I always go out." "You know what I mean." "I'm not talking to anypony unless I know what spoke to me." At that second Rust looks at me. I nod. "Species: Homo Sapien, Human. Gender: Male. Name: Alexander Christopher Rowe. Age: 15 earthly years and 7-8 months: 19th of December. Profession: Student..." I facepalm as he continues to overload the poor mare with info about me. "... Favourite time of the day: Midnight, Hobbies-" "Stop, just stop. I can speak for myself." I interrupt causing Luna to jump. "Hello, princess. The name's Alex." "Uh, Hello...Alex. Are you the one that spoke to me the other day?" "I didn't specifically speak to anyone, I just said 'Objective Complete' and you know the rest." "Oh, well what was that objective?" "I wanted to find Rust here. Speaking of which, can I borrow him for a sec?" "Uh, sure." I grab him and go somewhere far in the room. "Rust, I need a favor, I want you to keep Luna away from her sister and cheer her up a bit...and maybe mention a few good things about me, a few. Okay?" "Affirmative." "Good, now is there anything you want to tell me? anything at all? Imean, you're usually more talkative." "Just stick to 2,3 and 7." "Right, can you remind me of what they are?" "Kindness, integrity and amnesty." "Ooookay, why?" "Is it wrong to practice virtues?" "No, not at all. well, seeya." I look over to Luna and step closer "Have a nice day, princess." "Thank you. B-but before you leave... Do you... Are you always around?" "Around here and there.-" I notice that she is quite disturbed. "Oh, not always. I mean... I'll just go." "Okay, all I need to do is waste time until I hear from Celestia...But what to do? *mental sigh* I could see what's Spike is up to, again" my 'wish' was granted as I find myself in the tree library. "Don't get used to this, Spike." I say pretty annoyed. "I wanted to talk to you about something." Again? "What is it? I already told you the story of my life." "I think that you need to go." "Alright." I proceed to fly away. "See that? You don't even want to be around." Dammit. "It's not that, I know when I'm not wanted." He glares at me. "Where is Twilight?" "She is packing to go to Canterlot, again. She wants to see if the library there is unorganized again." "Will she meet the princess?" "Yeah, why?" "Tell her to either avoid Celestia or not go at all." "Why?" "Let's just say that she is not in the mood to meet anyone." "How do you know?- Oh, right." "Well? Go tell her!" He walks upstairs and I follow suit. "Uh, Twilight?" "Yes, Spike?" "Are you sure that you want to go?" "Positive, why?" "And meet the princess?" "Yeah, what's wrong with that?" "Oh, um, It's just that there are books that need to be organized here." "But you already did that, this morning." "Oh, well in the other library." Twilight perks up. "There is another library around?! I've got to go see it!" Nice one Spike. "Y-Yeah! Right in front of the Everfree forest!" "The trip can wait. Watch the library for me!" Aaaaand she's gone. "Phew." He wipes drops of sweat. "What's the matter? I mean sure you lied but it's not that hard." "I never lie to Twilight." "Oh yeah? I remember one Incident that involves a book and some green fire, Spiked punch." "I was under a lot of pressu- How did you know that?" "Uh, I heard that somewhere. You're a bit famous." "Really? Whoa." "Yeah, I've got to go-" *SLAM* "There was no library Spike!" Back so fast? "Oh, um... What happened to you?" Yeah what happened? She looks really messed up. Tree sap and mud and a whole jungle in her mane. Is that gum? "Long story. But I want explanation to your act. Is this some kind of joke?" "No!" "Then what?!" "I don't think that you should see the princess." "And why is that?" "Uh, Alex told me?" "Alex again? This is getting too far." "But he exists!" "Sure Spike." She trots across, probably to shower. "We need to talk, wait right there." "See? That is why I was nervous!" He whispers to me. "She's a really quick tempered mare." "I swear, when this is over I'll-" "Hey, would you prefer Twilight to get thrown out of Canterlot?" "That will never happen. Now I want the real reason you made me lie!" "I didn't tell you to lie, I just said that you need to talk her out of going." "Doesn't matter now, what is the reason?" "Okay, Celestia is working on some spell to make me real again and-" "You talked to her?! How?" "I don't understand it myself. Something about the astral...something. We meet everyday." "That explains where you go most of the-" Twilight walks in interrupting the worried dragon. "Now, where