Adventures in Equestria.

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12

Chapter 1

Being a college student has its perks, waking up in the forest is not one of them. Not being one to quickly panic I quickly got my bearing of the environment I was in. I was standing in the middle of a clearing; the trees around me, looking gnarled and black. Almost straight out of an evil forest from a movie. I could also hear a small stream babbling not far from my location.

Calling out I yelled “hello?”, and with no reply back I decided I would figure this shit out.

Pulling my backpack off I ran through its contents. My notebooks, laptop, chargers, pen, pencils, Bible, constitution (yes a pocket constitution don’t judge man), gloves, hat, needle thread, dinky first aid kit, water bottle, coat hanger, 2 granola bars, but best my leathermen. Putting my knife in my pocket and checking the bottle for water, I saw that I was out.

Talking to myself like any sane person, “I know my first order of business then water and shelter, I’ll figure out food later.” Standing up I threw my bag on and began to push into the trees and to the stream. The trees and underbrush were dense and hard to move through. Bursting out of the tree line I found the stream. While I might be able to start a fire with paper and my knife I had no way of boiling water. Risking it for a biscuit I decided I would try and take water from the stream directly hoping there was nothing toxic in it. Stretching my arms out I held my bottle under the water for just a second to fill it before withdrawing my hand and capping it.

Hearing a growl I quickly look up and standing just across the stream is a towing wooden wolf. A fucking wooden wolf, “I ’m sorry that just isn’t right man”. Straightening up I kept my eyes locked on the wooden wolf hoping this thing wasn’t about to pull a Jurassic Park on me I began to step back. Making the distance grow slowly the beast launched himself at me. That was my cue to bolt, running as fast as I could I ran hard and fast. Pushing through the trees I quickly made it back to my original clearing but not willing to stop I kept running. Branches and thorns cut me as I ran but there was no time to worry about shit so small. I had no clue if I was running deeper into the forest or not I just let my legs pick the direction and go.

As my legs carried me I began to move up a hill, and I realized the trees were growing thinner here, and large rocks began to appear. Behind me, I hear a howl as the wolf gives chase. Spotting a rickety bridge over a chasm I beeline to it. Not worrying about the stability of the thing I slam into the boards with my feet hearing them groan and crack under my weight. Making it across, I take a moment to turn around and see the wolf unwilling to cross the bridge. It just paces back and forth looking for another opportunity to get to me. How is it made of wood just how? “This is some magic bullshit, when are the vampires and witches coming for my ass?”

Not wanting to continue to give it that opportunity I continue to move at a jog. I see the ruins of what must have been an impressive castle at some point so I move that way. Pushing open the wooden doors I step inside while quickly slamming them shut behind me. Grabbing a nearby tree limb on the ground I jam the door behind me. Panting heavily from my mad dash just a moment ago I continued into the courtyard. Stones liter the floor from the walls and grass peaks between the cobbles. Must have been impressive when it was built, but judging from the decay it hasn’t been used in centuries. Seeing another set of doors leading inside I walk over to push them open. They creaked loudly to reveal a large foyer, large arches on either side with stairs on both sides and at the end is a central stairway leading off to God knows where. Hanging from the ceiling are fantastical banners, emblazoned on them are horses one golden and white with the sun the other a deep blue and black with a moon. Talking to myself again “Well I’m in the horse kingdom, what happened to Rohan then?”

Taking a quick break I slumped against a wall, pulling out one of my granola bars, and began to nibble it along with drinking some of my water. Not being willing to eat a whole bar or chug water I leave about half of both.

Musing on this I move deeper into the hall. It isn't sealed to the elements anymore so this isn’t going to work as a room for shelter. Hell, maybe there is a tower that is sealed still to the elements. Walking up the stairs I began to wander the halls, horse armor was everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I wouldn’t mention this if there was human armor around but there isn't. Regardless the horse suits have swords and spears strapped to them.

“Well, suit I’m gonna borrow these”, grabbing the short spear and sword I inspect them. Glancing down the blade there was no rust of decay on the binding. Curious I began to look over the other statues, and no rust or any sign of weathering on them either. Leaving this mystery like many of the others for later, I strap the sword to my backpack and hold the short spear. Feeling relieved at having something to defend myself with as I continue down the hall. Going past empty rooms and locked doors I make my way to the end of the hallway. It opens up with an arch onto the wall. Stepping back outside I look around the castle is large and there are towers still intact, the walls still mostly intact except where a tree or other object has pushed them down.

“Honestly speaking most of this damage looks like it was from decay and not war. Why would anyone leave a fortress-like this undefended or occupied with all this armor still here.” Looking further I see all around me I see a dense forest, with rolling fog that obstructs my view further. “Maybe there is some level of civilization out there, not like I can really do anything about it right now though.” Looking up, the sun was setting and the moon was rising next to it. “Alien world, alien moon, and alien sun, and a sun that sets next to a moon just as alien”

Making my way down the wall back into the courtyard I began looking through towers hoping for a sealed room. One by one I go through them, all being open to the elements though. I did find a woodcutting axe in one that looks like the old tools room. Realizing my hope for a tower that was sealed to the elements might be too hopeful, I walk to the last one and quite literally pull the door off its hinges. Looking in with little hope Was surprised by the fact this one is actually sealed for all but a small hole in the wall just by the ceiling.

Deciding to make do I gathered a little wood and attempted to make a fire. Remembering the book the Hatchet I quickly began striking the stones with the backside of the axe. Being rewarded with sparks I quickly used a bundle of paper and dried grass to catch it. Gently I blew and fed it, until I had a small warm fire, just under the hole. I didn’t want to die from smoke inhalation so I didn't dare make a larger one. Using the axe I gathered a little more firewood from the rogue trees in the courtyard to keep my fire going through the night.

Setting the decayed door back into place and resting back against the wall. I finally took the time to realize the situation I was in. I had no clue where or when I was, no idea where other humans were at. I had no food except my granola bars, and my nearest water source was the stream with wooden wolves that tried to eat me. Holding off a panic attack I began to nibble the other half of my granola bar and sip another fourth of my water. “Fuck, I’m fucked, I’ll midterms and finals over this shit. I didn’t want this”. Fiddling the ring around my neck I took deep breaths and I calmed myself a bit only for the exhausted to hit. I leaned against the wall as I felt sleep steal me away from this reality. The crackling fire gave me the only sense of warmth I had as I closed my eyes.

Chapter 2

I’ve been here for 3 weeks, I haven't been able to escape the damn castle. Every time I have tried the damn wolves attack me and I’m forced to run back to the safety of my castle. I have dubbed the castle by the way Edoras. I couldn’t think of anything else man. I also have called the two horses Sol and Luna, cause these people have their imagery everywhere. I swear it is like a religion or something to these people.

I broke into what I would consider a library on day 5 but of course, the language is unreadable to me, and I can’t even begin to try and translate it. However, I found maps and while I can’t read the language I can read terrain and see where the old towns were. The tricky part was figuring out north and I never did but I figured out which side I need to put the sun and moon on to keep the map properly in place.

I found an old well that I use for water now so I have more than enough. Food is still a problem, I found what looks like an old garden with small veggies and a patch of wild apple trees nearby that I can get to. For the first week, I had no meat, which really drained me, so by day 6 or 7, I began to try and catch some of the rabbits and rats around. My snares were terrible, at first but I got better, I didn’t have a choice. I spent hours and my nights toiling to make them functional. The first rat I caught I yelled in delight, and the chewy meat was so delicious. The little grease dripping down my check was so pleasant and ever since I have tried to store just a little meat for a bad day or emergency. This isn't to say I didn't burn the rat, I was never an amazing cook even with a grill at home.

In my free time, I also have begun to fortify the castle. If those damn wolves somehow get past that bridge or climb up here I'd be stuck in my little room. The first thing I did was to replace the door on my tower. It is after all my final defensive location and my keep. Then I started on the walls by moving the stones that I could back into place. This took many days and I only completed the main courtyard. In places where there were no stones or stones I could not move, I began to cut down trees and created a palisade. Robinson Crusoe isn’t the only mother fucker with a fort now. Digging the holes was a problem at first cause I didn’t have a shovel but I ended up finding more tools around the castle as the weeks went by. Fuck man I even found a loom, I can’t use it but I have one. I also have started to read through my physics textbook, I think I’m finally understanding Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations, scattering is still lost on me though.

