Catnap goes (un)Willingly to Equestria

by EggBaguette

Chapters

Day 7: Under the Table
Day 1: A Run for Curiosity
Day 2: Layered Past
Day 3: Shedding
Day 4: Ghosts & Demons I
Day 4: Ghosts & Demons II
Day 4: Ghosts & Demons III
Day 5: New Scar
Day 6: Lost Letters

Day 7: Under the Table

Is it morning already?

"Yawn~!"

The sun is not shining through any window though.

It smelled cold and calm, like an ice cream!

Maybe I slept too early? Well, I can easily fix this problem with more sleep!

I shift on the couch, trying to find the most comfortable position until I-

Ow!

Roll out of the couch. Well, this surely is a 06 given sign. A smile comes to my face - right after Gus and the rest went to sleep I had begun the second circuit and I had done it! In less than a day, I managed to overlay and imprint the circuit all over my skin - well, the skin is the easiest part- but still, it's an achievement! I will need to do a do-over to check if I didn't do anything wrong, Luna forbid I close the second circuit with a bald spot or clashing Life roads... But right now I want to sleep.

...

A quick check wouldn't hurt, right? I lift my face from the ground and begin stretching, each pop kicks away the drowsiness out of my bones, limbs feel revigorated and a faint sense of pleasure compels me to keep stretching a bit more.

Until the stinging pain of too much stretching hits, I sit down with my back against the couch and begin, to recall the past, nostalgic times of me and my brother just bickering at each other. Life flows through my skin, easier than before, many lines made out of pure Life interconnected to form me. All of it seems good, with no contradicting or clashed lines, all spots were thoroughly covered.

All right, curiosity satiated, time to-

"Hnngh." I slowly turn my head toward the shuffling cloud next to me.

Oh no. I jumped over the couch and crouched down, my ears stood straight up listening for any sounds. She is an early bird like Hoppy, Dogday, or Kickin. This is terrible. "Good- Morning!" The sound of hooves clashing against the ground- she is out of the cloud! I hurriedly put both of my paws on my mouth snuffling my breath and-

I felt a tug on my tail. I blankly stared back and saw my tail over the couch... This traitor!

In an instant, I was met face-to-face with the pegasi holding me up in the air, tail clasped in hooves "Hello." Jet slept like a sloth yesterday! How can she be a morning critter?! "Who're ya hidin' from?" I slowly let my paws slide out of my mouth and fall, staring blankly at Jet. "Les'get sumthin' to eat." I latched onto the sofa with my claws, yet even that seemed useless with me being dragged to the kitchen, where Jet dropped me on a chair.

Well, what can I do besides wait for the Jet to do her thing? The kitchen looks spotless. Many cabinets, once filled with spiderwebs and their makers were now clean, the sink that had more rust than a whole junkyard would've reflected light if there was some- and if on cue, Jet turned on the Lumen stones on the kitchen. Much for my eyes displeasure. The fridge that once looked like a bunch of old metal put together now actually looks like a fridge. They sure worked hard.

Jet opened the fridge and took out two apples, wait how do fridges actually work around here? Lumen stones are not exactly light bulbs so... "How does the fridge work?"

"Sum heat-repellent wards inside." Aren't those too expensive to make for something so menial? "Ever since we discovered how to store magic in crystals, these things have been the hit!" She slapped the fridge. "So, how's your snooze goin'?" My wha- Oh. My muzzle. I give her a thumbs up. "Nice." Jet slides an apple to me, then her ears fell with a sigh, "Are ya really sure about this mail gig? It's really dangerous."

"Why?" Saying how many ponies die in this job a year isn't really that convincing.

"...Packages, as small as they are, can hold many valuables. Mail ponies are easy to pawn off, in the streets, even more if they are flying to another country to deliver something. I would know." Jet sighed, "Look, ya can find other ways to help that are safer."

No, I will make up for Leo. Another sigh escaped Jet, "Just be careful, 'kay?" I will. Even more careful than Bubba playing chemist! Or Crafty while she's painting or everycritter, there shall be no critter more careful than I!

Careful is my second name, I have never done anything that wasn't careful. Never. Ever. I put on a smirk and take a huge bite of my apple- "Kack-" Jet, once more, was quick enough to give me one of those very unpleasant hugs, blood flew from my mouth, "Cough!" Even more than yesterday.

"Catnap!"

My lungs stinging, my claws itching- shredding flesh coming out of my paws, Life twists and changes before everything becomes still once more.

What a way to start the day. A quick Mend depleted my reserves to below half, but my paws weren't hurting anymore, that's a plus at least. Ugh, my fur is dirty- "Catnap!" I whipped my head to Jet, still so endearingly holding me. "Ar'ya..?" I give her a thumbs up, she slowly releases me, "...Next time chew a bit more." I slowly look towards the table, a big puddle of crimson liquid and a near-untouched piece of apple. "Also, you need a bath-" Life reserves empty, I'm pristine as a Roman sculpture!
"Nice magic or arcane whatever shi- thing you did there, you're still getting a bath though." I locked eyes with Jet and narrowed them slightly, Jet raised an eyebrow with a small smile forming on her face.

I hopped out of the chair and- was upstairs?! "Whuh?!" Jet hooves had a firm grip- this isn't possible, it shouldn't be! there's no way in heck that hooves have firm grips-

You see how I'm holding this? W-we have small gravity fields on our frogs that...

Hnngh! "Stop strugglin', it's meaningless!" I don't wanna bath! I don't wanna! "If ya don't stop worming, there will be no bubbles." My tail stealthily reached for her wings and with a tug, it barely did anything, "Hah." She lifted me to meet her eyes, "Nice one, prick." You..!

Jet turned around and... Is she struggling to get the door open with her back hooves? So there isn't a conveniently placed magic grabbing field back there! I win! "Ha!" The pegasus snorted, flew a bit forward and bucked the door open.

"Oh."

Her voice suddenly deepened in a mock. "Oh, how unexpected." I swear I will- Wait—wait, why is the bath already full?

No.

It can't be.

"You had already planned this." That sick smile of hers is only confirmation! Jet we are friends, don't do this! "Please Jet," I looked up at Jet's face and did what I do best.

"Puppy, or well, kitten eyes don't work with those." Wha-

~Splash!~

Do you know what is more humiliating than being forced to take a bath? It's somecritter else scrubbing for you! I'm a grown, twelve-year-old, independent tom cat for 06 sake! Sure, mom does comb my fur sometimes but it's because I like it, not out of necessity! "Shampoo time!" And this is enough!

At once I stopped blowing bubbles and slapped the Shampoo away from Jet's hoof. "I know how to bathe."

Jet, now rubbing her eyes from the water snorted. "I neva saw ya take a bath once!" That's because you're not supposed to see?! For the love of Luna, I reach for the shampoo out of the bottom of the tube and put it aside. Why is she even treating me like a- a...

"Haah. So that's why. "Jet, do you know the principles of friendship?"

The pegasi raised an eyebrow, putting the sponge aside, "Why're askin' that now?" I made a question mark with my tail and waited, Jet rubbed her hoof under her chin, "To trust one anotha', always be there when it's needed, share stuff and laugh or cry together, and mutual respect."

"Which are you lacking right now?"

Jet wings swung open, she opened her mouth - probably to question me but then stared at me, her wings folded and as her eyes hung low, "Sorry. It's just... I don't wanna lose my only friend." And what does that have to do with forcing a bath onto me and a complete lack of respect for my privacy?! I huffed, it's an odd mistake to make when it comes to friendship, it's just so basic. But no critter can be a perfect friend.

I'll be honest, even if you do spend more time with Dogday Catnap, you feel like our best friend- No, family. To all of us.

Plus, you need to look around Jet. "You have three more friends in this house besides me."

Jet looked away, "I-I know, it's just that, well, ya're... My best friend." But kept sneaking a few glances.

Thanks for listening again... It really helps.

That's what best friends do, don't they?

A... Best friend? Does she care about me the same way I care about Dogday?

"And... It's a bit frustrating that I can't do anything to help ya." So that's it.

I didn't want to ask before, but if it helps Jet... If... If you could fetch me some poison jokes, a few dandelions, and an ignis stone with an auto-recharge enchantment, it would help." Jet eyes widened each time I mentioned a plant- well, it's reasonable. I'm practically asking for a top-of-the-line car from an underpaid worker.

Suddenly, a huge smile was born on her face, "Just... That?" I nodded? There's no way Jet can actually pull it off. "I'll get it all before sunset!" She hastily grabbed the sponge and was about to scrub me until I glared at her, "Oops, right. Sorry." She dropped the sponge once more and walked towards the door, stopping right in front of the door, "Just that, really?" I nodded once more.

Jet happily hopped out of the door, I think I did well.

...

Where's the towel?

"C'mon, we're close." The endless sea of ponies that yesterday held was nowhere seen, maybe because the sun wasn't fully up or it wasn't recess time yet. It was ten to nine when we left, so nine about now? Gus had practically just woken up, he barely ate anything and just went to work. He'll get hungry later.

But he doesn't seem to care, "Remember to play cool, even if you don't know the city well you just need to pretend that you do." But that doesn't sound very... Just? I nodded and adjusted the mail cap, it was a bit uncomfortable with my ears staying down all the time but I will make do!

Maybe they'll let me make some holes?

The quiet streets had concrete limbs, although most commercial buildings were closed, Except a few cafes. All the buildings had their unique style, which was very intuitive too! Jewelry buildings shined like jewels and some even had big diamond props! While alchemists had a big cauldron prop at the top of their shops right after their name, some even had those sciency flasks! A flourishing urban jungle, so diverse... I knew all of the convenience stores back home, the streets weren't smooth like this either, sometimes I and Dogday would sneak out to steal some oranges from Shelly Shells' orchard.

It was somewhat fun to run away from that turtle... I wish I could- "Heads up." Oh. We're up at the mail already. Gus slapped both of his cheeks, carving away the last remnants of sleep, "You don't need to know what you're doing," Hm? "You just need to sound like you do know." Okay, I got this. Be confident and bold! Just like how Kickin' taught me! From now on there won't be any critter more confident than I!

Gus put on his blue cap, opened the door, and walked in, followed behind by me! I'll strike them with the greatest amount of confidence I can muster!

Behind the same concrete box like before, stood - or well, sat the same mare from yesterday. Gus wasted no time and clapped his paws, and the mare, just like before, jumped up. But this time the magazine stood firmly on her hooves.
"O-oh! You're here already... Twenty minutes earlier, how punctual! Hehe..." The mare slowly slid her magazine under the table, "Wait a second." Then she went ahead to the door hidden from our perspective. I wondered from where she would pop out of, there were no doors- As if to answer me, there were sudden clacking and turning of gears, and the wall to the far right opened up revealing a secret room! Why? Why there? Why here? Why- Why isn't Gus phased by this?! "Come in!"

Why is every critter acting so normal about this?! Somepony had to build the wall for it to open this way and- and it's a frickin' secret wall! How is everypony- I-I- I give up. By the time I found myself sighing Gus had already taken my paw and dragged me inside the walls, a bit narrow at the start but after a few steps it opened to a room filled with cabinets spitting paper, cardboard boxes smashed, dropped, full and empty, and saddle bags everywhere. First aid kits with no bandages and an empty syringe. Two pegasi were playing a game of cards, further back there was a steel door with a sign written 'Boss room.' with a butterfly sticker working as a dot. Aside from the visual mess, it reeked of tobacco and alcohol, a tiny drop of decomposing mice, yet the only sound in this room was that of a mosquito constantly zooming around my ear.

I don't like this place.

The mare hopped to the cabinet and grabbed a hooffull of letters, "Okay, so introductions and instructions." Then she turned around, "Name's Cappuccino." Her hoof pointed at the boarded-up windows, "Now, in case you live on the Scorched Lands, mailing is a dangerous business." Her hoof dropped the many letters and reached for two, "Please read thoroughly before signing these." handing it out for us as well as quills.

Let's see... Wonder Delivery is not responsible for... Severe injury, work accidents, being mauled by dragons?! Stabbed, gutted, tortured, enslaved, discombobulated... By 06, what am I getting myself into?

I looked back at Cappuccino and her innocent smile. I felt a chill travel through my legs to my head. I think I get it now... F-for Leo! I sign the contract "Great! S-so, Gus, right?"

Gus handed back his paperwork and briefly stared at Cappuccino's eyes, then bowed, "Gustavo, a pleasure."

The mare turned her face around, "P-Pleasure is mine!" I could see a small smile on Gus's face, "A-and you?" Gus straightened himself back up and stared at me, I just nodded. Oh hey, I think I'm getting that stare language now.

"This is Catnap, not much of a talker." I give her a thumbs-up. Gus moved a bit closer "Shouldn't we get to know them?"

"Catch." The yellow pegasi mare with a grinning smile answered. Her cutie mark was of a butterfly net, her mane was navy blue, she has a red butterfly earrings on her left ear.

The other pegasi of brown coat and black mane sighed, "Snatch." His expression was neutral, yet he slapped his hoof full of cards on the table, a faint grin on his face. His cutie mark was of a tragedy and comedy mask. "Four of a kind."

"What?!" Catch cards fell from her hoof.

"Ehehe, You will get to know them better later." Cappuccino returned to the cabinet and grabbed a small map with blue and red dots..? "This is a magical map! This blue dot is you, the red dot is where you need to go." Gus nodded and took the map, Cappuccino reached for another trinket which was a slappable grey bracelet, "This little thing has a shield spell, strong enough to withstand chanted type, circle type, and explosive type spells, plus almost any type of physical attack, it has a recharge time of an hour." The earth pony mare took a deep breath and stared at me, the room suddenly got colder, "It only works on attacks within your sight range and the shield will disperse after the first hit." She handed the bracelet to Gus and he immediately slapped it around his wrist. Cappucino then turned around and grabbed a saddle bag which she put a few packages inside before handing it out to Gus, "Alright, off you go!" Gus wrapped it around his arm like a postal bag.

Gus further adjusted his cap and gave a short nod before going out, waving goodbye. "Now you..." She rubbed her head, "Catnap?" I nodded. "Okay, Catnap." She reached behind and grabbed a smaller box then gave it to me, then grabbed a map and a slappable bracelet, "Same as the other one, but a bit easier. Try to get it done in under an hour, please?" I nodded and took the map and the purple wrist bracelet, I quickly put it on and felt the circuits on my skin prickle it. I could probably forcefully recharge it with Life with minimal consequences. "Oh, and one more thing! If you ever feel like somepony is following you, they most likely are so, stick with populated routes if possible." Uhm, that isn't very good...

"Why's that?"

Cappuccino blushed then shook her head, "A-also, smoking is not allowed inside!" I don't smoke- A-and that doesn't answer the question! "N-now off you go, deliveries won't do themselves!" All it took was a blink for me to realize I was now outside, the door soon slammed behind me followed by the sound of five locks. Rude. I gave a final inspection on my purple bracelet, it didn't perfectly blend in with my fur but nobody would see it at first glance - Now on the arcane side of things, the same constant uncomfortable prickle is a giveaway this bracelet is of a complex rune, which makes using a Life instead the Essence of the World a bit harder but feasible, it could resist a single attack of the sixth layer. Squeezing another rune in should be plausible too... A rune of comfort.

...I began scratching my wrist.

The day seems to be getting hotter, but that could be a ploy to get my fur wet, so I won't bite it - they should have an umbrella back at Wonders. I opened my map, and immediately a big red dot at the far corner blinked in and out that is very far away... Hoo boy.

I walked by many stores now happy to open, a safe net of ponies happy to talk away over food, clothes, or just business. Stalls opening at the side of the street, a stallion frying some hay in the open air to get some customers, friends trying to bargain a mat for a cheaper price, a unicorn helping a few earth ponies unwrap a package, a pegasi colt picking up the ball stuck in a tree for his friends.

All were smiling but... There were no critters like me. I recall that somepony told me that 'we' were more common up north of Equestria but... There's none?

I stopped to look back at the fillies and colts and- there was a fellian there. Orange just like Leo. The Pegasi colt returned the ball to the fellian with a wide smile. Hm. I searched for the critter cat's parents but there were only ponies besides him. Besides me, there were no other. None.

My walk resumed to a slow stride until I found an alley, something itched me at the tip of my tail, the same dirty ground with grime. There was a dirty mattress barely visible behind the trash there, but no pony. Or fellian.

Come to think of it, I have never seen any homeless critter yet. But that isn't my business, I have a delivery to make.

Eventually, the streets started to get narrower, with a few holes in the pavement here and there until the pavement wasn't smooth asphalt but an amalgamation of uneven bricks, trees began spurting too, gaining ground against the pony-made bricks and sidewalk. I pulled out the map, and the place I should be was at the start of Frilly Frow Street. I'm at Blue Stampede's end, so it is... That house?

It was a sorry sight. the iron spear-like fence was rusted, the wooden walls rotten, the windows were broken, the lawn looked just like Jet's house if no critter ever bothered to cut it from the start, the ceiling tiles were riddled with holes and crow nests. The only sign of life was the trash bags outside... Leaking something black. I looked at both sides and took a deep breath, 06 be with me. I reached for the gate of the fence and pulled the knob but rust had made it stuck, and I rightfully used a bit more of strength. The gate broke its hinges and fell with a soft thud on the grass, I looked both sides then back to the house.

No critter saw anything. If I don't say anything it wasn't me.

I went inside with slow steps looking over the lawn, if there were few things I hated more than Catfeine's smug face was spiders, thankfully none jumped at me throughout the way to the door. And wow, it was a door only in name because If I so wanted I could sneak a paw through one of those massive holes and just unlock it.

Ehem, It's fine! Just knock! This is your first step to returning home, so just brave through! You've been through worse, being lost in the forest was no fun and neither was being kicked by that demon Hydra thing. That reminds me of that time Kickin' thought he got poisoned because a snake bit him. It was a baby python. So yeah, this is small. Small.

Just... Knock.

My paw slowly reached towards the door.

Knock—simple action.

Gulp

Here goes nothing!

Then the door fell before my paw could even reach it, shining lights to the decayed insides; The floorboards were rotten, infested with termites, that mixed with some planks missing, plus rats chittering under the floor made a very fun environment. I crouched down and put the box down. Then felt something touch my tail- "Ah!" I jumped and- Oh, it's just a rat. Phew. Well then, first delivery is done! Yay, back to Wonder Delivery then!

"Heey there youngling." My legs froze and a chill ran through my being. The voice was old- and- and familiar... "My, my. Younglings these days are always in a hurry!" I turned around and met the mare, her coat was a dull orange closer to a faded painting than actual fur, while her mane was grayer than rain clouds, her skin the pure manifestation of the word 'dried up.' At least she's not freaking out because of my eyes - that might be because hers are tightly shut, b-but it's still a win! "Back in my day, fellians used to greet ponies with respect and..." How can she see? I don't recall any spell capable of doing that. An arcanist? There's little to no Life on her though... But the way she's speaking and walking, she just knows where she is - then again, this is her house. Why am I bothered by this? "...come inside and have a meal." The moment I realized she had bit onto my tail and walked inside baffled me, and she was the one talking about RESPECT! The audacity!

I felt my claws itching but... It isn't worth it. It's just an old mare, "He-" I could hear her neck bones popping as her head turned around way faster than a normal pony would. Definitely was some warrior or adventurer on her youth, "-yy... Nice house, it's very-" I stared at the dusty floors, "It's very clean." I'm terrible at this.

She didn't mind at least, the mare just turned around and kept going, each of my steps received a small cry from the wooden planks followed by a small puff of dust, some planks that were missing I avoided - the walls faded with time were adorned with black and white photographs of a couple and the few furniture that decorated the living room was decaying in fading colors of mold, this wasn't a living room, no, just a room. She let go of my tail in the kitchen, she probably thought I was there but the length of my tail deceived her, I took the opportunity to look around further.

The room was empty sans the picture of a couple, a yellow mare with a green stallion... Her coat could have faded over time, "Fellian?" Or she just bought the house and never bothered... To do anything with it? But even not opening an eye she knew where to step, even avoiding weak floorboards, "Where are you?" This doesn't swing right to me.

I soon went to the kitchen, the tiles in the floor were cracked or outright missing, but that was nothing compared to the relic of a stove that she had, I had only heard about ones working out by using lumber. Well, besides that it was pretty empty, there was a sink, a single cabinet for silverware I presume, a broken window over the sink, and a table that held a plate with multiple chocolate chip cookies, steaming. That resumes the kitchen.

The old mare reached for the plate but her hoof fell a paw short, she instead simply signaled trying to hide this mistake as intended. "Have one, sonny." I reach for the cookie and nearly put it in my mouth. Right, no chocolate. "Don't be shy, just take a bite!" I shook my head, that is certified cat poison. "Don't be like that, you'll make granny upset..." The mare hit the floor with her hoof and then flinched. My eyes narrowed. "Take it." I shook my head, "Just one bite." I made an X motion with my arms ,"TAKE IT!" That smell...

~Creak~

My ears flicked, the termites sure are doing one heck of a job. "Don't upset granny." Granny opened her eyes but only a tint of a blue glow permeated through the darkness of her eye socket- this isn't a pony.

I turned around and was greeted by a floating bat that was inches from connecting from a downward swing.

Everything began to slow down - a dark unicorn with a red mane smirked through the darkness, even as its crimson eyes cut through the shadow that hid its form, it bore darkness.

I urged my arms to move, but all that was heightened was my perception, they would never make it.

Then... Am I supposed to take it? Straight to the head? What if-

No. Screw what-ifs. I never have run from a fight that I could win.

I'm sorry Dogday. I haven't changed at all... I'll take the hit then I'll make a comeback.

Everything slowly resumed. Too quick it came, too fast it spread. I couldn't see anything but it felt warm, something warm squeezing out of me - why did I feel so irritated again?

Maybe, I should just sleep this off.

"Catnap! Wake up, school's over already!"

"C'mon, you promised to visit Catbee with me today! Wake up!"

I can't help you raise your grades with your head in the clouds, live up a bit Catnap.

Get up lazy bones and let's do one more lap!

Didn't ya want to learn to skate? Then get some enthusiasm

U-um. This side looks a bit too big to the other arm a-and... It's a stick critter... But it's fine! Because you put love into that painting.

Don't worry Catnap. You've changed for the better, and we're all happy about it, even if you refuse to see it.

Ugh. I knew I shouldn't have become the goalkeeper with Kickin' and Hoppy on the opposite team... That ball must have hit something important for me to start hearing them... "Hnngh-" I can barely think straight-

"Shhh!" the sweet voice of familiarity, "Don't make a sound! Else they get you." The trouser-wearing brown tabby, Venator. When did I- I tried to move any of my limbs to find myself strapped down against a pipe, and this smell, it's so- eugh! "Hey-! Hey."

Once I turned my head to her, the first thing I noticed was that she had a black eye. The second was that I couldn't see anything from my right eye. "Keep quiet!" Venator's whispers were sharp as a knife, she quickly turned her head towards the door. "W-we'll just go faster if we make noise." Go faster..? The room was dark but there was a red light above us, just enough illumination for me to see a spilled box of wrenches, buckets, bolts, drills, and other construction instruments lying around but far from reach, the constant squeaking rats, the spiderwebs, and giant spiders that made this place their home plus this smell was enough for a guess. "We are in the sewers." Oh Luna, of all places... Right at our side there is a metal door, three fellians strapped on the opposite side of the wall, one white, one orange, and one grey, then there was a single cyan unicorn with a yellow mane next to me but it seemed to be asleep, she seemed to be going on a wed with that weird ring on her horn... "I-I didn't know it went this deep and now... D-do you have anything to get out?" I shook my head and then concentrated for a bit, with Life reserves full a Mend was in order, and shortly after I could see with both my eyes again. "W-what- how- your face was split-"

Much of my thoughts now straight, I finally noticed something rather obvious. They didn't take my cap. And my wrist now beginning to itch is more than a sign that things aren't so bad, "H-hey! How did you do that!?" You seem very distressed for the wrong reasons, Venator.

Now for a plan, I could gas them but everycritter in the room would also-

~Bang!~

"Eep!" The pony at my side jolted awake. And just as quick as her squeak came her hooves to her mouth.

The metal door flung open, and in came a copper-colored pony with a red hood shredding his face in darkness with the tip of a horn and a few strands of pink mane poking out, the red hood had a black crystal symbol at the head. He took a look around before settling in a pony at me, then his eyes moved to the unicorn at my side, her tyings were undone, the ring on her horn suddenly was enveloped by a pink aura, slowly pulling it off.

The mare stared wide-eyed the whole process and once both the ring and the ties were gone she momentarily stood still before making a break for it!

She lit up her horn, grabbed some nearby wrench, and readied it for a strike while the robbed pony stood still yet his eyes wandered to Venator, from the side of my sight I could see she had her eyes shut and ears flat to the head. A small huff drenched with mirth escaped his mouth.

"Haaa!" The mare swung the wrench with a roar, yet as it slowly approached the robbed pony he just stared at it until it struck true in his throat, I half expected him to wince or move but nothing happened, he didn't even move. I squinted my eyes and barely noticed a small translucent pink hexagons appearing right where the wrench hit.

Magic armor imitates dragon scales, and also a minor spell to negate the impact. That is about two mid-level spells if I recall. The mare stared with wide eyes at the robbed pony, and only now he begins to stroll towards the mare until he was right in front of her, his hoof raised and the mare flinched, then-

~Crack!~

He punched the horn off. Many other critters had waken up by this point and all of them flinched, some cowered while others closed their eyes as the head of the once unicorn flew back as her whole body fell to the ground. Perhaps I was the only one that found this situation fascinating.

...

No! I-I need to do something. She slowly picked herself up with a grunt then reached with her hoof to the tip where his horn once was, and it came back red. "Ahhhh!" The unicorn tried to gallop away but it was for naught, the robbed pony grabbed her with his telekinesis and dragged her against the ground to the other room, and the crying and screaming of the unicorn echoed through the still room. "Please let me go- I- I didn't do anything I-" Then sound of something somewhat familiar.

Randandandan!

"No-!" Then screams. Bloody screams with the sound of flesh being torn apart and blood flowing and splashing on the ground like large raindrops, the screams soon sounded like somepony was gargling until only the sound of the chainsaw remained.

They tore her apart. "Celestia..." Venator's ears flopped, and tears clung to the corner of her eyes. "Please help me." I could've saved her, b-but- No. I- I can still save everycritter.

I will save everycritter! "I have a-"

~Cough- Cough!~

Fuck- "Cough!" Steaming blood burned the insides of my mouth with each cough- my throat feels like it has been shredded and thrown on hot oil. What's worse is my eyes are itching and then all I saw was red, then black. Then, as soon as it came it went away with the final bits of blood running out of my throat.

"C-Celestia! Oh no..." Venator looked around at the remaining fellians, each equally grim and looking down. "O-Oh..."

Why always on the worst possible time?! Fucking hell- Calm down, calm. Focus. "I have a plan." Not even a ear flicker, "For when the next one comes in." She got it, probably. There is no way they can expect the dream gas, plus with this smell it means they didn't set up any air filtration charm, so the advantage is mine. I just have to stay calm and play my cards right... Then after gassing them I will use the Dream Module to take control over their body and free us, the other critters may fall asleep too, but that's fine. It'll be a bit tiring but I could control their bodies as well.

Now, if there are more robbed critters I could just repeat the process. Easy enough.

Gulp

Simple enough.

My ears stood up, and I kept my eyes on the door, the faint shadow moving under the door did make my guts twist many times, and the frequent squeak from mice was beginning to sound a lot more like words by the second. The shadows seemed to be moving around, vivid and alive but that couldn't be.

It was stressful, it was tense. And it was boring. Me, who couldn't keep an eye open through all classes now had to keep close attention at a door. Couldn't they just come already?!

Oh wait.

Soft sniffles came from the other side, some fellians that just had a bit more movement than me tried to curl up with their arms still tied to their backs. I looked at my side, the spot where that pony was, then at Venator.

She was cold. There's no other motive a critter like her would tremble. Where was that pride? The confidence?

I can't do this! It's just... I can't!

"My friend Dogday used to be very scared of thunders. Or loud sounds in general, another friend of mine, Hoppy, a green bunny, invited me to prank Dogday, we used to fill in balloons and pop them when he wasn't looking." It wasn't really a nice friendly prank per se, but we were younger and didn't know better. "We did it every Monday until he actually stopped jumping with it. We cured his fear through mean-spirited pranks." Yeah, the sleepover next month further proved that. Kickin' screamed like full grown cock with that thunder. "We got a good scolding from his father and our parents that day." I wonder how dad is doing...

"...You're a terrible friend." Wha- no! Current me is better than past me for sure! "Didn't he ever fight back?"

"No, he just got a bit upset. So we always took him to eat ice cream afterward."

"How did a fellian and a diamond dog become friends?" Diamond dog? Is this the name for dog critters around here?

"He invited me to hang out. Dogday was trembling at the day since I was a bit of a bully."

"And then?" Finally, the dread is gone, replaced by genuine curiosity.

"I didn't enjoy the company right off the bat. The stereotype of dog and cats always fighting was strong at school, although I always came back and eventually, I just began to enjoy it." It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. "Then we started to play catch every afternoon after school." Well, his parents wouldn't just let him have fun so I managed to convince him to tell them he stuck around school to study more. However, we always had to go to the outskirts afterward to find a lake so he could clean up a bit...

"That's nice." Venator smiled, one that quickly vanished as she tried to move her arms.

"Do you have any friends?"

That caught the brown tabby by surprise, she opened her mouth but quickly shut up as a pony kicked open the door. It is time then. "Hold your breath." I whispered and followed by taking in a huge breath, I don't know how much more potent this one will be, since it got an 'improvement.' so I won't focus on that, quantity instead. The cloaked pony walked toward us, and right when he was in front of Venator I took one last look at her and sure enough, she was holding her breath. I let it all out, not one speck of the room wasn't dyed in crimson-red smoke.

"Cough- Gasp-" And as he gasped for air he fell, dull on the ground, REM overflowing. For the first time, I took that in and activated Dream Module properly and the REM from him and of the nearby fellians went inside my head, stored right onto the first circuit. Just that took the capacity that was always zero to roughly seventy-two percent. But that isn't what I want, with a mental tug of the steady web of REM coming from the cloaked pony, it stood up - okay, this is like a string puppet then. Time began to slow as I concentrated, memories intertwined with muscle, and a weird sensation of nostalgia came to me as I managed to perfectly control the cloaked pony, just like a limb. Have I done this before? Memories shouldn't extend to muscles, could it? One thing is for sure though, Venator can't hold her breath forever. Besides that cloaked pony, I also took control of the fellians, my body seemed to get heavier with each but I could keep up - I need to keep up. The cloaked pony first took care of Venator, she ran to the door tipping over a few toolboxes and wrenches but stopped to look back at the robbed pony, with a curious tilt as he began to undo my ties.

Got it. After being freed myself, I controlled the pony to go next to Venator and extend his hoof, she stared back at me with a raised eyebrow and I answered with a thumbs up. The brown tabby sighed and grabbed the hoof, together they went to the other room.

There is a very small window that I need to adapt to the borders of my technique since the actual range of Dream Module is immense, due to the objective being to imitate one of the mistress of night's dream ability. Feeling the throbbing of REM from ponies hundreds of paws above me is not comfortable at all.

Another weird thing that I need to quickly get used to is that I can feel the 'dream walker,' not see or hear, but feel and even control their dream. With certain mental twists of the REM web I can cause some twists and change the dream they are currently having, the effect is reflected by the movement in the awake world. Marionette's with extra steps, even if I am somehow able to control like I was a master at it before, I'm not quite used to the burden. My body just feels so heavy by carrying their dreams... But I won't stand still. I quickly run to the other newly formed dream walkers and start cutting their ties with my claws one by one.

After the last one was free, I made them rush with me close to the wall of the door, there I peeked inside.

A dark red circle with burning black flames at the center, pipes ran at the ceiling like thousands of snakes but most importantly, there was that black unicorn with a crimson mane and eyes from before, with a hooded figure at his side that could be either a pegasi or earth pony. Both of them were a few paws away from the dream walker, "Zaza, are you going to pass me the livestock or..?" The unidentifiable hooded cultist spoke, I could see the two bloody chainsaws at his side...

And our exit right behind him "Why aren't you-" A thought is all it's needed for the dream walker to jump at his ally, the hooded pony was faster than I thought- wait, is that another hoof coming out of his back?!

~RANDANDANDA-~

He impaled the leaping pony and lifted him with his chainsaw, before tossing him to the flames. There was no sound of him ever hitting the ground.

By 06... "Bah, this hood is just getting in the way." The robbed pony threw his robe into the fire as well and- WAIT IS THAT THE CLOWN FROM YESTERDAY? "Mhmm, Much better Skittles-"

"Who's that?" The dark pony snorted, then brushed his crimson mane with a hoof.

Guffaw sighed, "Okay, Daark Heaart." His voice distorted to that of a child, "Grab the fellian and-" Okay, that's my cue! I jump in followed by three other fellians- "-And it seems like we got a little rebellion." And held my paws up to my mouth. Venator seemed to understand. "Wait, wasn't that the one you tested that enchanted bat with?" I took a deep breath.

Lowered my paws, "Yeah! I swore I tore half of his-" And breathed out. Crimson gas washed the room and a new supply of REM quickly tugged on my mind. The strength increased too much, I barely needed to concentrate the gas now... If I were to accidentally-

~Randandanan!~

I ran toward Venator and pulled her back, the sound of a chainsaw echoing throughout the room, "Hmm. This fog gives quite the buck." The voice of an old lady.

My ears flicked then- to my side! I turned to see a chainsaw inches away from connecting to my face and-

~Clang!~

A blue hue flicked the chainsaw away, oh I nearly had a heart attack by Luna... No time to waste. I reach for the new REM and tug it like a puppet, the new Dreamwalker begins to trot to where the chainsaw came from "Hahaha! So that's why Zaza tried to tackle me!" He hit nothing. The gas slowly began to fall to the ground, "Didn't know fellians could learn this type of magic, next time we'll tie their mouths too then." I need it to go down faster! I quickly tugged the web of new REM, and immediately felt my weight triple, but all I needed was a quick action, I made Skittles ignite his horn, pushing all the fog down with a mighty telekinetic force! That, sadly, included all of us too though. "Ugh!"

The unicorn dream walker fell right after with me releasing control. I quickly rose and saw the monstrosity in front of me. It was pony-shaped, for sure. But his skin, no, it had no skin - it was formed purely out of flesh, an eye placed at every few paws of space on his body, four flesh tendrils coming out of his back with white sharp bone at its tips, he had three mouths, one where it should be and two other where his eyes should be, while two eyes were at his cheeks. Was Guffaw a demon from the start, or did that thing take his place?

Lesser Demon: Guffaw(?) Metamorphos.

His flesh squirmed like parasitic larvae bursting out of a body - fluids red and yellow flowing out from every orifice of his body, with squeaks and gurgles coming out each of his mouths, yet, that sight, these sounds were nothing compared to the smell of weeks old decomposing body, rotten egg and flesh alike mixed in a unique putrid scent that no living creature should smell like. My ears flicked at the sound of something liquid, intense gasping and regurgitating behind me, Venator had vomited. I could only barely gulp down the Bile, feeling it rush down my throat was not pleasant.

Yet a feeling arose from that monstrosity, a feeling of challenge. I closed my eyes and did my best to shoo away what wasn't me. When I opened them again The flesh had morphed, taking the color of a snow-white coat and a flaming red mane that was no short of a bird's nest, muscles started to reform from meek to ones that spoke years' worth of training nonstop, yet, they weren't big, they were strong. But that was nothing to the long white wings, each feather perfectly ordained, a single flap made a small breeze on the room. "Isn't this your friend? I have never copied a body so potent." The chainsaw that once was on her tentacles was now under her forehooves, I need to grab Venator and run away- I need to- I-I can't move. Is this some sort of demonic spell?

A chuckle, good-heartedly. She sounded just like Jet. "Aw, are you scared?" But besides that, that is where similarities end. His flight was amateurish, no, even calling it that would be an insult to newborn foals. He lacks the grace and confidence Jet has while flying, She- No, it had no right to take her face! "Tsk." I took a deep breath. That thing isn't Jet.

But it looks like her... I took a deep, slow breath. I'm not going to hurt a friend. I'm doing this to survive.

"So..?" Venator asked, slowly wiping her mouth and avoiding any contact with Guffaw.

"To the door." I will save their dreams from this monster.

I can do this. "You're not staying behind." Venator tightly grabbed my paw. This will be a bit difficult, but... I tug the REM strings and the cultist slowly gets up. With Venator pulling me, moving was less of a hassle.

Guffaw revs his chainsaw, "Alright, enough chit-chat!" His wings flapped and he dive-bombed forward- Only to be slammed to the ground by cheer unicorn telekinetic power. "Kah- Aahhhhh!" A-and the chainsaw Guffaw was holding- I-I didn't know Jet could scream like that-

~Crrrraack!~

My belly felt like a caved pitfall, Skittle's horn had just cracked, and while I couldn't see through his eyes, his dreams stopped abruptly... Is he..? "We need to go!" Venator pulled me close to the door, and screams of pain and the churning of flesh being torn filled the room... The dream walkers!

With a mental tug, they follow right behind us. "Keep your head straight, alright?" Venator patted my shoulder and let go of my paw to open the door. A metal door that was rust-infested to the point I could smell the oxidation, "Hnngh- This-" Venator let go of the knob and kicked the door, "This hunk of metal- could you lend me some paws?" She stared at the dream walkers with a blank face, "Please?" Annoyed face!

I quickly sent the dream walkers beside the cultist to the door, for that one I just relinquished control over. "You..!" I hastily turned around and Guffaw, with a hole so large in his chest that his intestines slipped out, had gotten up. The chainsaw at the side had broken down. "You fuck!" Venator, go faster please- "I'll tear you open!" His body morphed, the hole on his stomach closed and two new hooves popped at his side, mouths and eyes started to form all over his body crying pus or barfing... A lot of saliva?

In an instant, the smell of the room felt rotten then it smelt like iron- I reached a paw for my nose and it came back red.

"Shit- It's sulfuric acid, don't breathe!" That's easy for you to say-

"Cough-" I gasped for air as blood suddenly filled my lungs, I began barfing it out, "Cough- Cough cough!"

"Pffffhahahaha!" Guffaw ran towards the chainsaw he had thrown at me earlier, "I'll tear you~ tear you~ A-part!"

"Cough!" I gasped for air and by the second I felt my head fill with something. It was hard to think-

Venator grasped my paw, "Come on!" Pulling me over to the door.

Oh, the dream walkers. I can't leave them behind, could I?

They're just puppets, not worth our time.

Yes, I just feel so tired... They'll be fine. "Are they coming or not?" I stared at Venator holding my paw, "We can't leave them behind!" Oh, okay.

I pull the strings and take all dream walkers out, "NOT SO FAST!" Guffaw began to change his body structure to one more arachnid in nature. Flesh tentacles burst from his neck, they held the chainsaw.

But we got out of that room first, Venator kicked the door shut after the last dream walker got out.

Oh boy, I'm glad I can't smell anything right at the moment because this place surely looks disgusting. Pipes craft with and by rust, cockroaches, centipedes, rats, and spiders, the concrete ground had leftovers of paper, plastic, some tools, a half-eaten sandwich, and cigars - plus the sound of rushing water ahead could only make me imagine how the sewer river actually looks like- "Buddy, the exit!" Oh yeah... I shook my head, my nose still bleeding... I don't think Mend can fix this.

