-=Dualverse: The Beginning=-by NightZeroniChaptersChapter 1: Melbourne.Chapter 2: Equestria.Chapter 3: Survival (Kinda)Chapter 4: TheftChapter 5: I hate Hospitals.Chapter 1: Melbourne.Melbourne. A lovely city, in fact. It's been rated as the second most liveable city on earth for the first time in five years from the number one spot. Melbourne. Is my home. Or rather, i live on the outskirts of the city. In a sleepy town a half hour away. My city's been having several rough patches lately. Those being terrorist attacks. Sadly. But it cannot be argued that they weren't that. I will spare you the details. But they're is some good. One of my best mates from Portland came down for the school holidays! (Note, the Portland in NSW. Not Vic.) Our first actual meet up, we’d been chatting Skype and gaming and writing together for the last five years. Nothing was going to put a dampener on this event. NOTHING. I waited for half an hour at the train station he would be arriving to. Anxious to see my friend. Something you have to learn about Melbourne’s train network. Whatever your scheduled times are. Add an additional hour and a half onto it. ALWAYS, LATE! But not today it seemed. I heard the screech of the train from far off, standing up i wait, trying to see where it was. The train came to a stop a few meters away from me, looking left and right up and down the train to see where he would get off. Upon not seeing him exit the train by the time it was leaving, i sat down to wait again. “Yo Korey!” I snapped my head upwards from my phone that i pulled out to read from. Seeing my friend. . . on the other platform. “So that's what you look like below the neck!” “G’day stranger. I could say the same bout’ you.” I said breaking into a wide smile. I turned and began walking towards the small tunnel that ran under the rails to meet my friend. “So were we heading to first?” A voice said from behind me as i entered the tunnel “The tunnel so i can shake your hand.” I said as i pointed the way i was walking. I stopped midstep. “. . . Wait a minute” I spin around and come face to face with Ricky. “Yo.” “How did you-” “Jumped across the rails” “You friggin idiot! The melbourne Direct link runs through that and the train is going to be going through here at “105km/h at-” i was cut off scolding him by a deafening roar above us. “I didn't hear or see the train. So, i jumped the rails” “The signals are only 20 feet from the platforms. You can tell when a trains coming be-” A doughnut gets shoved into my mouth. “Shut up and let's go. Are we walking or getting driven to your place." I didn't mind having my usual ranting spree cut short at the shoving of food. As an Italian, or at least part thereof. I love food! As a bit of information about me. I'm a stereotype essentially, as my personality traits can be attributed to my heritage, for some reason… I loved tea in all forms. That linked to my British side, i also loved water and rain so i also attribute that with my British side. I love designing things and taking things apart and putting them back together to figure out how they work. And i'm loud. So i attribute that to my German side. I love food and cooking, so evidently my Italian side. And i loved art, and nature. My french side. And i feel a strong connection to the land and i'm always at peace when in nature both physically and mentally. I attribute that to my Aboriginal heritage. In my mid-mental bloodline checklist. We exited the station and had crossed the street. “So we are walking i'm guessing?” “Hell no, in this side of my town?! You'd bet mugged faster than you can draw your first breath.” “Well we passed the parking lot when you were thinking.” “The cars across the street in the plaza car park, that way i don't have to pay $2 every half hour.” “Oh. Ok then. . . just saying we might want to pick up the pace a bit.” “Yeah i agree, noticed him.” I said without giving any indication of direction. A man had begun following us when we had left the station. Thanks to Ricky i had noticed him. He was wearing a grey hoodie with grey traceries. “Far out“ I said with a groan. “He’s a frigging stereotype mugger.” I said with a grin. “I got a knife in my pocket. If things get out of hand, you grab him and pin him.” “So do i, but we won't need it.” I said with a laugh. “Do you always find dangerous situations funny?” He asks with a raised eyebrow. “Only when i have a trump card.” With that i put my hand in my pocket. “What, do you have a gun or some shit?” I smiled, and a car alarm went off in the car park as we walked past it. “Ooh.” The would be mugger turns and runs to the power of shit. “Righto get in the car” I said as the car alarm silenced itself with two honks of it's horn. “When you deadlock my car, then open the boot. The car alarm goes spastic for some reason.” I said with a chuckle. “Yeah, i remember you saying that.” We both got in and i started the car. “Righto to home then.” “So you finally came down, eh? I’ve been looking forward to this. Not everyday a friend comes over.” “Same dont have many people coming around too my place. . . do you have those slabs you said you where going to get me? For those games i brought you?” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I shut the door and start moving to my front door. Ricky tailing me. “Nice place, gotta say.” “You humble me sir.” I said playing all fancy like. My house was build of orange brick. Had a weathered mossy brown tile roof. A spacious front yard full of roses and a single Sakura cherry blossom stood proud in the front yard in full flower. Raining the front yard in pink flower petals in the light breeze. The house is angled oddly, so that the master bedroom window faces east to catch the rising sun in the morning. Other than that it has a balcony and a garage hidden slightly behind the house at the end of the driveway. It was a normal house. We walked up the steps to the front door and i unlocked the door. Upon entering the extreme age of my house was apparent. It was clean and well maintained by me and my family. But the inside furnishings were better than dated. A cream carpet with seemingly random brown splotches for patterning greeted us. That and two colour walls with decorative wallpaper separating the two at belle height. The top half of the wall was white or rather was white, now it's off white, and the lower half, of all colours my auntie had to pick before selling us the house. Pink. “Just us?” Ricky asked. “Mum and dad went to point cook to see dads mum. Nephews at school, nieces are at dance class. So yeah, for at least three hours. Just us. Make yourself comfortable, drinks in the fridge door. You can sleep in either the sun room or the lounge. Let me know before you want to hit the hay, i have to set up the bed.” I said waving my right arm through the air as i walked to the room to the left of the hallway that hid my toilet. “What has more traffic?” Ricky says, moving towards the kitchen to get one of the aforementioned drinks. “The lounge room is the biggest room in the house and shares the archway to the kitchen-” “Sun room.” “Righto fair enough, i like the quiet too.” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “So this is the legendary room of the reclusive Korey.” Ricky says sarcastically, drinking his Cider. My room was tiny. For a twenty year old anyway. It was only 1.8 meters wide by 5.6 meters long. My bed took up most of the space in the room, only a narrow walkway between my chest of drawers next to my bed, and the chest of draws that my TV, Blu ray player and Xbox sat atop. Ricky sat Slav squatting on my bed, as i sat at my desk. Sketching a picture with my pencil. My desk sat between my ‘TV stand’ chest of draws and the window. Tucked more than tightly, into the corner of the room. I had to put the desk chair in sideways to actually have it fit. “Yes sir, my infamous lair, that is suspiciously the cleanest it's been in it's life” i said with a grin. I hold up the new sketch for a sword i was working on. “What do ya think? Does it suit me?” Ricky looks the design over. Taking his time to study it. It was an interesting one at that. Logical, as per my tradition. It was designed with both cutting and thrusting in mid, but, by the slight re-curve starting from halfway up the blade and ending at the tip. I intended it more for cutting. The length of the blade allowed it to be both used in one hand or with two hands like a long sword. It had a ‘nail’ in line with the cross guard. The ‘nail’ as it's called, is a flattened piece of steel that protects the wielders knuckles from incoming attacks. “What do you think?” “Well, looks German. So yes, it does suit you” Ricky collapses back onto my bed, sighing outwardly. “Dude i bored. . . let's get on tumbler. Let's see if anyone has asked me any questions” “Want to go for a walk then?” “But tumblrrrrrrr” “Rickreeeee” I said with a light glare. He shot up at that. “Say that name again and i'm ripping you a new hole. You know how bloody annoying that name is to me.” “But, it is effective at getting your attention” I said with an innocent smile. I swear i felt a halo above my head at that moment. Chugs the rest of his cider and chucks it at the bin to the right of my bed. Hole in one. “Fuck it. Let's go for a walk than. See if we can get a crackhead to fight with.” “Rick, don’t swear in my house. It's THE fastest way to have my mum Rip you a new one.” “Right right sorry, i forgot.” “Check your six” I said as i threw my stetson at him. He reaches above his head and grabs it, putting it on. “I swear if you try a Steve Irwin accent, your sleeping in the dog kennel tonight.” I said with a deadpan expression. "Oh whatever." I follow him out of my room and towards the front door. “Where you heading?” I heard my mum ask. “For a walk. Just down to the park and back” “Yeah, i'll keep em out of trouble Korey's mom” Ricky quips cheekily. “Love ya mum!” I yelled as i walked through the front door. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Of all the things i didn't want to see. He, was very far on my list. Sandler. A dick who bullied me throughout high school, was at the park, having a cigarette along with a bunch of other of his mates. ‘Snandler’ had gotten expelled from the school, and the last i heard of him was that he got into trouble with the law. “Rrrrighto, this way.” I mumbled quietly whilst instantaneously spinning on the ball of my foot and hurriedly going the other direction. “WELL LOOK WHO IT FUCKIN IS!” “...sh-it’…” I groaned half heartily. “...fuck me… Right-O here's the game plan, all of their collective IQ’s make a carrot look like Stephen Hawking, so run and use terrain or obstacles to your advantage.” “Run? From ten dudes? Bro with how fuck out of shape we both are, we are running about all of ten minutes.” “Yes but the thing you don't know about me is, when i'm feeling threatened i can turn off my pain, and run at three times the normal speed of everyone” I said groaning in recognition of the pain i will be in tomorrow. “Oh fuck o-” “If it isn't my good punching bag, Korey!” “Snandleeeeer, long time it has been since i had the displeasure of hearing your voice, five and a half years no?” I said looking over my shoulder. “That long huh?” “So who are you bug eyes?” Ricky says with a sneer. Sandler had gotten a scar along his face in the time he was out of school. How? I don't know. But him saying that caused his goons to chuckle under their breath. “SHUT UP” “You HAD to poke the bull in the eyes didn't you.” i groaned. “This is gonna be such a drag...” “I'm going to fucking gut you!” Sandler reached into his pocket and pulled out a black object. Giving it a quick flick, it was revealed to be about six inches in length. “I enacts plan A” I said bolting fast enough to make Ricky double take, by the time he turned around to see where i went i was already 15 meters down the footpath and turning the corner. “Fuck me sideways Korey.” I watched as Korey ran off and around the corner of the street. Leaving me alone. I sigh as i take in my situation. Outnumbered, and probably our pretty much everything. My only weapon was a two inch flick knife, used for bush survival. At that moment i caught movement in