Between Two Worlds

The human and the white Unicorn with electric blue mane and violet goggles were in front of a middle-sized house, made of wood, bricks and with four or five windows. There was no external decoration, except for a few flowers around it. The house itself was ordinary. Around them, everything was silent and peaceful, unlike one hour ago, thanks to the party. Some ponies were outside, talking or working.

"Welcome to my home, or my little paradise as I like to call it."

"Not bad, I've seen worse."

She smiled at this.

"Let me show you inside, I think you'll like it."

With her magic, Vinyl opened the wooden door and stepped inside, closely followed by Ethan who closed after him. The inside was completely different from the outside. Food, dishes, musical instruments (like a cello, synthesizer and a piano) were disposed everywhere in the room. He even saw some dust floating in the air, thanks to the sunrays which passed through the windows. There only was one floor.

"Sorry about the mess, it's been a while since the last visitor and I didn't have the time to clean before you come." she apologized, blushing in shame.

He shrugged.

"Meh, my sister's room was in a much bad state than this, like after a storm or a tornado."

"Oh! You have a sister?"

"Yeah, I had. Long story, I'll tell one day."

'If I don't return home before, of course.' he thought, looking absently at the living room.

'There a possibility that you never came back on Earth.' said Ian, interrupting his thoughts.

Ethan looked at the illusion, annoyed.

'Okay, okay. I'll come back later.'

"Anyway, follow me. I have to show you one thing that could interest you."

"Octavia is not here?"

"She had to go just after the party, for a concert in Manehatten."

"I see."

The DJ pushed the Bass Cannon out of her way and began to walk toward the door which was right in front of her. Without any word, he walked right behind the Unicorn. His footsteps against the dark brown floor echoed everywhere in the house. She opened it. Inside was everything needed to make music. DJ table, synth, mic recorder and a panel to add some electro and bass effect for the song.

The human whistled.

"Not bad, absolutely not bad. You have some good material."

"I know. Thanks to my work and the fame I've gained from it, I could afford those expenses."

"You're famous?" he asked, surprised.

"Hell yeah, I'm one of the best DJ in Equestria. I'm known as Dj-Pon3."

He looked at all the material and nodded lightly. Suddenly, he clapped his hands together.

"...I see. I think that you and me can learn a lot from each other so, let's play!"

"I like your way of thinking."

Then, they began to work. Vinyl explained a few details about her instruments. They were a lot like those on Earth except for some little things. Ethan wrote all the compositions that were on his mind for how long he knew and discussed with the DJ about it. She modified a few of them and only gave her opinion on others. They were in the middle of a brainstorming session when the young Gray asked something:

"I wonder...how can you have electricity? I never saw any electrical central."

The white mare stopped what she was doing and explained.

"It's quite simple, we use the heat. Our electrical centrals are a few miles under earth, they're used to convert the heat into electricity and deliver it to the cities. Then, they distribute the energy to the houses with buried cables."

It was simple. Simple and at the same time, logic. In a way, he was proud of the ponies. Proud because they didn't have to use the nuclear technology unlike his people, six centuries ago. It was an efficient and natural method to have energy.

"Interesting. That explains a lot of things."

Their resumed their brainstorming and after a few hours, they recorded two songs, but without the vocals, for now. Him, worked with the synth and her, the DJ table. Needless to say that they were very happy and exhausted after their session. He looked outside and saw that he only had less than an hour to be ready for the dinner with the Apple family.

“Well, it was a productive and interesting day.”

Vinyl put off her violet goggles and looked at him.

“I agree with you.”

When he looked at her, he was mesmerized by her eyes. Her beautiful, gorgeous, blood red eyes. He completely froze in place, losing himself in the look she was giving him and the small smirk on her lips. Strangely, they perfectly matched with her white fur and her blue mane. He didn’t know how much time they stayed like that, looking into each other eyes. When he broke the contact, he shivered.

‘Oh? Could it be possible that you fall in love?’

Ethan looked at fake-Ian and rolled his eyes. Things were very clear for him, there was no feeling other than friendship for the DJ…or not? Shaking his head, he walked to the wooden door. She accompanied him and even opened it before he could do it. When he turned his head toward her, he smiled.

“I was happy to be in your company this afternoon.” he began, before pausing for a few seconds, thinking about what to say after. “I hope that we could have more music-time together, I like to work with you.”

“I feel the same.”

He nodded.

But before he could do one step, she interrupted him.

“Ethan?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to come with me one night, to perform at a night club?”

Still with his back at her, he pondered.

“Good idea. I never played for anyone, so why not. There’s a beginning to everything.”

“Cool, see you later.”

