Equestrian Lifestyle

Chapters

Flashback
Anxiety Rises Pt.1
Anxiety Rises Pt.2

Flashback

Author's Note

This is Bronze_drake here and this my first fic and I would very much appreciate it if you could give me some comments, maybe a few like. If not its cool...I can just come after you when you sleep...haha Nah I'm kidding...or am I?
Just don't check your closet or you'll be losing a soul in exchange for a like...
PEACE!!!

Flashback

Beep.Beep.Beep...Beep.Beep.Bee-Smack...

I slammed the palms of my hand on the alarm clock, putting a stop to the racket. Shifting around in bed so the sun wasn't directly in my face, I got out of bed and head to the large bathroom to get ready for the day.

Knock.Knock.Knock

Only to turn back around and head to my bedroom door. I open the door to reveal my equally tired brother and my overly excited sister.

"...Sup." I finally spoke after a minute of silence. My brother just yawns and nods his head to me, while my sister goes on and on about why she's so excited and telling me I better get washed up so we can go to the library for some reason I cant remember.

"Sis, I was about to get in the shower before ya got here," I explain to her pointing to my dresser showing my clothes and towel.

"I told you so." My brother says in his half sleep state. "Jacob, can you meet us at the library?"

I nod, " Yeah I'll see you 30 minutes." With that my siblings take their leave and I close the door to my room and head to the bathroom.

The bathroom was large. The tub was the size of a hot tub, and over the pearl white sink was a body length mirror. The bathroom was fit for royalty, ironic seeing as I lived in a castle with my sister Twilight, and brother Spike. Looking at myself in the mirror I see a 4'3" male with dark blueish hair with light purple mixed, my hair was off to the side showing the side of my head that was cut into a fade (My sister says I shouldn't have cut the side of my 'beautiful' hair, apparently). I also had dark purple eyes and pale skin. I took off my clothes, showing my skinny body and a scar in a shape of an X on the center of my chest. Turning the shower on, I stepped in letting out a sigh as the stream of water cascaded down my body. As I washed I unconsciously rubbed my wrist that had scars on them that looked like something was wrapped up tightly around them. I blocked the memory of what happened to me that day, hearing my heartbeat pick up. While trying to calm down, my heart started to sound like it was making a rhythm so I started to listen to it. I start to get into it and started to sing

In the middle of the song, I was drying myself off. Getting dressed in black jeans, white t-shirt, and a button up long sleeve blue and white plaid shirt. I walked to the door as I was finishing up singing. Just as I finished up the song I opened the door...When I opened the door, I saw that I had drawn a crowd. There were maids, castle staffs, and even a few guards. Leaning against the door frame I spoke.

"How you doin?" When I finished the question, they all scrambled back to whatever they were doing. I just chuckled, shrugging off the reaction I had received, and made my way over to the castle library. Walking down the large halls, I passed many things such as suits of armor, paintings, and pictures. One picture, in particular, made me stop in my tracks. The picture held four people. A tall woman with pure white skin and an Aurora-like hair that looked like it flowed in the wind. Next, was a girl with a small rhinestone on her forehead, showing that she's a Unicorn blood, had straight violet hair with a pink strip in it, and lastly were two boys the same height and were wearing the same clothes. They were wearing a white t-shirt and black cargo shorts. One had green and purple spiked hair while the other had dark blue and purple hair also spiked up.

Looking at this picture makes me remember how we all first met...

FLASHBACK-11 years ago

I woke up slowly to the sound of a beeping sound and tried to open my eyes but closed them quickly because of the light directly in my face. Trying again after a minute, I open my eyes slowly and saw I was in a white room, laying on the bed facing the window. I turned to my right and saw a machine that was constantly beeping, I looked to my left hearing the door open and saw two women, a girl, and a boy that looked my age.They looked worried for some reason, and I have no clue to whats worrying them.

Not paying attention to them, I looked at myself seeing what the damage was this time. I looked down at my chest and stomach and see them wrapped in bandages, I then looked at my right arm that was wrapped in a caste. I tried to figure out what happened to me and about 2 minutes of thinking to myself, I started to get flashes of images. One image showed a metal bed with four metal straps on all four corners of the bed, the second image was a silver metal table next to the bed. It had various objects on the table, like a scalpel, a magnifying glass, and etc. Finally, I had gotten an image of a man with a lab coat, messed up hair, and a crazed smile.

Unknown to me, my heart rate spiked and there was frantic beeping from the heart monitor. The group eyed me with concern as I relived every moment being cut opened, poked, prodded, and basically being a lab rat for a year at my so-called foster parent...

I flinched back when I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I moved away from whoever touched me and looked, it was a green and purple haired boy from earlier, he looked hurt when I moved away from him. I could care less though, I don't trust him or anyone in this room for that matter. And speaking of a room where am I? It looks so clean and new. It was a nice change of view from what I used to see on a daily basis...

"Hey calm down man, I'm not gonna hurt you." The boy said reassuringly.

"..." I didn't say a word, I just sat there looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to attack but nothing came. He just sat there looking at me with concern. After about 10 minutes of silence, I decided to speak...

"W-who are y-you people...W-what do you w-want from me?" I asked still hesitant to trust them, my throat was sore and scratchy, which made talking harder. Hearing this, the tall woman levitated a cup of water to me and I thanked her for.

The tall woman spoke, "My name is Princess Celestia and her name"-she points at a girl with violet hair with a pink strip in it-"is Twilight Sparkle, and the boy near you"-she then pointed to the boy with green-purple hair-"is Spike Draco." I perked up at Spike's last name, it sounded familiar, but I then frown at Celestia's royal title. They seemed to notice my sudden change in demeanor and decided to ask what the matter was. I simply said...

"I don't trust royalty." They seemed very much surprised that I didn't trust royalty, as they stared at me with wide eyes and jaws dropped. But it seemed to have gotten to Celestia saddened and even more concerned, and just as she was about to say something Spike spoke up.

"Why don't you trust royalty." He asked with confusion.

"Because they're the reason I didn't have a better life." They didn't say anything, so I continued, "*sigh* One day when I was 6 years old, and living in a crumby orphanage where they do nothing but beat us and make us do work every hour of the day, that day they had us washing every corner of the place because it was royal inspection or whatever. And after an hour of cleaning, some prince came into the place hardly doing any inspecting and the workers were kissing up to him. While we looked at them from the background, the prince looked back at us with the look of disgust and indignation. None of the other orphans noticed but me, I ignored it though. I saw it as a chance to get out of that horrible place. I thought telling an authority figure would help, so ignoring the workers, I rushed up to him and started to beg and plead for him to help us or at least send guards down here to investigate...But you know what he did?" I asked and they shook their head, not saying a word. "He just stood there with an amused expression on his face."

They looked at me in shock, "What was his name?" Twilight asked she looked like she knew who it was.

I put my good hand under my chin in thought, "I think his name's...Blueblood, and let me tell you he has issues." I finished.