my peripheral vision. I turned to see Korey standing left to me, glaring at the group before us. Evidently running out of breath. “Damn it Ricky, when i said run i meant run. Like shit off a shovel.” “I'm not a good runner. Besides.” I look Sandler directly in the eyes. “All i'm seeing is a scared little kid that has more power then he should fucking have.” That made him snap. Sandler charged at me, ignoring Korey. I gently shoved Korey out of the way off to the side. “I got this” I let him get within thrusting distance, as he does so i lean a bit to the side and catch Sandler's foot with my leg tripping him up. He hits the pavement, and begins to instantly regain his footing and turned with a stab in mind. His face was bleeding freely from the gravel that implanted itself into it. Korey's fist goes into Sandler's face, sending both him reeling. Korey shook his hand violently whilst spinning in circles. “When this is over, i'm planting my steel capped boot up your arse.” Then he froze as if a thought came to mind and grinned. My view of him was obscured by snandlers huge 6”6’ muscly form. As he went to thrust, he suddenly recoiled, face turning milk pale. Before falling to the ground. Korey was standing behind him bouncing on one foot then returned to a standing position. “What did you-” I asked, and received a nod with a sadistic smile from my friend. “Oooooohhh, Ow.” I muttered staring down at the paralysed bully before me. I looked and stared at the bully's entourage. “Alright boys. Here’s what's going to fucking happen. You're going to either fuck off, or get your leg broken. An additional option is to have your balls busted, literally.” I crack my knuckles and neck. And cross my arms. “Three seconds” Four of the ten scramble away. Three stay with indecisive looks on their faces. The other three? “Arrrrrggghh!” They all shot in random directions in some fashion. “I got the front one and right, take left down and help me.” Korey nods, moving off to the left and drawing the leftmost goon away from the group. I drew the other two away and distracted them, allowing Korey a clear shot to the left one. We fought for about three minutes, than Korey came from behind one and gave him a kick to the back of his knee. In the others confusion, i tackled him to the ground. Laying into him with a few hits until he was crying for his mothers. I let him go to assist Korey with his opponent. But Korey was choke holding him out by the time i was done with mine. That left three- and they left. Pussies. Honestly, with the fighting lessons id taken. They stood a decent chance of beating us, if they had actually rushed us with the entire group. “Alright then. Let's get outta here before the cops come Korey.” “Right behind- LOOK OUT” I quickly spun around to see Sandler directly in front of me. I felt a burning sensation in my stomach. Looking down, it was his knife. Stuck into my stomach. As i looked up to meet his glare, i saw a blur of grey and black in front of me before Sandler disappeared leaving the knife in me. I looked down to see Korey having him in a choke hold so tight, i could see the tendons in his arm popping out. Sanders faced was cherry red under the strain. I dropped onto my knees. Holding the blade as tightly as i could, stopping any bleeding. Sandler stopped struggling and let go of Korey's arm, his own falling limp to his sides. Korey then threw him off to the side in disgust before running over and leaning over me. At some point it had started raining. And the rain droplets had… stopped… falling? Midair? What. In the actual. Fuck. The ground shook like mad, a bright light enveloped us. And then. All went black. Author's Note It begins. Chapter 2: Equestria.The tweeting of birds pierced the darkness of my slumber. I groaned. A string of curses under my breath before cracking my eyes open, instantly regretting that decision and covering them again with my hand. It was then that i remembered the traumatic experience of seeing my friend on the ground before me, bleeding out. I shot bolt upright and looked around frantically and sighed in relief. I saw Ricky lent up against a tree. We were in some kind of forest, on the outskirts of what appeared to be an orchard of some description. I squinted at the trees and after about 5 seconds my vision recovered enough for me to make out large red orbs hanging proudly from the trees. “An apple orchard?” I muttered to myself. “Where the heck are we? This evidently isn't home, so what happened?" Most orchards in my hometown don't have houses in them, nor are they manned at all so wasting time looking for people was out of the question. On the bright side, there was a dirt road, heading down hill. Downhill meant water, and with an apple orchard here, chances are great there's a town nearby. I got up and examined my friend. The knife had at some point must of fallen out of his stom- oh shit. Scrambling to my feet, i was already pulling at my shirt. Ripping off one of the sleeves, i pressed it too wound as i pulled his shirt up. He groaned, obviously still in pain, unconscious as he was. ‘I can't lift him, i’ll only make his wound worse… but i don't have much choice right now’ I thought to myself. "Sorry about this Rickball" Grabbing each of his arms in mine, i stepped backwards, pulling him up. Going forward, i got him up and onto my shoulder. Picking up my legs, i made haste down the road. Keeping my eyes open for anyone that might be around. Pulling out my phone i looked at the reception bars. Empty. "God dammit why now!" I nearly shouted. After about five hundred meters i began to see rooftops over the horizon. I quickened my pace from a jog to a run. And made the town outskirts in near record time. I picked a path that lead to the most noise, more commotion meant more people. I rounded a corner. And entered a plaza not noticing the abundance of moving pastel colours in my frantic search for help until i heard several dozen gasps. I looked up from the ground, and not only reeled back, but did a double take. I too gasped and shook my head in shock. Horses? In a town? Pastel colours?... Korey. Exe has stopped responding… Alt F4 to return to home... I stood there for what must of been fifteen seconds calculating and stringing all the information my senses were assaulting my poor struggling mind with, before i pulled everything together. Forest. Apple orchard. Dirt road. Town. horses. Pastel colours. Not horses, too short, Ponies. Plaza. Apple stand. Orange mare in a stetson…. Yup, i'm in Equestria… Crap...i mean ‘YES’... but shit... Knowing the best place too go, i began a mad sprint for the library whilst everyon- pony was standing there frozen in a mixture of confusion, curiosity and fear. After only a few seconds, i saw the massive crystal tree. Ducking through an alleyway i made the front door. I skidded to a halt in front of the door, and slammed my fist into it frantically for several seconds before the door opened to a small winged dragon. “What is your prob-” He stopped abruptly as he opened his sleepy eyes and realised he was talking to me knees. Looking up he could only ask "What the?" I pointed to my friend. Still bleeding. And frantically said. “He needs a doctor, please help him! PLEASE! GET HIM A DOCTOR NOW!” I said. Gently as i could. I placed him onto the ground in front of Spike. Spike stared at me in confusion once more, raising an eyebrow. “Please.” At that moment i heard several voices yelling behind me. I turned to see several white and royal blue coloured ponies. “SHIT!” i yelled before turning to spike. “He needs-” “A Doctor, i know. I'll make sure he gets one.” Spike hastily said, raising his claws. I smiled. Now shaking from my adrenaline overdose my body was lending me. Before i heard the clops of hooves advancing closer. And spike looked at me with concern and confusion. “Are you alright, mister?” He asks looking at my shivering form, my hands shaking violently. I turned to look blankly into his eyes before turning to the guards. Who by now had their weapons drawn. I looked back at spike before bolting as fast as my legs would let me. And as per whenever else i felt threatened, that was nonsensically fast for my form. I ran so fast my legs kept threatening to trip me up with every new step. I lost my balance and nearly tumbled several times as i rounded a corner into an alleyway. I nearly fell over a mint green mare. But i just managed to vault over her. “Hey what's the-” She started but stopped when she saw me darting off into the darkness towards a brick wall. Without the obstacle even registering in my mind. My body instinctively reacted. And within a second i had ran up the wall and swung my legs over. My vault was completed in a flash and i was gone. The mint green mare stood there, her golden eyes staring at the wall in astonishment. Her jaw agape. The guard rounded the corner and stopped upon seeing the wall. “Damn it!” The captain yelled. “For only having two legs that thing is fast!” Another said. "Come on, i know where that alleyway goes!" Before rounding the corner again and continuing their futile pursuit. The mint green mare just stood in the same spot, staring into space before mumbling under her breath. “They do exist… i'm gonna rub this in Bonnie's face” Chapter 3: Survival (Kinda)After half an hour of frantic sprinting i was spent. Being well away from town, my adrenaline wearing off to a low, my body was semi-locking up and refused to work. I was reduced to a hunched over wreck gasping raggedly for air crawling on my knees. I looked up through my blurring vision and saw a treeline -that wasn't everfree, thank god- and forced myself to my feet again. Gritting my teeth and, growling through said grit teeth in pain and exertion. I forced myself the last ten meters off the road and into the shrubs of the forest before i collapsed under a thick bramble. Just barely high enough to allow me to squeeze under. And blacked out. When i came to it was afternoon the next day. Upon crawling out of my cover. I near instantly slithered under again like a startled snake. I saw a patrol of at least five Pegasi flying in a V formation “So, their hunting me…” i mumbled to myself. Before cursing myself. ‘Of course they are! I ran into town pulling my near dead friend with blood dripping from his stomach. Then i BOLT from the guards. They probably think i did it. And the fact that i ran from them only means that they now think i'm a threat…’ “...shit...fuck me sideways... why me?...” i mumbled under my breath. Shaking into a quiet sob. After a five minute bout of silently cursing myself for ditching my friend, and putting myself in this situation. I had cried myself out and i was now frustrated with my inability to think of a plan. So i forced myself into my calm space. I closed my eyes and used the nature around me to assist me in reconstructing my personal ‘mental’ garden library. I only enter this place when i'm lost in deep thought. Or it's an escape from emotions or events that are dogging me and making me feel bad. ***** A single Lapis Lazuli gazebo stood proud in a huge garden of roses and hedges. Each hedge being its own bookshelf. Under the gazebo sat a lounge area. A large pool of cobalt blue water rippled under the small waterfall from a heated spa pool. Vines of grapes and flowers intermingled with each other as they grew up the pillars of the gazebo. And a not so small table sat in the centre island of the huge swimming pool. It wasn't originally a swimming pool. As it still had all the fish in it. And the lilies. And the other aquatic plants. But heck. My world. My rules. I grabbed a book from one of the many shelves that were meticulously arranged around the gazebo. And i retired to the table on the centre island. I tossed the book to the table, and it landed with a muffled leather thump, that echoed around in the gazebos concave roof. I looked up and admired the mural of Celtic patterns, and Aboriginal style paintings of the place i called home. That little island country that stood proudly by itself at the bottom of the world. I recalled with a smile how i had had to summon a 10 meter tall ladder in my dreams to paint that up there. It was the most awkward and