A/N: You know, I was going to write an author's note. But then I thought, "What am I going to write? This is pathetic, only nine chapters in and I'm already out of author's note material." This is really… really sad. Might want to read and review to make up for my lack of author's note-ing. Sorry this took so long. I usually work on this over weekends, but for the last three weeks I haven't been home.
"Can we get an autopsy on this thing? Find out how it ticks." I said as I stepped off of the head of the corpse. I was speaking to one of the unicorns, who gave me a look that said, 'who the hell are you to give me orders. "I know, I know, not your commanding officer. Just… take my word for it, okay? Could be useful." I moved on, after he rolled his eyes. Fine, be that way. No need to fight, especially not after that.
"Brian, where are you going? You should be going back to Ponyville!" called Twilight, as I walked down the dusty road.
"I am."
"You're going the wrong way!" Once this reached my ears I stopped and did an about-face.
"I knew that. Just testing you."
"Sure you were. Come on, you NEED to eat something."
"HEY! I'm starving over here too!" shouted Rainbow, her… uh… arms crossed over her chest. Damn you over-analyzing brain, using human anatomy to describe a different species. At least I can say that for Gilda. Speaking of Gilda, where'd she go? Rainbow, Twilight, and Rarity were all talking as we walked back towards town.
"Hey guys, where'd Gilda go?"
"Up here, stupid." I looked up to see Gilda moving from cloud to cloud as the sun tinted each one a shade of orange, yellow, or pink. I wonder if I can do that. Probably best to wait. But if I wait, when will I have an opportunity? Nevermind. Unlikely I will be able to fly. Even if wings are growing at exponential rate, probability of them being able to carry me is slim. Twilight could do some math thing to figure it out, I bet. I was left mostly to my thoughts on the way back, with the three ponies talking and Gilda flying all over the place. My mind turned to memories of home, giving me an unfamiliar feeling in the very pit of my stomach. Humph. Would've thought I'd be happy to leave. But then, do I really miss Earth? Or do I miss Aidan and Cordelia? A wind blew over the field, chilling me to the bone. Damn it got cold out here. Where's my jacket? I strained to remember where I had placed it. OH SHIT IT'S STILL ON THAT TREE!
"Hey guys?"
"Yeah?"
"Did any of you pick up my coat? You know, the olive drab one?" Of course it's the olive drab one, dumbass. It's the only one you brought.
"No." said Gilda and Rainbow, simultaneously. They turned and glared at each other for a moment, then looked back at me.
"Can't say I did, sorry dear." Replied Rarity, lowering my hopes.
"It's back at the library, got it while we were looking for you." She stopped, averting her eyes from mine. "I uh... found a picture…" Dad. My eyes shot open.
"What did you do with that picture? Where is it?" I moved closer to her, but couldn't help to notice Gilda stop darting from cloud to cloud to watch this.
"It's back at the library, in the same pocket as before. I put it back. Was that your… your father?"
"It was. Reminds me of the good times, when I WASN'T a freaking refugee." I looked away, trying to think of something to get their minds off of this topic. "Uh… Last one to the Library is a rotten egg?" No sooner than I had said the words, Gilda and Rainbow Dash took off. Twilight and Rarity shared a look. Realizing I was far behind now, I shouted up to Dash and Gilda, trying to get their attention. "HEY! WAIT UP!" I was sprinting now, wings folded behind me. My feet kicked up dust as my long legs took even longer strides, and I thought to myself, Nothing like a good run.
When I finally reached the library, Twilight and Rarity were already there, as well as Rainbow. Not a Gilda to be found. Probably inside.
"Magic is cheating; even I can't beat instant travel!"
"Rainbow, you knew I could do that. You didn't exactly tell me I couldn't." Twilight and Rainbow were nose-to-nose, glaring into each other's eyes. Rarity was spectating, not sure what side to take.
"Uh… Girls? Hello?" Rarity turned to me, exasperated.
"Thank Celestia you're here! Rainbow keeps fighting with Twilight! And only because she teleported us here, rather than stay out all night walking home!" I rolled my eyes and moved closer to the two.