~Bang!~

"You can't hold on forever!" Guffaw shouted from the door, "After I get my hooves on you I'll fucking kill you!"

~Bang!~

The door opened slightly cracked open with a green hoof passing through, "Faster! Look for the exit faster!" I sent my clones to aid Venator holding the door, crushing the hoof.

"Gaah!" Right, exit. Where- Oh for critter's sake. A pristine, shining ladder of hope... On the other side of the green lake.

"Vena- Cough-!" My body feels like it's made out of lead...

"Hold on, we're almost out!" She let go of the door and took a hammer that was on the ground, "Can you jump?" hmmrgh- What would Kickin' do in a situation like this? "Celestia..." Venator looks at me up and down. "Okay, okay. You'll be fine, just stick with me." Why are you saying that-

"Cough-"

~Bang!~

Venator held me, "Stick with me, okay? I can't keep my reputation as the best newscat around without a first-paw interview with you." She looked back at the door, "Well get through this together."

Oh, right. Kickin' would push through for his friends. All... All of them would do that.

~BANG!~

Venator looked at the door and then to the ladder, "Let's jump." She let go of me and I nearly fell. With a bit of start-up, she ran, jumped, and landed perfectly close to the ladder, "I'll get the stallionhole opened up, you jump with all of them together okay?" She began to climb up.

I can do this. Be brave like Hoppy! And tenacious like Dogday! I can do this!

Wobbling, I got some distance for a start-up, then fell to all my fours. This will be a bit easy, one paw after the next... One paw after the next. I'm ready.

At once, all dream walkers let go of the door and it flew from its hinges right after, "I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!" Then we ran.
This will be easy, there should be quite a few critters as athletic as I am right now, this will be easy! We jumped together but didn't land together as my knee hit the border of the other side.

It... Surprisingly didn't hurt? I tried to stand up but fell- No time to waste, then, I sent the Dreamwalkers ahead, "You-" And took in a deep breath. "will die by-" If I were to condense a bit more it might just take him down but... "my hooves!" It would be fatal for them... Then, smokescreen!

In a few seconds was all it took for me to flood the... entirety of this section? Probably less- "YOU FUCK!" Bobby would have a pleasure washing your mouth. Then I heard a splash followed by water drops splashing on my back.

Ew.

By now the last dream walker had escaped, so I got to crawling until I felt the wall and the ladder built into it.

This will be tricky with only one leg... "WHERE ARE YOU!?" But I have time. One at a time, slowly... "WHERE IN TARTARUS ARE YOU!?" One step after the next, I could see the moonlight shining through, Venator reached her paw and I gladly took it-

"Found you." Something bit my leg, but there was no pain. I felt dazed.

I felt my leg elongate a bit, then a lot seeped out, "Shit- Okay, calm. Hold still!" Venator lifted her arm that had her hammer, then threw it down.

"OW- YOU FUCK-!" His grip suddenly loosened and Venator wasted no time to immediately pull me up and drop me with a gasp. Ow. I flipped around and got a good look at my leg - it was only connected by a thin flesh strip, bone and muscle severed... Is this why I feel so sleepy?

"Y-your-" A raging roar from below pulled her from whatever thought she was about to voice, she hurriedly picked the stallionhole and closed the entrance to the sewers, and just to be sure, stood above it.

Multiple bangs followed, "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, NEWSCAT! I'LL TEAR YOU APART!" Venator wasn't bothered by the slightest. "I KNOW WHERE YOUR BROTHER LIVES!" Now she flinched, her ears dropped slightly as her snout scrunched to a sneer. "I'LL THROW HIS MANGLED CORPSE-"

"Shut up!" Everything just feels so hazy... "You have no rights to-" I could just sleep... For a bit.

You can't keep sleeping all Sunday long! It's in the name! SUN-day! It's playing day, get out of that tree Catnap!

It's nice to do some exercises sometime.

I even brought some juice boxes for every critter after we're done!

Why can't you guys ever let me sleep? "Hey... Can you grab my leg?"

"Whuh?!" Venator nearly jumped and then flinched, "Oh Tartarus- we need to get you to a hospital and-"

"Just grab my leg." She raised an eyebrow, "Grab and put it like... Like it was right."

"Huh?" She looked at the small blood pool that was forming under my leg... Probably. I can't quite feel it.

"Like a jigsaw puzzle."

"I'M STILL HERE YOU FUC-"

Venator cut him short, "Shut the heck up!" I began to send all the dream walkers to stand on top of the stallionhole, she stepped away if a bit concerned. "Are- are you sure? I don't think I should touch it and-"

"Just do it, please."

The brown tabby grabbed my loose leg, her paws slightly shaking as she connected with the upper half of my leg, "This... is the knee right..? So it should be like this?" She turned my leg around a bit.

That looks about right. So, on the good side, Mend should still fix this. On the bad side, I'm out of Life.

Still have enough REM I siphoned from earlier though. This is going to suck. The REM stored at my first circuit started to swirl and divide itself, going both to my brain and heart. "So... What now?" Slowly, for every... four 'wisps' of REM one of Life was made, "Buddy?" It was a near-instantaneous conversion, but still, I was at two-fifths of my capacity I also felt a bit tipsy. It will do.

I remember once when I first met the crew we went to play tag on the outskirts of town, there me and Dogday got lost in the forest, we argued so much but in the end, became true friends. Life has a purpose, I recall the old scripture that monk once sold me, a simple yet effective method to use Life to mend wounds. Compared to other wasteful Arcanic auxiliary techniques, this was the best.

Did he have any descendants? Probably not, mules weren't popular back then... "W-wha-how-" I still feel sleepy, my nose still feels like it's bleeding. "How did you heal- what-" I try to fold my leg and it does smoothly.

She did a great job. "Thanks."

"How-" She shook her head, "That's what friends are for." Are we friends? See! Dogday, I did! I made a new friend! "Hey- Don't sleep, if you do-" I don't think you'll ever meet my new friends though, Dogday.

The rest would sure be happy to meet them too. "Hey!" I can't wait to go back... And tell them.

"What in tartarus you mean the livestock ESCAPED?!" I banged my hoof against the fine mahogany table, and the many trinkets from Baltimare, Manehattan, and Trottingham shook and nearly fell. On a side note, the expensive paintings on the wall did fall, slightly tearing the purple-gold paint in the process.

The grandfather began ringing. Eleven o'clock.

At my front, in a specifically designed chair to make the visitor uncomfortable, sat Butterfly. The 'Master of Disguise' sent by the Crystal Empire, Sombra never makes mistakes when he converts ponies, but this one is especially lackluster. Butterfly was now in the form of a small yellow filly earth pony, "T-the purple cat! He was an arcanist-" Yet his voice sounded like a drunk old man, why in the tartarus does he do that?!

"WHAT!? AND YOU LET AN ARCANIST GET AWAY?!" I nearly threw one of the expensive mini statues of a pegasi at Butterfly "Lord Sombra will be displeased to hear that his empire will take even longer to return..."

I stood up from my chair and turned my back, the mare in the moon shined brightly tonight, "It wasn't one of the Round Table warriors or the Engan Clan was it?"

"No, his arcane art seemed to be some sort of gas that puts one to sleep and then being capable of controlling those." So a master-grade arcane art... Where would a rogue find something like that?

I felt a tear sliding down my cheek, "Um, sir?"

"Why do I have to keep dealing with this?! Lord Sombra will be terribly upset now..." Then I stared back at him, "IT'S YOUR FAULT!" I jumped on the table, promptly knocking a plethora of trinkets to the ground, and slapped her across the cheek, "IF CELESTIA FINDS OUT ABOUT OUR OPERATION-" I curled up in a ball, and whimpered... "I don't know what to do..."

"Sir-"

"THE FUCK YOU WANT?!" I stood up and grabbed her by the neck.

"The livestock from Manehatten have been plentiful, even with our mishap the empire is to return sooner than expected." Oh. I let go of Butterfly, he began to change his body again, but the squirming never really settled right in my ears.

"Right. I'll send the good police to knock on their door and take the... Purple fellian?" I looked at Butterfly and he nodded, his new appearance of one of the Insurgence officers we sacrificed a few days earlier, brown coat and green mane with a small stubby horn. "Purple fellian tomorrow."

"If it goes wrong, we could always call it a demon." I raised an eyebrow, "The side effect of his arcane art seems to turn his eyes black and white. Plus, purple is unusual for fellians."

"Great thinking Butterfly!" I chirped, "Shoo now, I got an operation to set up." Butterfly nodded and skedaddled away.

So much to do, so much to plan... Oh lord Sombra, I cannot wait for your return!

Author's Note

I feel it—the pulsating, writhing of neurons receiving and transmitting, like little baby birds receiving worms from their parents.

What I mean is, I have an idea. Gonna try something new so the next chap might take extra long, but eh, it won't be that long. Might post again this month(No promises)!

Oh, right! Did you guys find any misplaced Leo? He was there on the mail at this chapter v1, if you do, do tell me! We must put that fur ball in his litterbox as fast as plausible possible!

Also, The spaces were messed up so it was all one big text when I first put everything here, so if you do find something that needs to become a paragraph, don't be afraid to tell!

I think that's all! Have a great day/night.

Day 1: A Run for Curiosity

For some time now, I have been wondering: Do sloth critters understand how annoying it is to try EVERY DARN TRICK IN THE BOOK and fail to drift toward the stars?

Even worse, would a normal critter understand how utterly irritating it is to be called Catnap but be unable to, catnap? Funny right? I don't think so, it's horrible! Just like when my brother keeps my stuff on the top shelf because he knows I won't be able to reach it - it's unnecessary, a waste of time, and horrible! You know what?! the line of horrible has long been jumped, burned, thrashed, eaten, and spat over! It's beyond horrible! It's torture!

I'm inclined to believe that my existence has become a cosmic joke. A cat that cannot sleep? Hilarious!

....

Alright, that checks venting out, next is.. rambling.

Ahem...

This is my predicament. Cursed to blankly stare at the ceiling of my friend's house- well castle. Crafty parents are well-known mages and have quite the library downstairs too, it's a shame that we cannot go there due to magical shenanigans, according to Crafty, besides that, the castle is surrounded by a lake with crocs living in it, like those medieval movie castles! That's so cool! It's, like, you know what that means? It means Crafty's rich!

That left me and the others with gaping mouths when we arrived here. Since she frequents public school and all.

...Rambling is crossed out too. What didn't I try- Oh, counting sheep!

One sheep... Two sheep... One Sweetsheep selling lemonades... One dollar and fifty cents in my pocket...

Never mind, all I got was a headache - not one that would make a critter want to sleep though.

Next, is to try and think of something that I hate, such as Catbee's addiction to chocolate chip cookies and her audacity to attempt framing Dogday of eating her homework, lucky her that Miss Delight put her in detention.

Still, with the sheer audacity of that hybrid, I accompany Dogday every weekday - watch him eat to make sure he's healthy, before waiting outside his house so that we can walk together to school, I knew he had eaten two portions of beef, lettuce, carrots, and drink grape juice that day.

~Grumble~

Ugh... Now I'm hungry! Hate brought no sleep, so something that made me bitter instead should work..? Let's see, Catfeine's ability to drink coffee. If I drink coffee, all I get is hospitalized for a week. Absolutely unfair. All cats should have been equal.

"Haaa." For the thousandth time, I roll over to the side and face Hoppy, who has a peaceful smile while sleeping. For a bunny so energetic, she sure sleeps like Bobby.

...

What did I accomplish doing all of that? Nothing!

This will not do, I grumbled and rolled back sitting on the sleeping back, gently brushing aside the blankets, and stood up, shivering slightly at the smack of the cold of the night gave me.

Crafty's room has some art material, canvas, paintbrushes, and ink buckets carefully put into a corner while her bed was a fancy canopy bed you'd see in a medieval play. Either way, Crafty has bed privileges since it's her home, we all agreed on that. Nonetheless, I feel that is a bit unfair, so, to even out, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I took a minuscule gaze at the 'forbidden' library and organized a few books for her.

Ah, the prospect of exploring forbidden places has quite a thrill. My tail could be wagging like that of a dog right now!

Focus Catnap, you are doing this to help your friend and get some sleep!

I looked over to the door and at those between me and marvelous secret books, which were Bubba, Bobby, Dogday, Picky, and a sleeping Kickin' lying in my way. However, there is nothing to worry about thanks to my arduous jogging and gymnastics done with Hoppy every Monday morning, this will be easy game.

I take a few steps back before bursting forward, jumping, and doing a flip before perfectly landing in front of the door, a smile dug into my face. Learning about doing flips was pretty fun! Got it first try, and Hoppy reaction was golden!

Before opening the door, I take in a deep breath as my spirit feels obliged to say this, "I'll see you all tomorrow," to the best friends in the whole world.

The wooden door swayed gently inwards with a slight pull, once fully opened a small drawing of a unicorn revealed itself with a big smile plastered on its surface glowing with creativity on the door.

The door closed with a low click, outside a dark hallway lit by torches burning with majestic purple flames, this fire had already captured my attention for the first five times, and now a sixth. The coloration comes from igniting mana dust, don't know what mana is but it sounds fancy.

With the purple flames being my only company, I moved to the right and began my descension through the spiral staircase, the cold carried by the night felt like gentle strokes from Mom, that and the ambient itself were soothing, so much so I don't even notice arriving at the ground floor! In front of me, there's a doorway that leads to the main hall which further leads to the exit, kitchen, or other of the four towers, but the staircase continues downwards, at the rock bottom is where my curiosity resides.

I take a last glance upstairs before staring downstairs where hidden and mysterious knowledge resides..! Forget walking, I rushed down like lightning, skipping a step or two but careful enough not to fall, thanks once again to Hoppy's morning jogs improving my endurance, there are barely any signs of exhaustion taken from the other minutes of descending, and those 'barely signs' turned redundant at the sight of a golden shining wooden door five times my size, its absolute glamor rendered my eyes incapacitated from looking anywhere else but at the awesome door. Never in my life, would I have thought that entering a library would be so exciting!

Wonders and wonders, so much ancient forbidden knowledge that could be behind that door! Like the guide to beat up your older brother! However I wouldn't take anything, it's Crafty stuff after all.. But surely she would appreciate it, if, let's say a friendly critter put a few misplaced books in order. My paw is itching for some organizing, ohoho... Ahem, I mean, itching to pull the door knob! And I was about to but halted, as for once, a sign was roughly nailed on the door written, 'Do not enter,' and, 'Push!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Well, what an exaggeration of exclamation points.

Therefore, feeling rebellious, I pulled first. Then pushed, the door opened leaving me flabbergasted, my expectations were a dark room lit by the same purple fire torches with a few shelves here and there, not a golden radiance that brightened the whole room ahead.

Azure and crimson butterflies flew around, leaving a trail of white sparkling glitter that dispersed on the ground, oak shelves filled with knowledge. Besides that, just by opening the door, I could smell home, Mom baking one of her strawberry cakes, the dusty old sofa we had, and... My friends. When I stepped inside it felt like a cozy picnic with Bobby and the others... It took me a second to realize I was inside, shelves occupied all of my vision, the occasional butterfly even flew was the prettiest thing I have ever seen... Why did Crafty say this place was forbidden? This place is cool!

Now... to organize a few books! I approached the nearest shelf, with paws itching for books to organize, the first book was snatched with lightning speed, and it was: 'Nekonomicon,' However, as I flipped the pages my face cringed, the book is filled with swirls, circles upon circles, and stars. I placed the book back and picked another book from the same shelf, 'Guide to Creating Your Very Own Pocket Dimension' This time it was written in cuneiform. What a bummer.

It felt like my curiosity was jumped by five critters and beaten down to a pulp. What a letdown, I would've explored further however, my expectations were more demolished than Playcare. Books with random pictures and ramblings, I don't think even Bubba would want them. At least this place is nice.

"Yawn~"

Wait..! Yes, yes, yes! I'm cured! Bed here I come!

gleefully turning around, ready to go back to my bed and sleep like a rock, but.. The door's gone? It was just right there.

I did not take any turns and just grabbed the nearest book from the nearest shelf, it should've been here.

It could still be there though, illusionist are a thing. Maybe Crafty parents are very good illusionists!

Maybe if I approach the wall slowly, it will reveal a door? Hmm, no, how about rubbing my paw against it? Feel as raspy and Stoney as any concrete wall should be.

...

Oh, oh no.

I looked behind and the sea of shelves flourished for what seemed forever... A way out must be out there somewhere!

Right?

Right! I have read this in a few fantasy books, the door should've changed locations or something.

Calm down, breathe in, don't panic, there should be an easy solution... Bubba would've already known a way to find the exit by now, and it would be a way so under the nose and simple that anyone could've done it.

A simple solution for escaping an enchanted library... Dogday always threw all his ideas on the writing board and picked the best ones and Bubba always told me to think outside my litter box...

Aha! I could.. Search for a teleportation spell book! No, no, that won't work, these books are only mumbo jumbo. Then, jump on top of a shelf to have a bird's eye view? That would work if it wasn't dangerous, plus my terrible streak of being stuck on top of branches has yet to be broken, without Kickin' to pick me up I would be stuck... Maybe just following the wall..!

Yes, follow the wall! If I go around the wall, then eventually I will find the exit! Thank you, Bubba, Dogday!

Now a direction.. Hmm, the only direction to go is the right direction of course! Let's go.

While traversing the library, I briefly took glances at the shelves which were like grains of sand in a desert - of course, it is a library you dum-dum - a seemingly endless one, Though, occasionally I grabbed a book from a nearby shelf, and read its title, then put it back, as so far, nothing readable was found.

'Quick & Easy Catnapping Spells!' Hey, that's my name! This was amusing enough to open to steal a look, however, it was just multiple images of normal cats sleeping with some mandalas, I sighed and put back the book.
Back to the wall then.

...

The sun might rise before I rise away from this pleasureful-wretched library. At least the book titles are a nice pass-time, 'Basics on Surfing and Wave-Lenght Spells.' Huh.

It was a shame most of the books were unreadable gibberish. Or maybe a made-up language to hide powerful magic! Crafty should know something about it, maybe I can ask her after-

~Tud~

I'm sure Crafty wouldn't mind if I left a book on the floor, but what was in front of me was like a surprise gift from a friend, receiving chocolate eggs before easter, or early Christmas gifts! After walking who knows how long, An exit finally emerged!

So, without much thought, I rammed into it with a smile and with enough force that no sane critter would dare to use at night, needless to say, the big strong me rammed open the door and fell(That's a lie, cats never fall) head first into stone.

I got up after my impromptu falling sketch, rubbing my itching head whilst looking forward and I was met with a dark corridor.

A corridor that seems to be stretched for multiple apartment blocks or just a few steps. I haven't descended that far underground, if it stretched too much it would hit the lake that surrounded the castle, but it hasn't, probably. Therefore it was just the corridor that gave the idea of forever-stretching and the golden radiance gone replaced by torches whose brilliance was as reliable as pre-ordering triple-A games. Something my brother would know.

Bam!

My spine shivered, instinct kicked in and my head turned to the source.. or lack of source from where the sound came. The door, once again, was gone and with it the light.

I wiped my eyes and hoped the door came back. I blinked multiple times hoping it was some form of.. of..

Stupid, stupid! Why I didn't think of looking before coming in- Why I didn't turn back the moment I noticed that this place was no exit! Why-why... Why can't I do anything right?!

I-I.. L-later. I can think later. Keep those thoughts grounded.. The only way is forward, don't look back.

Darkness covered with multiple blankets, each step I took became heavier than the other, the only way to know that I wasn't going to bump into a wall was the flames that danced and swam on the brink of growing into a blazing inferno and snuffing out like fragile candle-fire, however not sharing its radiance with their surroundings. Each torch was about the same distance and mirrored at the other side of the wall - all in all, they were more decorations than sources of light.

Each step echoed soundlessly throughout the walls, my ears pressed against my head and my long tail wrapped around my waist as an assurance I won't trip on it.

Darkness and the lack of sound weren't the worst, it was just like my room, however, it grew colder as I ventured deeper - so far my fur could keep me somewhat warm, but it was still shivering cold, I kept my arms close to keep whatever warmth they had from leaving... Just by breathing the air, my throat felt prickled by needles.

The lack of ambiance is a bad thing, it leaves room for thoughts, and no positive thoughts will come out of my lack of hindsight. Nonetheless, the cold can keep my head from sailing through the storm clouds.

My tail shifted unsteadily around my waist I tried to shrug off the cold thinking of beaches and warm places or my friends waiting me up there... Even so, no matter how much I tried to copy Bubba's tenacity, my guts twisted and churned, this cold is not natural, I looked at one of the torches greedily keeping the fire for itself, 'If only any these torches were actually useful- wait, is that?' Ahead, two torches broke the pattern, staying relatively close side-by-side.

Once in front, or rather, in the middle of both torches, a small glass cube hiding amidst the shadows barely showed itself with the limited radiance the torches released.

My paw reached and rubbed the glass, it felt humid and cold, not unexpected-

~Cling!~

Something fell and hit my feet, the sudden pain made my tail untangle more out of a small spook than actual pain, nonetheless, I was curious and reached for what had struck me.

As it was still on my feet, it wasn't hard to retrieve and put it against the embers of the torches, if only to barely illuminate something recognizable.

It revealed to be a metal plate, the torches barely made some words legible on said plate. 'Mana Classification F: Misfortune Amulet' This.. is what is inside? So there is some sort of artifact depository inside the library? This is a tad bit more interesting... If only the way out didn't play hide-'n-seek and it didn't feel like hiking Everest.

Using my tail as a belt will do, even if the metal plate is a little cold...

The cold did get worse as I moved deeper, to the point it felt like burning, but not painful - just uncomfortable. It took me a hundred steps - I think - to get to the other artifact, 'Mana Classification B: Future Glasses' then a few more steps, 'Mana Classification A; Writer's Pen,' It's becoming more frequent... And cold, 'Mana Classification A: Book of Imagination,' If there is an exit, will I be able to reach it? 'Mana Classification S: Hour of Joy.'

Many artifacts of different shapes, forms, and utilities seem to be stored here, therefore an artifact map that could guide me out is not an out-of-the-world idea. Still.. The worst that could happen is having to wait for someone to pick me up... Or, or... No, finding an artifact is more safe than waiting.

There was a misfortune amulet, so there could be a fortune one also, if I can find an S-rank one, it might be my ticket out.

Among the plethora of unique but weird artifacts, one of them begs me to hit the brakes, 'Mana Classification S: Almanac Of Worlds.' An almanac is usually a calendar containing important dates n' stuff, however, I have already picked up an almanac with a map before...

Now, if only there was enough light to ease my life... My paws reach for the glass, but out of expectation a current of pain charges through my arms when I touch the glass

"Shit-" My paws came off immediately and covered my mouth, Each hair strand from my body tensed up as I quickly glanced at both sides only to remember that I'm alone, nobody besides myself could hear anything, thank 06.

That was a close one... Phew. Once that was done, my attention drifted back to the glass, when I touched it, it felt like touching the mouth of a shower, but more painful and less... Grabby?

Now, this is a problem. What would Bubba do?

Well, first Bubba wouldn't invade her friend's private rooms.

Ugh... Alright, I got this. The tip of my tail wrapped around the metal plate and hurled the metal plate at the glass like a slingshot. Sometimes I wonder how my tail got stronger than my arms...

The cries of electricity and shattered glass echo through the corridor... The list of apologies owed to Crafty just seems to keep growing...

But at least, I will be able to apologize! Now show my way out..!

My paws stretched for the now broken glass cube, though something unpleasant pricked one of my beans - ouch. Of course, I immediately sucked on the finger and stretched my tail, reaching at the generally thrown directly and slowly pressing to feel where the crack was, some moments of prodding aaand my tail is safely inside. Now, I don't know how it is for other critter cats, but for me, grabbing things with my tail is second nature.

Welp, with the stressful bit done, I pulled back the Almanac then took it from my tail, with my paws trembling- Ahem, firmly getting a hold of the almanac, Its cover felt old and fragile, on the verge of crumbling much like wet paper however, contradictory to that, it also had a softness and warmth.

Finally, a way out on paws. I caress the almanac's cover before opening it with the care that a gardener would have with a delicate flower, then a golden glow breached outwards, and - it's empty. Why? An artifact shouldn't need magic knowledge to use, right??

...

C'mon, work! Alakazam! Abracadabra! Boom-shaka-laka!!

Do something... Please!

...

W-what would Dogday do- What would any of them do?

'They wouldn't have broken into their friend's private room.'

Rip~

The book! I-I didn't mean to rip it! What will Crafty think of me now? This shouldn't be expensive, it's an old book so..;

I turn around and lift the book against the torch to see the damage, half the page is falling off with small drops of blood at the corner. It's bad, it-

~Boom~

~Gasp~

The sudden burst of light forced me to shut my eyes, this is bad- wait huh?

~Weeeng~

W-where's the ground?!

Air, I need air!

"Cough- Cough, cough!" I attempted to get another serving of air, yet the bitterness rising from my stomach forced me to... Release the dinner precociously.

"Blergh- Cough-" My lungs expanded and drew in all the air they could obtain, "Cought-" However my stomach stopped the process again.

This is the worst. This acid taste is all over my tongue, and nose, if it wasn't for my partial suffocation, then, instead, I would've been spitting to clear my tongue. On the plus side, there shouldn't be anything else to regurgitate, on the negative side, I need water. A lot of water. Ugh, my eyes are still burning.

A running river shouldn't be far, a few birds are chirping nearby- wait, birds?

Grass?

Morning breezes?!

Leaves dancing?!

Sun?!

It worked!

This is the best!

Wait no, I blacked out for too long- Does fainting count as sleep? Doesn't matter, the sooner I find Crafty Castle the better.

I stood up and stretched all of my body until I heard a pop, "Pitui!" At that, I'm finally free from the horrid taste of digested dinner!

Hum, where to find Crafty's castle now? I don't remember it being anywhere near a swamp though.. Ew. But I do remember the castle having crocs on their lake, so this should be where they got 'em! Therefore, the castle is nearby-

~Swivel~

~Rustle~

The whole bush swayed violently, just my luck. However, with the craftiness of the fabulous cat that I am (Still need to thank Kickin' for the self-esteem classes), I took a deep breath and immediately concocted a new batch of Dream Gass™ and held it within. This should be enough to take care of a bear. Hopefully no Bobby relative.

~Rustle~

Not yet.

~Rustle~

A bit more, it's close, from the rattles and leaves crunched, it should be right about..

~Rustle~

Now! Without a second more, I exhale all of my gas, covering the bush and a tree bit further behind.

After a few seconds, the gas began to die down to reveal...

~Squeak!~

A squirl? "What?" It looked like a drunk old critter swaying around until at last it spun falling on its back, snoring peacefully. That's weird, I could've sworn that the sound was made at least by a bear-

~Kaboom!!!~

Multiple wooden splitters flew out as two arms, black and white, tore through it, then swept the WHOLE FRICKIN TREE to the side, the perpetrator of this pure display of power was a flying bear with four arms, half of its torso black with two black-furred arms, its head white furred but with his eyes struggling to keep open, and lower half white furred with two white arms, there a huge wasp stinger leaking droplets of, probably poison, accompanied with two short black legs.

Besides the sheer strength that thing had, the fact that it could fly was already impressive.

I took in another breath, but by the time I was done, I had to let go of everything prematurely to avoid decapitation.

Plan B then, turn around and blitz as fast as I can!

~Kaboom~

I look behind to see the thing hurling - holy 06, ITS THROWING THE WHOLE FRICKIN' TREE! I jumped to the side, avoiding possible... No use thinking, keep running! It took me a while to build up bravery to look back but when I did, the whole thing was almost catching up to me!

Now, besides, let's say, Hoppy, Kickin, and Dogday, no critter would win a race against me. Well, sure there are critters faster than them but-

My ears flicker and I hastily throw myself to the ground and let it pass above me, crashing- No, tearing apart the tree with its sheer weight. I gulped down and ran the other way as fast as I could.

After I stop hearing the sound of beating wings, I sit down behind a tree, my lungs burning and my legs aching. That was a close one-

~Rustle~

~Kaboom~

Just in time, I leaped away avoiding being Impaled by two arms as the tree had become a donut. The bear didn't bother taking its arms back as it swiped, again, the whole frickin' tree away!

But, how did it find m- Oh, sweat. Great.

Hiding won't work then, and I would need a minimum of five minutes of rest before using Dream Gas effectively again.

There should be a way-

Once more, I ducked just in time as a few strands of my fur were cut. Run, think later. My legs screamed bloody insults at me but were promptly ignored as adrenaline ran through my veins like racing cars. It can't catch me yet as my gas still is in effect, but for how long will it stay that way?

~Kaboom~

Avoiding the local flora proved somewhat difficult, bushes and branches had already filled me with scratches, each step I took made my legs feel more like weights than actual legs... Nonetheless, resting isn't an option, that thing is hot on my tail.

Actually.. I took a brief look back to see that the bugbear thing was slowing down, which prompted me to flip him off, that sucker must be tired. But its mouth slowly forms a grin of his own. Well, a sore loser for sure. I turn back to face the path and- Oh no.

A ravine.

Alright, great. It's fine. Just... Jump over it. Hoppy did make me go through some jumping to 'reach the moon,' so a ravine is fine. Absolutely, fine. Absolutely jumpable.

Cats have nine lives, right?

Each step taken put weights on my knees, sweat nearly drenched my being, and finally, when I was a few steps away, I noticed how far apart the other side was, stopping was not an option, not because of my speed but rather because I don't know if I could start to run again. Turning around would have me get tackled by the bugbear, that's why that fffffricker slowed down, to laugh at me falling!

But I won't fall! Even if my legs felt like the heaviest alloy!

However, I won't make it with this speed. If I turn, it will be the same as trying to jump... If only there was a way to get more speed...

More speed! I got this, this might be a little humiliating, but nobody is around... Alright!

I threw my upper body forward and began to run like.. a cat. It's not that a critter body isn't built to walk on all fours, but, it's considered childish. Even if it provides more benefits to the back in the later years. Most critters forget how to walk like this too, as only toddlers do. But me and Dogday do this when we play fetch, it's our little secret.

Now, all I can do is pray that this is enough.

Until the very edge, I didn't know if I had enough speed but I leaped anyway, the greatest leap of my life. It took only a few seconds but each second felt like waiting for the dentist or doctor to call, my sight was tunneled to the other side as I didn't stare down, I dare to say even my heart stopped beating in anticipation.

At last, after hitting the grass at the other side and rolling for a few meters before hitting my head in a tree, I was happy to still be able to feel pain, be it from my legs feeling like pudding, my lungs burning, begging for air, or my throat burning from the cold air. I took a second of rest before looking back, the bugbear flying over the chasm like it was a walk in the park, its toothy smile shined brighter than the sun with a deep animalistic desire for flesh.

Immediately I got up, only to fall back to my knees halfway. I looked back once more, he was getting closer and the signs of drowsiness are all almost gone too coupled with no signs of fatigue. My gaze shifts to my knees, should have gone out with Hoppy more... No time to cry about it!

A plan to lose him is a necessity now, I can't outrun him and neither outlast him... Bubba and Dogday are the brains of the group, but if the topic is coming with something on the fly, then...

Alright. I can do this. Just keep quadruple and think of something while running.

What began with a crawl, became a walk and then a jog. My legs can't do any more sprinting, so that thing will inevitably catch up. Hiding is out of option as my sweat is a clear giveaway. Now, a distraction, something either bigger or more numerous would do.

As much as I hate using scapegoats, I don't want to die here. I can't die here.

My ears perked up and began to search the sound of any animal to use as bait, although that was proved useless as even in this dense forest, everything seemed quiet. Now contrary to my ears, my nose did pick up a strong smell. A heavy amount of it. What I do notice is the scent of iron, it was so perceptible that it was poisoning the air, which made worse with my lungs constantly demanding air.

But I ignored that, after all...

A way to live is right there, thank 06! My continuous draws of air mixed in with the scent, I turned left and kept at it for a few moments, until in front of me there was a... critter, pony-like. Gutted, intestines spilled on the ground with blood like a spilled soup, I wasn't sure if its fur was naturally red or.. My whole body froze, disgust and fascination consumed me but were briefly broken by the perpetrator, which was five wolves, four of them devouring the corpse. The five of them have odd skin with swirls and branch scars... Like wood.

But my eyes were still drawn to the mutilated corpse. It was something to hear about murder on the news, however, to get to see an actual body.. It's.. tantalizing. No, no, don't think that. It's just, curiosity, morbid curiosity.

~Awoooo~

The wolf that was not eating howled to the skies, the other wolves stopped and glared at me, their mouths still drenched in blood and their teeth being even redder, dripping blood with.. sap. How did a wolf fu- copulated with a tree for this hybrid to exist?

~Kaboom~

I closed my eyes briefly before opening them again, the bugbear stopped right behind after it entered with its signature move. Everything became silent, both parties analyzing each other while I took this time to rest and concoct a plan to use the incoming chaos in my favor.

The first move made by the wolves, as they spread in a U-formation. Next came bugbear that landed on the ground and unleashed a glass-shattering roar that had me folding my ears down and gritting my teeth.

For the plan to work, the first move must be mine, furthermore, the bugbear was too close to me, and the wooden wolves would take this as an advantage. So, I broke the viscous tension around us by rushing forward, followed by the Bugbear and then the weird wolves.

Each step taken made me see each of my friends - I'm too tired to worry about that, yet, a voice struck me.

'Don't look at your feet, it doesn't matter! Try again! To leap further, and hop the highest, you need to release the weight you put in yourself! Nothing matters when you jump, just where you will land!'

Finally, the bugbear caught up and readied a swing, however, I halted, falling and rolling over barely avoiding the strike, and with even less time to get up, but enough time. The second strike missed as I had regained my footing and leaped to the left, four of the wolves took the opportunity and mauled down the bugbear arm.

Where is the fifth?

It was a blur, the moment I turned my attention from the skirmish behind me, the wolf had already lunged at me, pinning me down.

With its mouth open to show his teeth salivating sap, it aimed for the neck but my paws acted quicker taking hold of his muzzle to push back - only to realize I couldn't, "Shit." This wolf's strength might as well be worth ten Bobby's. What the hell do I do?!

My head turned around, and sure enough, his paw was just by my side, briefly, I contemplated biting it, but it was made of wood. What else? There has to be something I didn't use- My tail! I wrapped around one of his back paws and tugged.

It didn't budge. Please, let me go!

Please... I want to see my friends again, please!

With his mouth a few inches from my throat, in desperation, I slid my arm inside, and it chomped - my mind went blank briefly from my blood now covering half of my face, "Ah-" and the pain, "Ahhh" My paw tried to pry open the jaw but it didn't budge. I tried to push him away, kick his belly, or whatever, but it just didn't budge.

The wolf stared at me like I was a steaming bun, my screams, my tears, my struggle meant nothing.

His eyes gleamed, I could swear that the corners of his jaw turned slightly up.

Wait, is he..?

No, don't!

Then it pulled "AAAHH!" Slowly tearing part of my arm off, my skin tore like old paper, bursting with deep crimson blood. I-I could see my bones while my veins, even if I escaped, what was there to do? I urged my body to do anything, but it all fell flat unresponsive - I needed to do something, anything while it was chewing! Crafty has a medkit in her kitchen, it should help, I just need to find the castle and, and- I- I can't feel anything

No! Stop!

I can't give in! I need to go back!

But there's no way back now.

There is!

Did all of this happen to me, just because I was curious?

I don't know...

It's so dark.

~Bang!~

"Seems we found it, with a guest even," I said recharging my spell.

Two disheveled earth pony stallions, twice larger than me with brown coats and leather armor came from my sides with animalistic grins that would scare any child, animal, even ponies away, they were the Hunters of Everfree: Strong Left and Strong Right.

It was a hustle hiring them for the search- we should be taking care of demons not looking for gutted fillies on the other side of the country. How far has the Insurgence fallen... Whatever. My job was to bring back the filly, whole or not.

But of course, it wouldn't be easy. "By Celestia!" A stallion, Falling Star, hid behind me, another baggage from Fillydelphia to 'legally' enter Everfree. He was the stereotypical, white-coated do-right unicorn who was a greenie, never left the office, its only worth was answering phone calls. He also hails from a snob family, being a bastard son. Figures.

By the time of my short categorization of assets, the sound of the blast spell scared the Bugbear, however, the Timberwolves still looked confident. Four to go.

"You two take care of the Timber Wolves, Star will take the corpse and I will take the Fellian." Strong Right and Left nodded, and Star scrutinized his snout in disgust. He might as well shove his horn up his ass if he won't do anything.

Both stallions galloped towards the Timberwolves with animalistic grins plastered on their face, once within range Strong Left reached forward with his mighty hoof, and the air crackled at the impact at the wooden wolf mouth with a sound almost as loud as a Blast spell, meters away leaves gently swayed from the sheer force of the impact, - the wooden wolf head blew away, cracks also had formed throughout his body only stopping midway through the sternum, however, that was not the end as the exchange launched the wolf several hoofs backward, rolling and breaking the now fragile wooden body even more. From the wolf launching itself to its now deteriorated state, the fight has not even ended in an instant.

At least not all of my companionship choices were bad ones.

Three to go.

A few seconds later than his brother, Strong Right did the same with his Timberwolf, however, the wooden wolf ducked and dodged left, just in the nick of time as the ground broke in a spider web. This brings back to an old article theorizing all Timberwolves are hive-minded, which is accurate even if most mages swear on their horns that said theory is arcane. A second Timberwolf came in trying to flank Strong Right, while I did say I would get the Fellian, useful companions come first.

My telekinesis reached another lead ball and after a quick adjustment of my spell circle and raising it four feet above the ground angled downwards, the lead ball was thrown into the circle followed by another loud explosion, the Timberwolf had as many holes as cheese. Scattershot, is a quaint yet effective variant of the Blast Spell.

Meanwhile, Strong Right threw a second punch that the timberwolf dodged, and further lunged forward for a counterattack, only for its head to be blown to splinters by Strong Left that slammed down on the poor creature.

One to go.

The last Timber wolf looked less assured at his companions not rising. That little confusion was quite adorable, the ignorance of the limitations of his kind. And look at that, Blast spell ready once again.

Its head was blown before it even realized.

"Star?" The stallion was frozen staring down at the filly. I should have picked somepony more capable.

Bright Star turned to me, his white face plastered with pure disgust and tears, "I-I-I.. I can't! Miss Dust Powder, I can't do it!" Unbelievable. I knew I should have picked his partner instead, he had a stronger stance than this mule. He shouldn't have become a police officer in the first place if he couldn't take a bit of guts and blood.

The Strong brothers and I turned our snouts away from the man child, "Strong Left?"

He growled, and he had the full right to do so. "I better get an extra for doing his job."

I rolled my eyes, "You will get double." Now that put a smile on his face, unceremoniously he scooped up the filly with his mouth and dropped it at his back like a half-filled bag of potatoes, a few guts spilled out but whatever, at least it was not me.

I approached the Fellian with pigmentation disease and cast an Effective Halt, his bleeding stopped as well as his breathing and heart, a Flesh growth potion and Blood potion should fix him. Tsk, tsk, if we had less baggage this civil could have suffered less, and I not wasted a pre-prepared time spell. But whatever, this is just part of the job.

