Prologue - Into The Abyss
‘The sun shines brightly across the land, birds are chirping there merry tune, it’s a warm summer day.’
“It’s not warm it’s hot, we’re melting here.”
‘…There are many things that could be done on a day such as this, and what are we doing? Laying in bed looking out the window, daydreaming and doing absolutely nothing at all.’
‘Well we wouldn’t be staring out the window day dreaming if we closed the curtains last night, we’d be asleep actually dreaming.’
‘That’s beside the point, it’s clearly past midday, we should be out of bed and doing something, anything other than laying here.’
“We’re a night owl, you should know that by now.”
“Yet here we are wide awake, doing nothing.”
I turn my head towards the clock and notice that it’s almost 1pm. ‘We should get up, at least it will be cooler out from under the sheets.’
‘We usually sleep till 2:30… Oh.’
‘What now?’
‘Don’t we have a doctors appointment at 3?’
Sigh ‘guess we’re getting up then.’
‘Why so glum, isn’t that what you wanted?’
‘We’re the same person, I’m allowed to feel conflicted.’
After a long shower I’m finally ready to leave, I take a deep breath and step outside closing the door behind me. ‘Ok step one done the bus will arrive in 18 minutes and it takes 10 to get reach the bus stop, plenty of time to spare.’ Walking down the end of the driveway I check the mailbox, empty. I put my hand in my pocket, only to find that something is missing. ‘Where’s my wallet?’
‘In your right pocket like always, Wallet and keys in the right, phone and music in the left. You decided on that specifically, I would think we would know that by now.’
‘Oh, right yeah, to the bus stop then.’
Along the path we pass the usual scenery, there’s the dairy, then it’s Ms Peters house. ‘The garden looks great, she finally planted those white roses. I wonder what they smell like?’
‘Like roses. Pretty and romantic I guess? Everyone says roses are romantic, now focus’ Looking away from the garden I continue down the footpath, eventually coming across the park. ‘Why do they call it a park anyway, It’s really just a sports field with a waist high fence around it.’
‘We should walk on the fence.’
‘No.’
“But it’s fun, you know you want to...”
‘Someone might see.’
“And?”
‘They’ll think we’re weird.’
‘We are weird don’t deny it, there’s nothing wrong with that. Besides what does it matter if they do?’
‘…Ok just for a little while.’
“Cool”.
Walking to the bus ‘While walking on a park fence, can’t miss that part’While balancing upon a fence, worried I quickly check my phone for the time.
‘The bus will arrive in 10 minutes and we are 5 minutes away. There’s still enough time to get there.’
Looking up from my phone I see a tall woman emerge from a driveway ahead ‘Someone’s walking this way! Quick, off the fence!’ Jumping of the fence I stick my hands in my pockets and try to look normal. ‘Ok good, just don’t make eye contact. I hope they didn’t see us.’
Eventually we reach each other and as we pass I glance her way catching a glimpse of her face, she was quizically looking at me with a single brow raised ‘♪They saw us.♪’
‘Well shit.’
‘It’s fine I bet they don’t even care, so there’s a 1.8m tall bearded man balancing on the park fence, nothing new here they’ve probably seen it all the time. Hell if we did a handstand they might even pay us.’
‘You’re not helping!’
‘Sorry’ I shuffle along focus on my shoes, hoping for this moment to be over. Arriving at the end of the park I glance back noticing the woman walk round the corner and out of sight. Realizing all is clear my lungs release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. ‘OK they are gone now, deep breath in, good now out, ok we still have loads of time. Everything’s fine, we have everything we need, the house is locked up and we’re almost there.’
‘Then why aren’t we moving?’
‘Did we lock the door? We definitely locked it, right?’
“Yep, locked tight.”
‘Are you sure?’
“...we are going back, aren’t we.”
‘We’ll make it if we run!’
After a mad rush I wind up standing in front of my front door, reaching out and twisting the handle makes a distinct click as it refuses to budge... ‘Ok the door was locked, good I guess.’ Grabbing my phone I check the time once more. ‘And the bus arrives in 6 minutes… Fuck.’
‘Run, we can still make it!’ I bolt down the drive as fast as my legs will carry me, hoping to make it in time.
My lungs are burning, my legs are screaming at me to stop, but my target is within sight. ‘Yes! We’re almost there and on time to boot, we will make it.’ Just across the road ahead is the stop, and respite for my aching body.
Slowing down to catch my breath a simple sight fills me with dread. ‘Annnd there’s the bus.’ The damned source of my panic speeds past me, racing me to the goal line.
‘Run faster!’
‘Outrun a bus, that’s your plan? Do you really want to run across the road blindly, especially that one? It’s always busy, we’ll die for sure.’
Sigh ‘No, but we needed to catch it or we’ll be late.’ I lean against a nearby fence, closing my eyes as I slide to the ground. ‘All that for nothing, I’m going to miss my appointment.’
‘You’re wrong about that though.’
‘Huh?’
‘The doctor is always running late at this hour, the perks of being a night owl, remember?’
‘She always is running late by the afternoon... Alright now what? The next bus doesn’t arrive for another 15 minutes.’
‘Simple we walk, Onward to the next bus stop!’
I take a deep breath, a crooked smirk forming on my face. ‘Alright we’ve calmed down and have a plan, time to get up.’ A blaring horn cuts my thoughts short, my eyes flash open to catch the front of a car hurtling towards me. The last thing that rushes through my mind is the number plate before everything fades to black.
My eyes bolt open as sit up in shock my heart racing, I look around in a panic, and see nothing but darkness .‘The hell was that? Ok deep breath in. And out. Now, where are we?’
‘We died.’
‘Yeah quite the nightmare huh, and it looks like we overslept.’
‘No we actually Died.’
‘Ha ha good one, can’t you just be serious for once. Now, what do you think brought that on?’
‘.....’
‘.......’
‘.........’
‘WHAT!?!’ I try to jump out of bed only to find my hands phase through the non-existent mattress. Looking down I find myself aimlessly floating amongst random pieces of land and buildings in an endless void. ‘Ok. Oh-kay we’re clearly still dreaming.’
‘Nope, we dead.’
‘And what makes you think that pray tell?’
‘A car colliding into us might be the biggest clue.’
‘A car... As in the one that I still think was a part of a dream?’
“Yep how bout we play a game to prove this isn’t a dream? Come on, I know you want to.”
‘...What’s the game called?’
‘It’s the “Guess the number plate of the car the that killed us,” game.’
‘Really?’
‘♪You know the answer though♪, come on give it a guess.’
‘FINE! GXF895... Fuck.’
‘Yep you won, you know what the prize is? Us floating here as ghosts, dead. Actually now that I think about it, we probably are ghosts… that’s actually quite depressing.’
‘So… we got hit by by a car then woke up here?’
‘Basically, like I said dead, as a door knob.’
‘And you don’t think that that is both a huge jump in logic?’
‘Nope.’
‘Really? It’s much more likely that we are in some kind of coma or hallucinating from a major concussion no?’
‘Nu-uh.’
‘How about the fact that we are both able to THINK! I’m quite sure if we were dead that would be impossible.’
‘My votes still on dead.’
As my internal turmoil begins to grow, a whimsical feminine voice echos through the endless abyss “Oh I definitely picked the right person, and technically you’re both correct.”
‘Who the hell was that!’ Snapping my head back and forth I look about the endless void to find the source of the unknown voice, yet find nothing “W-who ever said that, please, show yourself!”
“Hmm, that’s a little bit difficult, for you see I’m all around you. Hell I don’t even have a mouth to ‘say’ anything” The voice chuckles out, clearly amused by my choice of words.
“Then.. how exactly are we talking right now?”
“Oh it’s simple really, you’re speaking, I’m talking telepathically, my thoughts going directly into your brain”
‘Shit shit shit dont think anything at all, especially how freaky this is.Or how her voice echos through my skull is terrifying.... Wait did i just think that!’
‘Yes you did and her voice is super cute, I just ♫loooove♫ how it echos.’
“Thank you.”
"Wait, you can hear me!? I get to talk! You’re welcome pretty voiced lady in my head. Is my voice echoey for you as well? Echo, echo, echo..." Said my inner voice, but for the first time in my life it was talking to someone else.
“Stop that! Please! I-I mean, c-can ya please perhaps make uh, a physical form to talk with miss, um... what is your name anyway?” I ask, my sanity taking a hit from my new found pradicament.
“Oh how rude of me, I haven’t even introduced myself yet. You can call me... Conflict? Yes Conflict fits best, one second I’ll just whip something up. Be right back” She says before giggling.
As her voice fades away feel a pressure in the front of my skull dissipate, the area around me feeling somehow calmer yet also hollow. How this endless abyss could feel emptier I would never know, though one thing is certain, I’m sure Conflict has left. ‘How did we not notice that pressure?’
‘Maybe dealing with the fact that we’re dead distracted us?’
‘Point taken, Though if what Conflict said is true we may not be dead, yet.’
‘Though she said I was right, we both are, that’s a win in my book... Man I’m so conflicted. Get it, conflicted, hehehehe.’
‘Because I was right as well? And here I thought that find out that we may not be dead would be a good thing.’
‘Not that! Well kind of, on one side I’m right, on the other side being right means I’m dead. I don’t know how to feel about this.’
‘Could we perhaps focus on what’s important at the moment, Perhaps the fact that some mysterious being-.’
‘Miss Conflict.’
