Author's Note

This book is, again, "On Hiatus" for about 3-4 months.

I apologize, but this is necessary for me to finish writing this book, the two other stories that are in the drafting process, and to not feel overwhelmed with school, varsity competition, music playing, and life.

If you like this story, don't forget to drop a like and please give feedback in the comments below as it helps me grow as a writer. Also, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. (NO SPOILERS!)

I wish you all a fantastic day and I'll see you in the next blog post! Buh bye! -Harpy

P.S. If the title of this chapter triggers you, I tried making it concise using the city's name, Casaflanka, and the phrase "This is my house, and I'm not bsing you."

Mi Casa, No Flanka

Chapter 22: Mi Casa, No Flanka

[...]

“...”

“Alex?”

“...uuuggh….”

“Alex, wake up….”

“...mmm…owww….”

I clutched my head and groaned as pain radiated to my brain.

“Wh…wh-what h-happened?...”

I slowly opened my eyes and blinked as I couldn’t see anything. Darkness greeted me as my eyes attempted to adjust.

Simultaneously, my ears picked up on the rushing of something nearby.

Where am I? my mind thought as I tried to get up.

splash!

“Woah!” I exclaimed in surprise. The shout echoed into the darkness, answered by nothing but the dark void. “What in th….”

I brought my left hand up to my face and noticed it was soaked in some greenish slime. Then, I looked down at my clothes and realized I was completely drenched from head to toe.

I wanted to get up and understand where in all of Equestria I was, but as my eyes adjusted to the sensitivity of the darkness I was in, the memory flashed brightly throughout my mind.

“Oh my God,” I muttered under my breath. “I overshot the hill and went past the city….” I looked around again and noticed the walls lined with grime and sludge. A layering of concrete peaked through as it surrounded me everywhere.

Am I in the underground sewers of the city? I asked myself internally, getting up slowly and moving to the side. My right hand pressed against the wall, grossing me out by how slimy it was. My boots sloshed and squeaked as I took a few more steps, my senses telling me my socks were also soaked.

“Gross,” I said under my breath, a level of disgust rising in my stomach. It was a weird feeling to be in a sewage tunnel underneath the world of Equestria, but I needed to reassure myself of where I was.

“Mikey?” I asked before looking at my watch. I was emotionally and literally shocked as the watch fizzled and sparked, attempting to respond.

crackle! “D-D-Diagn…n-nost-stic…c-cs r-r-runni-ing-ng….” the monotone voice softly said. I shook my head as I unbuckled it.

“Take your time, Mikey,” I replied, taking the watch off. “Get some rest while I figure a way out of this mess myself.” The watch went into my pocket immediately, which probably wasn’t the best idea, but it was out of sight and out of mind.

As I crept through the lengthy tunnel, I kept my eyes peeled for any signs lining the walls that could indicate where I was specifically. My ears twitched as I listened to the water sploshing underneath my boots, the dripping from the ceiling, and other noises.

For what felt like an hour, my legs kept me moving forward. The subpaths that appeared to my left and right disappeared as I passed them. Aside from them, a distant light warmed up as I got closer, getting slightly brighter.

Let’s find out exactly where I am, I thought to myself as the light kept shining through the dark. I quickly glued myself to the wall as I felt the water rising beneath me and noticed the walls ahead starting to end.

A metal fence emerged from the dark, preventing me from going further into the system, but probably for a good reason. As I hit the gate, the sewage escaped through it, draining from the tunnel and out the gate, falling down a couple of stories into a pool of toxic waste. I looked at the large cylinder room and took note of the flood lamps near the top and middle of it while seeing several other sewer gates blocking off the other tunnels.

Dead end, I thought as I grabbed the gate. I hit it once with my open hand, and to my dismay, it violently opened and spilled me out with the rest of the trash.

I quickly reacted by grabbing onto the gate, doing my best not to let go as I hung over the edge. My hands gripped but repeatedly slipped as the water resumed its course into the basin below. I tried to hoist myself up when all of a sudden, a familiar voice rang up.

“Diagnostics complete,” the robotic voice of the watch chirped. “Ready to receive commands.”

“Mikey?!” I shrieked, realizing the watch was in my pocket. I knew letting go wasn’t an option, but I had no choice. Planting a boot onto the wall, I fished for the watch with my left hand and finally grasped it. My right hand slowly slipped as I rapidly placed it in my mouth and attempted to strap it on my wrist.

“Please wear the watch to enable power-ups,” the voice reminded me.

Fucking hell, I cursed internally, wanting to punch the crap out of that voice. “There,” I sighed as the watch snapped securely around my wrist. “Now then, activat-”

slip!

Oooh, fuck nooo! My brain screamed as I lost my grip on the metal bar. I flailed my arms as I started to drop toward the catch basin.

thwip!

slosh!

