To be Forgotten - Perfect-Drake
Chapter 1: What is Going On?!
My name is Aiden Quartz. I live a relatively normal life, well... As normal as it can be with no parents and a little sister that I take care of. I was nine years old when my mother died as she was giving birth to my sister. My poor excuse of a father dissappeared shortly after her passing. A part of me wanted to search for him, but I always knew that even if I ever were to find him I would never be able to forgive him.
However that is a topic for another day. My grandparents took me in shortly after my mom's passing. I became distant, preferring to stay alone and work by myself, engrossing myself in whatever I would be working on for days on end. The only person to ever help me get out of those moments was Angelica, my sister. On my fourteenth birthday I received a laptop from one of my uncles, from then on out I became obsessed with it. I spent almost all of my time on the machine, studying and learning, creating and working.
And so, I spent the next four years doing just that. Eventually, when I was nineteen years old, I applied for a job at a small, local tech company and was almost hired on the spot. They clearly needed a front end developer and I seemed to fit the role rather well. I was well paid, and had a decent relationship with the owner of company. I've been at the job now for nearly four years and-
"Aiden! Can you come here please?" I sighed and turned towards my sister's room. I looked back down at what I had written, it was supposed to be a rough guide for me to start writing an autobiography which was more to help my sister as her english teacher had asked his students to write one of their own. I got up from my seat and made my way to my sister. I found her sitting on her bed with a notebook in front of her, I immediately knew what she was going say, so I beat her to it.
"Need help with a few math problems?" I smiled at her as she giggled and nodded. I sat down next to her and read a few of the problems that had left her stuck. She had recently been learning about exponents and variables, simple stuff to me but I was always a bit obsessed with making calculations so I've had a lot of practice. "Which of these are you having the most trouble with?" My query was answered when she put her finger on the 5th problem written on her notebook.
"Twelve squared divided by 'a' plus twelve." I looked up at the top of the page to see that she had written that 'a' was equal to four. I immediately knew the answer, fourty eight. Of course simply saying the answer wouldn't help her learn anything so I decided to take her through the necessary steps.
"First, Twelve squared is exactly saying twelve multiplied by twelve." She nodded, understanding what I was telling her. She starting making the calculations in her head and told me her result.
"One hundred and forty four."
"Good. Now it says up here that 'a' is equal to four. I taught you that dividing by numbers like two, four, and five is also like multiplying using decimals. Point fifty when you're dividing by two, point-"
"Point twenty five when dividing by four and point twenty when dividing by five... I think I can do this." She continued. After a minute or so had passed she came up with the correct answer. She looked at me as I recalculated the problem.
"fourty eight, correct." I looked over the remaining problems. "You think you can do the rest?" I asked, she read them quietly and nodded to me. I knew it was a rarity that a fourteen year old was eager to learn, especially on a topic like math. Even I at some point detested the stuff, which is why I loved my sister. She never failed to impress me with what she could master in a short amount of time, only asking me a few questions and even then it was to remind her of the ways she could do her task. She would be done with her homework in just a few minutes so I sat with her and watched as she answered all of the mathematical problems, when she was done she handed her notebook to me so I could verify her answers.
I read them all quietly calculating all the answers quickly and checking her answers as well as how she got to them. I smiled, they were all correct, "Perfect, not long 'til you start beating me at math." I handed back as she laughed at my statement.
"I don't think that'll happen, you're a programmer, you work with this stuff all the time."
"Not entirely true Angelica, yes people that work in my position would have to know some math but it's not super complex. Just your division, multiplication, and some pixel calculations." She never seemed to realize how smart she really was, I loved the praise, but my sister was worth more to me than my stupid ego.
"Alright, alright. I get it." She laughed as she said that, "Hey... I was wondering if we could go out into town today, to just do something, feels like we've been here all week!"
I thought about that for a second, she was right we have been here basically all week. I had a lot of work to do as the company I work for needed to get some things set up before the weekend, but I was making a lot of progress on that and I should be done by tomorrow.
