With A Wrench In Hand

Strange World
Chapter: 2

The name in Felix’s head kept ringing out echoing his mind.

Scot….Scot…Scot…

Fluttershy’s bravery welled up enough in her to poke Felix in the right thigh. Felix wagged his head shaking the last bits of the flashback away.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked partial scared but with genuine concern.

“Yes. I’m fine. Just memories.” Felix was fearful to delve into his past. He did many things that he was not proud of. It scared him to look back like the women that looked back at Sodom. When she’d looked back at the destroyed town, she turned into a pillar of salt. Felix might not turn into a pillar of salt, but the memories petrify his body to do the same.

“Fluttershy?” Felix was now the one to question.

“Yes, Felix?”

“Would it be any trouble to spend the night here?” Felix hoped the answer would be…

“Not at all.” Fluttershy said with a partial smile.

Woah! That was unexpected. I need survey my pack and find out how bad the damages are. I hope that I can repair it.

“Before I let you inside though,” Fluttershy began, “I need you to gather some firewood for the fireplace. It can cold on these early spring nights.”

“No problem.” Felix spoke, but then had reality come crashing in.

WHAT?! EARLY SPRING?! IT WAS LATE FALL WHEN I LEFT!

“I’ll be back in a bit.” Felix promised.

“Thank you.” Fluttershy said over her shoulder as she returned to her home.

Alright. Just gotta keep cool. Before I went in, it was night. When I went through, it was late afternoon. I can get some answers from her, but for now I’m going to play it safe to avoid freaking Fluttershy out or any other people.

Felix went to the small extension of the house which appeared to serve the purpose of a shed. He opened the door finding a hand ax, a shovel, some stores of animal feed, and surprisingly a small glowing generator. Felix grabbed the hand ax. It was dangerously dull. He reached into his storage unit on his pack and retrieved the blade sharpener. Felix simply placed the blade within the grip of the sharpener. With three small beams firing simultaneously at the blade, it sharpened almost instantly. Felix took off one of his flight gloves and tested the sharpness with his thumbnail. The blade glided over his thumbnail shaving a small layer of his dead proteins.

“Perfect.” Felix spoke to no one but his prideful self. He loved his crazy gadgets.

Felix went to work by chopping some small logs to make them into manageable pieces. After an hour of chopping and precise cutting, he had gathered a sizable amount of firewood for Fluttershy.
Felix returned to Fluttershy’s cozy home after a short walk.

“Oh wonderful!” Fluttershy said cheerfully, “That should be plenty. Go and set the wood down on that rack next to fireplace. I’ll get us a fire going.”

“Allow me. I owe for allowing me in your home.” Felix said gratefully to his hostess.

Felix began by building a log-cabin-style wood pile. It worked best for Felix when building fires. After getting the wood into place, Felix reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a silver Zippo lighter. Felix flicked the extinguishing cap off the lighter, gave the sparking wheel a flick, and started the amazing fiery blaze. Fluttershy stood in wonder as Felix flicked the cap back into place snuffing out the man-made fire.

“How did you do that?” Fluttershy said slightly wide eyed. “ I've never seen anything start a fire besides lightening or magic.”

“Wait, magic?” Felix said annoyed. “Magic exists?”

“Why, yes! It does! The generator outside is what is powering my home as we speak. It’s what’s powering the lights. We’ve had such advancements develop only recently.”

Felix was stunned.

Magic?! First, crazy wooden dogs attack me. Now, I’m being told by a winged horse that magic exists. I’ve almost had my fill of craziness.

Having enough, Felix blurted out, “Where am I?”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked quite puzzled.

“Okay. Let me tell you. I’m not from here. I flew after an object in my realm, went through a glowing ring, trudged through a forest, killed those dog things, and met you. Where am I? I mean this place. Where did I go to once I flew through the ring?”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking.” A bit of a pause filled in the gap of time. “Wait, I think I understand. You’re in Equestria.”
Felix was even more confused but at least he had a name to this place.

“Equestria?” Felix simply spoke.

The name is weird, but I shouldn't judge. I’m probably a huge freak to the rest of the beings in this realm.