is that book?" She heads to the countless books. "Here it is! Your Inner Mind: The Complete Guide To Psych-" "This won't work. He is real and you will see very soon." "Well where is this Alex? Because if I can't see or hear him, then he does not exist." "Princess Celestia will change him back real." "Then I'll ask her." Crap! She started jotting a letter but there was something in the inbox. *BLECH* The parchment drops in the middle of the room. Twilight picks it up and reads, and puts on a confused face. "What does it say?" Spike asks. "It says that you're... right." She pauses "I'm sorry that I doubted you but it seemed so unreal." "Yeah, but what does it say?" "Here, read it yourself." She backs into a corner trying to comprehend what just happened. *> Dear Spike, Please come with Twilight to Canterlot right away, and bring Alex with you too. There is a lot to explain. Princess Celestia.* Whoa, what a short one. "Now Alex, I want you to stand completely still." Celestia instructs. "Alright." "Where are you now?" "Right in front of you." Her horn starts to glow. I feel the dizziness again. It lasts for two minutes. "Are we done yet?" "Almost." The magic flow stops. Aaaaaand I don't feel any different... Actually I don't feel anything. "I think my legs fell asleep, and my arms, and everything else. But am I real now? can you see me?" The feeling slowly returns causing UNBEARABLE PAIN! "It depends on your location." I sigh. "I'm just destined to stay like this. Foreverrrr." Even Celestia seemed disturbed by the 'foreverrr' department.
Roots to My Heart's Hunger: Sleep Philosophy *> Twinkle, twinkle little star... How I wonder what you are... Up above the world so high... Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone... When nothing shines upon... Then you show your little light... Twinkle twinkle all the night. Then the traveler in the dark... Thanks you for your little spark... He could not see which way to go... If you did not twinkle so. When the blazing sun is gone... When nothing shines upon... Though I know not what you are... Twinkle twinkle little star.* "How did I get here? It's dark, absolute nothingness." I look at my hand and I see a feather. A white one to be precise. I swipe it and it turns yellow. I swipe it again and I see gray, then zebra and finally, black. I look at my fingers and there seems to be something thick, something like ink only darker. a drop of the substance touches my foot and stings. soon the pain infects my whole leg though the matter maintains the same volume. I kick it away quickly and get rid of the feather, then I wake up instantly. "Wait, wake up? I slept?" I glance around and find myself in the middle of the Everfree at midnight. then I remember what happened yesterday, I wanted to wander around when my head got up in the clouds and apparently slept, and man it feels AWESOME! Speeking of awesomeness, I was standing witnessing a sight never more beautiful. Fireflies around. a tiny lake on the side that reflected the silver crescent moon. The soft breeze only completed the sight. Deathly silence. And finally, An old weeping willow. The tree just radiates virtues, so many that I'm jealous of it, yes, plain jealous. There is always a difference between a beautiful and a useful thing. The tree carries them both and it's hardly ever to come. It just teaches us so much. How it is always ever green in the face of the four seasons, in the face of heat, coldness and raged wind. that lesson we call (Hope). And it never gives up, it resists the rock with patience, strikes it from it's weakest spot until stone is turned to soil. The lesson is (Continuous Striving). Above all the tree was attacked by Axes, but it's love for survival did not let it be a prisoner to it's wounds, it knows how to remedy itself anew, sprouting new branches, never dying, never defeated. Also known as (Withstanding). The tree moves too; downwards and upwards, never leaves it's home. If the tree ever thought of moving away it dies, but it doesn't, because it doesn't want to die before the pointed hour. and this is the secret of it's strength; stability, and aspiration to highness. Lets take this wisdom and learn a lesson in (Home Loving). "Home, that's the word. Ah, I wish I were a bird to make it my home." Getting pretty homesick, I start blabbering some more nonsense. "I got so distracted that I forgot to tell Celestia of the progress. Oh, wait, she's probably asleep...Does she sleep? One way to find out." I search the castle thoroughly and finally find her