terrifying dream i’d had, but the end was oddly satisfying and comforting. Anyway. I drew back my chair and slumped down into it holding my head. With a sigh i looked up and looked around the empty table. There were 24 empty marble seats, each with a brilliant white cushion with silver trim. With a wave of my left hand i summoned a tea set. The exact same one i had back home, under my bed. It was used by the queen of England herself… I poured myself a cup of ‘Earl Grey’ and sat there holding the cup in my hands. It's warmth comforting me. “This is a nice place…” “Thank you, i made it myself. It took me three months of dreams to comple-” My eyes shot open side and i jumped up out of my marble chair with a yelp. Before my tea, and it's accompanying cup, could hit the ground. They were both enveloped in a midnight blue aura and ceased their plummet to the gold, silver and quartz speckled floor. My vision had locked onto the midnight blue Alicorn like radar. And my eyes portrayed how pissed off i was that my private domain, had been rudely intrude upon. My stare of daggers was met by a friendly smile. And i instantly felt like a right dick. I called myself off with several slow deep ragged breaths. Before opening my eyes and noticing the Alicorn had helped herself to a seat. “Can i help you?” I asked as i slid the book in front of me and returned to my chair. “Quite, but that comes later. You’ve a very nice dream space, if you don't mind my saying.” She said. Looking around with a genuine smile of amazement and awe. “Like i said. I took great pride, time and careful planning in designing this place. And normally it's just me here. . .” I paused, raising both my arms at the vast library around us. “This is my vast collection of knowledge I've collected over the years.” She chuckled at my comment… “I see i'm not the only one who converts all their memories to book form for an ethereal library.” I looked at her and finally let a smile spread across my face. Before i could reach for another cup. My previous one had levitated back to it's saucer and the princess of the night even had the courtesy to levitate two biscuits to the crockery as well. I leaned onto the table on my elbows. Picked up the steaming cup and brought it just in front of my mouth. “So why are you really here? Enlighten me as to the reason your intruding upon my safe place?” She looked at me with a coy grin. “Just because dream walking is part of my job at night. Doesn't mean i can't do it in the day as well. My role as princess of the night, and all it encompasses is eternal. And i could feel your desperate fear and inner turmoil from my personal chambers in my sleep.” I looked at her placing my cup back onto the saucer with a clink. “Am i mentally messed up that badly?” I said in genuine shock at her information. All she did was give a nod. “The full description of my role includes peaceful dreams and self evaluation through recollection of memories. However, I can feel that your keeping those locked away. And with a fair amount of security as well. But i am the princess of the night. Your construct or not. I will break through to them. I am the mistress of the dream world.” “Yeah, well, i'm not going to roll over and let you scratch my belly. If you want into my memories then your going to have to fight for those rights.” With a click of my fingers all the hedgerow bookshelves morphed into seemingly innocuous normal hedges, then slowly sank into the ground before the grass around the gazebo morphed into white ethereal energy, then into a starry replica of the night sky over my house. Her coy smile turned into a mischievous toothy grin before she said. “Very well. A contest then. When i break into your memories your going to watch with me. And your not going to spare any details.” I retorted with. “If you break through my memories. Which i doubt you’ll be able to without me being unconscious. And that would be against the rules of fair play. Then yes. I will show you through my library until then however. You won't see so much as a letter.” A dark blue glow out in the far reaches of my peripheral vision caught my attention, and without breaking eye contact or even moving my body. I mentally slammed the book i retrieved from the shelf earlier against the table with my own mental power. It impacts the table hard enough to make a deafening leathery slap against the table. I let my glare turn into a coy smile, whilst still staring into the eyes of the now quite shocked Alicorn. “Goodness. You wield a lot of power in this realm.” She says My smile fades away as i slump into my chair. Sliding down half under the table before i groan and stare at the ceiling, letting the mural comfort me. “You know i originally came here to see what was bothering you and help you, and i can't do that unless. . . I can't believe i'm saying this… You cooperate with me here. My only goal is to help you through your turmoil, i mean no ill will.” She says in all honesty, a concerned look adorning her face. I sighed heavily. Before dropping my eyes down to her. Staring at her over the table. “I sincerely apologise for this…” i said honestly. “For what…?” Luna asked suspiciously. I could feel her rummaging around my library under our feet. The vast catacombs of books hidden below us at risk of discovery. I raised my right hand and clicked my fingers and a look of utter terrified shock enveloped Luna’s face and she suddenly felt her power siphoned away from her. Her brilliant starry mane and tail lost their brilliant glowing sheen and flopped down to her sides, now at the mercy of gravity. “What did you-” She asked terrified at the sudden shift of power she hadn't foreseen. I raised my hand further into the air and pooled her stolen energy in my right hand. Causing it glow in a dim blue aura. “WAIT” She nearly screams as she realises my next course of action. With a click of my fingers she vanishes in a vibrant starry flash, banished from my safe place. I muster the mental fortitude to pull myself back upright in the chair. And i stared at the still steaming cup of tea and two accompanying biscuits. I waved my hand off and the tea set vanished in a steamy vapour. I sat in the chair looking at the book Luna had tried to steal. The brown leather Tomb entitled “Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines” sat before me on the table. I sighed in relief that my senses in this world are a lot better here then in real life. I waved the book off, it vanishing into vapour and returning to it's hidden shelf. Before i stood up and walked over the to the heated pool and sat on it's side. Placing my legs in. A sigh of relief left me as i thought of a plan for the evening. The time i make my move. I know that pony eyesight is near useless at night. I can use that... My eyes snap open. I groggily look around. I see no one. And i'm still under the bramble bush. The sun was moved slightly. But still stood proud in the sky. “Alright, stay in the treeline and avoid capture until i can evaluate the situation properly and come up with an appropriate plan. I never got far into the series, so i don't know the guards course of action if they catch me.” With that i continued wandering until nightfall. At which point i moves cautiously to avoid patrols of both earthbound ponies and Pegasi. I eventually found myself in a forest overlooking ‘sweet apple acres’ “As much as it pains me to steal from them, it's food.” I tried justifying my wrong actions as i made off into the night across the river and up a hill, a few apples in my hands. ‘But he who need justification, know he do wrong-eth’ And with a sigh, i sat down in my secluded and odd ring of trees. These trees grew in a near perfect ring around a tiny clearing. Only about five by five meters in total. But their trunks were so close together they may as well have been interlocking. And their thick bushy canopy of leaves above me would protect me from even the heaviest of downpours. So being spotted from the air, even with my campfire going was out of the question. Rain began to pelt down, literally as soon as i made that observation. And it got worse and worse as the seconds ticked by. And i slipped, like a complete tool, into a mud pile. “Me and my big mouth…” I groaned to myself, covered in mud slurry. ***** I had just finished my spastic digging of a water trench around the inside of my little ‘nook’ to prevent the water from a hurricane force storm that was hammering the entire area Ponyville was situated in. The dirt covered floor was now a slush covered floor. My bed of collected loose brush thankfully protected me from most of the wet sludge that became the floor of my clearing. I had taken off my singlet and was using it as an improvised rain catch for hammering rainstorm. One end was tied to a tree and the other to the hand of a wooden bucket i’d collected on my travels through the orchard. By now the thing was overflowing. It had to be at least a 20 litre bucket to. Chapter 4: TheftThe constant roar of rain followed me into my dream realm and seemed to permeate through the midnight blue energy that made up the far distant walls of my ethereal abode. I didn't mind the roar of the storm. Something you have to realise about me, i love Extreme weather, especially when rain and/or hail was involved, and the howl of high the high winds? Even better. It comforted me greatly during my reading of another tomb. The black leather cover binding the pages together titled in silver words. “Legendary and mythical creatures and constructs for idiots.” ‘I know right. Lovely title.’ Sarcasm mentally noted. Some of these creatures are scary as all living hell. For example. A cockatrice can turn you into stone if you look it in the eyes. Hydra heads each have their own personality and thus intelligence level. This would be tricky… Nothing on timber wolves. But then again I wasn't really expecting them to be in a book from earth in the first place. Next to my feet, which sat on the top of the marble table. Was a non-proverbial mountain of books. Titles ranging from “How to manage diplomatic tension” to a fairly beefy red leather book titled in gold text “Sun Tzu - The Art of War” A gramophone sat on the table to my right, just past my feet. Oddly enough i had it blasting out one of my favorite types of music. Cyberpunk. More specifically. Titled ‘(8) Bleed- A Cyberpunk Mix’ The wubs and techno that the gramophone roared out into an echo around my realm would make ‘Vinyl Scratch’ jump and squee in glee. The image of the crazy maned pony skipping around like ‘Pinkie Pie’, viciously derailed my train of thought, And all i could for for half an hour after that was giggle to myself like a bitch. However, a feeling of being spied upon just outside of my peripherals, constantly had me on edge and my guard up all night. I was retrieve a book and force a ethereal lock on the hedge bookcase again, before forcing it back underground and out of sight. Tonight's theme for my garden was a nice ocean view, from a pristine beach. And i knew that i had once again picked up an unwanted guest in my abode once again this night. With a click of my fingers all the books on the table disappear in a flash of light, their whispie contrails flowing through the air like lost souls looking for their bodies. They return to their organised locations on the shelves, burrowing themselves into the ground to reach said locations. It's at that point i feel the eyes that had been on me all night vanish into the shadows. And i once again, siphon all energy from my realm into my body, but this time i didn't feel the invigorating flow of power i had the previous night. “... Damn… i missed her. She's getting better at reading my emotions and countering my plans-” it's at that point i feel something amiss. I raised my left hand, and closed my eyes concentrating on the violated feeling that permeated through my soul. And i notice to my utter annoyance, a book has gone missing. I summon the shelf with an aggravated flick of the wrist. And the shelf comes hurtling out of the ground before abruptly slamming back down into it. I hold my left hand out in front of the blank space and subconsciously feel the books former ‘ghostly’ presence. Shelf A-13, letter C, history section… I sigh in defeat at Luna’s persistence, she had netted herself the first of a great many prizes from my personal library. The missing article being a leather bound two thousand five hundred paged book… with the title… ‘The complete history of Tanks’... “Sh-eit” out of all the books she stole, it couldn't be Winnie the pooh, or something. It had to be a fucking encyclopedia about one of the most devastating types of war vehicles my civilisation had ever created." I forced myself into waking. Getting up onto my feet i scowled at myself for not being on guard. “Well. She's probably gonna hate our guts now…” I said to none in particular, as i stared off in Ponyville’s direction. Where my best friend was… by himself… due to my cowardice. My fear. Author's Note Sorry for the wait, those who read. Going to try and post more of our work. Don't loose faith with us yet people. Chapter 5: I hate Hospitals.First thing i felt? Pain. Fucking. Pain. I'm not the kind of guy who likes waking up in the mornings. I hated them. My eyes open, for about a second before they shut again. Mum left the blinds open. I know i asked her to do that so i wake up earlier, but it didn't mean i liked it. I tried to sit up, but the pain i had flared as soon as i tired too. "Whhhhat the fuuuuccckk.” I groaned outwardly. I felt my stomach, were the pain had originated from. I felt what i could describe as a coarse blanket that you're grandparents used when they were kids. I tried to throw off the blanket, but it was wrapped around my stomach, and tugging it caused my pain to kick me. “FUCK” I shouted. I flung my eyes open, looking at my stomach and seeing not a blanket, but a bandage. Than what happened hit me. I had gotten stabbed by some cunt in Melbourne. Korey must have gotten me to a hospital in the time i was out. “Well. . . mums going to kill me.” I sighed, taking in the room around me in full detail. Not much to report, unfortunately. My bed was the only one in the room, a stool. . . stood. . . next to it. A window sat at the left end of the room, on the window was a potted plant. Looked like lavender from where i was. I looked around for a TV, finding none. No books. No paper to doodle on. Nothing. I also hate being bored. “I'm booored, i'm so fucking boorrrreedddddd.” I chanted for about thirty seconds before it got annoying and i stopped. “. . . What the fuck i'm i supposed to do now?” I said to no one in particular. The door to the room opened. I looked over to it, about to ask the nurse of doctor were i was. My words died in my throat though. Because of what i was seeing, i thought i was on some kind of strong morphine. A pony, a white pony with a red mane and a nurse uniform on. My eyes widened at what i was seeing. The pony had not recognised that i was awake yet. I stayed quiet, seeing how long it would take for her to notice that i was not unconscious. She walked over to a bunch of machines that were measuring my heartbeat and respiratory rate. “Hmm. Must be having a bad dream. Heart beat is elevated as well as breathing cycles.” She said to herself. Walking over to the foot of the bed, see took the clipboard from its place and with the pen, wrote down a few things before placing it back. She sighed and looked to the floor. Walking over to the right of the bed. “I don't get why he left me, fucking bastard just had to find another mare.” She stood on her hind legs, looking over the bandages on my stomach. Seeing a bit of blood caused from my ‘trying to throw off the blanket’ act. “Again! Geese, how can you bleed so much from doing nothing?” She hopped off the bed and over to a cabinet, bending down to grab some fresh bandages (i assume anyways). Giving me a perfect view of her perfectly shaped a- I looked away quickfast, saving my face from becoming a tomato. Looking back over to her, keeping my eyes from the goods this time. When she turned around this time, a fresh bandage in her mouth. She finally took notice of my awakening. Dropping it in shock, she immediately ran out of the room. “Doctor, it's awake!” I heard her screaming down the hallway. I just sat there, convening with my brain trying to figure out if we weren't hallucinating. After giving myself a pinch, then a slap to the face. I had determined that i wasn't doing so. “. . . wat?” Was the only thing that i could think of. Three minutes it was, until another pony enter the room. This one was a stallion, from what i knew about from the show. (You know which one.) He was brown with a brown mane, wearing a doctor's coat. “So you are awake. Can you understand me” “Crikey” He had a confused look on his face. “I'm sorry?” “I said yeah i can.” “Well than, this should make things much smoother. Mr. . .” “You first.” I shot back “Fair enough. My name is Doctor Pain. Nice to meet you. . .” “Ricky. Ricky Jeffree.” “. . . Well, that wasn't what i would pin you with. But nice to meet you Ricky” He walked over to the foot of the bed, picking up the clipboard. “Be honest doc. Am i gonna turn gay?” “What?” I put my hands in defense. “Bad joke. Sorry. But in all seriousness, how long have i been out for, Pain?” “Almost four days i'm afraid. Another. . . i'm sorry i don't know what you actually are. In fact i was going to have you answer some of my questions.” He looks at me with a smile. He sat on the stool with a pen in his mouth and paper in his hoof, supported by the clipboard. “Well. Do i have a choice?” He shook his head. “I'm afraid not. I'm under the princesses orders to get these answers filled out.” “Understandable. First?” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We went through the list. Age, Gender, what i was, what i intended to do in Equestria, if i had any malicious intentions towards ponies or other creatures, if i had any aggression issues (had to bullshit that one), if i drinked or smoked, sexually active and a few others. “Well, only one left to go. And this is more of a test than a question.” He held up a picture. It was one of those mirror image test things. “Tell me. What do you see in this?” Doctor Pain asks. I give it a thought, and studied the picture. "I see. . . two ballerinas, throwing themselves toward something. . . What that thing in the middle is. I have no clue." He nods. Getting up from the stool he flashes me a friendly smile. “Well that's about it. I'll have a nurse run by and see what you would like to have for dinner.” At that, my stomach growled. “Thanks doc. Appreciate it. . . oh and before you go.” I say, raising a hand. He stops at the door frame, looking back towards me. “Has my friend been waiting for me in the hospital. I would like to know if he’s alright.” Doctor Pain shakes his head “I'm afraid not. According to a few ponies that witnessed it, you're friend shouted about you needing help and then went about running away from the guard.” The speed at which my hand hit my forehead made the doctor jump. “Korey you fuckwit!” “Now calm down. The Guard is looking for him right now, he should be found with a few days.” I growled. Angry that Korey could do something so. . . stupid. “Thanks for patching me up doc.” “Actually. The nurse that went to grab me had been the one to help clean and patch you up. I was gone, off on another assignment you see.” Nurse Red had taken care of me? “Oh. Well tell her i said thank you then. And that i owe her.” “Can do son. You just rest now and a nurse will be around shortly.” With that, he took his leave. I laid my head down on the pillows. They were obviously made for ponies, not humans. About five minutes later, Nurse Red came through the door to my room. Cracking it open a bit, she caught my gaze. Stepping into the room, she gave me a genuine smile. Not like the obviously fake smile Doc Pain had given me. “Well good morning sunshine! I thought you wouldn't be waking up for a bit longer, but you surprised all of us by waking up!” She trotted over to the bed placing her fore hooves onto it and leaning up so she could get up close and personal with my face. “I hope you don't mind me saying. But are you an ape with some kind of skin disease? I've been dying to ask!” I booped her nose. “No. I'm not an ape, or a chimp. I'm a human. Or more scientifically, homosapien. Translating to-” “Wise man?” She answers. “. . . You know latin?” I ask. Surprised. “Latin? What's latin? That was old equestrian!” And we were off. We were discussing things for hours. Who i was, where i was from, why i had a knife in me. You know, normal stuff. After a while she remembers the whole point of her being here, she pulls a menu (from somewhere, i genuinely, so don't ask) and hands it to me. I give a quick scan over the meals. Mainly consisting of herbivore meals, hay, flowers some cheese and bread. But the fish meal stood out to me. “I'll have the fish please!” I say handing her the menu back. She looks at me with a. . . look. “If you wouldn't mind. . .could you show me your teeth?” I shrug my shoulders. Opening my mouth wide, showing my teeth in all of their yellow glory. I heard her gasp. Closing my mouth i looked back down at her. Her pupils were dilated, and breathing bated. “Is something wrong, RedHeart?” “N-n-no nothing at a-all!” She -once again- darts out of the room and down the hall. ‘What's got her in a panic. . . my teeth?’ Opening my mouth again, i felt my teeth with my fingers. Most of my teeth were jagged from months of not going to the dentist to get them refilled in. And my canines had an actual sharp point to them. ‘A predator/prey response?’ That would actually be a good answer. (I read a lot of fanfics back on Earth. A LOT.) I sighed and laid back -again- into the pillow. Getting comfortable, and beginning to count back from 700 by sevens and quickly clapping my hands. I had only ever gotten down to 350 before i lost track or got distracted. Made it to to 630 by the time Red had come back with my food. The smell of the spices hit my nose and my stomach growled. “Dinner is served! Enjoy!’ She said, turning a table that was attached to the bed to be in front of me. Placing my fish with a few garnishing's on it, as well as a glass of water. “Thanks Red. . . mind explaining?” “Explaining what?” She said a little bit to quickly. “Nothing. Nevermind, i forgot.” I said, waving my hand dismissively. I dug into my fish, using the provided knife and fork to cut off a sizeable chunk and taking it into my mouth. I ate quickly. As i usually do. Having nothing else on the plate except the single fish fillet, it only took about two minutes. I sat my plate to the side, draining the glass of water as i did. “I'm sorry.” Red said out of nowhere. “For what?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “For my behaviour earlier. I shouldn't of run off like-” “I look like a predator, don't i?” I asked with a sad smile. “N-no not at- i mean-” She stumbles over her words, going red in the face. I chuckle at her expense. “You're cute when you're flustered.” She threw her hooves over her head. Her face completely red now. “What? Can't take a compliment?” “Yeah y-yeah, really funny mister hoo-man. . . but.” She raised one hoof from her face. “Thank you. For the compliment that is.” I just smile. Hiding my teeth. “You're welcome Red.” After taking a minute to compose herself, Red sits up and takes the plate and glass from the table, sliding it back into place off to the right. “Ok. If you need anything, just press the button on the side of the headboard. Somepony will be with you shortly afterwards. If it's an emergency, press it repeatedly.” She makes her way over to the door, turning around to give me another genuine smile like she did before earlier today. “Have pleasant dreams Ricky.” “And you as well Red.” She turned to leave. “Oh, and Red?” She stopped mid hoof raise. I gave a small grin, making sure to show off one of my canines. “Scary or Sexy?” I asked cheekily. She went red -again- . Turning around and storming off with a small amount of literal steam coming from her ears. ‘Must of had some thermal run off’ I thought. Laughing softly. Shuffling about and laying down, getting as comfortable as possible. I closed my eyes. ‘I wonder. . . does being here give me Lucid dreams?’ I hoped in my mind. God i hope so Author's Note Nothing down here folks. No need to stay.