Author's Note

Btw, Catnaps brother is called Catnip, works on a nearby multi-million dollar fast-food place, and smokes 11 packs a day.

What are you going to do with this information? I dunno. That's as much importance he's gonna get.

Btw, is there too much flavor texts? are you a flavor maniac and want more flavor texts? Or is there just enough flavor texts?

If there is something that you didn't like and think I could've done better, please do tell! And how! <;

Day 2: Layered Past

Where am I?

This place is so dark..! But I can see myself..! W-where's my arm?!

Half of my arm is gone, no blood or gore, just... swallowed by the darkness? But then... Why can I see my other arm - heck, my body, perfectly fine...?

Where are my friends? I don't want them to be worried, maybe I should've just waited where the entrance once was- was-

I did leave.

And I had to flee from something, then-

O-oh.

...

Am I dead?

~Gulp~

I-I can't be!

Would there even be anything left to find? Would they think I ran away? Would it be better to think that I ran away?

B-but I will bake cake with mom tomorrow! I promised her that... And dad would take me to work with him...

How would Dogday- any of them, feel?

I can't die yet!

But... What is there to do? What should I-

I clutched my chest and tried to breathe air, however, my lungs could only pull in the cold darkness surrounding me.

It hurt so much... but if it hurt, I am alive.

Then there should be a way out from whatever this place is.

I need to see them again, or else they will be worried...

...

~Gasp~

Each fiber felt like it was being pulled by something staticky- much like touching the screen of a box television, my eyes ponder on myself, trying to find the source - and that it was my arm.

It felt different, new even... It felt unfamiliar

"..!"

I clutched my throat, it was happening again.

Why, why is it happening again?!

It hurts, please stop..! Please!

...

~Gasp~

There is no air to breathe, however, each time I suffocate it just starts all over again... Is this hell?

T-then, I did die..?

But... I don't want to abandon them...

I-I- don't...

...

"Catnap." Huh? Where did it come from..?

~Crack~

That sound like sweet candy... "Catnap." Crafty?

~Craaaack~

Everything broke apart, shredding nothingness with boundless light- I had to close my eyes, but when I opened them, I was left. White buzzing lights, IV-Pole, and the strong smell of detergent and other cleaning products... And me on a hospital bed.

My friends were here..! "Catnap, sorry if we woke you up," My legs had a sudden surge of energy, and almost instinctively, led me to them, I wanted to hug all of them, tell them that I was sorry, tell them how much each of them is important to me, but my arms passed through them as it would with steam or smoke - and it felt like being stabbed, ten- N-no, hundred of times worse than suffocating for eternity... I-is it wrong to cry over this?

"We were worried sick after we got the news." Crafty spoke rubbing one of her arms, keeping her head down. K-keep yourself together, I'm gonna figure out a way to see them again.

Dogday always took the front and walked toward past Catnap bed, followed by Kickin' and Hoppy, then Bobby, Bubba, Picky, and Crafty, all with frowns, Hoppy even almost shedding a tear.

Though Dogday was always brave and compassionate, with a tenacity I envied, nonetheless, he didn't seem brave that day, he looked guilty and was... Trembling, "We're sorry for making you drink a cup of coffee..."

Oh. That day. Past me smiled at Dogday "It's fine, I wanted to drink it to play with you guys, it is all on me." Dogday frowned further, and Crafty began to cry silently, Bobby hugged her though. That day I pulled an all-nighter to start and finish a school project about arthropods. Got a B, not worth the effort.

Kickin' took the front this time, "Dude! You can't always keep pushing the fault for yourself!" He nearly shouted at me, then Kickin' spread his wings wide, "We gave you that cup of coffee!" On that day, I didn't really look at their faces very well, I couldn't see how... aggravated he looked, "It's our fault- our fault..!" It's weird to see Kickin', whose self-esteem seems to reach the stars look so... Beaten.

Picky followed, her expression looked like someone dropped her favorite cake on the floor, stomped on it, and dropped trash to top it off, "You could've died!"

Every time before sleep or when there was no one around, those words Picky said haunted me - not that the prospect of death scared me, everything is going to die someday, but that I would leave them.

My ears folded and I closed my eyes, however, even then, I could still hear. "Doc said that if no problem arises this week, I might not need a pacemaker, so I'm most likely fine." There's no escaping this.

The way I dismissed my friend's worries like they were just nuisances, was disrespectful to them, I opened one eye and saw Hoppy's - she had dark circles on her eyes, she likely hadn't slept, being worried sick about her inconsiderate friend.

"Still, I don't get why my family or you guys are so worried-" past Catnap halted as small sniffles came from Dogday crying.

Bobby stepped forward and hugged Dogday who finally broke down in tears, Then Hoppy spoke, her expression improved from worried sick to relief, "We're glad you're recovering, Catnap. It's just that I... We were worried that... that we'd never play soccer again... and... yeah." She always had trouble putting emotions into words, but Hoppy was always very emotional, much like Bobby.

Bubba was the calmest and most collected, though he still seemed worried "I thought it would be fine since Catfeine can drink coffee just fine." That was the day I learned that not all cats are born equally. What? I'm not envious. "We're sorry."

I felt horrible doing this to my friends, even if it was a year ago it still burns fresh. Sometimes I imagine what I would do if they turned their backs on me, and it hurts a lot.

The thought of being abandoned by someone I cared about destroys me. So with whatever free time I could gather, I did my absolute best to be the best friend possible for them, to repent for making them cry and worry that day. Even if the morning sprints and gym sessions made me want to die I still went with Hoppy every Monday. Even if helping Bubba on his projects and spending all my Tuesday at the library and the headaches, I did so anyway. If Kickin' figured out a new plan to skyrocket in popularity, even if it would bring me self-embarrassment, I still helped, or when he tried new dubious skating tricks, I was already there with a medkit. When Picky was learning how to cook, I offered myself as the guinea pig, even if it got me food poisoning most of the time. I always drew with Crafty because she felt lonely drawing alone, even if I sucked at it. Bobby always felt awkward going into crowded places alone, so I went with her, or when she wanted to organize parties for the other critters, I helped her. Dogday was always too nervous to ask anybody to play fetch with him since it was a 'puppy' thing or tell other critters how sometimes he felt pressured by his family so I took the initiative to play fetch and hear him.

Whenever time was at my paws, I would help them. I didn't want to be alone, because they showed me how to be happy. After all, I love them.

I cannot die until everything they did to me is repaid, and I will not die until I say sorry for what I did that day! So, I will live!

The memory cracked and undid itself like a wool shirt being pulled by a strand, these multiple cracks shone in white light, overwhelming everything I could feel, the drowning feeling long gone and the darkness slowly disappearing.

My paw reached for the crack and pulled, tearing apart even more of the space that confined me, each new crack brought something back, a memory long forgotten, a feeling never felt, a dormant sense, a dream neglected.

Until at once, the darkness sizzled, melting into a place full of light surrounded by stars and light red smoke.

'It's... Wonderful.'

~Yawn~

That was a good nap, mmM? Is this smell detergent? Yuck... Wait, where the heck am I? H-how did I get here? I was in the forest, then... Kittynapped?!

I clutched onto the blankets as my eyes danced from left and right then sighed in relief, this place looks like a hospital room with six beds and no privacy sheets at all. The peaceful exit door stood at the far left whilst the sun waged war to barely shed light through a battered, dusty window at the right, the bed next to the window was empty but the one at my left had a mummified critter pony, I wonder what happened to him...

Hum, this whole hospital seems... put together in a hurry? Wooden plates covering holes in the wall said wall having layers of grime and infested with... Roaches... Hell, being kittynapped would've gotten me into a better place! This is like, Playcare two-dot-O - and that place was falling apart before I was even born! Hecking heck, the floor has an ant colony creating tunnels in the dust!

Then, where the heck is this smell of detergent coming from?!

That's it, that's fucking it!! - the detergent smell is so bad that it becomes swear-worthy! - I take a big sniff and feel my nostrils burning with chemicals, later my throat, with prompted both a sneeze and a cough - AT THE SAME TIME!

Nonetheless, my suffering wasn't for nothing! I peek at the left side of my bed, and there lay the devil, a dozen of devilish cleaning products, and a bucket of crystal clear water with a piece of cloth submerged inside.

I will give a piece of my mind after to the janitor of this place if I see him, hmph!

...

~Haaa.~

Never mind, it's not worth the trouble. I relaxed and fell back on the bed. I need to think about who brought me here and where can I thank them, what were they possibly doing in the forest, and how they dealt with the...

timberwolves and bugbear.

..I could do nothing to save myself- No, there was nothing that could be done in the first place. Then, why..Do I feel dissapointed? angry even?

"Hey, fellian."

I don't understand- I-I'm scared-

"Hey!" Ah- oh, there's a critter on my left, uhm. A pony like crafty but with a red mane and tail - wait are those wings!? How rare! Pegasi critters usually stay on the other continent. Her wings are bandaged though, a patient, but I didn't notice her on any beds, and since she got so close then she sleeps to my left- which means she should have been on this.. floor... for me not to notice. But what's important is, what is a critter that should be on the other side of the continent doing here?

Only her head is above the bed, so she should be like, hmmm.. Two years older than me?

Why is she looking at- Oh yeeah. I raised an eyebrow.

Her bandaged wings looked like they wanted to move, but she forced them still, "I was worried when I heard you crying," I was..? "Are you okay?" I slowly let go of the blankets, enough for her to see my head nodding. Still, I don't recall crying..? My paw reaches for the corner of my eye and- yeah, that's tear-level wet.

Hmm, she's oddly quiet, suspicious. "Oh, never knew there were purple Fellians-" What..? Why is she staring into- What's wrong with her eyes?!

"What's wrong with your eyes?! Why are they black and creepy?!"

I point back at her whilst gasping, why are yours white and blue?! HUH?!

"What? My eyes are normal!" I shake my head and point at my eyes, mine are normal! "No, mine!" How many gestures do I need to put into this critter's head MY eyes are the normal ones?! My tail comes from under the blanket and points at my eyes. "No, mine!" Mine! "Mine!" Mine!!!!

~BANG~

Out of nowhere, the door was kicked out of its hinges and broke down near the mummified critter bed, termites ran away from the scrumbles as a Doctor pony walked in, he had a pink gum coat and messy yellow mane and tail, his muzzle was sharper than the other critter pony. His head faced our direction, however, his eyes were glued on the documents he had his hoof on.

"PATIENTS!!! I BEG FOR YOU TO KINDLY SHUT UP!" By 06 my ears! How is his voice loud as canon fire?? Thankfully I reacted fast enough to flap my ears against my skull before his next yell rampage, "JETSTREAM FASTROCKET, AND - uhh, what's your name?" Huh? I point one finger at my beloved face.

"Pssst, I think he's mute." Jetstream is, somehow, already at the side of the doctor, leaning against him while whispering. The doctor's face slowly morphed into a scowl as his eyes drifted toward Jetstream... And she is a terrible whisperer. How rude, I'm no mute! It's just that my words are only to someone with normal eyes!

"SHUT UP!" Jetstream shrunken her neck, and took a few steps back, "again, what's your name?"

"Catnap."

...

Why is everyone silent? Jetstream especially seems utterly spooked, "..Alright, Catnap." The doctor sighed and wrote down something, using a pen with his... Mouth. That's unhygienic, plus why is he walking on his four? Why is Jet also on four?

Why are they- "Damn fellian, your voice is deep!" Whuh?!?! N-No!! It is a perfectly normal voice!!! "Do you smoke by any chance?" Only my brother does b-but that is out of the question! Nothing to do with my voice!! "Do you get all the ladies?" W-what?!

The doctor groaned, "Jetstream, please." Nice save doc! He looked at his notes and smiled, "Your wings are fine for flying, just don't overexert yourself."

Jetstream leaped into the air and... hovered? "Finally!" Hm... How does she stay in the air while barely flapping her wings?

Aaand now she's doing loop-de-loops. Show off, I also want wings now, just imagining traveling around in the skies, feeling the wind beating on my fur~ ahh, it's good.

This must be some sort of isolated tribe where every critter walks on four and different critter breeds have different names. If I recall, Miss Delight said 'Critter' was generalized for less separation of species. I wonder what cat critters were called-

~Ahem!~

With both of our attention caught, the doctor pony announces in a thundering voice: "Anyway... PLEASE PRESENT YOURSELF IN THE FRONT COUNTER IN FIVE MINUTES!" Phew, with the living megaphone gone, but not before crushing a hooffull of them, then exiting through the same door he entered.

Well, that was something. Looks like no catnapping then, but these blankets have grown so comfortable... Ugh! With a swift movement, I throw all the blankets at Jetstream- "Hey!" She had it coming, then jumped out, and did the mandatory stretching.

Alright, first things first, ask the doctor who brought me, which will happen in about five minutes. Then, discover where-

~MeOW~

I was sent forward in a direct course toward the floor, however, my arms reacted first and took the impact. Then, there in front of me, a pillow landed upright.

That horse..! "Now we're even, heh!" Oh, it's on!

..Actually forget it, my poor fur is dirty now with this floor being even worse than the boy's bathroom floor back at school. My paws ran through my arms throwing off any dust there, same with my legs - I have been tangenting enough, and taking a look outside should direct me enough to know where to go after.

Jetstream sighed and flew over an empty bed, did a sassy pose whilst folding her wings, falling perfectly on the bed keeping said pose. Showoff.

"So, what're we doin'?" I huffed then turned around toward the window, "Looking to escape without paying? Hardcore." My paws reached for the window, which I was too short to look through, "Though not my recommendation, the hospital is very close to a police station" No problem, I can just use my tail. My tail forms a circular base below then I slowly let myself out of the ground, lifting myself with my tail! "Nice trick kitty."

What did she call me? I'm beginning to regret not throwing that pillow back. I rub my arm against the dusty window to reveal a street where... only pony critters walk around, quadruplets at that.

And only ponies... "Say, what is a fellian doing on this corner of Equestria?" Is that the tribe's name? I turn around and raise an eyebrow. "...You know, the country?" Country..? "Biggest in the continent?" Is she making this up? There is no Equestria on our class world map. "Most prosperous on planet Equus?" Now, she has to-

To...

...

Where is the almanac? I don't recall anything after it activated, where is it?

I-I mean, there's no way that is possible right? Even if it was a powerful magical artifact, right?

"Are you okay?" She is just making this stuff up, it has to be so! There's no way, absolutely impossible for this to be true. Her eyes and the doctors are probably only... O-only... Contacts!

"Catnap? E-everyone has something weird that they like- That they..!

We are going to be alone.

Like... Alone. I d-donn't want to be alone, b-but I won't be! This place is all just a dream! I must have slept yesterday and-

Abandoned them.

Have... a nightmare? I can't abandon them, I can't have to- If I do, Dogday will have no one to talk to about his family, Picky will have no cooking friend, Kicken might hurt himself really bad and have no one to look out for him, Bobby could become too afraid to go out alone, Bubba might just forget to sleep and eat - he always does that while in a project, and the others, I can't abandon them, else I'd be-

We are terrible friends.

Ignorant... B-but... They wouldn't-

They think that of us. We need to do better.

I...

I... My home shouldn't be far if they have a telephone I could call my family and friends and tell them I'm okay!! "Hey." Then, I can apologize to them and hang out the rest of the day! Play soccer like we would today! A-and..!!

O-ow!

My paws... When did they get to my face? Was I scratching... Blood?! Ah, I- This is... "It's fine to cry." "I'm sorry for earlier," "come here."

Her hooves are so warm... It was so obvious. "Those don't look bad," she pokes at the small cuts on my cheeks, "should heal in a week."

"Scratching yourself is a very... An odd coping mechanism." It's an old habit, "Are you lost?" I nodded. Was it obvious?

Her wings shuffled, is she nervous? Worried? "You don't have anywhere to stay, do you?" I shook my head. Not here.

She is worried about me. "Catnap, right? You can stay at my place until you find someone you know." She slowly let go, "Though, you will have the sofa." She let out a giggle.

The almanac should be somewhere, and when I find it my way home will be with it.

There is a way back..!

Jetstream looked at both sides, "Alright, we should get to the doctor before he-"

"PAAAAAATIENTS!!!" MY EARS!

Ends up this 'hospital' is quite tiny, we were in the backrooms before, and now the front of this place works as a pharmacy, though it is just as deteriorated as the 'hospital' part. Actually, calling this hospital should be an insult for actual hospitals, if anything this is a.. hum, an old house poorly turned into a worse cardboard hospital? Yeah, that's it.

"So, overall treatment is 50 bits." Shouting Lungs said, or at least that's the name that the employee badge on his chest says. Fitting.

Jetstream lifts her right wing and grabs a small coin purse, that she gives to Shouting, who promptly nods and looks at me- Oh wait.

Shouting a smile seems a bit off to me though. Maybe he's tired? "You took a Flesh Growth and Blood elixir, that's about-"

Jetstream's eyes widened, "A thousand!" Jetstream interrupted, "What happened to him?!" Is that a lot?

Shouting Lungs glared at Jetstream who immediately shrunk her neck before answering, "His arm was devastated, luckily for him, we had a few expired potions." Isn't that... Bad though? He gave me expired medicine and is asking for the full price?? Why would he do that? "If it wasn't an order from the Insurgence we would've just amputated the arm and call it a day," W-what? "those potions, even if expired, could've been used in a creature more... Important."

Jetstream's shrunken neck suddenly straightened with an expression of anger and disgust, I was expecting her to shout at him but she gulped down and stared daggers back at.. This pony, "But don't worry, I expected the fellian wouldn't be able to pay, so I already called the police to catch a crook." W-what? He can't do that, right? Like in advance? How would the police even belie- "How generous of me, to give this poor feline a permanent home." I-if I go to jail t-then I won't be able to find the almanac- What if- What if something happens to it if I don't find it in time?? Hoppy would be devastated if they don't find me today- what if they think I ran away and-

"Hold on! I can pay." Jetstream..?

"Alright, that'll be 1500 bits." Wait, w-wasn't it a thousand? Why is he-

Jetstream slammed her front hooves on the counter, "What!? You are practically stealing from me!" H-how can he even think of doing something like that to another critter-

"Oh, yeah. The potion is seven fifty, plus five hundred since I need to tell the police off, and an extra two fifty because I don't like your face." I- Wow. Jetstream?

"Jetstream-" She put a wing over me and came down from the counter, without breaking eye contact with the doctor.

Jetstream then pulled out thirty smaller purses from under her wings, I could see hesitation but the Doctor swooped all the purses with a smile full of yellow teeth, buy some Colgate with that, you... you... fucker.

The bigot put on a cashier smile, "Alright, now may you miss Jet and that mangy plague-carrying feline get out of my hospital." I take a look back at Jetstream, and oh boy is she angry, but it's not worth it, we better get away from this junkyard before the cops arrive.

"I want my purses back." Those words were a bucket of cold water, Jetstream, you were doing good so far at ignoring him!

Shouting eyes narrowed and exhaled through his nostrils, he crouches below the counter and returns the purses, empty of coins to Jetstream. Phew, I thought she meant something else.

Jetstream turns around, and as I follow closely behind she makes sure to bang the door open and slam it close once we are outside, "Alright, c'mon, I got to show you where you will stay and how you will pay me back." Oh. "And hop on, we got quite a journey ahead." I tilted my head, wasn't this something adults who like each other very much do? I- um, will do it anyway since Jet looks like my mom when I spilled grape juice on the floor that one time...

"This will help me calm a little. Hold tight." Huh? What does she meaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

Hah... Hah..! "Here we are, Stableside... You can stop holding my neck now." Hah... "Or maybe not. That was not even my top speed, there would have been some daylight left if it was..." Hah... Oh, 06... "I'll, um, drop you on the sofa, my home isn't in the sky, thankfully for you - hehe. But it's simple, compared to most towns in Equestria, built it with the help of a few friends!" My legs, my tail... My poor ears were violated by the winds... "Alright then... we will talk tomorrow." I did not consent to this!

Author's Note

Hum, I don't think I ever will be able to mention this IN story without sounding weird, so Catnap is about a meter tall (3,3 feet) and the average adult pony female is about 1,3 meters (4.2 feet) or about 1.8 meters standing on her hooves (5.9 feet)

Technicallity asides, this one was fun too. AND we are so close to the best part of the first six chapters~

Ah, I read this chap a bit quick, so there might be some mistakes, do tell if you find any!

As always - dam saying that makes me feel old - feel free to tell which part you liked, which you didn't and how do you think I could have done better!

Day 3: Shedding

"Hey, Catnap?"

"Yes, Picky?" Picky set down her piping bag on the table, a strawberry cake nearly finished sat on the table, and the world's biggest pile of dishes waiting to be washed at the back. The cake wasn't enormous but sure it was fancy. Her kitchen had a table for six, an oven to the left of the sink, a window in front of the sink, and a stove to the left, of the sink. The ground had one of those plastic red carpet that was shining spotless.

Picky always kept her mother's kitchen pristine. "You've been smiling a lot more," of course, I cannot frown with so many good friends nearby! "And being less aggressive."

"Aggressive?"

I stopped placing strawberries on the cake. "Yeah, you used to beat up anycritter you didn't like. Even others who were more confrontational always came back licking their bruises," I looked at my paws, that itching feeling remained with an overwhelming sense of shame.

Picky gently carresed my paws with her hooves, "You're a good listener too."

I am?

"Kickin' used to be so shy before you came along," the Kickin Chicken? Shy? "Until that day you two went to hang out, once Kickin' came back he looked relieved," I remember that day Kickin' fell from his skate, I told him it was okay to fail - but that wouldn't change Kickin' to be the well of confidence he is now...

Where are you getting at? I curved my tail in a question mark, "You'd be a great psychologist!" Wh- what?

"You always listen to each of our problems and always find a way to solve them!" Well- No, it isn't that much- "From that time that Bubba got a burnout to even when Bobby's boyfriend broke up with her!" I-I just stood there listening to them, it wasn't that big of a deal and- "You're a great friend, and a great critter, Catnap."

I- I... It doesn't feel that way Picky. I need to do better.

The clattering of dishes being washed was comforting, a remnant of familiarity that I took for granted.

Other than the noise, the smell of cheapy fruity cereal had me struggling awake. My back felt terrible, my arms ached, and the urge to-

~Achoo~

Did I throw the blankets again..? And slept with the door open. It doesn't matter, this means I can hear Mom again.

"Mom..?"

...

Please, "Mom..!"

A sudden breeze made me curl up a bit more, however, said breeze was made from a pony- Jetstream flying from the kitchen to over here, "Oh- You're awake!" I-

Don't look back, don't look...

Deep breaths, I'm fine. Peachy. Fine. "Sorry for waking you early-" Early? Oh 06, she is an early riser, "but I needed to get everything ready, I was going to wake you up just in a bit anyway..." She floated down, "I never had breakfast with a fellian before so, uh, I don't know if you are okay with coffee?" No, definitely not! I Shake my head as fast as possible.

Jetstream smiled, "Knew it, so I just got some cereal. Eat up, we gotta to the Jam's soon." Alright.

Wait... "Do you have a telephone?" Please say yes or no..!

Jetstream tilted her head, "What's that?" W-well, that settles it.

"C'mon, the cereal won't eat itself!" I'll find my way, if there is none then I'll make one. Getting out of bed- sofa is quite easy when there are no blankets, and it was the moment I stood up and turned around to go into the kitchen, my eyes caught the insides of the kitchen which left my mouth agape. It is full of wooden furniture, tables, and stools, but amidst that stood a charcoal-black firewood-powered stove, and a sink with a few ants running on them. That would be fine IF it were organized, the oven was next to the table, and by next, I mean they are kissing each other! Also there were two stools left on the sink, not near, mind you, but ON the sink! Plus there was an extra table missing a leg! I would say that at least the window is near the stove, that is if it weren't on the other side of the room!!

"I know it isn't a whole lot of technology compared to Manehattan or Fillydelphia, but it's enough." Enough to make a grown critter hang themselves, that is!

Once inside the kitchen I took one of the stools that were on the sink and carefully put it besides the table next to the oven where the cereal was. The cereal was shaped like fruits, the milk was warm too, I reached for the spoon but waited for Jetstream to grab herself a stool first, "Jam is a nice mare, different from that doctor." and she did with remarkable speed. A blink and she already was sitting next to me with cereal for herself... She's eating straight from the box. "Plus, we could find somepony you know! Eternity Bridge's generous pay sure attracted a lot of workers last week." She took the cereal box and flipped it like a drink, whispering the next words in between crunches, "If it were just workers though..." Ominous.

Once Jetstream got carried on her cereal, so did I - focusing on my cereal bowl and dug in, ignoring everything as a faint ringing took place on my skull, reverberating and echoing - No, no. I'm fine. Just be like Kickin, he wouldn't be struck by this. He taught me through so many hours about how to be brave and self-confidence- I can't forget all he taught when it matters the most. I'm. Fine.

"Catnap, do you want more cereal?" Oh. It's empty. I gently put the spoon on the side and gripped the bowl, a swift motion and I drank all the milk in one sitting. "..Oh, I guess that's a no..." Jetstream lowered her gaze to her cereal, then just as quickly she gasped and stared back with pure joy, "Wait, this means you like it right?!" Oh, well, there is no not liking cheap fruity cereal. I nodded and gently swayed my tail for greater impact. Jetstream smiled and got back to her cereal.

I looked at the now-empty bowl and sighed. Everything will work out in the end; it always did - from getting lost on a camping trip to simply hurting ourselves while playing soccer. It always worked out for us in the end.

But now there is only me- No, Jetstream can help, she took me out of that hospital and offered me a home. From her voice to how she moves near me, I know she is trying her best to be a friend. She can help me. "Jetstream..." Be direct, nail the point down. "So, what if I wasn't from this world?"

Jet raises an eyebrow "Mmfphm?"

~Gulp~

"Ahem, Like not of this world as in you live in a country with dark age level of technology or like, an alien?"

I never thought about it that way, "An alien. I took a weird book from my friend's house and now I am here."

"And where's the book?"

"I... Lost it." This is stupid- I am stupid. It's worse than stepping on my tail-

Jetstream tapped her chin, "How does it look like?" I-

"Don't know." Look like a madcat.

Jetstream slams both hooves on the table with both wings stretched wide, "So you are like Starswirl but instead of dimensions you jump worlds, but you lost the artifact that makes world jumping possible on the forest you arrived at?" That's about it, I nodded. "You do realize just how unbelievable this is?" Y-yes... "And how exciting it would be if it's true!?" Huh?

"I mean, I'm not one to believe anything easily, but, even if you're lying you're still going to pay me back either way, so I'm fine with it. I will help you search for the book thingy later," Thank you, thank you so much! "Oh colts, this would explain the weird eyes and purple fur..."

Jetstream stopped and looked at the clock, "Well, we got ten minutes to do the dishes." Oh, uhm...

"I like what you have going on for your home."

"Really?! Thanks, it's kinda hard to get cloud furniture down here-" Her eyes narrowed, "Wait a second, you're trying to avoid doing the dishes!" Dangit!

With the dishes done, I took the liberty to look around Jetstream house before leaving, there was a room with a sofa where I slept. Yes, it just had a couch, devoid of anything else, that was also where the front door is. Then there was the bathroom to the right and Jetstream bedroom connected to it at the left, which had an old moldy soft bed. My paw had sunk in just by touching it. Not good for bipedal posture.

With exploring done, it was time to leave, and holy cow, was this city the capital of unplanned cities.

The streets were pavemented dirt with tidy bits of grass growing at random spots, and the houses were knitted together and non-linear, some were more at the front and others at the back, nonetheless, all shared the same characteristic of being made of wood.

I took a deep breath and looked at the clear blue sky. Then I let go of any attached hope that I am still in a familiar world, the only way back is finding the almanac. Just find it.

It's a simple solution, so why is everything foggy?

~Click~

"Sorry for the delay, forgot where I put the keys, heh." Jetstream flutters her wings hovering above the ground, "Nice town, ay? While not structurally safe, the pegasi keep any climate-related disaster from happening, since we are close to the ocean and all." She smiled, "This will be so fun! I never talked about the story of the town to anypony- Well, anycreature-"

"Anyone."

"That!" Jetstream flew a little higher and opened her hooves, "Let's walk and talk!" I don't know how long it will take to pay back 1500 bits, but I trust Jetstream will help me look into that forest once I repay her. I can't go back there alone.

She hovered a meter above ground and began flying backward- Isn't that dangerous? "Stableside was built by the construction workers that came here eight months or so ago. Quite the village, right? We are rebuilding the legendary Eternity Bridge!" She put a hoof under her chin, "I don't know what broke it in the first place though... Not that I researched about it anyway."

So that's why the houses are ill-organized, this place wasn't planned at all! From yesterday, if I were to guess the distance and think that this world has no vehicles - I saw no concrete road, so everycritter had to come here with their hooves. A trip back would probably take too much and be equally dangerous.

Danger, these ponies came here even knowing how dangerous it was to cross the wilderness... "How much do they pay?"

"About eighty bits per day. The average job usually pays five. Plus this job was promoted by the royal princess herself." Jetstream waved her hoof, "Of course, when everything was set and done, the Insurgence sent some agents to keep the surroundings clear." That's about... Ten, no- sixteen times the minimum wage?! "Then came in the cartel... But we're not talking bout these villains! Hmph!" Oh. Jetstreams does some loops in the air before continuing her tale, is that an effective way to de-stress?

"I came here after the town was somewhat settled in, but I heard the first few days gave many ponies sleepless nights as demons frequently attacked." Demons? "Your casual Lesser spirit and Flesh-eating squirrels." What..?

Actual demons? "Demons?"

"Oh right, world-hopping shenanigans. Oh wee, I wonder how it is to live in a world without them. Demons are commonly born from cannibalism, or, in the case of spirits, a hefty amount of negative emotion before death." D-did she say flesh-eating squirrels?! "Don't worry though, they are quite uncommon in the wilderness, maybe even downright gone from this area now, with the Insurgence."

Jetstream turned around and yawned, "They get stronger the older they are, and in most cases, demons don't die by aging." That's bad. "Anyways, we're getting off-topic, the point is that Stableside was created by workers and will likely be abandoned once work is finished." Of course, who would want to live next to demons!?

"I'd tell you more about why the bridge is getting reconstructed, but we're here." Huh? Oh! In front of us, sticking out like a sore thumb among the rest of the wooden houses, stood a stone structure decorated with sun flags, even the door was ornamented with a sun emblem!

The motor-mouth pegasi smiled at me, "All you need to do is write down your signature and you're in!" Won't they someone qualified, or at least ask my age? If I recall, it's illegal to work under fourteen, right? Or maybe it isn't here?

"No need to be shy, Just go in!" This will be my first job... "I'll see myself off, I'm late for work." Jetstream lazily flew toward the sky her wings barely putting effort to stay afloat... My first job, with no family, friends, or even familiar faces around.

Breathe in, everything will work out fine. The almanac won't go anywhere. Just repay Jetstream, and she will help later—simple, easy plan.

~Haaa..~

I shouldn't dwell on thoughts now. My gaze locked onto the door, there lies my foreseeable future, and hopefully a start to the path home.

My paw touched the oak door, and briefly stuck there. This is the next step forward to reunite with my friends. There's no need to look back. I push the door open.

~Ding Ding~

The inside of Jams is more structurally safe than the other wooden houses with walls of polished stone and even more fancier AND organized than Jetstream's minimalistic house, with a carpet, painting at the sides of the wall, a counter in an even better state than of that hospital with a small call back ring.

But no pony is here. My eyes explored the surroundings once more, briefly before raising an eyebrow, there was the smell of coffee and bread coming from someplace behind the counter. Another glance around and I find no one nearby. Hum. So, in other words, I can do anything.

I have always been curious about what a secretary hides behind the counter, is it a weapon to destroy the world? The cure for cancer?! I believe Jam's wouldn't mind if I cleaned the counter for her - it is, after all, something a nice critter like myself would do.

I got to my four and leaped over the counter, and there it was a door hidden in such a way no one would see entering. Aha! I knew it, so the cure for cancer is hidden in-

"hmm mm hmm!" Oh no!

Out of the corridor first appeared the sharp tip of a long red horn, then an orange stallion with a blue mane and tail with a single purple line, w-w-with a floating cup!

... And the cup dropped to the ground, "Oh my Celestia! What happened to your eyes and fur!" W-why is everyone mentioning it? white sclera isn't normal either! Even less floating stuff!

I'm not having another discussion like Jetstream. I jump back to the counter and tap on the call ring to get the stallion's attention out of my fur and eyes to pay attention to me.

"I'm here for the job." The stallion's ears perk up and then down as he looks at the spilled coffee on the floor.

Then he sighed a stale sigh, "One moment, also please don't stand on top of the counter. Name is Stale Archivist," He said in a stale voice as he quickly darted back to the corridor. I wonder why his name is so stale. I jump down to the side I was supposed to be.

It took some time for him to find a rag and clean up the mess, but once done, he ducked behind the counter and pulled a paper and pen, or rather, he levitated them. Why can't Crafty do that?

Paper and pen floated down to my height, "Sign your name at the bottom, cursive if possible." I put the paper against the counter - I'm smaller than the counter, - and write down my name in perfect flowing cursive then hand it back to the Stale Archivist.

The pony smiled then pulled a camera- Wait! "Snappy!" Holy 06, my eyes! "You have a nice smile. Your identification card will be delivered tomorrow, but you're free to start working today after lunch break is over."

Blinking away the whiteness and pain, brought me the sight of my very own floating picture. "Nice, isn't it? If you need help, don't be shy to ask Jam at the construction site." Was this it? Writing down my name and taking a photo? I raised an eyebrow to which Stale raised one of his own. I pointed to the paper and then made a question mark with my tail, to which Stale stared for a few seconds before perking up, "Oh! You can actually come back in half an hour, Jam should be here by then so both of you can speak earlier!" It really was 'just' signing the contract.

Nonetheless, something smells iffy and I can't quite put my paw on it. Good pay, just writing down your name, no qualification needed - Dad always made sure I went to school because it would make it easier to find jobs later on, but this isn't my world yet it is close enough.

There should be more critters signing up. "So, do you need anything else?" I shook my head, there's a mystery in the air - even if it's a Bubba thing to solve them, it might be a good distraction. No, no, I-I'm not looking away from the problem.

I shouldn't stop looking for a way back home-

Catnap, you beat yourself too much. It's fine to nail down a mistake to not repeat it, but keeping tackling it isn't the way either.

...

~Haahh~

I shouldn't waste any more of Stale's time, I wave my goodbyes and make my way out of Jams.

~Ding Ding~

I raised my paw to meet my chin, this is a town of workers, most of them already working so there isn't anyone to ask about it. The sun still lays at the horizon, Jetstream went to the flipside. Free time at my paws, if they were here I'd be with Hoppy now... I could try to memorize the path back to Jetstream house.

"Hey!" Or not... Suppressing a sigh, I turned around to witness another critter cat that looked like a ginger cat, he had well-defined whiskers and a rather short snout. Both were now face-planted on the floor with a banana peel as the culprit, why am I even surprised? Besides that, he smelled like oil. Is his father a mechanic or something similar?

Now, I would've helped him if he hadn't gotten up by himself after I took my first step forward. "Wassup'kit! You seem a little lost'round here." I do? "So, how bout we blitz a little?" Wha-

His paw stretches out and in a swift swipe, rips MY pendant off, swiftly landing on his paw, he then turns around and runs but not before shouting "Let's blitz then!" I ran after that nitwit.

The many knit-together houses blurred with my focus locking onto that thief, and he was fast, but never as fast as Hoppy. My paw reached, even touched his fur but he turned sharply to the right, not even losing an ounce of speed while I drifted on the dirt to avoid a fall. A small dark opening between two houses filled with mud and rotting wood, I shut down all the disgusting signs that my brain alarmed and began to run again.

While he was ahead, it wasn't by much. I'd catch up with him if it wasn't for the mud- the squashing and splashing at some point that threw me off and he got slightly further. Further enough to start kicking those rotten wooden planks in an attempt to halt me even more, but that wouldn't stop me, I rammed into them with my arm. It hurt, but I couldn't lose that pendant. Not now, not ever.

By simply bulldozing through the rotten wooden planks and adapting to the mud, once more I find my paw near his back, scratching almost. This time-

~Thud!~

Everything spun before grounding down in a soft splat, a continuous ringing of a bell tormented my skull as I glared at the ground, right where there is a double-head hammer, its tip red. He threw a hammer at me. I rubbed my forehead and when I brought my paw back, it was thick, dense, crimson blood. Tightening my teeth, I pulled myself up.

Let's tear him apart.

I glared to where he went - it was far. But not enough. I exhaled, and a small puff of red smoke escaped my mouth. I smiled and took a step backward into the dark alley.

"Phew, that was quite the blitz." I looked back, the streets were empty. "He should be fine." My attention diverged to the golden moon pendant held upon my paw. "Gus will be so happy that I helped him!"

Slowing down to a walk, blissfully giggling like I had just passed the world's hardest test, "Dat was amazin'." Passing a few houses, I arrive at my crib, the great warehouse of joy!! Its broken metal ceiling gives way to a nice night sky since it barely rains here becuz of pegasi shenanigans. Still, I wonder why they abandoned this cool place.

I knock two times on the door, then a third, then a fourth, then a- "I heard it, geez!" And then my beautiful, awesome, perfect, immaculate sister opens the door! Bombay Lucy! Her delightful short whiskers, snout, and pink nose define perfection! I, of course, hug her.

She pushes me away from her, "..Leo, where were you?" and puts her paws on her hips while tapping her feet on the ground, gosh, I love her sweet and strong voice.

"I was at the Jams then here then at the Jams again, passed by the Eternity Bridge then back here then at the Jams-" She faux-coughed.

"Wait, you've been running around for the past hour?!" I nod multiple times. "And you're not even tired?" I nod even more. "Oh my Celestia. Just come in." I skedaddled inside, everything was rearranged. Huh, the sofa was now on the far right, away from the night viewing hole, campfire was there now. I think it's because there was too much smoke or something, anyway, the three windows on each side now had curtains over them, nice! The stone floor was also cleaner. That means less rats, aw.

Well, time to show my haul, to the cool sitting Misty Gus on the couch! "Gus! Gusgusgusgusgusgus-"

~Haa~

"Yes, Leo?" Gus had no whiskers - lack of a sense of fashion - but his nice sharp snout compensated for it, all my siblings were so beautiful/handsome! Plus he was a little taller and had a nice flowing voice and- "Quit gawking, do you need another bedtime story?"

I shook my head, "Nuh-uh! It's still day. Plus, look'a'this!" His eyes were abruptly startled and wide at the sight of the golden pendant on my paw. Awesome, awesome!

Gus took the pendent and carefully looked at it, "Who did you pawn this from?" He's smiling!!!

"From a kitty cat, just arrived too. It was like this: There I was, on my nightly walk, walking happily through the nightly streets-"

Gus grunted, "To the point, please."

"I saw a Pegasi dunk a fellian, and his nice shinning pendant. So I blitzed him today!" Gus shifted the pendant between his fingers before biting it- Is he hungry? Oh, he's proud, I guess he's proud!

The misty cat smiled then began to once more play with the pendant, "This might be worth a month." W-what?! So much?? Lucy was gawking too, but quickly closed her mouth and looked away.

"I brought a treasure??!?" A real real treasure!? Like pirates who go around the world for gold and stuff! Mom, do you see that, I'm not a failure-

~Knock Knock~

Lucy jumped and then looked at the door, "Who could it be? We paid the cartel last week, didn't we?" Lucy shuddered, and so did I. Gus looked a bit anxious looking left and right but stopped abruptly.