“Woah!” The force jolted through me as I suddenly stopped my freefall and hung in the air. I felt my boots floating in something as I looked down and saw the waterline enveloping them.

Looking up, a solid string of webbing latched onto the massive sewer grate above. I quickly steadied my breathing and stayed in place for a few moments.

sigh “Whew,” I exasperated before reeling myself upwards and latching onto the steel grate with both hands. I felt the cold, solid, and hefty steel object as a shiver ran through my muscles. I examined it closely, appearing to have no rust spots or locks to keep it shut, so I did the only thing I could think of and attempted to force it open.

The webbing’s quality allowed me to stick myself to the ceiling of the sewer’s catch basin as I slowly pushed the maintenance hole upwards. A ray of sunlight poured through and greeted my eyes, stinging them as I nearly faltered. Then, heaving the massive grate to the side, I clambered out of the hole and fell to my knees.

“H-Holy…f-f-fuckh,” I coughed, leaning low to the ground. “Mikey, remind me never to do that again unless absolutely necessary for my survival.”

“Reminder set. Scanning observable surroundings,” the watch’s voice replied. A low hum! emanated from it as I brought my head up.

The hair on my skin raised as I scrambled for a hiding spot. The dumpsters nearby provided an excellent cover as I hid behind them momentarily.

ding!

“Region identified. Current location: Casaflanka.”

Oh, Lord, I thought. This adventure keeps getting more and more terrifying by the day.

========================================<>========================================

fhwip!

thwip!

The air blew by as I glided overhead of the bustling cityscape. The buildings towering over the ponies allowed a single creature to freely swing around. Not a single creature would have given a care since their busy city lives had them occupied.

The ponies that trotted along the sidewalk to their jobs, the streetlights and crosswalks filled with creatures of all sizes, or the occasional school field trip rounding a corner, but my mind set itself a great objective.

One that I had set ever since I arrived in Equestria: Survive.

thwip!

Let’s get an aerial vantage point of the city, Alex, my mind decided, making me nod in agreement.

I aimed the webs upward and flew higher into the afternoon air. The sun shone brightly in the upper atmosphere as I quickly reached the rooftop line of Casaflanka. Then, floating for what felt like forever, gravity started sucking me down as I prepared to land on top of a building.

With an unceremonious landing, I tripped and barely caught myself as I landed. The warm layering of the rooftop warmed my boots as I regained control and balance of my body. Now in a slow walk, I made my way to the corner of the highrise and shook my body vigorously.

“Mikey,” I said into the watch. “Activate drying mode. MILD.”

“Request acknowledged. Standby.”

I emphasized the last word more since I didn’t want to be lit up like a campfire atop a skyscraper, but I think my super-watch got the point. A warm tingling sensation emitted across my figure, and the clothes started to dry and loosen up.

The water took its time to evaporate from my clothing, ending with my socks and boots. It felt weird and uncomfortable as the water superseded, allowing me to wiggle my feet comfortably.

“Most areas completely dried,” the robotic voice of the watch said. “Recommendation: user changes into proper clothing for better comfort.”

“Spawn afternoon leisure attire then,” I responded as I wagged my hair back and forth.

“Spawning.”

A few behind me, a set of clothes and running shoes appeared and plopped onto the roof. Picking it up from the ground, I hurried over to a somewhat concealable spot and quickly changed.

With a new pair of white crew socks and black/red sneakers adorning my feet, I returned to the corner of the building. Donning a cream-colored shirt with a deer logo on the front, a pair of blue jeans and the appropriate belt, a large blue and gold sweatshirt that would make Rarity protest, and a Kentucky Wildcats baseball cap, I looked down at the city.

The streets were full of life as ponies rushed here and there to get from one place to another. I suddenly realized a significant lack of pegasi flying through the air or any creatures on the balconies across from my own rooftop.

Spoke too soon, I said, flipping down and hiding behind the exterior edge of the roof. I presumed it was a pony as an outside door opened across the street. The creature, stepping out onto the balcony, hung some sheets on the string to dry and folded some blankets.

I sat there for a bit and asked my watch to bring out some lunch, seeing as my stomach started rumbling. The watch quickly ran a scan, and not too long after that, a basket appeared right next to me.

Fumbling the thing open, I quickly picked up the ham sandwich and started to munch on it. As I snacked on the goodies within it for the next fifteen minutes, my stomach growled again as I scoffed it all down.

Don’t eat too fast, Alex! my mind scolded me.

I stopped eating and chewed down the food in my mouth. For what it was worth, the two sandwiches, two bananas, one apple (because Applejack and Dr. Borealis would not approve), a couple of Portuguese rolls, and some water went down the gullet. I sat there and let out a long exhale from the relaxing three-minute break before resuming my lunchtime.