in her bedroom. She did some serious fixing around. She looked deep in thought over something. I didn't want to interrupt but hell, I'm rude. "PRINCESS!" She looked shocked at the call. "WHAT? WHAT IS IT?!" first time to see her lose her temper, but she got her composure back almost instantly. "Your spell made huge progress, I can sleep now. Maybe tomorrow I'll be visible!" She lightened up a bit. "In that case, why not turn visible now?" "Huh?" "Just focus on feeling your surroundings." I did so and closed my eyes. "Am I real now?" I open my eyes to see that my hand is see-through. "AAAH!" "You will eventually be fully visible." she runs a hoof through me. "And maybe touchable too." "But do I have to focus every time I want to be real?" "No, time will solve that. At least you can now greet me with less hassle." "What do you mean 'hassle'?" "I am not trying to be impolite but I am not used to talking to air." "Okay, then." "By the way, what did you dream about?" "Black feathers. What do you think that means?" "It's just a dream." "Yeah, bye now." Time to fly, over the rainbow, so high. wait. "I can't fly!" "It's faster than I've thought. Do you mind staying within the castle as a guest?" "Show me my room." "Once the spell has done it's work, come and see me at the study." She commands. "Sure thing." I yawn "Now excuse me, there is so much sleeping time to make up to." "Of course." Aaaaaand gone. "This isn't bad at all. Room service and everything. Besides, all Human In Equestria fictions turn out good what's the worst that could happen?" What I was missing was that most of those stories are about self inserted people who hated their lives. I did not hate my previous life, at least not enough to give it up for Equestria. And overall, "I miss home." Author's Note: I know the chapter is short but stuff will happen in the next ones, and we're talking shitstormic.
Apple Of Discord> "Nothing is true, everything is permitted."~Ezio Everything is white except for the horizon, but there is something darkening it. Monsters...made of kneading. Large chain teeth. They are getting closer. before they reach me I wake up. "What's with the weird dreams? Anyway, I have to see if the spell has done it's magic." I search around the room for a mirror aaaaaand "I can see me!" I extend my hand to touch the mirror. I can feel it! I'm finally real! "Maybe now Celestia can return me home." I knock at the door of the study that took me time searching for. "Come in." She didn't even ask 'Who's there?'. Oh well, there goes my knock knock joke. "Did you sleep well?" "Yeah. So what did you want me here for?" "Nothing too big, we just need to make things right." "And does it require evacuating the castle to do that?" "Oh yes, you don't want ponies running around screaming wolf." for some reason, I didn't feel that that was entirely true, though it made perfect sense. "Okay, well, can you like, zap me back? I hope that's what you meant by 'making right'." "Of course." Her eyes glow white and zap! "WHAT THE HELL!!" It went completely limb. Paralyzed. Useless. "MY ARM! I CAN'T FEEL MY ARM!" She glows again. "Better hit the road or I'm toast." (LISTEN TO THIS.) "STOP AT ONCE!" Whoa, royal voice is even more frightening with Celestia. "WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?!" I shout as I run through the castle maze. I see a door in the distance. "Please lead me out, please, please, please. DAMMIT!" A ray of light passes near me, I look back and I find the alabaster alicorn on full pursuit mode. I run through countless doors until... "Daylight, I hate you." No time to criticize, run! unfortunately, I had to run on rooftops, since the door opened to a balcony. "GUARDS! SEIZE HIM!" Okay, this isn't too hard, step, step, step, jump, grab,climb and run. I continue to repeat the motion surprised that I didn't run out of air. How did I get this stamina? Anyway it's working for me. "YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE THE ROYAL GUARD!" A guard shouts while catching up to me. He has wings! He's cheating! "What's that creature?!" A pedestrian pony from below asks. "Oh my, the Royal Guard is chasing him." "Oh, it's so ugly!" For the love of...give me a break. I suddenly feel very drained. The song in my head is my only fuel now. "DON'T LET HIM IT GET AWAY!" Faster, faster dammit! I trip and luckily fall on a haystack. They continue running and I sneak in the opposite direction. "How do you wish to be scourged?" A fimiliar voice from behind asks. "That depends on what scourge means." her