He glared at me, "You made sure you weren't followed, right?" There shouldn't be anycreature tailing me. I took so many turns and checked behind me so many times.

Lucy shrugged and glanced at the door, "I'll open the door."

"Wait! Leo, go behind the door." Oh, a trap! Since the door opens to the inside, the intruder won't see it coming! How smart, Gus.

Gus and Lucy exchanged a glance as I got into position, and then Lucy opened the door.

I don't know what Lucy saw, but her look gave me the spooks. Then a purple fellian with a blotch of red fur on his head- Oh, oh my Celestia-

"Give my pendant back." I stepped inside this trashed mess of a warehouse, rust infested the walls, broken windows covered by torn dirty rags, and part of its metal ceiling was wide open as if something had pierced through, toppling that with the smell of dead rats. This place stinks more than Playcare. I hate it.

In front of me, stood that grey fucker playing with it like it's a damn toy.

Tear them apart.

Each further step I took made me see clearer his smile of absolute confiddence, made my blood twist and boil, my claws were itching uncomfortably inside my paw. "You've made a mistake coming here, kit." I drew them out, and it was so liberating~

It's been so long,

He shrugged, "Well, might as well introduce you to Leo." The moment he moved, I knew where he was. But I would never be able to react fast enough, both his paws wrapped around my arms and immobilized them, He is too close for a kick, so will ba-

My teeth hurt and my gum bled, half of my face felt burning from searing pain and excitment. "And I am Gus. Short of Gustavo." He withdrew his paw and smiled, "Pleasing to meet you."

Since we felt like this.

Oh, you think you have this under control, don't you? You think I can't do anything with your pal holding me, right?!

I glared back, he simply smiled and punched again, and again, with each punch my tail stretched a bit further, closer to his feet. Can't continue? Does your paw hurt too much? Aren't you a feline? Use those damned claws for once.

We missed so much.

It's close enough. "Quite sturdy, aren't you?" he waved to another cat close to him and handed something to her before walking back. Gus brought his arm back, "Welcome to Stableside, kit." And I pulled as he did, a straight arch backward followed by a thud of his head on the ground. I bashed my head against Leo's face once, twice then he let go. Gus was barely sitting as I finished off with Leo, a kick to his chin fixed that.

A sneaky bastard though I wouldn't hear him coming from behind I took two steps to the right, turning around while at it to see his outstretched claws. Time to punish this, I went for a slice with my claws but missed as Leo abruptly pulled back, my claws barely scratching his chest fur. then I was hit by a follow-up punch on my ribcage, barely feeling it. Good reflexes but bad precision, a severe lack of experience, if anything he should be good at running.

It's fun when there is a chance of losing.

He tried to go for a gut punch again with his left arm, trying to fix your mistake, are you? I could see that before he winded his punch, so by the time he's about to launch the punch I stepped to the left avoiding it entirely.

Shoulder up, completely vulnerable. I brought my claws down to his eye.

"Gaahh-" Beautiful.

Fresh blood. As his paws reached to cover his bleeding eye, I followed with a gut punch then grabbed his feet with my tail putting him upside down. With one kick to the head, If his nose wasn't broken, now it is. I drop him head-first to the ground, for a moment I stand still feeling and spreading the luke-warm blood on my paws, just touching it makes me feel warm. Gus should be up now if he's a bit though.

It's even better when they scream.

In the midst of the action of turning around I take in a deep breath and let it out, a small cloud of Dream gas surrounded me. Not potent enough, but good for what I want to do. "L-Leo!" Ah, she is my moon. Gus is indeed up and is in front of her.

Catnap, calm down! They didn't do much to deserve this!

If anything, that is a failed attempt to protect her.

Finish him.

I can feel my beating heart, the blood flowing, burning heat tearing through my veins. I love it. so many years since I felt so alive~ I missed this~!

You broke both of their arms, I know they kind of deserved it but that still was too much!

The small gas cloud followed behind me. I stretched my paw and feinted a punch followed by tripping Gus with my tail again, does he ever learn? "G-Gus!" I stomp on his stomach, would you look at that, who's in control now?

With Gus being a wheezing mess, Dream Gas took care of him.

Here Catnap, now you're a smiling critter.

"Give me my pendant."

Her eyes dropped low, probably around those two critters before she faced me again, taking a step back "I-I-I-" With a deep breath and an exhale, everything slowly tinted poppy red, the surroundings grew dissolute.

See, you can be nice too if you try, Catnap!

"The. Pendant."

Her feet shook like thin branches in a storm, so easy to snap. I moved forward, and she moved back. I love this feeling. But it came to an end as her back touched the wall at the end of the warehouse, eyes as small as toothpicks. A cornered animal.

~Sniffle~

No, a wimp. She fell on her knees, tears stamped on her face, sluggish and sloppy tears. She is nothing more than a guard dog, hiding behind bars and barking without a care. It makes me feel sick to even acknowledge her as the same species as I am.

Finally, her eyes rolled up her head and she fell into the beautiful dream I crafted just for her and her friends.

Bunzo wants to talk to you, apologize about everything and be friends,

Give it a try Catnap!

Critters can change too.

It's not enough. They can't be swept under the rug. Finish them.

I-I am sorry for stealing Bobby's lunch money... and.."

Sweep them from this world.

"I-I hope we can be friends..!"

...

What am I doing?

What makes us feel good.

I crouched and stared at the sleeping critter. I could see Bobby in her. If she were a cat and associated herself with thieves, that is.

Circumstances make us, not the other way around.

I reach for my pendant, now loosely hanging from her paw, it shined as bright as the day I first got it.

I-I made it like a moon, you remind me a bit of Dogday...

They are our trophy, take our reward!

Crafty, Bobby, Bubba, Kickin, and Hoppy made it together, Dogday was trying to keep it a surprise, but he was terrible at lying. He told me what I was getting without even realizing it.

FINISH THEM!!

I miss them so much. Turning around, I saw Gus and Leo's limp bodies, they could have been mistaken for corpses if they weren't still breathing.

FINISH THEM!!!!

Everything here is a mess, all of this. I overdid it. The Dream Gas burned my nostrils with a sweet, addictive scent- but I couldn't be carried by it anymore - I'm better, and I should keep getting better.

Do you want to play tag with us?

My feet slowly led me to the couch and I sat down, gazing at the clouds and blue sky I finally relaxed, and my head throbbed as if worms were having a Thanksgiving inside. Compared to that, the pain in my arm was negligible and nothing felt broken - I needed to wait for the adrenaline out to bee sure. heh.

NO!

Yes.

"Hahaha," I'm a terrible critter, aren't I?

With my pendant back where it's supposed to be, everything calmed down, the gas died down.

Nobody becomes a thief on purpose and what I did was extreme, by 06, I nearly gouged his eye!

I should've just warned a police officer or even Jetstream, she would've been enough to solve this. I need to apologize, not for me, but for them.

The sound of someone shifting draws my attention to the first critter I knocked out, Leo shifted on the ground much like spasms. That briefly brought concern that was unnecessary as Leo jumped up as if he saw an.. eugh.. cucumber.

His face was swollen and while the eye I scratched wasn't bleeding anymore, however, his nose- rather, his whole muzzle was a purplish ball. His voice also sounded a tad more nasal "Wh- Wher-" We locked eyes... Well, eye and he froze still until his only working eye saw his friends, "G-Gus! Lucy!" He nearly tripped as he ran toward Gus, both eyes crying. "P-Please-" His body relaxed as Gus let out a grunt, but stiffened as he saw Lucy. Leo ran toward her.

Gus grunted once more, his arms trembling as effort was put to push himself up but all he could muster was to sit. His body stiffened at me- trembled even, yet relaxed a few seconds later. "Leo," He sounded normal, however, weaker.

Just saying his name was enough of an instruction, he sat Lucy on the wall and immediately helped Gus up, "Let me sit next to him." His voice is definitely coming back, I didn't hurt him too much...

"B-but-" Gus shook his head, his eyes statically fixed on me. Leo looked back at me then stared at the ground, his free paw clenching into a trembling fist before relaxing, in favor of using said paw to better support Gus.

Leo's legs shaked with each step, both his arms trembled too - but for a different motive. Once Leo put Gus beside me he walked back to Lucy. I expected Gus to talk first but when I realized his eyes became distant, gazing at the clouds of the busted ceiling, this means that I for once needed to start the dialogue.

As much as I want to say sorry and walk away, I can't do that. This needs to be done right, and for it to be genuine I need to understand them, a little at least. And what way better to start to understand them than a simple question, "Why?"

Gus eyes focused as he stared down at his paws, "We owe money to the cartel. Everycreature on Stableside does." I raised an eyebrow, "...They came two months ago and began to demand protection fees, most laughed but then, the guards were sent far away and new ones came. Ones that had a green eye." What? "It doesn't take much to figure out what the cartel did, pulled some strings and got in some 'trustworthy' guards. They didn't like fellians."

"We got kicked out of work because of a conflict, the cartel kept knocking at the door wanting protection fees every day and... Here we are." Couldn't they run? "The Insurgence hasn't returned yet, they usually come once a month to check on the town then keep sweeping the nearby area for demons and-"

"Couldn't you run?"

Gus stopped, then chuckled. "To where? Try my luck in the wilderness and get my brother and sister killed? The Insurgence also doesn't like people hitchhiking on them either. Plus it's easier to do what we already are used to." The Insurgence again- I need to ask about that to Jetstream later. "You held back," His eyes ran from his paws to question me, "didn't you?"

"You could have just started with that smoke, but you didn't." It felt wrong to do so, "You also enjoyed beating Leo, didn't you?" I... I did. "But you held back." He smiled. A genuine smile. Why is he doing this?

Gus extended his hand, "You're new to Stableside, got robbed on the first day, but even when we stole from you, you had enough consideration to not do the worst." I took his handshake. "I won't make any excuses, what we do is wrong. But if we beg, the Cartel would just... Send us off. Nobody would remember a fellian, even more one that doesn't work... I saw them doing it."

...

"And we don't want to die."

..Why is everything in this world so wrong? I take a deep breath and Gus flinches. Of course, I'm not doing anything this time. It's just that I've never been one to speak, even more after my voice got this way. I don't know how to make a real genuine apology, and I don't think I honestly want to. But I need to.

I exhale and brave my own emotions, pushing down the discomfort for once, "I'm sorry for hurting you guys too much." It isn't genuine enough, so why is he smiling?

Gus sighed and once again stared at his paws, but still, he spared a glance at me, from the corner of his eyes "Do you ever feel lost, even when what you have to do is clear?" I nodded, "I love them. And I know that we should try to head to Fillydelphia but to convince some random pegasi to hitchhike is dangerous, and if that pegasi tells the cartel about it..." They'd be done. "But you came with a pegasi. I know I have no right to ask, but please, could you ask that pegasi that brought you in?"

I want to yell no, to reject, and just walk away. But, if I do so, how long can they last by stealing? If they were found out, and it is true the way they say the guard treats 'fellians', then... I don't want anycritter to die. Even if they wronged me, I believe that they can change. Just like how I did. "Fine."

"Thank you." Gus gave me a genuine smile, which left me speechless, I just gave him a beating a few minutes ago.

...

I can't dwell on this for long, I need to go back and talk to Jam still. I get up from the sofa, briefly stretching my back and feeling my arm - everything is nice and intact, Jetstream should have some painkillers at home, who doesn't after all?

"Lucy, it's okay to lay down if you aren't feeling fine..."

"AH!" Eep! Don't shout! My poor ears... "Give me the spray bottle, Leo!" Uh oh.

Leo pupil immediately dilated, "Wh-why?! I've behaved so far!"

"Not for you, it's for that twat!" Time to blast! If there was a lightning bolt racing me, it would've lost. Destination: Jams, where this crazy rodeo started, hopefully I didn't miss Jam.

Arriving at the Jam's safe and sound with only sore legs, my paw reached for the knob, almost turning but stopped when I heard a sniffle, no, someone crying their guts out. And then a few shouts followed by more cries. The voice was sweet as candy, different from Stale's, well, stale voice.

"This is the second time this week! Celestia forbid, if you don't straighten up by tomorrow, you will take a week off."

I could just come back later or rather meet Jam at the workplace. I'm sure there will be no problem with that.

"N-No, please! I need the bits-"

~Bang~

..That sounded like an angry stomp. I'm not one to eavesdrop, buuut these feline ears were made big for a reason, I rest my head against the door.

"NO buts! You just lost your filly a day ago! I just kept you at work out of worry the cartel does something to you." Again this cartel topic, be it with the thieves or Jetstream, the cartel is just everywhere in this town?!

"P-please..." something doesn't click, somecritter would've noticed something, anything strange by now, and this job is issued by the crown. At least Jetstream says it is.

Why is there no type of help coming?

~Thud~

The sudden cease of noise after something hit the ground, drove me to peek at the keyhole, for the little that is visible, there is just a deep blue mare lying on the ground, I couldn't see her face but her mane, which was navy blue. Her slumped form was just like Bobby's after her first break-up.

What am I thinking? I can't help that critter- Heck, I don't even know her. Both of my paws rub my head - ouchie - gently as I turn away from the door and look toward the sky, near the sun. What would you do, Dogday?

"Get yourself together before lunch break is over."

It's obvious what Dogday would do, "Damn it..." I turned back and reach for the knob, the whole of me screaming 'Bad idea' over and over, but I pushed over these thoughts. And the door.

~Ding Ding~

There it was, a blue mare on the floor softly sniffling. Next to her was- "Oh my goodness..." A red mare very, VERY muscular and with hair looked like blueberry jam. Who could she be? "What happened to your head!?" My educated guess would be, Jam of course - and by 06, her voice does not combine with her body, wanna trade? "Stale, bring in the medkit!"

"On it!" I looked at both of my paws that had just rubbed my head a moment prior, both had little tints of red. Blood had already coagulated and tomorrow I'll have a horn of my own. Great. "Oh- Catnap, what happened!?" Stale is back with a floating medkit.

Just tell them enough, "Somecrit- Somecreature threw a hammer at me." I look back at the mare lying on the ground and shake her lightly, she doesn't budge.

"What?!" Jam, I guess, stomped in utter rage, "If the cartel wasn't enough, now we got scoundrels running around town?! On Celestia soil!?!?" She snorted, "Did you see who it was?"

Lying is bad, and being honest is the greatest way to make friends, that is what my mother said, "No, he blitzed away too fast." But somecritter who nearly gouged somecritter else's eye can't be a good critter in the first place.

Should I hug her? Hugs from friends always made me feel better... But I hate to be hugged by strangers too, then what can I do? Oh- She is finally rising up! "Darn scoundrels-"

The blue mare slowly turn around, "It's you." A voice colder than both corners of the world. The crimson eyes of the mare that had been lying until now glared down at me, if stares could crush I would've been rubble. Her face writhing in anger like a raging beast. Her navy blue mane swayed like the tides of an enraged ocean, even her horn seemed a bit sharper. "She- she died because of you..!" I tried to question her, mutter something but my body was frozen in place shivering. Trembling. Dying. "Of course, it's your fault! T-they didn't have time to save her because of you." Jam reached a hoof forward but froze still, sweat dripping from her forehead. Stale didn't fare any better with all his hooves trem-

The tip of her horn began to in a silvery hue, "You. YOU!"

~Slap~

Jam slapped her face. "RIVULET! I CONDEMN SUCH ACTIONS FROM ANY OF MY WORKERS!" Her shouts were deafening, then she pointed a hoof to the door, "GET OUT!!"

Rivulet stood there, glaring at me - she abominates me. "This isn't over, demon." Her whisper spat with cold words filled with glacial hatred. Sometimes I wish my ears weren't so good. Rivulet trotted off.

~Ding Ding~

Only when her clip-clops weren't audible anymore I could stop trembling. I-I don't understand? I've fought critters before, they screamed at me, they hated me - but I never got such a reaction... It's scary.

She wanted to kill us.

... "I-I'm sorry, Rivulet isn't usually like this." She slowly moved to Stale and tapped him twice on his shoulder, "News of her missing filly came back yesterday. I never heard anypony wail as she did." Stale, still standing like a statue prompted Jam to shake him, awake then move back to give him his space, "I-it doesn't feel right." Jam looked at her hoof.

A filly- Oh. Rivulet should have talked to those who saved- That means, that filly was her child... I focus on Stale who finally recovers and begins wrapping bandages around my forehead with his telekinesis. Once done, my head felt squeezed and very uncomfortable - almost comparable to somecritter stepping on my tail, or listening to Catfeine coffee rush ramblings. Stale looked toward Jam, and spoke in a low, uncomfortable but somewhat still stale voice "Catnap here wants to know of a possible position to start as soon as possible."

Jam nods, "Hmm, those opposed thumbs are good at dealing with cement and placing bricks. And it's easy enough for a newbie." What? I raised an eyebrow. "With those noodle arms of yours kit, any creature can tell." N-noodle arms..? Noodle arms!? Heck, I beat Pug-a-pillar on an arm wrestling, while he used all nine right arms! Tell noodle arms to that! If growling wasn't a baby thing, I'd be doing that instead of swinging my glorious, enormous tail from side to side like a viper. "Don't be like that! Working will fix those noodle arms in a jiffy!"

Tsk, I'll prove to her how strong I am after I get the first job done, "Anyway, cementing is good for you?" I nod. "Great. Lunch break's over in twenty minutes." I nod once more. Jetstream should be at the, what was it? Eternity Bridge? Whatever, I'll head there now and hopefully not get mugged the moment I stomp my way outside.

~Ding Ding~

Oh wait.

~Ding Ding~

Jam and Stale looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Where's the bridge?"

It was so hard to concentrate on anything, it felt like a thick fog made out of multiple thoughts drowning my mind. The day had only begun but so much already happened - the cartel putting everycritter in this town at gunpoint. Why is Jetstream even here? She could fly far, far away at a speed that no critter would catch her. It's even worse with the citizens, are they turning a blind eye to their suffering? Why not band together and overcome the cartel - there is no way there are more of them than there are of critters. I feel my grip on everything is getting weaker and all I can do is hope to find something sturdier to latch to before being swept. I-I barely even realized what I did to Leo- If they were here, it would've been easier- I d-don't even know where I am going. I-

Can't look back. Forward. Forward only.

With all effort I could muster, my lungs filled with air and let that sensation hang in there for a moment to regain a semblance of focus, all my eyes could see was a blue horizon and a dark bridge, the smell of the salty waters being carried by winds from places far away and the sound of waves hitting the shore before calmly receding into the ocean were pleasantly calming. This is my first time seeing the ocean and while I personally have a distate for water (I do shower everyday, or used to), it is an undeniably wonderful view... I wish they could see this too.

Besides the ocean, there is a dark bridge resides with tons of construction material, weird bell-like noise, and ponies, even other cats resting near the bridge. What surprises me most is that not even one group is made, all of them are talking like a big family and- "Hey!" Everything halted to a tightening silence.

A grey unicorn in golden armor walked toward a white fellian with black patches of fur, his voice as hoarse as an engine, "ID."

The fellian ears and tail fell before she muttered, "Oh, alright..." Why is she afraid? She hastily pulled an ID card from her back- How?

~Slap!~

Wh- why did he slap her ID to the ground- "Pick it up." The fellian trembled- this- She crouched down and- The stallion gave her a kick to the face, and she fell. Still. A small, irritable smirk shined in a hue that screamed for me to tear it apart- Breathe in. It's fine, I'm fine.

The other ponies - besides the guards - and fellians looked at the fellian worried, the guard who kicked the poor cat groaned then stomped, "Get back to work, the crown isn't wasting resources on lazybones." Holding his head high, the guard walked back to the bridge. Everycritter begins to pack up, and the few who hadn't finished eating stuffed whatever was left into their mouth.

"Heeeey! Caaaaaaaatnap!" Oh 06- I turn around and- "Hi."

~Nyaah!~

O-oh 06- I didn't do that! D-don't stare at me Jet! Stop chuckling or I'll- I'll scratch you! "Oh colts, that guard stinks, am I right?" She spoke with great difficulty - 06, why am I being punished? - Then folded her wings and landed on the ground and immediately nearly stuffing a hoove inside her mouth only to later breaking into a full blown laughter when looking at my face. Which should've been hidden by my paws...

...

It took a moment, but Jet eventually calmed down, "So where you'll be?"

Are they working now? But Jam isn't here. This is worrisome, "placing bricks and cementing stuff, now this happened-"

"Psh!" Jetstream waved her hoof "Don't worry, just lay low." She looked at both sides then whispered, "I've been compiling a few incriminating images and snooping around before I crashed into the hospital, somepony important should be coming today or tomorrow. Probably today." Oh, like some chief official? That's nice, they'll be able to jail those- "From the cartel." Oh. That's not good. "So they'll spend less time harassing the workers."

Just my luck, get robbed, attacked, and having to deal with some cartel big boss. On the same day. "Just three more days and the Insurgence will know all about it! Then cartel will fall!!" Her smile widened in a feral toothy grin, "I can't wait!" Okay, that's too much euphoria coming from her - nonetheless, I will be happy to witness. Jetstream begins to stretch her wings, "Still wondering when I will hit the 'too much effort' mark, so far they're perfect!" Jet crouches while staring at the clouds, "So I will see ya by six then, I'll wait for you!" Bursting toward the skies, the wind briefly pushed me off balance and forcefully made me shut my eyes. Are every pegasi like this?

Doesn't matter, I get up and make sure to wrap my tail like a belt before heading into the construction site, unicorns and fellians using their tools while the pegasi went to the legs of the bridge with materials wrapped at their back, and earth ponies brought a hefty amount of materials to where's needed, the guards carefully watched every worker. I could see in their eyes, itching for somecritter to mess up.

I stepped onto the bridge of dark stones, which honestly I have never seen used in any construction site - but wonder aside, I need some direction as to where to begin, and who's better at giving hints than somecritter who is doing the same job as me? And there, Placing bricks on the handrail of the bridge was a grey-coated unicorn with a black mane, next to it an unicorn with switched colors of the previous placing the bricks and cement, she was carrying a bucket of cement mortar in its mouth - is that sanitary? - and a Dark brown earth pony with a curly orange mane sitting down with two sacks of sand and one of cement. "Hey, I'm new and-"

"New? That's perfect!" A high-pitched enthusiastic voice came from the black-coated mare, she put her hooves together then continued, "My sister was already getting a sore horn." A sigh of exertion comes from the grey-coated mare, "So, do you have any experience?"

"N-no-"

"That's fine, we'll teach you." A very amused voice came from the grey mare, "Let's start with the basics, first and foremost: the measuring tools, also, by the way, what's wrong with your eyes?"

Working and keeping a lookout for the big baddie on the bridge, multi-tasking is my middle name! "Jet, this side doesn't look very safe." Currently, we are replacing old Sage Bricks with new ones, it's a surprise they got damaged, these bricks were supposed to last two thousand years when they were first made long ago.

"On it!" For most, this is tedious. For me? This is torture! That's how I relearned something that filly me was an expert, imagination! I'm good enough to do most work on automatic, so good that I am fast enough to do the job equivalent to seven pegasi and precise enough to outclass three unicorns! There's no challenge nor thrill! All on automatic. At least the pay is good. Be amazed, Storm! For I will blow your mind with speed and precision!

In retrospect, I almost regret turning out the Wonderbolts, but eh, being a pirate again sounds more fun than acrobatics. By now, bricks were replaced and safely glued - are you amazed yet, Storm? - I do a quick rise up to see if my target is here and surprise, it is! Lucky me. "I'll call in that break now Storm." with too many workers working on one bridge, calling breaks in between shifts is enough of an excuse for no guard suspect.

All right, plan A: Peak little above the handrails inconspicuously. Ears locked on.

A pony with an old, wrinkled face with a grey coat and mane - be it natural or a sign of old age - wearing a tuxedo and a fedora, he practically oozed mafia boss vibes walked through the bridge accompanied by an earth pony stallion with a somewhat grayish coat and a black mane with a singly grayish line, plus his cutie mark is a gold skull with a gem. Treasure hunter? Why here? There are no temples underwater, the insurgence checked it.

The smell of golden jackpot never left my nostrils, I tried to ignore it- but... I need more information. I can make out some small noises, not enough to hear, however, I am a professional lip reader. Thank you sailing master Celaeno!

'Something about fishing? five thousand facets golden chest is too deep, something, by tomorrow should be possible, something, burnt oven?! however, there's a chance of something, something.' Okay, my lip-reading skills have faltered a little. But not enough! The younger stallion looks at the mafioso, 'Good enough,
vegetables and fruits, don't worry about, something about apples, fellians to, treasure, they're more careful.' Treasure... It's arcane to think that there is a treasure down these waters, just below me...

Nonetheless, they'll get it by tomorrow, and if I piece things right - which I always do - that means that they will also leave after this ordeal is done. That won't do. I'll have to talk with the Insurgency today and convince them about the cartel, I have enough evidence, pictures, and knowledge of where they hide. They. Will. Go. Down. As any villain should.

On a positive note, Catnap seems to be doing peachy - plus he seems to be making new friends... Wait, is that Shadow Sport?!

Oh, that horse..! Tsk, I'll mess with her later.

I nod to myself, everything will end fine. I fold my wings and close my eyes, the rushing of the winds caught onto my ears, "One, two..." The sound of the ocean waves clattering against the bridge's leg, "Three, four..." And a villain to catch. "Five." I opened my wings then my eyes, the touch of the ocean on my ears and mane felt nice. After accompanying Catnap home I will do what needs to be done.

Phew, that was a nice five-minute break, time to get back to work.

"Wowzie, I didn't know fellian tail could be so strong!" Shadow Sport spoke jumping with each word. The day was over by now and we just sat and talked... By we I mean them.

Light Shade nodded and spoke, with a hoof under her chin, "That was ten bricks, right Catnap?" I mean, it's pretty normal? It miiiight be a bit strong, but not out of the charts.

"That's a very strong tail." Swiping Sweeper chuckled, and got up, "Time we go before it gets too dark."

Shadow Sport affirmed then whispered to my ear, "The guards get a bit iffy at night, poor Stormy once got beaten up because of it." Oh. I nod and get up as well, stretching briefly and throwing dust off.

My first step then never came and those of the other also stopped and looked ahead as a figure in the distance ran towards us, a figure familiar from this day, "Catnap!" Jam shouted and then stopped catching his breath before continuing, until his arrival was right before me, "Phew, got your ID done. Didn't want to..." She gave a quick glance at the guards, "Risk anymore after what I heard..."

I waved to dismiss his worries, and pinched the card away from his mouth, was full white with only a purple cat staring back with a blank expression. At least that's all that isn't covered by gooey saliva, ew. I put it in between my tail-belt and shivered as the saliva touched my fur.

Light Shade took her ID, and levitated it close to me "Just like mine," then chuckled. Blank expression, did they 'snappy' you too?

Jam smiles and takes in a deep breath through his mouth, "Alright, let's go then-"

~Swooosh~

Jetstream arrives with a blast, hitting the ground and rousing a cloud of dust no, wait, a cloud of... clouds? "Heeellooo!" with wings stretched the clouds dispersed in a burst of wind with Jetstream chuckling to herself at the center. She gently brushed wings before folding them.

"Oh great." Swiping Sweeper muttered.

"Catnap, those are your new friends, huh?" She smiles and extends a hoof, "Nice meetin'yall!"

Shadow Sport took the hoof without excitation and put a smile of her own, "It's a pleasure to meet you again!" Oh wow, they're like a leopard and a panther trying to convince each other who's the best runner, even if it's obvious.

"We should go," Swiping Sweeper whispered and Jam nodded. Light Shade shook her head and tapped her sister's shoulder.

Shadow Sport squinted her eye for a second before forfeiting her impromptu starring contest with Jet, "...Alright, see ya later Jet." Her voice filled with resistance.

Now Jetstream, "See'ya bestie!" Couldn't be more excited. It was then that I noticed Jam and Swiping had disappeared. "Oh well, let's go then." Jet turned around and flexed her wings before once more folding them, "Soo, you comin'?" Oh yeah. No more contemplations, let's just go then.

When I was at her side I noticed something rather unexpected... "What's with the tattoo?" I'm not a judge and never will be, but isn't that a bit, uh... Embarrassing?

"My cutie mark?" I nod, "Oh like everypony get's one before their tens." W-what? Do they get butt tattoos before their tens?! I put both paws on my mouth, "N-no! Not like that! It's a magical thing, that shows our special talent, there's like a big flash of light and-and-"

"It's normal! Stop blushing!" Jet acting like a fish out of water is kinda funny. "Like, I got mine after nibbling my wings," She wiggles her rump- is that even appropriate? I-I guess I could just ignore old-world customs... Her 'Cutie Mark' of a wing with a feather falling from it, "A special talent in preening! Really useful to keep those in check," She flexes her wings.

Sooo, there's that. I take the front only to stop to realize I don't know the way back, "Really, I mean it! It's a useful talent!" Alright, "Like, you don't know how many pegasi don't know how to preen and," Alright. "It's suuuuper useful! I won tons of competitions with well-preened wings" I stop and sigh, then nod, I believe in you, "Aaanyway, did you know Swiping Sweeper is a stallion?" Jet took to once more hovering above ground- 06, she's quite indecisive.

...

Wait, what? I mean, it's obvious- "Like, his snout is so smooth and he's just a tiny bit taller than your usual mare." Ouch, this one should've had very rough years in school.

"He smelled like a boy."

"Whuh?" Jet fell from the air head first to the ground, quickly recovered and looked at me straight in the eyes, "Whaddya mean smelled like a boy?"

Oh, yeah. Ponies can't do that. "Boys have a rough natural scent while girls have a sharp one. It's a cat thing."

Jet stared at me flat, as if I was speaking in another language, "Soo, what is it about that Insurgence?"

And, she's back on the air drifting forward, "Insurgence is like, the guards of guards- If royal guards were little fillies, then the Insurgence would be the parent." Such enthusiasm, are they like comic superheroes? "The Insurgence of Demonic Containing Forces, cool name, right, RIGHT?!" I- uh, alright. I nod. "Right. They are elite hunters that go around kicking the butt of demons!" Her eyes shined like stars as her hooves were held close to her chest "One of them saved me from a falling airship!" Oh wow, like a plane? "She was a flying unicorn!" Oh wow, so when an unicorn and a pegasi have kids, both characteristics are preserved? "Then she blew the huuuge sea creature away!" Oh wow, did she have explosive weaponry on her- "She is one of the three archmages of equestria, her name was Dust Powder!" Oh wow-

The door squeaked like a dying drunk rodent that just had a break up once Jetstream pushed open, barging in inside while yawning loud enough to wake the birds, and I stepped in with a dry throat from the conversation on the way back - of which only had 5% of my participation - and the eagerness to skip dinner and just fall on the couch is my only wish at the moment.

"I picked some oranges this morning, they are at the basket if you want'em." And with that, Jet disappears into one of the rooms, and that leaves a one-step from dreamland Catnap to get some oranges and hopefully not sleep while eating. "Got it-" Jet is back "Gonna go do some business, be back by dawn." Jet is off.

I steadily close the door after she leaves, and both my eyes can barely see straight. I wonder what Bubba is doing right now... Something interesting like home made explosives? I sit on the table and grab an orange, the next thing I know is that I am startled up with a puddle of my drool on the table, and some noise coming from the door... Jet?

My feet brushed through the floor as if brooms until I reach the door which looks slightly taller - My paw rubs off the door knob before bending and unceremoniously pulling the door, there two ponies in fancy tuxedos and wearing fedoras stand. "Fellian, tomorrow right after morning work you will help us with an errand."

"Alright..." Sure thing Jet and Jet the Second, I will. Both nod and turn off. Where's the sofa? I move somewhere until I feel something soft and drop down there. Hopefully, it's the sofa.

Author's Note

WeeeeHooo!! 10k words!
I swear next time I will make one at 4k tops. Took too long, and is too extensive - I'm not fond of long chapters myself. This is mainly my fault because I wanted to merge both C3 and C4 into one and that I don't keep a constant words written per day(Anywere from 300 to 2k, really). On the plus side, the fun stuff (Mischievous Trio) came out nice, most stuff that I imagine usually come out in a decadent state when put into words, but this one was cool. Shame Lucy didn't do much, planned to make he hit Catnap with a chair but it contradicted with her personality and traits, so eh.

So, let's go. For those who did not notice until now, Fellians are bipedal thinking big cats, not bigger than ponies tho. Also, this means Abyssians don't exist here(Reason: They are too big!)

Things get wilder at C5(Now C4) and the true colors of what this fic is about will finally shine!

So, uh. A month. Nice. Happy near month birthday to my weird lovely son! Yippie! As always, be free to tell what you didn't like, what you DID like, and what you think I could do better! Criticism is always welcome (If it isn't a 'Fuck you, your story trash lolol' type criticism), and don't be afraid to point out grammatical errors! Also, Martial Prowess List will be released soon after this chap or not, lol. Check it out if you want to.
Oh yeah, if any mad man/woman(besides myself) reads on day mode, the small bold text is meant to be Crafty.

Also, no, cats can't sniff out gender(Unless its female on estrus), I just made that up(The part cats can casually smell out your gender).

Oh and, previous art used as the cover was made by this person: https://twitter.com/yammiji_x6/status/1723478849432748115
I didn't knew that by clicking on the cover it wouldn't lead to the artist, sorry for that.

That's about it.

Yeah.

Day 4: Ghosts & Demons I

The warmth that came from the blankets left no options for my still hazy consciousness besides going back to sleep. A perfect, vile plan - that is if my throat wasn't drier than Saara.

While it's not of me to get out of bed, not after an hour minimum of fighting off the accursed soft, warm, safe blankets, I can do it, certainly. I stretched my arm under the blankets letting go of numbness and the warmth that the blankets provided, briefly focusing on the pain coming off from my joint to wake my other limbs, then pressed down- then pressed down! Pressed down..! Wait, my arm sank into the bed?!

The he- heck?! What type of bed is this?? It's a miracle I hadn't turned into a shrimp yet- wait, bed?! Didn't I sleep in the living room? Well, I don't remember anything from yesterday after eating that orange, there probably was something in it. Huh.

Alright, since Jet's room is as empty as any other - besides the kitchen - it's time for plan B: Roll out of bed! I'll have to make her bed later though... Urgh! Why do people even do that? They're going to mess it all up at night again!

Whatever, my tail is already getting the cramps so it's rolling time! Freeing my paw from this insidious cat trap I rolled to the left and as I did so, the world spins, not in the obvious way - it's like somecritter kept juggling my head while trying to keep balance on a monocycle. Just thinking about it makes me- eugh-

~Thump~

~Gulp~

T-the wood tiles have been saved! Blergh. Also, ow! Her bed isn't far apart from the ground but still... Oh no.

I became a Catnap Roll.

Now, how do I undo that?

...

I'm up! These blankets were no challenge for the mighty Catnap! Hold on, did I wake up before the sun?! Between me and those gaps on the wall, I would've known, unless the sun decided to get up at the other side of the bed..? Nah. That means I'm up before dawn, Dogday would've been proud!

Dogday... I reach my paw to rub the top of my head gently and there it was, my own horn in the making. Maybe there is some ice on the fridge or a very cold water bottle - that does remind me I need to talk to Jet about getting them in a nearby city.

Today is already planned then, only some water for my throat and everything will be just fine! If only I could move without the prospect of the world falling apart. Hmm, I could use the wall for support- yeah, that could work. I leaned on the wall and onward each step was a mess, I'd imagine this is the famous hangover grown-ups always complain about. If the house was a simple straight corridor, everything would be fine, however, it isn't. The difficulty took a step up when it came to the doorway as simply changing the wall became a hard sudoku, but inevitably I succeded at arriving at the kitchen, sweating like I had just run through a marathon but arrived nonetheless, safe and sound. Hop- somecritter would feel very disappointed in me.

..Let's get some water. I tightly held onto the wall and then onto the table until the dish mountain was at paw distance and from there I grabbed a mug, raised an eyebrow flipped the mug shook whatever was inside - ew, roaches - and turned on the tap, giving it a light washing then filling it half empty. I could use somewhere to sit but the stools are back at the top of the oven, and between getting them or going to the couch, the latter is more attractive.

Alright, from the wall back to the living room, now the problem is that there are no walls near the couch - an odd idea leaving the couch in the middle of the room, but that's fine! I should be good to take a few steps, everything will end just peachy!

I let go of the wall and take a steady step forward, then another, then another, and then my legs give out. Sudden, useless.

The mug shatters in my hand, its round ceramic turned into small shrapnel scratching superficial crevices in my paw.

It hurts. I-I just want to see them again, is it too much to ask? I want to spend the afternoon smiling and playing with them, e-eat in fun picnics, and sleep in a tree shade near them- and, and be happy!

Why can't I be happy? Is it because I wasn't a good friend- that I didn't try hard enough? I can't even stand on my own, then how can I stand near them?! I deserved to have my limb torn to that w-weird wood wolf demon, I-I could have permanently blinded Leo from one eye! Critters like that are evil and should be in jail like Shouting Lungs said- And what I did to Gus and- I- I can't keep doing this anymore!

Even after everything they have done for me, I can't repay them! I'm a useless piece of- of-

"Catnap."

W-whuh- wha- Where are you? Please, tell me-

"Look back."

Wh-

"Catnap! Are you okay?!" An aggressive shift permeates through my body and the next moment- I'm on the couch with Jet- a friend cleaning off my face with a towel, "Hold on, I'm going to clean the mug, and get some clean rags" And so she did, in remarkable speed- A blink and my paw was bandaged. "Are you okay?! I thought something bad happened when the door was open- but then I-" I want to go to bed, "heard you crying..." She sits on the couch next to me, "Do... You want to talk about it?" I look up and, there it is. The sun is shining through the small crevices of the wall.

"Do you want a hug?" I nod. Her warm hooves wrapped around me safely, we barely knew each other and yet, she already is a better friend than me. Maybe- "You know, not all mistakes are our fault." H-how..? "Ah, that look. I hit the spot, didn't I? I have been there too."

Jet cleared her throat, "My father has a nice cloud farm at Cloudsdale, and my mother worked at the weather division of the Climat-o-factory, now they rebranded it as Rainbow Factory and specialize in spectrums." Jet's voice seemed detached from herself, "The Point is, I had a perfect life and I had high dreams, when I got my cutie mark I thought they were shattered. I ran away." Why? "Young little me joined a pirate crew, to hide from what I thought was a humiliating destiny." Monotone and cold, Jet... "I used to think the world was all flowers and sweet until I saw the first bit of blood, plunder, and murder." Her hooves held tight, too tight. It's like she's lost. "I was too scared to back away, we were flying high above lands I never heard the name of and by the end of it, so I had to do it." Jet took a deep, sharp breath, "When the royal guards got us, I wasn't somepony I wanted to be- I was glad that I went to jail."

Lost with no way back to a safe place, "While it was my fault on the running away from home and complying with them, young me was completely oblivious to what pirates did." Just like... "And the look of disappointment of my father after he bailed me out, Jetstream never really came back home." She released me from a warm embrace and I saw it, her hooves shivered- No, they were trembling. "I lost myself." Jet, you barely know me "But you didn't do anything as bad, right?" And yet you trusted a critter that you barely knew to tell something you held for so long? What type of- No, it's not that.

You trust me.