“One hour later.”

Oh, can it! It wasn’t THAT long, I remarked internally. My brain began to hurt, forcing me to end my elegant lunch and pack up what was left. The last water bottle I had was gulped down, flushing everything out of my mouth as I wiped my lips clean.

sigh “Wow,” I breathed out. “What a meal…might wanna…relax for a bit….” I couldn’t get up due to a lack of energy, so I sat atop the highrise and relaxed against the wall.

I wasn’t fazed by the fear of a creature or somepony noticing me from above, but I started to doze off as the sun beat down on me.

Finally, I closed my eyes and remained still as I slowed my breathing down, my mind drifting in and out of consciousness. From there, the angel of rest grabbed me and held me tight as a smile crept onto my face.

========================================<>========================================

“...”

Wake up, Alex, my mind echoed. We have to get moving again….

“Ugh,” I moaned as I folded my arms on my chest. sigh “Five more minutes….”

“If you don’t get yo lazy bu-”

“Ayo, I’m up!” I immediately woke up and hissed from the glaring rays of the sun. It wasn’t in its spot high in the sky, but it was beginning to descend toward the horizon line.

Stretching my arms and legs, I rolled over onto my stomach and pushed myself onto my knees. My hands were shaking as I relaxed onto my heels before ultimately allowing myself to stand up on my two feet.

I heard some satisfying pops and cracks as my stiffened joints limbered up. Finally, the setting sun plunged into the landscape’s edge, and the sky’s beautiful colors changed, getting dimmer with each passing minute.

What should we do, mister brain? I questioned myself. Unfortunately, my mind didn’t have the fast reflexes my super-watch’s AI did.

“Good evening, Alex,” it spoke up. “Ready to get a move on?”

“Analyze body functions and give a full report on whether or not we have some major discrepancies.”

“Of course. One moment,” it said before sending out a tiny shock into my hand muscles. A few minutes passed as I looked over the roof's ledge. “Scan complete. Body functions seem normal. Standard brain functions have stabilized. Recommendation: seek shelter to rest safely for tonight. Too much activity could result in muscle aches, drowsiness, halluci-”

“Okay, I get it,” I frustratingly interrupted, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Scan the city for safe zones to remain hidden from unwanted enemies.”

“Of course. Scanning the city’s infrastructure,” it said while it did a 3D scan of Casaflanka. “Unable to fully register all of Casaflanka’s area. Recommendation: swing through town.”

“Fine,” I said as I trotted to the opposite edge of the roof. The sun shone on me and placed a silhouette beneath me. I sprinted towards the ledge, leaping from the building and into the air.

“Activate the web shooters, Mikey.”

“Request acknowledged.”

thwip!

========================================<>========================================

As my body flew through the air, my arms rotated back and forth as I flicked my wrist to extend the webbing. The webs latched onto the sides of the skyscrapers and stuck as I flew past, my motion allowing me to freely swing around.

A building stood in the way of my path, a lone tall spire with antennas atop its head. I switched up the route and headed for it, quickly snagging onto the building as I made my way up the highrise’s side.

As I reached the peak of the primary antenna, I crouched and balanced on the tip of it, looking at the city of Casaflanka below. The night lights of the beautiful city sparkled and came to life, and ponies began to call it a day and head for home. They were blissfully unaware of the human creature looking down from his perch, but why should they care?

As I slowly breathed in and out from being up so high, my mind couldn’t help but take the scenery of it all in. The ports and beaches alongside the southern bank of the city, an isolated peninsula jutting out to almost cut it off from the South Luna Ocean, and even the taller skyscrapers were looming behind me.

It’s marvelous, I thought to myself. I was amazed at the technological structure and advancements Equestria had made for however long it had been. The history books never discussed this side of the ponies and creatures’ abilities, but here it all was.

To create something comparable to my world is impressive, I thought, letting out a whistle from my mouth as I brought my left wrist up. “Alright, Mikey, what do you got?”

“Scan complete. Processing current information. Please standby,” the voice replied as it churned out a progress bar.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and felt the cool breeze blowing on my face. My hair remained poised, and my feet stood firm as the spire remained still. It was a great feeling, and I would do anything to get this feeling again of being perched above the world with gravity as my only weakness.

Looking at everything below and taking in all its beauty for one final time, the dangerous aspect would be an accidental precipitous fall and the simultaneous failure of my watch. Still, there was an impractical, borderline impossible shot of that happening.

“Research complete,” the voice of the watch interrupted my thinking. “Alex, a walled-off section underneath the city, to the west, would serve as the perfect hiding spot.”

“Great work, Mikey!” I exclaimed proudly. “Display the route and potential hazards to watch out for.”

