Chaos Meet Responsibility

With supplies in hand and a course of action chosen. I turn back to that new form that I have gotten in this land. “Okay let’s see what I can modify to better blend in,” I say as I briefly stop in front of a full-body mirror. Yes, I was still at the castle since by the looks of it I passed out here for two days probably.

But enough of that let's describe this new form. The base of it was a tall dark purple pony with wings and a sharp horn. I possessed a black mane and tail but the main worrisome feature was that my chaos mark covered my entire body with a pseudo zebra print all originating from the middle of my chest. And trying to disguise it was ineffective as it reappeared no matter how hard I tried.

Changing into my Argonian Bat form proved a similar result as it was also covered with my mark. “Well, crap.” I simply said once again changing to the pony form. Since I couldn’t change the markings I instead changed my form to remove the wings as I would much prefer the use of active magic should I need it. I also shrunk my form down to the appropriate size so I didn’t tower over them, unlike the princess does. After turning around twice I focused on my flanks and remembered that every adult also possessed a mark there.

I then proceeded to have a genius moment. Since I couldn’t remove the marks I instead moulded and shifted them so that the markings spread from both of my flanks. Was I still going to stand out like a sore thumb? Most definitely but that way I could simply explain to them that it is merely my mark.

A potential crisis averted and me looking far more presentable to those savages I decide to find a road that didn’t lead from where I have fled to.

With that, I again oriented myself from the castle and started exploring the Everfree to search for this supposed second road. The trip was a bit more uncomfortable then I would like to admit as walking through the forest proved rather difficult. I stumbled a great many times since walking on four legs wasn’t a thing I needed to learn before now and it was certainly a learning experience. But eventually, I managed to brave the forest with not a creature blocking my path.

Maybe those animals that I scared off told of a new creature and the few that I saw along my travels were only observing. None dared approach me. Anyway, when I came out of that forest it was night time and the road before me was one that led to that town. I thought about maybe just letting it pass and going the other way but in the end, I choose against that as I needed some more supplies unless I wish to merely subsist on old bread, cheese and beans.

The fresh fruit and vegetables have long since been eaten since I didn’t find that many to begin with. So with that, I walked in the direction of town with the sack on my back and planing my reactions for all the damage and talk about this new creature.

I took the walk slowly as daybreak was sure to arrive soon and when it did so will the ponies slowly wake up and open up shop. I arrived when the sun was a good way up in the sky and I entered the town to find that yes everyone was up and that they were still talking about me.

“I heard that Charon eats ponies by the dozens.” One said. “I heard that he could stare down a dragon and get all of its hordes.” Another said. And so the rumour mill continued to unwind as I walked by trying to act as neutral as possible. But when ponies started to spot me they stopped all talk and were silently looking at me.

I simply looked back for a bit before giving them a small smile and a wave hoping it would calm them and surprisingly it did. They soon paid me no mind and I was free to walk around town with no scared ponies no one attacking me and some even saying hello. At that point, I realized what the problem was.

These ponies have never experienced another species walking through town. Even one of their own that they do not recognize causes them a fright. Maybe if I would have behaved things would have gone smoother but alas that is not my way. I don’t like being demeaned and insulted as a foul beast.

I quickly squashed that thought down as I didn’t need for this form to get wanted like my…. I take a few steps back and see a wanted poster with my face on it. On it, it said:

Dangerous creature by the name of Charon is wanted dead or alive. And under it, it stated a reward for 100000 bits. I wasn’t here more than a month and I am already a wanted fugitive. This now for sure cemented my outlook that these ponies are racist and don’t actually care for anyone but themselves.

Again I had to calm down as my mind was getting filled with anger that even in other dimensions it is okay to be racist and is inforced as it seems by the very princesses themselves. “I need to get a map, some food and then I need to skip town and fast. No the entire country.” I said under my breath and fast-walked over to the small market that they had and I went on to search for what I needed. “Map map where can I find a good map in this Entropy forsaken place,” I say to myself as I look at stall after stall to see nothing but produce and wood carvings. The carvings looked rather nice but I didn’t need a souvenir from the place that nearly killed me.