I was suddenly hugged from my side. I looked at who was hugging me and was surprised to see Celestia, she had tears running down her cheeks.

"I'm so so sorry," she whispered. My eyes widened, maybe all royals aren't snooty and uptight.I slowly wrap my arms around her excepting her apology. Something confuses me though.

"Why are you apologizing to me for?" I asked.

"I'm apologizing because it was my fault for sending him down there, he told me everything was fine but I guess he was lying to his own Aunt." She explained.
I was speechless, I pulled back out of the hug and looked in her eyes that was showing sympathy, sadness, regret, and heartache.

"I...Forgive you." I croaked out, I never saw any emotion on anyone else except the orphans or victims. The workers always had these emotionless looks on their face it looked almost passive or cold-blooded look.

After some time we eventually calmed down to talk, well for them to talk, I just lay there listening in or looking out the window. 'I wonder if my sister made it out of that place was in, now that I think about it the other people in that place should have been found...So why are the three still in my room?'
"Hey," They turned to me. "Not that I don't like the company, but why are you still here?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Spike asked.

"I mean, what are you guys still doing here? Aren't you going to check if the others are okay?" I asked.

They looked uneasy when I mentioned the other foster kids. I started to get a bad feeling in my stomach as I waited for someone to explain to me what in the hay was going on. I looked at Twilight and she had tears running down her cheeks. I turned to spike and he looked away from my gaze, and I finally looked at Celestia who was now interested in the floor tiles, she had tears flowing from her eyes. They didn't say anything, but I got my answer.

"They're dead... Aren't they?" I asked I had no emotion in my voice or face what so ever. This surprised everybody in the room, I didn't want to show weakness so I blocked every emotion to try and escape from me. They hesitated again. That's all I needed for my answer.

"I see..." I slowly got up from the bed, ignoring the pain in my arms and chest, and slowly walked over to the window.

I looked out the window to see the view of Cantorlot and its nobles. Some were looking up at me with disgust, 'Psh, they don't know anything.' I thought with a grimace. 'They just want the disgusting freak to go away so badly...'

"So be it." By the time I whispered out those words, I had already climbed on the window ledge ready to jump. I had forgotten who was in the room with me by the sound of several footsteps behind me, running towards me but I could care less. I didn't turn around though all I did... was jump. Time seemed to slow to a snail's pace as I jumped while looking down at the nobles and they look up at me. They had the looks of satisfaction written on their faces that made me more frustrated. Not like I could do anything anyway, I had just taken my own life, so I just closed my eyes and wait to be sent to Tartarus for committing a sin. I couldn't care though because to me this was the escape or I guess a vacation compared to my life. Tartarus seems way better anyway...

I kept my eyes closed waiting for my end. I waited and waited and waited but nothing happened.

I opened my eyes and saw I was just hanging in mid-air though I felt something wrapped around my ankle as I kept hanging in mid-air. I heard someone grunt and start pulling me up, I looked at the hand and followed it up the arm only too see...

"Spike... let go..." I spoke, barely up to a whisper.
He either didn't hear me or listen because the only answer I received was getting pulled up. All I did was want him to let go, so I started struggling. The others must have seen him struggle to hold on to me, it is the only reason why I heard them rush over to Spike and help him pull me up. I knew they wouldn't let up so I just hung there until they finally had me inside the room. I lean up against the wall finding it hard for me to stand and slumped down to the floor.

I put my knees on my chest and bury my face in my knees. So many emotions welled up inside, blocked, or ignored burst through their metaphorical gates. I'm trying to keep whatever's left of my sanity together, it works if only just barely.

"D-dude..." Spike was the first to speak, "that was totally not cool." There was a silence that hung in the room. No one dared to speak, fearing what might happen next. Even the Princess hadn't spoken herself.

This time it was Twilight that spoke, "Why?" I turned to her, she had tears in her eyes, "There are other ways around this then suicide, so why?"

"...It was the easy way out of this hellhole of a life." I laughed hoarsely, "Hay, might be better in Tartarus than this godforsaken planet. AM I RIGHT?!?"

"..."

No one said a single word. 'This couldn't get any worse than this.' I thought.

Until...
"What about your family man?" Spike asked. I didn't say a single word, having enough of this day already.

"What about them?" I asked with little to no emotion. They were surprised I asked this without any hint of guilt, compassion, or worry. They probably didn't think a 10-year-old could think like I do.

"What do you mean,'what about them?' there probably worried sick about you!" Twilight and the Princess seemed surprised at this transaction but I felt nothing at this moment. The two didn't get into this spectacle with Spike and me but looked like they'd jump in if needed.

I looked at Spike with hollowed eyes, "What.About.Them." I emphasized my question to a poke on his chest as we were up in each other faces, glaring at each other.
"They're probably out there worried sick about," he poked me in the chest. "It's a feeling you know, an emotion. I bet they miss you, sad about you, and love-"

I snapped. "I HATE THAT WORD." All eyes were on me now, I didn't notice before but I had tackled Spike to the floor in my moment of anger. "What point is that word if you've got no one else to share that love with!" They had tears in their eyes now.

I continued. "They're all gone! I have no one else. I don't have a mom, dad, my sister, my brother." I was getting quieter as I talked as the realization hit me, "...My family is gone..."

The air was still but I didn't care, I got off the floor and to my hospital bed and sat down. It was deadly silent. I don't think they expected any of this, shit I didn't expect it myself. But the next question Spike asked threw me off...

"...How?"

I turned to him and stare at him for a while, trying to find something. What that 'something' might be I don't know. Though something about him feels...familiar. I smile at this.

I started to explain, "I know I HAD a family but most of them are either dead, lost, or forgotten. Before it was just me, mom, dad, my sister, and my brother. I don't know much because at the time I and my brother were still eggs, but my sister was a hatchling so I'll just tell you from here perspective, sound good?" They nodded. "My sister told me that mom and dad had to get away from a place called DRAKON KHOLKIKOS"-the Princess looked shocked and even hopeful-"because there were people there that didn't like our lineage very much. Supposedly while my dad, mom, and sister were having dinner and me and my brother's eggs were by a fireplace, our doors were busted in and people rushed carrying blunt objects, knives, and guns. They wanted to be rid of us, to exterminate our lineage from existence. And since we were the last living beings of said existence, they thought it'd be easy for themselves to just steal our lives and be on with their life."

The Princess, Twilight, and Spike looked horrified- "but at the last minute, dad told my mother and sister to take us and run while he held them off and meet us at the borders to escape with us. But...He never came." I paused. "They waited at the borders for hours but he never came, so assuming the worst they left before we were all caught. My sister told me since our mother was friends with a ruler of the country, said we'd be safe there so my mother and sister who was still carrying me and my brother, trekked onward to some castle. As soon as we were there we got settled in and we lived in safety for a while, things never did die down. The third month of living there was peaceful and quiet, I and my brother were going to hatch that day, and my mother, the ruler, and my sister were watching as our eggs begun to shake and quiver. Then everything went to complete shit. My sister told me that the windows had blown in, and some of the people from the place we used to live at had found us. They never gave up trying to find us...My mother and the ruler defended us, while my sister had grabbed me and my brother's eggs and ran out the room. She had a plan to get us to safety, it was a simple plan but a plan none the less, she told me that while living in the castle that she had found hiding places while playing hide and seek with either the ruler or mother. Her plan was to hide me and my brother in separate places, making it harder to find us, and to hide as well. It worked for the most part. First, she hid my brother's egg in one of the cabinet's in the kitchen that had cleaning supplies. She hid him there so there wouldn't be a mix-up of what's food and what's not."

