Chapter 2
"A New World"
Act II - Roses are Red
There I was, once a young adult, laying down in the same bed, the same hospital, the same world. The first traces of sunlight began filling my room, as I stared at the same windown, the same landscape, still unsure on how I ended up that way.
It was mid-afternoon, when the sun reached it´s highest peak in the sky, that the room´s door opened, with a creaking noise, and a scent of roses that was caught by my nostrils. A woman´s voice began talking, asking about my well being and presented herself as Roseluck. I ignored it all since I didn´t knew her and thought I didn´t own her any favors, so I remain silent, looking to the opposite way of her.
What´s the matter? Cat got your tongue. - she said in playful tone, I remained silent. She let out a sigh, presumably because of my continous silence, but then she added one question - Could you at least tell me who you are?
You want to know who I am? - I finally spoke.
Ha! So you do talk. Here I thought I would be speaking to myself all the time - she said, still in a playful manner.
I let out a small smile as response to her comment. I turned my body till the point my head faced the ceiling and closed my eyes thinking why was she there. She remained silent during the whole process, like she was waiting for me to talk. I turned my head sufficiently enough to see her and, well, I didn´t knew back then, but something was blooming in my heart at that moment, something I thought I would never feel again, specially in that kind of world.
You want to know who I am, yet, Roseluck, your name is solely what I know about you. With that said, I´ll only talk, if you answer some questions for me first.
Seems fair. So, what is it you want to know?
For starters, how did I end up here?
To my question she stood silent, thinking of a worthy answer, as I waited patiently.
About a week ago, - she began - as I was finishing cleaning up my flower shop in the evening, I heard a loud noise coming from the front door, almost like somepony was banging at it. Looking to it I saw a pony figure and thinking it was another client I went to the door to tell him I was closing, but when I opened it, a pony fell to the ground like some dead weight, that pony was you. Seeing you were bleeding immensely from your head I immeaditely called an ambulance and they brought you here. - when she finished she let out a sigh - Hope that answers your question. - she said with a smile - Any more questions? - she then added.
You said you worked in flower shop, is that correct?
It is. I have a little shop a few miles from here, if you want I can give you directions.
I´ll gladly accept them, but where exactly is "here"?
Well, this establishment is Ponyville´s Hospital.
Ponyville? What kind of name stupid is that? - I said with a smirk.
Don´t ask me, I´m just a florist. Speaking of which, I have a shop to attend to.
Until next time then, Roseluck.
Goodbye Mister...?
Michael. Michael Fortmort. - said I with confidence.
Michael Fortmort? - she stood at the door in a thinking state - I think we have a new contender for stupidest name we´ve heard. - she said, which then she proceeded to leave the room laughing out loud.
It isn´t that funny. - said I, annoyed, speaking to myself. I let out a big sigh and closed my eyes as the room fell in to silence. I started thinking if it was luck or coincidence that I had befriend someone, or at least I thought I did, even if it was pony being new to that world. I was anxious to leave the hospital and head off to Roseluck´s flower shop, but then a question hit me. What was I doing in that world to begin with?
Act III - Power
Great things happen to those who chose the right path to take.
Uh! Is anyone there? - said I half asleep.
Greetings descendant of mine. Welcome to my own dimension, simply called X.
Dimension X?!
That is the name of it. This is where, from millenium to millenium, one of your kind is given the task to protect the lives of many. In this millenium, you are the chosen one.
One of my kind? - I said, confused - But I´m not a pony, I´m human, or atleast was. Why would I be chosen for such task?
It seems no one as yet told your origins young one, but don´t worry. Sooner or later, you will find the truth about you and your life.
About my life?! What do you mean?
You might not know this, but you will be a very important person. The fate of two worlds lies solely on you.
What two worlds? In fact, what the hell are you talking about?
I´ll try to explain. This world known as Equestria is a parallel universe to your planet, Earth. Both of them are in danger due to a rupture in space making so that the two planets will collapse against it eachother, if something isn´t done of course.
-But what do I have to do with this and why was I chosen to do this in the first place?
You´re part of a lineage that I created known as "Descendants", a group of humans and ponies which, from millenium to millenium, one of them is chosen to defend the lives of many.
So I´m stuck here, in this body, till I complete this task given upon me?
I´m afraid so and this task ahead of you will be difficult, something you won´t be able to do alone. Farewell for now, descendant.
The world began to fade, turning itself into a black void, then, all of the sudden, a bright light flashed before my eyes making me close them. When I opened them, I was still in the hospital bed, in the same shape and form. Two days passed since my "dimensional encounter". By then I was used to being in that body, althoug my head met the ground too many times for my liking.
I finally knew the reason as to why I was in that world, I just didn´t know the pain it would take to complete it.
Act IV - Home Sweet Home
I was released from the hospital and ready for my own personal adventure, problem was I didn´t have any clue on what to do from that moment beyond.
As the sunset began disappearing in the horizon, I went to the only place I could think of, Roseluck´s flower shop. While heading there I felt strange, being the first time I walked on a part of that new world, I found it peaceful, even with a small crowd on the streets, all different sizes and races of ponies, and colorful world it was may I add. Yet, I had a strange feeling that I was being glared at by many of them, I looked at my entire body to see if something was weird, but I only found wings attached to it and there many others like me. After I was transferred to that world I didn´t know how I looked, wheter you believe it or not, so I head to the nearest mirror to have a good look at me. Across my left eye was a big scar that almost reached my chin, other than that everything seemed normal. My hair, or mane as they called it, was small, brown, "just woke up from bed" style and, as I mentioned earlier, I had wings, so long story short, I was a dark blue, messy hair, big scar on my face pegasus. Trying to ignore the glares and the whispers, I reached Roseluck´s flower shop, a small little establishment with all sort of flowers on the front of it. From the large window, that allowed other ponies to see the interior, I saw Roseluck, arranging a bouquet of roses with such tender and care. Don´t know why, but it simply amazed me. Shortly after, Roseluck noticed me and said hello, in a form of waving, and invited me in to the shop.
I gladly went in and was immediately swepted away by the aroma of roses, tulipes, daisies and by other flowers I can´t remember. There were so many, some in shelves, others on the ground near the entrance, there was also vases and bags with seeds of a variety of flowers. A service desk faced the large window, which was situated on the right of the entrance door, of which was made enterily of wood.