I hugged Jet and she let out a chuckle, "Hey, why are you sappy all of the sudden?" You need this as much as I do.

"Do you want to be my friend?"

"..Yes, that would be nice."

It feels nice to have a friend close, even more having one to hug but that doesn't make my head hurt any less, "Jet?" I reluctantly relented my hug

"Yeah?"

I slowly let go then looked up at her eyes, "Can you help somecr- fellians out of Stableside?"

Jet chuckled once more, "Of course, you're not suddenly becoming friends with me without a motive!" She then- Wha- Hey! Don't mess with my ears! "Sure, how many?" ...Why did you stop?

Ahem, I mean, "Three."

The pegasi began to tap her chin before nodding, "If we manage to get our hooves on a cart, I can do it just fine." Jet then smiles down at me, "Light Shade has one." Now that I think of it, I kind of did see her... Butt mark? What was it- Cutie Mark being rope and flint, so she has a special talent for exploring, I guess? "And since you already know her..." Alright, I nod.

Now that's done, Jet wanders over to the kitchen and begins to throw some plates around searching for something before stopping, "We're out of cereal. Today is a sad day." Oh well, surely we can find something to eat elsewhere..?

"Also since we're done having a heart-to-heart moment, can you help me with the dishes? They are scaring me..." Oh, you see- I would love to buuuuuut...

"I can't walk straight."

"... Are ya pulling my coat?" She quickly flew next to me and not even giving me enough time to shake my head, she began poking my legs. "We might need to amputate them." This does remind me of that time Bubba, Dogday, Kickin, and I played inside an abandoned building, Dogday fell through the second floor broke both legs, and had to be in a wheelchair for eight months, it was horrible. The point is, DON'T SAY THAT, JET! It's scary.

"It's a bad headache." Jet moves from poking my legs to poking my head but immediately halted with a wince.

"That's bad." Have you seriously not noticed- Ooh, ice- Wait, when did she- Actually, forget it. her speed is truly unquestionable. Jet hands- hooves me? Paws me the ice which promptly goes to my head, "Alright, you should be better by the end of the day. Walking hopefully comes sooner, until then, hop on." Oh well, it can't be that bad of a ride. Jet folds her wings landing on the ground, "You can hop on, right?" I took a moment to get in a safer crawling position on the couch and took a step forward - the world spun but my other limbs prevented me from falling, from that, I crawled at a snail's pace to Jet's back then firmly gripped myself onto her, my first flight is still a charred memory smelling of rotten eggs.

Jet trotted to the door and- I- "S-slow-"

~Gulp~

A-almost. Jet halts and looks at me with wide eyes, then sighs, "Got it. Uh, in case you need to throw up warn me, okay?" I nod.

Once outside, the refreshing morning breeze and the smell of the ocean took some weight off my head, I took the time to gaze at the clouds to recall what happened until now. The stupidity of wandering in clear forbidden zones to having an arm shredded, almost getting jailed, and involving myself in brawls due to my lack of self-restraint. Failure after failure for my lack of ability to just... Not be myself. Worse yet, they are worried about me- I know they are because I am a failure of a friend... I-

"Oh yeah, don't forget to pass on Jam's later to get your pay from yesterday." ...I made a good choice amidst a mountain of bad ones, at least.

I looked back down and softened my grip, we were on the outskirts of the eternity bridge where the last trees were before the multitude of ponies and construction materials.

I can probably walk by now and my head feels a bit better. I tap Jet's neck stopping her and awarding a curious glance, I hopped off and- "Careful!" Fell face-first to the ground. That would've happened if it wasn't for Jet pulling my back, "Maybe it's better to sit this one out, kit. I'll see with Jam if I can stay with you, okay?" Guess I have no say in that as Jet simply sits me down and my body refuses to budge. Haa, so I will just watch the others work from afar today?

This is the consequence of being a bad critter. I need to do bett- "Will you be okay on the grass for a while?" ..I give Jet a thumbs up and let myself fall into the grass, its soft blades tickling onto my fur, and the skies, and while not clear the fluffy clouds made a perfect harmony with the blue atmosphere with its bright star promising to reach its zenith in a few hours.

Nothing's better than a good dose of vitamin D to cure nausea and the liking, right? Gah, they should have brought some doctors, for Celestia's sake! Venture the wilderness without a single professional on health care, an idea truly out of Starswirl's mind!

Where the heck is Jam!? She should be here by now but there are so many ponies on the bridge- There isn't a place for that many ponies in town! Why are there so many ponies on this frickin' bridge, I can barely hear my thoughts-

"M-miss!" I glared back and found light-gold pegasi with a mane and tail colored in multiple shades of grey, she looked barely on her eight and wore one of those archeologist hat clothes, actually, there are too many ponies here wearing that specific sets of clothes- wait, are those crossbows- Oh my Celestia, treasure hunters too! What in the Tartarus is going on here?

Oh right, the filly- "Hello!" An older stallion that- Oh my, those wings are really well defined, plus that confidence in his voice... Hmm, does remind me of the explorer- no, adventurous stereotype. His coat was definitely dirty, and his clothes weren't much different from his daughter's, if a bit weathered down, "We heard there was a treasure under this bridge-" What?! This many ponies and the information was secret, or at least supposed to be, so how was it leaked so fast?! "There doesn't seem to be any temples under the water."

Right, most other treasure-seekers/archeologists here are pegasi, which makes traveling slightly easier... Right, answer them. "I've been working here for a few months, never saw a water temple."

"Oh, you're a worker?" The stallion scratches his chin, "Yes, with this many other competitions, things might not end up friendly." Huh? "Have you seen my brother perhaps? Golden skull for a cutie mark, earth pony, and-" This... Should I tell him? There's little reason to, heck, he might even have spread the information of treasure - but why?

"Miss?"

But affirming his location wouldn't help the cartel? The Insurgence will only afternoon, won't the cartel move faster? However, even so, the Insurgency should be able to catch most of them afterward... Most, not all-

"Miss!"

"AH- I mean, what?" The stallion briefly looks at my wings - wait, it's not that! "I-"

He shook his head, "It's fine. Ah, to be young again..." They're just reactive! I- oh my Celestia- Focus, focus!

It's too paranoid to hide information because of an event that has a small chance of happening, be truthful like you promised you'd be Jet! I faux coughed, "Barely seen him, yesterday he did walk on the bridge." The stallion nodded then stole a brief glance at the 'guests' and sighed.

The stallion prepares to take off, "C'mon Yearling, dad has some safer ruins to explore, and thanks for the information." I nod and begin to move, the filly begins to voice her complaints, but I am too concerned about something else to listen. Alright, think, this is an unfinished bridge and Jam is a great pony... Alright, if she isn't there something serious must have happened. With a quick flap of my wings, I am two feet above everypony, and with a second... I fly at average pegasi speed, if everypony here were a pegasi going into a full burst wouldn't be a problem.

A normal, even slightly fast pace for most is a lazy flight for me, it's just- ugh. Many heads I pass until I reach the destroyed tip of the bridge, where the sage bricks have become a dull grey. "Hey- Hey! What are you doing?! Did you leave your brain at home?!" Ah, there is Jam and her unique swearing vocabulary, I pity the unicorn that stood a bit too close to the edge.

"You're not a friggin' Celestia spawn, if your peanut-sized arcane brain isn't doing it's job right, let me remind you: if you fall nopony will catch you." Jam's barking does critical damage, the random unicorn ran out crying!

Anyway, "Yo, Jam!" I wave a bit above in the crowd, the cacophony seemed to be quite the thing as she made a sign for me to come closer with her hooves, so I land at the spot the unicorn once was, "Jam,"

"Jet." We both nod, "Hah, today is going to be one of those days..."

"Don't tell me,"

She glances back at the crowd, "There's this chit-chatter bout' treasure here and that, I don't get it - didn't the Insurgence already check that out?"

I nod, "They did. That won't be a problem later in the day, they should arrive an hour after the lunch break."

Jam stares a bit odd at my face then puts a mask of a smile on her face, "This morning won't be as productive as I wish..."

"About that, Catnap has a terrible case of headache and-" Jam rolls her eyes then giggles, "What?"

"I thought you preferred the well-defined, martial artist stallions, not fellians," It slowly blew into laughter, "So that's why you look so beaten." Wha- No. Jam, just no. "Alright, go spend time with him then, he had a very bad, uh, 'bruise' yesterday." She looked around, "If it doesn't get any better, I do have some 'tranquilizers.'" Drugs..? Jam whispered, "One of the fellians brought, what was it, catnip? It apparently works more or less like a cigar." How'd you know it only works on fellians? She raises her tone, "Just for fellians though." Drugs. I guess in a small quantity could be medicine..? But I won't give drugs to any friend of mine, out of the question.

I shook my head, "No, thanks." Jam has her knick-knacks - I wouldn't expect anypony as workaholic as her to not have some, even if it would've been better for her to be clean.

Eh, nopony is perfect. I waved my goodbyes and sped back to a hopefully less sick Catnap. If he gets better by noon, I should be able to get his friends a ride to Hoofington- No, Fillydelphia. It should be easier for them to make a living there after the inclusion policies the new mayor brought there, it's only a bit farther... Heh, before sundown is still possible!

That cloud looks like Hoppy...

And that one looks like Jet- Wait no, that's Jet. Hi Jet! And there she is, a moment away, another popping my personal bubble, not right in front of me, but rather hovering at my side. And for the first time today, I could take a look at her face unimpeded by drowsiness or heavy head sickness, "Catnap, do you feel any better?" Her eyes were red and raspy, a few loose strands on her mane jumped out.

Now that I look at it, her feathers are roughed and misplaced, there are a few cuts that I can see through her fur and hooves, "Catnap?" She looks like Kickin' after our first camping trip. Did she go to the woods- No, did she fly fast inside the woods? Why did she need to go there in the first place- "I, um, is there something on my face..?" As she slowly drifts to lie at my side, I hold her hoof- "Catnap?!" And passed my paw along it, "O-ow-" Then I realize her and raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, uh, I just warned the Insurgence yesterday about the cartel," Weren't you collecting information? "W-well, you see, the cartel has planned a move today and is likely going away afterward. So I needed to get them here as fast as I could." Is that why there are so many noises coming from the bridge? "So, are you better?" Jet lies at my side and begins to... Do push-ups with her wings? Do wings even have muscles- I mean, of course, they do but- "So?" Ah, I nod. My head has been feeling less like an anvil for now.

"That's great!" She briefly stopped her exercise to smile, then continued, "I plan on getting your friends to Fillydelphia today too." Friends..? We fought and- "After this, I am planning on looking for that book of yours." B-but I didn't even pay you yet!

"Bu-"

"Catnap. You're my friend, I only asked for the bits earlier because I didn't know you." But we- "I'now we only met each other for two days-ish but I feel like I can trust you, and I want to." Jet I thin- "And there's that- uh, calming feeling that I have near you, it's like, I could tell you anything and you'd help me solve any problem." ... "It's a bit weird, I know, but I don't think I'll regret this. Plus, I only asked bits out of pettiness, losing fifteen hundred at once hurts, but besides, I'm packed."

Picky... "You're my first friend here too. Well, I mean of course there's Shadow Sport and the rest but they feel more like colleagues." I'll do my best to not disappoint you, and I'll do my best to be a great friend!

On a side note, I feel a bit tired. I guess I could take a snooze for a while. Hmm. I close and soon every woe disappears, bit by bit memories sweeter than any candy are recalled and- "Wake up, fellian." Whuhzat?

"He's sleeping, go mug somepony else!" Beating the drowsiness into a ring-out I open my eyes to witness two fancy-dressed stallions, one seemed steam boiling angry while the other kept checking his clock... Why do they seem familia- Oooh. Oh no.

"The Godfather has picked this fellian so this fellian has to come!" He stomped on the grass and began to swear bloody murder in... uh, Italian?

Jet got up into the air and rolled her fur up as if she had a shirt- "Over my dead body-" Too much heat!

Oh, 06, I need to do something... Uh, ah, um..! "It's fine, I'll go."

Jet's jaw dropped and her argument partner who was about to pull the Swiss knife, the same grinned triumphantly, "WHAT?!/Ha, take that hag!"

"You can't be serious!" She put one of her hooves over my shoulder, "Do you know what you're getting into- Like-" I shrugged it off.

"It'll be fine, plus won't they come anytime now?"

Jetstream drew circles on the ground, "I Still don't like this..."

"C'mon fellian, do not let the Godfather wait!" W-wait- he grabbed my paw with his hoof dragging me along the grass, my head thumped like drums and felt like a pulsating heart- But I could walk somewhat fast without falling, even if it was an awkward walk. Finally, when I stopped I had to take a few breaths to regain a semblance of composure, and there, in front of me were five other 'fellians,' each of them distressed, from the ginger cat-looking ones to Bombays. I take another deep breath and stand still, the pain gradually faded away.

At that point, two other fancy-dressed ponies arrived, one salmon-meat colored and the other yellow with a few wrinkles and a scar running over a blinded eye, if they had horns their hat hides them well. The yellow one cleared his throat and his voice boomed, much to our feline dismay and my head. Most importantly my head, ah- the pain worse than a surprise test- "CLEAR THE WAY!" Suddenly, the 'guards' began to push treasure hunters, archeologists, and explorers aside where another five mafiosos came in - is there a rabbit hole full of them hidden somewhere? - took off their hats that showed very sharp and intimidating horns, each ran to the tip of the bridge and began lightening, soon behind them came an extremely old stallion with a king of hearts card as a cutie mark followed by another stallion of younger age with a golden skull as a cutie mark.

The old old stallion seemed to age fifty more years at the sight of everything, "Why in Celestia name's have you brought them here!? We had a contract-"

Now, the younger one was smiling "YOU had a contract WITH me. And in said CONTRACT there was no saying against third parties, but there was one about backstabbing, wasn't there? Tsk, for a family in decadence, you sure got the balls."

"If you don't get them off, Balls will be things you will not have!" He stomped on the ground.

The stallion raised his eyebrows, "Really now? Remember who paid these guards. Do your part and I'll do mine." The old stallion harrumphed and yelled at one of the fellians next to me still rubbing his ears. Phew, dodged a bullet.

Smiling and seeming reinvigorated, the treasure hunter, or rather, the mastermind waltzed in, "Pull it!" and his orders were obeyed. The five unicorn mobsters each lighted their horn, a yellow pentagram symbol slowly formed around them with each unicorn at the point - Ooh, magic - and then, out of nowhere a giant golden chest ornamented with some shining gems and sculpted to an impossible degree of detail a face of some serpent-like creature with... I don't know how many heads, but each of those heads made me feel something, each of the heads had a red gem for an eye that glared at us, but behind it, a sun symbol with multiple rays seemed to encapsulate the creature in a form of prison, appeared at the middle of the star. This serpent... I don't like it, the others also have their fur standing on edge.

We don't want to touch it. "Fellians, get a hold of the chest." We stood still. "C'mon, you don't want to be 'disposed,' aye?" I looked around until one of them took the first step, then all of us followed behind. The unicorns were sweating buckets-

~Thump~

One of them passed out. "Quick, get the chest!" With some teamwork, we all managed to catch onto the chest before the other unicorns fell one by one... This isn't good. It's not too heavy at least. "Perfect. Now, follow me- Ahem, 'Godfather,' your assistance won't be needed from now on." The guards moved and surrounded the old wrinkled pony.

"You..!" Each guard with weapons pointed them towards the godfather, while those with horns charged them.

The mastermind chuckled, "Ah, the best way to not be betrayed is to betray first. Don't think I don't know what you had planned. Keep him tight." The guards nodded. "Now, follow me." This was both for the remaining guards and us.

Without much of a choice, we did so as we asked. The crowd opened its way and I raised my head and that's when from afar, I saw something small and-

~Thwack~

I fell to the ground, and my head sang an orchestra of pain, "Demon." That ice voice- My paws reach for something right at the side of my head, with pain and some difficulty, I grasp and drag it in front of me. A rock, with its tip crimson red. Rivulet trotted forward from the gasping crowd.

RUN!

I tried to get up but everything didn't connect, my legs refused to budge and my paws barely had any strength- I- "You foal! Do you know what you just did!?" The mastermind stepped in front of that thing, then everything began to darken... No, I'm conscious, if a bit drowsy- I pull myself to a sitting position, "You doomed us- no, you doomed yourself!" The mastermind pushed Rivulet out of the way breaking into a gallop.

My eyelids could barely stay open, "Catnap!" The wind sang at the arrival of the pegasi at my side, "S-stay awake! Do not sleep!" I could try... But it's been so long since I had a short nap- "Does anypony have a badge- anything?!" It feels so warm and safe.

My paws felt like weights pressing down my arms, trembling to do the smallest of effort but still succeding, I reached for my head and winced, I barely touched my forehead and it came back caked in crimson. "Why in Celestia name's are you helping that demon?" So aggressive red. A-am I...

I need to stay awake. "Demon?! Do you call ponies that look different that too, you whorse!? I will-" Then thunder, I heard a lot of it. Then a splash as if 06 had just thrown a mountain down a lake for a laugh. "Dear Celestia..."

Jet was staring at something behind me, I slowly turned around but even this much made me whimper- A giant. A giant was what I saw when I truly turned around, quadruplet by nature but if it stood up on its two green scaly legs it would reach the clouds. There, on its neck instead of just one head, I saw multiple. More than twenty- no, more than a thousand heads. The heads and the neck were completely disproportional to the size of the body, but each was twice as thick as me.

Demonic Lord: Five Thousand Facets Elemental Disparity Hydra, Lernean Magnus.

Author's Note

Rivulet accidentally triggered a secret boss battle >.>

Anyway,

I don't know how you guys feel by chapters cut into parts. I will say that I have written(At this moment I am editing this)only this part of the chapter so far, but if you, dear reader, don't mind GIGANTIC chapters, this will be the only cut chapter of this fic, otherwise I will cut chapters down to more manageable sizes and for the sake of faster publishing.

As always, do tell what you liked, what you didn't like, and what you think I should do to make this fic better, constructive criticism is always appreciated!

Don't be afraid to comment, I'm not a five thousand headed hydra, teehee. Also I will be tunning down the colors from this chapter onward on lesser things like the sounds of bushes moving or other minor effects of nature, unless caued by a character with QE that is.

Day 4: Ghosts & Demons II

Bright Horn lighted the latter part of his name and teleported a whiteboard showing the overall economic benefit for both Equestria and The Griffin Kingdon for the construction of a road in favor of earth ponies and unicorn merchants, which honestly would solve the problem of lack of pegasi in the delivering industry. The few that do usually retire earlier due to injuries.

The nobles and politicians on day court listened intently but I had heard all of this for a lifetime on the throne. Heavens above, if only one of the blueblood's descendants were a perfect balance of just and viciousness to take over the throne for a few years... Ah, a mare can only dream.

At least he has a good merchant voice, "And this brings it to my next point, our alchemists have been
Bright Horn lighted the latter part of his name and teleported a whiteboard in, showing the overall economic benefit for both Equestria and The Griffin Kingdom for the construction of a road in favor of earth ponies and unicorn merchants, which honestly would solve the problem we have about the lack of pegasi in the delivering industry. The few that do usually retire earlier due to injuries.

The nobles and politicians on the day court listened intently but for me, it was just repetition. Heavens above, if only one of the blueblood's descendants were a perfect balance of just and viciousness to take over the throne for a few years... Ah, a mare can only dream.

At least he has a good merchant voice, "And this brings it to my next point, our alchemists have been able to concoct a new, easily ponyfacturated sturdy brick!" Bright Horn once more lights his horn and a blue brick appears in front of him, "Which will further decrease the cost of materials that can be further used for monetary incentive to new workers!" Oh? A plan that might genuinely benefit Equestria? The nobles and politicians that were listening clapped at the good plan displayed by Bright Horn, and I have to give to the stallion, it's a nice plan.

However, "Where is the other sixty percent of the funds going?"

Bright Horn smiles, "To the alchemists of course!"

"Yes, they are getting paid more for their qualifications, but you went over the fact that the bricks were easily mass-produced and 'cheap,' even if qualified hooves were so expensive, there would still be fifty percent of the funds left over, where do they go?" Let's see now, avoiding eye contact, flickering tail, and one ear flickered too- oh, is that sweat?

Bright Horn brought a tissue to wipe his bluish fur clean of sweat and passed a hoove through his black mane, "Uh, well-" My little ponies are terrible at lying. Should I be proud? "It's for- uhm-" But lying is inevitably a survival skill to learn. Ah, I tricked so many dragons into 'borrowing' some gold in my time. "The- The-" Maybe that was why Honesty never chose me. Hm. "For- I-" Stuttering mess.

Let's see. "I'll call the royal alchemists to review the structural magic and integrity of these bricks," His eyes widened- Trying to make the roads sturdy but easily breakable by environmental effects, then build a company to fix said roads and make bits out of it, this is the third time somepony tried something similar this century. "The project will also be reduced in funds, by 55 percent. Any objections?" The stallion looked even more hurt. What were you planning to do with so many bits? Build another mansion? Seven isn't enough, Bright Horn?

Those five other percent will go to advertisement campaigns, any leftovers will be given as a bonus to new workers. After the route to Cervidas is reestablished my little ponies will finally get their hooves on those sweet spices... Ahem.

Silence rang through the throne room. "Then it's settled-" I get up and trot to the window, ignoring the many ponies gasping. My gaze goes to the clouds fleeing from somewhere, the change in the magic, the atmosphere morphing, the air twisting and tearing. The heavens churned in defiance and a familiar taste that magics bring with it... Somecreature broke my seal. Southeast from here is the Eternity Bridge, but I dropped it at Peril Cusp- Doesn't matter, my little ponies are in danger.

It has been too long since I needed to use the traditional Canterlot voice volume, but I can still pull it off, "BLUEBLOOD, TAKE CARE OF DAY COURT UNTIL I GET BACK." and it reverberates throughout the capital, I can trust Blueblood to not break the country and cause an economical crash for some hours, maybe only an hour- forty minutes. but that's enough.

With a flick of magic, I'm above Canterlot. Ten minutes, a second at full speed but... Ten minutes.

Demonic Lord: Five Thousand Facets Elemental Disparity Hydra, Lernean Magnus.

Even if that thing was tens of meters away, it still looked as if it were right here. "Dear Celestia..." The sky churned, and dark clouds began to manifest and twist in an upwards spiraling cone right on top of that thing, golden lightning ran across from cloud to cloud until they reached the spiral where they collided, however, there was no sound, impact or anything, the multiple golden lightnings were fusing into some sort of ball lightning? This is unreal- I don't even know what I am looking-

~Swisssh~

Then it soundlessly dispersed, together with the many clouds- but what was left wasn't the sun and the blue atmosphere but a starry sky in broad daylight- The darkness of space grew unimpeded by the sun and other stellar bodies each grew even brighter, Jet voice echoed through my head "Hold onto something!" And a rainbow of lightning struck down the hydra, severing hundreds of its heads at once- a whole second later came the impact and it hit like a train, my bones, body, blood- my everything felt crushed and by the time I had caught enough air to cry, I had hit the water.

I twisted in pain but the lack of air was a wake-up call, I mimicked Dogday and paddled, for ten, twenty, thirty seconds. The water slowly tinted red from the wound on my head, adrenaline pumping any drowsiness away as I paddled yet closer to the surface, forty seconds and I-

~Kaboom!~

Another explosion rang from outside and another shockwave further pushed me down, I clawed at the water, grasped and pulled, yet I kept sinking. Deeper and darker. I began to paddle again but my limbs were unresponsive- something broke, but I was so close, this isn't fair! It-

My lungs burned, joints creaked and despair leaked into me faster than my open wound- I'm going to drown. My stomach felt like a tangled yarn yelling at me to do something. But I can't do anything.

I held tight onto the handrail, the second bolt was stronger and had cut even more heads of the beast but the remaining were smiling, "Ah, it's nice to breathe again." Its voice shook the entire bridge with all the heads speaking at once, a few hundred heads suddenly turned toward the ponies and- blood. so much of it, a pegasi who stayed in the air had half of its body torn, screaming in pain as it fell to the ocean- and yet that was the only one who remained alive long enough to scream after the assault, tens of pegasi in the air were picked off at a speed that I could barely see- I don't think even I could match up with it. Other pegasi that stood on the bridge immediately tried to fly off only to be picked off instantaneously, they didn't even know they were dead.

I folded my wings and and took a few steps back to mingle with the crowd. This- I don't know what I am doing- What should I do to help?

Do something- Do something! I prepared for something like this for years on end, to become the hero I once wanted to be- So do something! Fly up there and do... something...

Everything was slow- so fucking slow, my hooves trembled and stood firm trying to hide amidst the crowd, hoping that if they were to aim down they'd take somecreature else. I stood still as pegasi turned into minced mint and used other ponies to save myself. A fucking coward that killed and will throw others into danger because of fear- that's what I am- I hadn't changed a bit.

I watched as the lump remaining of the ponies went through his throat and the cut-off heads slowly, grotesquely, grew back- Bones, fiber, and muscle. The heads that hadn't devoured anypony looked toward the sky and began gaggling, until- it vomited? No, spewed a huge amount of it's gastric juice- I can't stay here, but them-

When the heads ate all the flying pegasi my wings unfolded and I took a moment to consider flying to get one of the ponies remaining on the bridge to safety, but that was as far as my efforts went, my wings were stiffly drowned in fear with each pony screaming and running past me, their expressions sculped horror, it was even worse with fellians who had shrunken down with ears dropped Catnap, they're confused, lost- I slapped myself with my hoof hard enough to draw blood, and shouted "What are you doing?! Run!" I can't stay the same, not anymore. I shook the nearest creature near me- an earth pony out of his fear-driven stiffness, his eyes widened and he galloped away.

It wasn't fast enough. It began to rain, sickly yellow. And screams of fear turned into shouts of pain and cries of agony, my back felt burning but no more than a very hot shower- it couldn't get through my acclimatization spell- It protects from any harsh environment, every pegasi should know it then why- Why aren't they using it!? Their coat melted, blood boiled, each one of them screamed, howled a bloody scream tearing through their throats, sometimes literally- I- I grabbed the nearest unicorn and tried to pull him away- just to only pull his melting hoof...

Wind enhancement, proto-cloud creation, Aion rings, Flame cutters- There has to be something- anything of a spell to help- Graklin call, gale burst, cyclone... Gale burst! Gale... Burst? The screams had stopped with lumps of figures that were once ponies or fellians resting on the bridge, I took a look back at the demon and it had long since paying attention to us- to me. What is a pony to a mountain? Nothing. But yet, I was too slow.

I. Was. Too. Slow. I could've saved one- no, five creatures! But- but- it stopped raining... Maybe one of them isn't..! I began searching the lumps, scrying anything or hoping at least one hadn't been liquidated- I could survive, so- so other pegasi should have too, right? They should've learned acclimatization too- right?! Jam was a sturdy mare and so was Swiping Sweeper- Violet Storm was a pegasi too and he went through the same school I did. Light Shade and her sister were also strong, I know they are- so maybe there- there- S-some fell to the water too, like... I- He's fine! He is fine. But here...

There... Has to be somecreature left. Please.

~Clip-clop-clip-clop~

My ears flicked and my heart pounded, I turned around, and- it was the Insurgence.

A giant silver stallion nearly as tall and definitely more muscular than Celestia with a white mane trotted forward, his name was Bulwark En, behind him I could see a small blue unicorn mare with an unkept black mane gagging, Glitter Spell, then a dark pegasi stallion that had a fire-red mane and was a bit of a midget, but still kept an uplifting attitude trying to talk with Glitter Spell, Shady Jar, and another earth pony mare with a white coat with a curly green mane that held a stoic expression, Band Aid. All being of the Insurgency, heroes of Equestria. I took a sharp breath, there was no hiding the smell of rotten flesh.

Bulwark trotted faster than the rest of the group, who slowed down at the sight of corpses, that was until he was by me he stopped. "What happened here?" His voice was cold, threatening even. I pointed to the demon in the distance.

He took a step back at the sight of the demon, his eyes widened but quickly refocused and stared at me. The stallion shook his head and gave me a shoulder pat, "Gladiator." It wasn't even a secret spell, it was just acclimatization, the spell every pegasi learns in first grade, acclimatization. Earth ponies and unicorns have something similar too, I know they do- I studied it to perfect mine, so why didn't they do the same? "Don't dwell on it. The Insurgency is always open for ponies of your capability." Those five long years were for nothing if I couldn't have saved a single creature.

Bulwark turned around to his friend... "Glitter, call Dust."

The unicorn nearly jumped when she heard her name but nodded, determined. "Will do!"

"Soo, as I was talking to Glitz over there-" Jar changed his attention from the unicorn to Band Aid, "There I was, at Tramplevania's biggest evil guy's door-step, confronting the eldest vampire with the BEEEEST taste for clothes, Drippula!" His tales to his friend were stopped as the sky twisted with rage and I held on to the nearest handrail, another rainbow thunderbolt struck down cutting hundreds of heads of the demon... This demon.

After the lightning strike, I was surprised as both earth ponies didn't budge, the leader held the unicorn down and the pegasi simply flew back unphased, Band Aid approached me and asked with a soothing voice, "Were they your friends?" Shady Jar also forced himself in between us.

Colleagues. It felt that way, I felt that way- But it still- I could have put more effort. Were they my friends and I didn't know? Violet Storm used to invite me on slow flights over the ocean...

Shadow Sport and Light Shade had the best board games, Swiping Swiper was always unlucky in card games, and Jam- Jam was always there. Were they just colleagues?

The smell of flesh rumps of bone sticking out of puddles mixed with tissues, blood, and other fluids made me feel rotten, the demon in the distance roaring at the skies in defiance was disorienting, some of his heads still had blood on their mouth. Were they my friends?

Friends... Shady Jar smiled and stretched a wing over my back, "Hey, Bulwark said you were a gladiator, right? Like those of stories that could make giant cloud golems and breathe clouds?" What would he do- "Oh~ Oh! And the flaming wings and flaming cyclones! Breathing lightning too-" Catnap!

I quickly trotted to the handrail and looked far into the ocean, but nothing. "A-a lot of ponies and fellians fell after the first impact, one of the fellian was my friend I-" Band Aid raised a hoof to my mouth and later poked my snout with a smile.

Then she turned around to meet the pegasi, "Shady Jar."

The pegasi quickly bowed, his eyes shone with devotion and... Something else. "Yes, my queen?" Band Aid rolled her eyes but motioned to the ocean.

"Go rescue those poor creatures, and keep an eye out for a fellian..?" She raised an eyebrow to me.

I quickly shouted, "Purple!" Both Band Aid and Jar raised an eyebrow.

Band Aid ended simply sighing, "Look out for a purple fellian over there, alright dear?"

The pegasi saluted "Say less, my divinity!" Shady Jar hoped down the handrails and began searching,

Band Aid turned to me and slowly rubbed my back, "Now, mind telling me how did you survive?"

"Acclimatization." The spell that saved me and could have saved all of them- If I had trained more and put more effort, I could've made a cloud barrier, I could've-

"But doesn't that require a pre-activation mantra?"

I shook my head, "The mantra becomes unnecessary after you figure out where the magic runs into and where it seeps into, after that, it's just a matter of repetition until the body does that on its own continuously." I tapped my chin and looked back to the corpses, "After figuring that out, the next step is as simple as keeping on pushing more and more magic to get a higher level of acclimatization until the spell hits the limit." It took no less than a week, a single week that could've stretched for a lifetime for them if I had just practiced cloud breathing instead-

Band Aid hooves gently caught my muzzle and made me turn to her, "That's impressive!" then she let go looking back at the ocean, "Most pegasi take the Acclimatization as a useless spell and trust their natural defenses to weather." But said defenses don't work on heavy thunderstorms or typhoons. Did our over-management of natural weather cause this misconception that our body alone could withstand any natural phenomena?

I had been hearing more and more about ponies not knowing that weather does work on its own. "That's alarming." Band Aid nods.

My gaze slowly seeped into the ocean, far from the beast behind me, far from everything. I hope Catnap's okay.

"Please!! That bat cannot be a Celestia creature-" It was the second time this week, last week they took Manticore's for demons and now it's a vampire bat! They only suck the blood of smaller animals- They're scared of us for Celestia's sake!

Either way, I had no choice. Work is work. I reached for my amulet of recollection and put it on before nodding at the green mare with a lighter green fancy mane. "Lead the way." I can already see myself explaining the anatomy of vampire bats and why they aren't demons. We left from one of the Insurgency of Demonic Containing Forces branch of Manehattan and the noisy city welcomed me with its pollution-covered skies and oxygen that was no different than smoking three packs a day. Thankfully I have a filtering spell, but these ponies do not know how short their lifespan is because of this environment-

~Ring Ring, Emergency, Ring Ring.~

Thank Celestia! "It seems we have to reschedule our extermination appointment."

"Wait-" And I teleported to the signal, ready to deal with the greater demon- Oh my Celestia. The smell of rotten flesh immediately assaulted me, I took a look around and stopped, glaring at the skies.

"Archmage Dust Powder!" Those are the same skies. Cursed be heaven, cursed be harmony!

I took a deep breath and refocused on the hydra demon lord. It isn't going to survive the tribulation, I can feel its demonic essence being comparable to that of a greater demon, the only thing it has is quantity.

With a single flash of my horn, I teleported a hundred meters away from the beast's many heads, with another flash I began stepping on air, and finally with one last flash I grabbed the attention of the demon lord.

"YOU, BEING THAT COMMANDS THE ESSENCE OF MY WORLD." A booming voice, arrogance backed up by power, checks up. "YOUR DEITY HAS IMPRISIONED ME, FOR SUCH SINS YOU MUST DIE!" The tribulation struck the beast once more for ignoring its presence. Cursed be heavens and cursed be harmony. I began setting up matrixes, pushing magic to mold a plate of stars capable of holding great destructive power but halted at the feeling of something coming from behind.

Suddenly, a beam of pure solar might obliterate half of the heads of the hydra, the remaining few begin to charge blasts of poison, lightning, earth, fire, sand, and more. "Are we planning on creating another Everfree, Celestia?"

And, on time, the princess herself flies by my side, "Its essence is weak enough to free us of this problem." I nodded and resumed my spell, the first circle fills the matrix of stars to hold power, the second circle creates the matrix of concentration and dedication to create a shape, and finally, the third circle entails... harmony.

"On a side note, have you showered recently? Your grey coat is turning brown and I fear those red patches on your face are caked in dirt." I grunted, of course, Celestia would notice that- guess no illusion spell can get through her eyes.

Whatever, I positioned each circle one after another on my horn, then I thrust through them, the essence of the world enhancing my own for a brief moment, I lowered my head and fired a single tiny magical missile, the Hydra lost no time and fire his own massive uncontrolled beam of unfiltered demonic essence. Mine easily pierces through it all, Celestia flares her horn, and multiple solar beams form walls of pure energy for what's to come, an explosion.

The moment my beam touched his flesh, it detonated in the greatest explosion. It would've flooded entire cities and caused a great deal of earthquakes if it weren't for Celestia's protection. If I were to fire it on land, an entire mountain would be decimated- I still wonder, Celestia has powers to contain every demon on Equus and yet she doesn't- blabbers about harmony when ponies suffer, I honestly don't understand her.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" Not happy, Celestia slowly raises her hoofs and I hear the ocean stirring, a few seconds in, the water from the explosion lowered enough for me to see multiple Algae larger and wider than any tree on Equestria swarm the creature, latching onto its flesh preventing any further movement.

"You should take care of yourself better." Next week, I have work to do.

Another charge, exactly the same as last time but a tad bit faster- I don't need the same potency as last time. I fired a lesser magic blast as the demon roared and it blew up, this time instead of dust a red mist.

And it seems it was still alive as the heavens struck down one more time for good measure. Once more I swept the field with a breeze spell and the giant demon was there, headless with huge chunks of its body missing, its blood spreading through the ocean. Hopefully, we can purify it by the end of the month, but on a side note, "Bones and organs are mine." It did resist four or five bolts, four more and it would've become a demon god.

"Not the flesh?" Celestia asked, well sure the flesh is the most valuable for alchemical potions, and since it's a hydra we could dilute his blood to make various regrowth or even rejuvenation potions. But the Insurgency is lacking in good weaponry lately, the organs will be good for enchanting and rituals. I shook my head, Celestia smiled, "If that's what you want, my little pony." Then she frowned at the sight of the bridge, those poor creatures...

I sigh and shake my head, my horn flares, and without another second, I'm back in Manehattan and the mare had waited for me- For Celestia's sake, why didn't you ask help from somepony else while I was away?! Agh, might as well deal with this before filling out the paperwork for extraction.

Author's Note

Oh, hi. This one was done yesterday but I got too lazy to add the flavoring stuff and proof read for the third time so uh. yeah. Two more caps and we get the resolution of the bridge arc B).

As always, remember to say what you did like, what you didn't, and what you think I could've done better on this chapter. Constructive criticism is always welcome, so do please write on the comments!

On a side note, what do you guys think of Jet and Catnap personality and dynamic so far? Do they feel alive?

Day 4: Ghosts & Demons III

Catnap! Wake up!

Hmm~ Quake up? What's a quake... OW!

Hoppy! Catnap could've gotten hurt!

Like always, difficulties arose when I tried to wake up, this time my eyelids and suitcases were one in the liking, heavy. However, they still could be opened, and a grunt flew from my mouth echoing through the darkness when they did. I could barely muster enough strength for deep breaths and when I tried to simply move my arm to a better position it gave white noise. But as time passed, my ears did manage to recognize the droplets of water ahead of me, and then came the smell.

By now, the smell of blood was a familiar one, familiar doesn't mean good. When I recovered the ability to feel, I noticed that my lower half felt drenched, and by the position, I'd guess only the upper part of me was out of the water, however my face- half of my head felt warm, where the scent of blood was the strongest. I was bleeding—a lot.

Panic kickstarted adrenaline, and I felt slightly lighter, so first I adjusted my arm that was under me then put a paw on my head, the beans barely grazed right between my brows and it burned- an inferno of pain from head to toe, my whole body twitched just by touching it. My paw went away at light speed, there was no need for sight to guarantee that it was drenched in warm crimson liquid.

Sorry. I'm just a bit excited.

After that experience, came the cold. Frosting through my fur and the water, I did the best with my limbs thinking they were weights, I crawled up until my lower half was out of the water and curled into a ball, I took my sweet time in that position until I went from 'I'm going to die from hypothermia' to 'Butt Naked on a winter storm.' In other words, enough warm to search for a warmer place. I brought myself to sit up then slowly put my feet on solid ground and got up, the world didn't spin, it twisted into a mockery of lights and shapes that stayed there even after I closed my eyes. I took a few safe steps forward with both arms extended as safe poles and hoped there was no hole. The cave floor oddly had no indentation or shifts and neither did the wall when I reached it, both were completely flat therefore not natural, which means there was a way out.

With a wall to hug and my reliable good sense of direction (please be right), I walk to the place where there isn't a hole full of water. Another good thing is that I felt my pendant still there.

Let's go, I can't wait to beat Kickin's butt on soccer!

The plan is to avoid another early morning accident, and not move the head too much while walking, the casual up and down. So my steps were as slow, heck, even slower than a snail's pace. However, it brought good in keeping me somewhat warmer.

But the newfound sensation of blood running down from my forehead to my chin made my fur stand on end, just imagining how I look gives the shivers, I really need to do something about this soon or...

Language, Hoppy!