‘Yes, that “Conflict” was in our MIND! And not in a metaphorical inner doubt kind of way! That’s a major breach of our privacy and against our rights as a human!’
‘First of she most likely isn’t human so there’s that, secondly how do you know our rights even apply here. Wait do sorta dead but not quite ghost people have rights? Or minds for that matter?’
‘Well, dead people still have rights and I assume that the same would apply to their spirit so we should still… That’s beside the point! She could do a number of things to us, She could have erased our memories or put us under her control and not even know it!’
‘But she didn’t in fact she has been quite friendly, she even was willing to make a physical body so she doesn’t have to be in our mind. We need to be more trusting.’
‘And I say we need to be more cautious! We have no idea what her motives are what if-.’
“I’M BACK!” My chain of thought was broken as a bright flash of light blinded me, recoiling in pain I cover my eyes. Eventually my vision returns and look towards the source of the light. Floating before me is a girl, though she wouldn’t pass for a human girl.
She stood around 1.5m tall, barely reaching my chest, ankle high turquoise hair softly cascading down her back. Her skin was unnaturally pale, practically white as snow in contrast to her forest green lolita style dress with the trim that mimicked the colour of her hair.
With just these traits she could have passed as human, barring four simple details throwing the possibility out the window. First was the fact that she was grinning widely revealing pearly white razor sharp teeth.
Second was her long fluffy ears blending into her hair, jutting out sideways then curving up near the extra fuzzy tip, totaling around 15-20 cm long.
Third was the oaken hued horns sprouting from her forehead, wrapping back around her head mimicking a circlet. Looking over her head you could just set the tips of them peak over, apparently curving upwards behind her head.
The final but most obvious marker was the fact that she had no eyes, and I don’t mean the sockets were empty. No, instead two pools of blackness lay, miniature motes of stardust flickering in and out of existence within awakening visions of the very night itself.
‘Looky, she’s upside down, or we are, either way one of us is not the right way up.’
‘And the moments gone...’ Sigh ‘I don’t believe gravity exists here, so technically there is no “right way up”.’
Her melodic voice echos through my mind once more, beginning with a Mirthful giggle “So?” She queries, looking at me expectantly.
“So..?”
“So what do you think? I haven’t had a physical form for millennia and I’m wondering whether I look good or not.”
“O-oh, ummm. Ya look…”
"Absolutely Adorable" My inner voice quickly replies before i get the chance to speak.
‘And a just a little bit jarring, but we’re not going to tell her that. And before you ask, no we can’t hug her or keep her and call her George...’
‘I wasn’t thinking that.’
‘You’re me, I know what you’re thinking.’
‘But she’s soooo adowable.’
‘That’s neither here nor there, we would come off as creepy. Besides george is a guy’s name anyway!’
‘It’s an expression.’
‘I don’t care if it is… and no you can’t call her your squishy and have her be mine either!’
‘You’re no fun…’
A snorting chuckle echos through my mind effectively bringing an abrupt end to my thoughts. “Oh I’m absolutely certain I picked the right person now, and thank you so much that’s exactly what i was aiming for.”
‘And she is still reading my mind, great. Didn’t she make a body so she did not have to do that?’
‘Yes, and apparently not.’
“I made this form for you to talk to, never said anything about not reading your mind, if I did that I wouldn’t be able to get to know the full you. Speaking of, do you have a split personality or something? Not that I mind of course, just curious.”
“Ah, No I uh, don’t have split personality disorder. I just, well I have trouble interacting with others. One of us is the fun loving and eccentric side of me. The other is my worrisome, insecure and logical side.” I stammer out, barely able to keep eye contact.
“I-I kinda like to, well, run them through my mind separately I guess? It’s weird I know but it helps keep the conflicting sides balanced and, generally, working together” I say, which slowly drops to a murmur by the time I’m finished. My eyes squeeze shut as I look down towards my feet and wait. Moments of silence pass, though feel like eon, I wait for conflict to respond to my madness yet I receive no response. ‘Why can I never put into words how I am, she probably thinks I’m crazy now. I’m such an idiot.’
‘No we’re not, we are just a little weird and different, we are most certainly not crazy nor an idiot.’
I feel a crushing weight in my chest overwhelming me and curl up into a ball, tears welling in my eyes. ‘It was because of this that we died, why would anyone think of me as anything other than a stupid weirdo, I should have just stayed inside.’
‘Hey! Enough of that talk! I’m quite sure it was the car, not ‘cause we are different that we died, or sorta did but didn’t die. But that’s beside the point, yes, we are different so what? I happen to think that being weird is a great thing. Screw being normal anyone who strives to be normal is boring, and stupid for trying to be so. They should just be themselves and everything would be a lot more fun. Hell we were chosen by a magical telepathic girl called Conflict because of how we are, and I don’t believe she thinks we’re stupid.’
‘Heh, I guess so. Wait why did she pick us anyway, and what for? Most importantly we should probably find out the whole dead or not thing.’
“That right there is why I picked you!” I look up to see Conflict standing over me, a huge beaming smile upon her face.
"Hey we’re both right way up now." My Inner voice calls out with childish glee
“That you are.” Conflict says, pulling me into a hug “As for why i picked you, it’s because of who and how you are. You have so many conflicting thoughts and feelings, yet you manage to somehow make both sides work. It may not be perfect all the time but when something that would trip up one side, the other picks you right back up and gets you right back on track. That is why i picked you, you manage to use your inner conflict to overcome many other conflict. Well except that car, but no one can overcome everything, and a car to the face is quite the doozy.”
‘Ouch, she doesn’t really hold back does she.’
‘Hehe HAHAHAHA, I like her, I really do!’
“I like you too” she said with a chuckle, pulling me into an embrace and brushes the hairs out of my eyes. A gentle pressure presses down on my skull and begins stroking through my hair, ‘is she patting our head?’
‘♪Yep.♪’
“I can stop if you like.”
“N-n-no, it’s… calming, ya can continue doing it, i-if that’s alright?”
“We can stay like this as long as you need.”Overwhelmed by the events that had transpired i lean back, shut my eyes and let myself rest as Conflict hums a soothing tune.
After some time has passed my eyes flutter open and I try to stand up, Conflict backs away allowing me to get on my feet. ‘Damn, we must have been quite stressed to break down like that, especially in front of someone else.’
’We did sort of just die, and are floating in some kind of abyssal void of nothingness, and rocks. Can’t forget the gravity defying rocks now can we.’
‘Speaking of dying, we really should find out what happened to us’ I take a deep breath and ask “Um, Ms Conflict, ma’am, could ya possibly explain, well, ya know…”
“What happened to you?” She quizzically asks
“Yeah, If ya could that would help quite a bit please.”
“Oh that’s quite simple really, an idiot driver on his cell phone cut through a red light and almost collided with the oncoming traffic. Fortunately the other driver managed to react in time an swerve out the way. Well, fortunate for him and his family anyway, not so much for you since to miss that jackass he stove directly into you.”
‘Oh god this doesn’t sound good.’
“Left quite the mess to, I mean wow, of all the accidents i’ve seen this had to be in the top ten gruesome. The way your rib cage collapsed and burst open as you were pinned to that fence, blood and organs everywhere It was like a giant Jackson Pollock painting.”
My entire body went numb, the world around me fading dull and blurred. ‘No, this can’t be happening! Not now, not to me.’
’Quite sure it is happening to us, I mean I don’t feel like someone else, that or this is one trippy out of body experience.’
‘This isn’t the time! Oh god I think my heart dropped into my stomach.’
’Nope they’re on the fence, though it might be possible that they landed at the same place.’
‘Are you serious right now! This isn’t a joke you know!’
Clearly unaware of my distress Conflict continues on with her ramblings “...You should have seen the expression on the driver’s face, looking at your head poking over the bonnet. You looked directly into her eyes and get this, just before you blacked out I swear you made noise like ‘Bleh’, tongue rolling out your mouth. All the while her husband’s screaming like a little girl, It was bloody hilarious. Get it, bloody. Fortunately the kids in the back couldn’t see anything, well excluding the blood splatter on the windscree-.”
“STOP! Just stop..”I cry out in panic ‘One second more and I’m sure I would empty the entire contents of my stomach all over the floor.’
‘Again, no stomach it’s on the fence, plus there is no ground here. I wonder if it would either form into floating puke bubbles like in space, or plummet for eternity like an upchuck waterfall?’
‘…….’
“Right, I’ll just… shut up now.”
“Oh right, crap… I’m so sorry. Forgot who I was talking to for a moment there, I didn’t mean to put you through that. Again anyway, since you already got hit by the car… you know, before getting here… I did it again didn’t I, shit.”
Looking at her i could clearly see remorse painted across her face“N-n-no, i-it’s alright. While that was… informative, w-what I really wanted to know is how I, well got here.”
“O-oh, that, yeah... Well when I saw what happened I thought ‘well this can’t be right, I can’t just let it end like this’ and decided to step in. So just before you “died” I pulled your soul here into the void. So while you’re physically dead, you are technically alive, in a out of body kinda way.”
‘And one point to me.’
‘What! You voted that we are dead and she just said we weren’t! No points, no score no nothing!’
‘Well she said we were physically dead, but that’s not what I mean. I said this would be one trippy out of body experience, so point to me.’
‘That wasn’t a serious suggestion!’
‘♪Still counts.♪’
‘...Fine but since technically you’re me I get the point as well, game over, no one wins.’
‘Damn, I have been foiled, curse you transient properties of the scoring system!’