But I shall still describe them to remember them fondly and maybe recreate them when I have some free time.
The first wooden carving that caught my interest was that of a pegasus flying through the sky it was carefully wood carves so you could see every individual feather on that thing but the best part about it was that it was all made from one piece of wood.

The next carving that got a look from me was an intricately decorated whistle which looked to be inspired by the fire alliance with the vibrant green and red that it sported along with that nice glazed wood colour.
And the final one worth any mention was again a fire alliance inspired one and is by what I believe to be a dream catcher. A thing designed to ward off bad dreams but unlike the one of the fire alliance this one sported all the wrong patterns and had no magic imbued within.

With all of them marked down, I proceed to walk into town and find that there was still no place that sold camping supplies more maps and I was getting a bit frustrated. That was amped up tenfold when I got ambushed by a pink blur that tackled me on the ground and proceeded to blab at speeds I could not follow.

Having been frustrated and assaulted I did the most appropriate thing that I could at that time. “Are you insane, pink horse!” I yelled out loud and picked her up in my magical grip. “Is this how you grat new people. Assaulting them physically before barraging them with words that no one can comprehend?” I said as I got up. “I have had a very tiresome day and am just looking for supplies and a map,” I say deciding to slip into a more African dialect with weird pronunciations to disguise myself as a foreigner. “So apologize and introduce yourself properly and I shall consider giving you some more of my time.” I then say with finality before unceremoniously dropping her and I go to pick up my things.

“O-oh I’m sorry mister. It’s just that I love meeting new people and that my excitement got the better of me.” She said sounding rather hurt and honest.

“All is forgiven then pink horse. To that could you perhaps help me to gather my supplies? By chance in a manner that will not cause further unrest in my hand and body.” Holy Entropy I was milking that dialect to its limits.

“Sure thing mister and my name is Pinkie, not pink horse.” She says her mood turning a lot more hyper and I sighed in resignation to being led by the most energetic pony in town.

“And my name is… Geria it is nice to meet you.” I said as I have only then realized that I didn’t think of what name to present myself with so to that end I simply choose my teachers name. I’m sure he won't mind.

“Geria? That’s a weird name. You are definitely not from around here.” She says as she starts hopping in place and giggling. “But all the same I warmly welcome you to Ponywille.” She says as I smile at the first show of kindness from this village.

“Thank you, Pinkie. Now could you direct us to the map shop? It is the first thing that I truly require?” I ask as she nods making a cowbell sound for some odd reason and then she bounces off with me following behind.

“Okay, Geria. So tell me are you another zebra. You certainly look like one. Though in that case why are you purple and black and not white and black?” She asked curiously as I fell in step with her.

“Well, I am not a zebra it is just my mark that makes me look as such.” I simply explain.

“And your marks cover your entire body? That is certainly weird but what does yours mean then.” Another thing that I did not realize but a quick thought and I had a story to tell her.

“Well, it is eight arrows which travel all over my body which represents my want for discovery and adventure.” I lied outright. “It is an honourable mark in my tribe as many who have it are revealed as great prophets who are sent on a quest to gather knowledge and eventually bring it back to our clan so that we can grow.”

“Wowie zowie. That is an important mark. And how long do these quests last for?” She asked now having calmed down a bit and is walking beside me like a normal pony.

“It depends on what all we discover. To that end, I am buying a map which will hopefully let me figure out a proper path from which I will gather as much information as possible.” It was interesting how easy I could lie to her and yet at the same time I didn’t. Eather these ponies were extremely trustful to their own kind or they were very very naive.

“Well if that is true then you will be very happy to find that we have arrived at saddles and maps.” She proclaims happily as we stop before a shop which was quite aways away from the market. Figures as much.