Chapter 1: Melbourne.Melbourne. A lovely city, in fact. It's been rated as the second most liveable city on earth for the first time in five years from the number one spot. Melbourne. Is my home. Or rather, i live on the outskirts of the city. In a sleepy town a half hour away. My city's been having several rough patches lately. Those being terrorist attacks. Sadly. But it cannot be argued that they weren't that. I will spare you the details. But they're is some good. One of my best mates from Portland came down for the school holidays! (Note, the Portland in NSW. Not Vic.) Our first actual meet up, we’d been chatting Skype and gaming and writing together for the last five years. Nothing was going to put a dampener on this event. NOTHING. I waited for half an hour at the train station he would be arriving to. Anxious to see my friend. Something you have to learn about Melbourne’s train network. Whatever your scheduled times are. Add an additional hour and a half onto it. ALWAYS, LATE! But not today it seemed. I heard the screech of the train from far off, standing up i wait, trying to see where it was. The train came to a stop a few meters away from me, looking left and right up and down the train to see where he would get off. Upon not seeing him exit the train by the time it was leaving, i sat down to wait again. “Yo Korey!” I snapped my head upwards from my phone that i pulled out to read from. Seeing my friend. . . on the other platform. “So that's what you look like below the neck!” “G’day stranger. I could say the same bout’ you.” I said breaking into a wide smile. I turned and began walking towards the small tunnel that ran under the rails to meet my friend. “So were we heading to first?” A voice said from behind me as i entered the tunnel “The tunnel so i can shake your hand.” I said as i pointed the way i was walking. I stopped midstep. “. . . Wait a minute” I spin around and come face to face with Ricky. “Yo.” “How did you-” “Jumped across the rails” “You friggin idiot! The melbourne Direct link runs through that and the train is going to be going through here at “105km/h at-” i was cut off scolding him by a deafening roar above us. “I didn't hear or see the train. So, i jumped the rails” “The signals are only 20 feet from the platforms. You can tell when a trains coming be-” A doughnut gets shoved into my mouth. “Shut up and let's go. Are we walking or getting driven to your place." I didn't mind having my usual ranting spree cut short at the shoving of food. As an Italian, or at least part thereof. I love food! As a bit of information about me. I'm a stereotype essentially, as my personality traits can be attributed to my heritage, for some reason… I loved tea in all forms. That linked to my British side, i also loved water and rain so i also attribute that with my British side. I love designing things and taking things apart and putting them back together to figure out how they work. And i'm loud. So i attribute that to my German side. I love food and cooking, so evidently my Italian side. And i loved art, and nature. My french side. And i feel a strong connection to the land and i'm always at peace when in nature both physically and mentally. I attribute that to my Aboriginal heritage. In my mid-mental bloodline checklist. We exited the station and had crossed the street. “So we are walking i'm guessing?” “Hell no, in this side of my town?! You'd bet mugged faster than you can draw your first breath.” “Well we passed the parking lot when you were thinking.” “The cars across the street in the plaza car park, that way i don't have to pay $2 every half hour.” “Oh. Ok then. . . just saying we might want to pick up the pace a bit.” “Yeah i agree, noticed him.” I said without giving any indication of direction. A man had begun following us when we had left the station. Thanks to Ricky i had noticed him. He was wearing a grey hoodie with grey traceries. “Far out“ I said with a groan. “He’s a frigging stereotype mugger.” I said with a grin. “I got a knife in my pocket. If things get out of hand, you grab him and pin him.” “So do i, but we won't need it.” I said with a laugh. “Do you always find dangerous situations funny?” He asks with a raised eyebrow. “Only when i have a trump card.” With that i put my hand in my pocket. “What, do you have a gun or some shit?” I smiled, and a car alarm went off in the car park as we walked past it. “Ooh.” The would be mugger turns and runs to the power of shit. “Righto get in the car” I said as the car alarm silenced itself with two honks of it's horn. “When you deadlock my car, then open the boot. The car alarm goes spastic for some reason.” I said with a chuckle. “Yeah, i remember you saying that.” We both got in and i started the car. “Righto to home then.” “So you finally came down, eh? I’ve been looking forward to this. Not everyday a friend comes over.” “Same dont have many people coming around too my place. . . do you have those slabs you said you where going to get me? For those games i brought you?” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I shut the door and start moving to my front door. Ricky tailing me. “Nice place, gotta say.” “You humble me sir.” I said playing all fancy like. My house was build of orange brick. Had a weathered mossy brown tile roof. A spacious front yard full of roses and a single Sakura cherry blossom stood proud in the front yard in full flower. Raining the front yard in pink flower petals in the light breeze. The house is angled oddly, so that the master bedroom window faces east to catch the rising sun in the morning. Other than that it has a balcony and a garage hidden slightly behind the house at the end of the driveway. It was a normal house. We walked up the steps to the front door and i unlocked the door. Upon entering the extreme age of my house was apparent. It was clean and well maintained by me and my family. But the inside furnishings were better than dated. A cream carpet with seemingly random brown splotches for patterning greeted us. That and two colour walls with decorative wallpaper separating the two at belle height. The top half of the wall was white or rather was white, now it's off white, and the lower half, of all colours my auntie had to pick before selling us the house. Pink. “Just us?” Ricky asked. “Mum and dad went to point cook to see dads mum. Nephews at school, nieces are at dance class. So yeah, for at least three hours. Just us. Make yourself comfortable, drinks in the fridge door. You can sleep in either the sun room or the lounge. Let me know before you want to hit the hay, i have to set up the bed.” I said waving my right arm through the air as i walked to the room to the left of the hallway that hid my toilet. “What has more traffic?” Ricky says, moving towards the kitchen to get one of the aforementioned drinks. “The lounge room is the biggest room in the house and shares the archway to the kitchen-” “Sun room.” “Righto fair enough, i like the quiet too.” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “So this is the legendary room of the reclusive Korey.” Ricky says sarcastically, drinking his Cider. My room was tiny. For a twenty year old anyway. It was only 1.8 meters wide by 5.6 meters long. My bed took up most of the space in the room, only a narrow walkway between my chest of drawers next to my bed, and the chest of draws that my TV, Blu ray player and Xbox sat atop. Ricky sat Slav squatting on my bed, as i sat at my desk. Sketching a picture with my pencil. My desk sat between my ‘TV stand’ chest of draws and the window. Tucked more than tightly, into the corner of the room. I had to put the desk chair in sideways to actually have it fit. “Yes sir, my infamous lair, that is suspiciously the cleanest it's been in it's life” i said with a grin. I hold up the new sketch for a sword i was working on. “What do ya think? Does it suit me?” Ricky looks the design over. Taking his time to study it. It was an interesting one at that. Logical, as per my tradition. It was designed with both cutting and thrusting in mid, but, by the slight re-curve starting from halfway up the blade and ending at the tip. I intended it more for cutting. The length of the blade allowed it to be both used in one hand or with two hands like a long sword. It had a ‘nail’ in line with the cross guard. The ‘nail’ as it's called, is a flattened piece of steel that protects the wielders knuckles from incoming attacks. “What do you think?” “Well, looks German. So yes, it does suit you” Ricky collapses back onto my bed, sighing outwardly. “Dude i bored. . . let's get on tumbler. Let's see if anyone has asked me any questions” “Want to go for a walk then?” “But tumblrrrrrrr” “Rickreeeee” I said with a light glare. He shot up at that. “Say that name again and i'm ripping you a new hole. You know how bloody annoying that name is to me.” “But, it is effective at getting your attention” I said with an innocent smile. I swear i felt a halo above my head at that moment. Chugs the rest of his cider and chucks it at the bin to the right of my bed. Hole in one. “Fuck it. Let's go for a walk than. See if we can get a crackhead to fight with.” “Rick, don’t swear in my house. It's THE fastest way to have my mum Rip you a new one.” “Right right sorry, i forgot.” “Check your six” I said as i threw my stetson at him. He reaches above his head and grabs it, putting it on. “I swear if you try a Steve Irwin accent, your sleeping in the dog kennel tonight.” I said with a deadpan expression. "Oh whatever." I follow him out of my room and towards the front door. “Where you heading?” I heard my mum ask. “For a walk. Just down to the park and back” “Yeah, i'll keep em out of trouble Korey's mom” Ricky quips cheekily. “Love ya mum!” I yelled as i walked through the front door. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Of all the things i didn't want to see. He, was very far on my list. Sandler. A dick who bullied me throughout high school, was at the park, having a cigarette along with a bunch of other of his mates. ‘Snandler’ had gotten expelled from the school, and the last i heard of him was that he got into trouble with the law. “Rrrrighto, this way.” I mumbled quietly whilst instantaneously spinning on the ball of my foot and hurriedly going the other direction. “WELL LOOK WHO IT FUCKIN IS!” “...sh-it’…” I groaned half heartily. “...fuck me… Right-O here's the game plan, all of their collective IQ’s make a carrot look like Stephen Hawking, so run and use terrain or obstacles to your advantage.” “Run? From ten dudes? Bro with how fuck out of shape we both are, we are running about all of ten minutes.” “Yes but the thing you don't know about me is, when i'm feeling threatened i can turn off my pain, and run at three times the normal speed of everyone” I said groaning in recognition of the pain i will be in tomorrow. “Oh fuck o-” “If it isn't my good punching bag, Korey!” “Snandleeeeer, long time it has been since i had the displeasure of hearing your voice, five and a half years no?” I said looking over my shoulder. “That long huh?” “So who are you bug eyes?” Ricky says with a sneer. Sandler had gotten a scar along his face in the time he was out of school. How? I don't know. But him saying that caused his goons to chuckle under their breath. “SHUT UP” “You HAD to poke the bull in the eyes didn't you.” i groaned. “This is gonna be such a drag...” “I'm going to fucking gut you!” Sandler reached into his pocket and pulled out a black object. Giving it a quick flick, it was revealed to be about six inches in length. “I enacts plan A” I said bolting fast enough to make Ricky double take, by the time he turned around to see where i went i was already 15 meters down the footpath and turning the corner. “Fuck me sideways Korey.” I watched as Korey ran off and around the corner of the street. Leaving me alone. I sigh as i take in my situation. Outnumbered, and probably our pretty much everything. My only weapon was a two inch flick knife, used for bush survival. At that moment i caught movement in my peripheral vision. I turned to see Korey standing left to me, glaring at the