Despite everything I couldn’t help smirking at my own silliness, which soon developed into a chuckle and grew until I was rendered into a ball of laughter on the ground.
“Well someone’s feeling better” Conflict says with a chuckle.
“Yeah, guess I just needed some time to let is sink in. It’s not everyday ya find out ya, well, d-died” I stutter, trying not to break down again.
“You’d be surprised” She mutters to herself, clearly not intending for me to hear her.
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing relevant. So, let me guess your next question ‘Oh the mighty and beautiful Conflict what am I to do next, am I cursed to float aimlessly within the endless void for all of eternity?’ Well, was I right or what?” Conflict asks, floating in so close our noses touch.
“Uhhhh not exactly how I would have put it, but yes that would be good to know.”
“Why that is a good question glad you asked, simply put it’s up to you, there are the usual options of course.”
’Simple options? I wouldn’t think there would be anything simple involving death.’
'Except the dieing part, dieing is apparently very easy' My inner voice retorts.
“Oh both ideas are right” Conflict says with a giggle “What I mean is you could take the normal options.”
“Boooooo!” My inner voice crys out, berating the very idea
“Now now, don’t knock it till you try it. The normal options are passing on to the afterlife, reincarnation and one of my favorites, haunting. That or floating here for all eternity like you asked before.” She states, gesturing with each option.
“Ya said that… not me.”
“Same difference, now please let me finish before any questions.”
‘Thats technically not a question, but i get the point.’
"It won’t happen again, honest" My inner voice once again replies for me, which leaves me unsure if I find helpful , or unsettling that I cannot filter my thoughts.
“Exactly, now those are the normal options but if you were going to take those paths their would be no point of me bringing you here would there. No there wouldn’t would there, what I brought you here for was to make you an offer!” she shouts thrusting one hand to the the sky index finger pointing, staring at me expectantly.
We stare at each other awkwardly, waiting for a response. Eventually she breaks the ice, snapping at me in irritation “Well, aren’t you going to say anything? I’m waiting!”
Oh crap she wants me to say something “O-oh, sorry, It’s just that, well… Ya said to not speak until you're done.”
“Isn’t It obvious that I’m done? I did a grand gesture and everything! So what’s your answer!”
’Ohh lets accept, please, pretty please, I’ll be your best friend.’
‘Woah, wait a minute there, we don’t even know what she’s offering. Besides I cannot be best friends with myself, that’s impossible, and really sad.’
“What do you mean, I couldn’t have been clearer! Do I have to re-explain everything to you?” she says, tilting her head sideways.
“Um, Miss Conflict-”
“Just Conflict, none of this miss or ma’am stuff, makes me feel old.”
‘Didn’t she say she was around for millennia?’
'Shhh she can hear us! Don’t ask a lady how old she is! Do you want to upset her?'
“You’re only as old as you believe, thank you very much!” Conflict snaps at me, crossing her arms while staring at me an irate glare.
"Oh, You weren't meant to hear that"My inner voice replies '♪Told you.♪ Think before you think. Wait a second... scratch that, don't think before you think? How does this work!?'
“Sorry! Sorry, what I’m trying to say, Conflict, is that W-w-well ya never told me what the deal was. Ya said yay had one, excitedly mind yay, and asked me if I accept. While I do get the feeling that ya want to help me, b-but I can’t just trust ya, or anyone for that matter, to accept a deal without knowing what it is. Especially when it affects my very fate, I-I’m sorry but i can’t accept, not until ya explain what ya want at least.”
“Wait, what do you mean I didn’t tell you what my deal was? I’m pretty sure I told you… Didn’t I?” queries Conflict, resting her arms behind her back. She begins pacing back and forth, slowly her eyes start to squint and nose crinkle as more and more time passes. “Oh damn you’re right, I could have sworn I told you. Sorry for the confusion, let us try that again.”
‘A bit scatterbrained for a millennia old entity, or maybe that’s the reason she’s like that?’
’It just makes her more endearingly adorable. Now, just... stop thinking ok, I never think and it works fine for me. Or do I? Well its either "always" or "never", I always forget which.’
“Ok, I’ll let that slide, and thank you, now where were we? Oh right!” She takes a few steps back, then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “OK… those are the normal options but if you were going to take those paths their would be no point of me bringing you here would there. No there wouldn’t would there, what I brought you here for was to make you an offer!” she shouts, once again thrusting her hand skyward.
“Instead of those boring old routes I can, drum roll please, send you to another world! Not just any world of course but a world that has quite a huge unresolved conflict. One that needs to be solved or their will be dire consequences.”
‘Woah, wait a second. Is she asking me to go to an unknown world filled with war? I’ll die, again!’
“Yeah, that doesn’t sound like it would be fun.”
“Um, well as nice as that sounds-.
Any words I have to say get stuck in my throat by what I was witnessing. Conflicts face was contorted into the harshest glare I have ever seen. Her Nose was wrinkled in disgust, forehead and brows furrowed in barely contained rage. Her mouth was pursed and she was clearly biting the bottom lip. Clearly she was at her limit and any wrong moves would have Conflict unleash her unbridled fu-.
‘Wait! Is that... It is!’ I didn’t notice at first but her eyes, they’re flooded with pitch black tears.
“She’s not angry you fool, she’s crying! Apologize, apologize now! Hug her, just do something to make her feel better!”
I rush forward and embrace her tightly “I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t mean to upset ya.”
“N-No, It’s Alright, I understand. Wh-why would anyone want to go into a dangerous unknown situation just to help me-hee-ee” Conflict wails, clinging tightly to my arms “An-and you didn’t, even, let me finish Explaini-i-ing!”
I’m stunned, Conflict seemed like a strong powerful being, and here she is, weeping into my shoulder “No! It’s ok ya can finish explaining! I’m sure plenty of people would help ya in a heartbeat!”
“Really” Conflict squeaks, perking up as she looks up, gazing into my eyes “Then you’ll hear me out?”
“Of course we will hon.” My inner voice bubbly chimes out.
“Y-Y-Yeah, Go right ahead” I stammer, trying to sound comforting.
“Yay!” She exclaims, Bouncing back as she straightens up placing her hands upon her hips, looking upward over my head “Now, where was I?”
‘Wait, was she faking it?’
‘I think we got played’
“D-don’t be silly!” she stammers out, heat rushes to her face as her ears twitch frantically “And quit distracting me! Anyway, as I was saying I will send you to a world with a large unresolved conflict. Your job is to eventually resolve this conflict, after that it’s your life, you’re free to live it as you see fit. Oh, Don’t worry about jumping right into it, I’ve made sure that you have plenty of time to grow and prepare before anything big occurs. Small thing here and there maybe but nothing game changing, I hope” She state, muttering the final bit under her breath.
“Now I won’t be sending you there completely defenceless. If you accept I will give you… Superpowers!” She shouts, throwing her arms in the air, launching two stars spiraling into the air, showering the area in rainbow sparkles.
“You heard correctly, superpowers. Not one, not two. But five, that’s right five superpowers of your very own.”
"Yes! Take all my yeses, all hail the great and beautiful Conflict. Praise her, PRAISE HER DAMN YOU!" My inner voice cries out over dramatically.
‘Well, that will help keep me alive and with fixing the issues I’m meant to resolve. It all depending on what she gives us.’
“Ah alas that is the catch, I have no idea what powers you will get, it’s not up to me. Completely random you see, don’t like what you get, to bad cause I can’t change it. Wish I could, but them’s the breaks. So what do you say? Please say yes, I don’t think I could take it if you said no” She queries with a pout, eyes wide and bottom lip quivering.
‘Is she? How is she doing puppy dog eyes without eyes?’
‘I have no idea but she pulls it off.’
Sigh... “Ok, I’ll help ya” The next thing I know I’m spinning out of control, winded and a high pitched squealing reaching my ears.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!, you have no idea how long it took for me to find the right person. And now I have you, I was afraid that you would turn me down. But you didn’t, you said yes, YES!”
As we stop spinning I look down to see Conflict latched around my waist in a death grip hug, tears were streaming down her face, plastered with the biggest grin I have ever seen.
‘I honestly can’t tell if that’s unsettling or endearing.’
‘Its cute and you know it! Your denial shall only prove me right!’
Her eyes snapped open and she quickly releases me, leaping back only to be left slowly flipping on the spot in antigravity.
‘If I wasn’t dead already, I’m sure our heart would give out.’
‘Yeah she .is kind of adorable...’ Conflict eventually manages to straighten out, Brushes down her cloths and takes a deep breath
“Hehe, Yeah, let’s pretend that never happened” Conflict mutters, an obvious blush creeping across her face.
“Ahem all that’s left is to get you your powers, then i'll send you off to your new home in a brand new body. So what say you, shall we get started, or do you want to ask a few questions first?”
“Just the one question really if that’s fine?”
Conflicts ears fold back in response of my request. “Yeah I knew this was coming, Sigh, Go right ahead and ask.”
‘Ok, that was weird, she was so excited just a moment ago, i wonder what she thinks I’m going to ask.’
“When I’m in this new world will I… Would I be able to talk with ya, or will I be on my own?” Conflicts eyes widen, mouth slightly agape.
“O-oh, oh! Yes, that! Of course you can, I was going to give you a way to contact me. You’re helping me here, I’m not going to leave you high and dry” Conflict stammers out as she chuckles nervously, her ears are practically dancing with twitches and spasms.
‘Ok now I’m curious, what's she so nervous about us asking about?’
‘Clearly she doesn’t want to talk about it, I say we drop it.’