“Thank you, Pinkie. Mind waiting for me here while I go and gather what I need. I would really appreciate it if you remained my guide until I finish my shopping?” I ask her at the end at which she again nods and then plonks her rear down.
I smile and enter the store and as the description said it only held saddles and maps… Well more saddlebags since a pony species wouldn’t require saddles unless… I quickly put that thought to rest and went about the store to first find a map of the entire world and one of Equestria. Should I require more maps I will find them elsewhere. Until then I happily took my two items to the cashier.

He was a very old stallion with overly big glasses and quite loose and wrinkly skin. He had a silver-white coat and a black tail but his mane was gone. The only other thing to distinguish on him was the small black jacket and tie that he wore. “Will this be all?” He asked as he rang me up with five bits as my bill.

“Yes kind sir, though I have to ask if any of these saddlebags that you have here that has a sort of pocket space inside. I will require one with quite a bit of space for my travels?” I asked as I saw that indeed some were enchanted.

“Hmm yes we do and how much would you be willing to pay for a saddlebag. The price will determine the space you have to play with.” The old pony asked me while I counted how much money I had and after a bit of counting, I plop 105 bits on the table.

“What can 100 bits net me?” And the old pony smiled walking to a back room and coming out with a dark purple saddlebag matching my fur colour.

“This bag will suit you just fine then sunny. It contains three separate pocket spaces each of a volume of about 20 cubic meters. One can hold normal stuff one can hold stuff that needs to stay warm and the last stuff that needs to be cold.” He explained while showing me this. “And the best part is that I’ll give it to you for eighty. I am sure you’ll use it enough so take it.” The nice old pony said and I smiled and let him keep the bits. “Then keep the rest as a tip. I will gladly spread the word of this place on my travels.” I start putting stuff away and find that if I need something I simply need to think of it to pull it out.

“Thank you sunny.” He said being very grateful.

I smiled at him and as I walked out I said. “No problem stallion and may Entropy show you to glory.” And after that, I came outside to a rather sad looking Pinkie. “Is there something the mater Pinkie?” I asked as I stepped up to her.

She jumped a bit as she heard me and tried to hide her sadness. “Oh, it’s nothing Geria.” She lied. “It’s just allergies.

I simply raised an eyebrow. “You needn’t lie to spare my emotions if there is something the matter I am here to listen,” I said as I tried to pat her back to comfort her.

“W-well alright… one of my close friends Rainbow Dash… Lost her wing when fighting a dangerous creature by the name of Charon.” She spat that name out like it was the worst venom and I feared for my life when I saw her face contort to anger. “I mean why did he have to do that. She was simply defending this town?” She said as she then broke out into full-on crying and clung to me for support.

I wisely decided to stay quiet but I didn’t shed a tear. After a bit, I pulled her away from me. “Do not cry pink one. It is natural selection at play. She saw the danger and dashed in without thinking, giving the beast a chance to strike. Why yes losing a wing is bad but trust me when I say. If she is a warrior worth her salt she will climb on top of this stronger then before. You will see.” I gave her a hopefully comforting smile.

“But but her dream is ruined Geria. All she ever wished for was to fly with the Wonderbolts and without her wing that will be impossible.” She says again looking like she was going to cry.

“I do not know who these Wonderbolts are but surely she could fulfil her dream in another way. Maybe to help them train. Teach them from her experience so they are better and don’t fall into the same camp as her.” I wipe her tears away. “You just be there for her when she needs to and share with her these words. It may help at least a little.”

And after that, she was calm enough to give me a proper smile. “O-okay Geria and thank you for helping me cheer up.” She was grateful and I was happy that she was.

“No problem it is after all what friends are for,” I say without thinking only to receive a bone-crushing hug. “Though I am strongly reconsidering if this is the thanks.” I choke out before she lets go and has a small ashamed blush on her face.
“Hehe sorry again Geria.” She says and after calming down she asks. “So where to now?”

