Chapter 2

Pain. All I could feel was pain throughout my whole body. It made itself apparent whenever I tried to move some part of me. I could feel that my eyes were shut, yet I could not open them. It felt like something glued my eyelids together as I strained to open them. In my mouth, I could taste a thick, iron flavor, which could only be blood; my blood. Even though I was in constant pain, it also felt like I was floating in cold water. I tried to think back to what happened before I ended up in this situation: I had just received a call from my sister, I was about to head home, then all of a sudden, I was struck by some kind of speeding vehicle, which sent me over the edge and into the river. After what felt like many unbearable minutes, I managed to open my eyes to see the trees above me as they slowly moved downwards. I knew these trees since they surround my neighborhood, and judging by the fact that I felt wet meant that I was floating down the river.

I can barely move, I can barely breathe, my arms and legs won’t listen, my gut feels like it’s been cut open and blood was leaking out, and all I can see is the night sky above me. I can’t even move my damn head, so I assume that my neck’s also broken. All I know is that, of all the things to happen to me, why this? All I wanted to do was go for a walk and I’m now at the bottom of the ravine. I’m being carried to who knows where and my body is a bloody, broken, and mangled mess. I even tried to move my fingers, but all I got was a pained shock all the way up to my brain and a loud gurgling grunt from my mouth that’s full of blood and river water. My thoughts were in a daze and I couldn’t think straight. I don’t know how long I’ve been drifting. I can’t even tell what’s up and what’s down. All I can do is wait until I somehow miraculously survive this, or just wait until whatever being comes for my soul and guides me to where my late grandparents are. Then it hit me: is this what dying feels like? Am I dying now?

A wave of sadness, on top of the pain from my battered body, washed over me as my eyes teared up. I start to realize that this might be my end, and I’ve barely done anything yet worthwhile in my life. I started to think about my career, how I was about to show Ivan that I was ready to advance to the next level of black belt. Ivan had once told me he’d be retiring soon and was thinking of making me the sensei of the dojo as soon as I reached 10th Dan.

I’m sorry, Ivan. I failed you.

I then thought about my friends I’ve made over the years, the people I’ve come to know and admire in this small town, and how I shared many laughs with them. I remembered the laughs we shared, the juvenile pranks we pulled on others, even the parties they all invited me to and how I’ll probably never see them again. My mind wandered through the buried memories of my past until a certain boy appeared from them. I can’t see his face, I can’t even hear what he’s saying, but I know he’s someone who was very dear to me before I moved away with my mother.

We drifted apart so soon…I wish we had more time, my forgotten friend.

My tears start to pour from my eyes as I start to think about my family. My relatives who I’ve always enjoyed spending time with during their visits, especially my cousins. I then start to think about my parents and sister…

I’m painfully, but subtly, whimpering because of the fact that I’ll probably never see them again. I start to think about my Dad, how he always told me he was proud of me for coming out of my shell all those years ago and accepting him as my father. I’ve always been proud to be a Saber, and I was so lucky and fortunate that Robert Saber was the father who accepted me as his son.

Dad, I just want to hear you say that you’re proud of me just one more time. Yet now, I’ll never get that chance.

My sister. My older, smart, admirable sister who was basically my best friend. I won’t be able to laugh with her or tease her anymore. She’ll be all alone without her brother looking out for her. I always hated when she frowned; it made me sad to see her unhappy. I never once let her frown on my watch because I loved to hear her laugh. Rachel was special in many ways, but what stood her out was how excited she’d always get whenever I made brownies for the family.

I’m sorry, Rachel, but I won’t be able to make you my famous brownies anymore. At least try to savor the ones I had already made for you…

The pain and sadness only intensified when my mother came to mind. My tears are flowing down my blood stained face as I start to think about her. My mother. My beautiful mother who’s always been there every step of the way. The woman who always told me she loved me every day, every chance she got. She always knew how to make me smile, even when I didn’t feel like it. From the day of my birth, to dealing with that bastard who was my biological father, to before this unfortunate turn of events, she’s always smiled for me. When I was crying, she’d always hug me. When I looked for advice, she’d always guide me. When I strayed from the path, she’d help remind me what I do and why I do it. Despite my sometimes unwise decisions in the past, she’d always be there no matter what. Now my heart breaks as I start to realize that this night would be the last night I’d’ve ever spoken with her.