As I went through the corridor of sorts, the wall felt weird to my beans, with inward indentations that didn't feel natural, sometimes the same indentation repeated. Is it words? I can't distinguish them, it's not from the same alphabet if they are words. It just made me curious and if I was in better circumstances I'd help do a 'spring cleaning' on this place.

These words carved on the wall also meant that something might live here, further confirming a way out. Oh, if only my legs permitted me to do the Red Riding Hood walk.

The few thoughts I had to occupy myself dwindled with each step, my rough breathing through my mouth to avoid that smell and my tail dragging on the ground were the only company. All that I did today, Dogday warning me... I need help and I have a friend who can help me and help me find a way home.

Jet trusts me, I will do the same, I'll talk to her after I get out.

Eventually, my thoughts became silent with the perpetual darkness, time had little meaning when there wasn't a way to measure it, but my legs were about to give out. I would've stopped and taken a short break but I discarded it at the sight of light. Dim enough for a human to miss it, but it was day clarity for me. Or well, close to it.

I took a few quicker steps, a bad choice on my part as I stepped on my tail and nearly fell but I caught myself in a stone table, and by caught I meant to hit my stomach on the table edge while clawing at it to not fall. After that I pushed myself to sit on the table and started looking around, the light that I had noticed came from a dying crystal at the ceiling center of the table, and the walls, ceiling, floor, and even the stone furniture such as the bookshelves with moldy old books were filled with words of an unknown language but that didn't even come close to the skeleton of a pony sitting on a chair at the other end of the table, his hooves held tightly onto a red book with no visible title from my perspective.

But more importantly than that, a black door behind him and the sound of rushing air current coming from it. Oh, 06. Thank you! I don't know how wide I'm smiling but my cheeks hurt.

In a minute or so I'll be on full charge, then the surface awaits! Hopefully, that thing has gone away by now. That could've driven the tourists away, Jet seemed a bit bummed by them also with fewer tourists there will be less of a distraction for the workers, and I should be good enough to help Shadow Sport and the others by now!

...

This critter died alone, with no friends or family to bury him, yet died doing what he liked. At least I presume that or otherwise, it'd just be catastrophic. On that note, a thought mingled into my mind, 'What was he reading?'

For all I knew, it could be a romance, or an, eugh, didactic book.

Catnap.

I- I mean, I don't despise didactic books, I even study- or, used to study with Bubba on particularly slow days, it's just not my idea when it comes to relaxing or having fun- Well I-I mean it's fun, but only when I study with Bubba, he makes things entertaining and- and... I miss him.

Better to leave the thing that the pony loved with him. Welp, that was a good enough rest- 'The book might have a way back.' I stopped, 'To friends and family.' I turned to the skeleton. 'A way back.'

My head flooded with the memories of Dogday and me playing catch, his smile, and my joy. 'Take the book.' Hoppy and Kickin's competitiveness and the time we went to the arcade together, Hoppy hitting the arcade after her ninth consecutive loss, 'You will be happy.' Bobby and Crafty talking about silly things together and the latter accidentally dropping a bucket of blue ink on Bobby... Bubba focused on his project and Piggy butting in with the best PB&J sandwiches ever created. I... Walk around the table and stay eye to socket with the skeleton then look at the book.

This is wrong, it's desecrating a tomb practically! But... I just need to take a peek to be sure. I reach for the book.

Once my paw-beans come as close as to graze the surface of the cover, the light blinks out and I find myself surrounded by light red smoke, weirdly enough, it smelled like that rotten pickle inside a jar left behind in my wardrobe, I was too scared to pick it up. In contrast to the gas, my feet and tail felt moist like a rain puddle was underneath me, and now that I come to look at it, the rain puddle extended to everywhere I could see - diamond-colored water that reflected a world of stars above.

It was all me - From the smoke to the water, even the skies. I knew it was all me and that weirded me out, but then something felt wrong, a twist of an ankle or hearing the wood creaking in cold nights sounding like footsteps, no, it felt closer to losing an arm, "Hello." I turn around to meet a critter- an earth pony completely translucent with no perceivable distinction besides that. "I've got to admit, it's quite a feat that you got there, destroying your subconscious."

"Wha-"

The pony chuckles, "Two days ago, you destroyed it, Catnap. That means everything your body did until now was your doing." What? "Of course, you didn't realize. Who, but an arcanist or the princesses would?" Then, a hoof greets my face, and everything changes as up becomes down and I still find myself standing tall after that strike, the scenery changes I take a step, turning back into the cave I just was in, but not quite. "I've waited so long for this opportunity to have a body again, to become truly immortal in body and soul." I recovered from the recoil and even here, I felt an exciting propulsion igniting my blood with chill excitement, shaking joy. But a pang of fear still made me too uncomfortable to fight back just yet.

He had vanished just now to deliver a sure-hit punch. Teleportation? Is that even possible?

"I'm Oneiroi by the way." He vanished again and this time I quickly turned around only to receive a buck in the stomach. "Previous member of Luna's Arcane Guards," He followed up by disappearing and bucking my back, "Master-level Arcanist, one of the previous six elements of harmony, and, might I add, one of the eight that participated in the sealing of Nightmare Moon. Don't bother introducing yourself, I already know it all." I rolled to the ground gasping for air and nearly choking on my saliva- and coughing bits of blood. This felt horrible yet exciting.

I take in a deep breath. I refuse to give into any of these feelings, I'll win- I have to. I pushed myself upward powering through any pain and disorientation, and turned around the moment he vanished, claws unsheathed I slashed forward to hit nothing, then I was tackled from behind and pain came from my head again, again, and agai-

~Crush~

That was less of a hassle than I originally thought it would be. Lucky me, heavens be blessed. I gave a quick search at the destroyed conscience for a core and the only thing resonating Life to keep this construct together is this pendant. Usually, it's a body part, the fellian certainly does have some emotional attachment to it, hm. I reach for the pendant, however, the 'air' feels startled so I halt and turn around.

Nothing. Being a soul for so long sure did some wee-hoos to my senses. I can't wait to see how the walking world changed.

The moment I turned back the weird purple fellian was gone - in its place, stood a beast twice taller than Celestia its coloration was just like of the fellian and so were the weird eyes, I took a few steps back and began readying my next strike against this sort of defense mechanism. The guardian looked like a malnourished ribcage, the spine, arms to claws were all on display with its fur tightening the bones. It looked ready for the reaper's embrace, yet, nine chains coming from above held by nothing in particular- prisoners in Tartarus had more room to move around than it. More advantageous for me since it looks oh so fragile.

Finally, His voice was everything here, the smoke morphed and the stars above changed into an orphanage, it's just like the trick I did before but this demands the question serving as the subconscious? Why did it wait for me to destroy the conscious part before- I'm his desires. Did- He suppressed me, tried to mold me. But I am the one who molds him if anything. From now and forward I dictate what you will become. Only one chain broke loose, and it had the nerve to chuckle at my face after a threat! I'll tear it apart.

With a thought I molded a sword into existence and- It's useless It disappeared. Another chain broke, since it seems to have Nightmare Moon syndrome, I'll just let it talk and gather some dreams to destroy it. I have seen through his eyes, that many critters let themself go by their desires, and those shape their dreams. Yet he refuses to let me do the same.

But there were no dreams, with the little Life I had I could pull off some auxiliary technique and throw away some memories for extra energy, but that isn't optimal. I should have been in control, of the choice of what mate to choose. What they love. Their dreams. Their attention. Their hobbies and friends. It should've been my choice. Another chain broke, I'll just use my soul as a weapon then, its willpower should be weaker than mine, if it has been suppressed for so long, However much I hate him, he's necessary. And so, I will use you as a nutrient. Your soul is different, better than ours but not more powerful. As he was done, I released a mental wave with the effort to erase the guardian, but it seemed that even hastening my thoughts didn't throw off this mind-reading cheat, and even threw a will-blast stronger than my own, that is much to my surprise since it is just a bandaid to fill in the subconsciousness role. But that still begs the question, how? My soul shatters like a twig and twists into a spiral then compressing me to the size of a honeycomb, to which the creature promptly ate me. Did those thousand years watered down my capacities so much?

What a bummer, I really wanted to see the outside world. Meh, dying isn't quite the thing that will occur to me though. So it's kind of fine too, I guess. Especially since in a way, part of me will see the outside world once again and I will have a successor to my arcane arts without a need to teach them anything.

Actually, hey that isn't so bad. Mighty fine. I wonder if the apples are still around, their cider surely has gotten better over the years.

Maybe my final thoughts can influence them enough to eat an apple pie of their making. That would be nice.

Umgh... Un... Wah-

~Nyaah!~

Ahem, I mean, um. Nice calcium you're packing there, sir. I calmly stand up from the bone pony in the chair and gently knock it into the ground, with the stone chair available I decide to rest there to get my mind out of this frenzy. Strange is that I don't remember falling asleep- not that anypony remembers but I wasn't trying to sleep, sweet Luna, it wasn't even good sleep. I better just-

~Cough- Cough, cough, COUGH!~

~Splat~

My lungs feel violated with each thread of air punctured stronger into a wheeze and a further cough, blood splattering on the table, Life drained with each breath, and my eyes, nose, and even ears began bleeding-

What is wrong with me? Life isn't supposed to be drained this fast- I'm not heavily injured or using any arcane ability- What... What am I saying?

Why can I tell these things- Why do I know what they are?! I didn't- I pushed myself up from the chair and wiped clean the blood from my eyes, Cel- 06, arcanists, war- they're not a part of my memories, they're not!

I didn't kill anypon- anyone! Whose memories are those, I would never kill anypony! I would never do any of that- I-I would never..! My paws don't feel like my own and I can't stop this bleeding- this-

This isn't me! The Life draining isn't helping- And I do not have an established circuit yet to afford to lose so much- I felt another mouthful of blood coming up my throat and as I coughed, I realized what was the problem, the soul was too big for the body, therefore the soul is trying to change the body to fit itself without leaking but is destroying it instead- I need to do what then?! I can't just take out my soul and be done with it, I-

A memory from green grasslands, an arcane technique taught by Luna to earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. Arcane arts, and arcanists each with their views and unique specialty fighting in an unnecessary war to reach immortality- new ones constantly being born but never compared to those who had been practiced and honed to perfection by multiple generations, Lunaris Dreamer.

Arcanists are murderers- I can't become one of them! There should be another way, there always is! My eyeballs felt like they were being pushed by the amount of blood coming from my eyes but the sight wasn't the only thing impaired, my ears were flooded and most importantly, my nose and mouth. It was difficult to draw even the smallest strand of air as my own blood tried to choke me.

E-even if I want to become an arcanist, I'd have to change everything to fit my body, the circuit might still work if a critter's brain is the same as a pony... I have to do it, there's no way I could find a way to rip my soul out of my body in less than a minute.

Alright. To kickstart, I need to control Life and then begin the circuit, Life can be controlled through a trigger of defiance to something, and said trigger will become permanent for future arcane abilities. I- I can use death. Easy enough, I don't want to die, now do something!

And it actually does something! Shivers on the back count, right? Well, it's good that these memories help me recognize Life, practically skipping a few years of training- but now comes the hard part: The circuit.

Lunaris Dreamer is mainly a first-layer technique but has secondary third-layer effects, so the circuit needs to be created in a place to satisfy both requirements, and to satisfy both requirements I need to place it in the brain, what part? Near the part that is responsible for dreams and near the foundation of the body but where is it? Can't you be a tad bit more specific?!

~Cough- COUGH!~

My legs slowly give out, but before falling I sit down on the chair, again. I'll have to take a guess, Bubba and I never really looked too deep into anatomy, but I have a good chance if I die, I will blame whoever gave me these memories in the afterlife! Alright, the circuit needs to be built in the shape to resemble the first and third layers as well as have a meaning for the first arcane ability, the moon serves enough of a symbol.

And to finally build the circuit is to consciously run Life in the shape I have in mind using- using emotions?! How the hell do emotions translate to orders of command?! That makes no sense- these memories make no sense at all!

I need to do this right though, but how? Do I need to think of the emotions or feel them? Remember of times when I felt or what?! Don't just say 'use emotions,' that's too much fucking ample.

Think! The solution should be simple and easy, think simple and easy idiot! I'm trying to build a circuit for an arcane technique related to dreams, and dreams feel happy, peaceful, and careless. It's one in four, and purple cats are lucky, right? Eeny meeny miny moe... You!

There was a time when we went on a camping trip on the outskirts of the city, Dogday's legs were a tad bit better to not need a wheelchair but still needed crutches to walk around, besides the usual friends Catbee and Pugapillar pulled along too to have an easier time around Dogday. We had walked alongside a flowing river until there was a nice spot with a tree near it where we sat and unpacked, there Hoppy had put a rubber spider inside Kickin's lunch bag, and oh boy was it fun hearing a girly scream out of him.

Celestia above, what I wouldn't do to be there again. I let Life flow, my body aches and my skin breaks apart like glass, and blood flows like a river but the circuit is there, I did it. Now I have to deal with the charge of Life that is beating the shit out of me- Circuits work for efficiency of Life, so from using ninety-nine percent, it is now a solid eighty - but that was too fast, there's too little time to prepare.

Bones creak and break, more blood but I am still awake. The use for that remaining is the next problem since it is used to overcharge all the muscles, fiber, tissues, and bones into overcoming the apex of the body. Pony body. Of course, said overcharge is temporary, but when it ends the muscles have suffered enough to be at the theoretical apex. Again, of pony body, and unless I suddenly become equine, I need to find a way to do the same with my smaller body and naturally fewer muscles. This means leftover Life that I do not know where to put into since overcharging has a limit before I blow up.

No time to think, overcharge before bleed-out! Life overflows through every single cell of me, destroying old ones and immediately creating new ones only to destroy them again and make even better ones. Muscles were being damaged and healed at an incredible rate, if I were to guess even nerves were suffering the same process, as it wasn't painful as it was uncomfortable.

Once more, the lack of a watch prevented me from knowing how much time passed beside the vague definition of 'a while,' but everything was overcharged to the limit and yet five percent were still left and that is a problem. I can't have any leftover Life before my body adapts to the new efficiency the circuit provides, until then, Life is volatile and dangerous. My memories should have something for me.

And digging into them did bring up some things, auxiliary techniques that don't need circuits but aren't effectively 'strong' and purely situational or convenient. I begin to filter through some of them, Bane of Memories which I take a fancy since it could solve my problems, it sacrifices memories to the heavens in exchange for a temporary boost or recovery in Life. Wait- is that an auxiliary ability about cleanin?! Who would throw away Life just to be clean when you have... Showers... I'll file that one for later. Mending- Finally! This one mends and fixes flesh for a heavy cost of Life, too wasteful to be used in combat yet, perfect for me!

The idea behind this auxiliary technique is to- uh what? Oh okay. I have to use my trigger, an emotion akin to amazement and disgust, and think about glue. Trigger, easy. I don't want to die. Amazement and disgust, uhm...

Picky and Dogday jumping on mud puddles on rainy days. The little splashes staining each strand of fur and staining skin, just thinking it makes me... Shiver.

And glue. Now just spread the amount necessary - more than necessary since I have that luxury - of Life throughout damaged tissues or bones. Just like glue, huh? Flesh mends- and it felt as if a car, a plane, and a cyclist had hit me at the same time while some random jackass kicked me in the balls in superspeed, in other words, hell.

So much of hell that when I opened my eyes, I laid flat on the scribbled stone floor - I can read it now, neat - without an idea what happened. But there was no pain at least. Maybe that's why the memories had a horrible experience supercharging it. Who would've known it was because of that?

Anyway, I patted my legs, shoulder, ears, about a few hundred of ponies and three fellians dreams, and nose, everything is there.

Huh?

I dig into my thoughts to find an answer to this new odd sense, the name is... Oh, I remember, it is the Dream Module. An arcane ability that allows me to control dreams, their shape and meaning, and the ponies who sleep. I- this is quite macabre. That aside, the circuit does feel complete and most arcanists who complete their circuit have a new reserve of Life in their body, which in turn makes the body 'bigger' without increasing in size, that should fix my issue.

Now, how in Luna's holy moon and 06 divine grace will I explain any of this to Jet now?

Author's Note

I never really got FIM magic system quite right, here it is usual talking of magic matrixes and whatever else but I don't really recall any of it on the show, besides it being more or less a science rather than D&D magic. Actually screw that, I know nothing of D&D magic system either.

So uh, I came up with one of my own that I can actually understand. Actually I came up with three and put it in a blender! Lets see how this fares out. Also, yeah. I call it Life. No acronym there. Just Life. Plus I only got the FUNKY MAGIC TRINKETS part of Life truly figured out, so, sorry if this introduction is a bit information heavy too, I didn't try to figure it out a nice way to expose, and I feel a bit clanky with it too, also I'm just SO excited to get this out and finally put an ending to the arc. If you hadn't guessed by how much more frequently I updated.

Other than that, I ran out of my outlines. This was supposed to happen on Day 7 but Day 3 did frick ton of stubs. So I'll be working on that, besides a way to not make Catnap a mary sue (What's the male term of that, anyway?) And refresh my memory watching some MLP FIM eps, since the introduction is done the fun stuff needs to come afterwards! So, I'll increase the timebomb inside Catnap for a little while longer for more fun chapters. This also means, I'm back to the notepad stage, it'll be a while to figure out some funky new idea
or whimsical magic stuff, I don't know if this counts as hiatus or not, but I'll try to figure it all out in a week, university still has no real tests or work to deliver until next month, so we safe till then.

Once again, sorry if the chapter is a bit clanky but I am on the feeling if I keep holding it to re-read and edit it all over again, I'll be stuck in a loop, so...

As always, tell me what you enjoyed, what you didn't and how you think this chapter could've been better. Don't be afraid to point out grammar mistakes or to leave some constructive criticism, you'll be helping out!

Cya next chap, chums!

Day 5: New Scar

The hollow cry of air bristling past my ears and the swift scent of nature were my only guiding lights to an exit amidst the cave darkness. My steps were small and close in between by nature - I didn't want to fall.

Small droplets fell periodically from a stalactite - at least I assume they were falling from one - but that strained thin as the sound and smell of leaves became clearer to me. Since when have they been this sharp?

...

It would've been a wonder if the crew was here, we could set up a lamp or two and play a big game of hide-n'-seek! It would've been a wonder not to have intruded into private rooms and gotten sent Lun- 06 knows wher-

Light! The whole cave grew brighter in a heartbeat, dull darkness died down to a silver light revealing gray stones and multiple gems on the walls, ceiling, and even floor which further reflected light to slay the darkness. There are so many gems in here! Maybe I could get some with Jet to bring them back to Mom.

Mom...

A sigh escaped my mouth followed by a gasp- I could exhale dream gas as easily as, well, sighing! Even that got 'better' for worse. I held my breath and tried to reach for a feeling in my chest to close a valve, then exhaled even more dream gas.

Okay, calm down and think straight Catnap. Remember what Dad told me, this is supposed to work as a third lung that I actually have control of, closing it should feel like puffing my chest or something. I held my breath and puffed my chest, for sure the valve had closed, right? And sure enough, I exhaled and all that came out was... What Bubba said it was? Car boon something something? That thing other than oxygen- Whatever, that doesn't matter, let's exit this dump!

Once I caught my step I felt enough energy to jog all the way to the exit and further home! That is, if the mouth of the cave wasn't covered by vines with very pointy, not friend-shaped thorns.

The only thing separating me from my hour of joy were those vines, very thorny vines. Maybe I could just run through them, I- No. Just no. Hanging too much with Baba Chops must have brought me some unsightly thoughts. I reach a paw for the vines and I quickly withdraw, a small red dot rising at the point of my finger. No thorn had any right to be this sharp!

Is that why nopony came over here? Murderous thorns? D- Does this mean I'm stuck here in an underground cave forever? I mean, only a stalwart crazy mule would ever try to-

~Clip-clop-~

No way... "Hey! Look at this cave I just found, let's explore-" No fuc-frickin' way.

"Nah, look at these thorns lad, they'd skewer us!" Two voices, one young and the other older-

~Clip-clop-clip...~

Wait, wait, wait! Don't leave!

I inhale, "Help!" I take it back! Only intelligent, handsome, and awesome stalwart critters would find this cave entrance inviting! Their trots halted, and then...

~Clip-clop-~

YES! I got their attention, now if they have something to cut these vines, freedom will be mine!

Any moment now... Please say something, this silence is giving me goosebumps "G-ghost- Ow!"

CLAP!

"Shut up rascal, it could be a demon!" Ouch. Hooves can be very painful, I would know after the sketchbook incident... Crafty sure draws a lot of things. Ahem, forget that - I need to clear this misunderstanding.

"I-Im not a demon!"

"That's what a demon would say!"

"No- That's what a critte- Pony would say!"

"See, his tongue slipped! He's a demon-"

"W-wait!" Think you stupid feline-! How the heck can I prove to them that I am a critter and no pony-eating demon- Wait, that's just it! "W-would a demon be able to meow as nicely as I?" I clear my throat, "Meow~!"

"...That is the weirdest thing I have heard today." WHAT?! That was the meowest meow I ever meowed!

Alright, plan B: Try to de-escalate the situation with a joke! "I-I purred my whole heart into it!"

...That was horrible!

"That was horrible. Can we leave?" Nonononono-

"No, sonny." Thank you, oh thank you!

"Why?"

"We need'ta get the fellian outta there." Yes! I could repair the whole of Playcare right about now! No, forget that, I can probably beat Candy-Kat in a sweet-eating competition or win a race against Hoppy!

... Never mind that's too far-fetched.

The sound of clip-clops shifting in mud played with my nerves like guitar strings and it felt like the best anxiety-inducing soundtrack- for the love of Luna just get me out of here already!

Then silence. They wouldn't leave me here, would they? The old fellow did say he couldn't leave but what if he changed his mind and his son was insistent on leaving so-

~Katching~

Silver light fully flooded in its full brilliance, the scent, and sound of the forest hit like a truck, I could feel it at the roof of my mouth - no, wait, that's normal for me.

The crickets and fireflies danced in the woodland theater behind a brown mule and an honest to 06 old stallion with gray as his everything, except the adventurer's hat and that patented archeology shirt that were brownish.

After the cruel vines born with natural daggers had been slain, I carefully walked toward my saviors with open arms and, "What are'ye?!" He swung his machete and I took a precautious step back, the mule did the same while the stallion stood his ground. The mule shivered with the wind and I tilted my head and then looked back at my fur dyed red with blood and it clicked.

I looked back at the floating machete and the magical grip faintly vanished before coming back, sweat beads formed on his forehead- isn't sweating a unique trait to humans? How weird. For once I feel like splashing all over the mud and breathing the fresh outside air, the tree trunks, I want to touch all of them! Yet, if I do so and take any step forward the result would be Swiss cheese Catnap. I'm content with only Luna's moonlight for now.

I feel oddly calm to somecritter who has a knife under their neck- If anything I should be shivering or pissing myself, but it feels so... Calm like it's a normal occurrence. Has this happened before? No, it hasn't. "W-what are'ye!!" And I think I know the why, - these memories... But now isn't the time.

If only my throat didn't feel so dry, "My name is Catnap." I take a step forward and my saviors take several backward, the chill breeze suddenly doesn't feel as comfortable, "I won't do anything to you." And neither I am dumb enough to throw paws with somepony with a knife. Not that I want to.

Both look at each other dead in the eyes before turning to me once again "You don't look friendly." If he complained about the eyes I'd be mad, but I know what the problem is. "Your fur is caked in blood."

"Oh." Maybe hoping that they overlooked that was a bit much?

The stallion inched closer- c'mon think of an explanation! "I-I just hit my head really hard!" I knew Simon Smoke how to be expressive classes were a scam! I want my twenty bucks back!

Well, I was the only one attending it... I still want them back!

His magic grip tightened around the blade and his eyes lost the spark of empathy, a shiver ran down my spine as an old memory resurfaced when other critters didn't treat me like a person but as a monster, a boogeycat. A-a killer. "How many of your own have you killed and eaten?" He inched forward, the mud squished under his hoof.

"None, I would nev-"

"Lies!" He stopped walking but his blade kept coming forward, thirsty. "If you hadn't done anything, why in Celestia's name would you look like that!?" I was born this way? "You're an aberration, a freak of nature." I-

Am I?

His blade went for a lunge to skew me, it seemed so slow but yet, it nearly hit me. I looked back to the cave and the darkness welcomed me with open arms- Another swing, transversal down, this time took a few steps backward. I'm not a killer, I never killed anycritter- I-

Mares, stallions, foals. Dilacerated and gutted with their vitals flooding out, tainting the green with dark red- Those aren't my memories, I'm no killer! I'm...

I don't know.

Another slash toward my torso and for a second I thought I had avoided it completely but then came to mild pain, it hadn't cut deep. But the pain gave way to a fact more important than the question of me being a killer or not.

I don't want to die. Everything slowed down even further, each speckle of dust became perceptible and so did his magic, a nearly imperceptible thread connecting his telekinesis to the weapon. It doesn't matter as I inhale the largest amount of air my lungs can support, envisioning quantity rather than quality, I immediately let it all out.

Everything, everywhere in front of me became crimson red, "Cough- Cough, cough!" A fit of coughs, gasping for air, and then the machete dropping followed by two other drops in the mud, leaving nothing but the familiar unfamiliar feeling of REM right in front of me, its warmth tempting as a shelter in a snowstorm and the smell was irresistible as a steaming stake out of the grill.

They forced me to do this, it isn't my fault- it isn't my fault! They would've killed me if I had done nothing- they tried to deny me the chance to see my friends again, so it isn't my fault!

Breathe in, exhale, repeat. Slowly.

My insides were on fire my lungs were a blazing hell, my head felt bloated like a balloon. I stopped thinking further once I realized that and instead I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled then repeated again and again until I felt better.

Those memories aren't mine, as long as I remember who I am everything is fine.

The smell of the ocean was a gentle guide to a moonlit shore, it was colder near the sea but quieter and peaceful. The Eternity Bridge stood great and strong far away with its sage bricks barely reflecting any light.

Equally cold as the night, if not more, was the seawater. Thick or thin fur meant nothing when drenched, it always became messy. Red tainted the waters as I washed my blood away, paw prints dragged in the shore and further at the woodlands close to the Eternity Bridge, a clearing back to Stableside stood. I had once abominated taking showers, yet I can't find myself leaving these cold waters.

These past days were tiring. One conflict after the other, mistakes side by side, but at least there is a friend to talk to. I need to go back, even if I want to have a break that would be abandoning my friends, to stop moving would be the same as that as well. I need to go back and find the forest where the almanac might b- is.

...I want to go back as fast as I can but I don't want to leave Jet, she is a friend too and every friend should stay together.

I dried myself like Dogday would and moved on to Stableside, my mind full of doubts, all the way my decisions being questioned, and even with my best efforts I couldn't avoid that single thought: 'What if I had just stayed in bed that night?' This world is so similar yet it feels so alien, a few days ago I was playing tag with my friends or talking about how creepy Miss Delight is, fooling around with Dogday, racing with Kickin', cooking with Picky, studying with Bubba... I miss all of them. Sometimes lay under the sun and sleep or explore the outskirts and find a cool spot to take everycritter on a picnic... And I'm tired.

Luna above and her stars shared their light, I found myself staring at them for a brief instant before continuing. Past Eternity Bridge, the canopy of trees slowly diminished, past Jam's place, houses of wood sustained by promises of money and dreams flourished. There, in the house of a friend, I knocked twice.

She could be sleeping, and if that is true, I will stay outside to set things straight. The door clicks open and both I and Jet stare at each other, crickets were enough to accentuate the silence, then... Is she crying?

In a classic Jet way, she hugged faster than my eyes could conceive and I reciprocated, her wings were a mess and her mane was even more a bird's nest than usual, what a way to go Catnap, you got her worried! Her eyes were so red, what a great friend I am.

Jet was the one to let go of the hug, her eyes bleary, tired, worried, a croaked voice came from her, "Come in and tell me. Everything." I nodded and walked inside, everything was just the same as the first day I arrived, besides the smaller dish mountain. The room was lit by a single, dying-out candle placed on a table inside the kitchen.

Jet sat on the couch and I followed. My head hurt a little when I tried to recall everything and when I did, another moment of silence followed for me to make memories into words then, I spoke. "After I got flung by that thing, I lost consciousness and woke up in an underground cave, then the exit was blocked and a stallion and a mule helped me out... Though they mistook me as a demon-"

"What?! Are you okay-" Jet hastily checked every part of my body but sighed finding only a single shallow cut. "No nibs nor gashes and... You got a bit bigger?" That's rather a normal side-effect of the first circuit. Although I'm glad they are barely perceptible under my fur. Oh colts, I recall of a friend that got so muscular after the first circui- Not my friend. Focus, not the time.

"Anyway, those two thought I was a demon and I had to put them to sleep." Jet's eyes widened.

Jet wings flustered wide open, all the semblance of tiredness disappearing. "S-sleep?!"

*"Nonono, I mean sleep sleep not the other insinuation."*

Slightly less agitated, she raised an eyebrow and I, in turn, took in a small breath and then looked in the opposite direction of Jet to let out a small puff of red smoke. "...You've been smokin'?"

Never-ever! Mom would kill me if I did! "It's a gas that I can make, mom said we had a small organ connected to our lungs that makes this possible."

"Like magic?" Jet's eyes widened.

"It's more like, uh, swinging my tail, so it surely doesn't feel magical for me."

Should I tell her about arcanism? It's unbelievable if anything...

Cool people never have anything to hide!

I shifted on the couch a little and looked at my paws. They're the paws of a friend, her friend. And friends never keep important secrets from each other, she told me of her past so I will tell her of mine. "I also learned some arcane arts at the cave."

"Catnap, this is serious!" The pegasi perked up away from the couch and glared at me, "I'm not gonna believe ya if your reasoning involves pseudo-magic!" Arcane arts have becomed pseudo-magic? Does this mean no critter practices it anymore?

Then, what can I say? Wait, wait. If I can prove to her it's real then... I have enough Life to use my main ability but that would mean to control somepony or store REM which is inherently invisible for non-practitioners of Lunaris Dreamer. There should be an auxiliary technique, even if wasteful, to show her. "We're friends, Catnap. And friends are supposed to trust each other..."

Digging through many memories from auxiliary techniques came one particular that is quite attention-seeking. Spark is the name and its function, I don't even know why this one exists. Jet rubbed her eyes and said with the most honest to god 'it's this obvious' voice, "E-Even if something bad did happen in that cave... I thought you w-would tell me..!" Burn Life to create a single, insignificant spark. Sorry for making you doubt me Jet, here comes a spark!

I point my index finger up, bye-bye whatever Life I managed to recover in the meantime. I think of the time I nearly died some time ago and Life flowed, I remembered a time when I felt happy and energetic, and then Life followed my emotions and memories flowing towards my finger and out, burning and manifesting as a single, bright, and short-lived spark.

Briefly illuminating everything, then dying out. "W-what was that?!" Everything blurs and I have to force myself to not faint. It took way more than I thought, but that should do it, "Are you okay?!" Plus Jet made sure to shake out all the lingering numbness out of me.

"I'm-" Breath in, and do not faint. "I'm fine. That was an arcane art."

Jet stared at me like a first-grader taking a peek at a tenth-grader math book. "For real?" I nod.

Phew, that was hard. I think it was the right thing to do to tell her... But that isn't all, is it? I need to look back, as much as it hurts.

"But it looked just like magic... But fellians can't do magic..." Jet sat down back on the couch, her eyes still teary but not on the verge of crying anymore. I need to show that I trust her.

I need to show to Dogday that I can look back.

Silence stained the room, I stared at the dancing flame left on the candle - the warmth it spread, even if I wasn't near enough to feel it, I could imagine it. Warmth, happiness, joy, all of it reminds me of my friends... I just need to step back a little, turn around then say it. Just speak about them, you love them don't you Catnap?! J-just speak about them!

It isn't that hard. Just words- do it!

Do it! "J-Jet, I want to talk about something."

"Hm?" Jolting awake from her trance, her hooves shifted and ears raised, her full attention on me. "Shoot."

I take in a deep breath and all my words fall apart in my throat, a small grunt is all I could make. Jet tilted her head.

Syllable by syllable I picked it all up in my head, and once again ready to speak I stagger but not break down. I pushed the words out. "I-I did something stupid." It came as a barely audible whisper, but Jet's ears swiveled, she heard it. My voice picks up in pace and volume, "At my friend's place, we were having a sleepover and I couldn't sleep, I thought it would be fine to wander a little and see the places my friend strictly told me not to."

I took a large breath and spat it all out as fast as I could, "And I stole a book that got me here in this world and got myself nearly eaten by monstrous animals and I left my friends behind abandoning them and I don't know a way back- T-they are the best and I probably made them worried and now I don't know anymore" My last words came out with an exhale, "I feel terrible."

"I-I feel a terrible friend, a terrible critter that stole from his own friend I-"

"It's not your fault."

"B-but-"

Jet opens her hooves for a hug, "Did'ja knew 'bout what that place or the magic book did? If you did you wouldn't have touched it, and if anything, you nabbed it out of curiosity-" Desperation. "And would've put it back right after that was satiated, wouldn't'cha?"

I shrug it off, "But I did it out of desperation if I stayed still and waited till morning-"

Jet insisted, "Exactly you did out of desperation, you weren't in your best state of mind."

My whole body felt limp, "But they are good friends, they kept with me even when I was a jerk and I didn't even consider what the consequence of my actions would be- I'm a te-"

Jet hugs me, "Catnap, stop. If anypony told me you were a terrible friend, I'd give them a piece of my mind and hoof - for Celestia's sake, you are the most empathic fellian I ever met! You care about others and you help others when they're in trouble. Like those fellians friends you made!"

"I'm..I-"

"You're a good creature. A good friend. Don't let'cha convince yourself otherwise."

T-then why..! "Why I don't feel like I am!? It doesn't make sense- none of it does, everything they have done for me, helped me, it doesn't feel enough! I don't feel like I have done enough and it all makes me feel... bad. I just want to be like them, but I can't!"

"I can't do shit right, no matter what I do it never feels fucking enough and- and it hurts so much..."

"It digs deep into my chest, and I dig for answers that aren't there. I want to smile with them but I can't bring myself to it, I love them but every way I show it doesn't feel enough, I hat-"

Jet pressed her hooves against my paws, which were inches away from a bad scratch on my face- Oh. "I-I'm sorry-" What type of normal critter would even try to do something like that, I'm an aberration-

"Don't be. Tartarus, I know I can't make you feel better, but you shouldn't fool yourself, you're a good friend. My best friend, and only one left..." Jet... "So, Catnap, even if you don't feel like that you're a good friend, a good creature, know that I'd bet my life that you are." She smiled, "And that is worth sumethin', isn't it?" Yes, yes it is.

But it doesn't matter how much trust you have in me, Jet. But I can't- I don't know. I- don't feel it, even when everycritter said the same thing, that I'm good, empathic - I don't feel it! Am I supposed to just trust what they say-

Friends always trust each other!

...

I- I might not be able to feel like a better critter but if my friends say I am, then I must be. Friends would never lie to each other.

So...

"What do you think of me? As a friend."

She smiled, "I think of a friend who is a good listener and cares about those around. A kind-hearted, silent fellian."

~Haah.~

Then that is who I am. Thank you.

Jet's muzzle scrunched up as she began tapping the arm of the couch, "I need'ta tell you about that demon." What about it? The bridge and the surroundings looked fine enough so- "Those fellians that you talked about probably died."

W-what? "Besides a few lucky creatures, all that was on the bridge bucked the bucket." E-even..? "Most creatures left are moving back to Hoofington since Celestia put a halt to this project-"

"W-what about Shadow Sport, her sister and-" Jet looked away-

No. Nonono-

Why? "...They're gone." They had dreams, hopes, and family- what happened to those? They can't just be dead! "Most of the bodies were... Inseparable. Celestia cremated them and sent their ashes to their families." T-They can't be..! They can't just be... Gone...

Jet looked back at me and gasped, she glanced around before finally settling down for a hug.

"I want to leave."

Jet nodded and sighed, "Well go today morning to Fillydelphia-" Then something clicked in my head.

"They didn't work!" Jet raised an eyebrow, "The critters I talked about to you!

The pegasi jolted out of the hug with wide eyes and open wings "Really?" I nod and Jet smiles, "Not is all bad then... Hah." She looked down at me then sighed, "I wonder if I could've done more."

Before I could say anything Jet fell asleep, emphasis on fell as she was on top of me. Is this how they feel when I take a nap on their lap? Then I guess this is karma... Well, what can I do besides sleep as well? I gently push her face away from mine, close my eyes and earnestly hope for sleep to come.

Hot, it was so hot. The sun's rays permeated heat through every building this summer, beating every aspect of a 'good day' to a pulp, so much so that even school had called a day off due to the heatstroke of a day today is. Summer vacation was a week away, and with all school work practically done we were supposed to watch a movie in class... This enormous fireball in the sky forsook my poor hours of extra sleep! One day, I'll have my revenge...

But until then, I'll do nothing but melt in this hot, cloudless sunny day. I still can't believe some critters like- heck, even go out and play on days like these, but for me, I saw the sun for what it was, pure eldritch terror.

I wish I had been human, at least then I could sweat to peeve off this heat, but I wasn't. What I could do is lay on the floor tiles and flop to the next one once the tile became too hot and just pray to 06 that he turns off the grill already, I honestly feel overcooked.

~Knock, knock~

Mom started knocking before entering these past weeks, I don't know why but I sure do appreciate it. "Cuddle kitty, your friends are at the door~!" Yes! I force myself up and wobble my way to the living room and tripped over one of my brother's magazine piles onto the sofa, there he stayed with an old box TV on while reading a comic book. He grunts in my acknowledgment and keeps on flipping his comic book. I pick myself up and head to the door, briefly looking at the Cat-o-clock, marking one scratch to two. Oh 06, the day isn't nearly as hot as it can get.

My continuous wobble rewards me with Bubba, Crafty, and Jet waiting by the door. Crafty was taking small glances at Jet while the pegasi were intrigued by Bubba's trinket taking both of his hooves as a full-time job, his smile was as maniacal as his trinket. Oh, it's going to be one of these days...

I woke up with a pleasant surprise: Jet wasn't on top of me anymore! Hurray! Plus I'm feeling surprisingly lucid and energetic for just waking up, Life's reserves are nearly full, everything is set then. Time for a crusade- Stretching! Time for stretching! I slap both of my cheeks just to make sure all the sleep is out of me and do the routine I missed for the past four days.

Each joint popped, spine felt just right- I love being me~! "Wow." Jet!? "Nonono, Keep going. Don't be bothered." I- When- Wh- Hrrgh. I'm going to the bathroom. "Wait." Huh?

Jet flies beside, looking up and down, "You have grown a bit." It's not about muscles again, is it? "Is this sum arcane shenanigan?" The first circuit does at most some regulations, for some ponies, they gain body mass for others it doesn't change anything but no pony ever grew after making the first circuit, even less the second.

I shake my head, probably a growth spurt. "So do ya have that giant syndrome that makes ya keep growing?" Does something like that even exist? I make a question mark with my tail. "Oh." Now she's confused just like me, oh wait. Is that why all 'fellians' I met were about my size? Of course, there once was a race of taller cats, what was it- abyssians, yeah. They got shredded by the minotaurs six hundred- I'm not supposed to know that, forget about that Catnap...

Ahem, that should be why I got the job without any questions about my age! All fits in now!

