Jackson Sindelar. Vol. 1-The Forced Liesby Radian-zipChaptersChapter 1 (edited)Chapter 2chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1 (edited)Author's Note Just an FYI, I use italic as quotes from when the character is thinking. Just so it a little easier to understand. Chapter 1 (edited) I watch as the scenery of trees and bushes from a distance pass by as the vehicle rides down the roads. The ever so light breeze pushing the summer leaves in a swirl, making the branches do an captivating dance. I look forward to see the driver of our vehicle, a man wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans. "Is everything alright sweetheart?" Mother asked. I look over to her. Her deep blue, slit equine eyes focused on me. "No, Mom. Just thinking is all." I look back towards the window, seeing if anything of interest is waiting for me to see it. I then feel a leathery wing on my shoulder. "Its alright to talk to me if you need to, you know that right?" I look back over to her with a light smile. "I know." She smiles back, her fangs showing. I look over her body. At full height she stood at around 4'7. Her dark blue coat seemed to absorb the light around her, her even darker blue mane has a couple loose strains that are out of place but still presentable while looking nice. Her Cutie-mark is a picture of a socket wrench with a flat head screwdriver crossing over it. It's sometimes a little strange thinking my Mom is a Thestral, but she's the best. I look back out the window, still bored and still waiting for us to finally stop. It sometimes seems funny to me, how much I've moved over the years. With Mom always finding new jobs, We've jumped from place to place a lot. But with dad finally being accepted into the Royal Guard of Equestria, he is able to pick any location of where he could be stationed. Ma and Pa took upon themselves to finally move one last time and settle for good. If I tried to count all the Places I've been, I'd probably have a book written by the time I was done. From Alaska all the way down to Hawaii I've been, I'm pretty sure the only states I haven't been in yet are the Dakotas and Wyoming. My original home state is Wisconsin, God do I miss it there. My blood relatives live there for the most part, so we always go and visit once and awhile. From that statement alone, If you haven't already guessed it, my answer is yes. I'm an adopted human child being raised by an Equine and a Hippogriff. Mom and Dad have always treated me right and so far, have what I would assume to be a pretty good job at raising me. Speaking of my Father, I'd say he is most likely the definition of a good Dad, although he does have his ups and downs once and awhile. But he's well respectable and has always given a helping hand when needed. Not to mention that he, mostly in my opinion, looks badass AF. He has a Bright white coat and feathers with a hint of yellow on the tips, his talons and back hooves a rustic yellow, along with his eyes. And with him standing at 5'5, packed with muscle and some of the greatest natural weapons he has, I'd be surprised if anyone wanted to mess with him. Unless they are a complete fool of course. Then there's my sisters. God they're annoying, but I love them either way. Lizzy, the eldest child of the three of us, has already moved out and is working towards her college stuff. She is blood related to me, she was there ever since the beginning, and has basically been my mom after everything happened with our real Mom and Dad. Then, there's my younger sister, Jade Moon. She's currently 13 and is entering 8th grade, but she acts younger than her age. With her also being a Thestral she almost looks exactly like Mom, except for the eyes, she has Dads eyes. I've never had a problem with her, and she's always a sweetheart who seemed ready around every corner with a cookie for you. She's sometimes shy, but once she opens up, there's no stopping her from talking your ears off. As for me though? I'm just your average run-of-the-mill human teen. Ha, that's a blatant lie. To be honest, I've never really seen myself as just one of the normal kids. But that could just be my mind playing tricks on me. I always had the mentality that I'm somewhat smarter than my other peers, and my parents agree. But only you know what you are really like, and I don't see myself fitting into the 'smart cookie' category any time soon. One thing I can agree on with everyone else though is that I'm strong. Yeah it's a little dumb to say that when I'm literally a mini hulk. Standing at 6'3 and a weight of 270 with not an ounce of fat on me. Yeah, that's not normal. I hate being this big. Everybody thinks I'm gonna knock them on their ass if they even look at me. Don't get me wrong, you piss me off good, I'll make sure you feel something. Dad says that I have a lot of potential for being some jackass that pushes everybody around, and yet surprising to him and to myself, I'm very patient. I have never blown a fuse or gone overboard. And it's not like I can't handle myself, sure. I've been in a couple fights here and there, but I was never the one to start it. I remember stories that my blood born father use to tell me when I was little, about how he would simply pick up a 100 pound bag of corn with one hand and easily throw it over ten yards without breaking a sweat, or how he would just simply dead lift a 500 pound Chevy engine block off the ground, moving it across a garage to put it in the back of a truck. Or when he just used to pick up 20 foot shaved pine lumber logs and walk around with it on his shoulder. I sometimes doubt the stories when thinking about it. But seeing how big I am without even doing hard labor or working out, I can definitely see it being true. "Mom, how long til we get to the portal station?" Jade asked. I look out over to the other side and see the Chicago airport. "we're already here squirt." I look back to her in the seat. "You ready to see where we're going?" She gets a really big smile. "Uh huh!" I looked over to Mom, as she watched us pulling up to the airport. "So where are we going? You never said anything to me or Jade this whole time." Mom looks to me with a smirk. "that's cause it's a surprise." "Are we still crossing the portal like you said?" I ask. "I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see." She says, looking away as a gleeful smile covers her face. We all get out of the vehicle as another one rolls up next to us. Mom walks over to the other car as Dad got out with a couple of our bags already on his back. "How was the drive for you?" She asked before leaning in for a smooch on his cheek. Dad gave her a light hug. "Good, nothing happened and everything is still here." He looks over to me as I close the car door. "Did Jade annoy you the whole time here?" He asked me jokingly. "No, it was quite peaceful actually." I walk over to the other car, and start to unload everything. "What time is our check up suppose to be?" Mom asked Dad. He looked down at his watch. "3:30, its currently 3:10. Looks like we're just on time." Me over hearing what Mom said, I look over to them. "So we are going to Equus." Mom unfolds her wing and jokingly does a 'hush' motion with the end of her wing against her mouth. I smile as I chuckle. They probably want to keep it a surprise for Jade. We eventually make it into the airport, I lean against a pillar as me and Jade wait for Mom and Dad to come back with our tickets. I watched as all sorts of creatures and people from all walks of life traverse through each other in the never ending sea of beings. "So what do you think it will be like? Where are we going?" Jade asked me. I look down to her. "Probably better than where we were in Chicago, I can tell you that. And you'll probably meet a lot more other creatures as well." I smile. She lays down on the ground, her hooves laying under her as she watches everybody moving around with me. "I sure hope so, but I do hope it's nice..." I look over to see Mom and Dad walking over with carts in tow with all our stuff, along with a new item. Our tickets. I walk over, meeting them halfway from the pillar. Jade does the same and follows me. "So, are you two ready?" Mom asks. Jade starts jumping up and down with excitement. "As I'll ever be." I simply say. All of us eventually make our way to the portals. We were next in line, we watched on as we saw the dragon that was ahead of us duck down and walk through the portal. All of us with tickets in hand, walk over to the guard next to the portal. "Where ya'll heading?" He asked. Probably to check and make sure we didn't steal them or something. Dad pipes up and answers the question. "Ponyville, a small town just south of Canterlot in Equestria." Ponyville? Why does that name sound familiar... I watched as he conducted a quick spell on the portal. It shifts a little then settles down with a slightly different color pattern than before. "All of you have a good day now. You can head on through." We all step through, Mom and Dad being first along with Jade right behind them. I then follow through. Okay, don't freak out, first time through a portal... Just, think about fishing... juuust think about fishing. I finally step in, and see Mom, Dad and Jade standing in place in what looks like a giant tunnel that has a rainbow swirl all around it. I walk up next to them. "Huh, this is way more different than I thought it would be." Mom chuckles. "ohh, it was a lot worse back then. Before, it would throw you to the other side without warning. And if you were lucky, the station you were going to had