“Creating a potential best route to the destination. One moment, please,” the watch stated before a map of the city appeared, and a blue line started to draw out from my location.

Alright, time to head west, I thought as I placed both hands between my legs. Then, grabbing the tip of the antenna, I made sure they stuck firmly to the pole as I slowly swung my legs out and above my head.

Completely upside down and facing the world of Equestria, I leaned forward and began to perform multiple somersaults before straightening out and free-falling toward the ground. Looking ahead, another quick flick of the wrist and the webbing shot out, catching the side of another building and propelling me towards my destination.

========================================<>========================================

“Alright,” I told myself as I gripped the manhole's tiny openings. “What secrets do you hide from the world above?”

I removed the heavy grate from its holding and peered into the shaft. Next, I rested the steel disc next to the opening. Then, I slowly descended into the sewer tunnel and grabbed it, sliding it back overhead. It made a loud clunk! noise as it rested back into place, seemingly making it appear as if it were not disturbed.

Descending the long ladder, I abruptly stopped at the bottom, wiggling my arms from the stress I had put on them throughout the day. As I turned around, I saw the sewer river flowing rapidly, pushing the toxic debris into another tunnel on my left.

“Hmmm, the map says to head right,” I said while double-checking my super watch. The red target highlighted a portion buried within the sewer systems away from the rapids of sewage.

Shrugging my shoulders, I walked briskly to the right tunnel and slowly walked along the walkway. The noise of the rushing sewage kept thumping my eardrums, nearly drowning out a pinging noise.

“Nearing resting spot,” the watch’s voice instructed as the destination was a dozen feet away. “Proceed with caution when digging into the wall.”

“Oh, so I have to dig to access it?” I uttered in sarcastic shock. “Then activate the digging claws and spawn the exploration helmet, Mikey. We’re on the clock here.”

“Request acknowledged.”

“Another fifteen minutes lat-”

“Alright, I get it.” Rolling my eyes, I withdrew the exploration equipment and looked into the decently carved-out area I had created.

Not bad, my mind admired as I wiped my brow. Crawling up and into my hobbit hole, I settled in for a couple minutes to get used to the space. It was barely passable, but it was better than most New York apartments. It was underground, at a comfortable temperature, and soothing to lie down in.

“One more thing I should do,” I reminded myself, heading back for the opening in the wall. The rushing water passed on as I poked my head out of the entrance. Checking left and right to ensure the coast was clear, I backed up and aimed my wrist along the entranceway’s sides. Boarding it up with webs made it easier for me, warding off potential threats like insects, unwanted rodents, and evil ponies while giving future spiders a web to nest in.

Pay no mind to the only human left in Equestria lying here, I prayed, crawling back into my humble abode.

After spawning a board on the floor of the space, I fetched a sleeping bag, pillow, and blanket from my inventory to help me rest. A lantern and a tray also sat in the corner where my head would be, so I could occasionally check my watch and complete my nightly and morning rituals.

“Rituals?”

“No, not…” sigh “Not that kind of ritual,” I said while climbing into the sleeping bag. “Like a routine I follow! That’s what I meant.”

“Well, why didn’t you say that?”

I ignored the dumb question and lied down. Zipping the sleeping bag shut, I pulled the blanket over it and tucked it neatly around me. Tightly sealing the edges, I double-checked before readjusting the pillow for my head to rest.

It ain't much, I thought before reaching for the lantern, but it will have to do for now.

Blowing out the lantern’s flame, I pushed the tray back and grabbed the half-empty water bottle near it. Gulping the rest down, I tossed it behind me and readjusted my head on the pillow again. Now, in the best sleeping position, I slowly closed my eyes and dozed off….

…That’s if I could sleep. Instead, the day’s events began to replay in my brain, forcing me to remain unfocused on sleeping. The more scenes that played, the longer I stayed awake.

Being awake consciously and knowing you are awake is an unfortunate situation.

As I shut my eyes tightly, trying to ignore the glaring problem, the fact remained the same.

I can’t fall asleep.

========================================<>========================================

“Good morning, Alexander!”

My brain stirred as I drowsily regained my senses.

“Let’s get up,” the voice chimed again. “We must get going if we want to remain undetected and on pace with our goal.”

“Mikey?” I asked, slowly opening my eyes. “Wh-What tiiime is it?”

“It. Is. Time to get up!” the watch cheerfully responded. “We’re on the clock here, Alex!”

“Five more minutes….” I lazily replied, pulling the blanket back over my head. A slow whirr! came from the watch as I tried to drown it out.

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I set you on fire again, right?”

“I’M UP!!” I sprang up so fast that my head hit the ceiling of my cubby hole. Clutching it, I crumpled onto my back, a splitting headache radiating throughout my skull.