group before us. Evidently running out of breath. “Damn it Ricky, when i said run i meant run. Like shit off a shovel.” “I'm not a good runner. Besides.” I look Sandler directly in the eyes. “All i'm seeing is a scared little kid that has more power then he should fucking have.” That made him snap. Sandler charged at me, ignoring Korey. I gently shoved Korey out of the way off to the side. “I got this” I let him get within thrusting distance, as he does so i lean a bit to the side and catch Sandler's foot with my leg tripping him up. He hits the pavement, and begins to instantly regain his footing and turned with a stab in mind. His face was bleeding freely from the gravel that implanted itself into it. Korey's fist goes into Sandler's face, sending both him reeling. Korey shook his hand violently whilst spinning in circles. “When this is over, i'm planting my steel capped boot up your arse.” Then he froze as if a thought came to mind and grinned. My view of him was obscured by snandlers huge 6”6’ muscly form. As he went to thrust, he suddenly recoiled, face turning milk pale. Before falling to the ground. Korey was standing behind him bouncing on one foot then returned to a standing position. “What did you-” I asked, and received a nod with a sadistic smile from my friend. “Oooooohhh, Ow.” I muttered staring down at the paralysed bully before me. I looked and stared at the bully's entourage. “Alright boys. Here’s what's going to fucking happen. You're going to either fuck off, or get your leg broken. An additional option is to have your balls busted, literally.” I crack my knuckles and neck. And cross my arms. “Three seconds” Four of the ten scramble away. Three stay with indecisive looks on their faces. The other three? “Arrrrrggghh!” They all shot in random directions in some fashion. “I got the front one and right, take left down and help me.” Korey nods, moving off to the left and drawing the leftmost goon away from the group. I drew the other two away and distracted them, allowing Korey a clear shot to the left one. We fought for about three minutes, than Korey came from behind one and gave him a kick to the back of his knee. In the others confusion, i tackled him to the ground. Laying into him with a few hits until he was crying for his mothers. I let him go to assist Korey with his opponent. But Korey was choke holding him out by the time i was done with mine. That left three- and they left. Pussies. Honestly, with the fighting lessons id taken. They stood a decent chance of beating us, if they had actually rushed us with the entire group. “Alright then. Let's get outta here before the cops come Korey.” “Right behind- LOOK OUT” I quickly spun around to see Sandler directly in front of me. I felt a burning sensation in my stomach. Looking down, it was his knife. Stuck into my stomach. As i looked up to meet his glare, i saw a blur of grey and black in front of me before Sandler disappeared leaving the knife in me. I looked down to see Korey having him in a choke hold so tight, i could see the tendons in his arm popping out. Sanders faced was cherry red under the strain. I dropped onto my knees. Holding the blade as tightly as i could, stopping any bleeding. Sandler stopped struggling and let go of Korey's arm, his own falling limp to his sides. Korey then threw him off to the side in disgust before running over and leaning over me. At some point it had started raining. And the rain droplets had… stopped… falling? Midair? What. In the actual. Fuck. The ground shook like mad, a bright light enveloped us. And then. All went black. Author's Note It begins.
Chapter 2: Equestria.The tweeting of birds pierced the darkness of my slumber. I groaned. A string of curses under my breath before cracking my eyes open, instantly regretting that decision and covering them again with my hand. It was then that i remembered the traumatic experience of seeing my friend on the ground before me, bleeding out. I shot bolt upright and looked around frantically and sighed in relief. I saw Ricky lent up against a tree. We were in some kind of forest, on the outskirts of what appeared to be an orchard of some description. I squinted at the trees and after about 5 seconds my vision recovered enough for me to make out large red orbs hanging proudly from the trees. “An apple orchard?” I muttered to myself. “Where the heck are we? This evidently isn't home, so what happened?" Most orchards in my hometown don't have houses in them, nor are they manned at all so wasting time looking for people was out of the question. On the bright side, there was a dirt road, heading down hill. Downhill meant water, and with an apple orchard here, chances are great there's a town nearby. I got up and examined my friend. The knife had at some point must of fallen out of his stom- oh shit. Scrambling to my feet, i was already pulling at my shirt. Ripping off one of the sleeves, i pressed it too wound as i pulled his shirt up. He groaned, obviously still in pain, unconscious as he was. ‘I can't lift him, i’ll only make his wound worse… but i don't have much choice right now’ I thought to myself. "Sorry about this Rickball" Grabbing each of his arms in mine, i stepped backwards, pulling him up. Going forward, i got him up and onto my shoulder. Picking up my legs, i made haste down the road. Keeping my eyes open for anyone that might be around. Pulling out my phone i looked at the reception bars. Empty. "God dammit why now!" I nearly shouted. After about five hundred meters i began to see rooftops over the horizon. I quickened my pace from a jog to a run. And made the town outskirts in near record time. I picked a path that lead to the most noise, more commotion meant more people. I rounded a corner. And entered a plaza not noticing the abundance of moving pastel colours in my frantic search for help until i heard several dozen gasps. I looked up from the ground, and not only reeled back, but did a double take. I too gasped and shook my head in shock. Horses? In a town? Pastel colours?... Korey. Exe has stopped responding… Alt F4 to return to home... I stood there for what must of been fifteen seconds calculating and stringing all the information my senses were assaulting my poor struggling mind with, before i pulled everything together. Forest. Apple orchard. Dirt road. Town. horses. Pastel colours. Not horses, too short, Ponies. Plaza. Apple stand. Orange mare in a stetson…. Yup, i'm in Equestria… Crap...i mean ‘YES’... but shit... Knowing the best place too go, i began a mad sprint for the library whilst everyon- pony was standing there frozen in a mixture of confusion, curiosity and fear. After only a few seconds, i saw the massive crystal tree. Ducking through an alleyway i made the front door. I skidded to a halt in front of the door, and slammed my fist into it frantically for several seconds before the door opened to a small winged dragon. “What is your prob-” He stopped abruptly as he opened his sleepy eyes and realised he was talking to me knees. Looking up he could only ask "What the?" I pointed to my friend. Still bleeding. And frantically said. “He needs a doctor, please help him! PLEASE! GET HIM A DOCTOR NOW!” I said. Gently as i could. I placed him onto the ground in front of Spike. Spike stared at me in confusion once more, raising an eyebrow. “Please.” At that moment i heard several voices yelling behind me. I turned to see several white and royal blue coloured ponies. “SHIT!” i yelled before turning to spike. “He needs-” “A Doctor, i know. I'll make sure he gets one.” Spike hastily said, raising his claws. I smiled. Now shaking from my adrenaline overdose my body was lending me. Before i heard the clops of hooves advancing closer. And spike looked at me with concern and confusion. “Are you alright, mister?” He asks looking at my shivering form, my hands shaking violently. I turned to look blankly into his eyes before turning to the guards. Who by now had their weapons drawn. I looked back at spike before bolting as fast as my legs would let me. And as per whenever else i felt threatened, that was nonsensically fast for my form. I ran so fast my legs kept threatening to trip me up with every new step. I lost my balance and nearly tumbled several times as i rounded a corner into an alleyway. I nearly fell over a mint green mare. But i just managed to vault over her. “Hey what's the-” She started but stopped when she saw me darting off into the darkness towards a brick wall. Without the obstacle even registering in my mind. My body instinctively reacted. And within a second i had ran up the wall and swung my legs over. My vault was completed in a flash and i was gone. The mint green mare stood there, her golden eyes staring at the wall in astonishment. Her jaw agape. The guard rounded the corner and stopped upon seeing the wall. “Damn it!” The captain yelled. “For only having two legs that thing is fast!” Another said. "Come on, i know where that alleyway goes!" Before rounding the corner again and continuing their futile pursuit. The mint green mare just stood in the same spot, staring into space before mumbling under her breath. “They do exist… i'm gonna rub this in Bonnie's face”
Chapter 3: Survival (Kinda)After half an hour of frantic sprinting i was spent. Being well away from town, my adrenaline wearing off to a low, my body was semi-locking up and refused to work. I was reduced to a hunched over wreck gasping raggedly for air crawling on my knees. I looked up through my blurring vision and saw a treeline -that wasn't everfree, thank god- and forced myself to my feet again. Gritting my teeth and, growling through said grit teeth in pain and exertion. I forced myself the last ten meters off the road and into the shrubs of the forest before i collapsed under a thick bramble. Just barely high enough to allow me to squeeze under. And blacked out. When i came to it was afternoon the next day. Upon crawling out of my cover. I near instantly slithered under again like a startled snake. I saw a patrol of at least five Pegasi flying in a V formation “So, their hunting me…” i mumbled to myself. Before cursing myself. ‘Of course they are! I ran into town pulling my near dead friend with blood dripping from his stomach. Then i BOLT from the guards. They probably think i did it. And the fact that i ran from them only means that they now think i'm a threat…’ “...shit...fuck me sideways... why me?...” i mumbled under my breath. Shaking into a quiet sob. After a five minute bout of silently cursing myself for ditching my friend, and putting myself in this situation. I had cried myself out and i was now frustrated with my inability to think of a plan. So i forced myself into my calm space. I closed my eyes and used the nature around me to assist me in reconstructing my personal ‘mental’ garden library. I only enter this place when i'm lost in deep thought. Or it's an escape from emotions or events that are dogging me and making me feel bad. ***** A single Lapis Lazuli gazebo stood proud in a huge garden of roses and hedges. Each hedge being its own bookshelf. Under the gazebo sat a lounge area. A large pool of cobalt blue water rippled under the small waterfall from a heated spa pool. Vines of grapes and flowers intermingled with each other as they grew up the pillars of the gazebo. And a not so small table sat in the centre island of the huge swimming pool. It wasn't originally a swimming pool. As it still had all the fish in it. And the lilies. And the other aquatic plants. But heck. My world. My rules. I grabbed a book from one of the many shelves that were meticulously arranged around the gazebo. And i retired to the table on the centre island. I tossed the book to the table, and it landed with a muffled leather thump, that echoed around in the gazebos concave roof. I looked up and admired the mural of Celtic patterns, and Aboriginal style paintings of the place i called home. That little island country that stood proudly by itself at the bottom of the world. I recalled with a smile how i had had to summon a 10 meter tall ladder in my dreams to paint that up there. It was the most awkward and terrifying dream i’d had, but the end was oddly satisfying and comforting. Anyway. I