To See The World Within Her Eyes

CHAPTER 1

Driving along the long asphalt road had become something of the norm over the past two years for Michael and his wife. It had become something they did every year on the eve of the anniversary of their wedding. They would drive this particular stretch of road from Reno to Palm Desert to spend their Anniversary down in Palm Springs. This year however was different. This year they had a third passenger, their soon to be born daughter.

"Sweetheart we're going to need to pull over soon. It's starting to get dark and you know how I feel about driving the pass in the dark." Jennifer said to her husband who at the moment was focusing intently on the part of the road that was viewable. The fog had rolled in and had become quite thick as they drove the frigid mountain pass.

"I know hun but it's still about 5 miles until we hit the Donner Lake, we can stop there for the night." Mike replied.

Squinting now Mike could barely make out the road through the windshield even with his fog lights on. As they turned what he could make out as a corner they where side blinded by a truck that had swerved into the barrier between the roads, slamming them into the Cliffside to their right. The last think Mike saw before blacking out was his wife being crushed against the side of the car.

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Mike bolted upright in his bed as sweat dripped from his body, the remnants of the nightmarish memory still fresh in his sleep addled mind. Rubbing his eyes with his thumb and his forefinger he swung his legs over the edge of his small bed and stood up.
Stretching his back and looking out the window to the lively bustling city he sighed. It had been the same nightmare for the past ten years. The same one that had haunted him since the accident that had taken his wife and unborn child from him. Frowning he walked into his small dilapidated kitchen and opened his fridge. His frown deepened at the distinct lack of alcohol present. Closing his fridge he went back to his bed and opened the box next to it, retrieving his pants and sweatshirt. This particular sweatshirt was black through and through and was his most cherished one. It had been a gift from his wife when they had been dating. She had saved up for it and had presented it to him on their 3 month anniversary.

Slipping them both on he walked out his door, leaving his keys inside. He descended the stairs and stepped on to the rainy street of downtown Tacoma. He knew that tomorrow the landlord would be coming for the rent he wouldn't pay. Walking down the street he headed for the bar, knowing full well his goal.

Upon entering the door to the bar he was immediately grabbed by the bouncer who resided at the desk just inside.

"Sorry buddy but you're not welcome here anymore. You're gonna have to leave." he said in a gruff voice that came with many years of smoking.

Sighing and nodding in response Mike turned and left. He continued on down the street a new destination in mind.

After walking the rest of the night Mike came upon the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a twin suspension bridge. His mind clearer than it had ever been was dead set on his destination. He moved himself to the center of the bridge looking out over the water. Closing his eye's he climbed up onto the edge of the bridge. He opened his eye's and looked out to the horizon and knew that he had had enough of life. He had almost taken the step when someone had grabbed him and yanked him back. Falling to the ground with a thud and grunt in pain he looked about for who had pulled him down. When he looked up he noticed a rather tall woman with Rainbow Colored hair that seemed to come down to her shoulders in waves.

"What the Tartarus is wrong with you! You could have died!" she yelled, her tone filled with equal degrees of shock and disappointment.

"That was the point." Mike replied in a sub-monotone voice. He didn't care anymore. If anything he could wait until she left to try again. This time he would succeed.

"Why on earth would you want to kill yourself?" she asked, seeming perplexed.

"Why does it matter to you, just be on your way so I can end my life and move on." he said.

"I'm sorry but I'm not moving from this spot until you explain to me what in the world could be so bad that you would take your own life." she said crossing her arms over her rather oversized chest.

"Lady listen, I don't care who you are or who you think you are. You have no business with me or the things that happened in my past. So please just go." he said, sighing in annoyance.

The woman was done, she'd had enough of his stubbornness. She stepped forward and placed her hand upon his head and immediately he began reliving his entire life from birth to now. Everything was moving at super speed and was forcing him to feel everything just as fast. When she had reached their current point she removed her hand.

"J-Jesus fucking Christ lady what the fuck did you just do to me!" he yelled, clutching at his head as he dropped to his knees.

"I read your memories. I wish I didn't have to but you gave me no choice." she responded.

"W-Who the fuck are you!!!!" he screamed backing away in terror.

"Please Michael Rivenburgh do not be afraid. I am Celestia, Princess Of The Sun." she replied in a voice that had reminded Mike of his mother.

"Wha- What?" he said, quivering. "H-How do you know my name?"

"Michael Rivenburgh I know your name because I have seen it in your memories." she replied.

Michael was dumbfounded and still slightly frightened. Only her tone was beginning to calm him. Who was this woman and how was she able to view his memories.

"So Michael. I now understand your sorrow. But how would you feel if I told you there is another way." Celestia said to him, a graceful smile upon her face.

"What are you talking about? Why me? I just want to end it! Please go away!" he said, having calmed down to a certain degree, though his heart still raced.

"Michael I offer this chance to you now, come with me to my kingdom, to Equestria and I you can start a new life. I can even wipe your memories if you so wish, though I would rather not." she said, offering his hand.

"Yeah okay lady, and what then huh? Am I suppose to just believe you? I mean sure the whole memory thing was weird, but come on, a Kingdom called Equestria?! That's a load of Bullshit and you know it." he said standing up as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away. "Yeah not happening lady."

"Michael I can prove it to you if you wish." she replied.

Michael stopped and turned around. At this point he was sure that she was just blowing smoke out her ass.

"Alright lady listen, I'll follow you okay? But if this turns in to a robbery at gunpoint, i'll have you know I have no money and would rather you shoot me now." he said. He had thought about her offer for only a second before he had realized that he had nothing better to do and nowhere to go. Not to mention he was just about to kill himself so he figured he'd humor the lady.

"I intend nothing of the sort." She replied.

"So? where we goin?" he asked.

"Nowhere. I shall show you right here." she said as she raised her hands which had now begun to glow an unnatural white.

Michael watched in awe as a singular white lined started from her fingertip. she drew her finger from the air to the ground and withdrew her hand as a doorway opened up in front of him. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Within the doorway he could see trees and grass and flowers. But what through him off even more was the cartoon look everything seemed to possess. It was ethereal and Michael had to rub his eyes a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"I-I-I don't...I can't..." he said, stammering at the impossibility of it.

"So Michael, or should I say Mike, what do you say?" she asked, holding out her hand.

Mike stood their, jaw hanging as he thought about her offer. He could start over, a new life. He really didn't want his memories wiped, he was fond of his memories, but everything else seemed so perfect. After mulling it over for a good fifteen minutes he reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Fine. Please let me start over." he said. She smiled and pulled him through the doorway as they where surrounded by a blinding light.

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