"Can we please stop fighting? We've got enough problems; don't need you to going at each other's throats. Besides, I lost. Not you." Our time away from here definitely stressed Twilight out or something. Rainbow is probably so touchy because she's exhausted. "So…" I said, trying to change the topic, even though they still hadn't backed off. "Can we get something to eat? I'm legitimately starving." Twilight snapped out of it, and remembered we hadn't eaten in days.
"OH! Yes, sorry. Let's go inside, it's getting cold out here anyway. What do you want?" The group went inside, Rarity asking for some tea, but Dash and I didn't care.
"Anything sounds good right about now. Hunger is the best flavor, you know." I sat down at her table after I grabbed my jacket and checked to see the picture of Dad was in the right place.
"I'm with him, just gimme something!"
"That is NOT how you treat your hostess Rainbow, especially Twilight." Scolded Rarity.
"Lighten up, Rarity. You know me, did you really expect your stupid 'manners'?" I looked on with some curiosity, observing how the two personalities clashed.
"I expected some gratitude at the very least."
"Psh, I didn't need that much help. All Twilight did was get the guards together, and they didn't do anything." This comment set Rarity off, causing her to stand up in anger. Lot of angst going around right now. Note to self; don't be confrontational to Twilight or her friends, no need to get thrown out. Especially with risk of the Elder-monster-whatever-the-hell-they're-actually-called-things. Before Rarity could do anything however, Twilight walked in with Rarity's tea, and pancakes. Again? I thought, recalling my other breakfast with the lavender unicorn. Hm, that all she knows how to make? Then again, I don't eat what they do. Made them because she knew I'd like them. Still starving.
"Thank you Twilight."
"Thanks Twi."
I merely nodded my thanks, then ate my food in silence. Twilight soon took a seat next to Rarity, and started a small discussion. She seemed oblivious to the glares that Rarity was giving Rainbow, as did Rainbow herself. She was eating, talking with her mouth full often. Cut her some slack. We have been in a cave for a good five days, not exactly the time to practice table manners. Even I, the boy living away from society, knew how to act as a guest. Then again, I remembered them from before I left. Seems like forever. Even just to see Earth would be amazing, but I have work here. That, and going back might cause… panic. So even if I could go back, I'd be abducted by the government, I wouldn't be able to see Cordelia, and not to mention Aidan is dead. With the realization that I will never see Cordelia or Aidan if he somehow survived, again, I immediately felt a lump in my throat.
"I'll uh… be right back." I managed to keep my composure long enough to get to the bathroom upstairs. I looked in the mirror, and saw some major differences. Obviously, the wings were one of them. I had lost weight as well, but I had expected to see that. My hair had gotten longer, and was beginning to curl around my ears in the back. There were also some more scratches and cuts scattered around my arms and legs. A small wound near my temple had bled down the side of my face; the dried blood was still caked there. After my self-analysis, I just stood there. I looked in the mirror. That's it. I didn't cry, but I didn't smile. I just stood there, unsure about my emotions, myself, the two people who cared enough to call me their friend, my family, and my future. What am I going to do? I'm not safe here. Aidan's gone. Cordelia isn't safe with her father, and I don't think she'll be able to stay at my camp. An idea suddenly popped into my head. I opened the door with some difficulty, only to learn that Twilight had her ear to the door.
"Hehehe…" She laughed nervously. "You're going to yell at me now, aren't you?" I was, of course, annoyed that she was trying to listen in, even if I didn't make a noise. However, I did need to talk to her.
"No. I'm not." The librarian let out a sigh of relief. "But I do need your help."
"What do you need? I don't see what I can-" I cut her off with my own voice.
"Would it be possible for me to see Earth? Like, even for a few moments? I have some… unfinished business there." That's one way to put it. She thought for a minute, then responded.
"I don't know. I'd have to look for a spell that could allow that, and even then…"
"I know it's a longshot, and you've done a lot for me already. You don't have to do it; I'm just a bit worried." I immediately regretted the last part.
"Worried about what?"
"Er… nevermind." She gave me a suspicious look. "Where'd Rainbow and Rarity go?" I asked, trying to change the topic.
"They left right after you came up here."