I looked around the room again and saw that the Princess and Spike had tears in their eyes and looked at each other before looking at me with what looked like hope. Twilight just had a blank look on her face, like she was in thought. I decided to ignore it for now and continue with my story. "Anyway, my sister ran down the hall carrying my egg and ran into one of the maid's room and was ready to hide me under the bed but someone started banging on the door. My sister was panicking by the time the third bang on the door came, so as a last-ditch effort she hid under the door with me and kept quiet as best she could...It wasn't enough." I had no emotion in my voice now. "The door was busted into and we were captured...M-my sister said she s-saw mom and the ruler on their knees and were whispering to each other. She looked at my sister and mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' and the next thing my sister saw was my mother... getting her head chopped off... and the ruler getting knocked out."

At this point, I was breaking down, but I wasn't the only one. Twilight had tears streaming down her cheeks, while Celestia and Spike were crying harder. All of a sudden, Spike and Celestia lunged at me, and I covered myself out of reflex from being hit all the time. But all that did happen was two arms being wrapped around me. It was unexpecting in a way I didn't understand at all.

I ignored and continued speaking, "My sister told me that she went berserk and the last thing she remembered was waking up with my egg next to her inside an orphanage. You already know what happened in the orphanage so I'll skip that part. A couple month passes and I and my sister get adopted. I thought we were going to have a normal life for now on. I was wrong. The man was a scientist and he likes to experiment, with what you ask. With us. He cut us open, he breaks our bones, and we were glad that we weren't injected like the others. They were injected with this type of disease that turns you into mindless drones. He wouldn't stop calling the ones injected, sleeper agents. I'm guessing since I'm here now that my sisters plan to get help worked but she would've givin' a sign telling me she still was alive. She's either laying low for awhile or she couldn't reach me...I don't have anyone right now." It was silent for a while until...

"But what about your brother, is he still alive or not?" I winced when Twilight asked me this and she seemed to notice it, "S-sorry I didn't mean-"

I held my hand up, effectively cutting her off, "It's fine, I'll explain, my sister told me that I shouldn't have even hatched yet." They looked confused except for Celestia.(Twilight took out a notebook and pencil from out of nowhere for some odd reason)

I continued, "She said that the reason I shouldn't have hatched was that when my mother was...killed, my and my brother's connection broke from her and attached to each other to lived. And we were essentially frozen in time until either we make a new connection with another family member that is of age, or someone uses magic to hatch us and since I and my brother were connected we would hatch at the same time." It was silent again and everyone had surprised looks on their faces.

They were staring at me. Again.

"What?" I asked.

This time it's Celestia who speaks, "If you don't mind I'd like to ask a few important questions..." She said with a faraway look in her eyes, and I think a tear.
I shrugged seeing no problem with it. She said, "Okay the first question, when were you born?" I looked at her weirdly but answered anyway.

"July 8, 2000." Spike looked shocked but stayed silent.

She continued, "What is your sister's name?"

"Her name's Barb," I said still wondering what this was all about.

She started to break down, "What's your m-mother's name?"

"Amethyst, why are you-," I was cut off with another question. "What's your fathers' name?"

"...His name is Quartz..." I answered with trepidation. I looked around the room avoiding eye contact. Twilight looked both confused and concerned, but Spike was shaking like a leaf, gripping his arms as he looked at me with sorrow, hope, and surprise.

"Okay," I looked back at Celestia. "W-what's your name?" Just then I realized through this whole ordeal, I had not once mentioned my name. This was a simple question, yet it still gave me pause, I answered anyway...

"...It's Jacob, Jacob Draqo..."

To Be Continued...
OK just to clear up things, yes Jacob is my OC and yes his thoughts are BLUE but I need more ideas for this story so if any of you could help out I'd appreciate it I will make sure you get the credit you deserve. Also, I need an OC design if there is anyone out there who can help. He should have dark blue eyes, and dark blue and purple . I don't actually care about clothes so I don't really care what you make just make it badass. And with that, I need to go so I bid you adieu. PEACE!!!

Anxiety Rises Pt.1

Present: June 13, 2018

I snap out of my daydream when I heard a crash in the library I was approaching without my notice. When I arrived I opened the double doors and see Twilight panicking, and Spike buried under a pile of books. The only indication of him being there was a hand laying limply sticking out of the pile and on the floor. I walked over to him and pulled him out of the pile receiving a grateful look from Spike.

I looked at Twilight and asked Spike, "What is it this time?"

He sighed, "I don't know man, she just burst in here and started ranting about someone named Nightmare Moon. And in the process, accidentally knocked me and all these books over, and made me crush Moondancer's birthday present." I looked at the smashed remains of the present and there was no fixing that.

"Relax, I have plenty of gifts for her in my room, I'll let you give her one," I said.

"Thanks, Jay. That's a relief."

"No problem, you know I always have a backup plan just in case," I stated. "Alright, so how are we handling mighty mouth over there this time?" We both looked towards the still ranting and raving Twilight.

"Eh," he shrugged. "Let's wait for her to stop being insane, I'm kinda tired from her waking me up."

I nodded. So for about 30 minutes, I and my brother talked about meaningless things for a while and had a few laughs from the stories we tell. This is what happens sometimes when Twilight is in scholar mode, she'd go on a spiel about some pointless or important thing and we'd try to calm her down or stick to the sidelines. We learned how to listen to anything important though if she asked if we were listening. We developed a way to not pay attention but listen at the same time. It comes in handy.

We turn back to our surrogate sister as she stopped her crazy rant and calms down. So I walk to her and gave her a hug. She looked like she needed it, and apparently, I was right because she nearly crushed me in a hug. Soon Spike joins and everything starts to fully calm down. After much reassurance from both me and Spike, I decided to take a quick peek at some of the books I hadn't read yet.

When I couldn't find anything I turned back to see what my siblings were doing but stopped when something glistened in the corner of my eye. I turned my head to the object to see a book. It wasn't an ordinary book though. The book was completely silver and looked metal but when I touched it, it felt soft and warm. I was going to open it but was interrupted by a loud burp and green light erupting in the room. So putting the book back I went over to where Spike was and saw that he was reading a scroll.

I waited until he was done a read through and spoke, "Hey Spike, whats going on ?" I asked

"Apparently," Spike started looking towards me. "We have to go to a village to check on the Summer Sun Celebration that's coming up. And help Twi make friends." He finished with a snicker.

"Finally," I said with a chuckle. I laughed more when Twi shot me a mild glare. "What?"

"Ugh. I just don't see the point in friendship if it'll only distract me from my studies." Twilight said with a groan.

Spike and I looked at each other than at an irked Twilight.

"Well," Spike started. "You need sunlight, you're starting to get pale and I don't think that's healthy..."

Twilight looks at her skin.

"And," I continued. "You're becoming more distant with everyone and I definitely know that, that isn't healthy. You're even becoming distant with us, the ones you see as little brother's, but every time we try to get you to hang out with us you say 'Not now' or 'I can't' or even just a plain 'No.' We even try reading WITH you but you say we're distracting you even though we didn't make a single sound."

Twilight's mouth opens to respond but couldn't over the guilt setting in. Only one more thing to put the nail in the metaphorical coffin and it was Spike who said it.

"And don't forget mom," this get's Twilights attention. "You've even missed breakfast, lunch, and dinner and frankly she's starting to worry that you don't want to be here. Mom invited you each time to spend time with us but you turned each one down to "study,'" he finished with an air quote. Spike and I sat waiting silently for Twilight (Who had a horrified look on her face) to respond. After a while, she spoke.

"Okay, maybe I should start being more social..."

"Ya think." I and Spike said in unison.

Twi looks up at the clock and panic starts to take up 100% of her face. I guess we're on a time limit because the next thing I know, Twilight was levitating both Spike and me, her purple rhinestone on her forehead glowing, and started to drag us towards what I think is where our transportantion to the village is.

As we're dragged down the street we passed to women by the name of Lyra and BonBon who then asked if we were still going to Moondancer's party. I and Spike both yelled 'YES' at the same time as we passed them. They nodded at us and walked off. Soon we were inside a small chariot, I didn't really like how high we were up so I closed my eyes to take a small nap as Twi and Spike talked.

Inside the Dream

I was floating in a white room of nothingness. This would sometimes happen when I took a small nap or rest for a bit, I don't know how or why or really understand it, but then again who does? All I know is that this started happening after my 16th birthday.

What I do understand is that in this white room I'm floating in, there is no up or down, left or right, or anything that would come to mind. Even the laws of physics don't apply. In this room, I control whatever I like. For example, if I said, "LET THERE BE LIFE!" there will be life. Trees will grow, flowers would bloom, and the sun will rise. Another example, if I flick my wrist mountains will touch the heavens, if I were to think hard enough I could make calm oceans and my breath would be a cool breeze, and at my command, the moon rises. I tried the sun but it just stayed there.

Basically, this is my universe and I'm the god of what I liked to call 'The Void Realm'.

Sometimes in the Void of my realm, I could see a valley in the distance. The only problem with that is that... I didn't create this valley, I mean I created plenty of forests and valley's but the valley in the far distance isn't mine and at some points, in time I could hear soft singing in the distance. For now, I'll just leave it be, it isn't bothering anyone in the slightest and frankly, the soft song in the wind is a calming feeling.

Getting back on track, as I float there in the white area trying to figure what I want to do or create first. 'Hmm...Maybe a skyscraper for me to skydive off of. Or how about a war simulator. Or maybe-.' I stopped thinking when the soft melody started up again, '-some relaxation...' This would always happen sometimes when I want to do something thrill seeking. Every time I try something fun (dangerous) the melody starts.

"Oh well, relaxing it is," I say in defeat as I conjure up a beach. The sand was warm, and the air was cool, I then make two palm trees with a hammock attached to it. I change into a Hawaiian button up shirt with cargo shorts as I donned a pair of sunglasses on. I listened to the peaceful melody as I continued to lay there.

While relaxing I got curious of who and where the song was coming from, so listening closely I turned to the direction of where it was coming from. I got up from the hammock and started walking in that direction. Something told me to go faster and I started to speed walk. I don't know why I'm so interested in who was singing but I need to know. I HAVE to know.

I had barely noticed that I was running at a full sprint at a speed I didn't know I could accomplish as the music only gotten louder, what I did notice was me running straight into a forest. Pushing branches out of the way, jumping over fallen trees and stumps, and crossing rivers, I had finally made it to a clearing. As I took a step I heard a twig snap next too and under my foot. I slowly turn my head and see a person next to me. My eyes widen when I finally recognize who was standing next to me. It was Spike.

"What are you doing in my head?" We said in unison. "Your head, this is my head!"

Spike spoke, "Look all I know is that, I went for a small nap and went to my world-err our world I guess, and was about to create a lion to try and tame but stopped when a nice melody started. So I shrugged, made a lawn chair and book to read and started to relax. After about a couple of minutes, I finally got curious and went to search for whoever was singing," Spike explained. "What about you?"

I started, "Same with me but instead of lion taming, I was actually going to skydive off of a skyscraper without a parachute."

"Ah dude, I should'a did that!"

"Oh quit whining and help me find the one making us relax instead of adrenaline rushing us to death."

Spike grumbled as we continued to search for the angelic voice. We moved closer to the clearing and hid behind a tree while Spike hid in a bush. We peeked at the clearing and saw a woman sitting on a boulder, she looked impatient and in her late 40s. She had pale white skin that looked almost translucent, violet-blue hair, and amethyst colored eyes. She wore a pure white dress but didn't have shoes or heels.

"Jay, who is that and what is she doing in our heads?" Spike asked in a whisper to me.

I turned to him, "How should I know?" I whispered back, "It's not like I created her, for all I know your perverted mind could have conjured her up."

"I told you that magazine isn't mine," Spike said in a harsh whisper. "That was Shinings magz and you know it. It even had his name on it!"

I chortled and whispered back to him, "I know, I'm just bustin' your chops. It was hilarious when Twilight and mom caught you with it."

Spike was going to say something back but was interrupted by the woman, who was now standing over us, clearing her throat. We looked at her and back to each other than back to the woman and weakly waved, "Uh...Hi?" We asked in unison.

The woman said with an agitated look, "Who pray tell, might you be? More importantly, how did you get into this realm, a sacred place? If I see any form of deceit, punishment will be dire." She spoke in a soft yet stern tone of voice making us flinch and gulp.

"Uh, shouldn't we be asking that question-?" I was interrupted.

"Answer. The. Question..." She said through gritted teeth.

Spike and I looked at her and shrugged, an action that seemed to catch her off guard and I swore I saw a hurt look. I could tell Spike seen this too, but we kept quiet anyway. We walked past the woman who had her head down in thought and sat down in the clearing. She took notice and looked at us questioningly. We only smiled and gestured for her to do the same, to which she did so hesitantly.

"Well, seeing as the only way we can leave is to wake up, so I say we get acquainted and talk for the time being," I said and everyone agreed. The woman looked confused when I said wake up. She decided to speak first.

"...Ok then, my name is Amethyst, and this is my and my children's realm..."

My mind went blank when I heard her say her name and Spike was in the same position as me, I was the first to recover thinking it was just a coincidence.

"M-my name is Jacob-" Amethyst eyes widened and tears were pouring down. "-and this is my brother Spike." I finished and the next thing I know, I was pulled into a crushing hug.

*sob* "I-I can't believe this, my babies are here. Oh, thank Faust Almighty." *sob* Amethyst cried. She then held us at arm's length, looking at us closely in the eyes, hair, and face in general.

"W-who are you?" Spike asked quietly.

"Your mother of course." She said.

"I'm finding this hard to believe. I-I thought you were... dead." I said barely above a whisper.

"I am," she spoke softly. "And I'm so sorry..." *Sob*

I looked over to Spike to see him crying, so I pull him and the woma- er my mom into a hug. We cried for a couple of hours just sitting in the small patch of grass, trying to calm our selves down, and after a couple of minutes we got ourselves together and were quietly sitting in a small circle, red puffy-eyed.

Spike was the first to speak, "So, this is what you look like?" He gained a thoughtful look, "I kinda thought you'd have green hair."

Mom giggles, "No, that trait would come from your father. And Barb would also have his looks too." Then she turned to me, "But Jacob has his grandfathers look."

"Huh, I was wondering about that, I figured that Spike would look like dad, Barb looks obviously comes from you but has green hair, and I'd get my looks somewhere else. Guess I was right." I said with a shrug.

"I'm just glad that Spike looks his father, you have your grandfather's looks, and Barb looks like me." Mom smiled.

I felt a pang in my chest when thinking about Barb. I haven't heard from my sister in 8 years of living with my brother and adoptive mother and surrogate sister. Mom must have seen my hurt look because the next thing I know was being pulled in a crushing hug. She raised my head and looked into my eyes and said...

"Don't worry too much she's fine," I gave her a confused look. "I know this because sometimes she comes into here and visits or waits for the both of you to show up. She misses you both terribly." When she said this, I felt 8 years of weight get lifted off my shoulder. I smiled brightly at her.

"Ok, thanks-" just then the world started to shake. "-Oh c'mon I just found you, I don't want to lose you again. I have so many things to ask and talk about with you."

She held up my chin and said, "You won't lose me again, and I'll always be with you. But when you come back your sister will be here." She finished just as the world started to fade. Her voice had a slight echo to it. I and Spike smiled and nodded. Soon the world went dark.

The Real World

*Gasp-cough-cough* I woke with a start and tried to get my breathing under control while looking at Spike to see him doing the exact same thing. He looked at me and asked, "Dude, did that really happen?"

"I'm guessing yes since we both know what had happened..."

"...So that was-"

"Mom? Yes, yes it really was."

We sat there quiet, the only interruption being Twilight who was snoring quietly while mumbling something about algebra and string theory, we laughed at this.

Spike turned to me, "So, should we tell Mom and Twilight about this or should we wait?"

"...We should wait. If we tell mom, she'll have a breakdown and worry all day and Twi would only use this as an excuse to go back to Cantorlot and 'study' this."

Spike agreed, "Yeah, you're probably right. Besides we don't want mom to break into a crying fit in the middle of the celebration. Now that would be a downer."

I was about to speak when the chariot stopped at the town we were staying in for the time being. I tried to wake up Twilight but she was a heavy sleeper. So Spike sat next to her and said loudly, "Hurry Twilight, school's starting, you don't want to be late do you!?"

"No, not a tardy!" Twilight yelled as she shot up from her seat and proceeded to bang her head against the off of the chariot.

I and Spike laughed loudly, making her turn to us glaring at us while rubbing the top of her head. She leaned forward and smacked us in the back of our heads.

"That was not funny!" She pouts, only making us laugh harder as we get out of the vehicle.

"You gotta stop falling for that then," Spike said after getting control of his lungs. "What was that? The 131st time you fell for that old gag. sheesh, you don't even go to school anymore."

"Hmmph!" was her reply as she gets her hair in order.

I finally got my breath back, "Oh Twi, your so adorkable." I said as we started to walk down the road.

Twilight made a face, "That's not even a real word!"

"It is in my book!" I laughed. Twilight rolled her eyes and continues walking, me and Spike following close behind.

"Anyway's, let's get this over with so we can head to the library and get started on the Nightmare Moon business," Twilight says.

"Geez, at least try to enjoy meeting someone outside a library Twi?" Spike suggested.

She groaned, "Ugh, fine, but I won't like it." She walked up to a woman with hot pink poofy hair, "Excuse me, sorry to bother you-"

The pink-haired woman had turned around to see who was trying to get her attention, saw Twilight talking to her, gasped dramatically while jumping in the air, and ran leaving a path of dust in her wake. We were silent for a minute, Spike looked bewildered, I just shrugged, and Twilight had a blank look on her face.

Twilight looked at us, still with a blank look, "We failed let's go back to Cantorlot." She turns to walk away until she remembered that we came on a chariot that had already left. She turned back to us with a defeated look now, "Nevermind, let's just get this over with and when we're done we'll head to the library."

She hands Spike a piece of paper and quill, "Go down the list and see where we're heading to first." She then turns back to me and hands me a list of places were going and a quill, "and you will check off the places and rate the from 10-1, it depends on the least to greatest." I looked at the list, seemed simple if not redundant.

"Alright, Spike, whose the first one on the list?" Twilight asked eagerly.

Spike looked at his list and gulps for some reason, he glanced at me. 'Why is he looking at me like that for?' He pulled Twilight to the side and starts to whisper to her harshly. She looked surprised for a minute and then looks at me with sudden trepidation. I was getting annoyed.

"What are you guys whispering about?"

They hesitated to look at me for a minute and then slowly turned my way and had uneasy smiles on their faces. I didn't like it one bit. I stepped towards them, which seemed to make them panic.

"Guy's?" I said with worry. "What's on that list?"

They turned back to eachother and started whispering again and I swore I heard Spike whisper, 'NO! I'm not telling him, he'll freak out, you do it!'

Twilight stepped forward. "Uh listen, Jacob, what I'm about to tell you, you have to promise me that you won't freak out, please?" She asked.

I didn't like where this was going but nodded anyway.

"Okay... the first person we're going to see is a farmer." She said.

"Um ok, what's the problem?" I asked after not receiving any further explanation.

"Uh, you see her n-name is..." She paused, looking towards Spike for help, he gestured for her to keep going which confused me. So with a sigh, she said, "...Applejack-Apple..."

Author's Note

OK, this the moment of truth. How do you like it? Did you get excited? Did it make you squirm? Leave a comment down below I need all the criticism I can swallow

This is Bronze signing off. PIECE!!!

Anxiety Rises Pt.2

"Applejack Apple..."

I froze. I don't know if mom knew about this or didn't but I'm sure as hell am not dealing with an Apple. I'm not angry with them or anything. No, I'm terrified...I turned around and started walking towards the train station.

"Jacob, wait!" Spike called. I stopped walking but didn't turn around to face him. "Where are you going?"

I turned my head to the side, looking at him in the corner of my eye and spoke in a deadpan tone, "Back to Canterlot..."

They winced at my tone, "Look Jacob... I know you have problems with the Apple Clan but these guys are innocent. At least put the fear aside and get it over with." Spike bargained.

I contemplated my options. I could always say 'no' and walk all the way back to Canterlot and stay with mom in the comfort of moms throne room but that would mean leaving my surrogate sister and brother to do my work, even though minimal, didn't seem right to me. Or I could say 'fuck it' and get this out of the way and be on with my life.

I chose my second option, I should just get this over with. I don't like the idea of putting work on others anyway, even if it's redundant. Plus, walking all the way to Canterlot doesn't seem all that fun. Besides, I didn't really need to socialize with them.

I turned back to them, "Alright, I'll go with, but I'm not socializing. Let's get this over with ..." I said with a sigh, we started to walk. I pulled the list out getting started on my job I just hope this doesn't go downhill from here. As we walked, Spike decided to ask a question...

"Jay, why didn't we take your car with us instead of riding a chariot. Not that I don't like riding a chariot and being treated like a king but your car is way faster, better, and cooler."

"Well," I started. "We would have taken my ride but since mom said I should take a break from it, I decided 'why not.' Besides, it's at an auto body shop anyway."

Twilight looked at me in shock, "Why? What happened?"

"The reason it's there is that dear cousin Blueprick decided to have a joyride in my sweetness after he crashed his whip," I said cracking my neck in frustration. "And since he was drunk driving in my car, mom forced him to pay half of his allowance for my car and the rest of his bits to me. In addition, mom took his license from him, and he wouldn't stop crying about it."

"And how much damage did Ivory take?" He asked about my car in worry.

"Ok, the back windshield is gone, theirs throw up all over the airbags that deployed when he crashed, and the front of the car is so totaled from hitting a tree, so wrecked you'd think he was trying to get Optimus prime to mate with my girl," I said bitterly. "He better be lucky mom held me back with magic, otherwise I'd kick his ass back to the medieval times and wait for them to kick him back so we can play a game of tennis with his head!" I calmed down to look at them, "And that's after he gets out of the hospital." They looked at me with wide eyes until I snapped my fingers in their faces snapping them out of their stupor. They laughed at imaging Blueblood being hit back and forth from time periods with tennis rackets.

As we walked back into quietness, we stepped closer and closer to the farm overhead. Each step brought dread and my feet felt like lead.

"Guy's," they turned to me. "I can't do this..."

Spike walked over and threw an arm over my shoulder reassuringly, "Dude it'll be fine," It didn't convince me and it showed as much, "how about this, you can stick in the back behind us.? You don't even have to speak."

"...Alright, Spike, I trust you..." And with that, we continued in silence. I had already stood in the back for the remaining of the walk. A few minutes passed as I kept myself calm, and we had arrived at the gate of the farm. I couldn't stop shaking. 'Calm down Jacob...Just calm..down...'

We crossed the gate with no problem and walked passed trees in the orchard. We were well within the orchard now and a farmhouse came into view. As we got closer, we saw a blond-haired woman carrying a basket filled with apples, corn, and other vegetables. It was mostly apples. I didn't really care at the moment though, I made sure to stick in the back when the woman that, I'm assuming is Applejack, seen and approached us.

When she was at least 5 feet away from us she spoke, "Howdy, welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, my name's Applejack!" Then she started to shake our hands enthusiastically but when she got to me I hesitated. Looking at her outstretched hand and closed-eyed smile I composed myself and slowly reached for her hand with my now violently trembling one, and shook her hand quickly and let go after 5 seconds.

She looked at me quizzically but every time she'd try and meet my gaze I'd hesitate and look away from hers. Even when I tried to look in her eyes it wouldn't last long and from me turning my head so fast it'd make me dizzy, starting new bouts of trembling. The only way I met her gaze was by quick glances but those made me equally sick. She looked concerned and turned to my siblings who also had concerned looks.

"Is he gon' be alright?" she asked.

Twilight spoke, "He'll be fine in a little while. Just leave him be for now..."

"If ya say so..." Applejack said still not convinced. "So what can ah do ya for?"

As they spoke I was busy trying to get myself together and not flub up. So closing my eyes, I took deep breathes, 'In, out...In and out..' I thought to myself. It worked on a minuscule level, so trying harder I blocked out my hearing. It was working a little but it wasn't enough. It took me 20 minutes to calm down though I was still tense.

I flinched hard when someone placed their hand on my shoulder. And I tried and succeeded at keeping still, stopping myself from decking Spike who was the one who placed their hand on my shoulder. I lifted my head slowly to him and was met with a worried look. So to ease him a bit I put on a tired and taut smile, but that only seemed to worry him more. He pulled me into a brotherly hug, something I didn't know I needed until now, and whispered calmly to me until I wasn't as stiff as a board. I hugged him back tightly, whispering thank you's to him for being there for me.

After a minute, I and Spike let go and turned back to the two conversing women. It looked like Twilight was trying to avoid something. I walked closer to figure out what was being talked about and froze. Something didn't feel right to me. I was about excuse myself off the premises when Applejack spoke.

"C'mon ya'll, I'll show ya tha family." I shuddered at this and met Twi's eyes and I gave her a hesitant yet shallow nod.

"A-Alright," Twilight said.

So waiting for the inevitable, I just stood in place stiff, gulping from the dry mouth I had. I thought to try to stay optimistic, 'What's, t-the worst that could happen. It's not like their hundreds of them...'

My thoughts were cut off when Applejack shouted, "SOUPS ON EVERYONE!!!" Causing the ground to rumble a little. My chest tightened as I thought about the number of people coming near. I thought there would only be a few people showing, so you can imagine the looks of horror when Applejack kept naming off her relatives. Though I really didn't pay attention to that.

I didn't know what to do, I looked towards Spike trying to scream for help but my mouth wouldn't move. He looked at me and his face screamed panic. I couldn't say anything due to the fact that my teeth were grinding together. And turning back to the large group only seemed to make my stasis worst because as soon as I faced them, my head started throbbing, so I shut my eyes and pushed my tongue to the roof of my mouth, trying to get rid of a growing headache. After a few seconds, I opened my eyes; The results were horrifying.

The world had turned red and every single Apple relative looked like my tormentor. They had different types of weapons ranging from scalpels to mallets and needles. They took a step forward in unison and I stumbled back, almost tripping over my feet. They saw this and let out a chilling laugh that was low to a whisper but deep enough to hear.

I gripped my hands over both my ears as they began to laugh louder. I felt liquid coming out of my mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. I couldn't care less about what sort of liquid that was pouring from me. I stepped back again when one of the duplicates stepped up. I guess I didn't give it enough time to say or do anything because at that moment I noticed that I was already running through an entrance of the forest that was near.

As I ran, I barely took notice of a woman with pink hair, tail, and yellow sundress was waving for me to stop. I just ignored her and continued to run.

I didn't know how long I was running or how fast but it was starting to get dark out. I was still crying, though the tears felt thick and it hurt when I continued to cry the substance. I reached up to touch whatever it was and peered at it. The liquid was dark red. I was crying blood. On reaction to this I blinked, which was the wrong thing to do, because the next thing I know, I was blinded and ran into what seemed to be a low hanging branch.

I stumbled and rolled across the ground and hit my head against a boulder, knocking myself out.

In The Void Realm

I jolted up and looked around, seeing that I had knocked myself into the Void realm. It was quiet for once, something I was thankful for. The quietness helped me calm down. So after about 5 minutes of just floating in the whitened world, I decided to leave this place. It just doesn't seem safe to leave my sleeping body in a forest, filled with who-knows-what.

So concentrating, I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths, only to realize I was still floating in the same spot I was in when I showed up. Try and try again but still no results that benefitted me.

"C'mon, WHY CAN'T I WAKE UP!!!" I screamed. Sighing, I sat on a couch I had just created, "How am I supposed to get out of here now?" I closed my eyes and slouch on the couch, I closed my eyes and focused on the soundless room through my ears...

"...Jacob!"

I perked up and looked around, I don't see anyone near though. 'Huh, must be me hearing things.' I start to close my as but stopped and listen closely.

"...Jacob, where are you, bro?!" 'Ok, now I know I heard someone.' I stood from the couch and start to walk.

"Bro?!" Another voice yelled. 'Could have sworn that was my sister just now.' I listened more closely to the voice calling out to me, "J, where are you?!" 'That was Spike obviously...'

"JD, come on out, we know you're there!" 'That was...Barb? That can't be...'

"Guy's, I'm here!" I called and started to run in any direction. "I'm coming guys! Head to the valley where mom is!" I continued, hoping against hope they'd hear me.

"You'd better be there!" I heard Barb yell.

I couldn't believe this, my sister is actually here. I ran so fast, I was already entering the forest; Dodging fallen trees, roots, and branches. As I was getting closer to the clearing I had met my mother, I tried to run faster, keyword tried. I was too tired to run any faster but still determined to get where I'm going. I kept pushing, fearing if I'd stop, everything would fall into shambles.

As soon as I ran into the clearing I was tackled by two figures. Dazed, I looked up to the people holding me in a tight embrace and found them to be my brother and older sister. Hugging them back tightly, I looked around to find mom and see her sitting in the middle of the grassy plain, wiping the tear from her eyes. Turning back to my siblings and they looked at me in relief. We let go of each other and walked over to our mother and sat with her.

We sat in silence, looking at each other, smiling all the while. I was the first to speak, "This feels... Right."

Spike and Barb agreed with a nod and mom smiled at us. I turned to Barb...

"Hey, sis, I missed you and all but can you tell me where you've been these past years? You know you could've sent me a note, a hint, or something cluing me in that you were ok you know," I said annoyed.

She rolled her eyes, "I did, you're just clueless sometimes."

"I am not!" I said loudly.

"Are too!" She said evenly. We smirked.

"No!" I yelled.

"Yes!" She yelled

"Nah!"

"Ya!"

"Wrong!"

"Right!" She finally yelled, we stared annoyingly at each other and groaned.

"Ugh, you're so annoying!" We yelled in unison.

"No, I'm not," we yelled. "Stop copying me!" We glared at each other.

"Jinx! Double jinx! Triple jinx! Quadruple jinx! Infinite jinx! Dangit!" We yell simultaneously.

We were about to continue our nonsense when Spike started to snicker at us. We looked at him and mom who was shaking her head at us.

She spoke, "I don't know whether to laugh or look at you disapprovingly at your behavior. Why are my 23-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son acting like children?" She asked incredulously.

Before Barb could say anything I interrupted her, "Well, I don't know about her," I pointed at my sister. "But just because I act mature sometimes doesn't mean I am. My brain isn't even fully developed yet, shoot I'm not even 18. I just say I am because my birthday about to come up in July."

Barb seemed annoyed because she slapped me on the back of the head.

"Hey, why'd you slap me? It's not like I called you immature or something. Although..."

She slapped me again.

I whimpered and hid behind Spike, who sighed and facepalmed. "Dude...Why are you being such a wimp?" He asked.

"You don't get it, man, she hits harder than you when you're trying to get a date with Moondancer!" I finished with a snicker.

He blushed hard and hit me, "Shut up, at least I try to get a date." He said as we sat there, "I still don't know why you're so against going out again, I mean we're 17 and we haven't gone on a date since we were 15."

"Spike, the last time we went out with someone, more specifically Diamond and Silver, they tried to use us for our money and when that failed, they started planning on humiliating us," I deadpanned.

Spike thought about it, "I guess you're right, though I'm just glad Twilight overheard them. Who knew what they were planning against us." He looked at me in annoyance.

"Hey c'mon we got back at them and broke up with them in the most humiliating way we could think of, so why are you staring at me like that?" I asked.

He said sarcastically, "Oh I don't know, you tell me..." I rolled my eyes and was about to speak when mom interrupted our back and forth.

"You two are dating?!" She asked excitingly.

Spike and I looked at each other nervously, not knowing what to do. Spike hesitated, "...Yes?" Though I added, "Well, actually, he's still dating, I'm not much for the dating scene anymore, thank you very much." Spike looked at me exasperated.

Mom ignored my comment and grabbed us in a tight hug, "You have to tell me!" Barb giggled at her dramatic behavior.

Spike began, "Well, we met these two girls at Cantorlot Middle school. Their names are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. We went out with these two, me with Silver and Jacob with Diamond, for 3 months before they started acting weird."

"Weird, how?" Barb asked, interested.

I answered, "Every time they see us they wouldn't say hi or ask us how we were doing and only asked for expensive things."

Spike continued, "After a while, we found out they were using us and on a side note had other boyfriends."

When we finished, mom and Barb looked horrified so I decided to reassure them. "Hey don't worry about any of that. When we found out about all of that stuff, we handled it in the most fu-...er I mean mature way possible." I said with a hint of mischief in my voice. Barb saw this instantly unfortunately...

"What did you two do?" She asked.

"Well, let's just say that we're the kings of pranking and mischief is our middle name," I replied cryptically.

"Oh c'mon man. It turned out to be the worst idea because in the end it still fell back on us." Spike argued

Mom looked at us cautiously, "What do you mean 'fell back' what happened?" She looked at me for an answer.

"Uh... Well, they kinda liked it when they fell for the prank. They actually became obsessed with us to the point of stalking..." I tried to say nonchalantly, they looked shocked.

I looked at my brother to find him glaring at me, "Dude, I know the whole thing turned out to be a fluke but at least we're not with them anymore..."

Still glaring he said, "Alright, let me list some of the disadvantages to our little prank. 1.) The prank was needlessly cruel and could've gotten us expelled from school if not for Sinning and Twilight helping us out at the last minute. 2.) It so happens those two wonderful girls love the idea of cruelty to the world and which so happens to love the prank. 3.) Diamond, the cruelest girl in the school with her little sidekick by her side loved it so much, they put their attention solely on us. 4.) As soon as we broke up with the two witches, which was crueler after the prank, that only made them want us more because apparently were trying to play hard to get," He finished in a flat one. "I could continue with the list but that would take longer than 24 hours and counting." He said flatly

"Okay, man, geez, the prank wasn't that bad-" he interrupted me.

"We should have just broken up with them and been done with it, dude. That prank made us targets!" Spike said.

I sighed, "Dude, you have nothing to worry about. Silver doesn't even like you anymore and Diamond is only interested in me. When are you going to let this go?" I asked drily.

"Until they forget about us completely," He said. "You also forget that Diamond is blind when it comes to Dragon-Bloods, guys with spiked or blue and purple hair, or guys all together."

"That may be true but we haven't seen them since they were sent away after breaking into the castle, and I doubt that we'll ever see them again," I said.

"Yeah, but what if-" I cut him off this time.

"Don't you dare complete that sentence or you'll jinx the both of us. I hate Murphy's law!" I yelled.

He just looked at me flatly, "What if they're in this town as we speak?" He completed.

I glared at him, "If they show up out of nowhere, I'm punching in the gut. Hard."

He shrugged, "Fine by me, they're not gonna show up anyway's."

"Just keep jinxing us," I said offhandedly while examining my fingernails.

"Whatever, dude," He said shrugging again.

"You guy's are weird..." Barb exclaimed after a minute of silence.

We rolled our eyes.

"Anyway, let's talk about what happened on the farm, bro," Spike said making me go stiff.

"While you were on the way here, Spike explained what happened and why it happened," Mom said.

"It's nothing," I said, numbly.

"Yeah right, little brother. You were bleeding from your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. That wasn't nothing." Barb said.

"Well, if you know why it happened, then what do you expect me to do about it?" I asked desperately.

"Well," I turned my attention to mom. "You could just keep yourself calm. I mean, you're only afraid of one person, not the entire family. Just try this and keep telling yourself that they aren't at fault for what happened to you."

I couldn't help but see the logic in her words. She was right, I can't really blame others for what happened. I smiled feeling calmer, though as I calmed the world around us started to dissipate.

As we faded in and out, I heard Barb say, "Don't worry about not seeing me again, we'll meet in person very soon, just you wait." I nodded at this and turned towards mom when she spoke, "And when you see Celestia, tell her 'It's almost time.'" Confused, I nodded anyway's.

With that, I was back to the real world staring up at the trees and the night sky. I got up more calmly and started walking back to the town.

"So?" I heard a familiar voice ask. I promptly screamed in fright and face planted on the hard dead grass. I then heard laughing so I turned my head to the side, while still laying on the cool surface, and saw my brother laughing up a storm.

I stood up with a shocked look and stared at him for a minute. I finally ask, "How?"

"How, what?" He retorted.

"How did you find me so fast?" I clarified.

"Well, when you ran off we were looking everywhere and finally after we visited Town Hall we decided to wait a little bit and see if you'd come back on your own. So after a little party, the celebration started and guess what happened?" He asked after he sighed.

I thought for a moment before I shrugged, "What happened?" I asked.

"Nightmare Moon happened." He said with a flat look.

I stared at him for awhile, "Celestial damn it..." I muttered under my breath. "Alright, you'll get your bits when we get back to the library. If my luggage is there then I have 600 in a sack hidden in the compartment of one of my suitcases," I said remembering the bet we made in Canterlot. We bet whether or not Nightmare Moon would show or not; I bet that she wouldn't show. Spike bet she would; won that bet.

As we walked Spike continued to explain what else happened, "So Twi and I ran back to the library to try and find a solution to the whole eternal night problem. Halfway through the books in the library, some of the people who were helping set up preparations for the festival and helping us look for you showed up, with their help we finally found the book we were looking for. It showed artifacts on something called the Elements Of Harmony, the book also said that it was located in this forest, which is called Everfree, the same forest we are in right now. Before I forget, three of the girls we met had also brung their sisters with them to the library. Anyway, seeing a chance I tried to get out the door as fast as I could to go and find you before it was too late. Twilight saw and stopped me from even crossing the threshold of the building, saying she would find you and get you back. I decided it was best for me to sit back and wait for her to leave while also playing babysitter to teenage girls who were, by the way, a little annoying once you get past the brash, squeak, and excited yelling. When the group had finally left and the three girls tired themselves out I snuck out to find you and the rest you know." Spike finished.

I looked at him and sighed, "Damn, sorry I worried you all..."

He looked at me, "It's fine, dude. My question is, are you going to be fine when meeting the Apple family again?" He asked

I thought about it as we got closer to the edge of the forest. In theory, I could see them, I mean yes I had a... panic attack, but that wasn't from see just one or two, it was from seeing hundreds of them. After the talk with mom though, I'm confident to say that I can meet at least 5 at a time.

Getting my thoughts together, I gave Spike an answer, "You bet Spike, I can atleast manage a couple."

"That's good," he said. Then he had a look of misheif on his face, "Because one of the cute girls in the library might interest you a bit." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I rolled my eyes, "Dude, stop trying to hook me up with people I hardly know or might not socialize with."

"Oh come on, Jay, you need to get back into the dating scene."

"No, I don't! And nothing you say or do will make me change my mind!" I said.

"Oh yeah?!" He asked loudly.

"Yeah!" I said evenly.

We stared at each other as we walked in the eerily quiet forest, crickets breaking the silence. My brother suddenly had a mischievous look on his face as if he had already won this game. But what game? I got a little nervous

"Alright then," he said. "You won't believe this but her other friend is pretty cute too," he said, abandoning the devilish like look. I kept quiet.

"You're missing out, man, there are three beautiful, and possibly single girls in the library, just ripe for the picking." I still kept quiet.

Spike groaned, finally giving up, "Fine, be that way. But at some point, you'll want to start dating again."

"I don't see a reason why you want me to start dating so much." I wondered, finally speaking.

He looked forward grimacing, after a moment of silence he spoke, "I just don't want you to become antisocial again, Jay. I've seen how you can get when your isolated, you're worse than Twilight and don't deny it. You get to the point of insanity, dude... or sometimes...." He trailed off not wanting to continue his sentence.

He didn't have to though, I already knew what he was referring too in the first place. I looked at my brother who still faced forward than looked down at my hands. I blinked once and my hands turned into rotting flesh, I blinked again and they were back to normal. '*sigh* Hallucinations are starting again, I need my medicine.' I thought.

I looked back to my brother and made up my mind. "...Spike," I said after a minute of silence. He looked at me, "I promise you that I won't block anyone out. Not you, not Twilight, and especially not mom... Not again, I promise."

Spike smiled weakly at me, "...Thanks, Jacob." He said.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait, the holiday got to me and I had gotten shitfaced for a better half of it and couldn't think on a hangover so I said fuck that and went to bed.

Anyway, I gonna pick up slack now that the holiday's almost over, though don't expect a chapter near New Years Eve or Day.

like if you want, or don't, though that would be your one and last mistake you'd ever take. Choose wisely