“No... it’s alright” She states, ears drooping. She grasps her hands and twiddles her thumbs “I was worried you would ask why someone named Conflict is actively trying to solve conflicts. I suppose you want to know that now” She states defeatedly, barely able to look in my general direction.
“No, it’s fine. I figured it was self explanatory so i didn’t bother to bring it up.”
“Huh?” Conflict asks, tilting her head to the side “How is it self explanatory?”
“Well it’s, sort of part of the nature of a conflict, conflict is a challenge to test someone, helping them grow by eventually overcoming it. If a conflict is ignored it ends up overcoming them instead. In the end everyone suffers if the conflict remains unsolved.”
"Plus life would be boring without the challenge" My Inner voice chimes in.
An awkward silence permeated throughout the void, a vacant expression resting upon Conflict’s face, mouth agape. “W-what? Did, did I get it wrong?” She has no reaction.
I approach her and wave my hand directly in front of her face. ‘Nope, still nothing, you would think i grew a second head by the way she is reacting.’
‘I think we broke her... lets draw on her face.’
‘I’m quite sure that would be a bad idea, besides we have nothing to draw with.’
’Boop her nose then, Think of it as a reboot button and restart her brain.’
‘I guess? Sure lets give it a shot.’ I reach out and gently poke her nose only for her to slowly fall backwards. ‘Great and now she’s flipping again, now what genius you have another great plan?’
'Yes'
‘And that would be?’
“See if we can spin like she is, it looks fun.”
‘You mean nauseating.’
‘Exactly, like I said, fun.’
I close my eyes and take a deep breath when I’m pulled into a light embrace. ‘And now we’re spinning as well, great.’
'And it’s fun! Weeeee!'
A familiar giggle once again bubbles through my head, I gaze down to see Conflict wearing a gentle smile, tears once again streaming down her face. “You really get it, don’t you” She sighs contently, before pushing me away. “Anywho let’s get this show on the road, this has taken a lot longer than I planned. So, powers, time to get ’em.”
Reaching out conflict places a hand over my heart before slowly floating back. I can’t help but wonder if something is meant to happen, when a pulsing pressure starts builds within my chest. The feeling is overwhelming, yet painless and somehow familiar. rapidly gaining in pace. bursting out in a plethora of colourful light. The luminous lights gathered together into five pulsing white orbs which began circling Conflict, slowly bobbing up and down in their orbit.
“Now, let see what we can get” Conflict reaches out and pokes one of the orbs, sputtering at her touch before turning a deep dull blue “Hmm, and that is… Imp Physiology? Well, that makes things difficult, or move things along swimmingly, but that’s really up to you I guess. Congratulations, you get to be a lesser demon. Good for you. Next power!”
The newly coloured orb rejoins the rest, returning to its orbit as she pokes the next one. This orb starts spasming, shimmering a multitude of colours seemingly unable to decide which one it wants to be. “Oooh shiny, and that’s... Fictional trope physiology? How do you have two physiologies, and the heck’s a fictional trope. On moment while I… ah hah.”
A thick yellow and black book appears out of nowhere and Conflict flicks it open to the back. I focus on the cover to see what it is called. ‘Wait... “Superpowers for Dummies”? Seriously?’
“Ok... you don’t get two forms, what I need you to do is pick a genre of fiction, be it movie, book or game and you get abilities related to it.”
“Oh, ok. What exactly do you mean when you say ‘abilities related to a genre’?”
“Simple really, say you pick cartoon and you get crushed by a huge rock, instead of getting smooshed you instead go flat as a pancake then pop back to normal, a-okay. Or pick action, you will be able to run through a bullet storm fired by a bunch of mooks and you won’t get hit. Your allies though I don’t quite know. Just don’t pick something like horror or tragedy, can’t see that ending well.”
‘Huh, ok that’s kind of tricky, there are a lot to choose from.’
‘I know, I know. Pick RPG!’
‘That’s... actually not a bad idea' "We pick RPG." With a bright flash, the orb stabilizes and rests as a pixilated grey colour.
“Weird, but I’m not one to judge, Moving on” Conflict mutters, poking the next orb. This one starts moving erratically, shaking violently one moment only to roll smoothly the next, then back to shaking. All the while it flickers yellow, lightning coursing through it.
“And that is… Motion magic. Is that magic to make things move, or magic that requires you to move to cast?”Confused, Conflict flicks though the book’s pages “Nope it’s magic revolving around all forms of motion, don’t think i need to explain that. Next!”
The fourth orb unleashed a gentle gust upon changing, turning almost completely invisible. the only thing proving it’s still there are thin strips of blue and green swirling around it, focusing on it I notice its radiating a slight breeze “Oh, I bet you this one involves the wind… Oxygen manipulation, I’m still counting it!”
I raise my eyebrow at her reaction “Don’t give that look, wind contains oxygen!”
“Okay?”
“Moving on! Ok, final power, lets try for something big.” At the slightest touch the final orb unleashed a burst of energy knocking both of us back, changing into a pulsing dark purple mass. “Now we’re talking! And your final power is!... Gyro-Telekinesis! Wait, the hell is that?”
Once again she refers to her odd book, rapidly searching for some information. “Gyro-telekinesis. Gyro-telekinesis, ah page one hundred and five… it is the power to… emulate telekinesis using gravity? So like gravity manipulation? Hmmm, It appears you can only use it to interact with objects so not quite, that’s useful, I guess. Your final power is to move stuff with gravity, Yippie. Have fun with that” She snarks, before throwing the book over her shoulder. You look past her only to see it hurtling off into the distance.
"The sarcasm is strong in this one." My inner voice replies snarkily.
“Aw come on, you have to admit that one seemed really powerful when I activated it right?!” Conflict whines with a huff.
“It certainly was a... dramatic activation I guess.”
“I know right, but it ended up something so, ordinary. Guess it’s more interesting than plain old telekinesis, but still I was hoping for something more “Ka-pow”, and this is more like pzttttt.”
‘Did she just blow a raspberry?’
“S-so what if I did.” Conflict squeaks, stumbling over the word, as she suddenly gains a lot of interest in her feet.
‘Daw, so you’re certain we can’t keep her?’
‘She is a sapient being with her own life, so no.’
“Enough of that! We’re almost done then you can be on your way. First things first, you can have these back” Conflict gestures towards me and all the orbs launch directly at me, colliding into my chest in rapid succession. As they touch each other they merge into one multicolored pulsating sphere, which proceeds to sink into me.
Energy courses through my very core as my body involuntarily spasms. It feels as if my very soul has been set ablaze as an intense tingling feeling tickles all my muscles. As much as I wish to scream, all that escapes is a torrent of endless laughter. Laughter and tears. As unbearable as it was the pain quickly begins to dissipate and and numbness washes through my body as I collapse, struggling to stand back up.
“Oh no, Are you alright! I didn’t know how it would feel, I’m so sorry!” Rushing over to me Conflict picks me up, slinging my arm over her shoulders “I was hoping that wouldn’t hurt, and when you laughed I thought it was fine at first. Please, tell me what it felt like?”
Gasping for breath I manage to wheeze out a reply “Like ya replaced my skeleton with lava then brushed hundreds of feather dusters over my entire body. It’s quite the conflicting sensation.”
“O-oh, I see… Y-you know I didn’t mean for that, right?” she asks, gazing up at me, Bottom lip quivering “I would understand if you hated me now.”
’Great choice of words. Conflicting, Really! You might as well have slapped her in the face!’
‘I didn’t think ok! it just sort of slipped out, I didn’t intend to blame her!’
’Well, we did, so now what are we going to do to fix this? Better hurry up and say something.’
“No! I-I don’t hate ya Conflict. You’ve done so much for me even though we just met, anyone who would hate ya for something like that is a jerk. Besides, A moment of pain for what you’re giving me is totally worth it tenfold. No pain no gain am i right?”
“O-ok” Conflict whispers, setting me down on my feet “Good, I would hate for my first underling to begin with such a bad start.”
“Underling?” I ask, confusion and caution entering my tone.
“Is that not the right word? You’re working for me so underling seemed to fit.” Conflict asks, quizzically tilting her head, ears perking up. “Employee feels too sterile, and calling me boss would just feel wrong. I guess since you’re assisting me you could be considered an assistant, or ally since you’re helping me, which would you prefer?”
I pause for a moment, unsure what to say
"How about friend, we could be friends, we would love to be your friend!" My inner voice rambles out.
“Aw, of course we are friends” Conflict chimes, her smile practically beaming “But we still need to have some sort of title for each other.”
"Hmm, how about apprentice and master, or possibly mentor?" I suggest, thinking out loud.
“Apprentice? That could work, part of me would like Mistress, but that throws a whole other issue into the works. Master Conflict, yeah I like the ring of that” She mutters gazing upward, a vacant expression on her face. She suddenly shakes her head rapidly side to side “O-oh, heh, don’t go round calling me that randomly. Unless you require some sort of title, feel free to refer to me as a friend or mentor. Well, it’s best if I send you on your way.”
‘You know, I just realised she hasn’t called us by our name once. Did we even give it to her?
‘Oh crap! How did I forget to introduce myself!’
"Ah, I Uh, w-well I know its, um-" I struggle to say, my nerves and embarrassment causing my to fail spectacularly. Fortunately she interrupts me before I could make a bigger fool of myself.
“Oh don’t you worry about that silly” Conflict quips, chuckling at my faux pas “There is no point focusing on that now, considering you’re probably going to have a new name shortly.”