On days 14 and 15 I opened up the armory. Rows upon rows of spears and swords, but most of all I found crossbows. I have taken to moving some of the arms to my tower just in case. I don't know why I had hopped for rifles or even an old handcannon but I had. Just one black powder weapon would have been amazing.

The winter is coming and I’m scared. There has been a frost and even one day of light snowfall. I have begun to stockpile a meager food supply but nothing to last more than a week. I barreled water and moved into my tower just in case my well freezes. Stockpiling firewood has also become a priority I begun stacking it next to my tower and put a cover over it just in case if it snows or frosts. I also started sewing a cloak of rodent pelts, it isn’t fancy but it will work. There are uneven stichs but I am very proud of myself. My boots are also getting a little frayed but still holding up well. I’ve let my beard grow out, partially because I don’t want to shave but also because of warmth. What would the Cadre say with this look, shaggy hair, and now an unshaven face?

I have been amazed at the tools I've found here though, cooking pots, hammers, nails, shovels, axes, hatchets, and masonry and carpentry tools. All of them are in amazing condition.

These logs are keeping me sane, my notebooks are getting filled with them. However, it is no substitute for human interaction. If I don’t write another entry after this one I am dead or I escaped Edoras to a town not far from here. I have not figured out which way it actually is so I will copy down the direction on the next page.

Chapter 3

The Sally out of Edoras was short-lived. I ran out crossbow in hand fur cloak billowing and a backpack full of food. I dashed across the rickety bridge and I spotted the wooden wolf. I quickly aimed and fired my crossbow. I hit the thing too, only for the bolt to lodge itself in its barky exterior. Throwing my crossbow on my back, I drew my axe and continued to sprint. I continued into the forest sprinting along what appeared to be a rough trail. Hearing the howl behind me I picked my pace up. The next thing I knew I was on the ground, spinning around holding my axe up ready to be attacked only to find a little horse. I can’t say I’m too familiar with the anatomy of them but I’m confident yellow fur and a red mane isn’t normal. It looked scared and frightened and let out a whinny. Thinking about it I’m sure I’m horrifying. I am covered in animal skins and grim, a wild beard and hair; not to mention swinging an axe above my head.

The small horse ran straight back the way I had just come to get away from me. Not going to blame the little creature either for running from me. However, I knew what I was running from and it was right there. A towering wooden wolf, easily more than 8 feet high, its green eyes shining. And if in a cartoon the little pony turned around and started running back at me. It was not so lucky though the Wolf grabbed the little thing. Before it could have a tasty treat though I lunged into action. Something about seeing the only living thing that wasn’t either food for me or trying to eat me was reassuring and I couldn’t let something so helpless just die. That just isn’t good ethics, so I charged with my axe raised high, and I delivered a blow to its leg. I didn’t chop through it but I took a nasty chunk out of it, and in response, it threw the pony to the ground. Turning its wrath on me now though it went to slash with its other paw I tried to duck but it caught my left shoulder and sent me tumbling right on top of the little pony. Blood began to drip from my wound and I knew I didn't have a chance to fight the damn beast. So I threw the little horse on my other shoulder and I ran.

Now I have gotten good at this running away thing. People always say duck and weave bullshit, I’m not dodging bullets here. Run straight and true away from wolves. The race was close, not going to lie, I could feel the ground tremor and more than once the air whoosh as it tried to swipe me. Thankfully I think that chunk out its leg slowed it down. Carrying the damn pony was not easy but I think it was unconscious cause it didn’t even try and struggle out of my arms.

Edoras was beautiful. The bridge still creaked but the wooden palisade and repaired wall were a welcome sight. Just like on the first day I crashed through the main gates and threw myself in slamming a log down to lock the door. Carrying the unconscious pony to my room I set it down and threw my shirt, clocks, and bag on the floor. As I checked it over for injuries I was surprised to find a red ribbon in its hair. “Pretty little ribbon, who tied it for you though?”

At this point, I felt the blood spilling more from my shoulder. The gash was deep but I didn’t think it was life-threatening. Pushing some cloth to it to stem the bleeding I kicked the coals and threw firewood on while setting a small pot of water to boil. Throwing in a thread into the water and setting the needle on the wood. I looked around for something to bite on, I knew I had to stitch it closed and grabbed just a rag on the floor. The water began to boil and the needle was warm to the touch. I quickly bent my needle to make more of a curve and I threaded the needle and began to quiver. I’d learned how from my mom when I was a child but I had never done this before and I was not eager to try. Pushing the needle into the wound I let out a whimper and then a yell as I pushed it through. It was at this moment that the damn horse woke up and let out a loud whinny. Crying out in pain as the thread passed through I took heavy breaths. The pony looked scared as I pushed the needle again through the other side and let out a moan, as the pain grew. Carefully I tightened it and tied it off, “One down more to go,” I said.

The pony stood up and looked at me as I took the needle and did the entire thing over again. I was shaking so badly, it hurt, and to do it again was awful. It is not badass like in the movies it just sucks so much. The little pony looked as if it understood what I was doing and moved to me and bit my hand. “Ohh, what the hell?”

It neighed at me and took the needle, before I could stop the thing it plunged it in and out and had tied it. “What, how did you do that?” The pony did it all the way down the wound so quickly. Ya, it was painful but infinitely better than doing it myself. Stepping back, the pony looked at me and its handiwork. Taking some clean rags I bandaged over the cut and leaned against the wall. Breathing deeply as the pain radiated the horse began to neigh again, it was so high in tone and it kept going. Standing up I decided it was time to eat, after that ordeal I was hungry and I’m sure my little friend was to. Standing up I moved to the door and put my torn shirt and cloak back on and never leaving without it I grabbed my trusty axe. The Pony looks scared again but I shook my head and motioned for her to follow me. Opening the door I stepped back outside. Slowly walking and using my axe more as a cane than a weapon I made my way through the castle to the apple tree in the back. Upon seeing them the Pony became giddy and flew past me.

Dancing around she then started to buck the tree and nothing happened. Chuckling to myself the pony looked at me with disappointment. I got over there and reached up and grabbed two apples. Handing one to the horse and taking a bite from mine I sat down.

Talking to myself I started to ramble, “Where did you come from even? There probably are other humans there and I can get this properly looked at. Also, I can actually get food and maybe a proper bed.” Reaching over to the horse I began to run my hands through its main and it looked surprised but leaned into the scratches. “At least all animals are the same about scratches and pets in every world.”

Pulling my hand back I began to properly eat my apple. Whinnying and jumping up and down the pony look up at the apples again and then at me “Alright I'll get you another, one second.” Standing up I grabbed another and offered her it but she shook her head at me. She motioned to the apple and then herself. Again I offered her the apple, again another shack. “What are you getting at?”

She then neighed and motioned to you then the apple and herself. “Is your name Apple?”. Neighing again the horse jumped up and down, “All right Apple, you are pretty smart for a horse.”

The sun had begun to set and the shadows grew long, but most importantly the temperature dropped. “Come on Apple let's bed down tonight and we will figure more stuff out tomorrow.” Moving back through the castle this time though Apple kept close to my legs being skittish at the shadows forming as if there was something there. Chuckling I just kept walking.

Once back at my tower I opened the door and the little pony walked in and I closed the door. In the few weeks of being there, I’d made cloth and grass bed. It wasn't magical but it was something. For Apple, I threw some more grass and blankets down and she quickly curled up and fell asleep. Throwing more wood on the fire, before I fell asleep I thought just how crazy this world was. Ponies that can sew wounds and that have bows, and not to mention crazy wooden animals. What else is out there? Like many other nights, I fell quickly asleep to another dreamless night.

Chapter 4

I was awoken by being headbutted by Apple. Apple kept going until I finally peeked my eyes open. Not the way I’d like to be awoken to be honest but not the worst. She kept poking me and whinnying looking at the locked door. Slowly standing up and feeling the injured shoulder flare as I tried to use it too much. Putting my boots back on and my cloak I grabbed my axe and opened the door. Walking out I made my way to the wall and started up it. It was crude I admit, it had taken me a lot of time to strip each log and set them up vertically and then even longer to pile dirt and rock behind to form a ramp back to the stone wall. Gazing into the forest I could see my enemy, the demon wolf just slept at the base of the bridge. I dreaded this if it becomes a tradition I would never be able to leave.