Fuck, that hurt like hell! my right side groaned in tandem with the left side of my brain.

You’re telling me.

“I’ll never survive this adventure if I am being attacked by not only exterior forces but interior ones as well,” I grumbled before a numbing formula coursed through my veins. Finally, the pain fizzled from existence, and I regained spatial awareness.

“Thanks, Mikey,” I softly acknowledged as I put away my belongings. The alcove within the wall had remained intact as I had tried to rest the night away. Slowly dragging myself out of the hole, I removed the spiderweb I had created. Then, checking to ensure the coast was clear, I flopped onto the walkway with a loud clang!

The running rapids that pushed through the tunnel below had risen from the previous night. My hand had slipped through the steel pipe barrier, and the dirty grime clung to my hand.

Recoiling, I turned around to the hole and grabbed the rest of my supplies out of it. Finally, after double checking to hear for any distant noises, I returned to the area of the sewer grate that I had entered. The tall ladder leading upwards felt terrifying since I was nervous about whether or not somepony would open it and investigate as I ascended towards the upper world.

They are most likely outside and are just waiting for me to pop up, I thought, my upper body shaking as I reached the colossal manhole. I began to slowly push u-

yelp!

Fuck! my mind said in unison. That was definitely somecreature. Having no choice, I pushed with all my strength and yeeted the heavy frisbee from its holding. Crawling up and onto the ground above, I looked around and quickly noticed an earth pony nearby.

My mind froze as his eyes squinted, promptly widening after a few seconds. Before he could scream, I quickly flicked my wrist and shut his mouth with some webbing. I shushed the stallion with my fingers before returning to the skies and flying through the air.

That’s not good, I thought as I exhaled. Another turn led me to see one of the tallest skyscrapers in Casaflanka blocking the horizon. I quickly made my way up the side of the building, shooting the webs up to propel me upward and landing silently on the upper deck.

Looking around, I moved cautiously on the predetermined walking path toward the edge. I realized it was an observation deck, but I saw the doors inside the tower were locked with a bolt and lock. Removing my train of thought, the barrier a couple feet away would not stop me as I jumped over, moved to the ledge, and peeked over the side.

There was another observation deck below, with binoculars and information pads littering the boundaries of the lower roof. The worker ponies and numerous creatures looking around mingled, taking in the late morning scenery and the mildly cold breeze. They probably didn’t feel it, considering they had fur coating their entire bodies, unlike me.

There was even a tour taking place, the guide pointing up a-

I quickly dropped to the floor as I saw the pony’s eyes look at mine.

“He saw me,” I mumbled before scrambling for the walkway. “Oooh shit, he definitely saw me.”

We gotta move! my left side commanded as I moved to the other side of the platform. I jumped onto the ledge, looking down at the world below. I quickly took notice of the tiny roads below and where the buildings were sitting. Jumping without a plan was not meant to be an option, as I analyzed and planned a potential safe rout-

“HEYYY!!”

slip!

Oh, fuck! my brain yelled as I was jolted forward from the shock. Somecreature had startled me so much to where I fell off the highrise. Careening down the side, I quickly flicked my wrist at a nearby building and pulled the sticky rope as it made contact with the bricks.

I didn’t dare look back as I flew over the city streets. The wind beat against me as I traveled upward to another unmarked building. There were no balconies on this one, so I perched myself on the corner ledge above a wall-mount statue.

Breathing in and out, I clutched my chest as a sharp pain struck my ribcage. The pain stung like a couple pointy needles stabbing my heart, alarming me. I brought my left wrist up and looked at the screen before picking the appropriate question.

“What happened, Mikey?” I asked as it finished processing a quick scan.

“Sharp chest pains from a muscular system attack,” it responded quickly. The voice went silent before softly acknowledging the issue. “Alexander, you are currently suffering from a mild anxiety attack.”

“A panic attack? That can’t be right.”

I lowered my arm, and my eyes stared at the world before me. I always feared this would happen if I was ‘on the run,’ and now it was a reality.

Why am I letting this happen to me? I questioned myself. I should be better than this…I am strong. My heart rate lowered while my nerves calmed themselves, a long exhale escaping my mouth to signal the end.

That was too close, I nervously thought as I moved away from the ledge and onto the roof’s floor. My legs sprawled out before me as I sagged against the tiny wall. I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head as the thoughts kept crawling around my brain…like spiders.

“You have to get a hold of yourself, Alexander. You can’t let them get to you.”

For once, we agree with this particular individual, my left side sincerely responded. We like you!

“Why thank yo-”

That was sarcasm, the right snickered.

“That wasn’t funny….”

Well, let’s not sit around anymore, I thought as I got up a couple minutes later. Have to leave this city with my body intact if I don’t want to get caught again.