cushions and old bed mattresses for you to land on." "Yeah, I probably would've hated that." I say with a light hearted chuckle. Eventually, a section of the tube we were in clamped shut in front of us, then made a smooth wall. "Ah, here we go... Are you guys ready to see your new home town?!" Jade started jumping up and down with excitement again. "YAAAY!" Both Mom and Dad again take the lead with Jade right next to them with me in the back again. I step through the portal, the scenery quickly changed as it looked like we were inside of some sort of giant round building. This looks like a town hall, wait. Are you telling me this place is so cheap they couldn't afford even a small station outside of town? "Excuse me, are you the Sindelar family?" I look over, a unicorn filly with one of the lightest purple coats I've ever seen, blonde mane running down her neck and past her shoulders while holding a clipboard with what I can only guess is a light levitation spell. Not to mention she's almost drop dead gorgeous. "Yes that is technically us." Mother says. "And you are miss?" The new filly puts on a questioning glance towards us. "My name is Dinky Doo ma'am. Not to be rude, but what do you mean by technically?" Mom does a light sigh. "You see, when me and my husband got married we never decided on a last name. Over the years we forgot about it and when we adopted two human children who were siblings, we didn't know that their name would carry over and force us to take the name as well. We tried to change it over the years but it was too complicated and we're pretty much stuck with it at this point." Dinky shakes her head simply. "I see, I'm sorry that you ended up with a name you weren't happy with." Mom’s head shot back in surprise a little. "N-NO, its not that we don't like it, in fact we love it. We both sometimes get a little irritable about how it all happened." Miss Doo then takes her turn to pull her head back in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry. I meant no offense." Mom and Dad say the same line in unison. "None taken." Dinky puts on a smile. "Well then, would you like me to take you to your new property?" "That would be delightful Mrs. Doo." "It's Ms. Doo, and please. Just call me Dinky." She looks back to me with a wink, then continues to walk with a little bit more sway in her hips. Did she just...? Huh, I would've never guessed she was a spicsexual like me. I gotta admit, she is kinda cute. "Huuhum." My Dad grumbles. I look over to see him looking at me with a half cocked eye. Aaaaaand I got caught staring... Huuuh, I hate this fucking rule. I grumble. "huuugh, fine." I hand dad my phone. He leans over while handing my phone back. "Next time, don't make it look obvious. And you know to stay safe, last thing we nee-" "Y-yeah, yeah. I get it." I say. He chuckles a little while shaking his head. I lean over to him for a change. "And no, I'm not gonna follow through that easily. I have school and stuff." He shakes his head to himself. "Well as long as you know where your priorities are, you'll be fine." He looks at me again. "All I'm saying is, if you're gonna. Make sure you're smart about it. and don't let your mother find out." "Wait, you're supporting that kind of stuff?" I say as he looks away from me. "I have no idea what you're talking about son." He faces me again with a small smirk. We all eventually make it in front of a moderately nice house. a two story building with maybe even a basement. "Well kids, this is it." "Looks nice, probably even better inside." I say. Dinky walks up to us then hands Dad the clipboard. He quickly signs anything that needs tending to. "It seems that I'm no longer needed, if you have any questions, concerns or need help with anything. I'll be in town hall until 10. May all of you have a nice day." She walked past us as Mom simply replied 'you too.' As she passed me, her tail poked out to the side and brushed my arm lightly. I looked over to her as she gave me a light smile and her eyes fluttered while making her way back into town. "I'm keeping a close eye on you mister." Mom said. I look over to her. She had a face that I quite couldn't explain. "If you go and chase that tail, I'll know. And if she's really interested, she'll ask you out.... Don't even go after girls like that." I roll my eyes and sigh heavily. "Yes Ma, I know already." We all start walking towards the door, opening it while setting down all our stuff in the front. "I know you know, but sometimes you need to be reminded." I sigh in embarrassment. "So, I'm guessing it's rock paper scissors for rooms between me and Jade?" Mom looks to me. "No, it's already sorted out. You're upstairs to the left and she's across from you." She opens one of her bags and starts taking out lamps and side tables. "You two also have your own bathrooms, so there's no need for sharing." I start walking up the pair of stairs I just found. I open the door to my future room, seeing it bare of any furniture. "Welp, time to start unpacking." I put down one of the 'exstendo' bags that were filled with my stuff. Unzipping it I pull out my foldable bed frame for my memory foam mattress. Then my bed, some side tables of mine and so on. Soon enough my room was done. I head down stairs and see the kitchen and living room was already complete. "Wow, you guys went faster than usual." I see Jade laying on the couch reading one of her books. "You get your room done too?" She simply nods her head while having her nose deep in her book. I sit down next to her, turning on the TV. "Welp, mind as well just enjoy some alone time while I have it." Chapter 2Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.chapter 3Warm blood ran down my arms, the pistol I hold slathered in the same red ooze. The same ooze dripping from the man in front of me. How could this happen. Why did this happen!? I don't want to be here, not again. The pistol drops to the floor as I try to vomit, the liquid in my stomach getting caught in my throat. I Land on my hands and knees, coughing as blood starts seeping from my mouth as I see a thread of what was stuck in my windpipe. long black oil slick tentacles writhing against my lips and along the roof of my mouth. I reached up to touch them, but the closer I got, the more they retreated into my throat, pushing its self down towards my stomach where it resides. I reach into my mouth, trying to grab anything of this 'thing' that's inside me. But it was too late. I felt it reestablish its home in my stomach, it writhing even more, it knowing I was trying to pull it out of its host. Fear washes over me again, my hands running over my stomach hoping there was a way for it to be forced out, all I could do was scream. "NO! Please, no. You're the one who did this! You're the one that made me this way." Looking up their was a mirror in front of me now, instead of the lifeless dead body. I put a hand against the mirror, it showing myself in my younger years, when I was a kid. Everything was different though, I looked angered beyond reason, blood running down my cheeks, the burning hatred in my eyes even scare me now. I tried to look away, something was stopping me though. The same long black tentacles were wrapped around my head and neck from the back. I was being choked, I reached up to get rid of them, my hands where tied to the faucet of the sink. A lone figure stood behind me in the mirror, just out of the light. "Why are you trying to leave me? You ARE the one who created me in the first place, father." He steps forward towards the light, his slick frame was made up of the same black oil slicked tentacles. "And now we get to be together forever..." Everything around me started to melt, the floors dripping with the scenery of that fateful night. The mirror in front of me, turning to a puddle. I watched in horror, the being behind me started opening up, its insides squiggling around wanting me. "No, plea-" A piece of the monster covered my mouth. "Hush father, we are together now. There is no need to fear." It started wrapping its self around me, the tiny cold appendages digging into my flesh, drawing fresh blood. I tried to scream, but as soon as I opened my mouth, the part of him in my throat connected to the outside. All I could do was fall over convulsing on the floor as I watched more of him cover my face, then finally my eyes. Straight Arrow The smell of maple wood burning filled my nostrils, the feeling of heat on my back from the fire comforting me. I moved my olive green hoof slightly to my right, watching the human in front of me in his non-moving state. How I found this creature has to have been one of the strangest occurrences. I was waiting on an old rabbit trail I use to put snare traps on, seeing if any other critters use it. I was just about to leave right before I saw this human running towards me from the south while I was still in the tree. It seemed he seen me after a little, then just suddenly collapsed to the ground. Seeing I couldn't leave him here in the middle of nowhere, I had to move some of my supplies to this temporary base, just so I could look after him for the time being. He's been asleep for almost two days now... Should I go into town for help? I look over to the west, seeing the sun sink into the tree line. I sigh, Guess it's a little late for that. I Get up to go and fetch some food for myself, I wander towards my drying rack off in the distance that has a rabbit hanging off of it from a piece of cordage, the kill I bagged just this morning. The taste of meat is still a little hard to stomach once and a