Mom, I’m so sorry for leaving you like this. At least…I won’t be suffering anymore. Soon, I’ll see Trisha. I’ll be sure to tell her hi for you.

The blood loss and dizziness made my vision blurry as the water continues to carry me downstream. My eyes grow heavy and I feel like I’m drifting away.

I hope…someone finds my body. I at least owe my family the right to see me off properly.

I somehow had managed to open my eyes once again. I can barely see the trees up above me, but it seems like they aren’t moving anymore. After thinking about it, I guess I must’ve washed up on the shore some time during my unconsciousness, even though I don’t know where I am. It felt like hours have passed since my fall and I’m fading in and out. I know I’ll soon fall into eternal slumber soon since I no longer feel any physical pain. I try to move again, but I’m met with similar results from before and grunt in pain, but only briefly. I so desperately wanted all of this to be some sort of horrible nightmare and be done with it. But to my dismay, this was anything but unreal. All I could do now is agonizingly wait for my end.

How am I even still alive? I should’ve at least passed sometime sooner by now…

“…”

…?

“W........l.......ve”

Someone’s there…?

“Do.......yo........nt...........live.........ain?”

Am I imagining or…?

“Do you want to live again?”

…!

All of a sudden, a light shines brightly through the trees above me, making me wince as my eyes try to adjust despite the blood making everything still blurry. In front of me, I could barely make out a silhouette of a figure. From what I could tell, it was a feminine-like figure, but I still couldn’t make out who or what it was. She was standing in front of me, staring down at my mangled body. She then started to lean down to get a better look at me. She reaches a hand out and touches my chest. For a moment, I thought I was going to feel pain, but instead, it felt warm. It was soothing, like her very touch was melting the pain away. I tried to say something, but no words were able to come out despite the fact I’m barely awake anyway. I heard the strange being sigh and I got the sense that she was frowning down at me, like she took pity at my current state.

“I can tell you do not wish to die, young youth, but I cannot save you from your current situation. Your body is too damaged for repair and your life is on the brink of passing on to the world beyond. So at this very moment, you have one of two choices. Either you accept your fate and you may pass on to the world beyond, or I can send your soul to a new world with a new, yet familiar body. There, you would embrace a new destiny and become something great, should you have the will to do so. But heed this warning, young youth. This will be your one and only chance,” she said calmly. Her voice sounded as soothing as her appearance. I wanted her to keep talking, but she just wanted my response.

I was confused and a little scared that this being of light showed up out of nowhere. I also couldn’t help but feel a little angry and upset that my end was nearing, and even this unknown entity couldn’t do anything about it. However, I was strangely hopeful and happy with what she had just offered me. I didn’t want to die and just let this be my end, so I considered accepting her offer. But that would also mean leaving everything I’ve ever known behind and seemingly ending up in another world. That last part she said: embracing a new destiny? Becoming something great? Just what did she mean by that? I wish I had more time to think about this, but my body and consciousness said otherwise. My eyes were getting heavy again and my breathing was laboring more than it already was. I’m surprised I managed to stay alive this long, but I had little time to dwell on it. So I summoned what strength I had left into uttering something I’d probably regret later on.

“Please…I…want…to…live…again…” I croaked weakly.

The figure then rose up and continued to stare down at me. The light behind her started to shine more brighter, and soon, I couldn’t see anything except white, and what little I could see was her, but barely.

“Very well, young youth. Embrace your new destiny and live your second life to your fullest extent,” she tells me. After that, I slipped more and more into unconsciousness, and it feels like I’m being lifted up into the air until all the white in my vision turns black.

I hope…I made…the right choice…

3rd POV

The figure held her arm straight out as a small orb of flickering light rose from the body of the young man. As the orb left the body, the young man then took his last breath, succumbing to his wounds and passing on. Or so it would seem. The figure then turned her hand upwards and extended it. The orb drifted away from the lifeless corpse of the young man and hovered just above the figure’s hand, flickering like a lit candle. In her hand is the still active soul of the young man known as William Saber. The figure then used her abilities to lift William’s body from the ground with her left arm and levitated it over to her. Her hand shone with a pure white sparkling aura, and William’s body began to glow dimly, but was then encased in light. After a few moments, the light dimmed, and his body was now healed of all damages.

