First Steps
It was dark, very dark, I could barely see anything, though I could see a strange tree in the distance emanating an eerie blue hue. 'Maybe there's something there,' I thought, but as I moved closer the gravity became heavier and breathing became harder. Deciding that it wasn't worth it I turned back, but as I turned I heard a voice call out to me, yet I couldn't understand it.
"Who's there?" I asked, this time the voice was louder, but I still could not interpret it.
I felt my mind slipping away, I didn't want to go, it's calm here.
"...Para......dise"
This time I heard the voice, a female voice that I didn't recognize.
"...Free..."
There it was again, a broken echo in the void, as if some spirit is calling me.
"Is someone there? Hello!" I called out, but I didn't get an immediate reply.
"Get....up!" Another voice called out, this one more masculine than the first.
Wait a minute, this voice sounded familiar
"Ghost, get the hell up!"
I awoke with a gasp, shooting up from my bed and onto the cold floor. Shaking some of the dizziness away, I stared up and saw a blurry sand colored figure standing over me.
"Ghost, get your lazy ass up or you're not getting paid this week!" The voice shouted right into my ear.
"Uhhh...it's not like you pay me much anyway bro." I grumbled, rising from the ground and rubbing the grogginess from my eyes.
After the blurry haze was gone from my vision I stared into the blue eyes of a sand coloured pegasus. This is my older brother, Grillby "Griller" Nyx, Chef and Co-owner of a seaside restaurant called "The Nyx Brother's Diner". For as long as I can remember the two of us have called each other by our nicknames, though I forgot my actual name a long time ago.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Griller chuckle,"Yeah yeah, complain all you want lil 'bro, but I need you up to get started with setting up the diner."
I stretched my legs with a few audible cracks, I nodded and got off the ground. Stepping up to the mirror I began to inspect myself, the reflection was that of a light grey pegasus with reddish grey mane and tail. Staring back at me is a single gold colored iris, my other eye is being covered by my mane. Fixing my mane, and seeing as I found nothing else out of place I left my room to follow my brother down the stairs.
After catching up to, Griller, I decided to start a conversation. "So, anything new today?"
"Not really," then he gained a sinister smirk," Oh! I almost forgot, the special today is salmon chowder!"
I stuck my tongue out and gagged. I sometimes wonder if my brother made that horrible special just to torture me, I mean, he knows I'd gag at the smell of it, it always smells like rotting fish no matter what.
"Why do you like torturing me bro?"
"Hey, the regulars love it!"
I huffed, yeah right. All of our regulars are old folks who have no sense of smell or taste.
As we reached the restaurant's main dining room my brother turned to me and gave me my orders for the day, "Alright lil 'bro, I need you to setup plates and utensils, you know, like usual." Griller paused for a second in thought, then his eyes widened in remembrance,"oh yeah, Cinder won't be here today, so I need you to wait tables in her place."
"Why is it always me that covers for Cinder? Why not call up Jack?" I complained, Cinder is one of the waiters that work for us. Though she's usually unable to make it to work due to complications, we can't really afford to hire more staff nor can we fire Cinder, so we're kind of stuck with her.
I looked over to Griller for an answer, he simply shrugged, "Well, Jack is on sick leave, and you are the only other pony here," he replied, then with a wink he continued, "and you look feminine enough to pass as a waitress."
With a groan of annoyance, I simply accepted that I'd have to wait the tables, though I hate how he keeps reminding me of how feminine I look, what with my smaller than average stallion size, longer mane, and a mare like muzzle. Shaking my head and dropping that train of thought, I began to set the tables.
It continued like this for a while in silence, just like every other day we've been working here. The restaurant was once our house, but after our parents died my brother refurbished the house, and turned the first floor into a restaurant. My brother was sixteen at the time while I was twelve, my brother became known as the youngest restaurant owner in New Canterlot.
New Canterlot is the combination of one third of Baltimare, all of Fillydelphia, and half of Manehatten with a great big wall surrounding it. Being near the coast has its perks, we get fresh fish anytime we need it.