Well, time to clear that misurdestanding, "I'm twelve."

~PFFFFT!~

"WHAT?!"

"Well, duh! O'course, I'm not biting that, It's unbelievable! What are the sizes of adults where you come from?" I rolled my eyes and moved on. This has been the... Seventh time? Ninth maybe?

On a side note, the streets were hollow- I mean they always were empty before but the motive is different now. Wait, is that a tumbleweed- How did that get here? "Huh?! How big are they!?"

I sigh, "A meter and seventy centimeters." And there goes, mouth agape. In a minute she will ask this over again, that is if we hadn't arrived at Gus's place before that. I knocked twice on the metal door.

"COMING!" This voice... I took a deep breath and calmed myself, the door opened revealing a ginger cat wearing an eyepatch, "Oh." I look away.

"Hey!" Jet in contrast trots towards Leo, a bit invasive of somecritter personal space if you ask me, "What happened to your eye-"

"It was me."

Silence, I hoped it lasted long enough for me to construct a better response, "Care to explain?"

"Leo took my pendant and I followed after him, we fought and-"

Jet's stare expressed disappointment, I looked down. My short moment of regret was broken by a giggle, "But both of ya are on good terms now? Friends after beating each other out and all that shtick?," Jet tapped my shoulder, "Although," The mirth in her voice faded, "The eye is a bit over the top." ... "We should talk about this later. But it's good to see you made new friends." Friends?

"Are we friends?"

Leo looked around and sighed, "Gus liked you. I know that stealing is wrong but-"

"Stealing?!" Jet looks judgemental gaze befalls the ginger critter, "Oh, I get it now. That's why they didn't work! They're villains." Leo instantly shrinks down, I quickly tap at Jet's side.

She glared at me before backing off, "Sorry. So, how 'bout we start again?" Jet extended a hoof that Leo took.

Phew, bad situation averted. After the paw/hoof shake Leo continued, smiling at me. "It's not like we can't give friendship a go! So, how about it, do you wanna be my friend?" Leo's smile is officially smiling critter worthy.

I extend my paw for a pawshake and Leo gladly accepts it. "Let's put everything behind us then!" Jet giggled at his enthusiasm.

The pegasi flutters her wings, "Who else besides you is coming for a ride?"

Leo, instead of saying two critters, saw an opportunity to invite us in. Jet simply couldn't bring herself to say no and went in, and I was curious about how Gus was doing, to which, on the old couch, the mist cat himself sat there talking with another cat, Bombay Lucy. Both of them stopped at our sight, Gus immediately sprang up and walked toward us, "Hello." That whole string of action brought some relief, his legs were fine. It'd be bad if there was another Dogday incident.

"Hi." Jet eyed Gus and nodded, "Jetstream Fastrocket, a pleasure." Puh?! Since when could you be formal?! Jet extended a hoof.

Gus takes it, "Gustavo, the pleasure is mine." For a moment, both stared deep into each other eyes and I could swear something happened between the two before both smiled, "I'm glad you're helping."

Jet nods, then came Lucy- Ack- Stop! "This is for scratching Leo's eye!" I won't do it again! Stop spraying me! "Hmph." Lucy turns from to Jet, "'ello."

"Sup." Jet smiles, "Must be hard taking care of your friends, right?"

Lucy rolls her eyes, "It is a bother. Just today I had to get Leo down from a bloody tree. Three times." Jet laughs, Lucy giggles. "Pleasure to meet." Jet nods.

The pegasi smiled, "I'll get a carriage and we'll be out by then. Be right back!" with unquestionable speed, she left a brief after-image before disappearing. Once the three fellians had gotten over Jet speed, my fur stood up as the three sets of eyes stared at me.

"How have you been?" Gus pats my shoulder, tension suddenly dissipating. "I heard what happened on the bridge. Must've been terrible."

"I even saw Celestia yesterday amidst a sortie. Must've been wankers round'here." Lucie added, "Leo saw it."

Leo's eye for a moment were hazy as he trembled. But he shook himself out of it, "It had so many heads! Then Celestia and the Insurgence archmage took him down! Also, how did you avoid the acid rain or whatever the demon did?"

"I got knocked to the water."

"Eugh." Leo shivered, "Cold, moisty water. Almost as bad as cucumb-"

Lucy immediately put her paws over Leo's mouth "Oi! Don't say that!"

The mist cat, different from his sibling seemed distant, his tail swung from side to side before he nodded, "It's good that you're fine." Fine, huh... "If you need to talk about it, we're here to help."

...That felt genuine, which is strange coming from a, well, stranger. "Thanks, but I'm fin-"

~Cough-cough-~

My chest burned, but it wasn't painful.

~Cough!~

It was discomforting at worst, but that's what scares me. It isn't natural to not feel pain. My lungs wheezed and my stomach churned, it was as if both were filled with worms trying to wriggle themselves out.

~Cough, cough!~

Blood came out, more than enough to fill a water bottle stained my mouth, and body. "C-Catnap!?" Gus held me tight, probably expecting me to faint but I didn't, Leo covered her mouth and Lucy looked away, but kept stealing some glances.

What is happening- No, wait. I know, it's the same as before but less severe... It'll get worse over time.

If the situation wasn't bad enough, I heard something hitting the ground outside, "I'm back!" I shouldn't be hiding things from my friend- friends. But if Jet gets worried, she'll get me into the hospital and that won't help one bit. My soul isn't causing as many 'changes' as frequently, so I should have more than enough time. "Why are you guys-" I let Life flow remembering the bad experiences of early morning whilst recalling times of peace and where I was rested, full of energy, a moment later the blood that stained my fur was gone.

Lying to a friend is a terrible thing and friends must never hide important secrets of each other, but- "Wh-what..." They would worry, scratch their heads, and burn their minds to find a solution that I already know. At best, Jet would spend so much on a doctor for nothing. I can't have her worried again.

I need to take care of this, but I can't just not tell them. "Catnap..?" So... So in three days. I'll try to make the second circuit in three days- if it's not possible then I'll tell them. I take a step back to Jet's possible view of the small blood puddle remaining on the floor.

"Catnap." Gus grasps and tugs my shoulder, our gaze meets and all I can do is put one finger on my mouth and hope he won't pursue the topic.

Thankfully, Gus let go of my shoulder and I passed the door, Jet had gotten a wooden carriage with an iron harness around her torso, her wings free to flap about. If I were to guess, this carriage was probably used for vegetables, and the liking seems comfortable enough. "Didja do something back there?" With the straightest poker face I can make, I shook my head. "What did he do?" Shhhhackles.

"Secret friendship pawshake!" Leo blurted out, poking Gus with his elbow.

Gus coughed, "Yes. That."

Jet smiled so genuinely that it felt like I was stabbing her. "Daw. You sure got along pretty fast. C'mon, we got a ride to make! Fillydelphia is a few hours from here." Jet turns around and begins stretching her wings and preening some off-the-hoot feathers she hadn't got this morning yet.

Before I could get into the wooden cart, Gus whispered to my ear - too close to comfort. "You owe us an explanation." He hops into the cart first, then Leo and Lucy. I won't lie to them- just not telling Jet is torturous enough, I won't lie to a friend. Or a potential friend. I hop onto the cart.

I sat behind Gus at Lucy's side, then whispered back. "Just don't tell Jet yet."

Gus shows little reaction. Good or bad? "It's a sickness. I will be fine for a while."

Lucy gasps. Leo lowered his head, but Gus didn't move, "That does sound like an inconvenience. How long that while might last?"

"I don't know. More than a week at least."

Leo muttered, "We should look for a doctor when we get there then-" I shook my head as fast as I could and even did an 'x' with my arms to further accentuate. "...Fine, but we will look for a doctor two days after we arrive."

Gus nods, Jet begins to trot around for a while, "This carriage belonged to Shadow Sport and her sister, they used to carry cabbages around to share with everypony..." Jet coughed, "It still makes me feel bad for just taking it so," She turned around to peek at us, "You will share this little burden with me, cool?"

She slowly picks up speed and then begins to fly, her wings stiff barely moving, then with a single flap-

~Boom!~

The wind nearly deafens us, but soon enough it decelerates. We were above the clouds. "Pfhah! Your faces! Don't worry, from here on out it'll be a slow ride." Thankfully.

The clouds looked like cotton, I'd argue they'd feel like cotton too, cut from the softest of sheep. The little trees, green grounds, and the forest from above looked like a map - as little as the vegetation and small lakes were from this perspective, it was a wonderful sight to witness, each piece part of a whole world. Pegasi magic is truly something whimsical, the way it involves making them lighter and capable of interacting with the weather is somewhat similar to the telekinesis of unicorns in certain ways. Most magical spells are done through that same telekinesis. Earth ponies can also strengthen the ground they are in contact with, weaken it, or shape it - that is how they dig through the ground so easily.

However, arcanists are different. Made from blood, to protect and to kill. Few ever adventured what truly the nine layers are capable of. After all, if it couldn't kill, what was the point? Each circuit and step was put into thought for that, emotions get in the way? You can use Life to control that. Feeling guilty about annihilating a town? Use Life and get rid of that emotion, it's useless anyway. Is it too painful to bear the bruises of battle? What do you need nerves for? Change them with Life so that you don't feel pain anymore. While at it, rewire those same nerves to grant you pleasure and joy from doing what is wrong. All arcanists have the option to defy themselves, after all, Life is defiance and to be alive is to defy something.

Yet, I feel dirty. How can I be among clouds? Will I still be myself when I return home?

But the clouds look like cotton, fluffier than any plushie could ever dream to become. And the ground seems like a fancy board game or a real-time strategy game.

...

It felt nice.

Ow! Why is it so bumpy..? Oh, the clouds are up there again. So, we're on ground. Ugh, my back hurts- I'd stretch if there weren't so many critters around me. Leo lent me a paw which I took and sat in the bumpy carriage, "Look! Fillydelphia is right there!" Leo excitedly points at the distance, before rushing to the front of the carriage. Far away light shines bright even as the sun is descending below a mountain as the night slowly shares its embrace. I've never been to a big city before...

Jet trotted through a dirt pavemented road slowly improving in quality the further we went.

Now it comes to me, isn't the carriage a bit heavy? Jet doesn't seem bothered, whistling a merry tune as she trots.

Actually, how is she so fast? Her speed puts to shame the fastest gladiators I knew of, even close to cloud-master territory. For somepony with a preening-related destiny brand to reach so far...

...

These weird names again... I don't know anymore what is my memory and what isn't, it just felt natural to babble about gladiators and cloud-masters that it makes me think, maybe there's nothing I can do about that. But I cannot become the pony those memories entail, so what should I do?

There has to be something, right?

"YAAawn!" Lucy promptly curled up in a ball and began to drift asleep- why didn't I think of that too? Leo seems to follow up, leaving only me and Gus listening to Jet tunes. "You're really good at whistles."

Jet grinned ear-to-ear, "Only the best!" Jet trotted a bit faster, "When ya spend' few years on an airship, ya pick some odd skills." She giggled.

Gus's tail swung in amusement, "You worked in a multicontinental-delivery airship?"

The pegasi promptly shook her head, "Piratry. It was bad, it was bloody, but there are a few moments I could share if ya want to?" Jet doesn't seem bothered to talk about it..?

"Whoa, and you never got caught?" His voice showed a plethora of interest.

Jet shook her head, "I got caught a year into the jig, fourteen at the time." She sighed, "Pa bailed me out."

"Oh." Gus turned toward me and I shook his head, he turned around and still asked, "Are you two good?" You airhead! Aren't you supposed to be the smarts of the trio?

Jet slowed down to a stop, "No... I can't look at his face." Then continued.

"I'm sure they miss you." That prompted a sudden halt, "I'm not one to talk about family, never really met my parents. But, if you were my daughter, I'd miss you."

For a moment, everything felt tense, "...Thanks." Then the atmosphere was dismissed as Jet resumed her trotting and her whistling tune. The smell of nature slowly overturned to that of the city, it was a stale moving scent, devoid of the changes nature provided, replaced by their own artificial changes. The sound of multiple ponies trotting, and talking also became apparent even this late in the evening.

I closed my eyes to focus on Jet's whistles, eventually, her trotting slowed down again, her whistles gone with the wind, leaving only an acute, loud, "Halt!" I nearly jumped out of the carriage, my eyes shot open at the unfamiliar presence, we were at the gate of the city.

The unfamiliar figure reeked of tobacco, a pegasi wearing a peaked cap with a sheriff-star ornament barely concealing a flourishing hot pink mane flowing from the sides and the back of her head, a dark blue coat. And that is where the normalcy ends as her mane has a few strands jumping out of place, her breathing was hagged and her lips barely held up the quivering cigar, her face looked to have been dragged on the ground and I could swear her eyes were deep within her skull, only the yellow iris visible.

That is some serious sleep deprivation. "She looks a bit tired?" Lucy whispered then began stretching- I turned away. Also, only a bit?!

Jet, as ordered, halted, and waved her hoof, "Hello."

The officer stood still and puffed out smoke, before pulling a small notebook from under her wing "Sorry for the inconvenience citizen, but have you seen any of these ponies?" there were multiple ponies and fellians of different complexions, even foals and kits. Did she just stop travelers to ask about missing ponies? Is that desperation or ingenuity?

"No, I haven't seen any." Jet said with a hoof on her chin. The officer sighs, nods, and moves on. "I hope those ponies are okay." She tapped the ground briefly, then looked back at me and sighed- Jet, with all that hero talk about beating villains, don't think I don't know what you are thinking.

Jet continued toward the city, at the start were small buildings but that evolved gradually into big sky scrappers, the ponies and a small number of fellians on the sidewalk gradually became larger. The many stares we were receiving made me feel cold. I laid back down at the carriage. "Hey, Catnap. You good?" Ah, my poor heart. Leo was lying down right next to me.

I gave him a thumbs up, I'm fine, it's just going to take a while to get used to this. "Okay." Leo stared at my face, and then his eyes went down to my tail, I raised an eyebrow. "Do your tail ever get in the way? Because it's all over the place," He poked the tip of my tail that was behind him. Yeah, it indeed covers half the carriage but that's what makes it cool! Big tails are always cool. Or so Kickin' says.

Hmm. I did almost burn it once while camping, and since then, I always wear it like a belt if there are too many hazards around. I shook my head. "Oh! What about that gas, how does it work?" Through an organ in between my lungs. I tap my chest and then make a circular motion. "Oooh. I don't get it." I sighed, pointed at my chest did a circular motion again, then dragged my finger from my chest to my throat. "Still don't get it." A groan escapes my mouth, I point- "How about yarn balls, do you like yarn balls?"

Is that even a question? Who doesn't like yarn balls?! I nodded, "They're the best, right? Pink yarn balls." Pink..? Pink?!

"Yellow yarn balls are better than stinky pink yarn."

"S-stinky pink?! Are you crazy!?" Leo put three fingers in front of me, "Pink yarn is soft, it smells better than any rose, and EVERY sweater made of pink yarn, and I mean it E-V-E-R-Y sweater made out of P-I-N-K yarn is comfortable." What a bunch of nonsense! I lift all my fingers to his face in response, and his ears immediately flatten.

"Yellow yarn is better, as not only does yellow bring warmth, but it also reminds of wheat fields and the sun, besides being a happy color that can bring smiles out of everycritter, it is also one of the few colors a dog can see, plus yellow smells like the sun and is more fashionable! Also-"

Leo immediately bounces back, "What the heck has a dog to do with this?"

"It makes them able to appreciate yellow yarn." I bring my tail back and point its tip to Leo, "Something pink yarn will never be able to do."

The ginger cat crosses his arms, "Oh yeah? And how does the sun smell like, smarty cat?"

"Vanilla."

Leo slaps the wooden boards with a laugh, "V-vanilla? The sun would clearly smell like cheese since it's yellow like it." Like cheese?!

"You doofus, the moon is supposed to be made with cheese, the sun has nothing to do with it!"

My feline companion stops, eye wide, his mouth opened and closed before finally relenting and looking down "You're right." Damn right, I am! I smile triumphantly, everycritter should know the clear superiority of yellow yarn. "Wait, supposed?"

"We're here!" I quickly got up and felt a hit in my chest - metaphorically. The house was of a familiar style, like from the block I used to live in - it looked just like Kicken's if his parents had not cut the grass for a year or if it was in a cramped industrial city. The house itself would be a humble American craftsman if it wasn't dirty from nearly a year of negligence, "Aaand here comes you furball's first job, if you want to live here, that is." Jet escapes her harness in a second and slams her hoof against the carriage, everycritter in was surprised except Gus. And Lucy.

"I didn't think you'd share a home with us." He said sarcastically- when did they agree to this?

"An entire room for us?" Leo asks in a voice barely above a whisper, Lucy is as shocked as a capybara in front of an alligator.

Clearing her throat, Jet flew a bit higher and raised her voice, much to my embarrassment and some street ponies' annoyance, "You'll clean it up! And by you, I mean all fellians besides Catnap! We'll be looking for something in the nearby forest during these days." Does she mean-!

Once she was back on the ground, I jumped out of the carriage to hug Jet. Finally, I can at least do something about it but... "I'm sorry, I can't come with you." I need to figure myself out in three days.

Jet returned the hug and whispered, "Why?"

Why. I look at the sibling trio examining the house, I need to be done with this second circuit asap.

Cuddle Kitty, Lying is a bad thing. It pushes friends away.

I'm sorry. "It doesn't feel fair to them." Jet slowly let go of the hug and sighed, her wings opening then closing.

The pegasi shook her head, "How can you think of yourself as a bad creature?" I'm sorry. "I'm cool with that, go help 'em. I'll go see if the brooms didn't get stolen and buy some cleaning products for tomorrow and also look around for a medic."

With that, Jet rocketed toward the house, the welcome mat being suddenly flung into the garden- really Jet? Couldn't find anywhere more hidden? I look up, the sun is nearly set with stars beginning their opera- "The brooms are fine, I'll see around for an appointment tomorrow." Seven brooms suddenly appear at the overgrown glass with a set of plastic scissors- she isn't thinking of making one of us- She is. 06 save us.

"It will be a bother to shave off the grass with those pink plastic scissors." Lucy said between spoons of nearly a year-old cereal, which surprisingly has an expiration date of tomorrow eleven fifty-nine pm. It was even more of a surprise when Jet breathed out a cloud and made a floating bed out of it in the living room and straight up went to sleep, leaving us with a single double bed. She is closer to becoming a cloud-master than I expected.

Ah, Ten boxes of food dying tomorrow at midnight. "I mean, she did say whoever does it doesn't pay rent, so it's kinda fair," Leo spoke, grabbing a box and passing a box to each critter from the cobweb-filled basement.

Gus sighed and took one followed by me and Lucy, after taking a box each of us sat on the dinner table that had six chairs, two faced two. Oh holy Luna, I never thought I'd get to eat an entire box of cereal myself- Mom would never allow it. "I'm just surprised there's still working Lumen stones." Gus muttered, the myriad of magic here sure is more present than in my world, electricity still feels more efficient though. "Plus, we'll need to look for actual work tomorrow."

Leo chimed in, "Why? We're going to be busy for at least..." He stopped at the sight of a rat looking around, lost. "three days?"

Gus reached scooped a pawful of cereal and ate it, only after chewing and a loud gulp, rubbed his left cheek, and let out a groan, "And after?"

Lucy's face suddenly lit up, "I know! We could work at an antiquarian- or an alchemist to learn their recipes and then open a shop of our own!"

"Well end up in jail if we try any of that." The mood suddenly drops, why is that? Do they need qualifications or a certificate to work as an assistant?

"Why?"

Gus answered, "Most business ponies that deal with magic don't see fellians in a bright light." I raised an eyebrow, "I mean, we can make friends just fine with most ponies, but working in laboratories, as mage assistants, or just as a receptionist in an alchemy store is seen as a no-go." I tilted my head, "Earth ponies have a hoof in nature, unicorns in magic, and pegasi on the weather. Our magical heritage dabbles on luck."

Huh? Gus looked saddened at me, "We can steal the luck of, let's say a pony for ourselves. Force an outcome that is unlikely at the cost of our luck or for more experienced fellians, even steal the luck of places, like a store."

That is so cool! I wish I could do that. I don't recall ever meeting a fellian mage, just arcanists. But about that distrust shouldn't be the case, even if it's innate magic it takes time to actually achieve the result of suddenly draining a store out of luck in a single day, and besides you guys are Equestrian citizens, and by law, all Equestrian citizens must have equal opportunities on jobs revolving their... Cutie mark.

This isn't right! Even without Luna, Celestia is a rightful ruler and should have- I let out a sigh and relaxed, it isn't fair, yes, but there's no reason to go bonkers over it- I mean, there is but... Not a murderous type of bonkers.

If anything, Celestia should be trying to enforce a bit more the laws to fix this disparity, or even change old ones. Heck, I bet she would've already done it if it wasn't for these filthy nobles.

I unsheat one claw and easily rip open the box lid, "Those are really sharp, how did you get'em this way?" Easy, just nearly died while setting my first arcane circuit.

I can't say that, sadly. So I shrug and commit the sin of eating cereal without milk.

Hmmm, tastes like cardboard.

As time passes, my head can't get around the way fellians, citizens or tourists are being treated this way under the diarchy rule. Therefore, the only definitive solution approved by me was going to bed a bit early, maybe then these memories would stop bothering me. But not yet, we need to decide something first. "Which part of the bed do you guys want?"

Leo tilted his head, "Bed? Already?"

Lucy put a paw under her chin, "Dibs on the left pillow."

Gus spoke right after, "Then right is mine." Welp.

Leo pouted, "But I wanted a pillow and to not sleep under anycreature's feet!"

Lucy sighed, "We'll cycle each night."

The ginger immediately jumped, "Bottom left!" Oh, you poor fool time for some tomfoolery!

"Counter-clockwise." Lucy and Gus smiled then nodded, the former with difficulty hiding her smile.

"W-what!?" Sorry Leo, but you have picked already! I walk through the living room take the stairs and open the first door to the right, unceremoniously I fall on my side of the bed and curl up in a ball, it isn't neither too cold for a blanket but not too hot to stay without one. For that, I thanked my fur. I wonder how humans deal with this dilemma.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

...

Author's Note

Hello, long time no see! I wanted to get all the chapters done and post one after the other, but after a streak of procrastination, I decided to put that on a halt. Would you believe it if I said I wrote near to nothing past month? Crazy! Anyway, after I proofread and edit the next two chaps, then another proofread with the addition of flavor they'll come out. I'll try to post 'em this week!

Also, I have tried to characterize Jet and the other better this chap, do they still feel bland?

What about Cartoonnap? Do you enjoy my take on him? Do you enjoy him of this chapter?

Do you enjoy my telling of the tidbits of world lore? I wish I could figure out a way to show it, but until then it will be telling.

Always, don't forget to comment! I like reading 'em, even if it does spark anxiety everytime I see that little bell icon with a red number. Share with me what you think I could of done better!

That's all, until day 6 folks!

Day 6: Lost Letters

Sunlight tapped my eyelids, pulling me away from blissful unawareness. The summer breeze carried many savoring odors from the nearby and faraway trees. Grass blades danced like waves, and so did the leaves. As the breeze stilled, the odor changed to that of critters and food. While stretching up, my tail reached for the water bottle I had left just about Picky's basket, and not much to my surprise, it was missing. That prompted me to stop mid-stretch and sit down to scan ahead.

The basket once full of fruits is now nearly empty, Picky slept right next to the basket, full of empty bags, banana peels, and other miscellaneous fruit I didn't care to give more than a glance over.

A little to the side Dogday was drawing something with Crafty giving him pointers. Two juice boxes sat close in between, strawberry and orange, also an empty plastic plate, and another one with fancy ornaments. I'll ask what Dogday drew later.

Bubba and Bobby were with the notebooks out, if it were for me to guess, Bobby didn't do her history homework. And neither did I, why would I need to know about critters that are already dead?

...

Maybe I should ask Bubba to help me with my homework later.

Bubba had a transparent plastic water bottle and a lunch book with a chocolate bar and some other candy. Bobby had the standard apple juice with her and a few grapes.

Finally, the culprit. Hoppy was arm wrestling against Kicken with an empty dark bottle next to her and a smashed soda can. Kicken didn't bring anything; he said he was already cool. Maybe it's because of that he is losing badly.

"Haa."

Guess I'll just be dry and depressed then.

...

Who am I kidding? It's too nice of a day to be sad. A nice day filled with nice friends, all happy playing and joking around.

"Catnap!", Following his shout, Picky woke up and every critter looked startled. Is there a wild animal near me again? Where? When I turned around Bobby A few inches away from my face, everycritter was also approaching.

Bobby gently grabbed my paw together with two of hers, "Are you okay? Does something hurt?" Wha?

Hoppy looked to the side and Kicken put a wing over my shoulder, "You can tell us anything, okay?"

Dogday stood beside Bobby, his eyes focused on mine. "What happened? Did something bad happen?" I hastily shook my head.

"Then, is it because we aren't sharing food?" She spoke rubbing a hoof against one of her eyes.

"Or do you feel left out?" (Bubba.)

I shook my head once more. The gentle breeze whistled again, "Then why are you crying, Catnap?"

Because I'm...

"Oi, Catnap?" My head hurts. Any attempt to get up was an arduous task, limbs stiff and eyelids heavier than any weight, yet that was a familiar feeling, one that I learned to push through - certainly not thanks to an orange dog - and with a small grunt of effort I made myself sit up and open my eyes, meeting Lucy's yellow eyes at the other side of the bed. Why is there a girl on my bed?

Oh, right. I'm sharing a bed with them, stupid.

I greeted her with a weak paw-wave as it was too early to talk. "You were sniffling." I raised an eyebrow then slowly reached and rubbed the spot under my eyes and sure enough they were moist. My nose also feels a bit runny, did I wake up with allergies? They usually don't happen while asleep though. I wiped my eyes and let a yawn escape my mouth, my stomach grumbled after that. I turn my head a few times until I found the door, my tail reaches for the knob and pulls.

"Is it because of your sickness?"

That sounds... Uncomfortably close. I turned around and sure enough, Lucy was inches away from my face, surely she takes personal space as a suggestion - her amber eyes are pretty though. "Well, you should tell Jet in case something happens." I shook my head. Nothing will happen, I will make sure of it.

Lucy snorted, grabbed both of my paws and- wait, waitwaitwait- oof. I thought this type of situation only happened in comic books. Lucy had just slammed me against the mattress, standing on top of me, squeezing my wrists hard, and a scowl glued on her face. "Nitwit, Jet is your friend. She should know of whatever illness you have!" I nod as fast as I can if only to get out of this awkward position. "My point is, if you don't tell her by the end of the day, I will." B-but- "Understood?" She'll get worried! I don't want to see her like yesterday...

Y-you shouldn't hide something important like that from your friends.

I nodded. Lucy smiled and got off me. "It's better to have a doctor look at you sooner than later." Much that would help. Short of making my body stronger or ripping my soul out, there is no cure. Lucy hopped out of bed and went to the door, taking a brief glance back before gently closing it.

Today is going to be a weird day, isn't it?

The second circuit is definitely impossible to finish in a single day—it'd take years if it weren't for these memories. However, finishing it within this week is possible. Three days if I get my paws on demon blood and poison joke, maybe a petal or two of white roses then...

Hnngh... This won't work! Those materials are rare and even then, if I make it good enough on the first attempt, it would take a whole day of fermentation and a few hours of sunlight to get it just right! I don't even know how much time I have! I should at least recall how to do the second circuit first and try to make some progress.

But I need to help them too, I told Jet I would, how will I find enough time to set the second circuit this way?! I-I need more time, but-

Ow! I slowly drew my paws out of my face, the tip of my claws unsheated and red.

...

I take a deep breath and recall the memories, I need to make some progress today, even if it is just recalling how to do something.

The second circuit should cover the body, have the main layer be the first mixed with the second. Start by creating the circuit around the skin, then flesh, bones, veins, and organs, a final review then connect it to the first circuit. Then hope it works.

With the memories of somepony who already made it through one, should make this affair easier. Should. I'll start late this evening, remembering the specifics and how Life should act to create these circuits.

Time for breakfast then, I hop out of bed and open the door, take the stairs, and meet the cloud with the pegasi herself still in there.

There I can see Lucy eating her cereal. It expires today, doesn't it? So, we can eat it until eleven fifty-nine. I take my own box and sit on the table since somecritter took the chair who knows where.

"Aaah!"

~Thud~

~MeeeeeeOWW!~

I think I knew where the chairs went.

I looked at Lucy and she looked back at me, slowly putting cereal in her mouth. Is this a normal occurrence? She sighed and got off the table "Youch. I knew this wasn't a good idea."

Then, a breeze blew inside the house.

"What's happening?! We're under attack!! To starboard!" Jet looked frantically from each side, a nightcap made out of clouds resting on her head. "Catnap—Catnap?" Her gaze traveled back and forth from Lucy to me until she sighed relieved, "Who made that noise?"

Lucy glared at me. I hopped out of the table and waved a paw for Jet to come, Lucy followed behind. And when I opened the cracked wooden door... Called it.

The chairs have fallen and are now property of the overgrown lawn, who knows what type of monsters lie within...

Also, Leo sat on the ground licking a bruise on his arm while Gus cackled, "You told me it was cool!" he muttered between licks.

"No- pfft, I told you it was dangerous." Gus stifled a wheeze, "Leo- For the love of Celestia, you're going to kill me one of these days." Lucy sighed, Jet shrugged and struggled to muffle a yawn.

"But dangerous is synu- synomy- syno-"

"Synonym."

"That! Synonym of cool- Wawawa," Leo jumped backward, "Who are you?" His eye locked on a brown tabby, wearing a beige trouser and a black beret carrying a bunch of journals under her arm, both her eyes were sky blue and her ears were slightly small but round, and her whiskers were short but enchantin- Ahem. I move towards Leo.

She had a smug grin, transmitting both pride and arrogance, "My name is Venator, and I am the grrrreatest hunter of hidden topics, news, and... Mysteries! Also a proud worker of Fillydelphia's branch of Horse News!" Very creative name.

"Oh, I heard of those." Jet chimed in, and Venator's smile widened, "How much?"

She stepped onto our unkept lawn, "A bit."

Jet floated down to meet the tabby's eye, "Isn't that a bit much?" Did she just...

Venator opened her mouth then closed, her eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out whether Jet was joking and paying her the bit or she was actually questioning the price, the newscat coughed, "High-quality production demands as much, and there is no journal with more quality than those I work with!" Her tail swung side from side as she stepped closer to Jet until she was two paws short of her muzzle, I swear, is personal space a foreign thing around here? "And our journals are top, not even nobles can pass it."

The pegasi rubbed her chin then pulled a bag from under her wing, "No..." Then put it back and grabbed another one, "Not this one either..." Then finally, she grabbed a tiny little bag, opened it with her teeth, and shook out two silver coins, "There." Venator took it and handed the journal. Jet took it and threw it at Lucy, who took a small scare and scrambled with the journal, it nearly fell into our fake jungle.

"Thank you." She offered a paw that Jet gladly shook. Both of them met eyes, and - and there it is! Just like she did with Gus they somehow traded a small talk with each other with only stares! How does Jet do this?

Venator adjusted her beret and left, by the time she was on the sidewalk, Gus perked up, "Wait!" Venator turned around, [75] "Do you know any place needing new hires? With no experience, preferably."

The tabby crossed her arms and tapped her feet on the ground a few times, "Hm, the local mail is on short 'hooves', desperate even. The boss is a bit of a jerk, but his current business isn't favorable." She then looked at both sides, whispering the last words. "There's also an opening restaurant in a more 'uncivilized' part of town."

Gus nodded, "Thank you." Venator and went on her way.

Jet trotted to Lucy, her wing stretched, and brought her in, "So, can you read?"

"Y-yeah, absolutely!" Her grip on the journal tightened, Jet nodded and trotted towards Leo.

"So, how's your eye?" Leo sighed and lifted his eyepatch, a small scar, and a completely white iris. I did that to him. With my own claws...

And you enjoyed it.

Ow!

"You're doing it again." I moved my paws away from my face. Jet had to smack me to bring me out of it... Calm, stay calm. "So, Leo. Doc's appointment is in about five minutes, hop on!"

"F-five minutes!?" Leo quickly tried to wiggle up to Jet's back, nearly falling in the process which Jet a small giggle.

"Hold tight! We're going at full speed!" Leo raises an eyebrow and- they're gone, leaving only their fading outlines. Poor Leo.

"So," Ah! Gus, don't sneak up on me- "I was thinking of getting a job on the mail." A job- a job! If I make enough money then I should be able to pay Jet later for that appointment, you're a genius, Gus!

It won't be enough to make up for an eye but it will surely help! "I'm going to see if I can get a job in the mail too!" Every critter looks at me, but I will not waste any more daylight. I need to get a job then- Oh wait, where's the mail? Eh, I'll just ask for directions.

Catnap seems to have a tiny little problem with directions, that's toward the commercial district.

Eh, he'll find his way. "Gus, you can read, right?"

"Yes." I handed the journal to Gus.

"Thank goodness."

Gus flipped through the journal, his eyes quickly darting left to right and then, in no less than a few seconds he closes the journal, that's a mighty acceptable reading speed. "Alright," Gus hands the journal back to me, "Elections in four days, seven ponies disappeared yesterday, today's weather is a heavy downpour, and famous comedian Laughing Stocks made a racist joke on fellians. So, just the usual."

"Mind me inquire what were both of you doing with the stools?" It does make a ruckus in my head to think what they were doing."

"Oh, that. Leo wanted to clean the window." Gus, you...

My paw gently grasped on his shoulder, "L-Lucy?!"

"Is being bloody stupid your specialty today?" I gently increased my grip strength, "Why in the bloody Tartarus have you not told Leo to take the stairs, nitwit?!"

"Maybe we should calm down a little-"

"Calm down? Something bad could have happened!" I release Gus and look back at the window, "Come, we're cleaning it. And you better convince me not to make you sleep on the ground tonight."

The streets were bursting with noise and movement, every meter square had at least five ponies. Only ponies. Many stores, street vendors selling food, keeps, grilled sandwiches, and even somepony frying apples on a stick, the congregation of the many scents was a mess, but a mess that smelled good - a good contrast from the bland and sometimes tricky smell the concrete naturally has. The beans on my feet scraping against concrete and even crunching the occasional dropped chip or soda bottle.

It's the wave of commerce, of ponies that I need to surf until I find a store to take a breath and find information, "Ouch!"[0.5] My feet are hastily lifted into the air, down a cracked bottle, beer bottle laid with new red paint. That short halt led to a pony to push me, I stumbled but kept on my feet.

Then another, and another, and...

I fell. Hooves cared little if they stepped on stone or me.

And it hurt a lot. I tried to scramble to my feet- "Kack!" only to receive a good stomp on the stomach, a bit of red smoke leaking from my stolen breath.

Take them down. We have the means

No, don't think about it Catnap! It's wrong- But hooves are pretty hard. I curled into a ball while many stepped over me.

...

Stomp after stomp the pain just doesn't lessen, I don't want to hurt them!

But is there another way? I take a deep breath and protect my belly as much as I can, then-

An orange glow pulled me back up, a voice soothing as a campfire on a cold camping night, "Be more careful next time," her telekinetic grip gently nudged me forward before disappearing in the pony wave. I don't know who she is but I will remember that orange unicorn with a fire-looking mane. I gulped back down the gas and kept walking, the few bruises on my body from trampling were hurt but were negligible compared to wounds I remember taking... And the stinging pain from my feet. Can't stop.

After a few steps, I spotted an alley to the side, thanks to 06. I went in.

The ground on the alleyway was dirtier than the sidewalk, the ground had some sort of liquid grime and it smelled of rotten- Hngh- O-oh 06-!

~Gulp~

Breathing with my mouth was a terrible idea. Geez, even back home there was only the casual-filled dumpster left in the alleys, but it didn't smell like rotting corpses! Just get used to the smell and all will be fine... Yeah, I can do that. I'm best friends with a dog and dogs smell a lot! It'll be easy!

I hopped close to a dumpster, closed the lid, and sat on it then I brought my hurt feet up, the bean was wet and covered with a thin layer of... Whatever grey substance this is, the only part that isn't is the few droplets of blood sipping through my tissues, I grit my teeth and put some pressure against it with my paw.

My eyes shut tight as my teeth clash, don't be a crybaby Catnap! I've been through worse... Like being hit with a baseball bat, or, having my soul severed by a fifth layer technique- No, that didn't happen to me...

...

Good things, good things! Summer with friends, fun games, and tasty snacks-! I let my paw go from my teeth and exhale another puff of red smoke. Heck, beans shouldn't be so sensible.

Okay, calm, calm. I pushed my paw back onto my cut feet and felt my eyes try to shut, I kept them open this time. Just... Get used to this. Calm, okay. I'm fine.

"Phew." I hope I don't get an infection from this. If only Bobby or Crafty were here. Or Dogday, or everycritter...

E-enough of that! I opened my eyes and glared at trash on the ground Bubba would've picked up and... and...

I shook my head and looked at a black door near two big dumpsters, even if disgusting Hoppy would have no problem hiding inside one...

W-why is it so painful?! There was no way for me to know this would happen, Jet already said it! So. Get. It. On. Your. Head!

I looked elsewhere and- there, an empty dirty mattress hidden by a few dumpsters and trash cans, together with a grimy blanket and an equally dirty pillow with a few white blotches, a tin can had fallen over spilling some silver bits..? Why-

~Crash!~

I immediately turned around and- Oh thank 06, it's just a dog digging through an... a- I forced my eyes close and gulped down any bile that came up, my paw left my feet and I hopped out of the dumpster, pain shot through all my body, but I don't care. I need to get away!

"Wh- Hey!"

Out of the way ponies!

"Watch it!"

Somewhere has to be safe- Anywhere!

I opened one door and further pushed away any pony that stood in my way, until a hoof reached onto my shoulder and pulled me. Suddenly the smell, the yells, everything became clear. Coffee and pastries, and a line. I had just pushed somepony out of the waiting line. Disapproving looks and quiet commentaries rained down.

"Did you see that?"

"Poor kitty cat must be hungry."

"Tsk, tsk. If even I have to wait in line, so should he."

"I absolutely cannot imagine myself without my favorite croissant. I'd probably do the same."

"Hmph! As expected of the working class to do such heinous acts!"

"Full Pockets, remind us why someone so prestigious is among us again?"

Then finally, the mare who had a grip on my shoulder turned me around, it was a green pegasus with a gentle smile on her face, "To the back of the lineeeeeeeeeeEEEE- What's wrong with your eyes?!"

I-I'm sorry! I just need somewhere quiet. I pushed his hoof aside and darted forward to the cashier, out of the line this time.

"H-hum- S-sir-"

I whispered "Bathroom?"

The cashier took a step back and then looked to my right, "I-it's to the right- I-I mean your-" I turned around and walked to the bathroom, however, a few steps in I felt somepony tug my tail, and the sound of magic.

"Even if your working-class poni- er, fellian lack a sense of righteousness, you still should apologize," I'm being stared at again. "It's the least you can do to everypony here!" Yes, he's right. But why is he talking like- "Then maybe I won't call the cops." There it is. How many nobles have I heard talking like that? "Come on now, get on your knees." He waved his hoof dismissingly.

"Chill out, colt. He's juust a little guy, no need to get aaall worked up." A raspy, low voice came from one of the ponies I pushed.