Feeling a tug on my pants leg I turned around and Apple was sitting there rubbing her tummy. “Alrighty Apple let's find some food for you, I hope those carrots and things in the old garden will work.” Walking back down the ramp I made my way to my preserved food barrels, the food I had dried out from the fire, and stored in sealed pots. Opening one up I set it in front of Apple who gave me a disgusted look, leaning over I grabbed one of the carrots and bit into it. “It's edible, I’ve got nothing fancy”. Looking down Apple neighed and began to eat.

I took this moment to wander off and check my snares. Now I don’t always hope for food to be caught but I did catch a squirrel and was he a fatty. Quickly I gutted and cleaned the squirrel, tucking the skin and usable meat to one side while I removed the brain spinal column and the innards. Standing up with my fresh kill I deposited my trash in my trash pile and carried the meat to my smoke room. It really was another tower that I had partially sealed and had a small sealed oven made of stones that I could seal part of it to capture smoke and hopefully keep the meat. Upon placing the squirrel in I left and set the skin out to dry by the fire, I had already scrapped most of the clinging meat to it off. Apple walked in and gagged, loudly and to my surprise looked really sick. I quickly pushed her out and closed the door.

“Sorry Apple didn’t mean to let you see that, I know you're a herbivore and all”, scratching behind her ear she looked at me disgusted. “Alright Apple do what you want today I’m gonna see if I can find more usable food from the old grounds”

I began to walk off to the gardens when I heard the stampeding of hooves and a loud bang and wood exploding. Yelling, “Are you fucking me? I’m under attack are you kidding me” Running to the main gate I stretch my shoulders and fingers while holding the axe. “Wish I had grabbed a crossbow so maybe I can make it to my tower and get one before they realize I’m here.”

Running back to the courtyard I could see 6 horses bigger than Apple looking around. The main gate had been blown off its hinges and laid ruined on the ground. I quickly slid to a stop and moved behind cover. “Fuck it to the armoury it is then.” Sprinting back I weaved through the hallways and into the armory and grabbed a spare crossbow and bolts I had left there. Thankfully the crossbows didn’t require cranks to cock and I could easily do it before I ran back out. This was my home now and these 6 horses had just destroyed my front gate. Moving upstairs I made my way along part of the wall and peeked over. The 6 horses were still there and were whinnying back and forth, two which were orange and a cyan blue were yelling while a purple one was trying and stepping between them.

Taking this moment I called down, “Who enters Edoras?” They all froze and began to look about for me. I quickly launched a bolt to the left of the orange pony and ran to my next location. I had mapped out in my head when I was rebuilding parts of the castle that I could use as cover to make it seem like there were more people here than just me. KIcking some horse suits of armor off high stairways I hoped to make them think that I had knights marching down. Getting to my next spot I launched an arrow at the purple horse. They all had run out of the courtyard back to the other side of the gate and that is what I wanted. Calling out again in a deeper voice “Leave at once, do not return”. I again moved locations this time down to the courtyard where I reloaded quickly and fired another arrow at this flying cyan horse. Wait flying… Why the fuck did a horse have wings. Oh god, I was in some twisted world where Poseidon actually did make horses fly.

Apple ran out at this moment at the commotion and looked confused and started whinnying loudly. I didn’t steal their offspring did I? Oh god this won’t go well for me then. The same Orange horse charged out and grabbed Apple and ran back out the main gate. Just as the purple pony caused a flash to happen. They had gotten Apple which I presume was their primary objective so maybe I could get them to leave my Castle. Hitting my wounded shoulder I let out a bellow of pure carnage and broke from cover charging with my axe raised high my fur cloak billowing behind me. The 7 ponies now looked at me and were horrified at the sight. They all let out loud neighs quickly turned tail and ran.

Quickly pulling cover behind what was left of the gate frame I grabbed my crossbow again and quickly reloaded and sent one more arrow after them just to be sure. I then manoeuvred my way back up my dirt ramp so I could peek over the battlements as the 6 ponies moved off. Apple was now draped over the Orange one and I hoped I hadn’t hit her.

With the horses over the bridge, I quickly took stock of what happened. There were flying horses and I’m pretty confident the purple one had a horn so unicorns existed. Breathing heavily I slumped against the wall and checked my wound. I hadn’t burst the stitching and there was no blood either so that was good. Taking a few minutes to recover I went and drank deeply from my well. I had been attacked by six horses, six horses that could fly and use magic. Maybe those humans worshipped horses because they could use magic. That makes sense because they had Sol and Luna banners everywhere and if they used them as guards that makes sense for all the armor here. Okay... Okay... we are good now…

“FUUUCCCKKK”, I yelled. “What is this world." I had to fortify more, if these 6 could destroy my gate so easily maybe I needed to strengthen the defences. And that is exactly what I did. It wouldn’t matter if I died of hunger if crazy horses killed me first.

The next 3 days were a blur. I placed weapons around the castle in caches that I could get to easily. I fortified the front gate and started placing stakes on the front side so that no one could charge the wall easily. At night when I couldn’t see I made more bolts from the supplies, I had available. I also began heating and bending some of the parts of the horse armor so I could have a cuirass. It was crude and reminded me of what an ork might wear but it was better than nothing. I also always carried my axe, a sword, and a crossbow with me everywhere. The sword was no bigger than a gladius so easy enough. The crossbow and the axe were annoying but essential to have with me. I refused to be caught off guard again it had cost me my front door. I debated about lining the wall with cloth dummies but decided against it cause it was too cheesy. Around my main tower, I moved all my supplies inside. It was cramped but I didn't dare keep them anywhere else. I was hoping I was making Dorn proud with this rudimentary fortifications.

The final measure was to sleep outside each night and keep multiple fires burning. The goal was to make it seem as if I was many when I was few. Thank Sun Tzu for that tidbit. On the 4th night after the initial attack, I bedded down like every other night and let sleep take me. Knowing full well I would wake up in an hour or two to feed the fires.

Chapter 5

I feel it is important to talk about my mental health. It is a wreck, I am lost, alone, and fighting for my survival. There have been no breaks and I’m tired.

Also not having anyone to communicate this too makes it even worse. I have had this pent up inside now for almost 4 weeks. My only break and interactions are with the wooden wolf which is all about murder and survival or when I had found Apple. Apple was nice and easy to communicate with. Now she is no substitute for an actual conversation but I think she would have made a good pet like a smart dog. That is to say, if those crazy Horses didn’t try and burst in and destroy Edoras.

Talking about that world is insane. First Unicorns can do some sort of making light, and then there are pegasi. Pegasi means that potentially the greek Gods exist which would mean Hera does too. I don’t want to deal with Hera, she is spiteful and can be evil, and if I’m a wanderer then where is Hermes? I feel like I deserve some attention from them. This entire event has already made me doubt my own beliefs. Now if we talk about old Norse gods I might have a chance to go to Valhalla soon because of these damn ponies and monsters.

I just question my reality cause one day I was waking up doing tests and wanting to die from homework and barely making it through the week. Then the next day I’m in a field being chased by a beast. This feels surreal and fake in many ways. While everything acts normally here in the forest it feels brighter. For those that wear glasses and contacts, it is like having the entire world come into focus with a new set of lenses. Speaking of that, I normally wear glass, they are blocky and strong to resist punishment but recently I haven’t needed them at all. I don’t want to say my eyesight is improving but it feels like it.

Getting back on topic I want to hear someone talk. They could say, “Hello” or even “Fuck you”, I wouldn’t care. This is how desperate I am. I miss my family, my girlfriend, my friends. They all must think I’ve gone missing or been abducted, I feel sorry for them. Cause in a way I hope they think I’m dead cause then they get some level of closure. Missing person cases can drag on for weeks into months into years. Shit… I really hope they don’t go through all my stuff cause while I’m not hiding much. There are some things I like to keep under the rug.

How did people survive so long on their own? Like honest questions here, they must not be sane after. There is no way they can because I’m feeling it after 2 fortnights little alone years that some have. To try and keep my mind together I have taken to singing songs, Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Queen., the Beatles, I’d try rap but I can’t rap at all. I do sing some other stuff too but I am struggling to remember songs to sing. I really want to listen to some 60s and 90s rock. It just feels like it is slipping away. I also don’t even want to imagine what my math skills will be like if I get back cause those are not in high demand right now.