Then, he waved his hand and walked toward his camp, at a fast pace. His brain worked at his full capacity to answer his questions. Could he really fall in love with a pony? She was not hot and completely brainless, unlike some girls on Earth. But, even that, could he really be in the animal thing? Allowing himself to date one? Kiss one? Love one? The young man was very open-minded, he didn’t care about some things like this that could frighten other people. Still…she was sentient, intelligent, pretty and shared his musical tastes. Again, he shook his head. He was so confused right now. Part of him wanted to say yes and the other was too afraid, thanks to his past experiences and his last girlfriend. Anyway, he had to think about that but now, there was not the time for that. The dinner was more important that a ‘potentially’ crush and he knew it perfectly.

On his way, he waved to the few ponies who were on his road and lightly smiled. They were so innocents, so welcoming. He was glad that they never knew the war and other things like that. The sound of flapping wings cut off his train of thoughts. A sudden wave of pain, coming from his back, sends him on the ground, face first. He growled in pain. He heard an 'eep' and feels a weight off of his back.

"Oops, my bad."

Quickly rolling on the side, he was on a knelled position and instinctively looked at the sound of the voice, obviously female. With a hand on his knife, his eyes met a grey Pegasus with blond mane and a few bubbles as a cutie mark. Her eyes were on the ground, ashamed of her action. He relaxed a little and put his hand away from the weapon.

"I'm sorry, I just don't know what went wrong."

The human put a hand on her shoulder, forcing the mare to look up. She had golden eyes but they were a little...off. He smiled.

"No harm done, I'm fine. And you?"

"Y-yeah. I'm ok."

"Good to hear Ms...." he asked, standing up before putting a hand on his mouth and cough.

"Ditzy Doo but everypony call me Derpy. Are you alright?"

He coughed again and looked at his left hand to see a few drop of blood. He nodded.

"It’s nothing. I have to go so, farewell Miss Ditzy."

Then, without another word, he left.

When he arrived at his camp, the sun was low. The sky was light red-orange and accompanied by a dozen clouds. The air was a little windy and cool, transporting the fragrance of fresh flowers and grass. His car was still in the position he left it. He unlocked the doors, opened one of them, took one water bottle and some new clothes. He looked around and saw nopony within a few miles around his position. Ethan put his old clothes away and poured the water on his body. The 'shower' was cold and primitive but he didn't want to pollute the environment with soap and shampoo. The purpose of this washing was only to get rid of the sweat/dirt/blood scent on him, nothing else. A few minutes later, after being dried with a white towel, he was wearing black shoes, a jean with the same color, white shirt, dark blue chemise and a brown leather coat, just like the hero of an old game called Resident Evil 4.

Looking again at the sky, Ethan saw that it was the time to go. He sighed sadly, because he couldn't use his car. It would be so easy and fast to go at Apple Sweet Acres with it but the vehicle was too damaged for a ride, at least, not now. His legs were his only option for the moment.

"I have to go now if I don't want to be late." he said aloud, to no one in particular.

He began his walk. Fortunately, it was much shorter than to go to Ponyville. After a couple of minutes, he was in front of the road which led to the Apple’s house. Trees were everywhere around him, sweet and red apples in their branches. The idea to take one, without permission, never crossed his mind. Sure, he was hungry but not to do something like that. From where he was, he already could smell the food coming from the kitchen. He began drooling. The food at the party was good but with a little too much sugar for him. Arriving at the front door, he knocked three times. A few seconds later, the big red stallion opened it. When he saw who was before him, a smile grew on his face.

“I hate being late.” said Ethan, answering the silent question of Big Mac. “I hope I don’t come too soon.”

“Nope.”

He shook the human hand and stepped on the side, letting him enter. The walls were light beige. A large, circular, orange colored throw rug covered much of the stained hardwood floor. Almost directly ahead of the door was a flight of stairs. Right next to it was a door that led into the barn. On the opposite wall, were a side table and a cabinet table. To the left of the door was small couch with three different shades of pink coloring it. Behind the couch were a lamp and window.

“It’s quite welcoming.”

Big Mac closed behind him and walked toward the table. The dishes were already on it. The human only saw three plates.

"There are only you two who lives here?"

"Nope. There's also Granny Smith, who is on the second floor, sleepin' and our little sister, Applebloom. She's at a sleepover with her friends."

He nodded. Applejack walked out of the kitchen, a small grin appeared on her lips when she saw her savior.

“Ah’m happy to have ya for dinner, partner. It was the least ah can do.”

The young Gray slightly frowned.

“No need to thank me. What else could I do apart saving you? I’ll be damned before I let someone die  if I have the possibility save them.” he replied, calmly explaining his logic. “I don’t want to be rude but could we begin to eat? Truth is, I’m rather hungry.”

“Ya ate a lot at the party, how can you be hungry after that?”