"And Gilda?" I asked, remembering her absence. Twilight looked away, and shuffled her feet. She's nervous. "What happened to Gilda?" She still wouldn't answer. "Look at me." She still wouldn't look at me. "Fine. But I'm sleeping on the balcony again. And this time? Don't check on me. I don't need it." All my previous politeness gone, I was angry that she was hiding Gilda. Not telling her about Gilda is one thing, this is something else. Isn't it? I mulled this over while I laid on the wooden platform. I'll find her later. And by later, I mean now. It had been some time since the librarian had left me alone; she and the dragon were fast asleep. I swung over the railing, then lowered myself onto another branch. Limb by limb, I climbed down the tree. I did fall, but I turned the would-be painful landing into a roll. Perfectly silent. Good to see I wasn't getting out of practice. I went back to the field, where the raven was slain. The body, thank God, wasn't there anymore, but the bloodstains were. Well, duh, you killed it a few hours ago. I stood there for a moment, before continuing my search. If I were a gryphon… where would I go? I walked up and down the road leading out of Ponyville multiple times before I saw claw prints and paw prints over my footsteps and the mares' hoofsteps. She walked? Would've thought she'd fly away. Wherever she went, that is. The tracks disappeared in the grass, but it was still apparent on where she went. It had been pushed down where she had trod. It's starting to take its shape back… this is at least an hour old. I followed the crushed grass, hearing a sob on occasion. Did I do something?
I found her. She was crying in the grass, lying face-down on the ground. Didn't think gryphons could cry. I got angry at myself for this. NO. BAD LOGIC. EMOTION. NOT. LOGIC.
"Gilda? Are you alright?" She's not alright, dumbass. I mentally facepalmed. She jumped to her feet.
"What are you doing here?" She sniffled. How is that even possible? They don't have nos- STOP IT BRAIN! "How'd you find me?"
"I noticed you weren't at the library. Was worried." Can't you be sensitive JUST this once? Or at least sympathetic?
"G-Great, now you see I'm just a b-big hatchling. Gonna make fun of me too? S-Stab me in the back? Or 'f-forgive' me, then leave me again?" She burst into tears again. What do I do? Damn the fact I don't have much experience with this.
"No. I'm not. I'm…" I had minor difficulty saying this. "… I'm your friend, right? Friends don't do that."
"That's what t-they all s-say." I didn't know what to say, Cordelia never really got like this. So instead of speaking, I walked closer, and did something completely out of character.
I gave her a hug.
It had, although awkward for me (mostly due to the fact I didn't have a shirt on and was not used to 'hugging' as it were), helped Gilda some. Standing to her full height, she was just as tall as I was. She cried and cried into my shoulder.
"It's okay… you're okay…" I reassured her as she sobbed. When did I get this nice? My mind relapsed to its questioning. GET OUT OF HERE CYNICISM, YOU'RE NOT WANTED RIGHT NOW! Eventually, she stopped crying, and pulled away.
"T-thanks…"
"Just doing my job." Should I ask her? It does help people when they talk about it. "Do you want to talk about it?" She opened her beak for a moment, as if to say something, but then nodded.
"I-it started when I c-came to Ponyville to visit R-Rainbow Dash." Definitely trying not to cry again. GODDAMNIT BRAIN! "Long story short… I y-yelled at all Dash's friends and got run out of town. Dash didn't w-want to be with me anymore. S-she didn't want anything to do with me. I w-was s-so alone. And then… then I got kicked out of the house. My parents were disappointed with me too, once I told them what happened. And you know what? I did the same bucking thing. I yelled at them, too!" She stopped crying, at least. She stomped her foot. "I lived in the Everfree for so long… I was so alone without Dash. She was my only friend, and she betrayed me. My family, who I thought loved me, kicked me out. The bird found me… and that's when I got stuck with you." It took me a few moments to digest all the new information that I heard from the gryphon.
"… That doesn't answer why you're here." I said quietly. Another sad look.
"When Dash and I got to the tree…" The left side of my brain immediately screamed to correct her, but I didn't. It's a library, not just any old tree! "… The two unicorns were there, and they harassed me for my previous actions. I don't know why they didn't do it sooner, but… they just attacked me, and…"
"And what? I mean, if you want to."
"Dash sided with them. I thought she forgave me, but NO! She just has to side with them AGAIN! I'm SICK of all the bucking betrayal!" Rage was apparent in her body language and eyes. Need to calm her down.
"I… don't know what to say." I was about to continue before Gilda got in my face.
"NO ONE EVER KNOWS WHAT TO SAY!"