I should also touch on how I feel like I have been dreaming differently. I was never one to remember much from my dreams but now I feel like I remember whole parts and to a degree, I’m more aware that I’m there in the moment. For example, I was dreaming about a double whopper from Burger King and I thought about how yummy a milkshake would be, and boom there it was. A nice thick chocolate milkshake with whip cream and cherry on top. To test it further I even thought about fries and there they came. Before I knew it I was eating and drowning in food, a double don, bacon cheeseburger, cheese frenchies, chili dogs, double cake milkshake, biscuits and gravy, steak, barbecue chicken, ribs, corn on the cob and so much more. It was such a delicious dream. Now waking up was incredibly depressing but my point still stands that I don’t remember stuff like this normally. It has to be because I’m out here alone and my brain is trying to rationalize it.

Something else no one talks about is that you have to use the latrine at some point and it needs to be done not infrequently. To establish a place where you plan to do it. Personally, I dug a hole as far from my water supply as I could but also near the old garden. The plan is to in the spring to move some of my shit to the garden and use it as fertilizer. Now I’m worried about some of the illnesses related to that but I need fertilizer and so I’m going to pull a Mark Watney on this. If you haven’t read, listened or watched the Martian, do so. It is an incredibly well-done novel and movie. I’d also recommend his other book, Artemis while I’m at this.

Regardless, I'm going crazy. My laptop and phone have been dead since day one so they are useless. So my only reading is the few books I have. The bible is only the new testament and the constitution is dry but even drier is my physics textbook. So those aren’t much use in keeping me sane. Admiralty not much is at this point.

Chapter 6

I awoke like I normally did as my fires began to die because I grew cold. So like normal I got up, grabbed my axe, and threw wood on all the fires. I knew I was burning through tons of the stuff but I felt it was worth it. If nothing else the fires were keeping me warm and making a lot of soot which I had started using with a mud plaster mixture to coat the wood walls.

It was at this point that I began to hear the sounds of wings and soft padding steps. Taking a deep breath I switched to my crossbow and walked up to my ramp to my wall. I knew I was getting paranoid because every once in a while I would hear the sounds above me or around me and nothing would be there. So like any other time I tried to calm myself down and rationalize it out. Admittedly though a night attack was a good choice; they had worked hundreds of times in our world so why not here. However, trying to keep my heart from beating out of my chest I looked into the field surrounding Edoras.

“HOLY MOTHER OF GOD”, I screamed. In front of me was an army of Ponies, all in dark blue and black armor carrying spears that glistened in the moonlight. Loosing a bolt at one who was less than 20 yards from the wall. I began yelling as I reloaded and fired again. The ponies though not giving up charged my wall and let off a mighty whinny. It sounded like I was being charged by hundreds which I was but it was horrifying. Just a minute ago I had been sleeping and I was not fully awake yet for this shit. I was shaking in terror from this nightmare.

To make things worse pegasi began to land in the courtyard, fanning our like soldiers from a Huey. Pivoting at the sight of this I dropped the crossbow and hefted my axe. Giving my own yell back I charged the intruders in the courtyard. While they were ready for me they weren’t ready for my reach. My axe came down on the wing of one of them, I didn’t cut it off but I certainly broke the bones. The axe wasn’t what you'd call a cutting tool, it was a woodcutting axe so a halberd or a pointy sledge was more appropriate. The Pegasi dropped hollowing in pain as the other guards charged me. Swinging like a mad man I kept them at a distance. Whenever one of them got too close I'd slam my axe into it. More than once I broke front hooves and snapped shoulders. I even was able to hit one so hard in the chest that it flew into another one. Their spears snapped like twigs from my parries and riposte, their armor crumbled like foil.

My own wounds began to accumulate though. As I swung I felt my stitches tearing and the pain grew worse and worse. Occasionally a thrust would catch me in the arm or leg, the ones on my chest thankfully were absorbed by my ork cuirass. I didn’t have a choice though so I kept fighting. I eventually forced the last 2 pegasi to route and flee from my courtyard.

Like a video game, it was at this point that the gates blew open. Charging in were dozens of horses and unicorns. Some loosed bolts at me but either they couldn’t see or they sucked at shooting cause they all missed. Regardless the unicorns were more effective and began to pepper me with rocks. And these fucking hurt, one hit me in the head and slashed my scalp and I staggered. Not knowing what else to do I charged again. However, these ponies were tight and in a dense formation probably realizing I had clubbed their friends that were laying around with my reach. Not being able to get to them because every time I snapped a spear another took its place and still having rocks rain on me I began to be pushed back. Slamming my axe into whatever I could reach I clubbed one maybe two but the ponies were organized and pushed me back. Spears working in sync thrust and step forwards, thrust, and step forwards. I wasn’t being pushed back slightly; I was on the full retreat before I knew it.

I broke from the front only to find myself outflanked on both sides by more of the damned things. Growling in rage I tried to push through one of the thinner parts only to be rewarded with a spear in the calf and the arm. Blood began to flow out of me as I hit the ground. Desperately trying to swing my axe one-handed as the ponies tackled me. I was in the middle of hooves and armor. Pushing and cursing as I felt them pin me to the ground. I thrashed and even tried to bite one. Freeing one hand I pulled my sword only to have my hand smashed into the ground with a horseshoe.

Laying there bleeding I continued to curse the damn ponies. How in the hell did they fight, how did they put armor on, how did they stay so organized. They had to be smart and not just animal smart but people smart.

Drifting in and out of consciousness as the blood drained from my wounds a tall dark Mare came up. The guards moved out of her way opening a hole for her to approach. She was just like the soldiers clad in blue and black, but unlike them, her fur matched it. The fur was a midnight blue, and her main matched as it waved and sparkled like a shadow over me. Emblazoned on her chest was a crescent moon. As it grew closer it looked down at me as if with pity before I finally passed out.

Chapter 7

This next stage of life was unusual, to say the least. The first day I woke I was in a cell. It was constructed of crystal with sets of metal rings bolted into the floor. I was bonded to them, one set of chains wrapped my legs and another wrapped my wrists. This grew to be amazingly uncomfortable because I was stuck on all fours I could lay down on my side but if I tried to lay flat the chains would restrict my movement. The cuffs were tight and rubbed my wrists and ankles and caused cuts and scrapes to form.

Food slid and floated over to me, and for the first day, I didn’t eat. This wasn’t because I wasn't hungry but because my limbs don’t allow me to lower my neck like a damn horse and eat from a bowl. I tried to raise my bowl to my mouth with my hands but again the chains were too short. So I settled in for a hungry day. The following day the bowl floated to my mouth, which was a blessing. Being able to eat the porridge felt great. It was not cold like the rest of the cell nor was it hot but it was filling.

To talk about the cold though someone thought it would be a good idea to strip me naked. I don’t know why the damn horses felt it necessary to do this but damn the crystal was cold on my limbs. Between that and my limited mobility, I grew ever more stiff and fatigued. My shoulder which had been stabbed by the wolf was the worst. While it had been bound and stitched again it was still mending and incredibly painful because I could never adjust my position.

The last but maybe most disgusting part was how I had to shit and piss myself every day. After I did my business it was magically removed that night but that meant I either had to hold it till then or just sit in it. I learned fast to hold the shit till the end of the day but the piss was another matter.

This continued on for a few days. Time was not really relevant, food came in and shit cleaned once a day. The light was always a constant twilight so sleep would take me whenever. I saw no person or cursed pony at this time. I know for a fact I started to babble and talk to myself. First, it was cursing the ponies who attacked me but by the end, it was just cursing my own life.

On the nth day, the same tall blue horse came in from the siege of Edoras. She didn’t wear any armor this time though and she looked concerned. To my amazement as I watched her circle me I saw wings and a unicorn horn. This thing was a pegacorn, now I understand this land has some magic and the gods made normal pegasi and unicorns but who the fuck makes pegacorns. I will also mention said pegacorn had ass tattoos of a crescent moon. It just felt excessive because not only were they on her flanks but a cloth around her neck.

