Oh crap! Did she catch me? Think!

“Myself. I have an audition tomorrow. I’m really trying to motivate myself.” I say.

“Don’t you do that right before you perform?” Derpy asks.

“Yeah, but, i’m getting a headstart.” I say.

“Okay, if you say so. May I ask, what are you auditioning for?” Derpy asks.

“I’m auditioning for a job. Heh I wonder how many pe-, ponies said that.” I say.

“Listen, Arthur. I just wanted to apologize for turning you down. I know I was probably leaning on, or something.

But you are like a brother to me.” Derpy says.

“I was getting some mixed signals. If that’s what you’re talking about.

It’s fine, really. Don’t worry about it.” I say.

I lied. It’s not fine. I saved her life! And that somehow makes me her brother?! We even shared a bed! Siblings don’t do that! She’s hiding something, I know it.

Wait. Who is that? That’s not Nexus.

“Arthur? Hello?” Derpy says, while waving a hoof in my face.

“Oh! Sorry. I spaced out there. Were you saying something?” I ask.

“I was just thanking you, for understanding.” Derpy says.

I completely understand; I understand, that you can reach out and break someone’s heart anytime you want!

“No problem. I try to do my best to spread positivity, as much as you ponies. God, that sounded racist. I’m sorry.” I say.

“Don’t worry. I get what you are trying to say.

Well, see you later.” Derpy says, before she walks away.

It’s about time she left.

“Who are you?” I ask.

Don’t you recognize me?

“No. No I don’t. Who are you?” I ask.

No answer.

“I said, who are you?” I ask.

Still no answer.

2 hours later

After canceling all the activities, Arthur planned, Arthur is just about to hit the hay. That’s when the voice returned.

Going to bed so soon?

“Shut. Up.” I say.

I don’t need sleep. I’m just a figment of your imagination.

“I don’t care.” I say.

Do you want to know where I came from?

“No, I don’t.” I say.

I came from your doubts, your fears, your hate. Think of me as Nexus times two.

“Can we talk about this tomorrow?” I ask.

Nexus feels guilty; of what he did. If I was in his shoes, I would feel no remorse.

“Nexus feels guilty? What did he do?” I ask.

You don’t remember? He made an entire species endangered, in cold blood. He brainwashed two very powerful magic users, to capture and kill you. He even wanted to kill the princesses. You’re telling me, you don’t remember any of that?

My mind is fractured. I remember some things, and I don’t remember other things.

Perhaps I shall remind you of what happened.

In a second I see Nexus’ memories; the Hybrids’ deaths, Starlight killing me, and worst of all, his version of Equestria.

This is what he wanted. An end to happiness. An end to hope. An end to harmony.

Ponyville is in ruin. The Everfree Forest has grown to the entrance of Canterlot. Canterlot has fallen into the darkness of Nexus’ reign.

In this vision, he kills the princesses, he sends the Spirits of Disharmony to all of the corners of Equestria. He destroys all hope.

“No! This can’t happen!” I yell.

The only way to stop it, is to kill yourself. Nexus hides deep inside your mind. He lives on through you.

“There has to be another way.” I say.

I’ve shown you the options. It’s up to you, to choose what has to be sacrificed, for the better.

“What a time to talk about this.” I say.

“Follow me, and we shall make her pay.” I hear Nexus say.

“What was that?” I ask, before walking to the source of Nexus’ voice.

I am now looking through the eyes of Nexus, I am in Twilight’s castle, in front of Starlight Glimmer.

“I just wanted a place where no one feels less than anyone else.

Twilight doesn’t know what it’s like to lose friends. No one does.” Starlight says.

“I do. I too know that feeling. I can make that go away. You just have to follow me. If you do, I can get you Twilight.” Nexus says.

“But, Twilight gave me a second chance. I can’t just switch on her like that.” Starlight says.

“Think about your village. All those ponies, turned against you; because of Twilight.” Nexus says, while touching his horn to Starlight’s forehead.

“I could’ve lived in peace! If she didn’t intervene! It’s all her fault.” Starlight says.

“She just wanted to save herself, she is not really your friend. I am.” Nexus says.

“Okay. I’ll do it. I’ll join you.” Starlight says.

So this this is how he turned them.

“And I could have gotten away with it, if it weren’t for you!” Nexus says.

“Nexus?” I ask.

“No it’s the Tooth Fairy. Of course it’s me!

Listen, I came to warn you about someone. You may think it’s Maximus, trust me, it’s not. He is going to try to kill you. Do not listen to anything he says.” Nexus says.

