Restless Night
The old wooden door to Applejack's house slowly opened, creaking in the process.
Applejack was just coming down the stairs when I entered. She raised a hoof over her mouth, making a gesture that I knew meant 'hush'.
"Ah jus' put Applebloom to bed." She spoke quietly, trying not to wake her little sister. "Ah figured it wouldn't be the best time for her to see yer yet. Let alone all the Cutie Mark Crusaders."
"Good idea." I slid the strap holding the buckle over my shoulder, letting my newly attained weapon slide to the waist. I then withdrew the sword and showed it to Applejack. "I don't think Applebloom should see this anyway."
"Sweet Apple Massacre! That there's a heckuva lot big than I thought it was!" She eyed it with wonder, and at the same time making sure not to get too close. I placed it on the table, but it slipped and the blade dropped onto the table first.
It went straight through the wood, all the way till the tabletop met the handle! It made a soft slicing sound, splinters fell to the floor beneath the table.
The sword now stood vertically upright in the table, leaving a long gash in the wood. It had cut through effortlessly! Applejack removed her hat from her head, jaw dropped. Her eyes filled with shock and fear more than anger.
It even surprised me. We just stood there staring at the damage done. After a moment, I cautiously pulled the sword from the table, making sure it didn't drop again.
"I'm so sorry! That was an accident, I didn't even know it was that sharp-"
"It's alright, cowboy." She replaced her hat with a sheepish smile. "That table was old anyway..." I sheathed the sword once more, pulling the strap back up to its position on my back. By now, I wondered whether even a proper sheathe wouldn't be cut through.
"I think Ingot did a pretty good, huh?"
" Well, he is one of the best metalworkers in Equestria." she managed a chuckle as she surveyed the damage.
"Now, best yer get some rest. The Pegasi planned a li'l rainstorm tonight, and tomorrow we're gonna start preparing fer the trip." She showed me to the guest room. It was at the back of the first floor, along the corridor and opposite the kitchen. "This room's yerz. You can stay here whenever ya like. Sorry we ain't got a bigger room."
The room was dimly lit, only by a lamp in the corner and candle at the bedside table. There was a simple wooden table and chair against the wall with a window, facing the apple acres. It was small, but just right for someone like me. I strode in and put my makeshift backpack on the table.
"This room is great! Thanks for letting me stay.... and sorry again about the table..."
Applejack grinned. "Well, Ah almost gave ya a concussion, so I guess we're 'bout even. G'night, cowboy!" She shut the door behind her. I heard her hooves clop up the stairs. I took off my jacket and hung it on the doorknob.
I placed all my possessions onto the tabletop. My phone and wallet, the sword and strap, even the medallion. I felt like I didn't want to hear Aura's voice in my head tonight. I lay down for the night, thinking of the journey that lay ahead. Soon, I was drifting off to sleep.
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"He will come soon. But it seems he has acquired some... new friends..."
"It seems he has..."
"This might cause a little trouble, sir..."
"We need not fear. All we need to do is have him come... most preferably alone..."
"I see... we shall deal with it immediately..."
"Indeed you will. He must come with the Medallion, our civilization depends on it..."
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I felt like I was falling. Falling like I did in the portal that brought me here. I felt weightless. I was going faster.
Too fast...
There was no rainbow tunnel. Just blackness. I couldn't see, but I could feel myself increasing in velocity.
It's a dream. Just wake up!
Just as I thought it to myself, a voice, an extremely loud whisper shot through my ears.
We are waitng...
I bolted upright in my bed. I was panicking, breathing heavily. This was the third time tonight! But this time, I knew why I was scared.
That voice. Where did it come from?
I paced my breathing and relaxed. The soft pitter patter of rain could be heard from the outside. It was rather soothing, but it did not help my burdened thoughts.
What is that voice? Was it human?
The possibilities conflicted in my mind.
If it was human, how could it do that?
Do they have Aura too?
Are they even still alive?
I was too frustrated to fall asleep by now. I ran a hand through my hair, attempting to remove the anxiety of it all. I looked around the room for something to do. I got up and sat at the table, picking up the sword that leaned on its side. I placed it on the table, examining it more thoroughly this time.
The handle was golden, but I couldn't tell if it was just plated or fully made of gold. The grooved handle was of two tints of gold, the Harmony Emblem engraved onto the top of the handle, fanning out ever so slightly to the sides. It showed hollowed spaces where the gems were meant to be. It felt a lot heavier since I had used it earlier.The blade was still shining, reflecting the light of the moon and stars as I angled it near the window. It was double-edged and evidently, extremely sharp. In curiousity, I touched the edge with a forefinger, feeling a small sharp pain as I did so.
It bled on contact.
I sucked the blood from the finger and wiped it off on my shirt. Slowly and carefully, I slid the sword back onto the strap. I observed the ingenious mechanism. It was like a gun holster, only there were no guns. The sword moved down the strap, passing through the wide, but thin, metal box that housed buckle. As soon as the handle pressed down on it, a small 'click' could be heard, and the sword locked itself in place. I had to push it down again to release the buckle.
I leaned the weapon back against the table leg, and continued to stare out the window. For the same unknown reason, I was scared and sad.
Who knows what The Lost civilization could hold? My key home maybe?
But what if it's dangerous? The journey there is already a long one through the Everfree forest.
What if the humans are still there? What if they're dangerous?
...what if they hurt my friends?
I had no intention of bringing them along. It was what they wanted!
But would I risk it?
The trees swayed in the wind, getting harmlessly battered by raindrops. I stood up, grabbed my jacket off the doorknob and left the room, grabbing the bedside candle as I did so. The first floor was dark, except for the moonlight that came in from the windows.
Passing the kitchen and parlour, and went to the patio.
The wind blew strongly, blowing stray leaves in the rain. The pattering of rain was louder now, the storm was probably getting stronger. Lightning occasionally struck, lighting up the sky for a split second.
I spotted Old Granny Smith's rocking chair on the patio and I sat in it. Rocking back and forth to relieve the tension. My thoughts reverted to home. My family, my friends, my life there.
What could Dayna be thinking?
Has she even told my parents?
I think my boss is going to fire me by now.
What is the date there now anyway? What if by the time I return, it's like century later?
Would I cope with the changes? What would I even tell my family and friends?
... if they're still alive when I get back...
A tear welled up in my eye from reminiscence and grief. It made me sick not knowing what was happening back on Earth as days passed by here. I was missing them.
I miss them... so much...
The tears fell onto my lap. As great as this world was, I still had things to settle back on Earth. I had to at least go back to take care of them. I didn't even get to say goodbye...
I wiped the tears from my eyes and cheeks. Now was not the time for grieving.
The wind continued to howl, but the rain had died down. Somewhere in the distance, thunder was heard.
I got up from the rocking chair, leaving it to sway. I headed back into the house as quietly as I could. With all the anxiety, the sadness, the fear, all building up slowly inside me.
I threw my jacket onto the table. It missed and fell to the floor.
To hell with it. To hell with all of it!
I threw myself back onto the bed, face down and muffling my breath as I breathed into the pillow. Even that smelled of apples.
I had come to a decision. It's my own doing that I'm here, and it's going up to be me to get home. I'm not going to let anyone else get in danger for what I've done. Not even if they wanted to. My mind was made up. Croaking into my pillow, I whispered to myself.
"I'm going alone..."
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Musical Suggestion: Deae Lunae - Makkon06