"Yeah, he was a bit of a jerk, but a sorry is enough! Let the fellian go, Pocket's." A yellow unicorn spoke up from her chair, her hair the same color as the bread crumbles at the side of her mouth, she had an equally yellow cap worn backward.

Another spoke up from the line, "While he was a tad uncouth, throwing him at the slammer is deeply unnecessary."

Another spoke up from the corner of the store, a unicorn with a comic book stuffed on his muzzle "While kit-cats are a bit mischievous, that has never gotten anypony in jail, has it?"

Then a small blue colt with a black mane tapped the snob leg. "Mister, if you keep saying bad stuff to other ponies you'll never have friends!"

The noble slug slammed his hoof at the ground and huffed, the colt waddled away with a whimper. "Oooh? And what are you working class ponies going to do about it?!" Silence. That's enough. "That's what I thought-" I puffed out a small cloud of dream gas, and he fell asleep surprisingly easily. Not that I expected a noble to be able to resist it anyway. The many ponies stared at me wide-eyed, some even slowly made their way to the exit.

I took in a deep breath, "I'm sorry." And as soon as their dread came it went away. Everypony suddenly looked at me weirdly, except the yellow unicorn who was a tone redder. "He'll wake up later." I turned away and went to the bathroom.

I flicked the lightswitch, opened the lid and-

"Bleehrg!"

Fall on my knees.

Are you okay Catnap?

That pony w-was a jigsaw puzzle, his hooves, legs, horn... His eyes were out of his head and-and his bones- Eugh-

"Cough-"

Who would do something like that to another pony- what type of monster would even attempt something like-

But arcanists aren't around anymore..?

"Uhm- A-are you okay in there?"

J-Jet will know what to do, right? She always knows what to do! She has to...

The click of the door and the turn on the knob went slightly forward, "S-sir, if you are fine enough t-to walk I need you out, w-we're closing soon."

How long have I been in there?

Hngh, doesn't matter. I close the lid, flush the toilet and as I am no animal, wash my paws and face. When I looked back up, the mirror reflected me. I'm fine. As long as I am still me, it will be fine.

I opened the door and was met with an empty bakery, many round red tables and chairs were left disorganized, so it shouldn't have been that long that they all left.

Outside was... Raining? But it was a sunny day, free of clouds even!

"H-hey." The cashier, a red unicorn mare with a purple, short spiky mane trotted forward with a small teacup in his telekinetic grip. "S-since you've been so long in the bathroom, I-I thought of making some licorice tea. It's good for the stomach."

I shouldn't take things from strangers but... She feels honest. I do remember a hoofful- pawful of ponies like her, working on the fields or in the guilds. They were good drinking buddies and always did honest work for Equestria.

Plus, maybe the rain gets weaker once I'm done with the tea, and maybe I will be able to forget... That.

"Achoo~"

It didn't get weaker. On the good side, my feet doesn't sting as much.

And on the forever growing bad side, I'm now stuck covered in towels while being dried out by a very old mane dryer, so old there was a family of spiders in there "What were you thinking!?" Okay, maybe going for a run in the rain wasn't a good idea. "Didn't'ya see how strong the rain is?!" Jet pulled all the towels away and replaced them with blankets just as fast. But kept using the mane dryer "If ya get seriously sick after this I swear..." But talking about sick, I lift my feet and Jet raises an eyebrow before growing, "Of course!" In a flash her figure flicks and there she was holding a roll of bandages, the moment she began to roll my feet were ticklish, and I had to fight a chuckle once she finished. "This was sum unicorn magicked badges, they don't have those around your world, do they?" I shook my head... My world. This whole situation reminds me of that time we went for a run to Picky's house in the middle of the rain.

It was a nice impromptu sleepover that got everycritter involved got into trouble. I wonder if I can manage to go back before the end of the weekend.

From the sound coming upstairs, the three of them should be doing some cleaning there and oh critters, are they good at it - the floor, kitchen, even the roaches are shining spotless.

"So, how's Leo?"

"He's fine, doc said by the end of the week his peeper should be good." Peeper? Never heard that one. But that's a relief that Leo's getting better.

Now, "How much was the appointment?"

Jet raised an eyebrow then turned off the mane dryer. "Catnap, I heard ya went for a gig in the mail, is that right?" I nodded. Her ears dropped- is she sad? Why is she- "Ya know, peeps your age should be running 'round and having fun, eating dirt..." She coughed, "I let ya help Gus and the rest because I know it wouldn't take that long to tidy up this place, that ya would end up having some fun while at it." But I can do so much more here!

I could help pay you for Leo's treatment which is my fault, and then with enough money I could hire some critters to help me look for the almanac, that's how money works right? Of course it is!

It used to work like that in the past with the Explorer guild, why wouldn't it now?

Jet sighed, "Do ya remember the last day you genuinely had fun? Had some foal argument over something stupid? Or had simply been happy for the sake of being?" I... Don't. I shook my head. "Thought so." Her eyes suddenly narrow, the air briefly becomes sharper, "and Catnap, mail is dangerous business, at least, every year five to ten deaths come from mail ponies."

This sensation won't stop me, I want to help! "I can't in good consciousness let ya work there." I need to help. Else I'm just an aberration.

"I will do it."

"Ya won't!" Jet wings fully spread wide, "It's too dangerous." She stared down at me and I kept an even glare. Her wings slowly folded back as she instead looked at the door. Her snout scrunched back and she took a deep breath through her nostrils before exhaling, rubbing her hooves, "Fine... But only three- no, two days top! And no more foal labor after that." That won't be enough to do anything!

"Fiv-"*

"Cough- cough!"

Worst "Cough-!" timing. Well Lucy, there you have it!

It was so hard to breathe- "Catnap!" All I could make was some gagging sounds, Jet flew above the sofa and picked me up with her before giving me one uncomfortable hug.

"Kack-!" And then a huge amount of blood flew from my mouth, I quickly breathed in, the air raspy passing through my windpipe. Jet put me back on the couch.

"I'll call a doc over so wait-" Nonono!

"No, wait Jet!" Jet was at the door- Curse her superpony speed! "It's an arcane issue- normal medicine won't work-"

"Then explain it to me!" A sudden appearance right to my face was expected. What wasn't was her snout pressing against my nose. "And ya better explain it right!" Her hoof poked my chest. My tail stretched and with a tug- "Eeep!" She is on the couch.

"This is happening because the soul is too big for the body so-"

"Soul?" Jet ears perked up, "Ain't that the thing that makes us, well, us?"

"In a way, the soul serves as the blueprint for the body, once you are an adult it kind of becomes useless, but that's besides-"

"I thought that it was our consciousness or something." Jet! "Right, sorry."

"The soul does make the consciousness, but that's it. Anyhoo, the soul is essentially a smaller version of you made out of Life," I raised a paw to stop Jet's soon-to-be question, "Life is a different type of magic that comes from within everything alive." Jet kept her hoof raised, "Hm?"

"Why the soul being too big is a problem?" Oh right, forgot about that, "Like, having a big soul isn't a good thing?"

"Think of it, like, uhm. Okay, imagine this: You're in an endless desert, however, you have a magical cup that fills up every day to the brim, which, let's assume, is just enough water for you to live another day, following?" Jet nodded, "Now, let's say, out of nowhere that magical cup fills with way more water than usual, which would be fine if the water didn't come in all at once within the empty compartment of the cup. Instantaneously."

"It would burst..."* Jet's eyes widened, "Ya'll be fine... Right?"

"Yes." My mouth feels dry but I still need to tell her something else. "Jet," that unfortunate pony, "when I went to look for the mail I-" had seen something terrible.

...

"I saw a pony in pieces."

The pegasi raised an eyebrow, "In... Pieces?" Then her eyes slowly widened and her eyes shrank.

"In a trash can, pieces." Hooves cut with stems of bones pocking out, eyeball popping rolling out of the skull and the intestines... All in pieces. Dreams, a life. In pieces. Left in the trash, like an old toy- Jet pulled me in a hug.

"Do ya remember where?"

I shook my head, but that nice pony comes to mind. Then that cashier working in the bakery..! "There was a bakery nearby."

Jet let go, "Can ya tell me where you went from here?"

"I walked a straight right."

The pegasi smiled, slowly letting go of the hug. "Okay. I'll be out for sum'time. Go help them clean up meanwhile." She pat my head.

~Tud~

"Owwie!"

"It sounds like they need it."

The door closed behind me, leaving the safety of a home away. The winds roared and lightning struck true, rain as thick as arrows. On days like these, we had to keep working so the ship didn't fall apart.

I hope Celaeno is fine sailing 'cross the clouds.

My wings flex and after a quick warmup, I blast to the skies, unbothered by wind or rain. An elementary spell that could've saved tens of ponies, keeps me even more impervious from unsavory weather than my natural magic already does, but whew, the weather ponies went all out on this one.

Nice 'ta keep my head out of a foal attempting foal labor. Him lookin' more mature than other fellians isn't an excuse. He shouldn't work but I can't do shit to help him either... The grown-up knows less than the pipsqueak, how novel.

"Buck that, I don't know a thing."

"There's a bakery." I stopped my momentum and looked back, many alleyways everywhere.

As much as ponies are blind, we wouldn't close an eye for a corpse on the streets, "So many alleyways..." My eyes narrowed as the sound of the rain slowly faded from my mind, the wind that my wings fought against became meanless as I drew in a breath and flapped my wings.

Going fast was never a question of talent or effort, it's of focus. Most pegasi already fly enough to have enough muscle to go as fast as me, but since our magic works as an ally and as an enemy at the same time, as this speed would tear the fragile Veta veins, in our wings - something that would make us incapable of flight. With enough focus, that subconscious barrier can be brought down.

Going fast never was a question of talent or effort, but continuous flying fast? Now that is something that talent and effort apply.

See, mom and dad? I'm a few hooves closer to meet you again.

I'll become a proud hero who never leaves her friends behind, my past will be no more than summer rain after I become a Cloudmaster!

My wings shot open and the sudden reduction of speed nearly beat the air out of me, and it would've if I wasn't used to it. I took a glance backward before gliding down to the ground. A few alleyways from the bakery, in between a restaurant and an ice cream shop, larvae coming out of the eyes, and bits of flesh missing from each detached limb. It would've been so easy to notice if they had just taken the trash out today, or simply taken a smoke break, as this place...

This place smells. "Like the ol'cells." Nostalgic, yet irritating. "Not even hidden, they just don't care." A villain is on the loose, free to kill any unfortunate innocent pony with an overworked police force.

My hooves were tingling, "How many ponies ended like this?!" I'll catch this villain, and make whatever did this pay. I reared back and gave a good buck at a trash can, imagining it was whoever did this. "Tartarus." After I help Catnap I'll need to keep a lookout around this city.

Is it even worth going to the police department? They'll just file the report and forget 'bout it and leave it here to rot. This can't have been the first case the villain simply left a body in an accessible place, no.

At least I don't suppose so. Where was that Venator fellian said she worked now? Hoarse Shews? No, Horse... Horse news. Right. I'll see If I can find her before going back.

I begin to take flight but not before taking a good look at the head, writhing with vermin. "I'll find who did this to you." Eventually. Last thing we need is an evil spirit coming out. I flap my wings and prepare to leave, but something comes to mind, "Wait- Right! That should cheer him a bit! Kits love those things." I'll look for some convenience store on the way back...

"I got this!" Leo blurted.

"No, you unquestionably do not!" Lucy retorted.

The ginger cat was trying to reach a spot at the far left of the room, standing on one-foot tip-toes on top of a four-legged ladder. I doubt even Kickin' would have this courage, and neither Hoppy would be this brash, after all, both still have a self-preservation instinct.

"You got this!" Gus cheered, Lucy glared at him and her claws came out "Just step back and get down!" Not so valiant?

"Hmph." She crossed her arms and looked away.

All our eyes went wide as Leo nearly lost balance, "Phew, keep holding that ladder tight Catnap!" On it! Well, just for insurance my tail inched closer to Leo's hanging foot.

Lucy then sighed, "Are we really going to cut the grass tomorrow?"

"Can't wait for it." Gus replied with the enthusiasm of a sloth. "I'll be looking for that mail job later."

"Escaping?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.

Gus shook his head, "Looking out for the future."

"I got it! I got! I-" He slipped and I pulled, Gus quickly extended his arm and caught his sibling. And fell to the ground with him.

~Thud~

The Bombay sighed "I'll go get some ice, make sure these dunces stay alive." Her footsteps soon faded, leaving me with two silly critters.

"Uungh... I think I got a concussion." Oh, how do we treat that?

My tail reached for Leo's paw and pulled him up, for him almost to fall on me now, thankfully his feet got some grip, stopping inches from my face. "Hi." I gently pushed Leo away and reached my paw for Gus to take to which he didn't as the ceiling seemed more friendly than I.

"Mother..?" Nuh-uh, just Catnap. I crouched down and lifted him with surprising ease. Right, I need to get used to this. "Ow." Gus's eyes seemed distant, cloudy. That's not good. I left him on the toilet, his paw rubbing the top of his head, "I'll- I'll be fine." And when I turned around...

"I'll get it this time!" Oh for 06 sake, Leo get down from that ladder!

~Creeak!~

"Uh-"

Leo! I could see Leo head diving straight to the edge of the sink- if he hits it he is going to-

Everything slowed down. Sh- Crap. If I had been done with the second circuit then a full body enhancement...

That doesn't matter! I need to do something or Leo's brains will be all over- ugh! I- I can leap and grab him but I'll hit something too.

Leo inching closer at each moment also doesn't help. I don't even think if I can actually pick him up from this far...

I'll have to try.

The clock ticks hasten, I bend my knees and then leap. Time resumes at its normal speed.

Yet, even with that, everything seemed slow - paws outstretched but my beans did nothing more than slightly push Leo's head, it proved to be just enough for him to not hit the sink and flip mid-air to at least use his arms to take the impact.

So, there's a saying among critter cats, either you successfully make a jump or fail horribly, no in between. Destiny flipped his coin and it landed on heads, the tip of my muzzle bending against the sink edge, and what was barely healed broke even further.

The chilling before the pain gave enough room for me to realize, that maybe, I should've leaped with a little less strength. Then regret manifested in a physical form.

Don't cry Catnap, grown stallions don't cry! "Phew, Thanks for da save- You good?" L-Leo, shut up! I'm not a frickin horse, I'm not even an adult, I should've stayed in bed I-I- "Ouchie." I'm going to cry and you stupid memories stay shut while I'm at it!

"Couldn't find ice, so I took a water bottle- Holy motherland." I want to see my friends again! "That's a hefty amount of blood." A-and mom! "Well, don't just stand there Leonard. Take those paws out of your mouth and grab some toilet paper, you doofus!" And dad, brother too-

"On it!" A-and... Nurse long legs-! "Y'know, when I was a lil'kit trouble chased me at every step, and oh cats, how many steps I'd taken..." W-wha? "As everything always worked out'n'the end, I grew numb - what I mean is, I'm sorry for dragging you into my skit." D-don't be sorry! You shouldn't, after what I did to you this pain is nothing! I-it's fluffing nothing!!

I wiped the tears away from my eyes and even after more began forming at the corner of my eyes, I refused to blink. The blood on my nose ran a bit through my throat and a lot from snout to chin, dripping on the just clean floor... When I looked back up Leo offered some toilet paper, I took and immediately plugged my nose.

"Okay, both of you out. We," she pointed to Gus, "will finish this joint." Gus gave a thumbs up and a smile. "Leo, go clean the attic. Slowly." He gingerly saluted, then she turned to me, a small smile forming on her face, "And Catnap, if you want to sit down-" I immediately shook my head. "Then with Leo."

Leo looked at me and smiled, "Well then," he folded the ladder and picked it up, "Lez do it!" and there he went, trotting like a stallion after conquering his- Ew, gross. I grabbed a roll of toilet paper and put the drenched one into the trash then chased after him.

In the hallway, standing at the tip of the ladder reaching for a thread that pulls the stairs to the attic was Leo. Again. "Leo."*

"Hold on~" He tiptoed, grasped the thread and- "Yippie!" jumped down the ladder!?

"Leo!" The stairs to the attic hit the foldable ladder, which hit Leo down to the ground. By Luna, even Schrödinger didn't disregard pain so obliviously!

"Whaat?" I groaned and went up to the attic, he's a hopeless case "Wait for me!"

It was dusty, for a lack of better term. Dust bunnies were dust monsters, small spider webs that were expected to cover a large portion of the ceiling, this whole place would be approved for Halloween if the spiders weren't real.

While it was dark, it wasn't enough to actually obstruct too much my sight, there were old portraits of pegasi square and round, a few wooden drawers claimed by spiders while others by roaches, and an open chest at the other side.

At least the room wasn't claustrophobic, the whole gang plus my new friends could fit in. I looked around and sure enough, there was a rune behind me which I reached, the moment my beans touched the rune Lumen stones came to light.

So, when will Leo come up? I looked back downstairs and there the ginger was, holding a bucket full of water, a 'Bubbly bubbles super cleaning' spray with his mouth, and two cloths in the other hand "Helf, fleaz." I knew better than to let him climb these stairs with so much stuff, so I reached with my tail and Leo, struggling, reached his paw with the bucket forward. With a safe wrap and a gentle lift, I put the bucket at my side and watched Leo climb up the ladders.

At last, he accomplished so with no accidents! he handed me one cloth, "Alright, where do we start?" Hmm... I do want to see what is in that chest. I point to the chest. "Cool, I'll be at the nearby drawers."

Without further ado, we started - Leo put the bucket next to me and I peeked inside the drawer. Different from the many portraits that were of older pegasi, this one had a young Jet giggling together with another pegasi of golden coat and fire-looking mane, behind some sort of factory spewing rainbows. There were some faded horns scribbled with red marker on the golden pegasi and a yellow crown on Jet. I further squinted my eyes to discern faded letters written at the top of the photo, 'Champions of Rainbow Factory Pop-Quiz!'

I put the picture on the floor and grabbed the next thing, a thick book with a blue cover and a cloud spewing lightning at the center. Lightning and Cloud Manipulation. I grabbed back the photo and put the book down and the photo on top then reached deeper, another book revealed itself, equally as thick but had a gray cover with a pegasi and another fading, bigger pegasi. Basic of Cloud Golems and Acceleration. I looked back at the other book and shrugged, a look wouldn't hurt.

...Nevermind. This is stuff Bubba reads on picnics and I don't understand shi- a shrimp out of it. I lifted the book about lightning and put this one below it.

I took another look inside the chest and a last book remained, this one thicker than the rest and with a cover that felt old to the touch, looking at it reminded me of rotten tree bark. There was no drawing on this one nor a title on top.

Well, that won't stop me from looking inside! Aha, I knew there was a title- Gladiator Regime Forwards the Birth of a Cloudmaster.

Written by Hurricane. I closed the book.

"Catnap?" Why am I trembling? "You look pale, we can take a break if you need it. even if we just started." He wrote a book. No- no. This isn't about me. He has nothing to do with me. I lifted the pile of books and put this one below the rest. "Look-"

"I'm fine, let's just get to it."

Phew, all's done. Both of us dropped the cloth in the bucket and walked down down stairs, There Gus lay down on the sofa with a water bottle as a pillow, Lucy had nabbed a chair and sat next to him. I'm not sure how to feel about that "Did you find the mail?" Leo asked, to which I shook my head. "That's fine, it's probably too sneaky to be found normally too." ...The mail, sneaky? As in, the whole building, sneaky?

Lucy sighed, "How we will cut the grass with those toy cross-cutters?" Leo shrugged and sat on the ground beside Lucy

Gus grunted, "With the power of friendship! And a whole carriage of perseverance." I shrugged and went to the kitchen to nab myself a chair.

The Bombay huffed, "Easy for you to say that, nit-"

~SLAM!~

"III'M BACK~!" Jet jetted the door shut, "Why're ya on the table?" I wonder why, Jet?! "Eh," she stared at my face then froze. "What happened?"

"I failed a jump."

The pegasi snorted then shuffled a giggle, she flew to a drawer a bit out of reach for us. From there she pulled and opened an old cardboard shoe box- wait, how do shoes work for hooves? From inside she picked out a smaller box and opened it with such caution as handling a newborn kit. Then she put it all back, when Jet turned around at the tip of her hoof there was a bandaid with a little heart sticker, she dropped back to the ground and trotted towards me stopping a few hooves away from me, there she extended her hoof and I- Oh, she immediately retracted. "Wait." She kissed the heart and- it's glowing?! "Now take it." And I did so. Love magic always had a knack for healing and mom always said kissing Boo boos makes them go away, so... I placed it on the bridge of my snout, and immediate relief was awarded. "There."

Jet proceeded to snatch a chair and went to sit next to the others. How useful that bandaid would be if we had it back home. Home... I sighed and grabbed a chair of my own.

Once in there, I dropped my chair next to Jet's, that's when she opened her left wing and her hoof reached- YELLOW YARN BALL! "For ya." Thank you! I won't even question how it didn't drop earlier as there's so much to do right now! I could draw a Dogday using a yarn line and...

"So," Oh. Uhm. I put the yarn ball on my lap. "Do ya have any landmarks from when you first arrived?" The fellians stared at each other.

"There were trees, and a bear wasp with four arms, some wolves made out of wood-"

Leo burst with enthusiasm, "Everfree?! You went there?!" So that's the name of that place! And I just mentioned two creatures and he recognized them, that means they are unique there, right? None out here, right? "Was it scary inside? Were there as many poison plants as they say- wait..." Huh? Is there something wrong with my fur? "Was that where you got your sick?"

Lucy glared at his orange brother, "Leo!"

The ginger cat tilted his head, "What?" Gus sighed, slightly disappointed. "Ooh. I wasn't supposed to tell yet?" Lucy face palmed.

"No worries, I already know. But they should know of something more, right?" Jet looked at me. I'll explain this to them later or tomorrow. I nodded toward Jet, hopefully, she gets this as a 'Yes, I will tell them' and not an 'I will tell them now.'

The pegasi shrugged, "So, Everfree." Mhm, "It's not far-" Not far? "I'm good flying low, so I could get a look there every day-"

"How far?"

It should be very far away, not far from Jet could be very, very far away- "...Far enough to not be a problem." See? Very far! Not-a-problem! "Was that why ya ended up in the hospital? Look, it's fine t'be scared."

"Yeah! I get scared all the time, it's normal!" Leo, stop lying!

"Every time Leo does something, I'm genuinely terrified. That clumsy paws of his always brings back a bruise or two." Okay, that I can concede. I can't imagine how Lucy lived with him.

But that's beside the point, it's not about being scared, it's about- "It's also normal to worry about somepony ya care for."

"So there is no need to hide something from us, okay?" But making your friends worried isn't a sign of good frien- "And just to be clear, we care about you, I do and so do they."

"Yeah, you've been so nice to us since we met!" Leo said, Gus gave a thumbs up and Lucy nodded.

"It doesn't feel good though."

"No, it doesn't. But it does show that we love and care about you, and that does feel good, doesn't it?" I guess.

"Thanks."

Leo gave a smiling critter worthy smile, "No problem! Now what juicy secret are you hiding from us?" I- Uh-

"Don't bug him about it, he'll tell us eventually," Gus said with a dismissal wave, Leo nodded and Lucy sighed.

Even after what I did to them, they still want to be friends with me...

It's because you're a good critter. (Picky)

I also want to be friends with them. "See, I knew you guys were friends the moment I met!" Shush Jet!

They all shared a good fit of laughter "No need to be ashamed Catnap!"

As their laughter diminished, Jet's eyes bored into mine, "Don't worry 'bout the way home, I will find it even if I need to uproot the whole of Everfree!" Thank you- Thank you so much. "Ah- I didn't say anything bad right?" I shook my head.

Leo tilted his head, then perked up. "Ooh! Is it pain?"

"Or having allergies?" Lucy said right after, to both I shook my head.

Jet tilted her head, "Then why are you crying?"

"Because I'm happy to have you guys as friends."

"Daww!" Jet leaped towards me with open hooves, there was no escaping a super flying pony hug, and neither did I want to escape. We nearly fell from our chairs but luckily Leo's follow-up hug stabilized our balance.

Gus coughed, "Pardon if I do end up ruining this moment of joy, but," He got up from the sofa, "I was wondering if you could take me to the mail for a quick job interview?"

I stared at Jet, her eyes wide then felt a sigh brush past my fur. "Fine, Catnap also wanted to... work there." There might not be much that I can do with two days' worth of bits, but it's a start!

As much as I dislike getting myself wet, I do like rain - the city, trees, grass, everything just becomes a tad bit more beautiful and natural with it, be it a flower or concrete structures, it all just becomes a bit more special after the rain ends and the sun shines. It's almost worth getting my fur damp.

Jet gave us a ride through the city, and eventually, we arrived at a large white building with a big display of an outline of pegasi and a mail bag filled with letters, with a big neon sign below "Wonder Delivery, this should be the place. I'll wait outside, do your best!" Should. Jet just picked the first mail she saw, but if it lacks so many workers it might work out.

Gus hopped out and staggered a bit, she went a bit faster than usual and I wouldn't blame anycritter for vomiting or being dazed after a Jet ride. When we were about to open the door, the door opened itself revealing a clown pony walking through, a yellow earth pony wearing a humongous large cowboy hat with red circles staining his fur. "HI THERE!" He sounded as if a rubber chew toy and a rubber chicken had a child that could speak.

"I'M GRRRRRRRRRRRUFFAW, 'R' ONLY IMPLEMENTED TO SOUND EXTRA SILLY, ON THAT NOTE SADLY I'M LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT CLOWN SCHOOL, SO TAKE THIS!" He pushed two cotton candies out of... somewhere? Is this some sort of magic? Doesn't matter, as I never declined free cotton candy- Jet stared at the clown then took the two cotton candies. Oh right, I shouldn't take things from strangers, should I? Nevertheless, the clown laughed and ran away in the rain. How are these red circles still on his coat? Wait- did he say clown school? Gus and went in, Jet waved her wing as her hoof was occupied by the cotton candy.

I followed after Gus.

The insides were rather empty besides two pots with small bushes decorating the exit, the ground was composed of blue and red square tiles, and contrary to the white outside, inside the walls were red with a blue lining near ground level, ahead sat a cream-colored mare with a chocolate mane behind one of those bank stands, but instead of glass there was an iron fence painted red, there were other stands like this one but empty. She sat on a stool, I guess, eyes deep into a magazine.

As there was no critter inside besides us, Gus took the front and I followed behind. Then we stood still in front of the mare for an unnecessary amount of minutes before Gus coughed, "Ahem."

"Oh!" The pony perked up, her magazine went in the air and she scrambled to get it, it slid through the only rectangular hole in the fence and her sudden loss of balance in the stool made her snout follow the magazine, perfectly fitting through the rectangular hole.

Pfff. Gus looked a-pff-way, to spare any embarrassment- I can't- "Pfhahahaha!" Oh 06- It's just like that time Crafty got stuck on a vending machine- "Ow!" Gus jabbed my ribs and pointed to the teary-eyed mare. Oh. "Sorry."

"It's fine." The mare picked herself up and rubbed her snout, now I feel kinda bad. Oh right, her magazine! I reached for the magazine and took a small peak inside, it was about stallions wearing business suits, with some pages having dog ears.

"Quite the taste." Gus commented, the mare covered her face.

"C-can I have that back?" I flipped through the pages with the dog ears and undid the dog ears, that should do as a sorry, right? When I handed it back, the face of the pony would make a pomegranate wither with shame. Oh no, does she have a fever? "Ahem, packaaaAAAAHWAWHATISWRONGWITHYOUREYES!?" I was in front of you for- only now- gah! I turn my back to her. I don't have weird eyes, they are the weird ones, and...

Gus grabbed my shoulder, spun me around, and put an arm over my shoulder, "They look very cool to me."

"...They do look unique." The pony glanced back at me and shivered, "And nightmarish. In a cool way" Nightmarish- wait, did she say cool? The mare looked at me and nodded, "So, what brings you here today?"

Gus let go of me, "Work of course!" and walked forward, "You do need some able-paws live up this place, eh?"

She looked at Gus up and down then nodded, "Oh. Okay, do you, um, do you have a curriculum?"

"It's pretty empty in here for a mail, isn't it?" Gus smiled, "My, I don't even see any workers coming or going," And smiled, "There should be a lot of delayed packages-"

"I get it," the mare sighed, "I'll call the chief, then it's up to you." She headed to a door on her right and disappeared from view, pretty well hidden.

"Most mail companies have a shortage of working-paws, so getting in is easy." Gus turned to look at me, his paw patting my shoulder. "Now getting out..." Why is it hard? Can't you just call quits? "Are you sure about this?" I nod, I need to pay for that appointment to make up to Leo.

Plus, it should be fun, walking around the city and delivering ponies their package. She said five to ten deaths come from mail ponies, and I'm not a pony. Plus, how big is this country? What are the chances that something will happen on the very first day? "In what horse mind would I hire two fellians- Even more with no professional experience! They'd die in a month!"* This doesn't seem promising...

"But we need more employees! We only got two pegasus with us and they're overworked!" Gus's ear flicked.

"Alright, alright. Grab the contracts, I'll check them out." Gus turned to face the iron fence and put on a smile as a big earth pony stallion followed behind the mare, his coat was red with a black mane and a badly cut beard. This is one of the few ponies who actually wears a suit, although a bit wrinkled. He doesn't look happy with a perpetual scowl glued on his face - I wonder what type of life would make somepony like this?

"Furballs," If my voice was deep, his was the whole damn abyss. "Why should I hire you."

"Be-" Gus put a paw in my mouth. Alright then.

"We have been across these streets for a while and know the place." What? But I-

Somehow his scowl deepened further, "So, you are rats."

Gus's mouth twitched and his tail swayed, but his voice kept at an even tone, "With knowledge of the ins and outs of this city."

"So, because you know a little how to squirm around this place, I should hire you over a pony-" The mare gave a weak jab at her boss- and he yelped, "Squeaky Rolls!"

"My bad." She rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying, that isn't enough." His gaze steeled onto Gus, I'd wager if he could he would buck us out.

Gus simply smiled, and continued, "Oh well, maybe it is. A... Regal stallion with strong and noble ideals like yourself, should know how the importance of good and hard workers." He raised an eyebrow, "the casual pony wouldn't even try to find a safer route that is also quicker, but we can do so."

The chief put a hoof under his chin, "That way we can both deliver more packages and at a quicker rate!" He grinned ear to ear, his perpetual scowl broken. "Then, that will attract more workers and reputation... Both of you are in! Squeaky?"

"On it." Squeaky forced a smile that disappeared as soon as her boss left the room "Alrighty, here you go!" She slid the contracts that Gus signed after giving it a quick glance then he gave a thumbs up, so I signed the contract. Squeaky passed two blue caps with 'WD' sewn on them with the drawing of a pegasi with a mailbag, "Welcome to the team!" Both of us took it but only I wore it.

"When do we start?" Gus asked.

Squeaky replied, "Tomorrow morning."

Business done, both of us left. Jet was outside jumping up and down on a cloud, she stopped at our sight, "How was it?"

"Hired." Gus and I gave a thumbs up.

"Nice," She gave a few more hops and the cloud plumped down, "Mind hopping in?"

I raised an eyebrow, Gus approached the cloud and touched it, his eyes widened "How?" He took a step in the cloud and he stood there, seems like Jet progressed as a gladiator.

Jet smirked, "Advanced pegasi shenanigans, what'cha waitin' for, Catnap? Hop in!" She signaled with her hoof, "C'mon! Jump, jump!" Hoppy... Alright. I jumped onto the cloud and it was surprisingly not only solid, but fluffy?!

"Hahaha! Yes! I did it! Now, if I can make it a bit sturdier, I will be able to build my first cloud golem!" Jet gave the cloud a soft kick and it flew up, if a bit slow. I looked ahead and the rain seemed to have died down to soft pit-patters.

"Brace yourself, we'll go full speed!" Oh no.

"W-wait-"

"Jet-"

Both of us were wrapped around towels, Gus had long been asleep since we came back. Lucy had yelled at Jet at our arrival, but the pegasus was not only fast at flying but at dodging arguments as well. Somehow she managed to make Lucy drop the topic. Leo sat next to me but kept quiet because of Gus's soft purring in his sleep.

I felt my thoughts diminishing too, that is until I smelled something savory, the smell of fish. Tuna, cooked tuna! How long has it been since I ate meat or anything- "Catnap, you're salivating." Shush Leo, so are you! Both of us wiped our mouths and Leo shook Gus awake. I jumped out of the couch and walked toward the kitchen, the scent simply drawing my legs to move closer.

And there, a basket of fruits and four open cans of canned tuna, "Was it hard to find it?" Jet asked.

Leo shook his head, "No, it was quite near too. Convenience stores really are a convenience." You knew about this?!

The best of ocean treats is sold near here?! Where?

Gulp

The pegasi smiled, "Well, let's get into it before Catnap makes himself a river."

Little did they know, my tail already had snuck and snatched the bottled happiness in one swipe! Ocean treats, to my mouth! "I still don't get how his tail is so flexible and strong!" Oh, that's easy. Mom and Dad made me with lots of love!

Never, ever I would have thought that savory sea meat filled with preservation chemicals would beat the real deal, hunger surely does its magic... If this isn't how the Hour of Joy that 06 forebodes is like, I'm no longer worshipping him! There are just too many flavors that I think my tongue may explode~

I reach the can for another mouthful but... It's empty. "Why the long face? if ya like it we can get more tomorrow." W-would you be so kind, this pegasi is truly an angel on earth! I nod as many times as it takes for her to understand how much I want this. By the time I get dizzy, I stop and take a look around, the other meat lovers are enjoying their tuna. And I also realized I was the only one who ate the whole can stand up, as they all sat at the table.

Leo spoke with a mouthful and Lucy stared down his words back to his throat, Gus laughed and talked about how he yanked thirty bits from a grumpy old pony at poker, and Jet's surprised gasps were a sign she was mildly interested... I hope Mom and Dad aren't too worried.

...

Now should be a good time to tell them about arcane arts. True friends don't keep secrets from each other, and I think I have the formula to sure-explain arcane arts. "Hey, I want to say something." And every critter suddenly turned quiet. I lifted a finger and Life flowed, this whole day has been a bit of a rollercoaster but it is ending on a good note. A Spark came out of my finger.

"Wow, do you have superpowers?" And of course, Leo is the first to assume something far-fetched. But I guess what was common once is now far-fetched too.

I shook my head. "Arcane arts," I raised a finger, once more using Spark, "are real."

Leo perked up, "Arcane arts? like those from fairy tales?!" Gus stared at me and Lucy's eyes were wide.

"More or less. Let me explain, an arcane art is a circuit made to optimize the body's natural flow of Life, and Life is something that everything alive produces." Now I got every critter's attention as even Jet seemed interested, "Each arcane art is built with the purpose of optimizing the body to perfection, and each varies with their definition of what is perfect." Jet raised a hoof together with a wing.

"Are they all the same?" Nice question.

"No, an arcane art will show a difference in techniques depending on the name and the emotion or desire it was initially made with-"

Gus spoke up, "Why is the naming and important?" Jet glared at him.

"Well, because Life is defiance. To have a name is to yell that you aren't just another speck in the world, that you aren't expendable, and that you won't be washed away by time like others. A name brings power to an arcane art, now an emotion or desire is needed to concentrate and put said power in one or two directions." I took a huge breath, "There are nine directions with many variables each, although only eight are possible to be used, arcanists call the directions 'layers.' The first layer represents the mind." I wish I had some water right now. "The second layer is the body, the third signifies power, and the fourth-" Jet raised her hoof.

Jet asked away once I stopped. "The first two are easy to understand, but what does the third do?"

"Actually, what do any of them do?" Leo added. Lucy nodded and Gus just kept looking at me with deep eyes.

"The first is quite intuitive, illusions, making yourself invisible to other critters, kill somepony off at long distance-"

"What?!" I glared at Jet.

"Ahem, possibilities are endless. I guess it could even cure mental illness, depression, and the liking instantaneously if a circuit was researched well enough." Now Jet's eyes widened, "But that's beside the point, I can't really explain everything, so I will just say what each layer is." I take another, and hopefully final large breath, "Fourth affects the fundamental laws of the world, fifth affects the soul, sixth affects the natural order of the world, seventh affects the material the world is made out of, eight manipulates the gears of the world, and ninth is heaven." Phew, "That sums up the basics. Anything else is too extensive."

I'm done with my daily amount of words, "Okay. A bit exoteric with the layers, but what type of magic isn't? So, anything that is alive can learn arcane arts?" Maybe not, Jet does seem curious.

"Like me?" Leo, you aren't arcanist material.

"That definitely is something, well it's getting a bit late and I have work tomorrow, so g'night." And Gus fell asleep then and there. I almost envy this ability of his, if his REM wasn't so volatile every time he does it.

"...I'm going to put him in bed." Lucy sighed, a bit tired but a smile crept on her face as she picked up Gus, albeit with a bit of difficulty, "I'll... be... right... back..!" Much difficulty. Leo went up for her help.

"So?" Oh, right.

"Yes, but they will lose the world's blessing."

Jet raised an eyebrow, "And that is?"

"Magic. Arcanism is a path of defiance, the very first thing to defy is the nature of yourself and the world. Plus it's quite dangerous to take the first step." And the second too.

"That isn't for me then." Jet sighed, "I'll go take a look on Everfree." Jet hopped out of the chair

"Wait, I do remember a ravine near where I first arrived." Better than nothing.

Jet nodded, "You better catch some sleep for tomorrow. I'll wake you up very early." She got up from her chair, trotted to the door, and left. Guess I'll sleep a bit earlier then.

...

I did kind of ruin dinner, didn't I?

The journey was fruitful—somewhat. I found a ravine for sure, but besides that, nothing... I managed to come around to the idea of my first friend being gone. I did so before when I realized he wasn't from around here. "But still, it doesn't feel nice for him to be on the clock."

That's it! I know what to do! IF his plan doesn't work, I'll make sure these days around us will be his best-ish! Even if that is a bit of a grim thought...

Fillydelphia doesn't have many good sights, so tourism is out. The classic party can only be fun so many times... He liked tuna though. I could get more for all of them, maybe catch some live fish too- I hope Everfree fish aren't as poisonous as some plants though... Ugh, I'll need to go through an encyclopedia.

I open the front door and promptly enter inside, then lock behind- "Eh?" Catnap is sleeping on the couch today? Eh. It'll be easier to wake him up. I take a breath and release clouds, enough for a soft bed, I jump in and promptly fall. I'll need to get a job soon... And get some cloud golems... Cloud captors then... then... become a Cloudmaster and... Make them proud of me...

...

Author's Note

I wanted to get this one out on Halloween - still a bit of an overshot about the three-chapter-in-a-week thing.

This one got a bit of a rewrite into it since the previous chapter changed some things. Originally I wasn't planning on giving any further explanation on the magic system and just leaving it incognito throughout the whole fic' (Another reason this chapter got a bit fat), but decided, hey, might as well open my hand a bit and throw the basic in. Auxiliary techniques sadly don't fit as basic and neither do artifacts, alignments, affinity, charms, wards, or combinations but eh, can't give it all else there'll be no mysteries.

So next chapter they will both start as mail ~~ponies~~ cats, giving some inspiration for young Derpy. Surely, nothing can go wrong in the most dangerous job Equestria can offer.

So, I'll try to get the next one out this month. Let's see if this deadline lives.