Look who´s out of the hospital. - she said while she continued to arrange the bouquet.
I was released from the hospital this fine evening. How have you been doing? - I said while looking at some flowers on shelves.
I´m actually quite fine, I have been getting alot of clients, weddings and all. Every bride and bridesmaid has to have a bouquet, so I´m here slaving over these flowers. So how was your first time here in Ponyville?
It was...unusual, to say the least, I guess I´m just not used to these surroundings. Hey, do you need help with those? - I asked, heading towards the table Roseluck was making thwe bouquets.
Don´t worry, I don´t need any help with this. Besides, I´m sure you have more important stuff to do.
Actually, I don´t even have a place to stay here in Ponyville. That evening you found me was pretty much the time I spent in this place, so I insist on helping. - I said while picking up some of the flowers on the table. With the realisation of my situation I saddened, I had no home, no family, or what was rest of it, no clue on how to get out of that world. Roseluck, still making the bouquets with the same care and tender, spoke to me in a playful manner.
You´re telling me that you haven´t been in Ponyville since that evening I found you and you got into trouble just like that. You must be one troublesome colt. - she said with a smile.
Troublesome colt? Would a troublesome colt be here making bouquets with such perfection. - said I, holding up the said bouquet with my two hoofs.
She looked at it for a few moment, then started gigling. I confused, questioned the reason of why was she gigling. She took the bouquet, then she hold it in front of me and said.
If you call perfection broken twigs, as well the petals, the lack of focus on making the flowers color match with eachother and the fact that the lasso isn´t properly tied, then yes, it´s perfect. - she said, with a serious look on her face.
Sorry, I have never actually done this kind of thing. - I said nervously. Her face lighten up and she giggled.
I can see that. Don´t worry, you´ll get the hang of it, if you practice. - she said.
Practice? - said I curiously.
Well, I assume you don´t have a job considering the so little time you´ve spent in Ponyville, of course not taking in account the time you were in the hospital, so I´m willing to give you one. What do you say?
I don´t have much of a choice. - said I with an ironic smile.
There is some conditions though. Hospital bills aren´t free and if it wasn´t for me, you´d still be in a pool of blood, so I´m afraid you´ll have to work for free. - she said emphasising the words "for free", with eyes that I swear were looking through my soul. - But don´t think it´s all bad stuff, since you also don´t have a house, I´ll let you sleep here in the shop.
I just have one question. How am I gonna sleep here?
Follow me. - she said as she went into a separate room of the shop. I followed her into the room. - Welcome to what I like to call " The Break Room", the room where I relax when I feel like getting away from the costumers. You can sleep on the couch, there´s some books on the shelves to the right of the couch, of you feel like reading. It´s not exactly a mansion, but I think it´ll do you just fine.
Well, there isn´t much I can say, but thank you. You saved my life, paid the hospitals bills, give a job and a place to sleep to a stranger. I´ll gladly work for free till I repay my debt to you. I won´t let you let down Roseluck, I mean, boss.
Roseluck is fine Michael. From your words, I´ll assume your answer to my job offer is a yes.
Of course it is. See you tomorrow, Roseluck.
Goodnight Michael.
After that, she left the shop closing the door, as I stood in the same spot I was with a dumb smile in my face, wondering what I had gotten myself into.
As my eyes got used to the dark room I stared, layed down on the couch, to the ceiling thinking on what I had to do to get out of that world, even though I didn´t have a clue on anything. But, part of me wanted to stay in that world and work for Roseluck. Maybe, just maybe, be even more than an employee. As quickly that thought came to my mind it was swept away from it, it would never work. I wasn´t truly a pony, just some human trapped in a body of one, in an unknown world. I decided that was enough thinking and closed my eyes, falling asleep shortly after.
I had to think of something to get out of that world, but did I really wanted to?
Chapter 3 - Surprise at Night
Chapter 3
"Surprise at Night"
Act V - Just a Normal Day
And so, a dawn of a new day struck my face as I waited outside the shop for Roseluck. I shivered, as the cold wind passed trough my unprotective body, wandering to myself why I couldn´t just wait for her inside the shop, but my stubborn ways kept me waiting in the freezing cold. After a little while longer, I heard a voice speaking to me.
Michael, are you trying to catch a cold?! - she said, suprised.
Not exactly. - said I with a hoof behind my head and a dumb smile in my face.
Oh, I see. You´re trying to skip work by getting sick, arent you?
Please, I can think of better ways to skip work. - said I, blinking an eye.
Let´s just hope you don´t put them into practice, you only have one functioning eye because of those stitches and most of the time you´re actually helpful to me. Now let´s get inside, I´ll make some coffee for us.
Don´t you worry, even with one eye I can still do this job. - said I confindently - Besides, they´re going be removed next week, so no worries.
Just get inside and, for your sake, don´t do this again unless you have a jacket or something warm to wear, okay. - she said entering the shop and heading towards the coffee maker.
Sorry, it´s just I can´t wait to show you my surprise. - said I, as I entered the shop aswell.
So then, what´s the surprise you can´t wait to show me - she said, handing me a cup of coffee. I took a sip of coffee and said with a smile.
That´s for later at night, so I can´t tell you, otherwise it wouldn´t be a surprise.
Then why were you outside in the cold?
You know, I don´t even know myself. - said I laughing.
You´re one strange colt, you know that?
Unfornately, I can´t deny that fact, so yeah, I know I´m strange. - said I smiling. Roseluck smiled back at me and we finished drinking our coffee.
The rest of the day went as a normal working day at the flower shop. Greeting costumers, making bouquets, of which I had learn how to do, helping colts or mares decide which are the best flowers for their special someone, all that jazz.
Act VI - A Simple Walk
As the sun perished over the eastern mountains, our work was done at the flower shop and we head off to the forest that was know as the "Everfree Forest". The streets were quiet and almost empty being so late at night. I was leading the way while Roseluck was just a few steps behind me. The beginning of the trip there went fairly silent, until it was broken by Roseluk when she asked a question.
Can you tell me why do we have to go to the Everfree Forest at this time of the night?
It´s where I´ll show you my surprise. Why do you ask? Scared? - said I, emphasising the word "scared", almost sounding arrogant.