The figure moved her hand with the young man’s soul closer to the body. The soul then slowly re-entered its host, making it glow once more. After a few minutes of patiently waiting, William gasped as he began to breathe again, but was still unconscious. With his body now repaired and his soul where it should be once again, the figure lifts her left arm out again and her hand starts to glow. Suddenly, a crack in midair appeared. The crack started to spread until it shattered, creating a portal to who knows where. But the figure knew all too well where this portal led to. Before the figure sent the unconscious human on his way, she had decided to do one last thing for him. With the last of her power, she placed her hand on William’s head and closed her eyes to focus.

“I can only do so much for you, young youth. These new skills of yours must be yours to hone by your own hand. I know you will do me proud. You and him are the future of Equestria.” Her hand stopped glowing and continued to levitate William’s body through the portal. As soon as William passed through, the portal closed and disappeared without a trace. The figure then looked up to the still night sky, where the moon started to begin its descent so the morning may start. In the distance, there were voices of other humans calling out for something, or someone. The figure turned toward the voices and frowned pityingly.

“One day, I hope you all can forgive me for what I have done. But I know that one day, you will all see each other again and be in each other’s embrace.” The figure returned her gaze to the sky and closed her eyes. “I wish you luck on your journey, young youth. You will definitely need it, as the Equestrian Guardian…”

And with that, the figure vanishes, leaving only the sound of the flowing river, the crickets still chirping, and the voices still echoing throughout the area.

Many Hours Later
William 1st POV

My body felt like it was floating in a void, and I couldn’t see, hear, or feel anything. It felt like I’ve been floating for hours and it felt like I was in the middle of a sleep paralysis cycle. It’s happened before, like my mind was awake, but my body couldn’t move. This must be what it was like to die, and I was on my way to the great beyond. A little while later, it felt like my body had stopped floating and lowered onto a hard surface. Little by little, my body’s senses started to come back to me, the first of which was my hearing. I could hear birds tweeting, the wind blowing, trees rustling. Second was my sense of smell, the scent of the wilderness filled my nostrils. It took longer than it should have, but I managed to open my eyes to view my surroundings.

I was outside. It looked like it was still night time and there were trees all around me. I blinked as I took a deep breath, holding it until I released it in a deep exhale. I tried to move my arms, but my whole body felt like it weighed a ton. I wasn’t planning on staying on the ground, so I forced myself to at least sit up straight. After multiple grunts and strains, I sat myself up to get a proper look at where I was and my own body. As I surmised, I was in some kind of forest, and all I could see were trees. I’ve been in wooded areas before, but this forest seemed to give off some kind of eerie feeling in my gut. I looked down at my body to see I still had my arms and legs. Though I felt sore as hell, I felt no major pain anywhere, as if I was never hit by that speeding vehicle. I then noticed that I was wearing some kind of cloak that draped over my shoulders, which was weird since I don’t recall putting it on, let alone owned one.

“Was…was all of that just a dream?” I guessed out loud.

I then slowly but surely picked myself off the ground so I could stand up on my feet again. I almost fell a few times, but managed to regain my balance. Step by step, I walked over to a nearby tree and leaned on it for support. A slight throb started to pound at my head, making me place my hand on it as I tried to process my situation.

“Okay…okay, just think,” I said to myself. “I…should be dead, right? Or it could have all just been a VERY realistic dream. I was knocked over the head and dumped in the middle of a creepy forest.”

As I continued to ponder out loud to myself, I felt something in my pocket. I reached inside to pull out my wallet, smartphone, and earbuds, which made me smile a little.

“Well, at least I still have the essentials,” I sighed.

I went to tuck my belongings back in my pockets when something fell out of my jacket pocket. I looked down to see it was some kind of scroll tied with a ribbon. I reached down and examined the scroll curiously as I untied the ribbon and unrolled the scroll. It looked like some kind of letter meant for me, so I decided to give it a read.