“Some camping supplies and some fresh and preserved food. For I do not know how long I have before I will be able to stop for more.” I simply say and she walks me to another shop wherein I bought a tent, A portable fire pit and a sleeping bag. All of them were of decent quality and the pony running the shop said that the fire pit only needed a tiny bit of magic to run all night.

With a thanks and a promise to advertise her on my journey Pinkie led me to the market again to, first talk to what she told me was her good friend Carrot Top. “Trust me she has the best veggies in town and they are always fresh no matter what day you come to her.” She explained and has not let me astray yet I believed her.

“Hello, good sir. What can I get you today?” She asked politely and I smiled at her.

“Well I would ask for specifics but instead I’ll give you twenty bits and you prepare me a random assortment for my journey. Pinkie speaks of your wares quite highly so I will let the farmer choose.” I say as I gave her the money and she went to work to pick out some veggies.

To my surprise, this farmer was a unicorn proving to me that yes they, in fact, could take over all duties but that is a thought I might use at a different time but now I had an absolutely enormous pile of vegies before me. “Okay, sir here is twenty bits worth of vegetables for your enjoyment and don’t worry about them rotting I put a harmless spell on them to keep them fresh.” She said sounding happy. I didn’t complain and happily stuffed it into my saddlebag.

“Thank you very much. Miss and may Entropy guide you to prosperity.” I say and finally walk away with pinkie looking confused.

“Who is Entropy?” She asks me and I look at her a bit worried.

“I do not think I am allowed to say. For I do not want to be massacred for telling you our beliefs. It has never been good to do so.” I lie trying to keep that part of my backstory a secret. I did not want to have a witch hunt on my back as well.

“Why would we massacre you for your beliefs. This is Equestria where everypony is allowed to be who they want to be.” She says as she giggles. “Now please tell me I am really curious now.” And there came that racist word everypony and I’m sure it meant exactly what it intended. Again choking down my rage I smiled.

“Well alright. Entropy is our god. He is the one we worship and pray to and in turn, he guides us on this planet.” I explain and to my surprise Pinkie didn’t look mad or like she was about to burst out laughing. She was only intrigued and motioned for me to continue. So I did. “And that is mostly it. Besides the many stories that exist about him. But seeing as I have you enthralled I shall tell you more. Entropy was one of the gods to ever exist before even the planet was born.

It was said that he possessed four different faces one for each core emotion and one which was devoid of them. They were constantly fighting with each other and always causing trouble but one day the blank face spoke up and united them making them finally able to create something good which was the very planet we stand on.” I miffed that last part but you understand why. “And when he did his sister got jealous and decided to outdo him by creating the many stars but he didn’t care for on this planet he developed life which was precious to him. While yes he did cause some mayhem on said planet but all of that was made in hopes of making us better and stronger. As his sister saw that she sent a meteorite crashing into the planet, killing all life and forming the moon from the earth crust. This made Entropy very mad and he turned on his sister and they battled. In the end, they both died and so the universe and all the life in it was born.” I concluded after which Pinkie was completely amazed.

“Wow… Your people do have a rather chaotic and yet interesting god.” She said. “I rather like that story so thank you for sharing.” And then she pulled out a tray full of pastries from inside her mane. “So in return have these.”

My mouth was watering at what I saw and I accepted the gift gratefully. It was a combination of many a delicious and pretty looking pastries which I would surely enjoy. “Thank you, Pinkie. I will gladly eat these when the time is right. But with this given, I think I am ready to head out. Your company has been nice and I appreciated every second of it. But now is the time for goodbyes.” I say to her and as I did she gave me a sad smile and a hug.

“Yeah, it seems so. Don’t you forget about me now.” She says as she makes to leave.

“I will not and let Entropy guide your way to ultimate happiness.” And with that and a wave, I walk off out of town and into the direction of Manehattan.