Felix asked a different question. “What does the population consist of? I mean, what are you exactly?”
Fluttershy cocked her head sideways. She gave a suspicious look, and Felix was actually a little scared to have asked his question. He didn't want to hurt, anger, or scare Fluttershy, but he didn't know how to ask his question in a better manner. Felix was usually blunt.

After a few moments of questioning herself, she spoke. “I’m a Pegasus.” Fluttershy was now growing curious. “Can I ask the same of you? Where are you from? “What are you?” Fluttershy asked.

Oh snap. I was not expecting that.

“I’m from Earth, a planet that makes up our solar system. On this planet, there is a land mass that people live upon, much like you. The one I’m from is called America.” Felix spoke very carefully and clearly throughout that answer. Finishing his explanation, Felix concluded. “To answer your second question, I’m a human. We’re bipedal creature with increased intelligence.”

Fluttershy gave the exact same expression Felix gave earlier. They were both puzzled by each other’s origins. Still, Felix pressed on.

“I know I might seem dangerous or suspicious with my odd questions. I apologize. I’m so confused with what the portal in the sky did.” Felix admitted that this had messed with his thought process and logic. Felix believed himself too smart to not work out a problem or situation.

Fluttershy wanted to help Felix. She knew he was dangerous, but this isn’t the first time she dealt with new, dangerous, and exotic beings. Fluttershy knew that a friendship with Felix would help him adjust to being in a strange place.

“It’s alright.” Fluttershy reached out her hoof to touch Felix’s hand. “You’re new to this world, and I will do my best to make you feel welcome.”

Felix smiled. He felt a weight lift off him. “Thank you. I will not be a burden to you, and I will aid you in any way I can.”

“It’s no trouble at all! Are you hungry?” Fluttershy asked kind of motherly.

Felix was about to protest, but his stomach grumbled a low and long growl. Fluttershy took that grumble as a ‘yes’ to food. She flew into the kitchen to prepare a meal.

Felix stood there like a bump on a log until Fluttershy called out from the other room. “Felix, you can make yourself at home. You don’t have to stand there waiting for me.”

Felix did just that. He began to remove his jet pack with the cross straps that held the pack in place. After the straps were loosened, he undid the magnetic locks that firmly kept the pack on his back.

*ZAP

The pack fell loose dangling from the pack’s straps. His flight jacket unglued from his back. The undershirt, muscle suit, and flight jacket were the medium that acted as a cushion between the magnets on the jet pack and the magnets in Felix’s back. With the pack and flight jacket removed, Felix set them aside next to one of the walls of Fluttershy’s living room. He took out his blade and sharpener. Just like before, Felix attached the blade sharpener to his K-BAR. The blade was sharpened ready for use. He sheathed the blade. Felix removed his pistol making sure it slid properly on its tracks. Thankfully, no damages came to the pistol. Felix holstered his weapon then pulled out another. His CL4-STOCKED rifle was the next to be inspected. Unfortunately, the front sight was busted due to his crash. It’ll be extremely hard to accurately shoot until he straightens it out, literally. Next, he surveyed his pack. Felix reapplied his mask. The mask fired a green array of beams to scan the pack. Felix’s HUD light up telling him the status of the pack.

That’s not a good sign.

The left flight stabilizer was damaged from using S.T.R.E.A.M.E.R. Also, the air intake for his right jet was clogged with debris. That was easy to fix, but the stabilizer wasn't. The wiring was fine but the mechanism itself was damaged too greatly. It needed to be replaced completely.

Felix groaned as he thought.

Ah shit. I have no clue how advanced Fluttershy and her kind are. I could be in luck or very screwed.

Fluttershy witnessed the beams fire and Felix’s annoyed groan. She approached Felix saying dinner was ready. He followed her into the kitchen where some vegetable soup, fresh bread, and a cup of tea were present on the table. Fluttershy and Felix ate their shared meal and conversed a little. After the meal, Fluttershy began to clear the table. Felix shot up from his seat to help Fluttershy clean.

“You don’t have to help. You’re my guest.” The hosting Pegasus said with kindness in her words.

“Please allow me. I wish to help.”