while, but I've come to understand that I need to eat it for protein to stay strong and healthy. I remember the first day when I had to eat meat. I vomited for almost an hour straight, or what felt like an hour. I chuckle from the not so funny memory. I was about to pull down the rabbit when a small shuffle of leaves come from behind me, then a light moan. Is it finally up? I look back to the fire, seeing one of its arms moving up to its head. I calmly walk over to my bow, making sure it was strung and an arrow knocked on the string. I needed to be ready for what ever might happen between me and this human. Another light grown comes from his non-moving body, then a grunt. Finally, he leans up from his resting position, a hand on his head and another low growl vibrating through his throat. "Jesus, what happened to me?" The creature asked. I pull back the string lightly just as the creatures eyes land on me, a look of horror plastered on his face. "Uh, that's not for me, is it?" He asks, sitting up more. I slowly inhale as I try and push words through my voice box, but being mute for almost a year is making it difficult. I open my mouth, and effortlessly to my surprise, what I wanted to say came out. "Only if you are dumb enough to make me shoot you." The human seemed to calm down a bit after what I said. He licked his lips, or at least tried to from how dry his mouth is. He looked back to me, his young eyes seeing what I could only imagine is a stranger in the middle of the woods pointing a arrow at him in a not so friendly way. His voice did not carry far from what he said next. "Water, I need water." I slowly release tension on the string, lowering the bow as to not have it pointing to the strange being that I had to move camp for. "I'll go and fetch some for you," I walk through camp towards the river, passing by the drying rack. I stop and face him again, "You humans are carnivores, right?" I look back to see him shaking his head lightly. I take the rabbit from the rack, throwing it to him. He catches it effortlessly. "Skin and gut that for me while I go and get some water from the river." Watching him admire the kill I got was something I didn't expect, I thought he would be screaming or at least drop the rabbit on the ground. "And if you try anything, I will shoot an arrow right through your heart." I turn around with my bow on my back, making my way to the river. Returning back to camp with a small bucket filled to the brim, along with some crayfish I found, I could see the camp has changed a little while I was gone. The fire seemed to die down quite a bit, but new logs were already on it. There was also a new edition, a pile of twigs and thicker branches were right next to the fire. Looking around camp, my human compadre was no where to be seen. Great, is he hiding in a tree or something? To answer me, he came from the other side of camp, carrying more wood, sweating up a storm. walking over to him, he looks at the bucket of water I was carrying. Before I could put it on the fire, I was stopped by his question. "What water from?" his crackly dry voice barely saying anything. Bucket handle still in my mouth I try answering him. "A rifver. I goda boil it befor drinkin it." I put it on the coals from the fire. The human without warning pulled the bucket off the fire, cupping his hands into the bucket and bringing them to his mouth, drinking as much water as he could at once. "Hey! You cant drink it!" He looked up to me, water running down his neck and face. "Its fine. I have a better chance catching something from well water." He takes some more scoops of water with his hands, drinking the cool liquid. "How do you know? You're probably just some city-creature that talks to big." I take a step towards him, knowing I should get the bucket away from him. "You don't fuckin know me trotter. For all you know I'm a Boy Scout that knows too much." The human settled down into a sitting position in front of the fire. He promptly put the bucket onto the fire where I put it originally. "Are you?" I ask. The human chuckles. "No, but I lived in the woods until I was 10." Something I didn't realize until now, is the rabbit was already on the fire, cooking. I ignore it for the meantime as another question comes to mind. "Your parents dropped you off in the woods and left you or something?" "No," The human crosses his legs, trying to get more comfortable. "My parents moved out into the wilderness when me and my sister were young. My Dad taught me everything about the outdoors, and my mom taught me how to take care of myself." His parents taught him on purpose? Huh, I never would have guessed it. "Why are you out here then? Did your parents move out here?" I ask. He chuckles, a light smile crossing his face. "I wish. No, I had, a sort of rage attack while talking to my little sister. I walked out, trying to calm down. I got chased out of town when someone tried talking to me, and well, I ended up here." He looked down, seeming to find something interesting in the dirt before him. I look to him in wonder, "Rage attack?" He had a hard time coming up with something, The words seemingly evading him. "Have you ever had something in you that feels natural, but is almost, evil in nature? Like.... A killing instinct that's conscious?" "A conscious killing instinct? Like you're being fed feelings that want you to kill?" "Sort of like that... But it's more than that though. Like, it's a ghost that watches your back, but it's apart of you." "I'm sorry, I do not know what you mean." "Its fine. Gotta get over it eventually." I lay a hoof over the top of my other, resting my head while looking into the fire, then to the human. He seemed to be looking to his surroundings, looking for something. "something wrong?" "Which way is back to the town? I can't remember the way I entered." He looked over to the west, most likely watching the sun. "You are staying here tonight. Too far to walk, wolves are watching the trails tonight." I say, looking back into the fire. The human stood up, looking to the north. "teh, wolves. I ain't scared of no damn wolves. Which way?" He said looking to me. I turn my head towards the west, giving my head a flick, signaling the way towards town. The creature started walking right before I heard leaves rustling having him stop in his tracks. It wasn't long before he returned to camp. He sighed, walking back over to the fire, sitting down. "thought you were not scared?" I ask him. "I'm not, but those wolves aren't normal. They're not scared of humans, I would have gone either way, but I'm too weak right now." He says, poking at the dirt with a stick he picked up. "I think you are just scared and don't say it." He gave me a look, a look that no creature has ever given me. Sending shivers down my back, I gulp. "Sorry, just joking." The human sighed. "Its fine, I just wanna get home is all." He looked to me, "So, What's up with you? Why are you out here?" I sigh, "Well, when I was young, my parents disappeared. They just up and vanished without anyone knowing what happened to them. about a year after that, I was walking through town and heard a scream. I went and seen what was happening. A filly my age was being chased by a Manticore, nobody was stepping in to help her. The ponies around me watching said they should just wait for the Elements of Harmony to show up and save her. She was about to be killed, so I shot it. I killed the manticore in one shot, and everyone was disgusted with me, they called me a monster. I was eventually pushed to the forest, seeing nobody wanted me around." Now you are probably going to think the same as the others... "What a bunch of bullshit." The human had a hand on his head. "I always thought Equestrias ways of dealing with evil creatures was stupid and dangerous. You my friend, did a good thing." My heart stopped for a moment from what he said. "W-what?" "Other people might call you a monster, but I would have to say otherwise." the human said, giving me a light smile. "How so?" I asked. He stretched out his back then leaned forward again watching the fire. "I read about Equestria from some new history books nobody was using in my high school. I learned about the Elements along with Celestia and all the hardships they faced and so on. to be honest, it all could've been handled better. But what caught my off guard was how Ponyville, the past home of princess Twilight was under attack from this very forest almost all the time. I brought all that up because of how in danger that town is in to begin with, I mean for fuck sake, Manticore numbers are so high in this forest that the town has an alarm if one or two end up stray in the middle of town." "But what does Equestrias history have to do with me killing a creature for another being?" I ask, my voice rising a little in anger. "You bringing down that Manticore did save a creature from death, but you also protected other beings that might have come across the very same manticore. If you would have let the beast get that filly, what would stop it from coming back into town and getting another?" "But what about the people who said that I did wrong?" I asked, staring into his eyes. Without warning, he gained a smile, and chuckled to himself. "Fuck'em, who needs the opinion of the population when you know you're doing good to begin with. If they find it wrong, teach them why you needed to do it in the first place. And if they even then say its wrong, then fuck'em. The only exception to this is when if its someone close to you that questioned why you did it, you might want to see if