The blue pegacorn after having circled me once or twice at this point began to whinny and neigh at me. At this, I yelled back some very flattering remarks I’m sure. I don’t really remember but in response, the thing bent down which was actually very graceful, and locked eyes with me. After a minute of this staring contest, I couldn’t help myself and blew air into her eye. To my surprise, she jumped back and look ready to strike me from this planet. As she realized I hadn't done anything she huffed and exited, the door swinging shut with a glow. The rest of the day passed as normal. No talking or interactions.

That night, or sleep period I kept feeling as if someone was trying to enter my dreams. Which is rude and an invasion of privacy, but also incredibly nauseating. It is like the flight simulators that twirl and do barrel rolls when a 6-year-old flies one. The dreams I had also were too cartoony and vibrant. I awoke to the same damn blue pegacorn trotting in. This time though an even taller white pegacorn walked in with the blue one. On the white's flank, a sun tattoo was emblazoned

Now maybe someone smarter than me would've figured out this blue pegacorn was Luna. I didn’t understand that until seeing Sol. Leaping to the front of my mind as I saw them together was the two banners at Edoras hanging in the foray. Both began to whinny and converse back and forth as they circled me. This went on for minutes neighing and circling, neighing and circling. I began to mumble under my breath about horses being stupid and neighing constantly. Entering a little monologue I slipped from paying attention to them and focused entirely on what I was saying. That was until I realized Sol was looking at me point-blank listening to what I was saying while Luna stood a step back but still intently listening. I locked eyes with Sol and stopped talking. Sol looked old in the eyes like to great wells of eternity. This didn’t stop me though from blowing air at Sol, however, unlike Luna, Sol blinked and blew air back at me. Sol laughed as I looked back, surprise on my face. Neighing Sol looked at Lun as she left my cell. Luna looked down at me as she left and neighed at me before leaving. As she left the door slammed closed and my shackles fell from my limbs.

I was free!! Standing up quickly and looking around I stepped towards the closed doors. Immediately collapsing in a pile I let out a groan as my legs protested. Being on the floor so long had left me bruised and stiff. Rolling onto my back I rubbed my legs and arms. As I laid there I thought to myself, “What in God's name do Sol and Luna have planned.”

Chapter 8

The rest of the day after the visit of Sol and Luna passed. Nothing happened, I was alone but free to move. I stretch, laid down, and as I felt better I attempted some push-ups, It was a dismal attempt, the porridge they fed me, and the lack of movement the last few days had ruined my strength. For the first time since being in my cell, I laid flat and contemplated sleep.

Sleep has not been an easy task. Hard crystal is bad and so is the cold but let’s not forget the constant pressure of someone trying to break into my mind. It gets exhausting trying to stay awake because you will lose the fight. It is the reality of being human, sleep is necessary. I’ll state this again sleep is necessary. Instead of fighting, I opted for the second, plan it out, and sleep just enough to not go insane. Now that is also a relative term. Being locked in a cell for n number of days gets to you. What was real? Is McDonald’s the clown fast food restaurant? Who is the President of the USA? What time of year is it? All fade to nothing. The literal dehumanization gets to you. Yes, I am human. But am I me anymore? I have a beard, I am normally clean-shaven and well kept to a high standard. Cadre and more importantly SFC wouldn’t tolerate any other way. But no here I am with hair over my eyes that is matted and tangled. I look like some human ape, this isn’t helped I’m sure by my smell. I grew used to my own stench quickly but I’m sure it still can curdle milk

More importantly, I’m not sure I’m speaking English anymore. All I ever hear is neighing and whining. I could just be making gurgling sounds. I don’t know. So much is in my head anymore. No wonder isolation is considered cruel and unusual punishment back in the states.

Back on the subject at hand sleep. Sleep is an interesting period cause I do interact with people. Well more appropriately what my mind projects to be people. It is a trick that I appreciate immensely. I might dream of my home with my family, or maybe of the local game shop and my pals and I playing board games or matches. Then I might dream of physics class. The professor going on about some silly equation having to do with oscillating bodies connected and the total energy-related between the two. This all helps keep my sanity. Listening to other people talk is a godsend and having them listen in return is even better. It is something I took for granted. I didn’t realize how much I actually communicated to people before this.

I talked to a few people in a day but even they made my day. Listening to music or videos as I did work. Oh how I miss that, the sounds of gameplay or laughter that was contagious. Music that made me bob my head and really made me jam.

However, there is still the problem of the constant pressure of someone or something on my mind. The night following the visit from Sol and Luna the pressure and the nausea grew worse and worse. That is until it finally came to a head and split my fucking mind in two. Imagine your soul, idea of being, life force being a bubble. Then imagine a railroad spike slamming into it without popping it but still penetrating to its core. This is the best analogy I can give or the worst hangover known to mankind? To be honest I haven’t had any alcohol in forever so my memory is a bit scrambled. Regardless Luna burst into my little mind. Now she looked all pleased with herself at this result as I lay on the ground in my own mind. Pain pulsating around and through me, this caused an interesting side effect of changing the terrain from one of tranquil peace to a grey and muddy field.

Luna quickly flew down to where I lay shaking in pain and reached out. She might have had some idea of comforting me or torturing me more. I do not know because at her touch I recoiled and cursed her name. Seeing the person who put me through so much pain and knowing it was my dream gave me satisfaction. I realized I had to act and I was in control here unlike reality. At first, I didn’t think too much and pulled an M4 in my hands and just started to unload. The rounds pinged and penetrated her form and continued through her. She zoomed from me into cover that materialized out of the shadows. I upped said gun to a Browning 50 cal and started walking backward. Quick side note I love Browning, this man was a genius of firepower, he created death. Now, this is an absolutely ridiculous concept of me walking back with a Browning, I am in no shape to fire a goddamn 50 cal. in real life. I’m not sure it can be done sustainably, to be honest for anyone but this was my dream and my head. As the rounds bounced off her cover it began to chip.

As it crumbled she let out a powerful magic blast at me, I took it in the chest and flew backwards. As I landed with a thud a burning crater in my chest I brought up a Carl Gustav and fired. The rocket launcher, technically a recoilless rifle but anyhow was meant to destroy armored fighting vehicles and hard objects. But damn pegacorn Luna bounced the thing. I literally mean bounced. It hit her dead in the chest and it just flew off to the side and blew up.

Luna looked angry but I didn’t care. She had broken into my mind and imprisoned me. I summoned allies. For some reason, I expected ww1 Americans maybe ww2 or even a nice Napoleonic field line. Nope, what I got was a skeleton company with guns and weapons from every setting I’d ever seen. I saw Pelicans flying beside P-51 Mustangs and Arc-170s. From the ground came Russes with bolters blazing, a god damn Bolo came too. Infantry clawed from the ground. Skeletons with mobile infantry suits jumped and lept spraying fire and rounds galore into her. Hordes armed with daedric swords and blessed halberds charged. It was pretty beautiful as this happened many came with shovels and pickaxes and began to erect field fortifications for machine gun emplacements and direct fire artillery guns. Some even set up AA guns and shield generators. I was there with each skeleton soldier, firing their weapon, charging, building, doing whatever they did. I could sense it all, I could see and hear what they did, each one of them an extension of my mind.

This though put a huge strain on my mind, taking in all these details left me unable to fight directly. I moved tens of men at a time, charging, hacking, slashing, firing, and burning what I could. When anyone fell my control on the others grew and whenever I summoned more my control weakened. I was being a god damn necromancer with a hivemind.

Luna though took it all, she bled but she absorbed more than anything ever should. Entire missile salvos would detonate and she’d take the energy and fire it back at a tank. Skeletons would pile on her and she’d burst from them flying and lazing aircraft. More than one jet crashed into one another. Before long the quiet plan of my mind was a waging war zone against this one beast. At one point a 30 foot Winnie the Pooh exploded as it tried to drown Luna in a jar of honey. Nothing stopped Luna, she tore everything asunder. Her god damn mane never even looked damaged, still blowing in the wind, perfectly blue and shining as it was at the start. The only change in the entire pegacorn was an expression of joy and anger. This battlefield she enjoyed, she reveled in it like a demon of slaughter. She smiled as she ground my hordes to dust.

