Life In An Aquarium

Clicks force my eyes open. Couldn’t quite see in front as my vision hadn’t fully returned. Pain kept me confined to a bed. Hold up, where did-why is there cushioning underneath me? Against the odds I apparently made it out with minor injuries, from what little could be seen. Don’t know if Malcolm is alive. At last blurriness fades enough so that I could see who laid beside me. Concern floods my thoughts. No way on earth did they put me in a veterinarian hospital! Right there in my neighbor’s bed lay colorful hooves, which I can safely assume lead to an equine underneath their sheet. The clicks from earlier return, evidently heard approaching our room. Before any words could be exchanged my jaw unwillingly drops. What apparently seemed like a pony was entering in her nurse uniform. She ignores my expression and checks both our status clipboards.

Upon her exit dialogue could be heard right outside our room’s door. Couldn’t truthfully make everything out, only that my survival was miraculous. Moments pass before aforementioned nurse returns with a doctor. He asks if there was any pain, since last night’s fall should’ve killed both of us. With great hesitation my hands are raised, and every vein runs cold. In place of hands a pair of hooves touched a brand new muzzle. Alongside these two wings spontaneously burst out. Injury does nothing to stop my emergency flight. My head rams into ceiling tiles. Well rather goes through, seeing as how said overhead materials were made of clouds. Sunlight blinds me, forcing me to land on...actual clouds?! Far beyond into empty skies pegasi flew without any notice of a strange winged creature grabbing his chest in agony! ‘Please don’t notice me, please don’t notice, please don’t notice!’, my thoughts mainly consisted of this phrase. Sudden gusts of wind push me along right over the edge. Not hazardous until another creature t-bones me. Is this a sign I’m not meant to fly?

For possibly the third time now my future is being held captive by gravity. Spinning prevents me from seeing who else was falling. No matter what keeping calm takes priority. Especially when your caught in a downward spiral! Agh! Hello where does this blue pegasus ride lead? Shortly after being caught tree branches keep me wide awake. Constant wooden slaps added onto my discomfort. From there dirt comes rushing upwards to meet me headfirst. Quicker than my rescue began it ends, with me piercing the nearest dead tree. By whatever force that brought me here, I’m still alive. Behind me a voice gasps. Sure enough that same voice is apologizing for having me tag along. Blue coat color, deep sea mane and tail, green eyes, yeah getting used to my new environment will be a process.

He tells me his name is Soarin. Not much can be said otherwise, since we don’t get much discussion time. Medics arrive shortly for our lift back onto cloud based foundation. You know what my brain was already melting from lightning teleportation, so right now this is merely questionable logic. Nearby pegasi were discussing a freak storm that occurred earlier today. Apparently nobod-pony could fly as lightning strikes were too violent. One filly’s dialogue caught my attention, “Weather team says it’s still going, all the way into the Badlands!” That intrigued me for whatever reason. With tons of effort I keep everypony in the dark about my identity. It’s not until Soarin returns that why our relationship exists is given reason. Without warning a stray bolt struck him blind, sent him crashing into tree bark and inflicted burn marks. When he looks to his side another pegasus laid unconscious with their own charred wounds. By whatever strength Soarin wielded he carried us both right up to an airborne hospital. Okay so that’s why our survival was miraculous.

We arrive safely back, and more rest is prescribed upon another check-up. “Was there anyone else besides us?”, my first words spoken using a muzzle.

“No, sorry dude, nopony besides you and me were found under the storm clouds. Was there somepony else with you?”, Soarin asks.

“Yeah, but they’re tough. Pretty sure they can find their way home.”, true as it may be perhaps I should go look for Malcolm? None of us are on Earth anymore. Our room’s window allowed viewing of near countless winged horses doing as they pleased. Would he even be recognizable given how my body’s changed? Regardless I should...at least try.