========================================<>========================================

sniffle

“Get it together, Alex,” I mumbled as a few dry tears formed in my eyes. But as I swung from my webbing, staying close to buildings as I wrapped around them, noticing the ponies walking about and enjoying their days, not worried about having to be on the run….

“You had to do with what hand you were unfortunately dealt with when you started that ga-”

It’s not a fucking game anymore! my mind barked. It’s torturous entertainment for them!

I silenced my mind as I flipped onto a rooftop’s ledge and sprinted across. Looking onward to the southern skies, the ports that opened up to the South Luna Ocean sure looked busy.

I understood from my studies that a dozen or so boats migrate through the harbors every hour. And with the additions of ferries, cargo ships, and private boats needing to load, unload, and finally set sail, it was hectic every day at the docks.

I eyed my next targeted building and moseyed on over to it. Landing atop it, the view from its ledge overlooked the entire beach, with the docks to the leftmost side. But the beach caught my attention, as many creatures, both big and small, gathered on the shores.

Unbeknownst to any of them, the idea of having fun in the sun made me frown. I was getting a feeling that this was something foreign to me. Usually, you rarely see anyone out on the beaches during April since it would mostly rain or the weather would be mildly cold.

It even feels cold now, I thought as I rose to my feet on the edge of the roof. But there they were. Relaxing and beginning their midmorning time with friends and family….

sniffle

“Fuck,” I seethed as a tear ran down my cheek. Then, putting one foot closer to the edge, it curled and properly held firm as I overlooked the ground below.

Sure looks like nocreature is giving a care in the world as to who’s up here, I thought as I wiped my face with my hand. Might as well take advantage of this and get the hel-

slip!

“Shit!” I yelled in shock as I felt myself falling forward. Flailing my arms back to retain my balance, I flicked my wrist back, and the webbing shot right out. It latched onto a bit of the roof behind me, pulling and dumping me onto my back.

“Owww….” I winced from the pain. “That hurt…too much….” I rolled over and lightly pushed myself onto my feet before stumbling again. The world was spinning as I blinked.

What the hell is going on with me right now? I questioned my brain as a painful headache went through my head. I am not like this to be getting dizzy so easily….

“Alex?” a voice monotonously asked politely.

“Who’s there?” I said, widening my eyes and raising my guard. My brain processed the sound, and I looked at my watch. “Sorry, Mikey….”

“Alex, are you okay? Would you like me to rerun a diagnostics check on your body’s functions?” it inquired softly as I groaned in frustration.

“Pl-Please,” I replied shakily.

The watch gave a satisfactory ping! as it began its scan of my entire stature. After a few minutes and me finding a relaxing resting spot, the watch displayed some unfortunate news.

“Alexander, it appears you are starting to experience ‘Severe Sleep Deprivation,’” it solemnly stated, pausing for a response that would not come. “The condition has occurred due to your inability and refusal to get enough sleep.”

“What will happen to me?” I asked nervously, my hands visibly shaking.

“The condition can cause you to experience severe dizziness, hallucinations, poor cognitive functions, and, most notably, reduced immune functions, making you more perceptible to disease. In addition, any cuts or open wounds can negatively affect your health more than before.”

FUCK!! I screamed in my head. This is not good, oh, this is not good. I have been on the run for nearly three days now, and it’s starting to have a negative impact on my health.

“Mikey, we will have to worry about this later, IF and WHEN I find a safe place to camp out for the night,” I said, slowly getting back up.

“Alexander, you can’t just go back to your normal sleep schedule from before,” the watch’s voice said hastily. “It can damage your brain if you try to do so. Recommendation: sleep in incremental time, slowly returning to your normal sleep schedule timer. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to sleep your night away. Your psyche will be further damaged….”

========================================<>========================================

I stood still. That message rang strong within my head. It was as if those six words were superglued and plastered onto my amygdala and hippocampus jointly.

“It’s already damaged?...Oh. I know why.”

“Alright, alright,” I said in defeat as my shoulders slumped. “We can’t go south since there is a significant lack of impenetrable shelter and cover.”

“Should I find a great place to seek refuge for the night to the north?” the watch asked.

“Yes. Scan the upper regions and locate a stable and secure location that is remote enough for me to stay hidden,” I sighed, doing a few stretches. “Also, bring out my current weaponry loadout so I can make sure what I need is intact.”

“Request acknowledged. One moment, Alex,” the robotic voice responded before a heavy load began to rest on my back. I nearly fell over as both axes reappeared.

Hot damn, I internally lamented as I almost doubled over. These battle blades were never THIS heavy.

“That’s your brain telling you you’re not doing so hot and that you should get some sleep.”

Wow. Excellent deduction skills, Sherlock, my left side sarcastically responded.