eyes glow again, luckily she misses. Must find escape! The next thing I know I was running on Canterlot rooftops again. The exhaustion is unbearable, my vision is blurring. I'm assuming that Celestia is right behind me. I stop at the edge of a building due to low energy and look at my limb arm. Blood... I fall from the edge. Where did these black feathers come from? (STOP THE MUSIC.) Endless roads are all I see. I try walking on one and the fraction is over the top, almost ripping my shoes. Where will it lead me? There is nothing to be seen. no sun, no moon, no stars. Nothing, just the road.....I groan as I wake up. "Awww, what happened?" "You almost bled out." Someone from the shadows said. "And I assume you 'saved' me? Who are you?" The pony in question steps out. "Well, that explains the black feathers. How have you been Luna?" "Good for the most part." "Hey, since you're close to 'The Kind Ruler Of Equestria' I think you know why in the world did she just try to fry me." "That is classified information." "I thought you were on my side. Speaking of which, why did you help me?" "That is classified too." "Really? Your personal reasons are classified as national secrets." "Well, no." "Then what? I need to know the reasons so we can solve this." "And you need to trust me, it cannot be solved." "Then what do I do now?" "You must escape elsewhere." "elsewhere where?" "I do not know." "So that's it? I'm dead?" No answer. "Does she know about this?" "About what?" "You helping me out." "She will soon." "One last question, where are we now?" "The castle's underground." "WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? CELESTIA IS RIGHT UPSTAIRS?!!" "Shushhhh, it's the last place she'll think of." "Ooooooooh, smart." "It was Rust's idea. This way I'll keep a close eye on you without Celestia noticing me missing." "Whoa, whoawhoawhoa, are you saying I'll stay here for who knows when?" "Unless we come up with a plan then yes." "Look, I'm not staying locked here and you can't stop me." I try to get up and accidently support on my left arm, yes the wounded one. I bite my lip trying not to make a sound. "Ok fine, I'll stay." Those bandages make me look so badass. "Glad that you changed your mind." "yeah yeah, but I'm going to need some entertainment." "What do you do for fun?" She pronounces word 'fun' a little more than excited. "I don't think video games are available." I try to think of other things I do. Internet, TV, Ipod, school DAMMIT! I have nothing to do. "Uh, I don't do anything." She grimaced. "You never heard of fun? I used to be like you when-" "Nononono, I just can't do anything right now and- never mind. Do you happen to have a phonograph?" I can't believe I'm stepping so low. "Yes, it's in my room." "And some records of Vinyl Scratch?" "Guard!" She calls somepony. "Yes, your highness." "Find records of Vinyl Scratch." "Of course." "Anything else?" I think for a moment and plaster an evil grin. "Well, in that case, I'll need a large pepperoni pizza with extra mushroom and cheese, pineapple juice, ten cupcakes with with all flavors, two......."
Apple Of Discord Pt 2: Stress > Honesty. Wouldn't it be easier if we could read each other like open books? No games, no lies. But it has it's price for honesty is not always the right thing. (LISTEN TO THIS.) "Awww, my stomach. I can see the light!" I shout obviously disturbed by waking atop of a food-stack...or is it the loud music? "Oh, sorry. I forgot to turn it off." "Luna? I thought you were supposed to be up there. Ya know, your sis." "Yes, about that, you cannot stay here." "I know but why?" I answer my own question before she pronounces the word. "Classified?" She nods. I get up on my feet. "I didn't mean now." She objects. "The sooner the better." "Now we have to work on a strategy to get you out of here." "No kidding." I look at the floor for a second and I can't stop my curiousity. "I can't help it anymore, what is the reason you are helping me, huh? And I'll not take classified for an answer." "It's a secret." She sips some coke, I look at her extremely provoked, nothing boils my blood more than not getting an answer. "Can you at least explain why Celestia wants to flay my skin?" "It's classified." Again with the darned word. "I said I'll not take that for an answer." "That was a condition only valid for the first question." Whaaaaa... She sips more coke. I guess trolling runs in the royal family. "Fine, I'll let the matter go and save me a headache." I think of my last argument with a troll. A complete