A little, yes. - she said with an embarrassed smile.
Don´t worry fair maiden, I´ll protect thee against any monsters we may encounter in our journey through the forest. - said I with a hoof in my chest, confindently and playfully at the same time.
My knight in shiny armor. - she said, in an ironic tone - Now come on, let´s go see this surprise of yours.
You know what, - said I, returning to our normal pacing towards the forest - I kinda like it here.
Oh really!
Really, it´s a nice change from the loud, over-crowded city I used to live in.
And where did you used to live, if you don´t mind me asking.
I´m sure you´ve never heard of it, but, Manhattan City rings any bells?
So you´re from Manehattan City. I´ve always wanted to visit it since I went there as a filly. I heard the parks in the Summer are filled with the most beautiful, aromatic flowers in all Equestria.
I think you misunderstood me, I said Man-hattan, not Mane-ha...never mind, forget what I just said.
Something wrong? -she said with a worried tone of voice.
Oh, it´s nothing, really.
Are you sure?
Yeah, I´m sure. No need to be worried.
If you say so. - she said. Our trip faded into silence again for a while. Roseluck broke the silence once more with a question, only this time she sounded more worried - Michael, I´ve noticed since I gave you the key to the shop you´ve been wandering throughout the night, only to comeback around seven o´clock in the morning.
Your point being?
Why did you leave the shop at those hours? You must have a reason to do so.
I was actually planning on going there. C´mon, follow me, we must hurry. - said I as I began running.
Wait up!
We ran through corners, parks, dirt and grass untill we reached the location, a nightclub by the name "Bottom of the Barrel". Like any other nightclub it had loud music, expensive drinks, a long line outside of it, but that wasn´t the case at that time. The club only opened at around four in the morning, so the place wasn´t crowded. Roseluck asked what we were doing there and I casually said I had gotten a job as a bartender there in order to repay her much faster, I opened the door and we went inside. The inside was like the outside, silent, big, spacious and with lots of lighting, except that were some ponies in there, some bartenders, the DJ and the manager, to be more specific. I went to talk to one of the bartenders named Sangria, a friend of mine in the club.
Hey Sangria. This is Roseluck, a friend of mine and sort of my boss - said I.
Hey Michael, Roseluck, what´s up? - she said, cleaning the bar counter.
I was wondering if you could cover my shift for tonight?
Sure, I wont let a friend miss his date because of work, but dating your boss, c´mon now.
It isn´t a date.
It isn´t? - said Rosleuck behind me. Upon hearing that, surprised by the question, words spewed out of my mouth as I tried to explain to Roseluck it wasn´t a date, realising, a few seconds later, she was joking with me. Roseluck stood in front of me with a grin on her face, Sangria laughing so loud anyone in there could hear her and I with a tomato colored face.
Will you cover my shift or not? - said I facing Sangria.
No problem. Enjoy your date.
Don´t worry, we will. - said Roseluck, laughing.
It´s not a date. - said I, before those two bursted into laughter once more. I turned to Roseluck - Shall we go?
She agreed and with that we began leaving the club to head towards the Everfree Forest. We went through thick vegetation, trees, and darkness in that forest, thankfully, I knew where I was going and finally lead Roseluck to my surprise. Somewhere in that forest there was a small patch of flowers, almost in a shape of a circle, the vegetation and the trees grew around the patch and we could see the moon and stars up in the night sky, but that wasn´t all. As the moon was directly above us, it´s light shined in the numerous flowers on the ground making they light up like lightbulbs beneath and around us as we laid down on our backs looking at them.
I´ve never seen flowers like these, how did you find them? - Roseluck said.
I came across these flowers on one of my night strolls. From what I could figure, they glow like this when the moon light hits them, as to why it does that I don´t know, I guess I was just lucky to find these.
This is beautiful Michael, but why couldn´t we just fly here instead of going through the forest? I´m not that heavy you know. - Roseluck said, still laid down on the flowers.
Hum...there´s a good reason for that. I sort off don´t know how to fly. - said I, a little embarrassed. Roseluck was more astouned than anything.
You don´t know how to fly? But you´re a pegasus, you should know how to fly. - she said. I hesitated a bit, but then said,
I rather not talk about it. - said I , looking the opposite way of Roseluck, trying to hide the sadness in my voice.
Sorry, I didn´t mean to insult you. It´s just, you caught me off guard with your answer.
It´s okay, I´m just glad you like my surprise. - said I, facing her again.
How did you figure out I would like this? - she said, ironically.
Lucky guess, althought that tatto of yours helped a bit.
You don´t know what a cutie mark is?
Cutie...mark? - said I, confused.
Michael, answer me this. - she said in a serious tone - What are you?
Caught by surprise by her question I remained silent, hesitant on wheter I should´ve told her the truth or not. She asked the same question and I remained silent again, until I was able to muster some words to ask.
Wh-What are you-u tal-talking about? - said I, stuttering some of the words as they tried to leave my mouth.
I wasn´t born yesterday Michael, you can´t fly even though you´re a pegasus, you don´t know what a cutie mark is even though you´re a pony just like me, so I ask a third time. What in hell are you?
I sit up, looking to the flowers in front of me. I wasn´t sure of what was going to happen if I told her the truth, in the end, I guess I was just afraid, even though I didn´t wanted to believe the reason as to why I was afraid of telling her the truth.
Act VII - Believable Truth?
I explained to her how I came to her world, or at least what I knew about that topic, that I was a human and not a pony and that some sort of mistical being had told me to fulfill a purpose in order to leave her world. She remained quiet, absorbing every information in my explanation. When I finish she stood up from the ground and as she was standing up she said.
You know something Michael. I trusted you when we met first met, I trusted you when you said we were going to this creepy forest this late in the night and I listened to your made up story from start to finish. The least you could do was tell the truth, so I ask you one last time, what are you?
I´m telling you the truth. Look. - I stood up in two legs, only to immediatly lose balance and fall to the ground. Roseluck left after that, alone, through the forest leaving me alone as well.
The next day, at the flower shop, Roseluck asked if I could leave her shop and that I didn´t had to worry about paying her back. I left without arguing, for I knew what I had done. She gave me a place to stay and a job, she gave me her trust and I couldn´t trust her back. If only I had told her sooner, maybe she would´ve believed me. I left her shop sadden by that fact and with a broken heart.