My body was carried away into a bunker that had just been built when an idea hit me. I couldn’t win this fight, I wasn’t going to lose either but I couldn’t take a stalemate against someone like her. I was human, I was better than her at war. While I may be young, humans have fought war upon war. In fact, we have fought so many they have blurred together for most of mankind's history. Each one we invented new methods of killing each other and new ways to extend the slaughter. I was not going to lose to this fucking pegacorn.

So I took the offensive, I summoned a section of my skeletons with the best weapons I could give them and had them make their way to the breach. As they passed through my mind gave another shudder. I could still sense them and feel them but the images were blurrier and I had to focus harder on them than I did my other minions in my brain to control them.

As they progressed I became more and more aware of what lay beyond the gap in my mind. There were portals and doors into thousands of other creatures' heads. As the section beyond moved, I had to focus more and more on them. In response, in my mind’s plain, I was down to no more than 5 warriors. The concentration of the section beyond had taxed me too heavily to control the horde within and raise new warriors.

It was with this that I sent one or two into some doors and raised hell. Flame throwers, machine guns, explosives were all at this section’s disposal. I destroyed whatever dream those ponies or other beasts dreamt of and pulled back. I sent them door after door, burning, and killing. It was with this that Luna finally broke from the last minions of my mind. She let out a call, "Curse you, I shall be back for my vengeance!" as she burst from my minions. She flew through the breach hopefully to hunt my raiding party. As she left though I caught a glimpse from one of my skeletons of her face. It was one of absolute wrath and pain. It was sweet to see the tormentor of my days being tormented in my dream.

As she passed out of my bubble I shuttered the pain finally letting up the spike withdrawn at last. Had she spoken English or was I just going insane? Regardless, the gaping hole remained and had to be dealt with. I sent my last minions to erect defenses that would make Troy look like a sandcastle. This was easy after all the impossible is possible in my mind.

Beyond the breach, I continued on my dark mission of destroying the dreams of others. Whenever Luna approached I sent one or two of my minions to hide as the rest of the group held her back. Each fight was short-lived the skeletons while armed to the teeth were no match. They were systematically cut down and ground to nothingness. Every time one died a dull jab of pain in my eyes as their own sight faded. By the end, I was down to 4 skeletons beyond all hidden in shadows and crevices of other creatures' minds.

It was with this that I was awakened. As I lay there on the floor Sol stood, her entire body towering over me. An expression of pure hatred etched on her face.

Chapter 9

Stepping forward, Sol's wings stretched out, and her horn glowed with power. I was in shock from the battle of my mind and then to be awakened by the other tormentor I didn’t know what to do. I knew though that I had bested Luna in my mind why not Sol in reality. I lept straight for her damn white neck with the golden necklace on it. Her face was one of shock from my lunge. Seizing the necklace in my hands I screamed and throttled the bitch. My cry was not english it was primal and full of hate. My arms were weak but the necklace gave me leverage to hold on as she fought. She tried to pull me off with magic but when she did I bit down under her chin.

Hot blood flowed down my chin and throat. She continued to fight me though and eventually, my weak arms gave out and she threw me to the ground. Standing up again I charged, this time Sol knew what I was up to and tossed me like a ragdoll into the wall with her magic. Capitalizing on my failure she lept and planted a hoof on my wounded shoulder pinning me to the floor. I screamed in agony as the horseshoe dug in, but I continued to struggle. I tried desperately to claw her hoof off of me, kicking, pushing, and biting but I was weak. I couldn’t even budge it as it continued to dig deeper. This continued on for a time but my cries of struggle turned into sobs as the fight left me.

I was beaten without any way to fight back. I was lost in another world. Where ponies controlled armies and magic. Magic that could throw me, jab me, pin me and I’m sure much worse. I was a human without tools, trapped in a cell. I had no friends here. no family, no lover, nothing that could save me. I didn’t have the physical strength to fight and my mind was breaking. It was sharp but still, I knew I wasn’t all there. What was even my name? I couldn’t remember, I hadn’t talked to a real person for so long. My body shook as the tears rolled down my grimy cheeks.

Even when the hoof lifted off of me all I could do was crawl to a corner in a ball. I felt like a child, helpless and weak. I couldn’t even look up at Sol but I could feel her staring at me. I continued to sob my whole body protesting from the exertion of the fight and the night before. The blood in my stomach made me wretch to make it worse. I didn’t care though I was already covered in my own filth. I was a wreck. I might be able to fight in my mind but physically I was worthless. It was only a matter of time before they killed me, I had fought back and terrorized the dreams of others to get them off of me. I couldn’t escape physically even if they left the door open. I knew mentally that Luna would eventually win too. Even if I held off for a time they would keep coming. Sol and Luna could rest as I rotted and decayed. Why did I even bother to fight back because of some grand notion that I was human? Look where that got me, a cell. There was no fresh air or freedom. I had to shit and piss myself every day. I was powerless. What did I expect some rescue before they could retaliate after my tricks the night before?

They could keep me here forever, just letting me sit here for all eternity alone. No contact, no interactions of any kind. I wouldn’t die but I wouldn’t be human anymore either. These horses were going to win, it was inevitable if they hadn’t already. As Sol eventually left I could feel her stair on me the whole time even as the cell door shut. I just remained curled in a ball crying to myself. A shell of a human.

Chapter 10

I eventually cried myself to sleep. This though didn’t grant me any peace. I knew soon Luna would return and this time with vengeance in mind. The breach still loomed guarded by the few skeletons that survived the last assault, however, beyond I couldn’t feel my raiding party. I could feel them alive but I couldn’t command them. Something wasn’t letting me connect.

Regardless, I set myself to continuing the defense of my mind. In the air, I crafted nets and webs of bombs denying the airspace to Luna. On the surface landmines and gun emplacements sat idle, with towering walls beyond with extra firepower. I set TRPs, (target reference points), along the front and fallback lines. I waited for what could have been minutes or hours, it was impossible to know in dreams.

Growing worried I reached out in my mind to my warriors from the night before. I could feel that they still lived as much as a skeleton could but I couldn’t move them. Something was baring me. So instead I summoned a new team of skeletons dubbing them Sioux Two. The team of 4 were armed with a combination of weapons, SAWs, snipers, a flame thrower, and each at their hips carried a sword or axe. Their mission was simple, recon the enemy. Guiding them to the breach they saluted me and pushed through the veil into the beyond. It was reminiscent of teams in StarGate moving through the Iris.

As they materialized on the other side I could see through their eyes an empty void like last time with doors and portals leading to other creatures’ minds. Standing sentinel above was Luna. She looked like a hawk waiting for the next meal. Sioux Two at the sight of this fanned out and took up positions readying for the assault. Luna turned her gaze on them but remained where she was. Not wanting to repeat the events of the day with Sol I simply had them wait. There we sat in gridlock, neither willing to engage the other.

Sitting in this was better than battle but it only felt like the prelude to the assault. Using one of my skeletons I pushed him forward. However as he arose from his prone position Luna bellowed, “Do not move trespasser, my patience is already thin with thee.”

Again english. Sweet beautiful english. I was scared of Luna yes but I could communicate with someone. Someone could finally hear me. Speaking through one of the skeletons I stated through tears of relief, “You can speak to me?’ Yes, I was crying. I couldn’t help it, the fact I could talk to someone was beautiful. Communication with another person even with my antagonizer was better than nothing.

“Yes you fool I can speak to thee, but remain silent if thou want to live”

My tears turned to laughter at this. I couldn’t help but laugh, I’m sure it sounded terrible from the skeletons. Raspy and undead but I was losing it. I finally had a method to talk to someone and all they wanted was silence. The sheer irony of the situation. My laughter only angered Luna though.

She spat at me, ”Silence before I strike thee down, I would have long before this if Celestia had not asked me not to.”

I had her talking and even if she was mad someone had told her not to fight me. This was spectacular. So I tried to continue the conversation by asking, “Who is Celestia?”

“My sister, the Co-Ruler of Equestria and the one thee bit”, Luna retorted the anger on her face only growing. With this, I did shut up. Why would Sol the one I had tried to kill during the day not want Luna to attack? I was so lost. I didn’t want to fight, don't get me wrong but I was lost. So I sat there, well my skeletons did inside my mind I paced back and forth. Thinking through all that I knew. I had occupied an old castle, I had saved Apple but that was viewed as more a kidnapping… ponynapping. Then Luna the dream demon had attacked me in Edoras. Since then I had been stuck in a cell, eventually, Luna broke into my mind. I fought her back, by attacking others' dreams. These raids provoked Sol I’m sure of it but why had my attack on her physical person, not provoke a further response. I was lost, where was the escalation of violence?