Dearest Young Youth,

If you are reading this, then I must ask you to burn these words into your mind. You are likely believing that this is all a dream and you shall wake soon. Unfortunately, that is not the case. What has happened to you did indeed happen: you were struck off the bridge of your home, became riddled with serious injuries, and was left within an inch of your life. I regretfully have more ill news. Due to the severity of your injuries, you had succumbed to the pain and passed away. However, before you did, I offered you a chance at a second life, to which you accepted. I extracted your soul to repair your body anew so that your soul would live on as you are now. Your mind and soul are still one in the same, but your body is different physically, and soon, you shall discover, mentally. I wish I could tell you more, but know this; I chose you because I wanted to prove something to myself and to someone dear to me. The world you now reside in is nothing like the one you came from. It is peaceful, but also has its dangers, so I must ask that you hone your newfound skills and power so that you may properly face these dangers. I understand you still have questions, but rest assured, this will not be the last we speak. We shall one day meet again, and I shall be waiting to provide you with more of the answers you seek. I wish you the best of luck and I hope to see you again, Young Youth.

Sincerely,
~F

I had to steady my nerves after reading the letter. I really wanted to believe that this was a dream or I had actually passed on. Whoever this F person was could only have been the entity who came to me during my final moments. I folded the scroll back up and tucked it in my pocket as I turned around, leaned my back on the tree, and looked up to the branches.

“I’m…in another world?” I mumbled aloud. “But it feels like I’m still home. If what she said was true, then…does that mean I won’t be able to see my family again? And she chose me? Of all the people on Earth, she chose me? Why me? I’m no one special. I’m anything but special, yet she still chose me.”

The late night breeze blew against me as my emotions started to take hold of me. Sadness, anger, regret, confusion, fear, thankfulness, happiness, I didn’t know what to think or how to feel. But I now know one thing: this was real…everything that has happened so far was real. The car accident, the pain from my wounds, my life ending, waking up in a different world, and being told that I am to fulfill some kind of grand destiny. In all honesty, it felt like I was in some kind of cheesy fantasy movie. I looked at my hands and finally noticed that I was wearing white fingerless gloves, yet another strange occurrence like the cloak over my shoulders. I had so many questions swirling around in my head, a migraine started to make itself known. Not to mention I was in the middle of the damn forest and that eerie feeling wouldn’t go away, which seemed to always keep the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Ugh, I can’t focus here. I need to get out of this damn forest,” I grumbled before pushing myself off the tree and looked around. “There should be a path somewhere around here. Hopefully I’ll find one soon.”

I then slowly began my trek through the forest in search of a path so I could find my way to whatever civilization there was around here. I never really minded the forest, but when you’re out in the middle of the night in a dense forest with woodland creatures and predators probably stalking you, being nervous seems to always be a standard issue. I looked up to the sky and saw the moon past the branches. It seemed to look the same as any other moon, but somehow, it looked like it had a brighter and softer glow to it than the one back home.

“If it weren’t for the creepy forest, I could go for some star gazing right about now to ease my nerves.”

Suddenly, in the distance, I heard what sounded like voices. My hopes of getting out of here rose as I headed in the direction of the voices. I couldn’t help but also feel a little nervous for some reason. If I truly was in another world, then that would mean I’d be encountering aliens for the first time. Not to mention, I would be seen as an alien as well to them. But first impressions are always important, and I wanted to make sure I made a good one to whoever or whatever lived in this world. As the voices drew nearer, I hid behind a tree and readied myself. I straightened my jacket and tried to fix my hair to look presentable for these people. Just as I was about to walk out to meet the approaching group, I noticed that a spider had crawled up on my shoulder. My face went pale as I gasped and jumped away from the tree as I hastily brushed the spider off.

“SHIT! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!” I yelped, slapping my shoulder and making sure there were no other creepy crawlies on me. “Ugh…I hate spiders.”

A collection of gasps was heard behind me, making me flinch and slowly turn around. Only…I now wish I hadn’t, since I was face to face with individuals that were too shocking for words. They appeared to be standing on two legs like me, but their bodies’ other characteristics said otherwise. Their faces looked like horses: they had muzzles, and their ears were on top of their heads. Instead of feet, they had actual hooves, which only made things more confusing than they already were. I was at a loss for words; I was in the presence of what I could only describe them as anthropomorphic horse people. Oddest thing is, they were all female due to their physical appearances and all seemed to have different colored fur. We both just stared at each other, unmoving and still processing the situation. After what felt like a minute passing by, the pink one seemed to break the ice and actually spoke.

“HI!”

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

Author's Note

He’s arrived!

Side note: Special thanks to the talented pawpaul for this great artwork! Also, HUGE shoutout to Codex92 for his amazing editing!

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…