I continued my job as a bartender in the "Bottom of the Barrel" where I made enough money to buy a small house in Ponyville. I tried to live a normal life in that pony world, but I couldn´t, for three months after I stopped seeing Roseluck, the spirit came back to me in a dream. My adventure was only getting started.
Chapter 4 - In Love and Lost
Chapter 4
"Canterlot"
Act VIII - Bottom of the Barrel
Three months gone by since I last spoke to Roseluck and came to the pony world, or as I should call it, Equestria. As the days passed by, I noticed some resemblances to Earth, mostly the ponies love for alcohol, or cider so to speak. Working at the " Bottom of the Barrel" club I was able to earn enough money to live a normal life in that world and even forget what I could about Roseluck. My nights were always filled with loud, fast-paced music, orders screamed at my ears and, unfornately, annoying insults towards me, for not having that so called "cutie mark".
Yo, I won´t drink this cider made from a blank flank. Why don´t you clean up the garbage, which is where you belong. You got that, you freaking blank loser. - one colt said once to me. Most comments like that one I tried to ignore, but I was in a bad mood due to lack of sleep. The other ponies around the colt started laughing and mocking at me.
Hey! - Sangria shouted - Even if he doesn´t have a cutie mark, he still served you some fine cider, so shut up and drink it or leave this club.
The colt turned to her with a big grin in his face.
What´s a fine piece of flank like you defending a loser like him. You need a real colt, like me.
What did you say to her? - I said furiously.
You heard me, you wimp ass.
I didn´t quite hear you. Why don´t you say it closer to my face. - said I, more furiously.
Are you deaf? I´ll tell one more time so listen good. I´m going to buck you friend over there and there´s nothing you can do, you limp cock, wimp ass, motherbucker, blank flank loser piece of shit.
Filled with anger and without thinking, I uppercutted the colt right in the jaw, using my wings for upward propulsion, sending him flying four, five meters away from the bar counter.
Calm down Michael, he´s just a douchebag. - Sangria said putting her arms around my neck when I reached the ground. She looked at the colt - Now, can you drink your cider calmly? Otherwise, leave. - she continued, using her magic powers to levitate the jug of cider near him. He sat up pushing the jug away from him and screamed out of his lungs.
Buck you! - he saying that, resulted in him getting the wooden part of the jug smashed on his head, leaving him unconscious.
You know what this means, right? - she said looking at me.
What? - I said a little confused.
We have to give him a refund. - she said, ironically, as we started to laugh - Thanks for punching that colt. He was a real douche. - she added.
No problem. Anything for you. - said I, hugging her back
I´m glad you´re my special somepony, Michael. - she said.
The feeling´s mutual. - I said, kissing her, and with that we returned to our home where we slept together, thus concluding another night in Equestria, or so I thought.
Act IX - Night Terrors
Everytime I slept I had the same recurring dream. I would always be standing in the same place, a hospitals´ patient room, as my surroundings were filled with silence, static and blurriness. In the room I could distiguish that there were people having a conversation with a doctor, another person was laid down in an hospitals´ bed, obviously a pacient, and the dream would end. The majority of the time I would ignore everything, waiting for the dream to end, but, more than usual, the dream would regain colour and the environment would become normal, except for the people in the room, the doctor and the patient, they would always stay the same, the room still silent. I would try to figure what it all meant, but I never did, as the dream would end before I could come up with any conclusion. Due to this, I would wake up some nights tired, confused, upset and, even sometimes, angry, for not knowing why that dream haunted me in my sleep. But that night, it was different.
The dream began as usual, with me standing in the room´s corner, unable to move or speak, watching the same thing I´d saw a thousand times before, but, as far as I can remember, that was the only time the people in the room were normal, or at least their bodies were, as their faces were still covered with static and bluriness around them. I started getting frustated by the minute, having to sit through the dream I had countless times. Then suddenly, everything stopped, almost as if someone had pushed the pause button. I was finally able to move as I looked around the room, I walked forward behind the doctor, who stood in front of me, so that I could get a better look at the pacient, which appeared to be normal. I walked closer and closer to the pacient when, suddenly, I heard a female voice coming from behind me.
Michael of Earth. - the voice said.
Don´t tell me... - I said turning my entire body to her direction - you! - I exclamed when I saw it was the dark-blue alicorn, Princess Luna - What are you doing here? - I asked.
I sensed a disturbance coming from your dream, so I came here to check if everything was alright. - she said.
I´m perfectly fine. Now if you excuse me, I... - as I turned my head around, the doctor, the people, the pacient, everything was filled with static and bluriness once more - Nonononono, not again. I´ll never figure out the reason of this dream. - I turned to Luna - You can control dreams, right? Turn the pacient to how he was, please I beg of you.
I´m sorry Michael of Earth, - she said with an apologetic voice - but I can´t control the dreams a pony has, I can only guide them to the right path.
Then guide me! - I screamed from the top of my lungs - I´m sick and tired of not knowing what the fuck I´m suppose to do in this world. I´m tired of wandering hopelessly into nowhere. What do I have to do? Just tell me. - I paused to calm down - I...I just wanna go home.
Is that so? - she said.
Wh-What do you mean? - I said, confused with the question.
You have a right to be mad, I know that. You were dragged into this blindly and with no choice given to you after all, but searching for a wait out is something you haven´t been doing. Am I correct, Michael of Earth?
My answer to her question was silence, I knew I couldn´t complain, being with Sangria and all, but that was the problem. I couldn´t be with her.
I´ve also seen her dreams, Michael of Earth. Sangria, is it? - she said, taking my silence as an answer - She dreams of the past, when you two first met and what future awaits for both you and her.
I want to be with her to see what our future awaits us, together as it should be, but...but... - I let out a big sigh - Look, I don´t know what I´m supposed to do in this world, nor probably I´ll ever know. Meeting Sagria and Roseluck were the only good things to come out of this, but I haven´t spoken to Roseluck for a long time now and Sangria, although it pains me, I must say goodbye to her. I don´t belong in this world, yet, sometimes, I think I do. I think I could live a normal life here, even if it is just a mere illusion. - I said as I walked towards a wall to sit down against it - I mean, what happens when I do what I was supposed to in the first place, I´ll go to my world and leave her alone, heartbroken...and I´ll be as well, but that´s how it must happen.
