//------------------------------// // You are the first // Story: This ugly yet beautiful world // by finesthour //------------------------------// Mari looked down at the sleeping body of Gary. She was worried that she had found her big cousin sleeping in the hallway in front of his door. She stopped herself from trying to fool with him, and kicked his side saying, “Gary! Hey, Gary!” Groggily opening his eyes, Gary rolled over to see Mari in her school uniform. “Mari?” “Gary, why are you sleeping in the hallway...?” Mari was trying not to laugh, and Gary could tell. Gary closed his eyes and sighed. “Why, you say... Well...” *** Earlier that night, Pinkie Pie was sleeping on Gary’s bed with him. She had rolled over, facing Gary’s body, and put her hoof around him. She started to breathe on Gary’s neck, and he awoke with a jolt. He felt his face turn as red as it could go, and sat in silence. Gary threw her hoof off of him and said, “N-Not over here! You sleep over there!” Gary pointed at the bed he had set up for her in the back of the room. Pinkie put her head on her hoof and said, “Why? I want to be with you!” Pinkie had the saddest look on her face, and Gary immediately felt bad. He saw the cuts and bruises that she had gotten from the monster earlier, and his shame rose. While he was thinking about this, Pinkie Pie started to crawl towards him, ready to head back to sleep with him. Gary looked down towards her again and felt panicked, reaching for the knob on his door. Opening it quickly, Gary sped out of the room and closed it behind him. He sat down on the side of the door and said, “I-I’m going to sleep out here. Good night” Pinkie stared at the door, tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She continued to stare at the door until the sweet embrace of sleep overtook her. *** Where am I...? I see nothing... Nothing at all. Complete darkness. Where... am I? The Earth seemed to stop for a moment, a new force reaching it’s atmoshphere. As quick as a comet, a flash of light sped towards the country of Japan. On it rode Gary, looking down at the planet Earth. Gary could see all the memories of the past day, from Mari’s breasts to the beast who attacked Pinkie. The world around him felt silent, and he continued to stare at the memories that passed through him. Suddenly, the comet stopped. A single memory took it’s place. I am Gary. Gary Takemoto. *** “Gary...” Pinkie Pie whispered as she woke up, scanning the room. Gary had left the room, and he was talking outside. Pinkie could see the shadow of him outside, and it made her smile. “N-nothing. It was just a little hot in there last night, like I said...” Pinkie could hear Gary said this, and she tilted her head in confusion. What was he talking about? “Is there something in there that you’re trying to hide?” Mari asked, reaching out for the door handle. Gary grabbed her hand and threw it back at her and laughed. “What’s this all of a sudden?” “You probably picked up perverted books again, and-” Pinkie Pie slightly opened the door and put her head outside. Pinkie saw the girl with green hair, and smiled at her. Pinkie looked over at Gary and said, “Um... Good morning Gary!” Gary sat laid his back on the wall, sweating forming on his brow. He quickly tried to calm his cousin by saying, “Mari, it’s not what it looks like!” Mari stared at the pony in front of her, and screamed at the top of her lungs. *** The scientists at the mysterious crater that had appeared last night had outlined the gore that had been left by the monster they had found. The scientist at the back of the crater said, “In other words, what are you saying?” “It means that this is no longer our concern.” The scientist at the right of him said. The police were now putting up warning signs around the crater to keep civilians out, and crowded around the are. “What are they?” One of the policemen asked. “Who knows.” The other responded. The police chief took a cigarette out of his shirt pocket and lit it up, forming smoke around them. “Even so... What a smell.” A woman stood at the center of the crater, letting the wind blow in her long blonde hair. The man who stood behind her had a gas mask on, and handed one towards her. The woman shook her head and said, “I don’t need one.” The man still held it out towards her and said, “But chief-” “I like these kinds of smell captain.” The woman picked up her head, and sniffed the rancid smell of death. *** Thrusting the door open, a boy with green hair and an orange shirt screamed, “Is it true that Gary raped someone last night!?” From behind him, a chubby