it was wrong or not." I was shocked, but also relieved that I found reasoning to even begin forgiving myself for the Manticore incident. This creature, no, this human I have took care of the past two days had no idea who I was or what my motives were when he woke up. And yet he acted like nothing bad was ever happening, he didn't question anything, even after telling him about why I'm out in this forest to begin with. These hooves have done a lot of things over the years I have been in this forest, is it maybe time for me to stop, and live normally? I look up towards him, seeing him put more logs on the fire, then sitting down while warming his hands. "What's your name?" I ask. "Sorry? I didn't catch that." "What is your name, if you don't mind me asking." Right before he was going to continue his sulking, he stopped. My ears started to pick up yells and screams to the west, then a voice was clear enough to understand. "JACKSON!!! WHERE ARE YOU!?" After hearing that, he got up and tried shouting, but couldn't from his throat hurting. He quickly picked up a piece of grass, folding it together and blew as hard as he could. The pitch was so high it hurt my ears. The human would do one long pitched whistle, wait, do three short bursts, three long bursts, then three short ones again and ended the pattern by waiting 5 seconds then doing the long note again. "Stop it!" I swatted the grass from his hands. "WHY!? They're right there!" he said. "I cannot be seen by the towns people. They hate me, if you want to go back, leave my camp." I said. He sat there thinking about it. "I'll come back looking for you, I know you're not a bad creature. You wouldn't have watched over me if you were." He turned to me with a smile, "I promise I'll come back." Before I could say anything, he picked up another piece of grass, and started walking towards the shouts. Author's Note Interesting fact #1: All creatures are actually capable of consuming meat as a source protein but choose not either because it tastes bad or they feel sad for the animal the meat came from. Interestingly enough, a lot of creatures have taken on a diet of eating earth's meat, seeing that it's flavors aren't as potent as Equis' meat. Chapter 4This whole ordeal was exhausting, trying to explain why I ran into one of the most dangerous forests even known on both worlds to Mom and Dad is mortifying. The mere stupidness this scenario ensues is too much to bare, like the feeling of being caught red handed as a child with your hand in a cookie jar. I was currently sitting on a rock just outside the Everfree forest, a blanket draped over me while rescuers and EMT checked me over, making sure I didn't have any cuts or broken bones. Mom and Dad were sitting in front of me, both having a worried and scared expression from what happened to me. They both asking the same question of why I did this, or if I was chased out here in the middle of nowhere. During all of this a EMT handed me a cup of tea, its bitter taste sticking to my mouth. Ugh! I hate tea. I take another sip without reconsidering. No crying about it though. I sigh. I shouldn't have to put them through these hoops like this. Huuuuh, I should've just sat at a bench to cool down, this was all too much for everyone, even me... Fuck, how am I even gonna come up with a good apology for this? This is the first time I've actively ran away from home... "Jackson! please, just say something already! You've been gone for two days and nights!" Mom said, in a deep, sad tone in her voice. My heart ached from what she said. "What can I say? 'I'm sorry for running away and making you all having a heart attack?'" I set down the tea, looking up to both of them. "I know what I did was wrong, but nothing I say can change what I did. I am terribly sorry for it, for running off without saying anything then staying away for two days, I just... I don't even know, I guess I wanted to get my head clear." "By running? What's gotten into you!? you'd never do something like this! You're almost acting like the time when we got you with the head aches and all that stuff!" Dad shouted in anger. I didn't respond, only thinking... Shit, the head aches... Should I tell them? "Dean!" Mom said. "I'm sorry but its true!" Dad replied in a rebuttal. I pipe up quickly. "Its not like I wanted to! I just... got so mad, I don't know what came over me. I never meant to put anyone or myself at risk, but I was just so, angry. I've never even been that mad my whole life. I just didn't know what I was going to do, so I ran to the forest." I said, only telling them half the truth. There's no way in hell they can learn about the voice, it was hard hiding it when it started. "A new piece of information came into light, and it might explain why you did this." A new but familiar voice explained. We all looked over at the new arrival, it was Dinky from when we first arrived into town. "Ms. Doo, you were apart of the search team?" She walked up to us, taking a seat next to me and my parents. "No sadly, I wish I had the time though. I was suppose to check up on you guys a couple days after and seeing how he is doing." She said, flicking her head to me. Mom and Dad give a puzzling look. "You see, when humans arrive in Equestria for the first time, there reaction to magic is always kind of strange." "Strange how?" I ask. "Well, Humans aren't built for the use and release of magic. So what happens that it builds up in there system, and over time it bursts into whatever the creature is thinking of or doing. for instance, if a human were to come here happy and cheerful on a normal level, eventually the magic 'bubble' would pop and they would have a surge of the same feeling. The bubble pops can happen at any time, the earliest time ever recorded for it popping was half an hour." "So you're saying that if someone was say, depressed or mad, and the bubble popped, they would have those thoughts all of a sudden amplified?" I ask. She lowers her head in sadness. "Yes, I'm afraid so, it's why suicide rates for humans in Equestria are so high, most of them think coming to the 'happy go lucky' planet would make them happier, but in the end there depression and anxiety gets the better of them." "Is there anyway to know when the next bubble might pop?" Mom asked. Dinky picked her head up, "Well, the one good thing is that in nearly all cases, after having one magic pop, most humans never have another..." She finished with a light smile. "If its comfortable with you, could you tell us what you were talking about when you had your pop?" She asked looking over to me. I exhale having it turn into a sigh, "I was thinking about all my memories of my blood parents, and all the good times we had." I said, while looking at the dirt. "Ms. Doo, is there any chance that certain events or triggers that can make a bubble pop?" Mom asked, putting a worried hoof on my leg. I see where Mom is going with this, and I don't think she's wrong about it either. "Yes, there are. Do you know what might have triggered the pop?" Mom sighs. "I'm afraid so, my daughter said some not so polite things before Jackson went out." Dinky rubbed her chin with a hoof. "I see. I would imagine, you three would want to get home, I'll leave you for now." She stands up from her sitting position. "If there is anything of need, just get ahold of me through this number." She floats me a piece of paper. "have a good night, and I hope you all get home safe." "Ms.Doo, can I speak with you, in private." I ask. "Sure." She answered. I take off the blanket, leaving it on the rock. Walking off for a little distance while I catch up with her, putting the piece of paper in my pocket. I need to be sure this isn't just the bubble, to see if 'he' is back or not. "So, I was wondering, about the whole magic bubble thing, has there been any known cases of auditory hallucinations?" "Why? Are you hearing stuff you shouldn't be?" She asked with a worried face. "N-no, I was just curious. I think I might've heard about the bubble thing before I even knew what it was is all." I lie, trying to pass it off as nothing. "Well, no, but there has been a recent string of patients who have been effected by chaos magic that have had the problem." She gave another worried look. "Are you sure you're okay? If you aren't, you know its okay to ask." "Thank you for your concern, but really, I'm fine.... Wait, you make it sound like there's different kinds of magic." She rolls her eyes with a light smile. "I would love to give you a lesson about it, but yes, there is." She slightly shifts on her hoofs. "Chaos magic, unlike other magic is found to be a recurring thing in humans, the cases involving the magic have always been with mentally ill patients or patients that have been through traumatic experiences. Auditory hallucination is only one of the list of symptoms." "I see, well, that's all I wanted to know, thank you for your time." Great... I might be considered clinically insane now... Right before she was leaving, she gives me a look of worry and confusion. "What's wrong?" I ask. "You, have a nose bleed." She says. I reach up, feeling the warm liquid running down my face and onto my lips. "Huh, I guess I do," I say, as a slight headache starts forming in the back of my head. Ffffffffaaaaaathher. "Are you sure you're alright? You look like you just saw a ghost." She asks me, taking a step closer. I back away a little to keep space between us. "N-no, I'm fine, thank you again Dinky, but I should really get home." I say, cupping my nose. "No problem, and here," She floats me a tissue from out of nowhere. "thank you," I say, giving her a smile. "No problem." She finishes while giving me a wink.