Michael of Earth, - she said, waiting for me look up at her - there´s things a simple mare like me can´t guide you. Love being one of them, that´s something you must figure out at your own risk, but I can tell you this. Life isn´t meant to be easy, there´s hardships, challenges, riddles and decisions you must face almost everyday, sometimes they just never end, but that´s something you must accept, even if it´s something you can´t bear on your own. The same goes for love, just try your best and hope for the best. - she said with a smile. I smiled as well, only a much smaller one.
Right, but now, I just want to leave this dream. I´m really tired of having this same, exact dream. - I said shuting my eyes for a moment.
Then go through the glass door and you´ll wake up. Sorry for not being much of an an assistance to you.
It´s alright. - I stood up from the ground and went silent for a minute. With a smile, I continued - I think I know what I want now, so I thank you for helping me with that. - I said, walking towards the door.
As I shuted behind me, I looked at the room and it was a black void, everything was. I couldn´t wake up as I began falling to nowhere, at high speed. I clang to the glass door which had a sign hanging on it which simply read "Room 107". A few seconds passed and I hit the cold, hard, black, empty ground beneath me. The impact made me wake up, breathing heavily, sweating as well, I looked apprehensivly everywhere to stop at the left side of the bed and noticed that I had woken up Sangria.
- What´s the matter honey? - she said sitting up on the bed - You had that dream again didn´t you?
I turned to the outside of the bed and remained sat down there. The room around us was pitch black, I could barely see anything.
It was different this time. I could see clearly most of the people and there was this sign... - I was interrupted by Sangria as she hold me around my waist, her head against my wings, and with a calm, sweet voice she said.
Don´t worry about it Michael, it´s just a dream, that´s all. Just calm down, I don´t like to see you in this state.
Hearing her voice my heart slowed down to a normal beat. I limited to apoligising for waking her up. I got up, breaking the hug, but she held my hoof making me turn to her, I looked directly into her light orange eyes and she looked at mine, the room was filled with silence, which felt like it lasted forever.
- Is there something bothering you? - she said, breaking the silence. I remained silent - You know can tell me anything, right?
I remained silent, unsure on what to say to her, unsure if being with her was the best for both of us, but then I remembered what Princess Luna said about love having decisions that would have to be made, just like in life. It was a though choice I had to make, the choice of leaving her, yet part of me was more than sure about being with here, sure that I shouldn´t leave her. I realised I had been quiet for quite some time and simply went for what I thought my heart wanted the most.
Sorry, I was just wandering how a pony like me was able to capture your heart. - I said, smiling. Still holding my hoof, she pulled me into the bed making me fall on top of her dark red body of which my eyes followed from bottom to top, stopping when I looked directly at her eyes again.
I would say it was since we first met. - she said, casually, like she had forgotten that I was on top of her, unlike me for I was surprised by all of that - Now, just simply relax and let help you forget about all those bad dreams. - she said, in seductive voice, reaching her lips to mine for a kiss.
Do you still remember those days? - I said, feeling nostalgic. My comment made her stop halway through. With a smirk, she said-
I don´t think right now we should worry about the good ol´days, if you get what I´m saying?
Loud and clear.
It has been quite a while since I thought about those days, the days I first met Sangria and the club " Bottom of the Barrel ". So, dear reader, would you like to embark with me on the nostalgic train through my earlier days in Ponyville? All aboard then.
Act X - Reminisce (Part I)
Days passed as all of my time was wasted in the shop of the pony that saved me, Roseluck, but as my boredom grew stronger, so did the urge to explore the new world. As soon I got the key of the shop, I decided I didn´t wanted to waste anymore of my time on the shop, so as soon it closed and Roseluck was out of sight, I went exploring Ponyville in the disguise of the night. I didn´t went far the first time, for I didn´t wanted to get lost, thus as soon I got to what appeared to be the plaza I stopped. I searched for a bench to sit down and gazed at the stars under the quiet and lonely night, thinking of how and why I was in that world, but came up with no conclusion. The two next nights went by the same way, quiet and fill with loneliness. Until, in the third night of my exploration, I found a mare sobbing in the plaza.
Sorry for intruding, but is something the matter? - I said, approaching the dark red mare slowly.
It´s none of your business! - the mare said immeaditily.
Well, - I said sitting in the same bench as her´s - it´s not everyday you see a mare crying in the middle of the night. So I was just curious.
You don´t even know me! - she said, loudly.
Let´s change that then, you seem like a nice mare. The name´s Michael, Michael Fortmort. - I said, streching my front leg for a hand shake. Or would it be a hoof shake, anyway. She hesitated, till the point my leg was getting tired, but in the end she shook it saying her name was Sangria Cherry. I smiled, maybe even giggled, upon hearing her name.
What´s so funny? - she inquired.
Sorry, you caught me off guard with your name.
Look who´s talking. I never heard a pony named Michael.
There´s a reason for that. - I said, with a nervous laugh. She laughed as well, most likely because she didn´t notice my nervous reaction - So, why were you crying?
It´s sort of personal Michael, so sorry if I can´t tell you. - she said looking at the ground in front of us. I looked at the stars above instead and silence reigned over us.
You feel lost, like you don´t know what you´re doing with you life, am I right? - I said.
I guess you could say that. - she said, still looking at the ground, with a sad look on her face.
I feel that way to. I came to this place searching for a purpose, or atleast try to do so, and now I hit a brick wall, unable to move forward, to uncover whatever I was meant to do with my life in this world. - I stopped to let out a smile and to hold back some tears - I say that because coming almost here got me killed and now I work as an shop assistant at a flower shop for the pony who saved me. I just can´t thank enough the mare that saved me. - I added. A thought then hit me right in the head, making me unable to hold my tears - Oh God! If I had died back then my parents, my family would have never known what happened to me. I didn´t even say goodbye to them, I left so quickly, without notice... - I stopped, not able to continue talking and just let the tears pour out of my face. Before I knew it, Sangria was holding me around her arms.
I´m going to start crying if you don´t stop. - she said with a big smile.
What are you doing? -I said, using a hoof to clear the tears, with a cheerful tone.