mistake. "And by the way, how many other ponies know of my existence here?" "Not many, just a few guards." "Can they export me away?" "Yes, of course." "And where am I going?" "Elsewhere." "Oh c'mon, you can't keep doing this 'FBI classified' thing! I need info and I need it now." "Fine then, Alex." She stopps the record from spinning with a zipping sound. (STOP THE MUSIC.) She puts down her drink and starts explaining loads of information. "It will either be one of the two: Get exported to the Zebra land, does not differ from banishing out of Equestria. Get exported to the elite spell ponies to develop a spell, so you can blend in as a normal pony. This option is less likely. There is room for suggestions if you want." "Wait, let me get this right, you said that their are unicorns out there that know about me." "Yes." "But you said only guards knew." "That was before I decided to tell you." "And you fully trust all of them." "I do not question their loyalty to the crown." *Poker_Face.jpeg* "excuse my rudeness but you either really know your staff or you're just plain naive. Did you think I'll give up my own human body to run away for the rest of my natural life? Or get exported- no, banished until the next election, which by the way will never come!" I calm down and sit. "I never asked for this, all I want is to go home." There was an awkward pause. "What's been said is enough." She leaves the scene stranding me to my thoughts. I must leave...or die, anything but this. Meanwile, In The Old Study; Celestia stood in front of the dusty mirror, she swiped a hoof across to see a part of her reflection. "Where did the dreaded human run away to? How did he even run away? He is most likely dead but I must not take chances." She thought to herself. "This dilemma simply cannot continue." Celestia hears hoofsteps she can recognize. She steps out startling her sister. "Anything about the human?" The solar asks. "Were you in the old study?" "Answer the question." Luna sighed. "Not a thing, it's as if he turned to smoke and vanished." She lied. "Well, humans don't just 'vanish', he's the only one of his kind, almost six feet tall and nowhere to go and you're telling me that he vanished." "I would like to see you do a better job. If I recall correctly he practically fell from the building out cold and you still couldn't catch him." You can't even find him if he were just under your snout, and he is. She thought to herself. "How did you know about that?" "News travel quickly around here." "I evacuated the castle. The was nopony to witness it. How. Did. You. Know." "Like I said: News travel quickly. Yes you emptied the place but you also left a few guards just in case, those guards happen to know a few meadowlarks of mine. My orders are to tell me anything that's going on ever since I missed the changeling event. Plus, investigating about this is the job you assigned me to." "I specifically ordered those guards to keep it a secret." "Please, half of Canterlot saw you and your 'hoof picked guards' chase down the human, and fail. You are the last one to expostulate me about secrets and how to do my investigation because I'm not in the mood for it, in any other normal day I would've taken your ranting which lately became too intolerable." She starts stomping away. "Good day, sister." "She does not know how dangerous this human is. It's partially my fault, it must be kept unknown." Later, In Luna's Room; "Rust, I know that Alex is your friend, but he is causing me too much trouble." "I apologize for making you do this, you know it is the only way." "Yes, but this is an endless cycle, I hide the human away, his disappearance frustrates Celestia and it's back to me. My sister just throws it down on me." Tears were forming in her eyes. "And what's worse is that he is now angry with me too, and I can't take it. All I've ever done is assistance." A long silence settled in the room. "This is a phase that will end soon, don't let it get to you." No answer. "What are you thinking about?" "I was thinking of turning him in." "That would be betrayal." "But it's not worth it. He's not even my friend." "But he's my friend. Logically this makes him yours too. All you have to do is to bear it a little while longer." "How do I do that? I fed up with everything." "Ignore what you don't want to hear." She sniffs. "That's like lying to myself." "You've been a great liar lately." "I guess you are right. How did I think of renegading my friend." She smiles, but it vanishes as she hears multiple hoofsteps. "What could it be?" she thought to herself as she glides down and asks one of the guards. "Why are you running around?" The guard bows in respect. "Your highness! It is said that the human has been spotted not very far. I was called among the other guards to see if it was true and possibly catch him." Luna's face became an expression of confusion, anger and mostly, worry. "C-carry on then." The guard salutes and lets his wings to the wind. "I cannot believe this! And he calls me naive!" Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout. "Quick! There is a fire in Caper Avenue and some ponies are trapped!" A Sunshine guard cries to anypony in hearing range. "Do I have to repeat myself? MOVE IT PONIES!!"
Apple Of Discord Pt 3: Hardcore The Royal Guard were in absolute chaos, some are after the runaway human and some are on the fire some could not believe what was going on. "Luna, I need you to go with them and see if the human is there." Celestia instructs. "No." "Pardon?" "I said no. All you ever care about is that human. Never for a second have you thought about your loyal subjects in danger and that is your job!" "If that creature escapes again there will be danger." "Like what? Why won't you tell me? How do you know for sure? Maybe he wants to go home. And if you do that the problem will solve itself." "I do not know where he is from, and inter-dimensional travel is a physical and magical impossibility. Now, if you don't know as much as you think you do. If you won't go look into it, I'll do it myself." Luna waited until her sister was far enough. "GRAAAAH!" She kicks some dirt forming a dust cloud. "Princess Luna! Princess Luna!" A meadowlark obviously did not notice Luna's bad mood. "There is and urgent message for you!" The guard hands her the letter. Meet at Nightmare's statue. "Rather simple but informative." She thought as she burned the childish note, she doesn't want clues. "You are dismissed." The guard bows and leaves the scene. "When I get to him there will be no mercy." Back To Alex; "Where should I go anyway? A few guards are with me but that's no protection, plus I'm pretty sure they've got lives of their own. Families, friends, homes..." I look at the fire expressionlessly. *THUD* A body unknown lands out of the blue, it leans in exposing the face to the light of the fire. "Hey! Luna, you made it. How are you? Good? No? Okay." "What were you thinking?" "You mean now or-" "When you ran away! For the love of..." "I thought you were upset because of the fire." "That too! Right now lives are in danger because of you!" "Luna." "And Celestia and the guards and the scouts and..." "Luna." "And the fire and the Avenue and Rust and Celestia, GOSH!!" "Done? Good. Cause I've got a load of storytelling to do." "About wh-" "Shush. listen." "Sooo, why can't you do this?" I asked. "Because my magic print will bond with the spell I use." The meadowlark in question answered. "Meaning..." "I will be the main suspect in this." "How?" "The print!" "And what am I supposed to understand from that?" "The MP or MS is the signature of every unicorn, it's what colors the aura and the object. It basically remains in the object when using long term spells, like the one you're asking me to do. Therefore, I will not risk being questioned in such a dangerous act." "Then wear a magic glove or something." I got a confused look from the stallion as I said this. "Can't you crypt whatever MP you're talking about?" "There is a spell, but it's dangerous to some extent." "Whatever, just get it over with." "You don't sound very worried about this... WE'RE BREAKING THREE LAWS!! I don't even know the punishment of this but I think it'll be my head..." "Hey, whiner flank, stop giving me lessons and start doing your thing." "Alright. step back." I did as I was told and let the dude do his hocus pocus. It took some time but not very long and the key to my success was complete. "Cool, will it work?" I asked. "Well it should." That was the O.K for me, so I started the new fireproof phonograph and *EAR-BURSTING MULTIPLE SCREAMS-CRIES FOR HELP* "Ok that's enough." I pulled the needle off and checked if I'm deaf. "I hope nobody heard that." "I think my work is done here." "Yeah, I don't think so. Somepony has to put that somewhere and burn it down." *sigh* "Four laws" he said as he floated the phonograph off my hands and trotted out. "Heh heh, Perfect. This idea is the.." "...WORST IDEA EVER!!" Luna completes. "Why?!" "Because you do not know my sister." ... "If she's such a hassle why are you still putting up