"I am nearly done with all the work I have for the end of the week... Yeah, I can definitely take some time off." I could've sworn she said 'YES!' to herself. "Let me know when you're ready, Angelica." With that said I got up from her bed and walked to my room, getting ready for the trip to town, I didn't live in one of the big cities like NYC or LA so there wasn't a lot of things to be done but I was suspecting that she would want to go to the movie theater.
Twenty minutes later and we were both done getting ready, "Now, you wouldn't normally ask to go out to town without a plan. So, what'd you have in mind?" I've taken care of my sister long enough to know that she would plan ahead before asking me for permission on anything.
"Well, I've been wanting to see this movie that released a few days ago..." She sounded excited, like she's been wanting to see this movie since it was first announced. I chuckled a bit, that amount of excitement reminded me of when I received my first laptop, and when I made my first working program on it.
"Sounds like you've been meaning to see it since it was first announced, alright. Let's go..." I thought about something for a second... This should get a good reaction out of her. "Now English, or our native language?" She put on a hilarious looking face that said 'You know the answer...' I laughed, no one likes when anime get's dubbed from Japanese to English, it's somehow worse if it's a movie and it goes from English to Spanish.
"Spanish dubs are terrible... Never am I ever watching a movie in Spanish again, unless it's originally in Spanish." Her voice contained a bit of an angry tone, I had once tricked her into watching a movie in Spanish and she had hated it. "I'm glad to see you still find it funny..." She huffed, clearly unamused.
"Y'know sis, you're reaction was priceless that day."
"Oh haha, bro. Get over it." The tone of her voice made me chuckle. It was so easy to get her frustrated about something.
"We need to work on your temper lady." At that point I really think she was trying to burn a hole through me with her eyes. "Oh alright alright. No more jokes."
"You better not." Now I know I am 9 years older than her, but I really believe in the phrase 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'. I know that's for when they're 'rejected' something, but I feel like 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's ire' is a lot more appropriate.
Time passed by rather quickly and we were nearing our destination. I didn't live too far from the theater which was always nice for whenever I or my sister wanted to watch a movie on the big screen. To be fair, it wasn't that often, not often enough that I would remember to ask what movie we're watching before leaving our house.
"Alright sis, what's the name of the movie. Also I really hope this isn't one of those sappy romance movies that everyone seems to be in to right now." I asked as we were nearing the movie theater. I was about to ask her something else when she answered.
"It isn't one of 'those sappy romance movies'. Movie's called 'Equal Opportunity' you know, like the policy of the same name." That got my attention, the Equal Opportunity Act is the act that prohibits contracters from discriminating against people based on gender, race or age.
"Sounds really interesting sis, but where'd you learn of this movie?" I was trying to find a parking spot... Not easy when it's somehow always packed with people. "Also I'd expect you'd be bored of such a topic."
"I learned about it a few months ago when it was announced. I was interested because... Well, I kinda like the idea of serving my country..." Now that was surprising, don't get me wrong I love my country, but making legislation not so much.
"Oh... So you thinking you'd make a good president?" It was somewhat of a tease. If Angelica were to try running for first woman president of the US I'd support her all the way through. I fully believe that she'd make a good one. "Can't say I am opposed to the idea. In fact, if you ever run, I'll be right by your side, sis."
"Heh, that's a long shot, bro. Though I appreciate the support. Although I will say, that it's just not the president that serves the country." There she goes, not thinking big enough.
"Think bigger, sis. You can pull it off, it'd be hard but you can do it." She smiled at that. I always told her that to get something in this life you must believe that you can do it. Belief can be a powerful ally.
I got in line to buy the tickets. I couldn't help but notice a man that was sitting against the wall of the theater, middle-aged, poorly kept hygiene, and dirty clothes. I just barely caught something that he said. "Stupid niggers." A racist, now that explains a lot.