I should be asking that. - she said, still hugging - I didn´t ask for your life story and yet you told me, just so you could try to make me happy. Your one strange pony, you know that?
You just read my mind! - I said, sarcastically, faking being astounded. She laughed at my reaction, which cause me to laugh as well.
Y´know, I think I would like to have a strange friend. Now c´mon, I know something that will make you feel better. - she said. She got out of the bench and took a few steps in a certain direction - Just follow me! - she shouted and then proceeded to run.
Wait up! - I shouted as well, trying to catch up to her.
Act XI - Reminisce (Part II)
When I caught up with Sangria we had been running for minutes, Sangria always leading the way in front of me. Breathing heavily, I asked her if we could stop for a while. Sangria looked at me with a grin one her face.
What´s the matter? Am I too fast for you? - she said, teasing me.
Not it all, I was just enjoyed the scenery. - I said, gasping between words. I wasn´t accostumed to run in that body, specially if it had to be at a high velocity, I mostly walked througout my time in Equestria and I was planning on keeping at that. Guess things don´t always go as planned, but enough about that, let´s move on.
Sangria simply smiled at my response and stopped next to me, she put her left front leg around my neck and said.
We´re almost there, so I guess we could walk slowly till there.
Thanks. - I said, ignoring the fact that Sangria was still teasing me with that phrase. She removed her arm around my neck and we continued forward with Sangria leading the way.
As I followed Sangria, a thought roamed throughout my mind. I wondered if I should ask her why was she crying back in the plaza, even though she said it was personal. She trusted me to the point of leading to somewhere, but crying in the middle of the night wasn´t something you´d see everyday, so I tried my luck.
- Hey Sangria... - I started saying.
-.Yeah?
- Sorry to ask, but why were you crying?
Her face sadden, she became silent for a while as walked more slowly towards our destination.
- I already said it. It´s personal, okay. - she said, in a calm voice.
The instant I heard those words I felt bad for ever asking that question, I didn´t wanted to see her in that state again. Guilt and silence filled the air around us as we walked, Sangria walking ahead of me. I sensed she was angry for me buzzing into her affairs so I appologized, but I learned apologies are to be avoided, as to why I understood Sangria ignoring my apology, but I had to ask her one more question.
Hey Sangria, where are you taking me?
I already told you. To a place I know that will make you feel better.
Yes, but why? I haven´t exactly make a great impression so far and you barely know me. - I said, she turned to my direction and with a warm smile she said.
So? Isn´t that how a friendship starts? With two, or even more, perfect strangers. You barely know me as well, but you told me this small portion of your life story just like that and besides, you being my friend I can´t let you be sad.
Upon hearing her, I couldn´t stop smiling. Sangria put one of her front legs on my shoulder and with the same smile, she said.
I know you mean the best and that you´re not trying to hurt me , you have no reason for that after all, but in the future please learn that if I want to talk to you about my life, know that I´ll trust you enough to do so. Let´s not worry about it anymore, okay.
Okay, sorry again and for what it´s worth, I promise in the future I´ll be better friend towards you.
I´ll look forward to see that. - she said, giving me a hug - The club it´s just around this corner. - she said pointing forward with one hoof.
Club? - I asked, intrigued. Sangria flashed a grin at me and just like that she ran off leaving me behind.
C´mon, hurry up! - I heard her shout.
From that day forward I learned that trust can´t be simply earned or asked from someone, it has to also be given to someone in return.
- Coming! - I shouted back. Have regain my breath, I rushed to catch up with Sangria. I turned the corner and I got my first glance at the club "Bottom of the Barrel".
Act XII - Reminisce (Part III)
We entered the crowded club. The multicolored dance floor filled with all kinds of ponies, as the DJ played his tracks through the big stereo columns, one placed on each side of the DJ and two more near the entrance to the club, I felt like my ears were going to explode from the loudness of the music. Sangria had already gone somewhere, as I was left alone to search for her and found myself trapped, so to speak, in what appeared to be the middle of the dance floor. I tried to get the ponies around me to let me pass, but due to the loudness they barely heard and they seemed to ignore every attempt I did to pass by them, I was pratically a ghost on the dance floor.
Tired of searching for Sangria and unable to move anywhere I thought to myself that if I couldn´t beat them, I might as well join them, unfornately I wasn´t exactly good at dancing. Don´t get me wrong, I know a thing or two about it, that is if you count flailing your and legs everywhere dancing, but that task became more difficult with that new body, so I looked at the other ponies and copied what they did, but that got old pretty quickly. So, hoping I wouldn´t make a fool out of myself, I stood in two legs, slowly, but surely. I maintain my balance and started with some simple arm movements with my front legs, then I started moving my back legs with the rythim of the music and before I knew it, I was doing anything I could come up with, was it a dance move or not. I got the attention of everyone and felt like I was in the zone, which didn´t last too long as Sangria shouted my name through the music making me distracted on what I was doing at the time and I tripped over myself, which ended with me falling to the ground very comically and also very, very painfully.
Are you alright? - said Sangria, laughing, when she got near me. She held on one of her hoofs what appeared to be an alchoolic drink and other on top of her head.
I´m fine. - I said. I stood up on my four legs and grasped the drink she had on her hoof, I looked at the drink and took a sip of it. Before I knew it, my jug was empty, I think it´s safe to say that stuff was good. Sangria had already picked up the jug on top of her head.
I see you´re having a fun time. - said Sangria, she then proceeded to take a sip of her cider.
I have to admit I´m having a great time. So how did you find this place?
I work here as a bartender, so don´t worry about paying for those. Consider it has a one-time, special friendship discount.
Does the discount envolve me and you being friends? - I said, smirking.
Of course we are, silly. - she said, giving one tap on my shoulder with her free hoof - I´ve always wanted a weird, fun friend.
Well, I´ve always wanted a friend who gives me free drinks, so you´re perfect.
Very funny, - she said, sarcastly - but don´t expect that I´ll give you free drinks from now on. You have to pay for them, just like everypony else.
Alright, now if you excuse me, I´ll be going home.
Already, but you just got here. What, do you have a curfew or something. - she said, in a mocking tone.
I have work in the morning, so I don´t to go to bed too late. We´ll meet tomorrow, okay.