kid with large glasses screamed, “Is it true he’s eloping with some one's wife!?” Once again, they were both pushed out of the way by Saki. She sighed softly and said, “He needs financial support from us because he’s having a child?” Gary stared as yet another guest pushed them out of the way. This time, it was Ashleigh. She screamed as loud as she could towards him and said, “Gary, you fucking pervert!” Gary sighed and looked over at his little cousain. “Mari, what the hell have you been telling people?” Mari laughed and put up her nose, ignoring him. Gary’s door opened again as his Aunt and Uncle stood at the door. His Aunt smiled and said, “Planning on telling us your story too, Gary?” Gary now sighed deeply, looking at the people Mari had dragged to the room. Gary’s Uncle closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. He slowly said, “My bike is a pile of parts in the garage, and you haven’t come to report in about the delivery. What the hell did you do last night?” Gary looked down at the floor and quickly said, “Oh yeah! I’m sorry! Many things happened last night. It all started when...” *** Gary took a breath after finishing his story. Gary looked around the room,hoping they believed his story. God knew he barely understood it either. Gary’s uncle was the first to speak. “I really don’t understand it at all.” Gary’s aunt said, “Really...” Suddenly, Ryou stood at the door as well. “But, we aren’t lying.” Gary turned his head to the door and smiled. “Ryou! Thank god you’re here, you could explain this so much better!” As Gary said this, Ashleigh and Saki crowded around Ryou. “Ryou, no one said you were going to be here!” Gary’s uncle stared at the teenagers in the room, and started to rub his head in annoyance. He stood up and said, “I’ll listen to the rest of your story after dinner!” Both he and his aunt left, leaving Gary in the room with the confused teenagers. Everyone turned their gaze towards Pinkie Pie, who was sittng on a cushion at the center of the room. “So what you are saying is... She transformed from a mysterious light to a pony? Wait... she could be an alien!” The chubby kid said. “But are aliens this cute?” Ashleigh said, observing the pony. “Well, aliens look like greee octopus... or are small and grey...” Saki slowly said. “What are you saying? Aliens are like those ogre girls wearing tiger print bikinis!” The chubby kid looked at the pony while he said this, and imagined the pony as such. “There’s also the Pink haired, glasses-waring, candy-eating teacher who is the wife of a high school student...” The green haired boy looked over at Pinkie Pie, and devious thoughts popped into his mind. “Moron...” Saki said. Pinkie Pie closed her eyes and said, “I was...” Everyone turned their attention to Pinkie Pie, who slowly started to talk again. “I was wandering. Among stars that do not glitter. Just vast... and silent... and without anything... I didn’t even realize that I had a body until now. I don’t remember anything before last night...” “Then instead of being an alien, it’s more like you were never even a... pony, right?” When Mari said this, Pinkie Pie opened her eyes and looked at her. “I suppose you are right.” “Then, before anything, you can communicate with us naturally... no one else find this weird at all?” Saki said this last part looking around the room, which came with no response. “Additionally, this pony knew my name the first time she saw my face.” Mari suddenly realised that Gary must of told her, and glared over at him. Gary jumped back and said, “I didn’t tell her anything!” Pinkie Pie suddenly clapped her hooves together and smiled. “As far as that goes, it’s not just Mari! I know everyone here!” She pointed at Ryou and said, “Ryu.” She started to name the people across the room one by one. “Saki and Ashleigh.” She poitned at the chubby kid and said, “Your name is Tommy!” She then pointed at the kid with the orange shirt and green hair. ‘’And yours is Jack!” Pinkie turned to face the group. “The two people from earlier were Icchou and Sumie.” Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves again, and smiled at everyone around the room. Gary stared at her intently and said, “Y-You could not talk this much last night.” Pinkie Pie’s smiled drifted away, and she looked down at the floor. “I suppose you are right... Why I know... I don’t understand.” “You don’t know about yourself?” Mari asked. Ryou looked at Mari and said, “It can’t be helped. It’s not Pinkie’s fault.” “But... But... Do you remember why you came?” Ashleigh asked. “Yes... I... don’t know how to say it... I...” “Oh? She’s troubled.” Saki said. “She’s trying to put the mysteries of the universe into words...” Ashleigh said. Once again, everyone turned their gaze to Pinkie and stared. Pinkie Pie looked back at all of them and smiled. “I guess I was lonely!” Suddenly, Gary’s eyes went blank as she said this. *** I see it again. The toy car in the darkness fell again. *** Everyone but Ryou questioned what Pinkie Pie said with, “What!?” Ryou smiled at Pinkie as said, “You’re not lonely now that you’ve met Gary, right?” Pinkie Pie nodded quickly and smiled. “Yes. Gary called me Pinkie Pie, and hugged me!” From around the room, the gaze was turned to Gary. The girls were laughing, while Tommy and Jack glared with envy. Gary jumped back again, and his face turned red. Pinkie smiled and looked at the ground while rapping her hooves together. “Gary spoke very gently to me. And, right now, inside of me... That is the only thing that’s certain. Gary is the most important person in the world to me. Pinkie closed her eyes and smiled, while the girls faces were completely red, along with Gary. Ryou smiled at Pinkie, and titled his head. “You like him, don’t you?” “Yes! I like him so very much!” Pinkie said happily. “Well, I guess space doesn't matter. But seriously, does no one else find this weird?” “I think it is so lovely...” Ashleigh said. Tommy and Jack both jumped in front of Gary and screamed his name with anger on their faces. “How the hell did you get so lucky!?” They both screamed. *** The chief of the scientists sat under her umbrella, enjoying the rays of the sun hitting her skin. She was wearing black, skin tight shorts, something scientists never did. She had her eyes closed while a man in front of her started to read his clipboard. “Based on the data, we can conclude that the structure of the exterior was very primitive, with features like those of the large arthropods of ancient times. It seems quite similar...” “Well, that’s also mysterious, but...” The woman said. “What is it ma’am?” He responded. “How do we explain the situation here?” The woman pointed to the crater, the gore still in tact. “If this is the aftermath of a barbecue, it seems like their manners were terrible, don’t you think?” *** Pinkie Pie stared at the live fish that was on the cutting board in front of her. Sumi and Mari were cooking on the burner next to Pinkie, and Sumi looked over at her. “It’s okay if you don’t help out. You’re a guest, Pinkie Pie. I wouldn’t expect a pony to cut a fish, or even to hold a knife!” Sumi started to laugh, but covered her mouth for fear of being rude. Pinkie Pie slammed her hoof on the table and said, “Please let me help! I will make something delicious for Gary to eat!” Pinkie picked up the knife near her with her mouth, holding it over the fish. “Here I go!” She mumbled with the knife in her mouth. *** “So, you transformed and fought to protect Pinkie? Sounds like a load of bullshit Gary. But seeing everything that has happened so far Gary, I could believe anything right now.” Saki said. “Let’s see you change.” Asleigh said, challenging Gary. Gary grew agitated and started to yell at Saki. “You say transform, but I was completely messed up when it happened!” Tommy and Jack sat in the corner of the room, as glum as could be. Tommy said, “It dosen’t matter if you transformed at all.” Jack nodded his head and said, “That’s right. But if Pinkie did it....” Both of the boys pictured Pinkie Pie in a sailer moon outfit, and they both screamed, “Awesome!!!” Both Saki and Asleigh said, “Idiots...” *** When Pinkie brought down the knife on the fish, Sumi watched her. To her it looked like Pinkie’s hair turned... straight when she cut into the fish. Her eyes seemed to change... like she was a completely different... pony. Pinkie Pie mutilated the fish, cutting it to pieces. Pinkie Pie started to giggle loudly, and everyone came into the kitchen to see what was going on. Pinkie smiled at them and said, “Fish is ready.” *** Once everyone had finished eating, the empty plates crowded the table, and everyone was sprawled out on the floor. Saki looked over at Gary and said, “You should really find something for Pinkie to wear. She seems to love that jacket you gave her. She still hasn’t taken it off.” Ashleigh nodded and said, “That’s right. She can’t always wear that little jacket. But finding clothes for a pony... that doesn't really sound easy.” Pinkie Pie looked down at Gary’s jacket that she was wearing, and smelled it softly. “I think it’s fine...” Saki and Ashleigh both got in Pinkies face and said, “No! You’re a girl, even if