After I got our tickets, I went inside. Gave them to the teenager at the desk, guy was bored out of his mind. "Down the left hall fourth one to your left." He said in his tired and somewhat sad voice.
I motioned to my sister for her to follow, it wouldn't be long until the movie started, so I found us a seat and then left to get some popcorn as well as two chocolate bars. I kept those hidden because my sister would undoubtedly fight me for them.
I sat back down with my sister who seemed to be getting cold. "Are you okay, sis?"
"Wasn't expecting this place to be this cold." I thought for a brief moment.
"You didn't bring your jacket?" She shook here head. "Alright here." I gave her my jacket, I wasn't bothered by the cold but I always took it with me just in case.
"Aww thanks, do you do this with all the girls you take to the movies?" Her joke nearly made me drop to the floor in laughter.
"Whilst that joke was hilarious I can't deny how weird it is."
"You don't love me?" She was determined.
"Sis, please. No one could ever love a face like that." She put on her best 'hurt' face. She noticed I wasn't buying it.
"Wow, such a nice brother you are." She was really trying to look and sound like she was hurt.
"Says the sister that once put a nail on my office chair." That little prank of hers made me realize my sister could be a real pain in the ass if she wanted to. Still thinking back to it, it was pretty funny.
"Pft... That was hilarious, admit it." She said back. I was going to refute it but just as I was about to the movie began.
Halfway in the movie
I was really enjoying it so far, it was tackling issues like race but the real focus was on LGBTQ-plus rights. Now I will say, I don't much care for that plus part but I do believe in equality across the board. It also seemed like my sister was enjoying it, which was surprising as she normally likes action/romance/dramas.
End of the movie
"It was amazing! What did you think Aiden?" My sister liked the movie more than I thought, now I am not gonna lie it had it's flaws, but overall I loved it.
"It was pretty darn awesome. I did some research not long ago on rights issues. The movie did a good job on that." We started exiting the room, it was crowded so we couldn't really move too fast. "Hang on Angelica, I think we should wait off to the side so we can ex-"
There was a loud bang outside the doors the mass of people were exiting from. My initial thought was that someone had thrown a fire cracker, but as I looked passed the people I saw that same man, middle-aged, poor hygiene and tattered, dirty clothes, outside holding an assault rifle. The next sequence of events happened fast.
The people that were near the gunman screamed and tried running past him, but he opened fire. I grabbed my sister and pulled her towards me. The people around us kept pushing and shoving, one of them nearly knocked me down. We tried running towards the other exit, but that door was closed, we were locked in.
"Why is this door closed!? For fucks sake!" I tried knocking it down, I wasn't nearly strong enough to break it... "Angelica listen to me, go to the highest seats and hide there, try to be as quiet as you can. Do you understand?" The tears in her eyes made me nearly break down. She nodded and ran to where I told her to hide, there was no where for me to go... I would be too easy to spot.
I'm not a hero, I'm not brave. But if that man were to discover my sister... He'd kill her. She was the only family I had, I wasn't about to let this monster take her away. I didn't have any sort of weapon on me, my only chance was to surprise him and perhaps take his gun. I steeled myself, I heard other gun shots they sounds different. Security? I peeked around the corner, and looked on in disbelief, there were more people there, at least 4 men with different guns. I immediately looked away, how was I supposed to protect my sister from 4 gunmen...
I heard heavy footsteps getting louder and louder. I looked across the wall I was hiding behind, waiting for any of them to appear, my wait wasn't long, I saw the barrel of his gun peek through. I grabbed it on pointed it upward, the sudden movement caused the man to lose grip of his weapon. I managed to pull it away from him, and hit him in the head with it. He stumbled back and alerted the others, I pointed the gun at him and pulled the trigger twice.
The wall was painted in red, I heard the others yell as they saw him fall to the ground, two bullet holes in his chest. I backed up ducked behind a chair and pointed the gun to the corner where I heard them running. I didn't know if this gun had ammo in it still but I was hoping it did. The running stopped, they hadn't passed the corner. I could hear sobbing in the seats above... I looked towards the sound, I could just barely see my sister, knees to her chest, arms around herself.
