//------------------------------// // [Chapter One]~ A Prologue Prolonged // Story: The Terrible Two // by Slicknick17 //------------------------------// Athena was for all intents and purposes a relatively stable young adult. She had graduated with decent grades despite not caring much about what was being taught. The teachers hated it but what are they gonna do suspend her? After high school she took a year relaxed at home, fucks up her sleep schedule. Sorted it back out and got a job delivering pizzas for a small local sub/pizza shop. It wasn't great but for a girl with no experience it came in handy when the topic of social skills rose it's ugly head in conversation. Now she is 20 years old with short brown hair, green eyes and weighs roughly 160 pounds. Physically she wasn't anything special dispite trying and failing many times to get into better shape during middle and high school. But she was forced to accept she wasn't that kind of person even if she desired to be. That longing for something more would come to fruition one fateful night. This particular night I was as normal as any other. Deliver here, deliver there, here's your two or five dollar tip. Cheat bastards. But regardless I take it I'm not going to say no to good currency even if it's almost nothing. All was going well until the last delivery of the night. I've always hated the last orders around here. People will call ten minutes before closing or come in and order after we just cleaned up. God if it doesn't piss me off. Anyway back on track I'm heading out to my car. The address looked to be on the outskirts of town. I would need to go over the train tracks. I groaned slumping back as I stopped at the red light. I hate going to that side of town. Going through the light I come to the tracks. As I begin crossing my car stalls out. That's when the bells start ringing out. "No no no come on come on" I mutter as I repeatedly turn the key. I can tell the car wants to start but it won't it just keep whining and dying out. Pulling the door handle it pulls but doesn't open. That's when I hear the chugging of the train. "No no no no no!" I start frantically pulling at the passenger door handle. Looking quickly through my car I search for something to help break the window. I can hear the train getting closer. I become more frantic as my fight or flight kicks in and my adrenaline pumps through my veins. Just as I grab the floor mat everything goes black. ... ... Soon I find I'm opening my eyes once more. But I'm not in a hospital no I find myself in a large open area. It looks something like the Savannah of Africa but I don't feel the heat of the midday sun. In fact it feels...pleasant, the wind sweeping the grass aside in a cool breeze as if it's an early morning back home. As I start moving I notice how stiff I am. My legs feeling as if they're weighed down by bricks or large garden stones. "Where am I?" I vocalize as my mind seemingly drifts deeper into it's confused state with each passing moment. "You are where you need to be child" an angelic voice makes itself known. I whip around in a frenzy. That voice no matter how motherly sounded from right behind me! "Who's there?!" I yell still looking for the source. "Come out and show yourself! You can run but you can't hide forever! I know ti chi and I'm not going anywhere" God she hoped her display would intimidate whoever this was. Even if she knew it was all a farce. But she wouldn't have to wait long. "Your panic is understandable young one...but your hostility is unnecessary" a firm hand clasps my shoulder and I freeze solid. As I stood frozen from shock or fear the woman behind me spoke again. "I advise you to calm yourself. You shall not insult me with petty threats and empty gloating about abilities you have never possessed" Finishing her warning her warm hand grips tighter around my shoulder turning ice cold. The sudden change causing me to start uncontrollably shaking as my fear begins to manifest flowing through my veins. "Now turn and face me" Starting to be controlled if not consumed by my fear I turned to face this goddess who commanded my respect. "Now child before we proceed how shall I address you?" the being I can only guess is some kind of demigoddess asks in a much calmer tone that didn't make me feel like a bug about to be squished. "I...I am Athena, Athena Rosemary Cross" I sputtered out of my quivering lips. The goddess smiles "Well Miss Cross I'd introduce myself however I've lost my name to history I'm afraid. You can simply refer to me as Mother Nature" I stood there gaping at the being standing above me. "Wait" I said holding my hand up. "You said mother nature as in the Roman goddess of nature Gaia?!" The goddess began shining brightly. After a moment the light fades leaving Gaia shocked. Looking back to me she began smiling apon me. "You've given me what I've seached for though the centuries thank you Athena for your kindness. It seems you were one if the few who truely embody wisdom as your name foretold" I probably shouldn't tell her I was named after my grandmother... "Umm thank..you but why am I here? You haven't explained yet" "Oh oh yes yes yes! My apologies here take this" she grabs what looks to be a touch sensitive tablet and hands it to me. "Just enter what world you wish to be reincarnated into, what powers you may want, what you look like, and what you'll wear. Then I'll take care of the rest. Easy!" "Uhhh What, how is it that easy?" "Technology!" She yells out giving jazz hands. I just give a deadpan look. "Really?" She simply scoffs "Just do what I said" I don't pay attention to her additude and turn my attention to the tablet. The options available were nothing someone wouldn't expect on a questionnaire. After going over my options I gladly filled everything out. My name would remain the same with a slight change to Athena Frost Instead of Rosemary Cross. I was never really crazy about my name but hey why not change it given the option. The question now is what world? Skyim? No.. WoW no, Some book I enjoy no those are all dangerois fantasy and or survival hellscapes. After some thought I was confronted with the fact really only one world would give me a more peaceful and or enjoyable life. That world would be Equestria in My Little Pony. Not necessarily my first pick for my reincarnation but why not. The goddess looking down over my shoulder hummed looking at my pick. Got something to add? I asked turning my head slightly. "No no, you choose where you go I'm simply curious to why that was your choice. "I choose this because it's just about the only place I can think of where I can get a chance at a peaceful life. No more yelling or screaming because the boss is unhappy with the cheese or because you want more pay for your effort. I just...want some peace in my life for once and not run up my blood pressure on the daily" Gaia didn't have anything to say to that and gave me space to continue. The truth is I don't remember much of the show as I only saw it years ago but if nothing else it will be a welcome change. Next was my new appearance and skill set. I was staying female of course however decided to change my look a little. First I changed my hair and eye color. Now I'd have black hair running down to the small of ny back done in a tight braid. My eyes would match having a cherry red iris. I went for a muscular toned build so I could keep up with whomever I encountered. No doubt I'll have to train my endurance. I may gain the body but that won't mean squat if I can't keep up. For my clothing I choose a fantasy style to fit the medevil asteadic. Brown knee high boots, a red and black steel boned corset along with a waist belt with two pouches on either side, and finally a red medevil cloak reaching just past my knees to keep the elements off me . Yes it's more for my practicality than my look but hey who cares. "Hmmm" I hum to myself trying to think of anything else I could use before I finalize this. Not thinking of anything I hit enter and give the tablet back to Gaia. "Alright, thank you for your time Athena and remember the gods are in no way at fault for any harm that falls apon you" "What was that?" "Bye!" With that a portal opened behind me sucking me away as fast as I could register the event. Opening my eyes I'm greeted by the site of large trees towering over me. Bringing myself forward I feel the stiffened muscles in my back making my movements more difficult. As I peer at the trees around I notice they look familiar. "Oak hmm interesting" Checking my clothing I see I have on all I typed on the tablet. That's when something catches my eye from the right. Looking I see a canvas bag hanging from a tree. How did I not see that earlier? Rising to my feet I walk over taking the bag. Kneeling I open it revealing a scroll along wath a multitude of things. The scroll read out~ Athena my dear inside this bag you'll find a few things I've gifted to your possession. Consider this me repaying the debt I owe to you. Thank you for giving me my identity once more. Yours Gaia Looking again I see a few things. Some bandages and alcohol, what looks to be a book about different wild plants, a dagger, compass, and-! I pull what seems to be one greve out of the bag but apon flipping it I gasp. This isn't just a greve it's a hidden blade unfortunately it looks to be in disrepair. "Won't be using that anytime soon" Underneath is a scroll with written and mathematical description. Unfortunately I have no idea what the equations are trying to convey. Packing things back in as well as I can. Looking at the compass I then find the sun. "It must be around two or maybe two thirty. So that gives me roughly four of five hours.." I hope I'm near some kind of civilization. After what seems to be a few hours of walking my legs hurt. I'm thirsty and I haven't found anything. As I stop at the top of the hill I'm climbing a very particular smell graces my nose. Oak wood smoke Now many would say I can't pick that smell out and that I'm wrong. How do I know perhaps? I've been around little yard fires, tabacco and various campfires for my whole life. Over the years I've been able to pick out distinct aromas from different burning woods. This smoke is rich and thick so it must be some type of oak wood. Sniffing the air I swivel my head and walk around to find it's coming from my right. Despite the still abundant pain in my tired legs I start jogging in that direction. I hope it's not too bad but after a miinute I can hear the screams. After a few hundred feet I break the treeline with a tired breath as I reveal the world before me. The grass fields, the flowers and of course lucky me a town just..in....front.....of .........me? oh crap