you’re a pony, or even from space!” Saki put her foot on the table in front of her to prove her point, and ashleigh followed. “It’s very important to be fashinoable Pinkie!” Sumi stuck her head from out of the kitchen and said, “Mari has many things that I’ve made. Can you lend some clothes to Pinkie for a while Mari?” “My clothes...?” Mari slowly said. Icchou stuck his head out from behind Sumi and said, “That is a perfect idea! Even though we made them especially for you Mari, there are many you don’t wear, right?” “No. She is a pony. She does not even wear clothes!” Mari slammed her hands on the table, and looked at Pinkie. Saki sat back down and said, “Then, we’ll make something for her that fits!” Ashleigh smiled at Saki sand said, “Nice, Saki!” Gary looked over at Mari and whispered, “Why are you so angry?” Mari lowered her head and slowly said, “I’m not angry!” “Then, shall we hurry up and get started?” Saki said. *** “Here, Pinkie. Stand up... on your back hooves.” Ashleigh said, putting a tape measure around her. “Okey dokey lokey!” Pinkie said without meaning to. Mari slammed her feet on the ground and said, “Hold on! Don’t do this in my room!” *** Icchou and Sumi stood by each other looking at Ryou and Gary. “We need you to do this. Understand?” Gary nodded his head and said, “Yes.” Ryou smiled at them and said happily, “I’ll come, too!” *** The group of girls were moving from Mari’s room to another, when they saw Ryou and Gary leaving. Pinkie quietly whispered, “Gary...?” Ashleigh silenced her and said, “Good luck you two!” Saki sighed and said, “Guess they just have to do it now.” *** Putting the tape measure around Pinkie’s body, they found out her size. As they measured her body, Ashleigh said, “You must be the beauty of the universe! I’ve never seen a pony look like you!” “Is that so?” Pinkie said. Mari had jealousy flash on her face, and she squeezed the tape measure around Pinkie’s body tightly. *** Outside the door, Jack and Tommy sat by the door, fighting the urge to open it. Tommy started to grovel while saying, “Please let us in! We’ll be good!” *** “Is this good?” Saki said. “Let’s use this for the skirt.” Ashleigh replied. “More grey or silver. She’s from space, after all.” Saki said. “It’s fine now!” Mari yelled. “After all, her hair and eyes are bright pink.” Ashleigh said. Pinkie Pie sat by the window, watching the world move. She wanted to be near Gary with all of her heart, but could only watch. “Well I guess so...” Mari said. *** Gary and Ryou opened the door to where Jack and Tommy laid asleep. Pinkie Pie jumped off the window-ceil as she saw Gary, but stood in place. Saki said, “Oh, the problem child has returned.” “How’d it go?” Mari said. “You guys are still here?” Gary said. Saki nodded and replied, “We want it finished by tonight.” “You should call home.” Gary said. “I’m going home. My younger sister is waiting for me” Ryou said. Pinkie continued to stand in her position, wishing Gary would come over to her. “Ryou, no!” Saki and Ashleigh said. Ryou started to walk outside the door, and turned around. He waved at Pinkie and said, “See you, Pinkie!” Pinkie smiled at him and waved back. Gary stared at Pinkie and whispered, “Pinkie...” But as he said this, Jack and Tommy grabbed him and Tommy said, “Now, Gary... It’s our turn to talk!” “Let’s have a nice chat together.” Jack said. Pinkie could hear Gary yell, “Give me a break!” With Gary no longer in the room, Pinkie sat back on the window ceil, watching the three girls work. *** Ryou was walking home on the road that they had both seen Pinkie crash in the light. Looking out at the forest, Ryou just stared. *** Pinkie Pie spun around on her back hooves, showing off her new dress. It was blue with an orange outline, with frillings around the cuff links. Around her waist, it turned to a skirt, which was as big and beautiful as her eyes. Pinkie was now wearing a blue hat, which brought out the Pink in her eyes. She was giggling as hard as could be, loving her new dress. “This is mine to keep, right Gary?” Pinke asked. Gary stared at Pinkie, a small amount of blood rushing to his face. Pinkie spread out her arms and said, “How does it look? Does it look good?” Around Gary, the group, excluding Mari, stared at him, waiting for his answer. Gary stuck his head in the air and screamed, “Be quiet! I don’t know anything about clothes!” Mari opened the door to the room, and saw the group of people inside. She slowly asked, “Everyone,what are you doing in here? If you don’t hurry, you’re all going to be late!” Everyone from the room started to panic, remembering