"N-new name? W-w-what’s wrong with the name I have?" I stammer, still trying to regain fluent control of my voice.
“Nothing as dumb a reason as that, it’s your name embrace it, there’s nothing wrong with it. No, it’s just that you’re in a new world, new life and a new species. Plus I’m thinking you’re not the type who wants to stand out, no? So you get a new name.”
‘Ah, makes sense I guess.’
“Now, you have a few moments before your powers kick in and you drop off into your new world, so any more questions? By my calculations you should have a enough time for one or two more” She asks, reaching out to me with her palm open.
“Ok just two things comes to mind, ya never really mentioned where I’m going or what ya want me to fix.”
“...Oh hell! How’d I manage to forget that!” Conflict shouts her eyes opening wide “Shit, ok got a lot to cover and very little time. First things first, you should know where I’m sending you, your a fan of the world, of many different versions of it anyway.”
‘Wait, does she mean what i think she means!?’
‘Oh! Please, please, please mean that!’
“Yes, Equestria, one of the many versions anyway.” Conflict retorts, smirking at me “As for why... ah crap” At first Conflict appears to be slowly rise up, but when I look down a realize what put her in such a panic. It seems that I have started to seep into a rippling black puddle, slowly sink into the unknown.
“No time to explain. Ok key notes, angels and demons exist, neither are intrinsically evil or good. Not to say that some aren’t assholes.”
At this point I’m already up to my waist. In a desperate attempt to buy more time I push against it, only for my hands to sink in as well.’Gee, I don’t know what we were expecting, great idea by the way. Why don’t we try hitting a magical portal with a sledgehammer, maybe it will hit someone in the head on the other side.’
‘I panicked ok, give me a break.’ Ignoring my struggling, or perhaps because of it, Conflict continues to explain as much as she can.
“Now this is very important, you must not let Celestia find out you’re a demon or use dark magic. Hell don’t let anyone know unless you have to for your own safety, I suggest getting a disguise fast just to make things easier. If things go south get the hell out of there as fast as you can and get to Luna. She’ll protect you if she’s doing her job right.”
By this point the only part of me that remains outside the portal is my head, I gaze up at conflict trying to catch as much as I can of what she is saying, “Good luck, and please, live your life. As I said earlier, at least I think I did, you will have plenty of time before anything major. Just lay low and don’t draw too much attention and you’ll be fine.”
“Th-th-tha... Thank ya. I mean it, ch-cheers, for everything.” I manage to stammer out before being consumed by the darkness.
I lay back, waiting amongst the darkness. Moments pass, then minutes tick by. 'Ok did something go wrong? I would have expected to arrive by now.'
‘Maybe we broke it?’
‘Broke it? You can’t break nothingness, there is literally nothing to break! Nothi - Ahhh my eyes!’ A bright flash of light brings an end to my thoughts, painfully. Once my vision starts returning I look to find … a book?
‘Well, that’s anticlimactic don’t you think, and here i thought we were teleporting.’
‘Apparently not, guess we should check it out.’ I reach out and grab it, and take a closer look. It’s an old fashioned hardback book, cover forest green, with turquoise braided pattern made to resemble vines. The pattern followed around the border mirroring the same pattern on the back, the pattern also branches down the entire book’s spine leaving no space for a title. Upon the upper half of the cover rests the word journal, written in cursive mimicking the vine pattern.
‘Hey it’s the same colour as Conflict’s clothes, think it’s from her? Me thinks she really likes the colour green.’
‘That’s kind of obvious, we should probably read it.’ I open the book and a piece of paper floats out, text scrawling across it.
[Welcome to your journal, would you like to start your adventure?]
Two buttons appear beneath the words reading ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, I click yes to find many motes of lights flicker into existence around me, the number growing by the second. Soon there are millions illuminating the area, even the floor is a variable path of stars. Curious I reach out and poke the nearest bauble of light.
The reaction is instantaneous as thousands of nearby lights start to swarm, fusing with one I had touched. Before me floats a shifting form of energy, beside it rests a screen containing many different scrolling bars, text and numbers.
‘Is this… A character creation screen?’
’Oh Conflict how I love you! Eat your heart out Bethesda! RPG was the best choice ever!’
[Do you wish to finalize your character?]
Carefully looking over my creation with scrutiny. Before me floats a meter tall impish humanoid. It had a large round head, cartoonishly so, making up nearly a third of its total height. Though what made its head seem huge compared to its body was its ears that jut out the side, slowly tapering up into point just above the head, reaching 35 cm wide each.
Looking closely at its face and its giant eyes pierce back at me, Their icy blue iris’ practically glow with energy that slowly flows inward, blending into its unnatural white slit pupils. In contrast the outer area of the eyes were pitch black as if the colours were inverted.
Above the eyes two midnight blue horns emerge from its forehead and curve back over its head. They slowly thin along their length to the point where their tips can just be seen starting to turning forwards under the base of the ears. Atop its head sprouted messy white hair that tumbled all the way down to its knees, a long fringe slopes between its horns and converge just above its small button nose.
In contrast of the hair its face is coated by charcoal blue fur marred with white freckles that fan from the nose following its contour and under the eyes, a few speckled across the cheeks. Beneath that was its wide narrow maw, curling around its face ending nearly parallel to its ears,three jagged teeth poking over the bottom lip at both corners.
Looking at the body it was clearly human shaped, yet the proportions were fairly distorted. It has a thick neck to support its huge head, but relatively small shoulders and short torso only starting to widen from the waist.
The arms are quite long compared to the body, starting narrow and become larger the further down they go leading to large hand, it’s four fingers almost brush the floor. In comparison the legs are the reverse being very short, starting wide around the hips and narrowing to its tiny toeless feet. At the shins, and fingers, its fur changes from blue to white resembling socks.
At the press of a button leathery wings unfurl behind it, reaching a 1.3 meter span. Fur coats the wings arms which split into three fingers ending in dull claws, a single claw hooking back where the fingers all meet. A thin membrane webs between each finger matching its horns blue hue.
Turning it and checking its back, a 0.6m long narrow tail tipped by a flaring tuft of white hair similar to a lions, trails behind it dragging along the floor. Starting from its shoulder blades is a mesh of white freckles, growing more sparse as it expands down the back as well as up the neck and over the shoulders.
‘Seems about right... though we could give it a few more tweek just to be sure.’
‘No! We’ve been doing this for a week! It’s fine!’
‘This is going to be our body, we will have to live with it for the rest of our lives ok… Unless I’m wrong demons live for a very long time and I don’t want to be haphazard with what’s effectively going to be us.’
‘But the ponies…’
Sigh, ‘Fine, you’re just lucky we’re about done.’ Pressing down on accept the lights around me fades to black, leaving just my creation in view.
[Character Formatting Initialised]
Unlocking Skill Trees
Demonic, Motion, Oxygen, Gyro-Telekinesis
Applying Abilities
Magic breath, Hair manipulation , Animal morphing, Species shift, Partial shifting,
Sin sense, Kinetic Energy manipulation, Gravitic levitation.
Applying Passives
Disease immunity, Fire immunity, Dark energy resistance, Dark sight,
Spirit interaction, Sin detection, Life transcendency
Rolling Traits
Sharp hearing, Protected sensed.
Applying Stats
Power range - Lesser demon:
Strength 2, Dexterity 22, Agility 28, Intelligence 29, Wisdom 32,
Willpower 27, Perception 18, Endurance 15, Resistance 23, Luck 9.
Initialising Class System
Twelve classes generated.
Analysing stats… Six classes currently viable.
Randomizing… Alchemist, Bard, Black Mage and Dancer unlocked.
Remaining Points
Skill Points: 1, Class Points: 0
Stocking Inventory
Weapons: Alchemic Launcher, Mage Staff, Dual Chakram
Armor: Bandolier & goggles, Mage robes & Mage hat
Tools: Alchemist Multitool*, Instruments (Erhu, Flute)
Gathering Supplies
Alchemist Supplies: (Blood Grass, Dragon Peppers, Scorpion Nettle) x10
Seedling Pack: Blood Grass x25 , (Dragon Peppers, Scorpion Nettle) x5
Bit pouch: 500 Copper (cb), 150 Silver (sb), 50 Gold (gb), 1 Platinum (pb)
Basic Supply Kit: Healing Potion x 5, Tent, Bedroll, Clothing, Water Flask
[Formatting Complete]
‘Finally!’
‘Well, guess it’s time to go.’
[Error: Name required]
‘Whyyyyyyy, I wanna go now!’
‘....we forgot to give ourselves a new name, well this may take a while.’
‘No!!! Just pick something already!’
Sigh, giving my new body a look over once more,and start thinking over possible names. ‘Hmmm, names in equestria generally either represent their talent or denote physical traits and some are themed towards their race, such as earth pony names relating to plants or the earth.’
‘If we take the white freckles on dark fur to represent ashes on a burnt pire to make it seem demonic, or perhaps snowflakes or stars in the night sky. Then we need something to connect with it, if we were a pony we could go with something like orchard, wood, stone, grove or something.’
‘Bah, Ash Grove. There, a name that follows your rules. Soooo demonic and scary…’
‘We don’t want an evil name! Besides I’m just using examples, only a pony would have the name “Ash Grove”.’
[Name accepted - Ash Grove]
‘Wait what!!! Cancel! We haven’t decided yet!’
[Finalising… Creation complete]
‘... I hate you so much right now.’
‘You know you love me.’