Not much is know about what goes in the Dead Lands beyond the walls, just rumors from the occasional wall guards, and tall tales from an old coot named Salt Stack or "Salt Stack, never tries and tellin' lies.". Nopony really believes his stories, one of them is that if you die in the Dead Lands you'd come back as some monster from the underworld. Crazy, I know, but I sometimes wonder if he's telling the truth.
Business was pretty uneventful, some guards came in to order some fish'n'chips to go, Salt Stack ordered his usual, which was the Salmon burger and fries. There were some other random customers who came later in the day, some tried hitting on me, so imagine the surprise on their faces when they found out I was male.
It was near closing hour when I heard the entrance bell rang, with a sigh, I went to greet the customers.
"Hi, welcome to the Nyx Brothers Diner, how may I-" I stopped abruptly when I noticed who I was greeting, it was a dark green unicorn in an expensive looking suit, I narrowed my eyes, this was the same pony who tried to buy our restaurant and home three weeks ago.
In an annoying rich person's accent he announced himself, "Good evening, My name is Green Hooves, though I'm sure you remember me."
"Of course, and my answer still remains, we're not selling this place." I replied through gritted teeth."So if you don't mind, kindly take your offer and shove it up you a-"
I was stopped by Griller shutting my mouth. He looked at me with a look of disapproval. I stared at him as he stared back.
With a sigh he replied, "I called him here, Ghost. I plan to sell the place."
That had me shocked, then it turned into rage, "What!? What do you mean sell?! I didn't agree to this, we're supposed to be partners, so the decisions need to be made by both of us!"
"I know, but we're close to falling into debt. If I don't sell this place, then we'll have nothing! It's better to sell it and retire, or find other lines of work."
I was about to reply, but my shock and anger kept me at a loss for words, so I ran to my room instead. I locked my door, laid on my bed and cried.
I lost track of how long I stayed in my room, but it must have been an hour or so, maybe more. I just can't believe that my brother would just sell our restaurant, our home, after all the memories and work that went into it. Our first birthday together without our parents, our first customer, even our first positive review from a critique. A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Hey, um...listen, I know it's hard to accept, but I'm doing this for our own good."
It was my brother. I stayed silent, I wasn't ready to talk yet.
"I know you can hear me, Ghost, but it's true, we can't afford to keep this business running anymore. Especially with the new mayor raising the taxes."
I continued to stay silent, but I walked up to the door and sat by it quietly.
"Look, Green Hooves has given us a week to move everything out."
I decided to break my silence, opening the door I looked at my brother dead in the eyes, "who else knows about this?" I asked.
With a sigh, Griller answered, "Cinder, Jack," he inhaled and paused for a second, then exhaled and continued, "basically, everyone in the city knows."
I shut my eyes, sighed, then I looked at my brother again, "I'm going out for a while." I said.
"Alright, but don't be out too late." With that said, Griller continued onwards to his room.
Guess I'll just wander around for a bit, not much else to do anyways.
I ended up at a bar called the Salt Shack, surprisingly owned by Salt Stack. Which makes me wonder why he comes to our restaurant if he owned a bar that also sells food. The mystery of Old Salt aside, I was sitting at a small table by myself drinking a small glass of Salt Shack's famous Raindrop Whiskey, the drink itself had nothing to do with Raindrops whatsoever. I just sat there, pondering the meaning of life, I kinda felt like I was floating. "heh, I guess the whiskey was taking effect." I muttered to nopony in particular.
A light nudge shook me out of my thought, looking to the person that nudged me, I was surprised to see Salt Stack.
"Hey there kiddo, can't help but noticed you bein' down in the dumps, guess the news of your restaurant bein' sold hit you harder than I thought." Salt said in an old equestrian accent, from Manehatten I think, as I thought this Salt Stack calmly walked over and took a seat across from me.
"Heh, of course you'd know too, it seems like everypony knew...everyone but me." I scoffed, though the last bit was mumbled.
"Sorry about that, but hey, if you've got somethin' to get off your chest, then Old Salt's got an ear to lend."
I thought on that for a bit, then sighed, "I don't know, I just don't know what I'm going to do after all this."
Salt took a thinking pose, then his eyes lit up, "How 'bout joining me and some folks on a trip to one of the other settlements tomorrow?"
My eyes wided at that, "what! Are you crazy?!" I shouted.
Salt only chuckled, "heh heh, drink took care of that a long time ago, but I'm serious, you'll have a chance to see the other settlements, and you'll get paid too."
I thought about it for a second, while the sound of leaving the city sounds crazy, this may just be my chance at finding something I like, plus, I'd be getting paid. Though at the same time I'm sober enough to know that I'm slightly drunk, causing my sense of reason to be thrown out the window, that and I'm a lightweight. Next thing I knew I blacked out.
I woke up the next morning on my bed with a splitting headache, I couldn't remember much of last night, though I hope I didn't do something I'd regret. There was a loud ringing noise in my head, it took me awhile to realise that it was somepony knocking on my door. Rolling out of bed I shambled up to my door and opened it. Standing at my door was my brother with a disapproving look.
"I can't believe you went and got drunk, Ghost." Griller scolded.
"Can you keep down, my head is still ringing." I replied groggily.
Then another voice shouted from behind my brother. "Hey there kiddo, hope you're ready for the trip."
"W-wha, Salt Stack? What are you doing here, and what's this about a trip?" I asked.
"Oh, that's right you past out last night, but you sounded very determined 'bout your decision to come along." Salt replied.
Trying to recalled that decision, I instantly remembered that I agreed to join Salt and his caravan to Las Uness, another safe haven south of where old Ponyvile was.
"What? Nonononono, you are not going anywhere, Ghost, it's too dangerous." Griller protested.
"What is your problem, Griller, you wanted to sell the business and have us find other professions, well I'm trying a new one right now." I shouted, then I continued, "Besides, the Caravan will have armed guards, right Salt?"
"That's right."
"When I said other lines of work I didn't mean one that involved going out into the Dead Lands!" Griller shouted.
"Well, maybe it isn't for you, but I want this, I want to see places outside of New Canterlot!" I shouted back.
"Well fine! If you want to go out there and get yourself killed then fine!" Huffed Griller.
"Fine, I hope I don't have to see you ever again!" I retorted, then I slammed the door and packed my stuff. I then stormed out of the house with Salt Stack taking the lead.
Standing at the city gates made me realize that it's much bigger up close. Turning to my left I looked to Salt Stack and the rest of the caravan. There were four heavily armed guards, and two other merchants.
"Well, this is it. My first step into the outside." I thought to myself. Though deep down I wish my brother was here to see me off.
We made it a pretty good distance from the city since we left early in the morning, we passed through some ruins of the rest of Fillydelphia, past a forest that regrew over the centuries. We had to travel through a mountain on a steep pathway due to it being the safest route, so by the time we reached halfway the sun has nearly set below the horizon. The lead guard said that we'd set up camp in a cave for the night, I didn't question it since they've been doing this far longer than I did. It was decided that the guards would stand watch in shifts, and alert the rest in the case of danger.
It has been a few hours now since everypony fell asleep, the campfire was still going strong, though I was still awake, and I really needed to take a piss. So I got up and silently exited the cave, there was no way in hell I was pissing near everypony, luckily or unluckily, the guard standing watch had fallen asleep as well. It was really dark out, the only light being the New Canterlot city lights in the far distance, the dim campfire light from the cave and the small glimmers of light from the moon shining through some gaps in the cloud cover. I did my best to piss off the side of the cliff, though it was hard to see.
After my business was taken care of I turned to go back into the cave, but I didn't account for some piss on the ground, and I slipped. I began falling, and falling, the light of the campfire was getting further and further away. Time seemed to slow down.
"Damn it, and to think the last thing I said to my brother was an argument. We've never argued before. I guess my only regret is that I didn't get to say sorry." Then, everything went black.
Chapter 2
Welcome to the Dead Lands
"Welcome to Shardsvile, where the broken go to die."