It was with this that I began to feel my original raiding party awaken. Damn, I need to name them too. If I have Sioux Two, I’ll call them Apache One. Yes, I will continue to call raiding parties and recon elements Native American tribes. They kicked our ass more than once and deserve credit where it is due. Beyond the point, I felt Apache One move. They were scattered through the dream realm though. If I moved them would that draw Luna’s attention? What would I do with them regardless? Why would I provoke an attack? I have a cease-fire for the moment. I’ll hold them there then. No sense in revealing them.

Now how to move negotiations forward. Luna is clearly a warmonger and Sol is clearly no pushover but has a cooler head to at least not outright annihilate me. I was clearly in no state to negotiate either, I had power only to terrorize people in their dreams. In the real world, I had nothing. So my only bargaining chip was to stop the terror attacks. Oh God, I’m turning into the IRA. I’m not even Catholic.

Who can I get to negotiate for me? Who do I know? Well, I know Apple but she was a filly, young, and clearly protected by the 6 original horses. Apple was my only contact though and she knows I’m not a bad guy. I saved her after all. I know I can find her here somewhere gazing around with the sockets of my minions at the doors. I shouldn’t call them minions, they are skeletons and I’m not an evil mastermind. How to find Apple though. Each door was marked with symbols, what do the symbols mean though.

I had to figure out this organizational system. I’ll figure out what is inside each one and compare it to its mark. Easy… Just time-consuming. Pulling out binocs from S2 (Sioux two), I gazed for the door that I knew held a member from A1 (Apache One). Finding the door with the optic I spied three butterflies. Alright, the door has three butterflies, so find the butterflies in the dream then, straight forward.

It is not straight forward. I will say it again, it is not straight forward. Try moving a looming 6-foot skeleton with SAW around quietly in an open field with a yellow pony and animals frolicking and drinking tea in peace. This poor chap only had his optic on the SAW too. He wasn’t meant to do recon. I made A1 to kill shit not be stealthy.

Taking a break from focusing on the member of A1 I concentrated on S2 watching Luna. Well, they should have been watching Luna but where was she? She wasn’t on her perch, clearly, she wasn’t attacking me either. I didn’t hear sirens and S2 was alive. Quickly I had S2 spread out and look for Luna. Where was she?

Down a corridor, there was a door open. Did she go into someone's dream? That must be it but why? Why go into someone's dream. It doesn’t matter really. This was a chance to spread out more soldiers in more dreams and move between dreams to figure this shit out.

As I spread out S2 I heard an alarm to go off. I panicked and ran S2 back to their position and assumed their prior stance. Luna flew out of the door just as the last S2 laid down. Gazing around she looked at S2 and approached. She drew so close I could feel the beating of the wings on the back of S2. Landing right on top of one of the skeletons and crushing it beneath her she stated, “Don’t try any tricks, I am the guardian of the night and this is my domain”.

Rising to the air once more she flew to her perch resuming her constant vigil. I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t going to answer that I was and if I answered I wasn’t I’m sure she would think I was lying. Regardless, for the rest of the night, I continued to try and figure out what the system was. This time though I took more precautions and tried to be even more stealthy about the recon in these ponies dreams. I want to note as well, ponies’ dreams are weird. There is no violence really, no chaotic night terrors, just peace and quiet. It is actually a little terrifying that everything was peaceful. Sadly, I didn’t figure out anything though beyond the marks on the door. I was at a loss for more information.

As the hours ticked by I began to awaken back to my empty cell.

Chapter 11

Now waking up was never a fun time. I was always cold, covered in my own waste and puke. It also didn’t help that my hair was getting so long that it was covering my eyes so I couldn’t see. Now some would say what about the smell? Well, I’ve explained this before but I can’t smell myself anymore.

However, today was different. In front of me was my normal sloppy oatmeal but two other objects were present in my room. One was a hard-boiled egg. My eyes didn’t lie it was a hard-boiled egg. This was my first actual protein in weeks. I hadn’t had protein like this before my imprisonment. The other was a bucket of water with a cloth. I’m sure to many people’s surprise the first thing I did was drink some of the water. I hadn’t had water, pure water in forever. All the water I needed came from the oatmeal so actually drinking normal water was a blessing. Immediately after I devoured the oatmeal saving the egg for last. I slowly chipped and peeled the shell away revealing a soft white interior. My mouth dripped saliva down my chin at the sight. Taking a bite I could taste the yoke inside. Now back in my old life, I wasn’t a huge fan of hard-boiled eggs without salt and pepper but this was special. The taste was immaculate. I took the 2nd bite swirling the egg in my mouth. Before I knew it I had finished the entire egg.

Gazing back to the bucket and took the cloth in hand. Dipping the cloth in the water I began the task of slowly wiping my skin clean. The grit, dirt vomit, shit, and piss had created a layer on the skin. It took some effort to finally clean it all off. I spent hours cleaning my body. I even worked between the toes and behind the ears. I wasn’t perfectly clean but at least I was more presentable. All I had to do now was properly clip my nails instead of chewing them and get a haircut. I doubted though that I would get scissors or a razor anytime soon.

Upon completing my bout of hygiene I just laid there enjoying the clean feeling. My skin was rough but it wasn’t covered in everything. It was actual skin with pigment. As I laid there the bucket and dishes flew from the room. Leaving me alone but clean. I wasn’t going to complain, whoever had been so kind was a goddess. I was just grateful for the fact that I had an actual meal and was clean. Now I’m sure this is rambly but you must understand I was so happy. I could actually look like a human not some beast from the movies.

Laying there for a few more hours I enjoyed being clean. To my amazement though Sol entered my little cell. I groaned. Why didn’t I see it? This was my final meal. My final actions of getting clean before my execution. I was going to be killed now that explains why Luna wouldn’t kill me. Sol wanted to do it personally.

I didn’t take it like a man. I crawled to the opposite corner and balled up. If I was going to go I was going to make them drag me to my death. However, Sol didn’t blast me or burn me. Instead, she moved inside and shut the door taking a seat in front of the door. Her wings tucked to her sides and her chin high she looked down at me. I stole glances as I cowered there but I didn’t see the bite mark and her fur under her chin was perfect. Damn, they must have good medicine here for her.

She just stared at me. Eventually, I did build up the courage to sit cross-legged in my corner staring back. It was at this point I noticed a pony behind her. The pony was small, and yellow and pink. She stayed tucked behind Sol but clearly was real. I wasn’t hallucinating. Now the mane looked normalish, pink yes but not magical like Sols. I glanced up at Sol to compare the two. Again though I was drawn to her eyes, they looked so old. They could see right through you and understand. It was scary and uncomfortable. How could a horse be so old and have eyes like this? Magic I’m sure but that doesn’t explain why she was just staring at me.

The pony behind Sol after an hour or so nudged her and neighed softly. At this Sol’s horn glowed and I flipped out again. Diving to the other corner I curled up in a ball again. I was scared. She had thrown me into the wall and had stomped me into the floor just yesterday. However, the burning incineration feeling never appeared. Looking beyond my shoulder on the floor in front of her were clothes. While they were a simple grey they still were clothes. As I spotted them she moved them to sit next to me. Quickly I reached out and put everything on. There were shoes, socks, underwear, pants, a shirt, even a hoodie. It was warm and clean. It smelled like fresh detergent and was soft to the touch. It all fit me perfectly too.

Sitting up again and staring at the two of them the yellow pony pulled an object from behind her back. It was a plate. A plate with meat. I don’t know what meat but it was meat all the same. My eyes locked on it as it glowed. My mouth again began to salivate. I was desperate for meat. Yes, the egg was good, it was delicious but it was not meat. Sol took the plate and levitated it over to me and to my surprise there was a fork. No knife but a fork, which makes sense they probably didn’t want me trying to kill Sol and this yellow pony. I simply looked at it in amazement. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to eat it. I had just attacked the day before. I reached up and took it from the air. It was meat, it was even cooked but was I allowed to eat it. Was I supposed to eat it in front of Sol and this other pony?