"But I do know what we're doing next." She cooled off slightly, not shouting, but cynical.
"And what might that be, O wise one?"
"You apologize to them. They apologize to you. Done."
"It's not that simple."
"I know it's not. But I need you." I surprised myself with my words. Gilda's look of anger dissipated, replaced with curiosity.
"How so?"
"You saw that thing back there. The raven. Who knows how many more of those are there? I need your help to take those down. The fate of this world depends on it." What am I doing? I thought, but what was said was said.
"You were doing fine by yourself." I almost laughed. Wasn't doing that great.
"No, I wasn't. Besides, you've got a ferocity no one else here has. Not to mention coming pre-equipped. I mean, look at your claws! Razor sharp. We need to work together." She blushed at my compliments. How does she blush through her feathers? AUGH! GO AWAY LOGIC! I leaned in closer. "And frankly, all those ponies are the same. Too… nice. It isn't a bad thing, really, but with the current situation, it can be troublesome." I straightened up again. "We're both outsiders here, but I'm not the enemy. The ponies aren't either. Those creatures are." I scratched the back of my head, trying to figure out what I had just said in the last five minutes. Looking back at Gilda, I offered my hand. "What do you say?" Yeah, I probably screwed up. She's just staring at it… dammit.
"You've got a way with words. I'm in." She shook my hand, sealing the deal.
"Welcome to the team." I said, half-jokingly. "C'mon, let's go back. Some ponies need to apologize." The stars shone brighter, if only for a second. I did the right thing. I knew, however, this was the first of many tasks on the road ahead. Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, right? … This is so cliché, I think I might throw up.
I burst into the library, waking up Twilight (I could still hear Spike snoring). Gilda followed close behind.
"Brian? What are you- I thought you were sleeping on the"
"You have some SERIOUS explaining to do." Twilight took notice of Gilda, who was still behind me. Her eyes widened in shock. "I want to hear what happened. All of it. Now."
"I-I…" She started to tear up, then broke down. "I KICKED HER OUT, OKAY! I YELLED AT HER, EVEN THOUGH SHE TRIED TO APOLOGIZE!" She quieted down a bit. "I kept shouting at her, telling her she was an awful person." Didn't realize I had this kind of effect on people. Or ponies, for that matter.
"You should know that everyone deserves a second chance. Continue." I crossed my arms over my chest. The unicorn turned to face Gilda, now standing to my left. However, she still couldn't make eye contact with the gryphon.
"I'm sorry Gilda. I thought you were going to hurt Rainbow again. And I couldn't stand to see her get hurt again. When you left the party she was really depressed, and she wouldn't come out of her house for days. Even after she came out she was distant. Then you came back. I didn't want you to hurt her again… so I hurt you." Gilda's eyes softened for a few seconds. I swear that at that moment, I could hear a crowd chanting "hug" over and over again.
"I'm not buying it." One glare later, she changed her mind. "Oh alright, apology accepted." I gave her another glare. "And I'm sorry for my earlier behavior. You ponies aren't that bad."
"I'm very disappointed in your behavior, Twilight Sparkle." Another voice, very calm but scolding called out from above.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight did the pony equivalent of bowing, Gilda snorted, and I just stood there, turning to the source of the voice. A large white winged unicorn, wearing a crown and necklace stood on the second floor of the library, looking down. Holy crap, she's big. How did I not hear her? She jumped down, spreading her wings to land, and then turned to me.
"I've learned a few things over my years, believe me." Yeah, she can read minds. Hello, Princess Celestia. Surprisingly, I got a response almost immediately. It was like a little whisper inside my head.
Hello, Brian, son of Knightly.
"Have you been listening this whole time?" The lavender librarian inquired, interrupting the mental "conversation" and shifting her eyes nervously.
"No, but I think I've heard enough. Refusing someone who needs your help, Twilight… I thought you knew better than this."
"P-Princess I can exp-"
"However, that is not what I am here for." She turned to me again, and spoke aloud. "Brian, you have seen the monsters that have been plaguing the land."
"Duh, we all have." Come on Gilda, a little respect isn't too hard. The princess was unfazed, and took no notice of the gryphon's interruption. I tried to keep from glaring at her. She's alright, but she needs to know when to hold her tongue.
"I have."