that they had school today. “Hah, I brought my school uniform and bag!” Saki said. “What? Jack and I never left! We still need to go home!” Tommy said. “My house is next door, you can get ready there.” Ashleigh said. “Come on Gary,we have to go!” Mari said. Leaving Pinkie in his room, they all ran out of his house with their school uniforms on. While they were running, Ashleigh got close to Gary and said, “You have to say it looks good on her.” “Or she’ll lose her affection for you.” Saki said. “Shut up you two!” Gary yelled. Pinkie Pie looked out the window at them running, and watched them disappear after the next block. *** Pinkie walked over to a nearby mirror in the room, and stood up on her back hooves. She outstretched her arms to get a good luck at her new dress. She started to giggle and she spun around, enjoying how her skirt flowed in the wind. She jumped as she heard the doorbell ring to the front of the house. The doorbell constantly rang every few seconds, so Pinkie opened the door to Gary’s room and carefully looked out into the hallway. The scientist from the crater started to talk to herself. “It’s so hot! Japan must be tropical!” Pinkie Pie opened the door and said in a quiet voice, “Good day.” The woman stared at the pony in front of her and smiled. Instead of pointing out the obvious, she decided to go with this. “That’s a really nice outfit. Is that fashionable around here?” The woman asked. “Everyone here made it for me, because I told them I came from space!” Pinkie said happily, feeling more comfortable with the woman from the compliment. The woman’s head titled as she said, “Space?” Pinkie nodded and said, “Are there not many ponies that come from space?” The woman laughed and said, “You have a very mysterious scent.” Pinkie sniffed her dress and said, “Do I smell that bad?” The woman grabbed Pinkie’s arm and said, “Come on. Let’s go take a shower. I’m very knowledgeable about living things. I’ll see if you really are an alien.” The woman was now very close to Pinkie, and she sniffed her. That scent... I have smelled this before... What was it? *** “Let’s see what we got here, Pinkie, was it?” The woman said. Pinkie and the woman were now both in the shower, the woman surprised with how human like the pony looked. She looked nothing like a pony on earth did. “You have wonderful proportions, Pinkie. Almost as good as mine!” “Is that so?” Pinkie said. The woman nodded and said, “You don’t seem much different from a normal person. No matter how I look at you, I just see a normal girl. Besides the fur, at least.” Pinkie looked down, as if she was dissapointed. “Is that so?” The woman raised her eyebrow and said, “Oh? Did I say something wrong?” Pinkie looked as if she was trembling and said, “I don’t know...” The woman hugged Pinkie and said, “You’re troubled,aren’t you? You may look the same, but you are a different being.” “I am here... But I don’t even know about myself. That’s why I can’t get close to anyone. I can’t be separated from them, either. It would have been better if I were completely different!” Pinkie had started to cry, the water taking away her tears. “If you could be open like this with everyone... Well, that’s impossible, right?” *** The group of teenagers had returned from school to see a young woman drinking beer on Gary’s front porch. She was in a towel only, showing her body. Jack and Tommy were both smiling at each other, enjoying this woman already. The woman started to laugh when she saw the teenagers and said drunkingly, “Incredible, Pinkie! Beer has transformed you again!” Jack threw his arms up in the air and said, “A blonde-haired American with big breasts...” Ashleigh and Saki both shook their heads saying, “No way...” The blonde woman looked at them and said, “What’s with you people? It’s rude to stare at someone.” When she finished saying this, she took another gulp of beer. She tossed her head back and said, “That pony named Pinkie left earlier.” Gary jumped up and said quickly, “Left!? What do you mean, left!? Where did she go?” The woman shrugged her shoulders and said, “Who knows? I don’t know that.” Mari slapped her fist on her palm and said, “Oh, I know! You must be the American who is staying ar our lodge!” The woman smiled and said, “Yes, Jennifer Portman. Nice to meet you.” Jack turned to face Gary and said, “We have to go look for Pinkie!” When they turned towards him, they saw that he was not there. “Oh? He’s not here... Ryou left too!” Ashleigh looked over at Mari and said, “Mari, we’ll go too.” Saki nodded her head in agreement. Mari stared at them