Whinnying the yellow pony motioned to the meat and me. I moved my eyes back and forth to make sure and she nodded. SHE NODDED. I was allowed to eat the meat. Grabbing the fork I quickly took a chunk and shoved it in my mouth. It was well done, like really done almost burned but it was still meat. The grease played on my lips. The muscle was just perfectly chewy. I cut a hunk with the fork and pushed it into my mouth. Again the texture of flesh was so good. The simple feeling of the meat tearing between my molars was spectacular. Even if this was my last meal, I was happy it had been of meat.

They watched as I ate the whole thing. I never slowed down. I admit I ate it far too quickly, I should have savored it far more. At first, Sol’s face was a little shaken as I pushed the meat in my mouth but as I went I let out moans of pleasure and that put a smirk on her face. The yellow pony though never looked appalled but rather neighed and spoke into the ear of Sol the whole time. As I finished they simply sat there with smiles on their faces as I licked the plate clean. Damn manners when there was just a hint of fat and grease I was going to lick it off. I was just so happy. When I set the plate down it flew back to Sol and her companion took it from her.

The yellow pony was pushed from the room with one of Sol’s wings after I finished. Catching a glimpse of her flank I spotted three butterflies. The same three as on the door from the dreamscape. The pony there had been yellow as well. Was this the connection? The flank and the door corresponding? The only problem with this conclusion was that Apple didn’t have a mark on her flank. I can think more about this later Sol is still here.

Sol’s eyes just stayed staring. She did blink but they never left my form. It wasn’t long but it was a few minutes more before she stood up.

Still half expecting to be blasted I cringed and balled up. Sol though just left. She pivoted on her spot and exited the cell. She hadn’t killed me. There was no stabbing or impalement. No flinging me into the wall, or burning me. I got to live another day! Sol even had given me meat. The savory meat. Just thinking about it makes me drool. Not to mention I was clean and had clothes. I felt so human again. I was so happy. Laying against the floor I soon began to feel sleep overtake me once more. I knew soon my hunt for Apple would continue on in the dreamscape or should I reach out to this yellow pony. The decision had to be made.

Chapter 12

As I drifted off I became aware of the dreamscape. My fortress in my mind stood, Luna sat on her perch, and finally, both Apache One and Sioux Two were still there. Reaccessing my situation I decided to think. I wasn’t going to be able to move my skeletons easily. Luna had set alarms so as soon as I moved too much she would know. I was stuck in the dreams I was already in with A1. This limited my ability to search for Apple for sure. I did have a lead though. The marks on the flank might be related to that on the door. The yellow pony from the day had shown me that. Not to mention I was in her dream as well. I might be able to contact her.

Focusing on A1 I sought the poor chap with the SAW. He was in a foxhole in a tree line looking out onto an open field. Gazing through his optic I could make out the yellow pony with the pink mane. To confirm I stayed there for a few minutes more till she shifted enough for me to spy her flank. Right there just like the day was the three butterflies. I let out a cheer from my actual self. I was right. The door and the flank did match. It was the method of organization. How to find Apple though. She wouldn’t have a mark. Luna would know but I wasn’t exactly on speaking terms with her. Could I get this yellow pony to tell me? Did she know? Jumping back and forth on the decision to talk or to hide I decided to talk. I had other members of A1 and this was my best and only lead. If I lost this sad shit in her dream I could continue on my search elsewhere.

Now to name the poor sod with the SAW. I can’t keep calling him sod, chap, shit, etc. Bony seems a little on the nose but it’ll do. I had Bony stand up and sling his SAW on his back. Bony began to walk over to the yellow pony but as he approached she spotted him and flipped out. She collapsed to the floor. Her wings covering her face and the animals around her charged me.

Retrospectively skeleton warriors in full combat gear probably a little terrifying. The animals approached and tackled Bony. Bony fought back a little. I didn’t want him chopping the animals to bits with his axe. Shoving a dog off his face Bony called out, “Stop pony I want to talk!”

This actually worked. The animals stopped attacking and the pony peered beyond her wings. Crawling out from the pile I began speaking rapidly, “I am the human from the cell. The one you visited today with Sol.”

Realization dawned on the pony as I spewed my gravelly explanation.

“Y-you are f-from the cell?”, She squeaked out.

Quickly responding I stated, “Yes I am from the cell. I want to talk to you.”

Standing up and moving back she said, “Celestia and Luna said you are dangerous though.”

I had to put on some level of charm. Chuckling with Bony immediately I saw the pony withdraw more. How had I forgotten that Bony and his kind’s laugh sound terrible? He literally doesn’t have a voice box. I’m not even sure how he talks. I sat down and laid the SAW to the side in a motion of good faith though. “Only when provoked do I rise and fight”

“That isn’t true we had to take Applebloom from you and you fought use.”

“What do mean? Were you part of the ponies to attack Edoras and take Apple? The little yellow and red filly?’ I countered.

“Yes because you ponynapped her.” She fired back.

“I saved Apple from the wood wolves! I even for injured saving her. Then the next thing I know you all broke into my fort and destroyed my gate.”

At this, she turned meek and mumbled out, “Oh, I didn’t know that. Applejack said Applebloom had gone to the forest and did return. So when we saw the smoke from the castle. We figured you had taken her.”

“I did take her cause she was unconscious. I couldn’t just leave her there. Then after you all broke my gate down Luna came and sieged me in the middle of the night. What was I supposed to do not fight back!?” I admit was practically shouting at this point not very diplomatic of me. The poor horse laid down again and covered her head as I verbally assaulted her. Realizing what I was doing I stopped. Lowing my voice I said, “I’m sorry it has been a long few months here. I’m a little on edge from being kept in a cell and having Luna attack me in my dreams.”

“Luna didn’t want to attack”, she squeaked out.

Taking more rattling breaths with Bony I responded as calmly as I could, “That might not have been her intention but she burst into my mind and caused me great pain. So I took it as an attack after the preceding days. Regardless do you mind if we start over? I’m sorry I was rude and interrupted your dream.”

With my voice at a more even level, she sat up and looked at my skeletal form and respond, “It is okay. I’m sorry we attacked you.”

I had to salvage this. It was my only hope at finding Apple. “Now I didn’t catch your name I do apologize. May I ask what is it?”

Her ears perked up more and she responded with just a tad more confidence than earlier, “My name is Fluttershy, what is yours?”

I tried to recall my name. What was it? What had my family called me? What did my friends and my girlfriend call me? What was it? Why couldn’t I remember it? I had used it all my life. It was important, maybe the most important part of who I was. Why don’t I know it! When did I last use it? I must have written it down in my school notes? Or it had to be in my wallet? If I didn’t know I could find them and learn it. But why couldn’t I remember it?

“It is okay you don’t have to say if you don’t want to”, Fluttershy said. Moving and hovering by me.

Bony was crying. I was crying. First Bony can cry? Why can Bony cry, he is a skeleton. He doesn’t have tear ducts. Admittedly he could talk and he didn’t have a voice box. Scratching out I responded, “It is okay. I just can’t remember my name right now “

Fluttershy’s face curled up into a look of sorrow with this and reach out setting a hoof on my shoulder. With this touch, I broke down sobbing. Boney curled up into a ball mirroring my form in my mind. I couldn’t help it. I was broken. I couldn’t remember my name. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions these past days and months. I’d fought so much and hadn’t gotten anywhere.

Fluttershy cooed, “It is okay. You are safe here.”

I sobbed out, “No it isn’t. Nowhere is safe.”

“I’ll protect you. I’ll help you.” Fluttershy said as she ran a wing across my skeletal arm.

After some time I calmed down enough to sit up and look at her. Taking a few deep breaths more I apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to break down like that.”

“It is okay, no need to apologize. What did you want to tal..”

A stabbing pain coursed through Boney and everything Fluttershy said stopped. My vision faded and was replaced with that of my cell. I laid there gasping for breath, my hands clutching at my chest. A pink pegacorn with the green glowing horn chuckled. Before I could even comprehend further what was happening I was slammed into a wall. Falling back to the cold floor I was thrown again into the opposite wall. This punishment continued, as the evil pegacorn laughed. I was being thrown around like a sack of potatoes. After the 3rd contact with the wall, I passed out. My vision tunneled and blackness took hold of me.