Where’s the shield!? the right side panicked.

I looked around and noticed a significant lack of Erdrick’s Shield. I peered at my watch as another error message filled my lungs with terror.

“Erdrick Shield’s location: unknown. Probable cause: out of range.”

FUCK!! my mind yelled. I knew that if it were still at the Jackalope Slopes, it would have cropped up on the map as a blue dot.

But if it’s not there anymore, my brain chattered in fear as I slowly realized why. A wave of vengeful thoughts racked inside my mind, destroying the dam that kept them at bay.

“Those fuckers found the shield and took it back to Canterlot!” I venomously yelled behind gritted teeth. “Without that damn shield, I’m now susceptible to massive magic bursts and unavoidable fire blasts, AND THEY KNEW IT!!

“Hey, Alex. Stay calm, please. Not here….”

The axes could deflect any attack, but if the opposition switched to using status moves, I’d be disintegrated within milliseconds. As no other options came forward, my mind crumpled like a piece of paper and resorted to the only option left.

“M-Mikey?” I hesitated before closing my eyes. “...recall the Ax of Orichalcum….”

“Are you sure, Alexander?” the voice responded as I shook my head with a smirk.

“It’s the heavier of the two,” I replied, knowing what gamble I was taking. “I must do so if I want to stay afloat….”

sigh “Request acknowledged.”

“Did the super-watch really let out a sigh?”

Surprisingly, it can. It is programmed to behave how my older brother used to be to me. He was a thoughtful, inspiring, and ultra-competitive brother with aspirations to make his own name.

Just like me….

I grabbed the black and red handle of the dual-bladed ax and swung it over my head. It smashed onto the roof’s tiling, making a visible gash a few feet away from my feet.

“Looks like it’s just you and me, Skele-Slash,” I said as I walked to the large melee weapon. I nearly tripped over my shoe as I got close, keeping my balance, and gripped the handle again.

The razor-sharp bloodstained iron blade shone brightly, reflecting the light into my eyes and temporarily disorienting me. Then, after another minute of standing like an idiot, I hoisted it and reinstated it onto the holding strap across my back.

“Okay, Mikey,” I said, “let’s clarify one thing. The main priority is to find a secure location to get some decent sleep while trying to protect ourselves from being spotted.”

“Priorities being rewritten, standby,” the watch replied, a few seconds trickling by before I continued my train of thought.

“Also, if I am ambushed by any of The Crown, please place ‘GET YOUR ASS MOVING’ as the top priority,” I emphasized, waiting for a response.

“‘Priorities are subject to change’ note created,” it confirmed.

“Alright then,” I nodded before deciding on the loadout of abilities. “Let’s keep the web shooters on and the lightweight ability for the Skele-Slash on. I don’t want to lose my aerial movement because of my stupid self.”

“Request being processed,” the watch chirped.

“Let’s also add the ‘Super Armor’ to that to protect me when I jump or get assaulted, and make sure to have the regenerative health ability on standby at all times,” I finished before looking out into the northern horizon.

“List updated,” the voice chimed with a loud ding!

Perfect, I thought, grinning to myself as I prepared to jump off the highrise’s ledge. No time like the present, as I used to say.

My feet stood still as I shifted my balance back onto my heels. Finally, my eyebrows lowered as I maliciously stared at what was beyond the ledge.

Well? Let’s move ou-

poof!

“Seriously? Again?”

Oh, hell no, my mind thought as I glanced back and dropped my jaw. That navy-blue alicorn with a starry mane appeared and stared into my soul with her teal-blue eyes, but her appearance was different. Notably, she had her full lunar armor equipped.

“Alexander Walkerson.” Princess Luna firmly stated. “We need to talk. NOW!!”

========================================<>========================================

Pump the adrenaline and get moving, I thought as I grabbed the ax’s handle on my back. Luna sprang forward from her spot in response, making me dodge left and clear the roof's ledge.

Flying through the air in a free fall, I shot a thick string of webs to a nearby building and quickly avoided kissing the ground.

“On the first date?”

Not literally, my mind said in tandem.

Never mind all that hyperbole because we had a new top priority: try not to die.

“No du-”

You can’t be sarcastic with Alex, Dr. Dolittle, my left side fired back.

Unfortunately for me, the lunar princess located me faster than an aimbot and started to follow my every move. Whichever way I went, Luna was always hightailing me, shooting beams of magic at my figure as it danced through the air.

A game of cat and mouse, if you will, as I narrowly avoided each missed shot. With the ax in my right hand and my left hand constantly flicking every couple of seconds, creating distance between me and the alicorn was getting harder and harder.

Nothing I did would further the gap as Princess Luna closed in on me. Luna seemed to know my movements and correctly predict where I was heading every time, be it a fake-out or a quick turnaround hesitation move.