A wave of exhaustion hits me and my vision blurs, stumbling forward I manage to glimpse one more message as a sense of falling overwhelms me and I black out.
[The adventure begins]
The sound of the roaring wind roused me from my slumber, snapping me to my senses. Reaching out my hand strikes something solid, my eyes jar open and my vision is flooded with faded greens and browns. Confused I look to my side and see dozens of a sideways tree, and the realisation strikes me.
‘Were in the middle of forest, at night...’ Sigh ‘This better not be the Everfree or we’re gonna have a bad time.’
‘It’s always the Everfree forest, betcha 50 bucks it is.’
‘... First off its “Bits”, not bucks. Secondly, No.’
‘But-’
‘We are lost, who knows where and you want to make bets, with yourself? Win or lose we earn nothing. Now, we need to find out where we are.’
Lifting myself off the ground I nearly topple over thanks to my newly obtained diminutive stature, and try to get my bearings. Taking a step I immediately trip, stumbling forward the earth rushes to meet me. I shut my eyes waiting for the inevitable faceplant, yet seconds pass and no impact occurs.
‘The hell?’ My eyes open and I find myself hovering, the grass inches from my face. ‘Oh right, we have wings now’. Quickly straightening out and landing I turn to see what tripped me, finding the very book that brought me here in the first place.
While grabbing it a tingling sensation rushes through me as it starts to glow, the words “Ash Grove’s Journal” weave across its cover in fine calligraphy. Curiosity overcomes me and I open it once more and the colour of the world around me mutes into sepia, the ambient sound drops leaving me in eerie silence.
‘Well... This is weird, I think we broke reality. Good job.’
Sigh ‘Can you be serious for just one second?’ Taking a look around I notice a handfull of leaves floating ahead of me looking up bird had taking flight out of a nearby tree. After a brief moment it was clear something was amiss, the bird remained completely still, defying gravity, as if locked in place.
‘Did we just freeze time?’ Reaching out, poking the closest leaf, and to my surprise my finger passes through it. Startled I slip and tumble backwards, somehow landing at my own feet? Above me is a sepia version of myself, a copy of the book in its grasp.
“Ok where the bloody hell are we now?” The pages within the book in my hands shift, stopping on a page as words start scrawling across it.
[Activating Journal Assistant…. Complete.]
A refined feminine british voice echoes throughout the world “We are within your journals menu system, Sir, how may I be of assistance?” She queries
“Um, an explanation would be helpful?’ I stammer out, not expecting any response to my outburst
“Of course” She replies “The journal in your possession is no ordinary book, as I’m sure you have already figured out. It is in fact a tool that allows you to manage many different aspect of your powers, knowledge, items and more. To put it simply it’s what’s commonly referred to as a ‘Menu’, Shall I elaborate sir?”
‘A menu system? This is great! What can it do?’
‘Really? We are in Equestria, land of ponies, dragons and magic and you want to read a damn book!’
‘Fine, we’ll make it quick.’
“Just a basic overview please, including why there are now two of me” I ask, gesturing towards the frozen version of myself.
“Very well, while reading your journal your mind is projected into a mental hub if you so wish, no time passes within reality and you have no effect upon it while here. While here you can access your skills menu, attributes, review your inventory, quests and any information added.”
“As you experience life within reality any useful information you have learnt will be logged automatically. Further information may be obtained using the journals “scan” ability, Just focus on the target and think “Scan” and any applicable information will be cataloged. Of course information can be added manually, this is a journal and you are free to write in it as you wish.”
“Information can be extracted to reality if you so wish, the selected information will be inscribed onto the current page. Pages can be removed from the journal without damaging or reducing the total pages off the book.”
“It can also be used as a communication device, just request to add someone to the friends list, and then you will be able to telepathically communicate, even across dimensions. Currently there is only one person within this list, a “Master Conflict”. Is that enough information or do you require further details?”
“Oh, no that was quite helpful, miss...?”
“I am your journal, sir” She replies, at first I thought she was attempting to be humorous, but soon realised she was dead serious. ‘She really needs a name, or should we go around calling her book lady?’
‘I get the point, yeah she needs a name, but what do we call a sentient journal? Wait, i think i have it.’
“Miss, would it be fine if i called ya Lexi?”
I… Yes sir, that would be acceptable, From now on we shall be referred to as Lexi. Thank you sir.”
“You’re welcome. Now how do I, you know, leave here?”
“To leave, one must simply close the book. Your journal will then be added into your inventory which can be accessed any time at will.” Closing the book life returns to the world around me with a colourful flash, the book disappearing from my grasp.
‘So, you done now? Can we finally go now, da ponies await!’
‘And do you know where they are? Cause we’re not going to wander randomly about a possibly monster infested forest.’
‘… No but it’s not like we have any other option, unless you have any bright ideas, genius?’
‘Actually there may be one possibility…’ Summoning the journal back, I focus Intently and open it. ‘Ah ha, a map, betcha wish we went for the detailed explanation now, huh?’
‘Why bother listening when I got you to think for us.’ Looking across the map I notice a marker indicating my current location. Apparently I’m in the southern section of the Whitetail Woods. ‘Damnit, now i owe you 50 bits!’
‘You don’t get it do you? If we head south-east we’ll come across a river that leads directly to ponyville!’
‘Well what are we waiting for, a formal invitation? ♪Let’s go already!♪’
After trudging through the forest for an hour on my tiny legs I quickly realise that I was getting nowhere fast. Stretching to ease my joints i catch glimpse of my wings and realise what i was doing wrong. After a quick attempt at flying i head off once more, my pace at least tenfold compared to walking and soon reach the river.
While following the river I began to test the full extent of my newfound flight. An interesting fact I picked up was that I actually didn’t need my wings to fly. It seems that I could hover, simply floating about without lifting a wing. Doing so granted great control, allowing me to weave through the dense forest with both ease and speed.
Using my wings on the other hand would grant vast amounts of speed at the cost of the precision control gained from floating. Not to say I couldn’t change directions, for with a strong flap I could throw myself the desired direction, practically turning on a dime.
Unfortunately doing so flings me with a tremendous burst of speed that apparently isn’t wise to do near ground level ornear any form of obstacle, as I careen face first through the canopy of the trees. Groaning I pick myself up out of the branches tangled around me and float down to the river’s bank.
‘Lets just take it slow, we almost broke our neck there.’
‘Nooooo, you were doing perfect there, I’m suuuure everyone flies full speed into trees, it’s all the craze with the children. Small note though how bout, I don’t know, when we try that we’re in the goddamn sky next time!’
‘I, But that’s quite high up, what if we fall? We would go careening uncontrollably into the ground and die... Oh god we almost died there, what were we thinking!’
‘Whoa, calm down there, don’t forget to breath we kind of need that to live, I think? Do demons need to breath? Whatever, just go with the flow and follow that river aye?’
‘...Yeah, yeah you’re right. Just follow the river east.’
Now that I’ve calmed down I continue following the river leaving the whitetail woods behind. After crossing an open plain the winding river passes between a small grove on northern side, and the dark foreboding woods of the everfree on the south, before clearing to reveal the sleeping settlement of Ponyville.
‘Finally, we are here! What shall we do first… Oh let’s go to Sugarcube Corner and get a hundred cakes. No they’re probably closed, ah there is sweet apple acres we could get some pies, and juice, caramel apples, apple fritters and… no they’re also closed. The library? Closed. Town Hall? There’s nothing really there but we could still go look at it. You think Berry Punch would have a bar open now, or maybe Vinyl Scratch with a club? Come on let’s go find out!’
‘We aren’t going anywhere-.’
‘But-!’
‘Yet, we aren’t going anywhere YET. Seriously, I know that it’s exciting but you’re forgetting something serious here. How do you think everyone’s going to react to a demon floating through town? Conflict specifically told us not to let anyone know what we are.’
‘Fiiiine, just hurry up already!’
‘Ok, how do we do this? We do have the ability to change our species, just got to figure out how, and what I guess. Probably best to stick with a pony form so we don’t stick out like a sore thumb… Guess earth pony would be best fit considering the name and everything.’
‘Aw, come on we just spent a week to become an awesome demonic impish thing, and you want to be like everyone else just to fit in easier, boooo!’
‘Look, it’s for our safety. Besides it’s just a temporary fix so we don’t get attacked, I’m sure there will be plenty of time to be a “Demonic impish thing” down the track, keep your pants on.’
‘But we’re not wearing any pants.’
Looking down I finally notice my furry nakedness ‘Holy Crap We’re Naked!!!’ Covering myself with my hands I take a panicked look around, hoping no one can see me.
‘... Yes, yes we are, everyone is! We don’t have enough time for this crap. Just make us a pony already. We can fix the naked stuff later.’
Sigh ‘You’re right, and I think we have some in the inventory anyway… I’m such an idiot. Lets just get this show on the road.’
Floating down I land at the banks of the river, looking down at my reflection. Closing my eyes to focus, my mind gathers everything I know about earth ponies, their shape, affinity for plants, even the ground under my very feet. Something solid presses against the palms of my hands and my eye jolt open.
A tall lanky stallion now stands in the waters reflection wearing an indifferent expression upon his face. Mostly his colourations matched mine, yet his mane and tail cascading down his shoulders and back legs, rolling in wild curls looking as if clouds had sprouted from his head and butt.
Reaching out a hoof strikes the water, rippling at the touch, and I notice that instead of having white fur, wild unshorn fetlocks cover my now white hooves. ‘So this is what we look like as a pony?’ sigh ‘ Guess we’ll always have a stoic face no matter what body we have.’