Sure. - she said. I didn´t notice at the time, but there was a pitch of sadness in her tone.
The next day, at night, I went to the plaza to meet up with Sangria, but she wasn´t there. I waited an hour or so, but alas, she never came. I went to the club which I´d remember how to get there, lucky for me otherwise I would´ve been lost in the middle of the night. The club was still the same loud, stroke-inducing lightshow as it was the day before when I entered it.
I walked towards the bar thorough the crowd of ponies to see if Sangria was there, but midway I was interrupted by a bald, dark blue pony in a white suit, moving side to side, hindering me of going through. I was getting annoyed, almost to the point of punching him just so I could pass, until, holding me in place with one hoof, he took out a card from his front pocket which stated that he was the manager of the club, it also said his name was Two Steps. He told to follow him to his office, a small division on the upper level of the club. In it, there was a desk, an office chair and pictures of the club from the older times. A simple office, I guess you would call it, but then again, he did claim to be a simple colt.
When we got there he sat on his chair and turned to opposite direction of me, the room went silent, since the club´s music was barely heard in there, waiting for someone to make a noise.
Look, - he finally spoke - I´m a busy pony, so I´ll go straight to the point. We have a vacancy for a job as a bartender and I could use an extra hoof. Now, be aware that you won´t get paid much in the beginning, but if you work hard you might expect a raise in the future.
But I don´t ne...
Stop right there, I know what you´re about to say.
You do? - I said, confused.
You we´re going to say all confident like that you don´t need any practice, but rest assure mixing drinks and serving them isn´t easy, so I´ll tag you along with our finest employee, Sangria. I´m sure you know her. So, do you want the job?
I was going to say I don´t need a job. I´ve got one already, sort of.
Oh yeah, what do you do?
I´m an assistant in a flower shop. - I said. Two Steps looked at me seriously, he then smiled which then lead to him laughing.
That´s rich! - he said, when he stopped laughing - When Sangria told me I thought she was joking, but seriously though, you´ll only work on the night shift, so you can still work at the flower shop.
Sorry, but I´m fine where I am in a profissional level. Thanks for offer, I´ll leave now.
And with that I left his office and head straight for the exit. Sangria didn´t seemed to be around, so I decided I would come back the next day to meet up with her, but as I was about to leave two guards stood in front of me blocking the exit from me.
I think you should reconsider my offer. - Two Steps said as he approached me from behind.
Your not gonna let me leave unless I say yes to your offer, am I correct?
- I guess you could say I´m a persistent colt and yes, your correct. - he said with a smile.
I´ll think about it, but is it normal for you to give away job positions to anyone you find in the club?
It´s a new tactic I´m trying out, it still needs a little work, but I´m hoping it´ll due me great. - he said, turning his back towards me. He ordered the guards to let me pass and I left the club.
Outside, I spotted Sangria in the distance and walked to her to say hi. She still looked sad and ignore me as she walked pass by me.
What´s the matter? - I said, walking next to her.
It´s nothing.
Alright, - I said, putting myself in front of her - I´ll cut to the chase, since you have to work and all. You said you´d speak to me if something was wrong, so I´m here, you´re here, I´m a great listener, proceed to speak.
Michael...
Sangria, please. Do it for me, I don´t like to see my friends sad for no reason. - I said, interrupting her. She let out a sigh and said.
Today´s my best friend´s anniversay.
What´s wrong with that? - I said, confused.
My best friend´s four year old anniversay since she... - she took a long pause before continuing, she was beggining to tear up - passed away. - she started crying after she finished a sentence and I immediately hugged her.
I´m sorry, I didn´t know. How did she died? What was her name? How did you met eachother? Tell me everything. - I said with a friendly smile, letting her go.
Wh-What? Michael, I-I-I don´t if I want to. - she said, crying and sobbing.
Trust me, it´ll make you feel better. - I said, trying to reassure her.
Well, - she paused for a while - her name was Angeline, an unicorn like me, and we met when we were just little fillies, we became best friends instantly. When we were in college, Angeline aspired to be a best-seller writer, while I wanted to open my own bar or even the hottest club in all of Equestria, unfornately, we didn´t get what we wanted. We ended up working as bartenders in this club, since I didn´t had the bits to open my own and Angeline didn´t had a book published. We decided to work here until we fulfilled our dreams. Angeline worked harder on her books, while I just worked harder for the bits every passing day. In the end, Angeline got what she wanted and I couldn´t be more happy for her. She went on a tour throughout all Equestria to talk about her book, but on one of the trips through the many cities she found herself in a trainwreck. She died immediately upon the impact of the two trains.
Upon finishing her story she clean her eyes of the tears with her hoof, but it seemed they would never stop.
Silence fell upon us as Sangria walked pass me again and went towards the entrance of the club. Our backs, turned to eachother, as the silence grew bigger, until Sangria, as was openung the door to the club, spoked.
The next day came and as night falled I set my course towards the " Bottom of the Barrel ". Arriving there I waited outside for Sangria as the warm air brushed against my body, laid back on a wall. Sangria arrived shortly and I accompanied her inside where Two Steps waited for me, he was sat in a table which was fairly closed to the bar with a jug of cider in his hoof. He waived his arm, calling our names, invinting us to sit there.
So Michael, have you decided to take the job? - he said.
What job? - Sangria questioned.
The job as bartender. - he said, which then he proceeded to drink his cider.
You know that job his vacant for a reason I don´t have to remind you, specially in these times. - she shouted.
Look, I know I´ve promised not to give this job simply to someone without your consent, due to the circumstances, but orders aren´t being completed, costumers are getting angrier and I´m losing money. I´m sorry, but I don´t have a choice. - he shouted back. I just sat and watch the argue enroll. In the end, Sangria left the table, angry and crying, leaving the club. Two Steps noded at me to go after her and I did. I found her siting on the front stairs of the club.
I´m guessing you´re taking the job? - she said between her tears.
The job belonged to your friend. - I sat next to her and everything became quieter, no music was heard, no voice was whispered, just silence. I looked to the ground in front of me, the only sound I heard was of the tears Sangria poured from her eyes. I sighed and said breaking the silence - I thought about it and this job was only a way of making some bits, so if you don´t want me to accept it, I won´t.
Sangria looked at me for a while, her eyes glowing.
You mean that? - she asked.