With another day past the doctors release me. Alright guess no better place to start then where I first arrived. On my way there a gray coat, blonde mane and tail colored equine pulls up beside me, saying the letter in her hoof was addressed to me. She nearly runs into a legitimately solid cloud pillar as she flew away. Hope she doesn’t handle emergency room patients. The letter appeared rather formal, almost regal in fact. Solid purple envelope with pink for inner contents, and a strange emblem stamped on it. “Dear Recipient, Isn’t this yours? If so then please take care of it.” Alongside simple words, round glass could be felt inside. Confetti explodes in my face, leaving behind my old aviator cap. Don’t know how they got ahold of it, but thanks either way! “Sincerely Yours, Your Best Friend”, were it’s last words. Don’t know if it should even be worn given it’s mysterious arrival. Still it goes on my head. Where else should it go?

Tree bark lay scattered about like used firewood. We certainly did a number on this plant, same goes for surrounding flora. Regardless of how much searching is done not one trace is found that would help me find out if my friend is alive or dead. Soon large shadows cast by neighboring mountains forced me to call off my search. It’s then snapping twigs force me into convenient shrubbery. Through leaves my eyes catch two beings, one being a yak the other being a creature I’ve never seen before. Similar in how my results were, they couldn’t find what they were looking for either. Not much could be made out about specific characteristics, except how insect-esque light aqua pony is. Moonlight finally shines enough light on them: nothing weird, except how yak girl has braided hair plus cute bows and aqua pony like entity has ladybug style wings. As if they could hear my thoughts, each turns her eyesight to my bush. Despite stealth efforts insect girl catches me with her friend close behind. Life couldn’t be stranger right now if it wanted to be.

“Why are you spying on us?”, bug girl asked. Instead of heavy buzzing like most large insects her wings made gentle helicopter wooshes every flap.

“Wasn’t spying on anyone, just uh seeing if my friend was here. Sorry if it looks that way.”, without patience for any response my legs quickly guide me away. Hope they don’t consider this rude.

Helicopter beats become increasingly louder until she flew beside me. In surprising movement yak girl successfully moved in front without my knowledge. Said yak takes a good look before saying,

“Yona thinks you need help.”, Yona plainly says. That’s one name given.

“Nah, just tired from today’s events.”, my point is proven via a convenient yawn, “Sorry again for that little moment. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Once more I’m trotting away slightly faster than last time. Unlike last time nobody follows me, which is a relief. Now far behind insect girl’s name could be heard amidst various dialogue, Ocellus. Spoke to soon, here comes Ocellus again. She asks if I was lost. “Don’t worry about me, just gotta-”, then realization struck like rolling logs. No idea what currency they use, where here is still, coupled with unknown laws, yeah this tiny horse was lost in more than one way. She facehoofs upon my answer followed by her friend. My right forehoof almost did likewise. Nearby growls bring our attention together in a specific direction. See we’re currently surrounded by forestry, which in hindsight probably should’ve incited red flags from the get go. Thus wild animals would eventually appear right? Tonight unlike my world this environment has it’s denizens fighting against wolves made of wood! Perhaps in hands down the most ghastly thing my eyes have seen thus far, low glowing emerald lights practically flickered lantern style. At least seven pairs burned through dimly lit forestry. As wolves do they encircle us.

“On three we rush in separate directions, and don’t stop until either they break off or we find help.”, how’s that again? Are ghastly wooden canine attacks normal? “One…”, wait, “Two…”, not ready, “...Look out!” We’re divided as the wolves strike first. Everyone runs along separate paths, but still remained within sight. My wings absolutely refused to open. Come on worthless things, burst forth like earlier so we can escape! If you could see through my eyes, everyone here would look as though we’d been reimagined to old school animation. Please don’t take my life guys! We can all go home and forget about how you tried killing us! With my entire attention focused at what’s giving chase, nothing prevents me from instantly sliding into darkness. When my body stops twirling, overhead roots told where gravity had taken me. Claws snatched and tore wherever there was an opening. From where the others fled cries arose. My assailants suddenly turn back. Now’s my chance to run! Before they could gain on me again, I’m swept up by an unknown force. On my left Yona waved casually from her captured position. One familiar voice asks how I’m doing from above. Aqua colors wash my upward sight, giving away who it might be. "Alright everyone hang on! We're heading home!"

Today will be marked as eternally bizarre in memory.