I then heard a very loud thud towards the corner, one of them had jumped it, his gaze turned to the seats, specifically to the top ones. I rose from my crouched position and aimed at him pressing the trigger 4 times, I missed half my shots but I was able to hit him on the neck and his left shoulder. The pain caused him to pull the trigger, my blood ran cold as I realized he was aiming for the seats above. I barely heard two men run forward pass the corner as I looked to the seats.
I was hit on the hip and arm, I managed to point my gun in their direction and just pulled the trigger. I missed most of them but I injured and killed one, the other didn't have any ammo, so he ran away. I managed to hit him on the left leg before I lost sight of him. I was on the ground in pain, but I had to get up to my sister. I had to make sure she was alright.
I crawled to my sister the pain causing me to drop on the ground a few times. I managed to get to her, but what I saw... What I saw was Angelica holding her chest in an effort to stop the blood coming out. I didn't know what to do, I didn't have anything to stop that blood, I couldn't do anything. I was completely and utterly helpless. I put my hand on her wound and out her head on my lap.
"A-Aiden...?"
"It's me, Angelica..."
W-Whats... Happening? I-I feel..."
"It's okay Angelica, everything is okay... You're gonna be fine..."
"W-Why a-are you c-crying?"
"Just... It's nothing, Angelica... Just please stay awake."
"But... Why brother?"
"Because... Because you're dying sis... Just please stay awake. Please stay awake..."
"B-b...Brother I can't feel... I c-can't f-feel a-any-anything..."
"I know sis... I know just please stay awake..."
"..."
"Angelica?"
Silence, complete silence.
"Sister...? Angelica Quartz...?"
I've lost a lot of blood. My eyesight is getting blurred.
"Hermana...? Please no... Sis..."
I couldn't think of anything anymore, I collapsed. I couldn't hear the footsteps of people rushing all around me, I could just barely see two officers pick me up before I blacked out.
When I awoke, I was greeted by an extremely bright light, I closed my eyes as to adjust to it. I could hear the steady beeping of a heart rate monitor, I was in a hospital... My mind suddenly caught up with the events that occurred before. I felt myself getting agitated, the steady beeping of the monitor quickly becoming chaotic as I remembered what had happened to my sister. I opened my eyes frantically looking around trying to see if maybe my sister was somehow alive... There was no one near.
I felt a sudden rush of pain bring me back down, I closed my eyes and winced. Through the pain I heard the door to my room open. "Oh dear... He's awake... Doctor!" It was a women's voice, she sounded afraid for some reason. "Hang on there." There was definitely a hint of fear in her voice.
I heard the door open and close once more, the pain had subsided but I still kept my eyes closed. "I see that he is awake... Tenderheart could you please alert the princesses?" Wait, what? Princesses? What the hell...
I decided to finally open my eyes, I was staring up at the ceiling I heard the door open and close, I tried getting up but fell down in pain again. "Oh no no no. Please stay down while I examine you."
"I'm sorry doc, but my sister. How is my sister?" I was struggling to keep my cool, I needed to know how my sister was doing.
"You mean the smaller one that was with you?" His tone sounded sad.
"Yeah, how is she? I need to know doc." I was desperate to know.
"She's... Alive, but..." She's alive... But...
"But what?" I was afraid of the answer.
"We don't have equipment for your species... We just barely managed to get you stable, she's barely hanging on." Don't have equipment for my species? What?!
"I'm sorry doc but what do you mean by species?" How could a hospital not have equipment for their own species.
"We don't know what you are sir... Never in Equestria have we seen anything like you. Now please, stay still while I examine your condition." He was starting to sound desperate, but my mind was somewhere else. Equestria? What is that? Where is that? If they don't have equipment for my species then what was this hospital for?
Who or what was I even talking to?
"Your scan is complete, I will create a list and inform you later on." I hadn't even realized he had scanned me. With what?