Turning around to get ready to go a colourful flicker catches my sight, glancing back into the river I am shocked to find something truly unexpected. ‘We have a cutie mark?’
Upon my flank, which in all intents and purpose should be blank, rests a conical flask full of purple liquid. Two brown vines coil around it intersecting each other as they climb, green leaves sprouting off them as they reach the neck.
‘How did we manage that? I mean it’s cool and all, but isn’t kind of cheating to get one without earning it?’
‘I think it’s since we have the alchemist class? Perhaps is we decided to become a unicorn we would have got a cutie mark related to the black mage class? Who knows?’
‘As to not earning it I’m quite sure as an imp we won’t get one naturally, and an adult pony without a mark would not be an effective disguise. Trying to track a demon hidden amongst the populace? Just target the blank flank adults.’
‘I suppose, doesn’t mean we have to be happy about it.’
‘Yeah well, lets just... Get dressed. I Can’t believe we’ve been running around butt naked.’
Calling forth some clothes from my inventory a burlap sack appear in my hooves,. Inside rest a pair of thin wooden framed glasses, an icy blue hair tie and a green pocketed vest. ‘I honestly don’t know what we was expecting’ Sigh ‘I should be upset, but we’re just lucky that green doesn’t clash with our colors.’
‘You do know there are no pants in there, right?’
‘Yeah... thanks for pointing that out... I’m just thankful ponies don’t wear them normally or this would be more awkward.’ Throwing on what little clothes there is I head off towards Ponyville.
After wandering through many streets for hours I make my way to town square, the only memorable landmark I managed to find. Through all my searching not a single business was open, in fact there was not pony in sight, leaving the streets devoid of life. Shaking my head I gather my thoughts and prepare to search more of this deceptively large town.
‘Man this sucks, we’ve been walking forever and nothing! Even that bar was closed, oh what of the poor late-night drunkard, that’s just bad business.’
‘Look, we’ve only managed to search the western section of town, there could be something open in the northern or eastern sectors. Knowing our luck we probably hit the residential sector first.’
Heading north next I start down the closest path when a seeping chill courses through my body, permeating into my bones. All of my senses are drawn to a nearby alley, slowly approaching it a foreboding aura radiates out and my hooves lock up, my body screaming at me to get as far away as possible.
Yet as much as I wish to listen to my instincts, something deep down is compelling me to enter, as if the very core of my being needs me to witness whatever is down in that secluded pathway.
‘What do we do?!? D-do we follow this feeling?’
‘Suuure, just follow our new found curiosity into a secluded alleyway that screams evil… Have you learnt nothing from horror movies! That way leads to death!’
Turning to flee a faint feminine whimper of fear reaches my ears. The next thing I know I’m sprinting towards the alley and the source of the voice.
‘Guess we’re going in blind!’
[Mission Recieved: Danger In The Dark]
‘Cheers, it’s like I had no idea that this could be dangerous!’
Rounding the corner a hooded pony stands in the distant dead end, it’s back turned towards me. A gnarled dagger floats above its head, a viscous liquid oozes down the blade. Time seems to slow to a crawl, an eerie silence blankets the area, only a sickeningly damp patter reaching my ears.
A deafening pounding startles me out of my stupor, lurching my head back to find its source I find nothing, only to realise that it’s coming from my chest. Taking a deep breath the world around me normalizes and faint crying reaches my ears, driving me to action.
“Hey! G-g-get away from them, y-ya creep!” I shout, charging towards him. The stranger head snaps to me, a small figure darts from behind him towards the nearby trash cans as I collide with the bastard.
Tumbling over each other a deep grunt escapes his mouth as he strike the wall behind him, and we end up in a tangled pile. Stumbling over each other we both struggle to get up, kicking me in the face the manages to stand first to my dismay.
Turning his back to me he frantically looks about the alley, clearly in a panic. Taking advantage I roll onto my back and with all my strength kick out, striking squarely between his hind legs.
With a sharp whine the stranger’s legs buckle and he slumps sideways, propping himself against a wall. Rocking back I jump to my hooves with a flick, only to recoil as a sharp pain radiates through my left foreleg. Glancing down I find the dagger lodged in my shoulder. Wrenching it out with my other hoof I focus back on the fight, when a sputters of red light draws my attention back to the blade.
In my grasp rests a black dagger with a thick jagged blade that curves back near the tip. My gaze draws to the large red gem resting as its pommel at the base of the handle, radiating a foul empty light that seems to pull you in, hungry for blood, and something else… Just holding it fills you with dread.
Throwing the dagger in disgust it clangs against the ground, echoing through the area. The stranger snaps to attention at the sound and an invisible pressure ripping me from the ground, the world around me spinning as I tumble through the air. My impromptu flight is cut short as I strike a wall and come crashing to the ground.
Struggling I lift myself of the ground once more, and see the stranger has his dagger within his grasp. A magical hum fills the air and light starts to shine from under the strangers hood and I brace myself for his next attack, he lowers his head and a bright flash of light fills my vision blocking my view.
Leaping to the side to dodge his attack as the light quickly fades, and find the alley completely empty. About to charge forward I almost trip while coming to a stop, wincing as my foreleg strikes the ground. Quickly backing against a wall and look around, surveying the area, hoping to catch sight of him before he catches me off guard, but nothing happens.
After a minute passes my nerves relax and I slowly approach the trashcans, noticing a small red tail poking out the side. “Uh, h-hey there, um ya mind coming out from behind there?” I ask, a loud yelp is my only response as the tail slips from my view with a metallic clang, the bins jolting from the movement.
‘Nice going, give it another shot maybe she’ll dive into the trash to get away from us.’
‘Lay off, she’s clearly scared out of her mind.’
Taking a deep breath I try once more, softening my voice as much as possible as not to startle her once more “It’s alright hon, the dangers gone. Just take a peek to see if If you’re still worried, I won’t force ya to come out.” Taking a few careful steps back giving her some room to think, a few moments pass and receive no response.
About to give up a faint rustling catches my attention, drawing my gaze back towards the hidden mare. Through a gap a single amber eye panicaly darting around before locking its gaze on me, contracting to a pinpoint.
Carefully laying down trying not to startle the poor mare, match her eye level. “See, it’s just me out here the creeps gone now, no one’s gonna hurt ya.” I gently murmur tilting my head to the side to get a better look.
Her eye slips out of sight and a little filly shuffles out into view. Getting a proper look at the girl I notice tears trickling down her yellow fur, mixing with blood slowly seeping out of a gash beneath her right eye and realization hits me. You’re-!” I blurt out before catching the words in my throat.
‘Is that Apple Bloom?!? what kind of person tries to kill a child?!’
‘Sick bastard, if we get our hands on him he won’t be getting away a second time!’“
Apple Bloom recoils back, ears pinning to the back of her skull, startled by my outburst. Quickly recovering from my shock I barely manage to stammer out “Y-you’re just a little filly” she visibly relaxes at my statement and slowly limps towards me.
As she approaches i get a better look at her, and my eyes widen at the sight. Her front legs are covered in dozens of cuts, staining her coat with patches of red. Getting up and slowly approach her, I call out “A-are ya alright there hon”.
Taking a closer look all but the gash on her face had fortunately stopped bleeding, none of them deep enough to be fatal. “I know it hurts but it looks like everything’s going to be fine, quite the little fighter aren’t ya?” I ask, turning to look her in the eyes “But Just to be cautious we should head somewhere safe to get ya cleaned up. Do ya mind if I carry hon, we don’t want to exacerbate your wounds with walking now do we?”
Nodding she shuffles over to me as I kneel down and climbs on my back, finding myself struggling slightly to stand with the weight. Carefully makIng my way out the alley we make our way to town square. Stopping for a moment to look down the nearby streets and realise I have no idea where to go. “Alright little one, ya know this town right, where should we head?” I ask, tilting my head back to the filly.
“Ah just wanna go home.” she whimpers out between sniffles
“O-of course, we’ll head there right away. Just… Where is that?”
‘On our apple farm.” She replies, gesturing down a nearby street with her muzzle.
Turning to follow her directions I take a glimpse at my map “East it is then” I mutter under my breath. After a small trek and crossing a bridge the buildings thin, apple trees spread across the land before us.“Guess this is your farm, don’t worry hon we’re almost there” I say in a soft tone, getting no response.
Looking back Applebloom is curled up with her eyes closed, chest slowly rising and falling with her gentle snoring. Re-adjusting to keep my precious cargo comfortable I carefully make my way down the country road.
Eventually a red farmhouse enters view and I make my way to the door ‘Ok now we just knock and we can get patched up, wait, how are we gonna heal her wounds? Crap we should have taken her to the hospital, now she’s probably going to have a scar and it’s all our fault!’
‘Calm down you idiot, we can just use one of the potions we have in our inventory. Or we can use one of our powers, I’m sure we could use the alchemist class to whip up something.’
‘Yeah, right we have power, we can fix her up easy. Wait…’
‘Now what, Timmy stuck in a well? The old mill on fire? Get on with it!’
‘If we had powers all this time, then why didn’t we use them in the fight?’
‘...’
‘We’re idiots...’
Overcome by my realisation my head drops and strikes the door with a thud. A clamour of noise can be heard in the house, and two voices pick up inside.
“Apple Bloom!?” A deep masculine voice shouts out, heavy hoof steps echo as they draw close before being cut of by an elderly woman’s shouts.