with her?" Luna's expression changes from anger to sadness. "Did I say something wrong?" "No...maybe..." "I didn't mean to-" "Let's get to the point, what are planning to do now?" "Er, uh... Nothing." "Nothing...Just nothing. You're not serious, are you?" "E-Nope. I was never serious about anything." "How can you stay so calm when half the population -If not all- wants to shred you to bits right now?" "Because I'm already at the end of the plan. you have to imagine a portal for me. Genius, no?" "...Rust disagrees." "And why would that be?" "He says that this idea has already done enough damage...and I will get caught in it too...Oh, and he says that it may not even work." "So...I'm trapped?"..."NONONONONONONONONOOOOO-" I jump on my feet. "Calm down, just sit and think...and breathe too." "You're probably right..." I start walking away deeper among the trees. "Where are you going?" "I just need some time alone." As soon as I get alone it starts raining...great. "Why me?" I add my own tears to the rain. "Why?.." "Don't cry my dear, look at the sky." "You again, just leave me be it's not the time." "Don't let your heart soak in sadness." "Too late, I'm soaked like a fish in the toilet." "Hope is an effort and effort is never lost." "Just shut up." "Hope is an effort...Don't cry." "What if the days steal from us... A smiley heart so generous." "Will you surrender? Will you give up because of pain? Even if you're torn Asunder, just stand up...Again." "Easy for you to say, you're just a voice inside my head." "Droplets worked together, in their core and heart...A beat so full of life. They worked together... They stuck together... Be like them..." I look at a random leaf. Droplets do work together. "You're right. Now I know what to do" "Never cry my dear.." "Yeah..." "Don-" "OK, I get it!" Sheesh! Now what was I going to do again? Oh yeah- Something grabbed me and pulled hard around my neck. And it's made of...crystal? *COUGH* "Not a move." Whispers a voice from behind. "Look, whoever and whatever you are, I assure you that I'm no threat. Just let me go. I don't want trouble." Yeah, don't ruin the good moment! "I said silent!" "Ack! No you didn't." ...................
Imaginary Accident [PROLOGUE] Dear Alex: Your dad and I are on a business trip and will be returning sometime in the next few weeks. I'm sorry we couldn't tell you in person but it sort of popped out of nowhere. There is enough food in the fridge but in case you need anything there is some money in the safe, I'm sure you know how to open it. Love, Mom P.S: Please try to socialize and make some friends, I heard that there are new neighbors and they have kids in your age. I crumble the paper and continue what I was planning to do: rummage through the fridge for anything that matches my taste. Sure enough, I found nothing but mortadella and some toast. I didn't even bother to make the sandwich, I just shoved the contents in my mouth and chewed. Hey, It's the same concept right? "What to do now? It's Saturday and I'm completely, certainly, definitely, surely, positively, entirely bored." I sigh "But that's not a new thing to me." "Why don't you make some friends as your mom said? It's a good idea if you ask me." Rust said. He's my *AHEM* robot imaginary friend. "Shut up." I grab a bottle of orange juice and pull a chair to the kitchen table. "But she's right. Friends are important, remember that show you like so much?" "What show?" "Just a show on The Hub you used to watch every Saturday." "What about it?" "Remember what happens at the end of every epi-" "Just skip the riddles and get to the point." "Fine, the whole focus of the show is on the importance of friendship." "Well, it's just a show." "Just a show with an important message." "Right" "Hey. you're a fifteen year old kid with no friends, and you sleep with a teddy bear" "I told you, Mr. Snuggles has his own bed" "Doesn't change the point" "Why are you so annoying all of a sudden? I thought you're supposed to make me feel better, not crush me with lectures. That's dad's job." "As your imaginary friend it's my job to annoy you until you have real friends and don't need me anymore." "Oh yeah? so you're saying I can't get rid of you?" "Unless you get friends, you can't" "Alright, I imagine a wormhole that sucks you to the place where all of you go in the end." I casually start draining the bottle. "Wait! No!" The wormhole appears in the middle of the living room. It devours Rust, and as soon as I wanted to close it, It starts pulling ME. "HEY! NOT ME!" Darkness...