On the rare occasion I did lose her, it would only be for a couple of seconds. After that, I would tiredly drop to the streets and gasp for air as I teetered on my feet, always having to jump out of the way quickly as she approached from behind swiftly.

I didn’t want to get caught.

I can’t be caught, my mind echoed.

“I…c-can’t….”

“What happened, Alex?”

My vision fuzzed. The by-product of not getting enough sleep started to kick in, and I am sure Princess Luna knew that. That’s why her reaction time was so quick.

We’re too slow, my right side moaned.

Why didn’t we sleep? the left side hesitated.

We were too afraid, that’s why! the right side shot back.

‘We?’ I thought it would be a good idea if we got to rest, the left side accused. YOU were the one keeping us awake!

Bullshit!

It’s the truth!

“Goddammit,” I grumbled as I swung around another building. My mind didn’t process it fast, but flying over a street corner filled with ponies was a bad idea. My psyche heard the audible gasps and saw some pointing their hooves toward me.

“ALEEEX!!” the distant cry of an alicorn echoed through the afternoon air into my ears. “Stop this instant!”

“I will not dHO SHI-”

whump!

========================================<>========================================

The alicorn princess had caught up and tackled me whilst in the air. Grabbing at both of my legs, she hung on and tried to drag me down. As I let go of the string of webbing and attempted to reactivate another shot, gravity weighed down heavily and brought me closer to the city blocks below.

“Let go of me!” I yelled at Luna. The younger alicorn shook her and kept clutching onto my waist.

“Please! I just want to talk, Alex!” Luna exasperatedly said. sniffle “Pl-PLEASE!!”

I swear it wasn’t my imagination, but her emphasis on that last word made me almost give in. That, and the audible sniffle I heard, was the closest I had been from three days ago to just stopping and letting these creatures win.

“Almost?”

I admit I did get a bit lucky.

A low billboard smacked my legs, making me tumble over and down to the streets of Casaflanka. The princess of the night simultaneously met the billboard with a resounding splat! saving some time for me to regain contro-

crash!

crack!!

As I hit the pavement hard, my body tumbled and turned over multiple times before stopping in the middle of the street. I looked like fresh roadkill, lying there for a bit before slowly getting to my knees. Disoriented and in a lot of pain, the stress and anxiety rose again as I looked around.

Ponies on the sidewalk backed away, some holding their foals behind them and others covering their mouths with their hooves. Some of them turned away as I looked at my hands, then at the rest of my body.

My clothing had been torn in several places, with noticeable marks and cuts covering my thin skin. Blood oozed from the crevices and started leaking like water on a windshield, dripping onto the pavement. I nearly lost my senses and was about to blackout before another boost of the health regeneration fluid flowed through my veins.

I have to keep moving, I thought as I flicked my wrist and shot another string of webbing toward an adjacent building. I then quickly flipped into the air, leaving all the ponies in shock, disarray, and a tiny puddle of blood in my absence.

========================================<>========================================

groan “Hah,” I sighed as I removed myself from the signage that had greeted my face. “Always a step or five ahead….” huff!

I huffed as I remembered that piece of advice from Nacreous. I had the human within my hooves, and by sheer dumb luck, he eluded my grasp. But, unfortunately, I couldn’t be surprised anymore. Alex had, yet again, gotten away by the absolute luckiest of coincidences.

But I am making significant progress with you, my friend, I thought to myself as I checked my wings. I did keep an excellent pace and even outsmarted you. Alex, you got so lucky.

I slowly trotted to the edge of the billboard’s walkway and peered toward the street on the other side. I quickly noticed an alarming amount of ponies staring as Alex quickly zipped back into the ai-

“Not again. Can’t you ever take a break?!” I yelled in frustration as I hopped into the air. Then, unfurling my wings again, I zoomed past the large crowds and ascended to where I was overlooking the city of Casaflanka. The more altitude I gained, the better chance I would have had to catch a glimpse of Alexander.

Looks like we are on the northern side of the city, I told myself internally. That’s when I noticed in my right peripheral a creature slowly rising above a building and swiftly dropping back over the side of it.

“Bingo!” I exclaimed as I rocketed toward the area. “I am not done with this chase, Alex.”

After another minute of flying, I finally had my sights set on the human as he darted around another corner. Turning that corner, the human had found himself within a long, winding alleyway littered with many obstructions and tall fences.

Looking ahead, I saw the path leading to a dead end, entirely surrounded by buildings, and no conceivable way out unless he jumped back into the air.

That’s where I’ll be able to finally catch him, I thought before a warm smile blossomed on my face, and I prematurely slowed down. And I’ll make sure he tells me the truth about ‘it.’