“Now you calm right down Big Mac, ah told ya she’d be fine.”
“Yup”
Stepping back the door in front of me swings open and a large red stallion stands before me, his emerald eyes locking with mine. Clearly not expecting someone his height to be standing there his muscles lock up, squinting with scrutiny.
“Yer not Applebloom” He grunts out before taking a stumbling step forward, an elderly green mare pushing past him.
“What are you just standing there for, yer blocking the door. Now listen here you whippersnapper, what were you thinking heading out like that without telling anypony? You nearly made yer brother have an aneurysm with all his panicking. You know how much troub- who the heck are you supposed to be and what do you want?” She snaps, finally noticing me.
‘Wait, that’s Granny Smith and Big Mac, but where’s Applejack?’
‘Probably of saving the world or something, you know, the usual.’
We’ll, out with it sonny.” Granny Smith barks, clearly getting impatient.
“O-oh, um, I-I’m… Ash Grove. I know i’m not Apple Bloom, and to ya I’m just s-some weird stranger in the dark, b-but this is important-” I stammer out before being cut off.
“We don’t want what yer sellin’, we got more important things happening right now. Now get before mah grandson makes you.”
Nodding Big Mac takes a step towards, lowering his head and starts effortlessly pushing me back, my hooves sliding along the ground. “Wait! Stop! I-I Found Apple Bloom!” I say, trying to stay balanced. This gets a reaction, as my footing steadies, no longer being pushed back.
“Where” Big Mac asks, furrowing his brow. Carefully turning sideways and lowering my head I present the slumbering filly upon my back, and they gasp in response. Twisting my head i bring my focus back to the pair, panic painted across their faces, Big Mac’s eyes glazed over in a thousand yard stare.
“Sweet Celestia, she’s bleeding!” Granny Smith cries, rushing forward as fast as her old hips will carry her. “If you had something to do with this, I’ll mash yer apples you hear me!” she shouts, shaking Big Mac out of his trance, and he quickens towards Apple Bloom as well.
“No no no no no, l-like I said, I found her.” I manage to squeak out, slowing the muscular stallion charging at me, fortunately preventing me from being bowled over. “Look, I know ya have a lot of questions, but they can wait til we get this little one patched up, ok?”
“Yer right... why the... heck you go and bring her here for!” Granny Smith barks out between wheezes “W-we gotta get her to the hospital! Big Mac, grab the cart!”
‘Yup” Big Mac quickly turns towards the nearby barn, but before he can rush of I call out.
“Wait, I-I know it looks bad, but I checked the wounds before coming here and they aren’t that bad. With a little patching she’ll be right as rain”
“Well why didn’ you say so earlier, you almost gave this old mare a heart attack.” Granny Smith sighs, slowly ambles back into her home “Well what’re you waiting for, an engraved invitation, get her inside and treat her already consarnit.”
“Oh, I uh, okay…” I take one glancing back at Apple Bloom, who miraculously still slumbers, before following the elderly mare inside, Big Mac following closely behind me.
‘How the hell did she sleep through that racket?’
‘Lay off it and let her rest will you! She’s got to be exhausted, both physically and mentally after what happened.’
Making our way into the house we head into the kitchen “Alright, can ya help me place her down” I ask, with a nod Big Mac lifts her of my back and places her on the kitchen table. “Cheers hon.” With the weight of a little pony of my back relief washes through my achy muscles.
‘Damn, how weak are we? She’s tiny and yet that was such a damn struggle.’
‘Focus! That’s not important right now.’
‘Yeah yeah, fix the filly, we’ve got this handled.’
“Well?” The elderly mares question snaps me out of my thoughts “Are you gonna fix her or you just gonna stare at that wall?”
“Oh, sorry, j-just give me second” I murmur out, scratching the back of my head. Focusing I tap into my inventory and a glass flask appears in the hoof behind my head and place it on the table. Before me rests a cylindrical flask a crisscrossing spiraling pattern finely etched onto it, contained within it is a thick green liquid that fades to red the closer it gets to the top.
‘So do we get her to drink it or…’
‘How am i supposed to know, probably? Guess we’re waking her up after all, unless you know of away to make someone to drink in their sleep without, you know, drowning.’
‘Wait, let me just check.’
‘How? Oh, right.’
Locking my gaze with the potion I take a deep breath, ‘Scan’ the world flickers sepia and a small menu page appears before me.
[Healing Potion]
A potent healing potion crafted from blood grass extract. Can be consumed or applied directly to the wound.
Uncorking the flask I pour a small amount out into my hoof and gently apply it to the gash under Apple Bloom’s eye, and she shiver in response. The liquid faintly glows before absorbing into the skin, and shortly afterwards the wound rapidly closes, the flesh knitting back together before fur sprouts up covering up the blank patch of skin.
Within minutes the cuts on her legs were all healed, the dried blood staining her fur the only reminder left of her harrowing ordeal. “That should just about do it. One of ya should probably get her cleaned up and get her to bed.” With a curt nod Big Mac picks up her up and carries her off upstairs.
[Mission Complete: Danger In The Dark]
Reward: 70 exp, 20sb
[Level Up]
Someone places their hoof upon my wounded shoulder sending a spasm down my arm, I bite my tongue to not shout and turn my head to find Granny Smith by my side.
“Thank you” she says, tears in her eyes “You went out of yer way to help our girl, a stranger in yer eyes, and then we up and treated you right awful. Even then you stick round and fix her right up. Ahm real sorry, you deserved better than that.”
“N-nah, ya were just being cautious and worried about your granddaughter. I completely understand” I mutter out with a strained voice “I’m just glad everything worked out fine in the end”. Patting my shoulder Granny Smith turns to walk away, but takes one look at her hoof and stops.
“Yer hurt too?” she asks presenting her hoof, marred with blood.
“Uhhhh…”
“You idjit” she grunts out, sighing exasperatedly “Pass me that fancy bottle and we’ll get you fixed up”. Looking at the near empty flask I pass it her way, which she quickly applies to my wound. “What the heck happened out there?”
“Ah crap! I’ve got to get a guard or something” I say standing with a start, Only for a firm hoof to push me back down.
“Language! Now you ain’t goin nowhere in yer condition. Just tell ol’ Granny Smith what happened.”
Taking in a deep breath I go over the events that unfolded after i arrived in ponyville.
“Land sake! Yer tellin me that The Phantom Butcher’s might be in Ponyville?! First the princess gets captured by some nightmare pony and now there’s no one to raise the sun, and then this!” Granny Smith shouts “What’s happening to mah home?!
“The Phantom Butcher?”
“How have you not have heard abou- nevermind that. You see, a couple years ago ponies found a dead mare n’ foal all cut up in canterlot, caused causing a big old panic.” She says, shaking her head, eyes closed “After that every year the same thing started happenin’ all over equestria, yet no pony ever sees nothing go down, they just find the bodies.”
“T-to think they almost got my Apple Bloom”. She manages to stammer out, shivering as she openly weeps, placing my arm over her we sit in silence for a while.
Eventually she calms down and pushes me away “Enough of that now, no need worrying over this old mare. You must be exhausted, go get some sleep.”
“Are ya sure you're alright?” In response she simply nods to me “Well if you’re sure, I better get going I guess. Uh, ya mind if I set up a tent outside?”
‘Where you think yer goin, after all you’ve done I ain’t letting you sleep out in no tent. Get yer flank upstair, there’s a spare bed second door on the left.” Nodding I make my way upstairs, Once at the top she calls out to me “Just don’t you dare mess it up, or Aj will get a bee in her bonnet.”
That gets my attention and i quickly look back “AJ? I thought ya said it was a spare room?”
“Its mah granddaughter Applejack’s room, It’s empty right now. I’ll just let her know when she gets in. she’s out… facing that… Nightmare pony.” She trails off, head drooping as she finishes her sentence.
“Oh… Well if she’s anything like her sister then she’s going to be fine. She’ll make it back, I promise” I say in a comforting tone.
A humble smile graces her lips and she wipes a tear from her eye “Now get, don’t make me climb up there or I’ll drag you there myself” she says with a chuckle.
Heading down the hall I pass Big Mac, who simply nods at me as he enters what I assume is his room. Once inside i throw myself in the bed, to exhausted to bother getting undressed. Just before I fall asleep a menu appears showing my stats, which Ican now edit thanks to leveling up.
[Updating Character]
Ash Grove Level 1 → 2
Stats
Stat points = 5
Strength 2, Dexterity 22→24, Agility 28→29, Intelligence 29→30, Wisdom 32,
Willpower 27→28, Perception 18, Endurance 15, Resistance 23, Luck 9.
Remaining Points
Skill Points: 1→4, Class Points: 0
[Update Complete]
The moment the update finishes I drop into a peaceful slumber.
Rousing from my sleep i feel the heat of the sunlight shining on my face, grumbling i roll over and pull the covers over my head, and my muzzle brushes something warm and soft.
“What in tarnation?!?” Snapping open and my gaze lock with two emerald eyes inches from my face “Why you filthy varmint!!!”
‘Oh crap.’
Author's Note
Thanks for reading so my story so far and i hope you are enjoying it so far.
In this chapter i briefly mention "traits" which is a system i planned that allows you, the reader, to post ideas for passive and non combat skills (At least not direct combat skills).
To post an idea please post it here on my specific blog page designed for such things. The page has a basic overview for what covers fits in for a "Trait"
For those who want a visual representation for what Ash Grove - Earth pony form looks like, Here is a basic rendition:
