SEASON 1: THE ADVENTURES OF ALEX IN EQUESTRIA
Chapter 8: Nothing is what it seems
PONYVILLE (7:00 a.m., Equestria time)
It was already morning in the beautiful town of Ponyville, the birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, and the sun was shining. Everything begins on a cloud in the sky of this beautiful town, more specifically on mine, where I was sleeping on what would be my house.
For those who don't remember my adventure from the previous day, let me summarize: I went to the Everfree Forest in search of materials to build my house, accompanied by Twilight. During the search, we found a small hawk trapped. Twilight freed it, and a while later, it returned the favor by saving us from a pack of timberwolves. After that, I decided to adopt it as my pet, and now we live together, or at least we will when I have a house.
The first one to get up among us was Thunder, who was getting up from a nest he had improvised on the cloud we were on. He did some kind of morning stretches and perched near my ear (we all know what happens next), cleared his throat, and started making a loud racket with his beak. I was still asleep, but the noise bothered me, so I silenced him with a tap on the head as if he were an alarm clock.
-Alex: Mmm... Five more minutes, Mom... I don't want to go to school...
I rolled to the side opposite where Thunder was, who had been left crumpled like an accordion from the blow; it wasn't until a loud explosion under the cloud rang out that I woke up.
-Alex: Mmm!... - I got up and leaned over the edge of the cloud - Can you lower the volume? I'm trying to sleep! Huh?...
From where I was, I could see that, at the town hall, there was a large cart shooting fireworks and a bunch of pyrotechnics.
-Alex: And that? - rubbing my eyes - That cart looks *yawn* familiar...
Meanwhile, in the town hall, a semi-dark blue unicorn could be heard shouting in front of a large crowd of ponies:
-Trixie: Come one, come all, to see the Great and Powerful Trixie!
-Alex: Oh yes, Trixie, I remember this chapter, she'll just make a big fuss, nothing to worry about.
I lay back down and covered myself with my cloud blanket, but immediately Thunder pulled me out of bed with another rumble.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: Ahhh! What's wrong with you, Thunder?!
The hawk pointed down at me, trying to tell me to go see what was happening.
-Alex: Do you want me to keep an eye on Trixie? Nah, don't worry, she's not a serious threat like Nightmare Moon, the girls will surely handle her - he covered me completely from head to toe -
-Thunder: *facewing*
The hawk took off and flew towards the town hall to investigate what was happening, although there was really nothing to investigate, it was just Trixie being Trixie.
MEANWHILE WITH THUNDER, HAWK'S NARRATION (Yep, he'll narrate this part, enjoy his complex thoughts hehe)
I was flying towards the "town hall" of the "village," I don't know if I said it right, those terms are new to me; anyway, I was heading towards where that unicorn mare was causing such a commotion.
After a while, I managed to reach the roof of the building on which I perched to observe the so-called Trixie. Time passed and all she did was show off her talents in front of a large number of ponies, who had no idea why they were there watching her cheap tricks. I was about to leave when suddenly he challenged the ponies in the audience.
-Trixie: I see we have some skeptics in the audience, so, the great and powerful Trixie challenges you, Ponyville residents, whatever you do, Trixie will do it better.
Upon hearing those words in that tone, I decided to stay and watch a little longer. The first to accept the challenge was an amber-colored pony with a cowboy hat and a cutie mark of three apples. She started handling a lasso incredibly well, performing some pretty good tricks, but at the end of her act, Trixie took the same lasso and used it to tie and gag the cowgirl pony with an apple as if she were a pig. In short, that unicorn had something about her that I didn't like.
A LITTLE LATER
The show had finally ended, and Trixie had humiliated two more ponies, in addition to the cowpony, so Trixie picked up her career and took it to a somewhat lonely alley, where she left it and went in to rest.
-Thunder's thought: "Maybe Alex was right, this was a waste of time"
I spread my wings and decided to fly back to the cloud, although I still had my doubts about that unicorn.
BACK IN THE CLOUD, STILL A hawk NARRATION
I arrived at the cloud where Alex should have been resting, but upon closer inspection, I noticed he was no longer there. I worried for a moment, but then a fruit bat flew frantically very close to me, and with that, I understood that the human was working. Again, I spread my wings and flew towards the farm.
MEANWHILE ON THE FARM, NARRATION BY ALEX (I mean me, like if you missed me hehe just kidding)
I was fighting against a large swarm of fruit bats, with the help of Big Mac and Applejack. On my side, it was an aerial fight, while on the Apple side, it was on the ground.
-Alex: I didn't think these things would come back so soon.
The pests tried to bite me more than my friends, but I stopped their attacks with the wooden shield that Big Mac made for me the day before; then, while they were close, I attacked them with my wooden sword, making them gradually flee. Meanwhile on land, the farmers kicked the bats to scare them away.
-Applejack: That's why we hired you, Alex, the pests attack the orchard very often - she said while continuing to fight -
-Big Mac: Eeyup
We fought with all our might to save the apples, and gradually the threats were diminishing, but in a desperate act, the remaining bats grouped together and created a large mouth that roared at us fiercely, making us retreat. The mouth began to approach the apple trees, until a hawk got in its way, it was Thunder, who took a deep breath and released it in the form of giant sound waves, the bats scattered and fled from that great explosion.
-Thunder's Thought: "That'll teach them, for being a bunch of ruffians"
Thunder came down to where I was and perched on my shoulder.
-Alex: Hehe, thanks Thunder - I petted his head and descended to the ground - well, I think that's all, they won't be back for a couple of days, that's for sure
-Applejack: What the hay just happened? - she approached me very astonished - that hawk sent them flying just with its voice
-Big Mac: Eeyup
-Alex: Oh right, I didn't introduce you before, guys, this is Thunder - he points to him - he's my partner, and as you can see, he didn't get his name just because I liked it.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm* (A pleasure)
-Applejack: I've never seen a bird like that, where did you find it?
-Alex: In the Everfree Forest, I rescued him from a vine trap and he took a liking to me-
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm* (Ahem)
-Alex: Ok ok, he also rescued me so we're even.
He gave me a light tap on the back of the neck with his wing, to which I responded by laughing a little.
-Alex: Hehe, oh Thunder, I didn't know you were this proud.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm* (Hmp)
The farmer ponies and I laughed at Thunder's attitude, just as he also started laughing after a while.
After that, we went back to work until noon. At that hour, everyone on the farm took a break and gathered in the dining room to eat something and regain energy. Today it was Big Macintosh's turn to cook, so the red pony went to the house on the farm to prepare the food. Believe it or not, Big Mac is a great chef.
Returning to the dining room, we were gathered—Applejack, her little sister Applebloom, Granny Smith, and of course, me. We started chatting about various topics, and I even took the opportunity to ask some questions about construction, but after 10 minutes of conversation, Applebloom brought up a rather special topic.
-Applebloom: Hey Alex - the filly looked at me -
-Alex: Yes, Applebloom? What's up?
-Applebloom: What was your life like in the human world?
That surprised me, I had really never talked to any pony about my past life in the human world.
-Alex: Well, there's not much to tell really, he was just one among hundreds of humans.
-Applebloom: And what is your family like? Do you visit her from time to time?
-Alex: My family?...my family...
I didn't know what to say to him anymore, my parents had passed away just over a year ago, I didn't want to tell him the truth... but I knew it was better to say it than to keep it to myself for the rest of my life.
-Alex: My family... died about a year ago...
The Apples fell silent upon hearing that.
-Alex: You see...
A DAY LIKE THIS A YEAR AGO
I was at home with my parents, watching my favorite show; I was sitting on the floor, watching television very attentively, while my parents were sitting on the couch taking care of me. It didn't seem like it, but they also liked the show. That day a letter arrived at the house, so Dad got up and checked it. After reading it, he took his coat and opened the door with the intention of leaving.
-MarĂa: Brian? Honey, where are you going?
-Brian: I received a letter from work, they want me to go check some things, I'll be back soon.
Dad left and closed the door behind him, Mom and I got ready to keep waiting by watching television, but days went by and Dad still hadn't returned... a week later, my favorite show was interrupted by a tragic news report: The place where Dad worked had suffered an incident on the same day he was called: The entire facility had been the victim of a massive explosion inside, which left several dead inside, among whom my father's death was confirmed. Mom and I... *snif* we started to cry upon learning that dad had been a victim of that explosion... *sniff* mom was trying to calm me down but... but...
BACK ON THE FARM
I stopped telling my story because it made me so sad to remember all of that, to the point that I was still crying even after I stopped telling it.
-Applejack: Alex *sniff* Are you okay? - she said with a few tears in her eyes -
-Alex: Y-yeah *snif* I'm fine... just a bit sad, that's all... *snif* sorry if I can't keep telling my story but-
But then I was silenced by a hug from Applejack, the pony was crying while comforting me.
-Applejack: It's not necessary *sniff* for you to continue if you don't want to...
-Alex: Applejack...
My eyes began to water until I finally broke down in tears on the shoulder of the farmer pony, she gave me gentle pats on my back with her hooves while I kept crying.
After a while, I had finally finished venting, I felt good but still somewhat sad.
-Applejack: Do you feel better, buddy?
-Alex: Yes - I wiped away some tears - thank you Applejack, it really helped me
-Applejack: It was nothing, Alex... honestly, I understand your pain.
-Alex: R-really?
Applejack started to tell me that she had also lost her parents a long time ago in an accident that happened on the farm. Every time she remembered that story, she would get sad, so much so that while she was telling me, some tears would escape her.
-Alex: Applejack...
-Applejack: Every time I remember that moment *sniff* I feel like my heart is breaking...
The look of sadness that Applejack had reminded me a lot of the one I had a year ago, after losing my parents.
-Alex: Applejack, tell me, how did you manage to forget him?
-Applejack: I haven't forgotten, partner...
-Alex: Why not? Doesn't it make you sad to remember that moment?
-Applejack: Of course, but... it also makes me happy
-Alex: I don't understand
-Applejack: Maybe I should remember the death of my parents, but I also remember the last moment I spent with them, and that makes me very happy.
-Alex: Applejack...
All this time, I had been trying to forget that moment, as every night I cried myself to sleep; but Applejack, I always saw her so happy, so lively, and all this time she carried the weight of that memory... maybe... just maybe... I can too, or rather, I must carry my own weight.
A few moments after she had said that to me, I noticed that the farm pony was about to cry again, so this time, I hugged her, giving her comfort as she had done with me. Almost immediately, she returned the hug and began to cry on my shoulder.
After that moment, Big Mac arrived with the food, which was a bit curious; he arrived just as I was helping Applejack vent. Anyway, after the meal, we continued with our normal work schedule, although for me, "normal" meant chasing away pests and making sure they didn't come back.
AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER
The workday had ended, it was already somewhat late, and I was getting ready to work from home, so I said goodbye to the Apple family and flew home.
When I got home, I could see Thunder standing on the handle of a toolbox with several boxes of nails on the sides, in addition to the wood that was under the cloud on the ground.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm* (Hello Alex)
-Alex: Oh Thunder, thanks for gathering everything for me *yawn* but I'm not in the mood to work right now, maybe tomorrow.
I headed to where my pillow and my cloud blanket were and lay down, covering myself completely. Thunder just looked at me and went to lie down as well; apparently, he didn't intend to beg me much. We were both ready to sleep, but just as I was starting to close my eyes, a scream of terror invaded my ears, preventing me from sleeping. That scream came from the village, as apparently a beast was attacking it. I quickly got out of my improvised bed, took my sword and shield, and flew towards the village, where I encountered a very familiar surprise.
-Trixie: That's right, fear the immense power of the great and powerful Trixie! - she shouted while atop a lesser bear, which was being controlled by Trixie's magic - Did you dare to challenge me? Now I will show you what happens when you challenge me!
The beast was destroying everything in its path, buildings, homes, it even tried to crush ponies, so I took my sword and shield in my hands and charged with Thunder towards where Trixie was to stop it.
-Thought of Alex: What the hell is going on here? I didn't remember that the Little Bear destroyed the village like this, nor that Trixie was so powerful. Anyway, I have to stop her.
I was already close to her, so I tried to hit her with my sword, but a magical force field stopped my attack.
-Trixie: Do you really think you can take me on, human?
-Alex: I won't know unless I try
I placed my feet on the bear's head and began to hit Trixie's bubble shield quickly and forcefully, she just laughed as she watched my attacks have no effect.
-Trixie: Enough with the nonsense, I have a mission and a schedule to keep.
-Alex's thought: "What the hell is he talking about?"
The unicorn lifted one of its hooves and brought it closer to its head, the bear mimicked the same movement and grabbed me with its claw, I complained a bit since it had squeezed me tightly. Trixie shook her hoof downwards, causing the bear to throw me forcefully to the ground. A large cloud of dust rose up where I landed; fortunately, I was still alive but with great pain all over my body.
-Alex: Ouch... I didn't remember that Trixie could control a minor bear... What's happening?
I had closed my eyes at the moment I crashed, I barely opened them, only to realize something that left me terrified.
-Alex: Th-that isn't... a minor bear... it's... it's... the major bear!
Indeed, Trixie was riding a grizzly bear, and the most incredible and strange thing was that she was controlling it as if it were nothing. The beast began to approach where I was, I tried to get up but I was still very injured.
-Trixie: What's wrong, miserable human? Have you given up so soon? I thought you would put up more of a fight, well, let's finish this quickly because I'm in a hurry.
-Alex's thought: "Trixie speaks very strangely, how much has this chapter changed?"
Trixie raised her helmet again, causing the bear to lift its paw as well, and when she shook her helmet once more, the bear brought its claw down towards me at great speed. I closed my eyes and the bear's paw struck me, raising a huge cloud of dust.
-Trixie: Done, that was easy, I guess they overestimated it.
The major bear began to blow forcefully, dispersing the smoke. Once the dust settled, Trixie watched in surprise as I remained alive; before being crushed, a slightly cracked force field had protected me. I hadn't realized this until after I opened my eyes, and what a surprise it was to see Twilight beside me, using all her magic on the barrier.
-Alex: Twilight! Oh thank Celestia you're here, I almost didn't-
I stopped talking and my expression of joy turned to fear when I saw blood coming from the unicorn's nose; it had overexerted itself to protect me.
-Alex: Twilight...
-Twilight: I'm fine... phew... nothing's wrong
-Trixie: Damn unicorn, get out of my way!
The major bear struck the force field again, causing it to crack more and making Twilight let out a whimper of pain. I tried to get up to help, but my body wouldn't respond.
-Alex's thought: "Damn..."
-Trixie: Damn unicorn, no pony could resist something like this, anyway, it's just a matter of time.
She started moving her hooves, causing the major bear to repeatedly strike the Twilight barrier with both paws. With each blow, it cracked more, Twilight suffered more and more, and blood kept pouring from her nose. I felt like crying seeing all that and being unable to do anything. The major bear raised its paw and directed it towards us with all its strength, causing the barrier to burst and Twilight to fall unconscious. Seeing her faint, I quickly felt my body move on its own and I caught her in my arms.
-Alex: Gah!... it still hurts to move... - I looked at the fainted unicorn - Twilight...
I faintly heard her manage to murmur "Alex..." with her last bit of strength, I sighed in relief because she was still alive.
-Trixie: Hahahahaha, finally got him, now, to finish off the human
The bear approached us and once again attacked with her claw; I stepped in between the attack and Twilight. She almost gave her life for me, it was the least I could do, but something strange was happening. The bear stopped dead in her tracks just a few centimeters from us, and the most surprised by this was Trixie.
-Trixie: What's happening? - she shook her hoof again - Come on, damn beast, finish them off!
The major bear moved again, but this time it moved its paw towards Trixie, who tried to prevent it from catching her with her bubble, which the bear easily crushed, grabbing Trixie with its paw. Once it had her in its paws, it brought her closer to its face, and one could see how the beast's eyes changed from a strange green hue to their natural color, indicating that the unicorn no longer had control over it.
-Trixie: Changes, time's up
The bear roared at her fiercely, causing something strange to happen. Trixie's skin began to change color, turning black, and several holes appeared all over her body. Insect-like wings sprouted from her back, and her eyes turned completely green.
-Alex: A Changeling! I should have known that Trixie wouldn't be capable of something like that.
-Changeling: Double change! They found me out - he turned to look at the bear - all of this is your fault, cursed Everfree beast.
The Changeling began to aim its horn at the bear and shot a great beam of magic, making it disappear into the air; it had surely sent it back to its den out of fear of having to face it.
-Changeling: But this won't end here, did you hear me, human? This won't end like this!
He flew towards us with the intention of killing us, I was ready to hit him with my sword, but suddenly something pushed me, it was Twilight, who was tackled by the Changeling, who then disappeared into the air along with her.
-Alex: No... No!... Twilight!...
I screamed with all my might, after that, I fainted very weak, I couldn't see, but a shadow in the shape of a unicorn approached me...
TO BE CONTINUED...