Chapter 1 (edited)Author's Note Just an FYI, I use italic as quotes from when the character is thinking. Just so it a little easier to understand. Chapter 1 (edited) I watch as the scenery of trees and bushes from a distance pass by as the vehicle rides down the roads. The ever so light breeze pushing the summer leaves in a swirl, making the branches do an captivating dance. I look forward to see the driver of our vehicle, a man wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans. "Is everything alright sweetheart?" Mother asked. I look over to her. Her deep blue, slit equine eyes focused on me. "No, Mom. Just thinking is all." I look back towards the window, seeing if anything of interest is waiting for me to see it. I then feel a leathery wing on my shoulder. "Its alright to talk to me if you need to, you know that right?" I look back over to her with a light smile. "I know." She smiles back, her fangs showing. I look over her body. At full height she stood at around 4'7. Her dark blue coat seemed to absorb the light around her, her even darker blue mane has a couple loose strains that are out of place but still presentable while looking nice. Her Cutie-mark is a picture of a socket wrench with a flat head screwdriver crossing over it. It's sometimes a little strange thinking my Mom is a Thestral, but she's the best. I look back out the window, still bored and still waiting for us to finally stop. It sometimes seems funny to me, how much I've moved over the years. With Mom always finding new jobs, We've jumped from place to place a lot. But with dad finally being accepted into the Royal Guard of Equestria, he is able to pick any location of where he could be stationed. Ma and Pa took upon themselves to finally move one last time and settle for good. If I tried to count all the Places I've been, I'd probably have a book written by the time I was done. From Alaska all the way down to Hawaii I've been, I'm pretty sure the only states I haven't been in yet are the Dakotas and Wyoming. My original home state is Wisconsin, God do I miss it there. My blood relatives live there for the most part, so we always go and visit once and awhile. From that statement alone, If you haven't already guessed it, my answer is yes. I'm an adopted human child being raised by an Equine and a Hippogriff. Mom and Dad have always treated me right and so far, have what I would assume to be a pretty good job at raising me. Speaking of my Father, I'd say he is most likely the definition of a good Dad, although he does have his ups and downs once and awhile. But he's well respectable and has always given a helping hand when needed. Not to mention that he, mostly in my opinion, looks badass AF. He has a Bright white coat and feathers with a hint of yellow on the tips, his talons and back hooves a rustic yellow, along with his eyes. And with him standing at 5'5, packed with muscle and some of the greatest natural weapons he has, I'd be surprised if anyone wanted to mess with him. Unless they are a complete fool of course. Then there's my sisters. God they're annoying, but I love them either way. Lizzy, the eldest child of the three of us, has already moved out and is working towards her college stuff. She is blood related to me, she was there ever since the beginning, and has basically been my mom after everything happened with our real Mom and Dad. Then, there's my younger sister, Jade Moon. She's currently 13 and is entering 8th grade, but she acts younger than her age. With her also being a Thestral she almost looks exactly like Mom, except for the eyes, she has Dads eyes. I've never had a problem with her, and she's always a sweetheart who seemed ready around every corner with a cookie for you. She's sometimes shy, but once she opens up, there's no stopping her from talking your ears off. As for me though? I'm just your average run-of-the-mill human teen. Ha, that's a blatant lie. To be honest, I've never really seen myself as just one of the normal kids. But that could just be my mind playing tricks on me. I always had the mentality that I'm somewhat smarter than my other peers, and my parents agree. But only you know what you are really like, and I don't see myself fitting into the 'smart cookie' category any time soon. One thing I can agree on with everyone else though is that I'm strong. Yeah it's a little dumb to say that when I'm literally a mini hulk. Standing at 6'3 and a weight of 270 with not an ounce of fat on me. Yeah, that's not normal. I hate being this big. Everybody thinks I'm gonna knock them on their ass if they even look at me. Don't get me wrong, you piss me off good, I'll make sure you feel something. Dad says that I have a lot of potential for being some jackass that pushes everybody around, and yet surprising to him and to myself, I'm very patient. I have never blown a fuse or gone overboard. And it's not like I can't handle myself, sure. I've been in a couple fights here and there, but I was never the one to start it. I remember stories that my blood born father use to tell me when I was little, about how he would simply pick up a 100 pound bag of corn with one hand and easily throw it over ten yards without breaking a sweat, or how he would just simply dead lift a 500 pound Chevy engine block off the ground, moving it across a garage to put it in the back of a truck. Or when he just used to pick up 20 foot shaved pine lumber logs and walk around with it on his shoulder. I sometimes doubt the stories when thinking about it. But seeing how big I am without even doing hard labor or working out, I can definitely see it being true. "Mom, how long til we get to the portal station?" Jade asked. I look out over to the other side and see the Chicago airport. "we're already here squirt." I look back to her in the seat. "You ready to see where we're going?" She gets a really big smile. "Uh huh!" I looked over to Mom, as she watched us pulling up to the airport. "So where are we going? You never said anything to me or Jade this whole time." Mom looks to me with a smirk. "that's cause it's a surprise." "Are we still crossing the portal like you said?" I ask. "I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see." She says, looking away as a gleeful smile covers her face. We all get out of the vehicle as another one rolls up next to us. Mom walks over to the other car as Dad got out with a couple of our bags already on his back. "How was the drive for you?" She asked before leaning in for a smooch on his cheek. Dad gave her a light hug. "Good, nothing happened and everything is still here." He looks over to me as I close the car door. "Did Jade annoy you the whole time here?" He asked me jokingly. "No, it was quite peaceful actually." I walk over to the other car, and start to unload everything. "What time is our check up suppose to be?" Mom asked Dad. He looked down at his watch. "3:30, its currently 3:10. Looks like we're just on time." Me over hearing what Mom said, I look over to them. "So we are going to Equus." Mom unfolds her wing and jokingly does a 'hush' motion with the end of her wing against her mouth. I smile as I chuckle. They probably want to keep it a surprise for Jade. We eventually make it into the airport, I lean against a pillar as me and Jade wait for Mom and Dad to come back with our tickets. I watched as all sorts of creatures and people from all walks of life traverse through each other in the never ending sea of beings. "So what do you think it will be like? Where are we going?" Jade asked me. I look down to her. "Probably better than where we were in Chicago, I can tell you that. And you'll probably meet a lot more other creatures as well." I smile. She lays down on the ground, her hooves laying under her as she watches everybody moving around with me. "I sure hope so, but I do hope it's nice..." I look over to see Mom and Dad walking over with carts in tow with all our stuff, along with a new item. Our tickets. I walk over, meeting them halfway from the pillar. Jade does the same and follows me. "So, are you two ready?" Mom asks. Jade starts jumping up and down with excitement. "As I'll ever be." I simply say. All of us eventually make our way to the portals. We were next in line, we watched on as we saw the dragon that was ahead of us duck down and walk through the portal. All of us with tickets in hand, walk over to the guard next to the portal. "Where ya'll heading?" He asked. Probably to check and make sure we didn't steal them or something. Dad pipes up and answers the question. "Ponyville, a small town just south of Canterlot in Equestria." Ponyville? Why does that name sound familiar... I watched as he conducted a quick spell on the portal. It shifts a little then settles down with a slightly different color pattern than before. "All of you have a good day now. You can head on through." We all step through, Mom and Dad being first along with Jade right behind them. I then follow through. Okay, don't freak out, first time through a portal... Just, think about fishing... juuust think about fishing. I finally step in, and see Mom, Dad and Jade standing in place in what looks like a giant tunnel that has a rainbow swirl all around it. I walk up next to them. "Huh, this is way more different than I thought it would be." Mom chuckles. "ohh, it was a lot worse back then. Before, it would throw you to the other side without warning. And if you were lucky, the station you were going to had cushions and old bed mattresses for you to land on." "Yeah, I probably would've hated that." I say with a light hearted chuckle. Eventually, a section of the tube we were in clamped shut in front of us, then made a smooth wall. "Ah, here we go... Are you guys ready to see your new home town?!" Jade started jumping up and down with excitement again. "YAAAY!" Both Mom and Dad again take the lead with Jade right next to them with me in the back again. I step through the portal, the scenery quickly changed as it looked like we were inside of some sort of giant round building. This looks like a town hall, wait. Are you telling me this place is so cheap they couldn't afford even a small station outside of town? "Excuse me, are you the Sindelar family?" I look over, a unicorn filly with one of the lightest purple coats I've ever seen, blonde mane running down her neck and past her shoulders while holding a clipboard with what I can only guess is a light levitation spell. Not to mention she's almost drop dead gorgeous. "Yes that is technically us." Mother says. "And you are miss?" The new filly puts on a questioning glance towards us. "My name is Dinky Doo ma'am. Not to be rude, but what do you mean by technically?" Mom does a light sigh. "You see, when me and my husband got married we never decided on a last name. Over the years we forgot about it and when we adopted two human children who were siblings, we didn't know that their name would carry over and force us to take the name as well. We tried to change it over the years but it was too complicated and we're pretty much stuck with it at this point." Dinky shakes her head simply. "I see, I'm sorry that you ended up with a name you weren't happy with." Mom’s head shot back in surprise a little. "N-NO, its not that we don't like it, in fact we love it. We both sometimes get a little irritable about how it all happened." Miss Doo then takes her turn to pull her head back in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry. I meant no offense." Mom and Dad say the same line in unison. "None taken." Dinky puts on a smile. "Well then, would you like me to take you to your new property?" "That would be delightful Mrs. Doo." "It's Ms. Doo, and please. Just call me Dinky." She looks back to me with a wink, then continues to walk with a little bit more sway in her hips. Did she just...? Huh, I would've never guessed she was a spicsexual like me. I gotta admit, she is kinda cute. "Huuhum." My Dad grumbles. I look over to see him looking at me with a half cocked eye. Aaaaaand I got caught staring... Huuuh, I hate this fucking rule. I grumble. "huuugh, fine." I hand dad my phone. He leans over while handing my phone back. "Next time, don't make it look obvious. And you know to stay safe, last thing we nee-" "Y-yeah, yeah. I get it." I say. He chuckles a little while shaking his head. I lean over to him for a change. "And no, I'm not gonna follow through that easily. I have school and stuff." He shakes his head to himself. "Well as long as you know where your priorities are, you'll be fine." He looks at me again. "All I'm saying is, if you're gonna. Make sure you're smart about it. and don't let your mother find out." "Wait, you're supporting that kind of stuff?" I say as he looks away from me. "I have no idea what you're talking about son." He faces me again with a small smirk. We all eventually make it in front of a moderately nice house. a two story building with maybe even a basement. "Well kids, this is it." "Looks nice, probably even better inside." I say. Dinky walks up to us then hands Dad the clipboard. He quickly signs anything that needs tending to. "It seems that I'm no longer needed, if you have any questions, concerns or need help with anything. I'll be in town hall until 10. May all of you have a nice day." She walked past us as Mom simply replied 'you too.' As she passed me, her tail poked out to the side and brushed my arm lightly. I looked over to her as she gave me a light smile and her eyes fluttered while making her way back into town. "I'm keeping a close eye on you mister." Mom said. I look over to her. She had a face that I quite couldn't explain. "If you go and chase that tail, I'll know. And if she's really interested, she'll ask you out.... Don't even go after girls like that." I roll my eyes and sigh heavily. "Yes Ma, I know already." We all start walking towards the door, opening it while setting down all our stuff in the front. "I know you know, but sometimes you need to be reminded." I sigh in embarrassment. "So, I'm guessing it's rock paper scissors for rooms between me and Jade?" Mom looks to me. "No, it's already sorted out. You're upstairs to the left and she's across from you." She opens one of her bags and starts taking out lamps and side tables. "You two also have your own bathrooms, so there's no need for sharing." I start walking up the pair of stairs I just found. I open the door to my future room, seeing it bare of any furniture. "Welp, time to start unpacking." I put down one of the 'exstendo' bags that were filled with my stuff. Unzipping it I pull out my foldable bed frame for my memory foam mattress. Then my bed, some side tables of mine and so on. Soon enough my room was done. I head down stairs and see the kitchen and living room was already complete. "Wow, you guys went faster than usual." I see Jade laying on the couch reading one of her books. "You get your room done too?" She simply nods her head while having her nose deep in her book. I sit down next to her, turning on the TV. "Welp, mind as well just enjoy some alone time while I have it."
chapter 3Warm blood ran down my arms, the pistol I hold slathered in the same red ooze. The same ooze dripping from the man in front of me. How could this happen. Why did this happen!? I don't want to be here, not again. The pistol drops to the floor as I try to vomit, the liquid in my stomach getting caught in my throat. I Land on my hands and knees, coughing as blood starts seeping from my mouth as I see a thread of what was stuck in my windpipe. long black oil slick tentacles writhing against my lips and along the roof of my mouth. I reached up to touch them, but the closer I got, the more they retreated into my throat, pushing its self down towards my stomach where it resides. I reach into my mouth, trying to grab anything of this 'thing' that's inside me. But it was too late. I felt it reestablish its home in my stomach, it writhing even more, it knowing I was trying to pull it out of its host. Fear washes over me again, my hands running over my stomach hoping there was a way for it to be forced out, all I could do was scream. "NO! Please, no. You're the one who did this! You're the one that made me this way." Looking up their was a mirror in front of me now, instead of the lifeless dead body. I put a hand against the mirror, it showing myself in my younger years, when I was a kid. Everything was different though, I looked angered beyond reason, blood running down my cheeks, the burning hatred in my eyes even scare me now. I tried to look away, something was stopping me though. The same long black tentacles were wrapped around my head and neck from the back. I was being choked, I reached up to get rid of them, my hands where tied to the faucet of the sink. A lone figure stood behind me in the mirror, just out of the light. "Why are you trying to leave me? You ARE the one who created me in the first place, father." He steps forward towards the light, his slick frame was made up of the same black oil slicked tentacles. "And now we get to be together forever..." Everything around me started to melt, the floors dripping with the scenery of that fateful night. The mirror in front of me, turning to a puddle. I watched in horror, the being behind me started opening up, its insides squiggling around wanting me. "No, plea-" A piece of the monster covered my mouth. "Hush father, we are together now. There is no need to fear." It started wrapping its self around me, the tiny cold appendages digging into my flesh, drawing fresh blood. I tried to scream, but as soon as I opened my mouth, the part of him in my throat connected to the outside. All I could do was fall over convulsing on the floor as I watched more of him cover my face, then finally my eyes. Straight Arrow The smell of maple wood burning filled my nostrils, the feeling of heat on my back from the fire comforting me. I moved my olive green hoof slightly to my right, watching the human in front of me in his non-moving state. How I found this creature has to have been one of the strangest occurrences. I was waiting on an old rabbit trail I use to put snare traps on, seeing if any other critters use it. I was just about to leave right before I saw this human running towards me from the south while I was still in the tree. It seemed he seen me after a little, then just suddenly collapsed to the ground. Seeing I couldn't leave him here in the middle of nowhere, I had to move some of my supplies to this temporary base, just so I could look after him for the time being. He's been asleep for almost two days now... Should I go into town for help? I look over to the west, seeing the sun sink into the tree line. I sigh, Guess it's a little late for that. I Get up to go and fetch some food for myself, I wander towards my drying rack off in the distance that has a rabbit hanging off of it from a piece of cordage, the kill I bagged just this morning. The taste of meat is still a little hard to stomach once and a while, but I've come to understand that I need to eat it for protein to stay strong and healthy. I remember the first day when I had to eat meat. I vomited for almost an hour straight, or what felt like an hour. I chuckle from the not so funny memory. I was about to pull down the rabbit when a small shuffle of leaves come from behind me, then a light moan. Is it finally up? I look back to the fire, seeing one of its arms moving up to its head. I calmly walk over to my bow, making sure it was strung and an arrow knocked on the string. I needed to be ready for what ever might happen between me and this human. Another light grown comes from his non-moving body, then a grunt. Finally, he leans up from his resting position, a hand on his head and another low growl vibrating through his throat. "Jesus, what happened to me?" The creature asked. I pull back the string lightly just as the creatures eyes land on me, a look of horror plastered on his face. "Uh, that's not for me, is it?" He asks, sitting up more. I slowly inhale as I try and push words through my voice box, but being mute for almost a year is making it difficult. I open my mouth, and effortlessly to my surprise, what I wanted to say came out. "Only if you are dumb enough to make me shoot you." The human seemed to calm down a bit after what I said. He licked his lips, or at least tried to from how dry his mouth is. He looked back to me, his young eyes seeing what I could only imagine is a stranger in the middle of the woods pointing a arrow at him in a not so friendly way. His voice did not carry far from what he said next. "Water, I need water." I slowly release tension on the string, lowering the bow as to not have it pointing to the strange being that I had to move camp for. "I'll go and fetch some for you," I walk through camp towards the river, passing by the drying rack. I stop and face him again, "You humans are carnivores, right?" I look back to see him shaking his head lightly. I take the rabbit from the rack, throwing it to him. He catches it effortlessly. "Skin and gut that for me while I go and get some water from the river." Watching him admire the kill I got was something I didn't expect, I thought he would be screaming or at least drop the rabbit on the ground. "And if you try anything, I will shoot an arrow right through your heart." I turn around with my bow on my back, making my way to the river. Returning back to camp with a small bucket filled to the brim, along with some crayfish I found, I could see the camp has changed a little while I was gone. The fire seemed to die down quite a bit, but new logs were already on it. There was also a new edition, a pile of twigs and thicker branches were right next to the fire. Looking around camp, my human compadre was no where to be seen. Great, is he hiding in a tree or something? To answer me, he came from the other side of camp, carrying more wood, sweating up a storm. walking over to him, he looks at the bucket of water I was carrying. Before I could put it on the fire, I was stopped by his question. "What water from?" his crackly dry voice barely saying anything. Bucket handle still in my mouth I try answering him. "A rifver. I goda boil it befor drinkin it." I put it on the coals from the fire. The human without warning pulled the bucket off the fire, cupping his hands into the bucket and bringing them to his mouth, drinking as much water as he could at once. "Hey! You cant drink it!" He looked up to me, water running down his neck and face. "Its fine. I have a better chance catching something from well water." He takes some more scoops of water with his hands, drinking the cool liquid. "How do you know? You're probably just some city-creature that talks to big." I take a step towards him, knowing I should get the bucket away from him. "You don't fuckin know me trotter. For all you know I'm a Boy Scout that knows too much." The human settled down into a sitting position in front of the fire. He promptly put the bucket onto the fire where I put it originally. "Are you?" I ask. The human chuckles. "No, but I lived in the woods until I was 10." Something I didn't realize until now, is the rabbit was already on the fire, cooking. I ignore it for the meantime as another question comes to mind. "Your parents dropped you off in the woods and left you or something?" "No," The human crosses his legs, trying to get more comfortable. "My parents moved out into the wilderness when me and my sister were young. My Dad taught me everything about the outdoors, and my mom taught me how to take care of myself." His parents taught him on purpose? Huh, I never would have guessed it. "Why are you out here then? Did your parents move out here?" I ask. He chuckles, a light smile crossing his face. "I wish. No, I had, a sort of rage attack while talking to my little sister. I walked out, trying to calm down. I got chased out of town when someone tried talking to me, and well, I ended up here." He looked down, seeming to find something interesting in the dirt before him. I look to him in wonder, "Rage attack?" He had a hard time coming up with something, The words seemingly evading him. "Have you ever had something in you that feels natural, but is almost, evil in nature? Like.... A killing instinct that's conscious?" "A conscious killing instinct? Like you're being fed feelings that want you to kill?" "Sort of like that... But it's more than that though. Like, it's a ghost that watches your back, but it's apart of you." "I'm sorry, I do not know what you mean." "Its fine. Gotta get over it eventually." I lay a hoof over the top of my other, resting my head while looking into the fire, then to the human. He seemed to be looking to his surroundings, looking for something. "something wrong?" "Which way is back to the town? I can't remember the way I entered." He looked over to the west, most likely watching the sun. "You are staying here tonight. Too far to walk, wolves are watching the trails tonight." I say, looking back into the fire. The human stood up, looking to the north. "teh, wolves. I ain't scared of no damn wolves. Which way?" He said looking to me. I turn my head towards the west, giving my head a flick, signaling the way towards town. The creature started walking right before I heard leaves rustling having him stop in his tracks. It wasn't long before he returned to camp. He sighed, walking back over to the fire, sitting down. "thought you were not scared?" I ask him. "I'm not, but those wolves aren't normal. They're not scared of humans, I would have gone either way, but I'm too weak right now." He says, poking at the dirt with a stick he picked up. "I think you are just scared and don't say it." He gave me a look, a look that no creature has ever given me. Sending shivers down my back, I gulp. "Sorry, just joking." The human sighed. "Its fine, I just wanna get home is all." He looked to me, "So, What's up with you? Why are you out here?" I sigh, "Well, when I was young, my parents disappeared. They just up and vanished without anyone knowing what happened to them. about a year after that, I was walking through town and heard a scream. I went and seen what was happening. A filly my age was being chased by a Manticore, nobody was stepping in to help her. The ponies around me watching said they should just wait for the Elements of Harmony to show up and save her. She was about to be killed, so I shot it. I killed the manticore in one shot, and everyone was disgusted with me, they called me a monster. I was eventually pushed to the forest, seeing nobody wanted me around." Now you are probably going to think the same as the others... "What a bunch of bullshit." The human had a hand on his head. "I always thought Equestrias ways of dealing with evil creatures was stupid and dangerous. You my friend, did a good thing." My heart stopped for a moment from what he said. "W-what?" "Other people might call you a monster, but I would have to say otherwise." the human said, giving me a light smile. "How so?" I asked. He stretched out his back then leaned forward again watching the fire. "I read about Equestria from some new history books nobody was using in my high school. I learned about the Elements along with Celestia and all the hardships they faced and so on. to be honest, it all could've been handled better. But what caught my off guard was how Ponyville, the past home of princess Twilight was under attack from this very forest almost all the time. I brought all that up because of how in danger that town is in to begin with, I mean for fuck sake, Manticore numbers are so high in this forest that the town has an alarm if one or two end up stray in the middle of town." "But what does Equestrias history have to do with me killing a creature for another being?" I ask, my voice rising a little in anger. "You bringing down that Manticore did save a creature from death, but you also protected other beings that might have come across the very same manticore. If you would have let the beast get that filly, what would stop it from coming back into town and getting another?" "But what about the people who said that I did wrong?" I asked, staring into his eyes. Without warning, he gained a smile, and chuckled to himself. "Fuck'em, who needs the opinion of the population when you know you're doing good to begin with. If they find it wrong, teach them why you needed to do it in the first place. And if they even then say its wrong, then fuck'em. The only exception to this is when if its someone close to you that questioned why you did it, you might want to see if it was wrong or not." I was shocked, but also relieved that I found reasoning to even begin forgiving