drew back my chair and slumped down into it holding my head. With a sigh i looked up and looked around the empty table. There were 24 empty marble seats, each with a brilliant white cushion with silver trim. With a wave of my left hand i summoned a tea set. The exact same one i had back home, under my bed. It was used by the queen of England herself… I poured myself a cup of ‘Earl Grey’ and sat there holding the cup in my hands. It's warmth comforting me. “This is a nice place…” “Thank you, i made it myself. It took me three months of dreams to comple-” My eyes shot open side and i jumped up out of my marble chair with a yelp. Before my tea, and it's accompanying cup, could hit the ground. They were both enveloped in a midnight blue aura and ceased their plummet to the gold, silver and quartz speckled floor. My vision had locked onto the midnight blue Alicorn like radar. And my eyes portrayed how pissed off i was that my private domain, had been rudely intrude upon. My stare of daggers was met by a friendly smile. And i instantly felt like a right dick. I called myself off with several slow deep ragged breaths. Before opening my eyes and noticing the Alicorn had helped herself to a seat. “Can i help you?” I asked as i slid the book in front of me and returned to my chair. “Quite, but that comes later. You’ve a very nice dream space, if you don't mind my saying.” She said. Looking around with a genuine smile of amazement and awe. “Like i said. I took great pride, time and careful planning in designing this place. And normally it's just me here. . .” I paused, raising both my arms at the vast library around us. “This is my vast collection of knowledge I've collected over the years.” She chuckled at my comment… “I see i'm not the only one who converts all their memories to book form for an ethereal library.” I looked at her and finally let a smile spread across my face. Before i could reach for another cup. My previous one had levitated back to it's saucer and the princess of the night even had the courtesy to levitate two biscuits to the crockery as well. I leaned onto the table on my elbows. Picked up the steaming cup and brought it just in front of my mouth. “So why are you really here? Enlighten me as to the reason your intruding upon my safe place?” She looked at me with a coy grin. “Just because dream walking is part of my job at night. Doesn't mean i can't do it in the day as well. My role as princess of the night, and all it encompasses is eternal. And i could feel your desperate fear and inner turmoil from my personal chambers in my sleep.” I looked at her placing my cup back onto the saucer with a clink. “Am i mentally messed up that badly?” I said in genuine shock at her information. All she did was give a nod. “The full description of my role includes peaceful dreams and self evaluation through recollection of memories. However, I can feel that your keeping those locked away. And with a fair amount of security as well. But i am the princess of the night. Your construct or not. I will break through to them. I am the mistress of the dream world.” “Yeah, well, i'm not going to roll over and let you scratch my belly. If you want into my memories then your going to have to fight for those rights.” With a click of my fingers all the hedgerow bookshelves morphed into seemingly innocuous normal hedges, then slowly sank into the ground before the grass around the gazebo morphed into white ethereal energy, then into a starry replica of the night sky over my house. Her coy smile turned into a mischievous toothy grin before she said. “Very well. A contest then. When i break into your memories your going to watch with me. And your not going to spare any details.” I retorted with. “If you break through my memories. Which i doubt you’ll be able to without me being unconscious. And that would be against the rules of fair play. Then yes. I will show you through my library until then however. You won't see so much as a letter.” A dark blue glow out in the far reaches of my peripheral vision caught my attention, and without breaking eye contact or even moving my body. I mentally slammed the book i retrieved from the shelf earlier against the table with my own mental power. It impacts the table hard enough to make a deafening leathery slap against the table. I let my glare turn into a coy smile, whilst still staring into the eyes of the now quite shocked Alicorn. “Goodness. You wield a lot of power in this realm.” She says My smile fades away as i slump into my chair. Sliding down half under the table before i groan and stare at the ceiling, letting the mural comfort me. “You know i originally came here to see what was bothering you and help you, and i can't do that unless. . . I can't believe i'm saying this… You cooperate with me here. My only goal is to help you through your turmoil, i mean no ill will.” She says in all honesty, a concerned look adorning her face. I sighed heavily. Before dropping my eyes down to her. Staring at her over the table. “I sincerely apologise for this…” i said honestly. “For what…?” Luna asked suspiciously. I could feel her rummaging around my library under our feet. The vast catacombs of books hidden below us at risk of discovery. I raised my right hand and clicked my fingers and a look of utter terrified shock enveloped Luna’s face and she suddenly felt her power siphoned away from her. Her brilliant starry mane and tail lost their brilliant glowing sheen and flopped down to her sides, now at the mercy of gravity. “What did you-” She asked terrified at the sudden shift of power she hadn't foreseen. I raised my hand further into the air and pooled her stolen energy in my right hand. Causing it glow in a dim blue aura. “WAIT” She nearly screams as she realises my next course of action. With a click of my fingers she vanishes in a vibrant starry flash, banished from my safe place. I muster the mental fortitude to pull myself back upright in the chair. And i stared at the still steaming cup of tea and two accompanying biscuits. I waved my hand off and the tea set vanished in a steamy vapour. I sat in the chair looking at the book Luna had tried to steal. The brown leather Tomb entitled “Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines” sat before me on the table. I sighed in relief that my senses in this world are a lot better here then in real life. I waved the book off, it vanishing into vapour and returning to it's hidden shelf. Before i stood up and walked over the to the heated pool and sat on it's side. Placing my legs in. A sigh of relief left me as i thought of a plan for the evening. The time i make my move. I know that pony eyesight is near useless at night. I can use that... My eyes snap open. I groggily look around. I see no one. And i'm still under the bramble bush. The sun was moved slightly. But still stood proud in the sky. “Alright, stay in the treeline and avoid capture until i can evaluate the situation properly and come up with an appropriate plan. I never got far into the series, so i don't know the guards course of action if they catch me.” With that i continued wandering until nightfall. At which point i moves cautiously to avoid patrols of both earthbound ponies and Pegasi. I eventually found myself in a forest overlooking ‘sweet apple acres’ “As much as it pains me to steal from them, it's food.” I tried justifying my wrong actions as i made off into the night across the river and up a hill, a few apples in my hands. ‘But he who need justification, know he do wrong-eth’ And with a sigh, i sat down in my secluded and odd ring of trees. These trees grew in a near perfect ring around a tiny clearing. Only about five by five meters in total. But their trunks were so close together they may as well have been interlocking. And their thick bushy canopy of leaves above me would protect me from even the heaviest of downpours. So being spotted from the air, even with my campfire going was out of the question. Rain began to pelt down, literally as soon as i made that observation. And it got worse and worse as the seconds ticked by. And i slipped, like a complete tool, into a mud pile. “Me and my big mouth…” I groaned to myself, covered in mud slurry. ***** I had just finished my spastic digging of a water trench around the inside of my little ‘nook’ to prevent the water from a hurricane force storm that was hammering the entire area Ponyville was situated in. The dirt covered floor was now a slush covered floor. My bed of collected loose brush thankfully protected me from most of the wet sludge that became the floor of my clearing. I had taken off my singlet and was using it as an improvised rain catch for hammering rainstorm. One end was tied to a tree and the other to the hand of a wooden bucket i’d collected on my travels through the orchard. By now the thing was overflowing. It had to be at least a 20 litre bucket to.
Chapter 4: TheftThe constant roar of rain followed me into my dream realm and seemed to permeate through the midnight blue energy that made up the far distant walls of my ethereal abode. I didn't mind the roar of the storm. Something you have to realise about me, i love Extreme weather, especially when rain and/or hail was involved, and the howl of high the high winds? Even better. It comforted me greatly during my reading of another tomb. The black leather cover binding the pages together titled in silver words. “Legendary and mythical creatures and constructs for idiots.” ‘I know right. Lovely title.’ Sarcasm mentally noted. Some of these creatures are scary as all living hell. For example. A cockatrice can turn you into stone if you look it in the eyes. Hydra heads each have their own personality and thus intelligence level. This would be tricky… Nothing on timber wolves. But then again I wasn't really expecting them to be in a book from earth in the first place. Next to my feet, which sat on the top of the marble table. Was a non-proverbial mountain of books. Titles ranging from “How to manage diplomatic tension” to a fairly beefy red leather book titled in gold text “Sun Tzu - The Art of War” A gramophone sat on the table to my right, just past my feet. Oddly enough i had it blasting out one of my favorite types of music. Cyberpunk. More specifically. Titled ‘(8) Bleed- A Cyberpunk Mix’ The wubs and techno that the gramophone roared out into an echo around my realm would make ‘Vinyl Scratch’ jump and squee in glee. The image of the crazy maned pony skipping around like ‘Pinkie Pie’, viciously derailed my train of thought, And all i could for for half an hour after that was giggle to myself like a bitch. However, a feeling of being spied upon just outside of my peripherals, constantly had me on edge and my guard up all night. I was retrieve a book and force a ethereal lock on the hedge bookcase again, before forcing it back underground and out of sight. Tonight's theme for my garden was a nice ocean view, from a pristine beach. And i knew that i had once again picked up an unwanted guest in my abode once again this night. With a click of my fingers all the books on the table disappear in a flash of light, their whispie contrails flowing through the air like lost souls looking for their bodies. They return to their organised locations on the shelves, burrowing themselves into the ground to reach said locations. It's at that point i feel the eyes that had been on me all night vanish into the shadows. And i once again, siphon all energy from my realm into my body, but this time i didn't feel the invigorating flow of power i had the previous night. “... Damn… i missed her. She's getting better at reading my emotions and countering my plans-” it's at that point i feel something amiss. I raised my left hand, and closed my eyes concentrating on the violated feeling that permeated through my soul. And i notice to my utter annoyance, a book has gone missing. I summon the shelf with an aggravated flick of the wrist. And the shelf comes hurtling out of the ground before abruptly slamming back down into it. I hold my left hand out in front of the blank space and subconsciously feel the books former ‘ghostly’ presence. Shelf A-13, letter C, history section… I sigh in defeat at Luna’s persistence, she had netted herself the first of a great many prizes from my personal library. The missing article being a leather bound two thousand five hundred paged book… with the title… ‘The complete history of Tanks’... “Sh-eit” out of all the books she stole, it couldn't be Winnie the pooh, or something. It had to be a fucking encyclopedia about one of the most devastating types of war vehicles my civilisation had ever created." I forced myself into waking. Getting up onto my feet i scowled at myself for not being on guard. “Well. She's probably gonna hate our guts now…” I said to none in particular, as i stared off in Ponyville’s direction. Where my best friend was… by himself… due to my cowardice. My fear. Author's Note Sorry for the wait, those who read. Going to try and post more of our work. Don't loose faith with us yet people.