“Between the party and your invitation to pass the evening with you, I worked on a few songs with Vinyl.”

This time, it was Applejack’s turn to frown. The move went unnoticed for the man with icy blue eyes but not for her older brother. The first shrugged.

“Yeah, she’s pretty good at a DJ. Her point of view on my compositions is very interesting. I really needed it because I had a few difficulties with some of them.”

“Ah see.”

Big Mac cleared his throat and smiled before sit on one of the chairs. He gestured Ethan do to the same. The latter complied without a word and put his backside on the dark brown wooden chair. The orange coated pony went to the kitchen and came back a few moments later, the plate with the food on her mouth. Apple pie. A big, hot, sweet and nice apple pie with red apple slices on it. She cut it in three parts and gave one to each. For the human, there was no word to describe what was in front of him. The smell was a mix of apple (obvious, isn’t it?), cinnamon, sugar and honey. His stomach growled when he inhaled the scent.

No word was needed to allow the beginning of the meal. The two ponies plunged their mouths on the food. Seeing this, he sighed and took his part with his two hands. When he put it in his maw, he slowly chewed. He only needed a few seconds to stop eating and began cry. Applejack saw this and looked at him, worried.

“Somethin' wrong, sugarcube?”

He swallowed and continued crying, a shiver fell down his spine.

“N-n-no, it’s…just the BEST thing I ever ate! You really are a good cooker.”

He dried his tears and continued eating. She looked at him, joy and pride in her emerald eyes.

“Thanks. That means a lot, coming from ya. Ah was able to do it, but a little help from Granny was more than welcomed.”

"So, thank her from me."

"Ah'll do it."

They continued to eat in silence. The smile never left Applejack's face and Big Mac grinned. Unfortunately, the comfortable silence was broke by a question.

"Ethan, when we met, ya said that ya were a soldier. Did ya...ever killed?"

He stopped eating. Almost instantly, AJ began to regret asking the question.

"What I did wasn't pretty, but they were bad people and they deserved it. The only thing I regret is that I couldn’t be able to protect my teammates." he said sadly, with a sigh. "I'm not proud of it. It was war, I had to. It was me or them, I choose me."

The pony with orange coat stayed silent.

"I...see." she finally said, lightly shocked.

"I still am the same human who saved you. It's not because I pulled a trigger and ended the lives of hundred people that I have changed. It just the perception you have from me that have become different."

As Celestia said before, his logic was implacable. An awkward silence fell on the room. The trio finished eating. They didn’t wait long before a cough broke the lack of sound. Ethan tried to stood up but fell on the side, his eyes widened. Again, his body betrayed him. He continued coughing, more loudly. With each cough, the pain on his torso became more present and difficult to bear.

It was like an unstoppable and devouring fire that grew in his guts. This almost gave him the need to throw up but only blood left his mouth. The two ponies quickly rushed at his side.

“Are you alright, sugarcube?”

He wanted to tell her that it was not that bad but couldn’t spell any word, his mouth and throat were full of the red liquid. His breathing was labored and short. Despite the pain, he was not afraid. If it was the time so, it is. He waited for months for his moment to pass away. But finally, the intensity of the crisis calmed down.

A sigh escaped his mouth and he closed his eyes. The virus gave him a little more time. The human tried to get up, strangely, and used the table to stay on his two feet.

“What happened? Are ya ok?”

For the first time since the beginning of the dinner, Big Mac talked. His eyes were full of concern and worry. It makes Ethan smile.

“Yeah, I’m alright…for now.”

“How so?”

“You deserve to know the truth. Applejack, I authorize you to tell Twilight and the others about it; but not the rest of Ponyville. Am I clear?”

She nodded.

“Good. To tell you the truth, I’m dying.” He directly began, seeing the surprised and chocked expression on their faces. Even the red stallion, who was not really the emotional type, showed some emotions. “My body was contaminated by an unknown virus, I fell ill when I explored a foreign planet with other people. Scientists and doctors tried to find a way to completely destroy it but only slowed it. The others who were also ill died. The doctors said I only have five or six months, at least. But I can give my final breath by any moment, from now.”

They stayed silent. What could they do? The young Gray used this moment to clear his throat.

“I think I have to go, some work to do tomorrow morning. The meal was very delightful and sorry for the blood on the floor. Good night.”

He walked to the door, opened it, looked back at the two with a small smile, stepped outside and closed the door. The orange pony snapped out of her trance and sprinted after him.

“Ethan! Wait!”

Hearing this, he stopped his walk but didn’t turn around to look at her.

“Ah have something to tell ya.” She said, before thinking about the right words. “Ah've been thinking about it since ya saved me and… Ah think Ah’m in love with ya.”