myself for the Manticore incident. This creature, no, this human I have took care of the past two days had no idea who I was or what my motives were when he woke up. And yet he acted like nothing bad was ever happening, he didn't question anything, even after telling him about why I'm out in this forest to begin with. These hooves have done a lot of things over the years I have been in this forest, is it maybe time for me to stop, and live normally? I look up towards him, seeing him put more logs on the fire, then sitting down while warming his hands. "What's your name?" I ask. "Sorry? I didn't catch that." "What is your name, if you don't mind me asking." Right before he was going to continue his sulking, he stopped. My ears started to pick up yells and screams to the west, then a voice was clear enough to understand. "JACKSON!!! WHERE ARE YOU!?" After hearing that, he got up and tried shouting, but couldn't from his throat hurting. He quickly picked up a piece of grass, folding it together and blew as hard as he could. The pitch was so high it hurt my ears. The human would do one long pitched whistle, wait, do three short bursts, three long bursts, then three short ones again and ended the pattern by waiting 5 seconds then doing the long note again. "Stop it!" I swatted the grass from his hands. "WHY!? They're right there!" he said. "I cannot be seen by the towns people. They hate me, if you want to go back, leave my camp." I said. He sat there thinking about it. "I'll come back looking for you, I know you're not a bad creature. You wouldn't have watched over me if you were." He turned to me with a smile, "I promise I'll come back." Before I could say anything, he picked up another piece of grass, and started walking towards the shouts. Author's Note Interesting fact #1: All creatures are actually capable of consuming meat as a source protein but choose not either because it tastes bad or they feel sad for the animal the meat came from. Interestingly enough, a lot of creatures have taken on a diet of eating earth's meat, seeing that it's flavors aren't as potent as Equis' meat.
Chapter 4This whole ordeal was exhausting, trying to explain why I ran into one of the most dangerous forests even known on both worlds to Mom and Dad is mortifying. The mere stupidness this scenario ensues is too much to bare, like the feeling of being caught red handed as a child with your hand in a cookie jar. I was currently sitting on a rock just outside the Everfree forest, a blanket draped over me while rescuers and EMT checked me over, making sure I didn't have any cuts or broken bones. Mom and Dad were sitting in front of me, both having a worried and scared expression from what happened to me. They both asking the same question of why I did this, or if I was chased out here in the middle of nowhere. During all of this a EMT handed me a cup of tea, its bitter taste sticking to my mouth. Ugh! I hate tea. I take another sip without reconsidering. No crying about it though. I sigh. I shouldn't have to put them through these hoops like this. Huuuuh, I should've just sat at a bench to cool down, this was all too much for everyone, even me... Fuck, how am I even gonna come up with a good apology for this? This is the first time I've actively ran away from home... "Jackson! please, just say something already! You've been gone for two days and nights!" Mom said, in a deep, sad tone in her voice. My heart ached from what she said. "What can I say? 'I'm sorry for running away and making you all having a heart attack?'" I set down the tea, looking up to both of them. "I know what I did was wrong, but nothing I say can change what I did. I am terribly sorry for it, for running off without saying anything then staying away for two days, I just... I don't even know, I guess I wanted to get my head clear." "By running? What's gotten into you!? you'd never do something like this! You're almost acting like the time when we got you with the head aches and all that stuff!" Dad shouted in anger. I didn't respond, only thinking... Shit, the head aches... Should I tell them? "Dean!" Mom said. "I'm sorry but its true!" Dad replied in a rebuttal. I pipe up quickly. "Its not like I wanted to! I just... got so mad, I don't know what came over me. I never meant to put anyone or myself at risk, but I was just so, angry. I've never even been that mad my whole life. I just didn't know what I was going to do, so I ran to the forest." I said, only telling them half the truth. There's no way in hell they can learn about the voice, it was hard hiding it when it started. "A new piece of information came into light, and it might explain why you did this." A new but familiar voice explained. We all looked over at the new arrival, it was Dinky from when we first arrived into town. "Ms. Doo, you were apart of the search team?" She walked up to us, taking a seat next to me and my parents. "No sadly, I wish I had the time though. I was suppose to check up on you guys a couple days after and seeing how he is doing." She said, flicking her head to me. Mom and Dad give a puzzling look. "You see, when humans arrive in Equestria for the first time, there reaction to magic is always kind of strange." "Strange how?" I ask. "Well, Humans aren't built for the use and release of magic. So what happens that it builds up in there system, and over time it bursts into whatever the creature is thinking of or doing. for instance, if a human were to come here happy and cheerful on a normal level, eventually the magic 'bubble' would pop and they would have a surge of the same feeling. The bubble pops can happen at any time, the earliest time ever recorded for it popping was half an hour." "So you're saying that if someone was say, depressed or mad, and the bubble popped, they would have those thoughts all of a sudden amplified?" I ask. She lowers her head in sadness. "Yes, I'm afraid so, it's why suicide rates for humans in Equestria are so high, most of them think coming to the 'happy go lucky' planet would make them happier, but in the end there depression and anxiety gets the better of them." "Is there anyway to know when the next bubble might pop?" Mom asked. Dinky picked her head up, "Well, the one good thing is that in nearly all cases, after having one magic pop, most humans never have another..." She finished with a light smile. "If its comfortable with you, could you tell us what you were talking about when you had your pop?" She asked looking over to me. I exhale having it turn into a sigh, "I was thinking about all my memories of my blood parents, and all the good times we had." I said, while looking at the dirt. "Ms. Doo, is there any chance that certain events or triggers that can make a bubble pop?" Mom asked, putting a worried hoof on my leg. I see where Mom is going with this, and I don't think she's wrong about it either. "Yes, there are. Do you know what might have triggered the pop?" Mom sighs. "I'm afraid so, my daughter said some not so polite things before Jackson went out." Dinky rubbed her chin with a hoof. "I see. I would imagine, you three would want to get home, I'll leave you for now." She stands up from her sitting position. "If there is anything of need, just get ahold of me through this number." She floats me a piece of paper. "have a good night, and I hope you all get home safe." "Ms.Doo, can I speak with you, in private." I ask. "Sure." She answered. I take off the blanket, leaving it on the rock. Walking off for a little distance while I catch up with her, putting the piece of paper in my pocket. I need to be sure this isn't just the bubble, to see if 'he' is back or not. "So, I was wondering, about the whole magic bubble thing, has there been any known cases of auditory hallucinations?" "Why? Are you hearing stuff you shouldn't be?" She asked with a worried face. "N-no, I was just curious. I think I might've heard about the bubble thing before I even knew what it was is all." I lie, trying to pass it off as nothing. "Well, no, but there has been a recent string of patients who have been effected by chaos magic that have had the problem." She gave another worried look. "Are you sure you're okay? If you aren't, you know its okay to ask." "Thank you for your concern, but really, I'm fine.... Wait, you make it sound like there's different kinds of magic." She rolls her eyes with a light smile. "I would love to give you a lesson about it, but yes, there is." She slightly shifts on her hoofs. "Chaos magic, unlike other magic is found to be a recurring thing in humans, the cases involving the magic have always been with mentally ill patients or patients that have been through traumatic experiences. Auditory hallucination is only one of the list of symptoms." "I see, well, that's all I wanted to know, thank you for your time." Great... I might be considered clinically insane now... Right before she was leaving, she gives me a look of worry and confusion. "What's wrong?" I ask. "You, have a nose bleed." She says. I reach up, feeling the warm liquid running down my face and onto my lips. "Huh, I guess I do," I say, as a slight headache starts forming in the back of my head. Ffffffffaaaaaathher. "Are you sure you're alright? You look like you just saw a ghost." She asks me, taking a step closer. I back away a little to keep space between us. "N-no, I'm fine, thank you again Dinky, but I should really get home." I say, cupping my nose. "No problem, and here," She floats me a tissue from out of nowhere. "thank you," I say, giving her a smile. "No problem." She finishes while giving me a wink.