Chapter 5: I hate Hospitals.First thing i felt? Pain. Fucking. Pain. I'm not the kind of guy who likes waking up in the mornings. I hated them. My eyes open, for about a second before they shut again. Mum left the blinds open. I know i asked her to do that so i wake up earlier, but it didn't mean i liked it. I tried to sit up, but the pain i had flared as soon as i tired too. "Whhhhat the fuuuuccckk.” I groaned outwardly. I felt my stomach, were the pain had originated from. I felt what i could describe as a coarse blanket that you're grandparents used when they were kids. I tried to throw off the blanket, but it was wrapped around my stomach, and tugging it caused my pain to kick me. “FUCK” I shouted. I flung my eyes open, looking at my stomach and seeing not a blanket, but a bandage. Than what happened hit me. I had gotten stabbed by some cunt in Melbourne. Korey must have gotten me to a hospital in the time i was out. “Well. . . mums going to kill me.” I sighed, taking in the room around me in full detail. Not much to report, unfortunately. My bed was the only one in the room, a stool. . . stood. . . next to it. A window sat at the left end of the room, on the window was a potted plant. Looked like lavender from where i was. I looked around for a TV, finding none. No books. No paper to doodle on. Nothing. I also hate being bored. “I'm booored, i'm so fucking boorrrreedddddd.” I chanted for about thirty seconds before it got annoying and i stopped. “. . . What the fuck i'm i supposed to do now?” I said to no one in particular. The door to the room opened. I looked over to it, about to ask the nurse of doctor were i was. My words died in my throat though. Because of what i was seeing, i thought i was on some kind of strong morphine. A pony, a white pony with a red mane and a nurse uniform on. My eyes widened at what i was seeing. The pony had not recognised that i was awake yet. I stayed quiet, seeing how long it would take for her to notice that i was not unconscious. She walked over to a bunch of machines that were measuring my heartbeat and respiratory rate. “Hmm. Must be having a bad dream. Heart beat is elevated as well as breathing cycles.” She said to herself. Walking over to the foot of the bed, see took the clipboard from its place and with the pen, wrote down a few things before placing it back. She sighed and looked to the floor. Walking over to the right of the bed. “I don't get why he left me, fucking bastard just had to find another mare.” She stood on her hind legs, looking over the bandages on my stomach. Seeing a bit of blood caused from my ‘trying to throw off the blanket’ act. “Again! Geese, how can you bleed so much from doing nothing?” She hopped off the bed and over to a cabinet, bending down to grab some fresh bandages (i assume anyways). Giving me a perfect view of her perfectly shaped a- I looked away quickfast, saving my face from becoming a tomato. Looking back over to her, keeping my eyes from the goods this time. When she turned around this time, a fresh bandage in her mouth. She finally took notice of my awakening. Dropping it in shock, she immediately ran out of the room. “Doctor, it's awake!” I heard her screaming down the hallway. I just sat there, convening with my brain trying to figure out if we weren't hallucinating. After giving myself a pinch, then a slap to the face. I had determined that i wasn't doing so. “. . . wat?” Was the only thing that i could think of. Three minutes it was, until another pony enter the room. This one was a stallion, from what i knew about from the show. (You know which one.) He was brown with a brown mane, wearing a doctor's coat. “So you are awake. Can you understand me” “Crikey” He had a confused look on his face. “I'm sorry?” “I said yeah i can.” “Well than, this should make things much smoother. Mr. . .” “You first.” I shot back “Fair enough. My name is Doctor Pain. Nice to meet you. . .” “Ricky. Ricky Jeffree.” “. . . Well, that wasn't what i would pin you with. But nice to meet you Ricky” He walked over to the foot of the bed, picking up the clipboard. “Be honest doc. Am i gonna turn gay?” “What?” I put my hands in defense. “Bad joke. Sorry. But in all seriousness, how long have i been out for, Pain?” “Almost four days i'm afraid. Another. . . i'm sorry i don't know what you actually are. In fact i was going to have you answer some of my questions.” He looks at me with a smile. He sat on the stool with a pen in his mouth and paper in his hoof, supported by the clipboard. “Well. Do i have a choice?” He shook his head. “I'm afraid not. I'm under the princesses orders to get these answers filled out.” “Understandable. First?” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We went through the list. Age, Gender, what i was, what i intended to do in Equestria, if i had any malicious intentions towards ponies or other creatures, if i had any aggression issues (had to bullshit that one), if i drinked or smoked, sexually active and a few others. “Well, only one left to go. And this is more of a test than a question.” He held up a picture. It was one of those mirror image test things. “Tell me. What do you see in this?” Doctor Pain asks. I give it a thought, and studied the picture. "I see. . . two ballerinas, throwing themselves toward something. . . What that thing in the middle is. I have no clue." He nods. Getting up from the stool he flashes me a friendly smile. “Well that's about it. I'll have a nurse run by and see what you would like to have for dinner.” At that, my stomach growled. “Thanks doc. Appreciate it. . . oh and before you go.” I say, raising a hand. He stops at the door frame, looking back towards me. “Has my friend been waiting for me in the hospital. I would like to know if he’s alright.” Doctor Pain shakes his head “I'm afraid not. According to a few ponies that witnessed it, you're friend shouted about you needing help and then went about running away from the guard.” The speed at which my hand hit my forehead made the doctor jump. “Korey you fuckwit!” “Now calm down. The Guard is looking for him right now, he should be found with a few days.” I growled. Angry that Korey could do something so. . . stupid. “Thanks for patching me up doc.” “Actually. The nurse that went to grab me had been the one to help clean and patch you up. I was gone, off on another assignment you see.” Nurse Red had taken care of me? “Oh. Well tell her i said thank you then. And that i owe her.” “Can do son. You just rest now and a nurse will be around shortly.” With that, he took his leave. I laid my head down on the pillows. They were obviously made for ponies, not humans. About five minutes later, Nurse Red came through the door to my room. Cracking it open a bit, she caught my gaze. Stepping into the room, she gave me a genuine smile. Not like the obviously fake smile Doc Pain had given me. “Well good morning sunshine! I thought you wouldn't be waking up for a bit longer, but you surprised all of us by waking up!” She trotted over to the bed placing her fore hooves onto it and leaning up so she could get up close and personal with my face. “I hope you don't mind me saying. But are you an ape with some kind of skin disease? I've been dying to ask!” I booped her nose. “No. I'm not an ape, or a chimp. I'm a human. Or more scientifically, homosapien. Translating to-” “Wise man?” She answers. “. . . You know latin?” I ask. Surprised. “Latin? What's latin? That was old equestrian!” And we were off. We were discussing things for hours. Who i was, where i was from, why i had a knife in me. You know, normal stuff. After a while she remembers the whole point of her being here, she pulls a menu (from somewhere, i genuinely, so don't ask) and hands it to me. I give a quick scan over the meals. Mainly consisting of herbivore meals, hay, flowers some cheese and bread. But the fish meal stood out to me. “I'll have the fish please!” I say handing her the menu back. She looks at me with a. . . look. “If you wouldn't mind. . .could you show me your teeth?” I shrug my shoulders. Opening my mouth wide, showing my teeth in all of their yellow glory. I heard her gasp. Closing my mouth i looked back down at her. Her pupils were dilated, and breathing bated. “Is something wrong, RedHeart?” “N-n-no nothing at a-all!” She -once again- darts out of the room and down the hall. ‘What's got her in a panic. . . my teeth?’ Opening my mouth again, i felt my teeth with my fingers. Most of my teeth were jagged from months of not going to the dentist to get them refilled in. And my canines had an actual sharp point to them. ‘A predator/prey response?’ That would actually be a good answer. (I read a lot of fanfics back on Earth. A LOT.) I sighed and laid back -again- into the pillow. Getting comfortable, and beginning to count back from 700 by sevens and quickly clapping my hands. I had only ever gotten down to 350 before i lost track or got distracted. Made it to to 630 by the time Red had come back with my food. The smell of the spices hit my nose and my stomach growled. “Dinner is served! Enjoy!’ She said, turning a table that was attached to the bed to be in front of me. Placing my fish with a few garnishing's on it, as well as a glass of water. “Thanks Red. . . mind explaining?” “Explaining what?” She said a little bit to quickly. “Nothing. Nevermind, i forgot.” I said, waving my hand dismissively. I dug into my fish, using the provided knife and fork to cut off a sizeable chunk and taking it into my mouth. I ate quickly. As i usually do. Having nothing else on the plate except the single fish fillet, it only took about two minutes. I sat my plate to the side, draining the glass of water as i did. “I'm sorry.” Red said out of nowhere. “For what?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “For my behaviour earlier. I shouldn't of run off like-” “I look like a predator, don't i?” I asked with a sad smile. “N-no not at- i mean-” She stumbles over her words, going red in the face. I chuckle at her expense. “You're cute when you're flustered.” She threw her hooves over her head. Her face completely red now. “What? Can't take a compliment?” “Yeah y-yeah, really funny mister hoo-man. . . but.” She raised one hoof from her face. “Thank you. For the compliment that is.” I just smile. Hiding my teeth. “You're welcome Red.” After taking a minute to compose herself, Red sits up and takes the plate and glass from the table, sliding it back into place off to the right. “Ok. If you need anything, just press the button on the side of the headboard. Somepony will be with you shortly afterwards. If it's an emergency, press it repeatedly.” She makes her way over to the door, turning around to give me another genuine smile like she did before earlier today. “Have pleasant dreams Ricky.” “And you as well Red.” She turned to leave. “Oh, and Red?” She stopped mid hoof raise. I gave a small grin, making sure to show off one of my canines. “Scary or Sexy?” I asked cheekily. She went red -again- . Turning around and storming off with a small amount of literal steam coming from her ears. ‘Must of had some thermal run off’ I thought. Laughing softly. Shuffling about and laying down, getting as comfortable as possible. I closed my eyes. ‘I wonder. . . does being here give me Lucid dreams?’ I hoped in my mind. God i hope so Author's Note Nothing down here folks. No need to stay.