"You obviously know that they are dangerous, then." No, I thought they were cuddly and only wanted hugs. Not to impale me with a spike, or squish me under its carapace. Oh crap, Celestia heard that, didn't she. In response, she nodded almost imperceptibly. Please stop.
"Considering the things almost killed Rainbow Dash and I both five days ago and earlier today, not to mention Twilight and I about a week before that, yes, I'd say they're dangerous. Dangerous, but not invincible." The white mare winced.
"That's right, you… disposed of them."
"Did what I had to do to protect myself and others." I retorted, justifying my actions.
"Very well. You fought the infected?" Infected?
"What do you mean by 'infected'?" I said, not really understanding. Celestia grimaced.
"Infected as in being controlled by the Elders."
"You mean to tell me that those things weren't even the real deal?" The princess could only shake her head in response, but she did speak to me telepathically. You know about the Elders, and have fought their minions. For the sake of my people. I tried to block her out of my head, so as to be able to think freely.
Good thing I've got Gilda.
"I need your help. But you can't do it alone; not even the Elements of Harmony can do it. You need to work together. Even with just you and the Elements, you will not be able to defeat them. You need to build a team, something you have already begun." She gestured towards Gilda, who looked appalled that she knew. Twilight looked surprised at this statement as well, but I tried to keep my face serious. Damn the fact she can read my mind. "I know you want to go home. I also know that you wish to see Aidan and Cordelia again."
"Aidan died." I said bitterly. "Would you PLEASE stop sifting through my thoughts and memories!"
"I'll have you know that Aidan is alive. He's here in Equestria, if you wish to see him. There were also three others of your kind, but were hostile and are currently detained." My heart skipped about three beats.
"H-he's alive?" I was choked up, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Oh God… he's alive. I surprised myself when I threw my arms around Celestia's neck. "Thank you thank you thank you Oh God thank you!" The monarch remained unaffected.
"I'm sending him here as soon as possible, he is still recovering from injuries that are similar to yours, but you are healed. From your old ones, at least. The bullet wound is remaining a problem to him right now, but he is recovering." He's alive. I didn't kill him. He's alive. I didn't kill him. I had thought this over and over again, a large weight lifted from my shoulders.
"I… do not know how to use words to thank you adequately."
"Then don't use words." Princess Celestia responded, confusing me. "You are in Equestria for a reason. You're here to-" I pieced things together.
"Stop the Elders, fulfill a prophecy, I know. But I can't do it alone, which is why you want me to work with the Elements of Harmony. Who are the Elements of Harmony, anyways?" The princess merely smiled at me.
I find it surprising that you already knew about the prophecy.
With all due respect, Princess, get out of my head!
As you wish.
"Applejack, the element of honesty, Fluttershy, the element of kindness, Pinkie Pie, the element of laughter, Rarity, the element of generosity, Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty, and Twilight here, is the element of magic." I mentally went through the list again. Wow, I've already met all of them.
"I already know most of them. What makes you think they'll help?" I asked, knowing that not everyone is able to fight. Hell, I'm not able to fight.
"I'll help you." Twilight took to my right side.
"I'm here." Gilda spoke from my left, but I already knew I had her help.
"You already have two friends who will assist you. Aidan will aid you once he is recovered. This is your call to action, heed my word and do your duty." With this, the alabaster monarch opened the door, and disappeared into the gray morning. I felt a little dizzy with lack of sleep.
"You alright Brian?" Gilda shook me a little; I must have been swaying slightly.
"Just… tired." I leaned in closer, whispering. "You staying here?"
"If you are." She whispered just as quietly. I turned back to Twilight.
"Twilight, can Gilda and I stay here?" She gave me an uncertain look, as if to say, "You want her to stay here? Here?"
"It's… the least I can do."
"Thanks… I owe you about a million now." She laughed tiredly, then went up the stairs. Gilda crashed on one of the couches, and I laid down on my side, and had a few thoughts before I passed out.
She's trusting me to save an entire world that isn't even mine from evil beings known as Elders that can possess other creatures… Because a winged thirteen year old can definitely do that.
Hey! Hey you! Yeah you! There's a button somewhere below this that says "Review"! You should click on it and tell me all about the story! If that's okay with you… I mean, if you want to… *Fluttershy squeak* Oh! Don't forget to PONY ON!
-LazerShaman