Fluttershy was hesitant her being a humble hostess, but was soon relieved. She was happy to have the help once the cleaning got started. There were a lot of dishes used for their shared meal and previous ones throughout the day. With the kitchen clean and the fire stoked forming a beautiful glow, the two retired to the living room to sit and relax. After about an hour, Fluttershy yawned making it clear it was time for sleep. Felix went to his pack and placed his pistol and knife next to his pile of belongings. Fluttershy made her way up the stairs leading the way to the guest room. She pushed open the door to the small room. A small night stand, an empty closet, and a relatively small bed were all that sat in the room.

“Thank you.” The grateful man said to his hostess. “One thing?”

“What is it, Felix?”

“The bed doesn't look to be for someone of my size.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I don’t have any beds bigger than this.” Fluttershy said apologetically.

Even though Felix didn't want to rude or a burden, he was right. Fluttershy’s head only came up to the bottom of Felix’s sternum. Her body size was not very large in comparison. If Felix had used the bed, his legs would hang off the side. Felix had an idea.

“Wait right here!” He called as he jumped down the stairs.

Felix ambled to his back. He retrieved the compact sleeping pad housed in one of the packs compartments. It was no bigger than his fist when not in use, but can easily be expanded to fit him comfortably on top. Once he retrieved his pad, Felix sprint up the stairs and approached the sleepy Pegasus. Felix situated himself on the far wall away from the door. Felix deactivated the pad compression so it can expand and come loose. Fluttershy asked if he needed anything else for the night. Since he didn't, she closed the door and went to her own room. Fluttershy snuggled into bed underneath her soft warm blanket. Felix decided it was a good idea to sleep. He lay down on the pad for only a minute before sleep overcame him. His nights were always dreamless.

*Quiet

*Quiet

*CRASH
*WOOD SPLINTERING

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” A loud feminine shriek rung out!

Felix shot awake. He looked about the still dark room. It was around two in the morning.

Was it only a dre…?!

*MORE WOOD SPLINTERING

“SHIT!” Felix arose from his pad and ran for the door. He burst through a few doors in the hallway before coming onto Fluttershy’s room. He busted in looking frantically throughout the room.

“Fluttershy!”

The window was open. Felix ran to the window seeing the scared Pegasus huddling her chickens, in their fenced in coup, trying to prevent a new band of timber wolves from devouring them.

“HANG ON!” Felix shouted.

Felix sprint through the house, grabbing his pistol and the hand ax he left beside the fireplace on his way out the front entrance. He took four steps outside and was immediately greeted by two of the wolves. He opened fire with multiple loud bangs ringing through the air. The wolves broke into pieces from the impact of the bullets crashing into their wooden bodies. He checked his ammo. He still had two rounds in the magazine. Felix didn't want to waste his bullets. Felix’s memory of failing to protect his friends and allies appeared in his head. A few seconds after concentrating his anger his muscles contracted then relaxed. His pupils dilated. He ran to the next wolf with rage in his eyes and ferocity in his swift movements. Felix went into a fury of rage. He swung wildly into the torso and back of his wooden foe. The wolf was brought down after Felix’s final bone crushing swing impacted the base of the neck. He swung for the same spot again. This time the swing decapitated his final wooden foe. Felix’s adrenaline ran dry after his moment in combat. His fury dimmed leaving him in a state of deep but controlled breathing. Luckily, there were only three wolves to kill because Felix, exhausted, dropped to a knee. He began to feel some pain in his right forearm. There was a broken claw jabbed into his skin. Felix gripped it with all his might and ripped it from his skin. He pulled out a roll of gauze tape and wrapped his arm to prevent bleeding.

Fluttershy was petrified from having to protect her chickens from those ghastly beasts. She lay in front of her chicken, hooves covering her head, and eyes clenched shut hoping that she wouldn't be next on Felix’s list. He walked up to Fluttershy with his pistol and ax holstered. Felix knelt down and hugged her.

I’m not going to let you get hurt. Never again.

Fluttershy rose slightly. She was a little stunned seeing Felix hugging her. She felt comforted by his embrace, but was still recovering from her frightful experience.