Of course, there´s a reason why this job is still vacant. You don´t want lose the only thing that reminds you of your friend, her job as a bartender. So, say the word and I´ll refuse it. - I said, looking at her with a smile.
Sangria paused for a moment before speaking, wiping her tears with her hoof.
Y´know what? You should take it. If you want it I won´t stop you. - she said, still looking at me, smiling.
Thanks, you won´t regret it - I said extending one of my front legs towards her for a hoof shake. She grabbed my leg and pull me in for a hug.
I´m sure you won´t - Sangria said. I could hear her crying again, Angeline was an important mare to her. Heck, she was her best friend, the pony she trusted the most, all I could do at that point was hug her.
From that moment I began working at that club and Sangria and I became friends, even more than that actually, but that´s for another time. As for the rest, well, that you already know dear reader. This concludes our trip on the nostalgic train, of which we shall leave now and move forward with the current tale. As it is said in the art of acting, the show must go on.
Act XIII - What My Heart Desires?
I woke up in my bedroom by the sound of someone knocking on the door, Sangria slept beside me, her long, curly mane covered her face. I got out of bed quietly, so she wouldn´t wake up and went dowstairs to open the door feeling tired and drowsy. I opened it only to find a single letter laid on the ground, which I picked up. It was addressed to Sangria from a colt named Absint Cherry, her father.
Can´t you close the door more gently. - Sangria said coming down the stairs - Who´s the letter from? - she asked when she noticed I had it in my hoof.
It´s from your dad. - I said, handing her the letter.
He´s usually busy managing his bar, something must´ve happened. - she said in a worried tone of voice. She opened the letter and read it in a blink of an eye - We have to go to the hospital. - she said looking at me with a scared look in her face.
We rushed out of our home towards Ponyville hospital, we called for a taxi and told the driver to go as quickly as possible. Sangria leaned her head against my shoulder throughout the ride till the hospital, she looked terrified, almost breaking to tears. I asked her what was the matter, but I got no response in return, I asked again, assuring to her that whatever had happened everything would be fine, she slowly turned her head towards me and in a whisper she said it was her brother, he was in the hospital.
Apparently, while working in Ponyvile for a theatrical play as one of the actors, out of nowhere, he had an heart attack. He was brought in to the hospital the night before we´d received the letter. I was shocked and leaned my head over hers, as a sign of affection, as she broke into tears.
Having arrived at the hospital we head to the room her brother was staying, room one hundred and seven, the one that was in my dreams. At first I thought it was simply a coincidence, but still felt wary about going in.
What´s the matter? - said Sangria as she opened the glass door marked " Room 107", she had noticed I had suddenly stopped in my tracks.
Huh? - I said looking at Sangria. It seems I had my head in the clouds at the time.
Are you alright? - Sangria asked, a little worried.
Yeah, I´m fine. Look, why won´t I get us something to eat since we didn´t had time for breakfast, it will only take a while. - I said. Sangria agreeded and before I left I bid a good morning to Mr. Cherry, who had already arrived, and head towards a cafe situated near the hospital.
As I headed towards the exit of the hospital I heard someone calling for me. I inniatly thought it was Sangria, but didn´t see her anywhere, so I turn to the exit and proceeded to get out. Before I could leave I heard someone calling for me again, the voice was becoming louder and louder as it seem like someone was running to get me, a bright flash occurred and I found myself in Dimension X once more.
You again? - I said as the mystical being formed in front of me, he adopted a human form for what I could tell, a shadow of one - What do you want? - I asked
I said we´d see again and I´m here because you´ve forgotten your purpose in this world. Do you want to be in this form forever?
Maybe I do, it´s not like I know what I´m suppose to do here.
That may be what you think, but your heart says differently. - he said. Even though he didn´t have a visible face I felt like he was grinning - Walk throught the hospital´s exit. - said he as an exit appeared in the dimension. I hesitated, but still walked through the exit, another flash occurred and I was in another body, my human body.
Act XIV - The Human World?
I blinked so many times I lost count on how many times I did it, my parents, my sister were there in front of me, just a jump away. I leaped with my arms wide open to them, to hug them, but I couldn´t move, my legs and arms felt like concrete. I couldn´t move a single muscle, not even my eyes. I couldn´t even hear them, just see them. I didn´t knew were I was, but the sound of people running, wheels rolling and crying, lot´s of crying, filled the background. Then, it all disappeared, before I knew it I was back in Dimension X, with the shadow figure standing behind me.
Why did you had to show me that? - I said angrily, tears pouring from my eyes.
To prove to you a point. Your heart still thinks of your home, Earth, beside your family, specially your sister.
As soon he mentioned my sister, out of instinct and anger, I jumped towards the shadow figure, my right hoof forward for a punch, I end up going through him. I regain my balance on the ground and charged to punch him again and again, every punch going through him, the shadow figure unphased by my attacks. I punched and I kicked him till I fell to the ground out of pure exhaustion, gasping, I spoke to him.
What do you want from me you fucking moster?
Let´s not be rude, shall we. I´ll tell you what, just so I don´t sound selfish, if you complete what I want for you to complete, I´ll grant you one wish, something you´ve desire the most, something you´ve wish didn´t happened and I think I know what it is.
You make it happen, we have a deal. - I said, without thinking twice. I stood up and reached my right front leg for a hand shake and as I slowly moved my arm toward his, my leg began changing into a hand as I shook his. In shock, I looked at the shadow´s face, he was smiling, an actual, visible, big smile covered his face.
Fulfill your purpose and you´ll get more than your hand back. - he said, always smiling. We turned silent, our hands still grasped on eachother, he let go his hand and mine returned to a hoof - Canterlot! - he simply uttered and then he banished taking the dimension with him. When I regain my senses I was by the door where Sangria´s brother was interned.
I opened the door to a more happy room, Sangria still crying, only now they were tears of joy, her brother had become stable all of sudden and was going to be release as soon as the doctors finshed examining him.
You´ve brought the sandwichs! - said Sangria in a state of glee - I was starving. - she said grabbing a sandwich.
I see you´re brother is well. By the way, does the name Canterlot ring a bell?
Yeah, it´s city a few miles from here. Why? - she asked, a little confused yet intrigued.
Cause we´re going on an adventure!