“Yeah, right. You just don’t want me to do anything that will foil your “master plan”; if you have one.” I say.

“I’m serious, Arthur! He’s going to kill our friends! Do not listen to him!” Nexus says.

“Hey! Don’t talk like that! We’re fine!” I say.

“Now you are! In the future, it will be too late!” Nexus says.

“How far, in the future, are we talking?” I ask.

“About two months.” Nexus says.

“Two months? Really?” I ask, skeptical of Nexus’ warning.

“Yeah. Two months. He’s gonna try to make it sound urgent; don’t listen to him.” Nexus says.

“Okay, whatever you say. Look, I gotta get some sleep, it’s probably like three in the,” I look outside. The sun is rising. I look at my clock, it says six-thirty two. “morning. Did we talk all night?”

"You don’t remember sleeping? Then waking up?” Nexus says.

“No! I don’t. It’s getting worse, it’s attacking my memories.

I can’t worry about that now. I have to ace this audition.” I say before getting out of my bed.

6 hours later

Arthur is at Dr. Ex’s dig site. He is getting ready to present what he knows, and what he can do.

“Are you ready?” Dr. Ex asks.

“Not yet. I’m cleaning my tools. It would probably take like ten more minutes.” I say.

“It better take ten more. Or else i’ll fire you right now.” Dr. Ex says.

Dr. Ex walks away.

Geez. If you’re gonna threaten me, you better be for real about it. He knows he needs me.

Do not listen to Nexus.

“Now, really isn’t the time. I’m about to show, Dr. Ex, that I can handle this job.” i say.

There is more to you than archeology.

“Really? Oh wise one, tell me, what am I destined for?” i ask, jokingly.

Not for this. That’s for you to find out.

“I need a job that’s going to pay me.

I can’t just go all over Equestria, on a fucking wild goose chase.

And I sure as hell don’t need a “princess” to take care of me.” I say.

You are bigger than this.

“I don’t care.” I say.

You do. I know what you fear; oblivion. You want to be remembered, especially since you are dying.

“I’m not dying.” I say.

Really? Then how do you explain those chest pains? You have a purpose, Arthur. You have a destiny. Everyone does.

“I stopped believing in a higher power, when I met Princess Celestia. I never did.” I say.

“Mr. Paige? Are you ready? ” A liason asks.

“Yeah, I am.” I say.

“It’s my time to shine.” I say, before I grab my tools.

I walk to an untouched patch of dirt.

2 hours later

After two hours of hard work, Arthur had a chest pain, when he had just chiseled an artifact he found. He dropped the ball, and the artifact, on his only chance at getting the money to pay Aro back. Wait, what?

“No! No! Shit! Give me another chance!” I say.

The pain returns.

“I’m sorry, Arthur. But you should’ve specified that you have heart problems, because of obvious reasons.” Dr. Ex says.

“And you can’t do anything about it?!” I ask.

“I’m not that kind of doctor. I don’t work on ponies or humans.

I have no choice but to fire you.” Dr. Ex says.

“No! Please! I can do better! I promise! Look, I can put it back together!” I say.

I glue the jagged edges, then try to piece them together. The pain stops me. Desperately, I put more glue on the pieces.

“I’m sorry, Arthur. I’m letting you go.

I’ll send you your final paycheck. You can go now. And please, leave the tools this time.” Dr. Ex says, before walking away.

“But. I-. I need this job.” I whisper.

I start my walk back to my house.

“Ever hear of the phrase, “kick ‘em while they’re down”? Guess what?” Nexus asks.

“Don’t. Please. This is too much already.” I say.

“I can see that. You had one chance; and you blew it. Fucking pains, right?” Nexus asks.

“You had something to do with it, didn’t you?” I ask.

“Maybe. Maybe I didn’t.” Nexus says.

“Did you have something to do with it?!” I ask.

“You know the spell I hit you with? Before you used The Elements on me?” Nexus asks.

“Kind of.” I say.

“It’s a slow-killing spell. Starlight taught me it. Unfortunately, it's irreversible. Those chest pains are just your body trying to fight it.” Nexus says.

“So, that’s it? I’m just gonna die?” I ask.

“Yes. Yes you are. It takes two months for it to completely kill you.” Nexus says.

“That’s great. Awesome. I might as well get it over with. I got nothing to lose, right?” I ask.

“Wait. You said you wanted to be remembered, right? I have an idea.” Nexus says.

Author's Note

Sorry for the really long delay.
I don't have access to wifi.

So, Arthur failed at the audition. At least things can't get worse; or can it?

What do you think about the other voice?

And what about Nexus' plan?

Like I said more than a thousand words.