Author's Note
Hiya, I'm still kinda new to this, but I'll try my best to write a good story.
Welcome to the Dead Lands
My vision was blurry and red, that's the first thing I noticed. The second was the mild headache and ringing in my ears. I tried to stand up, but it felt like something heavy was on me. I kept trying to stand up, but to no avail, then I heard something move, like a rock moving. I suddenly remembered being on a mountain, but why was I on one? I kept trying to remember, but it would hurt my head when I tried to remember more. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard more rocks move. Next thing I knew, the weight was removed from my body. I tried to move again, but nothing was responding. A voice called out from above me, but it was muffled and fragmented.
"Hey....it's goin-....be alright."
I looked up to see a blurred figure, although I wasn't able to make out the shape.
"...-ot a....-vivor over....-ere."
I was still hearing only fragments. My head is starting to feel dizzy, maybe I should take a short nap, yeah, that sounds good right about now.
".....-alling aslee-.....-et that wago-...-ere now!"
I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore as I drifted into the land of sleep.
The sky was a blazing red, rivers ran crimson with blood. The sounds of gunfire thundered through the battlefield like a storm. I was running, but stopped just as a bolt of magic shot past me. I looked up and saw pegasi in metallic blue and yellow suits flying in the air, they were firing at other pegasi and gryphons wearing dark yellow and black suits. I kept running, the sky was being set ablaze as bodies continue to drop all around me. I couldn't fly away, for I had no wings.
Rushing through gunfire and magic bolts, I reached a small bunker. Getting inside, I curled into a corner. I noticed there were other ponies in the bunker, all unarmed, all afraid, like me. Hopefully we're safe here.
That hope soon faded as two canisters rolled into the bunker, they began to release a gas into the air. I held in my breath, but my eyes began to get irritated, so did the skin beneath my fur.
The others were screaming, choking as they began to cough blood. I couldn't hold my breath any longer, so when I breathed in the gas I too began to cough as my nose started to run. My stomach hurt as I vomited, my face was itchy, so, so itchy. It was hard to see, I could feel my skin bubbling, blistering.
I couldn't help it anymore, I started to scratch my face. I could feel the blisters popping, blood and pus covering my face, but I kept scratching, peeling more and more flesh from my face. I bellowed out in pain, it wasn't long before my scream joined the others as our cries of pain, became a symphony of agony.
Then, everything went white.
I shot up with a gasp, panting heavily as sweat rolled down my face. "What the hell was that?" I thought to myself, then I looked around at my surroundings, "and where am I?"
I was on a couch in a rundown looking cabin, there wasn't much light aside from the rays of light, which I presumed was sunlight, shining through the gaps in the ceiling. The place wasn't much to look at, it was very empty, asides from an operating table in the next room over. "Guess this must be some kind of infirmary." I thought to myself again.
Some not so quiet footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts, looking around I saw a dirty blue unicorn wearing a doctor's coat by the entrance to the cabin. I guess I must have been staring too long since he also just noticed me.
In a gruff voice, the unicorn spoke, "oh, your awake. That's good, hope you don't mind, but I need to run a check up on you." As he finished he took a seat across from me, which gave a slight sting of pain in my head as it was familiar somehow.
"Why does this seem familiar though?" I thought.
A random headache came suddenly, and a static voice answered me back, "Why Shouldn't it?"
"What?" I asked out loud.
Then the doctor across from me coughed, "I said, "do you feel any headaches at all"."
"Um, yeah, a weird headache just now." I decided to leave the voice out of the explanation, don't want first impressions to be that I'm crazy.
"Weird how?"
"I don't know, just weird." I replied.
The doc just shrugged, "Very well, now then, do you remember your name?"
I hummed in thought, "I think so, it's-" then my vision flashed.
The world was static like, everything seemed frozen, even the doctor in front of me. I looked around as the world around me shifted, it looked like I was now in a bedroom.
"I can't believe you got drunk, Ghost." A voice echoed.
"What is your problem" Another voice echoed, and while it sounded like me, it was greatly distorted.
Then a figure appeared before me, it was a light grey pegasus with a reddish grey mane. It's eyes were not there though, just two empty voids.
"I'm Ghost" It said.
"What are you?" I asked.
"........" It was silent, then it screeched and lunged at me. I shut my eyes awaiting the inevitable.
I opened my eyes again when I felt nothing, I was expecting the...thing, to be in front of me, but I found the doctor shaking me with concern in his eyes instead.
"Are you alright, you kinda blacked out on me for a while there." the doctor asked.
"Yeah, my head must still be dizzy."
The doctor chuckled, "It should be, the supply runners found you a few days ago buried under some rubble at the bottom of a mountain, my guess is that you fell from a high ledge judging by the injuries you came in with," the doctor shook his as he continued, "honestly, not only is it a miracle that you're alive, but also that you're up and awake in less than a month, I thought you'd be in a coma for months, maybe years."
Was I really out for weeks? I guess the explanation of how I was injured could explain why there were gaps in my memory.
"Anyway, now that you're back, can you tell me your name?" the doctor asked.
Thinking on it some more I began to look around, out of the corner of my eye I caught a figure in a reflection. It looked just like that thing from my vision, by its eyes or rather eye, as it's mane covered the other, it had an iris that was gold. It would move whenever I move, so maybe it is my reflection. Thinking on it some more I remember the creepy version of me said that it's name was Ghost, so maybe it's my name as well.
I went to answer, but I hesitated for a moment. Should I really use the same name as that entity? It's not like I have much choice, I'd rather have a familiar name than a random name and be someone else.
"Ghost, I think my name is Ghost."
The doctor chuckled at my answer. "Ghost, huh? Nice name, better than Blue Flu."
"Blue Flu? Is that your name?" I asked. I didn't want to laugh since I didn't want to offend him, though I couldn't keep a chuckle from escaping.
The doc did a mock bow. "Yep, that's me. Doctor Flu, who can fix your blues, at your service."
In the end I couldn't stop myself from laughing, not in a way that I was mocking him, but I thought it was funny, like it reminded me of someone. The doc ended up laughing as well, so I guess it was alright.
"So is there anything else you needed to check out?" I asked.
Dr. Flu nodded. "Just a few more things and we'll be done, it'll take just a few minutes."
It turns out that a few minutes was actually a couple hours, but at least it's done now. With the check up done I was finally free to leave the infirmary, though I was given a warning not to strain myself too much for a while. I even ended up nicknaming the doctor, Doc Blue.
"Oh, before you go I believe you should take these with you." Well speak of the devil. Turning around, I was greeted to the sight of the Doc levitating some clothes and a strange watch like object towards me.
Grabbing ahold of the clothes and watch, I proceeded to thank the good doctor, "thanks, though I have to ask, what's up with the weird watch?"
Doc Blue simply chuckled at my question, "that's not just any watch, that's an X-05 wrist-mounted Codex."
Turning and inspecting the watch some more, I noticed that it was rather well made, sure there were some scratches here and there, but I wasn't expecting to get one fresh off the shelf in the first place. The Codex was small, only slightly bigger than a pocket watch. The screen was a curved rectangle in shape, spanning a good five inches in length and three inches wide.
Looking up to Doc Blue I gave him a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, so what does it do?" I asked.
The Doc answered with a nod of his own. "No problem, as for the Codex, it's meant to be a means of keeping track of the amount of DigiBit you earn."
"DigiBit?"
"It means Digital Bit, it's the currency that we folk outside of Haven walls use, it can be traded, and spent."
Giving the Codex another look I thought, "how does it keep track of the amount, or distribute it?"
"You may wonder how it keeps track or distribute it, well it's rather simple, they're all connected to a database. Each Codex has its own VI, that stands for virtual intelligence by the way, and are all connected to a Mother AI that is based in Shills Fortress north of what used to be Canterlot."
"Well that's convenient." I chuckled in thought, then a question popped into my head, "so what's stopping others from raiding Shills Fortress?"
Doc first response was to burst out laughing, "why would they? It's called a fortress for a reason, it's one of the only places here in the Dead Lands that can compete with the great walled cities. Shills Fortress is huge, they have three thousand guards of varying species and enough fire power to challenge a Leviathan."
I'm pretty sure I went beet red from embarrassment for asking what now seems like a stupid question.
"Anyway, that X-05 Codex you've got there is my old Codex, I think it'll be of better use to you than with me."
"Wait, then shouldn't you keep this if it was yours? It's got all your money in it!"
Doc Blue only shook his head, "no need, when a codex is given to a new owner all data is transferred or stored when the original owner gets a new codex. The codex Mother AI would create a new VI once a new owner, who's never worn one before, wears it."
I looked down at the codex in my hooves, seeing the reflection of me on it, "so all I have to do is wear it?"
"Yep, but get some clothes on first, can't have you strutting around town completely naked."
I blushed again. "I thought we don't normally wear clothes?"
"Inside the walls of safe havens sure, but not out here, don't want to get an infection or parasite do you?" the Doc replied with a smirk, then he pointed to a room near the main entrance as he put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, "changing rooms are over there."
The clothes given to me were pretty plain, but they were comfortable. A dark blue turtleneck sweater that was long enough to be considered a dress. Of course I was given other clothes, but I was feeling cold so I wore the warmest article of clothing. To be honest, to anyone who doesn't know that I'm a stallion would think I'd look like some nerdy mare if I had glasses to wear.
Leaving the changing room I was greeted with seeing Doc Blue with his jaw dropped, his cigarette now lying on the ground.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
The Doc lightly slapped his face, then he shook his head.
"Oh, uh, nothing, nothing at all. For a second there I thought a lovely young mare was in my home."
I looked around then back at the doc while pointing a hoof at myself, "Are you talking about me?"
"Yeah, it's just old habits, there's not many mares out here in the Dead Lands you know, so watch yourself out there."
I nodded, I guess that would make sense, if there's a very low population of females in this wasteland then it's safe to say that it's not very safe for the very few females that are out there. "Oh sweet Celestia, I hope I'm not gonna get into that kind of situation, I may look like a mare, but I don't think many would be fooled right?"
I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard a cough from the doc, "Anyway, how about you try on the Codex I gave you?"
Picking up the Codex from my pile of things I attached it to my left hoof, with a snap and a hiss it locked itself in place. The screen on the Codex then flickered on.
>System Startup
Inventory log [Online]
Medical systems [Online]
Banking [Online]
Map [Unavailable]
Modifications [Unavailable]
>No errors detected
>Would you like a tutorial?
[YES] [NO]
I pressed yes, the boot up turned off and was replaced with a loading circle. Then it began to speak.
>Welcome to the Altarsis systems, I will be your Virtual Intelligence for the duration of your continued stay with the Altarsis corporation, My designation is A-3R15, or AERIS.
The screen then finished loading and showed an accurate model of me with numbers and icons on the side in a chart of sorts.
>This is your Medical assistance page, it will show the state of your health and level of injuries. You are currently experiencing a minor head injury, would you like to know the cause?
[YES] [NO]
I looked up to the doc to see his reaction, he didn't seem to show much of a reaction, but he looking slightly curious. After a few seconds in silence he nodded, so I tapped yes on the screen. The screen zoomed in on my model's head.
>According to analysis, it appears injuries were from multiple impacts to the head.
It then zoomed in more and showed an x-ray.
>Fractures seem to be recent, but it appears the injuries should have been far worse.
It zoomed in even more on my skull.
>It appears you have an enhanced healing mutations, while not instant regeneration, you can heal from very minor injuries with a good night's rest.
The doc seemed more shocked of that news than me.
>Further mutations are at a 0.0001% chance.
The screen than changed to another screen, this one was mostly bare except for the shirt I was wearing, at the top right was a fraction.
> This is your inventory, this codex will log every item you carry, the fraction 0.1/57.9, the first number is the weight of the items you are currently carrying, the other is the max you can carry.
Swapping screens again, the codex showed a large map of all the continents of the world.
> This is the map feature, the codex will automatically update as you discover new locations that are listed in the Altarsis database.
Switching screens again, this time the codex showed a circle in the middle of the screen with a zero in it, with a few smaller circles around it.
>This will be your banking information. The center circle and number is your current balance, the smaller circles are for if you intend on making investments.
Changing screens once more, though it did not show anything.
>Lastly is the modification and fabrication unit, unfortunately this function is unavailable, please refer to an Altarsis Codex manufacturer to repair this function.
Well, I guess it's the best I've got, not bad considering this is a used Codex.
>Would you like to repeat the tutorial?
[YES] [NO]
Pressing no, the screen shut off.
A gruff cough came from my side, "So, what do you think of the codex?"
I looked to Doc and smiled, "I like it, though I wish the modification and fabrication thing was working, it sounded like it could be useful."
Chuckling Doc replied, "Yeah, sorry about that. Anyway, I'm clearing you to leave, but try not to strain yourself too much, doctor's orders. Now then, pack your stuff and get your fat flank out of my infirmary."
"Glad to know you're staring at it." With that I left the infirmary with my bag of clothes, leaving Doc Blue in a sputtering mess.
Wandering around for a bit I ended up at the entrance to a grill, I don't know why, but I just felt drawn to it, like it feels familiar, and yet it shouldn't. There was also a sign that said "Temporary Help Needed". I'm basically broke, so I guess I need some money, or DigiBit as it's the currency in the Dead Lands.
As I stepped into the restaurant, I wasn't expecting for it to be so barren. It felt like I've seen this scenario before, but where?
Then a sudden pain shot through my head, it was dulled quickly, but it was strange, like I was supposed to remember something.
A loud voice boomed from across the room, startling, "Hey! Don't ya know we're closed ya daft cunt!"
I look to the owner of the voice, and for a split second I swear I saw the image of a Sand colored pegasus. I quickly rubbed my eye and looked again, this time it was a blue tinted grey Gryphon, and he's staring at me with a impatient look.
"He-hello, my name is Ghost, and I-I saw your hiring sign, a-and was hoping I could get a job?" I meekly responded as I walked closer. The gryphon's eyes widened.
"The fuck?! I thought you was a lass!" the gryphon shouted.
"Y-you did?" I asked, I could've sworn there was a large sweat drop on the back of my neck.
"Yes, and ya lookin' for work lass? No problem, I need a waitress afterall, at least for two days." He's still basically calling me a mare, either he doesn't believe I'm a male, or he's crazy.
"Hmm, two days huh?" I thought to myself, "And how much would I be paid, Mr....?"
"Screcko, call me Screcko, and you'll be paid 50 Db per day, and a living quarter for the duration of your services as a waitress. Oh, and free food will be provide, so long as you know how to cook for yerself."
I thought it over, 100 DigiBits, free food and a temporary place to stay doesn't sound like a bad deal if I'm only working for two days, nodding to myself I reached my hoof out to Screcko, "I'll take that offer."
Screcko smiled and reached his claw out to shake my hoof, "Oh, and by the looks of it you're new here, so I'll give ya the traditional greetin' lass! Welcome to Shardsvile, where the broken go to die."
I was creeped out with how he said that with such a straight face. Just as we finished shaking hoof and claw a loud bang came from the entrance. Looking over to the door, there stood a group of ponies with weird mane styles that looked like loaves of bread or breadsticks.
Then one of them stepped forward, this one having an even longer mane and a toothpick in his mouth. "Well lookie here, I didn't know you were harboring a chick here ya cracked nut."
Chapter 3
Fitting in
"Soooo, are we rushing in? Or are we doing this sneaky beaky like?"
"What the hell is sneaky beaky?"
"It's a reference the writer wanted to add in."
"The who?"
"Arhh, forget it."
Author's Note
Haha cliffhanger! >:3
So a few new characters are add, one that might be awkward to pronounce is Screcko (Skr-ecko) (ecko as in Gecko)