blankly and said without emotion, “I have to show this person around.” Ashleigh stomped her foot and said, “Pinkie was so happy with that dress!” Mari ignored her and looked at Jennifer. “This way, ma’am. But before that, please put on some clothes.” Ashleigh stomped her foot again and said, “We’re going, okay?” *** Jennifer put her foot over the doorway to stop Mari. Mari looked at her and said, “What is it?” Jennifer stared at her and said, “This is my hypothesis. You have feelings of jealousy, don’t you?” Mari smiled and said, “Jealousy, you say... What do you mean?” “Towards that girl who suddenly showed up and called herself an alien. She’s cute, and even though she is a pony, liked as well. Furthermore,she directly and honestly told him her feelings, whereas you could not. She’s certainly a fearsome rival.” Mari looked down and said, “Even though you say those are my feelings, Gary is my cousin. I didn’t even know myself that I liked him. I didn’t know what to do.” “That’s why you were mean to her?” Mari had started to cry, and violently shook her head. “No! I’m not that kind of girl!” “If you really think that, go tell him. Love triangles are more fun that way.” Mari jumped back, and stared at her. “I can’t! That’s...embarrassing.” “You are not taking full control of yourself. There aren’t many that can assert what kind of people they really are.” “I don’t want to think what I’m doing is wrong... But!”Jennifer smiled and said, “I’m sorry... for meddling in.” Mari screamed and ran away from her, bursting through the front door. *** I see the toy car again. I am just playing with it in the darkness. Pushing it without a care. Mommy opened the door. I’m sorry, Gary. Wait, mommy! Why are you sorry! Your mom was lonely... Mommy, don’t close the door! Don’t let the darkness get me! I dropped the toy car again. The sound rattled around in the darkness. I opened the door to follow her. I saw mommy’s car drive away. I saw the car fade in the fog. I tried to scream, but the only sound that came was muffled. *** “Mother...” “Gary!” Ryou said, opening Gary’s door. Gary was sitting in the room by himself, staring outside the window, tears falling down his cheeks. “Gary, we need to go!” Ryou tried to touch him, but Gary started to scream. “Go, you say... Where on earth can we go!?” In the end... I didn’t understand anything about Pinkie! Is... is she going to to leave me too? Mari pushed past Ryou, and started to scream at Gary. “What are you doing giving up so easily, Gary!? You’re the only one she has! If you don’t understand her first, who else could?” Gary sat up, and looked outside the window again. *** Running as fast as his feet could carry him, Gary sprinted past the ongoing traffic of night. Pinkie... Pinkie came to Earth because she was lonely. She’s on her own... She came to Earth on her own. And she can’t even remember her own past. And she doesn't know anyone. Even though she’s unimaginably lonely. I could only think of myself. Even though I said I would protect her! *** Pinkie was sitting on the edge of the road of where she crashed. Holding herself while shivering, she whispered, “It’s cold.” Bolting her head up, she heard a voice say, “Pinkie!” Gary stood across the road from her, panting from loss of breath. Pinkie stared at him and said, “Gary?” “I’m glad. Pinkie.” “Um... I thought I’d take a walk... But this was the only place I knew...” Gary grabbed her shoulders and said, “Didn’t you just come to Earth!? Here... My house... Where else would you have gone!?” Pinkie looked up at him and quietly said, “Gary...” “You are Pinkie! That is the name that I gave you! It’s not just a name. You are Pinkie. Isn’t that good enough? I’ll always be by your side. Even if you call be a bother. I won’t care!” Gary started to cry, and he hugged her as tight as he could. “It’s okay if I stay here, then? It’s okay if I am Pinkie, right?” “That’s right! You are Pinkie!” Pinkie started to cry as well, and hugged him tighter. “I’m so happy! I love you. Gary, and everyone, too. I love you all!” The group of teenagers were now behind Gary and Pinkie Pie. Jack started to say, “She’s not an alien... she is Pinkie.” “Yes.” Tommy said. Mari stared at the two of them hugging. What am I doing...? *** In the end, my Aunt and Uncle agreed to let Pinkie live in my house, two rooms down from mine. Also, that Jennifer, or how should I put it, that strange woman, now lives next door. I heard she claims herself to be a great professor... But we will never know... *** The little orange pony who was hiding in the trees sneezed, causing the birds to fly.