"Wait, what are you?"
"What? I am a pony." A what now? That would be impossible.
"Funny joke doc, what are you? Some kind of alien?" For some reason that was more believable to me.
"I am a Unicorn Pony. See?" I saw a hand, or rather hoof wave I'm front of me. I managed to ignore the pain and sit up, I looked at the doctor. My eyes widening as I realized I was looking at a unicorn.
"But... How...?" He looked somewhat surprised at my question.
"Sir you really should lay down." The pony in front of me spoke. What the hell was going on?
"Am I insane right now? How are you talking? You're a pony..." My brain was beginning to shut down.
"All ponies do, now please sir. Lay down." I fell back to the bed, completely dumbstruck. "Oh dear..." Deer? Or dear?
"What is going on?"
I passed out again. When I regained consciousness I attempted to get up again. "Please, stay down. You might pass out again." This was a new voice, it was warm, kind. It reminded me of my mother's.
"Excuse me miss, but I don't understand what is going on here, there was a talking pony in the room earlier." I was groggy, my head was still trying to wrap itself around what happened earlier.
"Yes, well you see... I understand that, back in your world, there are no such things as 'talking ponies'." Back in my world?
"Wait... Am I not on Earth?" So he was an alien...
"Not exactly Aiden. You're in a different realm altogether." Different realm? Also how does this person know my name?
"Excuse me, but I do not recognize your voice who are you? And how do you know who I am?" I was really beginning to question my sanity.
"Ah yes. I will start with how I know your name, when the nurse led me here and we found you unconscious I decided to look at your memories." Looked at my memories? How was that even possible? I decided I wasn't going to question it anymore.
"Okay I am not going to question that. The nurse that was here was told to go look for a princess... Would that be you?" I was really hoping for her to say something like 'No I am the nurse'.
"Yes, my name is Princess Celestia. Co-ruler of Equestria." What the fuck.
"Okay... I am really having a hard time believing this. It doesn't help that I can't see you." I wished I could get up, to look over my chest and face the person I've been speaking to.
"Hmm... I'll help you with that." I felt myself being pulled up right in to a sitting position, weird thing was that I didn't feel pain. I finally got a look at the person I was speaking to... Or rather the pony.
"Uh..." I was dumbstruck again, I was staring at a 6 foot tall pony that had a rainbow mane that was flowing in a non-existent breeze, magenta eyes and a perfect white coat. She had a crown on her head behind her horn, as well as giant wings. To top it off a golden breastplate and golden... Shoes? Horseshoes?
"Are you alright there Mr. Quartz?" I snapped out of it.
"Uh y-yeah... Just I've never seen anything like you... Ever..." What to say? I don't know anymore.
"Yes well, beings such as myself are myths where you are from. Now, I believe that you wish to know something else?" My mind wandered for half a second, my eyes widened.
"My sister, Angelica... How is she?!" Her face turned rom neutral, to somber.
"She's alive but she's not stable, I'm sorry but I do not know what will happen to her..." Her voice carried a sadness I thought one could ever have if it was your own loved one dying. I dropped my head to my hands. "I am sorry but... We're not equipped to handle humans, you're the only two to ever appear."
"Is she suffering? Or is she under some kind of medication?" I sounded defeated. If I lost her, what would I do? She was my only family.
"She is under a medically induced coma. There are doctors working to stabilize her. We're doing the best we can..." At the very least... If what this being in front of me said was true, then she wasn't suffering through it.
"I understand... Celestia?" I was crushed.
"Yes, Aiden?" She looked at me with a sad expression.
"If... If she were to... To pass. Would you at least let me say goodbye?" I couldn't believe that this is where I was now...
"Of course Aiden."
AN: Hmm... I need a beta... I know this is a bit of a slow start, not much has happened but I hope you all understand what I am trying to do here. Also I am serious about that beta thing. This was all written on my phone so I'd appreciate the help correcting stuff.