“Are you okay?” Felix asked worried for the small Pegasus’ well-being.

“I’ll be alright. Felix, you’re hurt!” Fluttershy said a shakily.

“Don’t worry. The stuff I wrapped my arm in will heal the wound quickly. I’ve had cuts and gashes that practically healed over night with this stuff applied to it.”

“Alright, but if you start to get worse, I’m taking you to the hospital.”

Felix said with a chuckle. “I can tell you guys don’t have many humans living here. I doubt they could really fix me.”

Felix, still holding Fluttershy in his arms, looked about the area. Two of the chickens had gotten killed by the timber wolves.

“I’m sorry for not getting outside sooner. I could have saved them.” Felix said disappointedly.

“It’s ok. You did your best to save them and me. If it weren't for you, I might have suffered the same fate.” Fluttershy looked up at Felix with a half-smile.

“Wait here. I’m going to go see if there are anymore. While I’m at it, I’ll bury the dead.” Felix began to rise.

“Okay, but please be back soon and stay safe.” She sounded genuine with her concern for Felix’s safety.

“Will do.”

I remember there was a shovel in the shed. I’ll go scope the area then bury the chickens. What a mess?

Felix walked to the shed around Fluttershy’s cottage. Once Felix reached the shed, he opened the door and began to look about for the shovel. It was pretty dark, but the moon was at a perfect angle for casting enough light to reveal the location of the shovel. It was located on the wall opposite of the door. He grabbed the shovel and walked back towards Fluttershy. He grabbed the dead chickens and walked out one hundred seventy-three yards from the cozy home. He found a nice clearing and began to hack the earth. Felix dug a semi-deep hole to prevent the smell of decay from luring anymore unwanted guests. Once finished, the lone man placed the corpses into the hole and buried them with the moved earth. Before returning to Fluttershy, Felix crossed himself and sprinkled a handful of dirt over the burial mound. Felix walked back to Fluttershy. He couldn't wait to see her still lying there with her legs underneath her. He feared that she could have been attacked again.

Fluttershy’s savior went to a knee. “It’s still dark. We should rest.”

Fluttershy didn't hesitate with a reply of a deep yawn. Felix took the initiative and walked back to the house. One small problem, Fluttershy struggled to move. She had taken a charge from one of the wolves and had received some damage due to being thrown into the wall. That impact is what caused the first crash that had woken Felix earlier.

Fluttershy had tried to stand but felt extremely sore. Felix turned to see her falter. The man trotted over to Fluttershy and scooped her up into his arms.

I was expecting her to be heavier. No offense.

“I’ll carry you. You seem to be in a bit of pain.”

Fluttershy was relieved to be carried. “Thank you.”

The two went into the house locking the front door. With Felix still carrying Fluttershy, he trudged up the stairs and down the hall leading to Fluttershy’s room. As he approached the archway to her room, Fluttershy stopped him.

“Felix?” The recovering mare asked.

“Yeah?”

“May I spend the night with you? If that’s ok, I mean.”

I’m not opposed to this.

Felix answered by turning around and walking towards the guest room. Fluttershy’s eyes began to grow heavy. She yawned once again this time with a small squeak.

Okay. I've watched her do that a few times, but that time it was adorable.

Felix lowered Fluttershy to his sleeping pad letting her get settled first. He snuggled behind her with his back towards the wall. Felix had stolen the blanket off the bed earlier. He covered Fluttershy in the blanket, but not himself. He was warm enough, and it seemed it was better to only cover her. It seemed awkward at first to her request sleeping in his temporary quarters. After settling next to her, Felix felt like cuddling with the soft yellow mare. He refrained from doing so to prevent a very awkward situation.

Why do I feel this way? IT’S RIDICULOUS! I’m a grown man. Why would I want to snuggle with a plushie-like being in a completely strange world?

Felix lied there awake for a few minutes thinking. His thoughts were broken when the yellow fluff ball stirred, rolled over, and cuddle into Felix’s chest. He almost couldn't contain how he felt. He simply put his arms around Fluttershy. He felt safe with her. Felix wanted to protect her. He wanted her to be safe. His days as a guardian have begun.