//------------------------------//
// Act 1-7 
// Story: A Place Called Home 
// by FoxUnderFire 
//------------------------------//

As we stepped out into the sun, I noticed that it was higher than when we went in. I wondered how long the days were. 

Alex had told me about the Princess of the Sun and her sister. And I accepted his explanation of their ability to raise the sun and moon. 

If jumping realities has taught me anything then it's the fact that shit just happens.

I lowered my gaze and studied the townsfolk. They all seemed to know each other and look alike. If it wasn't for their colors and 'cutie marks', I would never be able to tell them apart. 

While making my observation I noticed that a few were staring at something behind me. My instincts told me to dodge left, and they weren't wrong often. 

I was just barely able to move out of the way when a grey object promptly hit the ground where I was standing.

My first thought was that it was an attack and I looked for whatever had decided to end its life early trying to kill me. 

But that promptly subsided to confusion when the dust cleared and from a small crater popped out a chipper grey pegasus. 

The first thing I noticed was that she seemed just fine after playing chicken with the ground, obviously it was a tie, and she was also very happy and bubbly.

She looked at me with one eye while the other decided that the sky looked nice today. She caught me staring and said, "So sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

I gave her a warm smile and shook my head, "No harm done my good mare. I am quite fine, my concern is for you though, you hit the ground quite hard." I got up and walked towards her. When I was within distance I raised my hand to help her up.

She gave me another smile, "Oh no, I'm alright! It happens to me a lot anyways." 

At this she turned to fly off, but by this time Alex had also gotten off the ground, she promptly ran as straight as possible towards him and said, "Hello Alex!" 

I was wondering how many peo- ponies Alex knew when he gave her a smile and replied, "Hello Derpy, how are things with Caramel?"

Her smile brightened considerably, "Oh its absitively posolutely wonderful!" 

I bitterly smiled at the thought of Alex being able to fit in a universe where ponies and magic was common. My mind wandered and brought back the doubts of this morning. The excitement from only a few minutes ago was just another distraction from a plain and simple truth. 

I can never be happy.

I was never meant to be happy. 

Only to have what I wanted so dearly to be burned to ashes in front of me.

I learned to cope with that even before I had started jumping. 

She had taught me that.

Alex broke me out of my depression by waving his hand in front of my face. I flinched and stepped back slightly.

Alex then said, "Hey, you in there?" He followed this with another hand wave, "C'mon we have to go." 

I nodded my head, "Oh sorry, Nemo Malus Felix and all that."

Alex looked at me slightly confused. I just gave him my best smile and waited for him to continue our adventure.

Eventually he let out a sigh and we continued on our way.

We stopped in front of Carousel Boutique. I was finally glad to get here. Alex held the door open and gestured for me to walk through.

As I stepped through the door, it felt like I had stepped through a portal. All around me were clothes and mannequins. I have to admit that my fashion sense was along the lines of, if it's durable and comfortable it is acceptable in any situation. Walking past that door I now felt like a peasant in front of royalty. They might have been dresses, but they were... elegant none the less.

As I was busy studying the design of a particular dress, Alex began talking to Rarity. I hadn't bothered to check the room, for an emerald embedded in the dress in front of me captured my full attention. I remembered that someone I knew liked emeralds, but I couldn't grasp their name.


Soon I heard Alex calling my name, I let out an audible sigh and turned, "Yes, Alex what-" 

I finally noticed that it wasn't just three of us in the room. The fact that Fluttershy was naturally... well shy, she hadn't said anything to be noticed without me seeing her. She was standing on the side wearing a dress that looked half finished.

Alex completely oblivious to the fact that I hadn't noticed her, turned back towards Rarity and said, "He needs a job and someone to accompany him." 

She continued to work on the dress that Fluttershy was wearing and replied, "I'm sorry darling, but I need to work on this dress for one of my pegasus clients and not to be rude but Jack doesn't seem to have much... fashion sense."

Of course I would have been offended if I was listening, but for some reason or another my shoes had suddenly become the most interesting pair of shoes I had ever seen. 

I was studying their design when I noticed that everybody was looking at me expectantly.

I said the first thing to come to mind, "Oh yeah, sure that sounds great!"

Alex nodded his head, "Alright then it's settled, Jack is going to help Fluttershy with her animals and accompany him."

Oh alright, I'm going to work with Fluttershy and...

Wait...

What?

"Wait... what?" 

"I said you're going to work with Fluttershy, right?" He looked back over to the yellow pegasus.

"Oh yes... I need a lot of help... um... because one of my animals is giving birth and... uh... I need someone to help with my other animals... I mean if you want... if you don't... I'm sure I'll be fine by myself."  Holy shit, if I said no, my heart might explode from over exposure to cuteness.

I nodded my head and returned my gaze back to the ground.

I don't think Alex had planned this but I still thought about killing him. 

Meanwhile Alex continued his conversation with the fashion pony.

Fluttershy and I stood on the sidelines. I was simply not all that interested, something about a wedding. I turned to start a conversation with Fluttershy when I realised I knew next to nothing about the pegasus.

"So Fluttershy, are you the local vet around here or something?"

She seemed startled that I had wanted to talk to her, "O-oh... I-I guess you could s-say that... I help t-that animals that get injured... a-and I take care of the o-others too..." She hid behind her hair and after every word she tried to disappear.

I guessed that she was scared of meeting new people. And I probably seem more intimidating when not tied up.

I was about to continue the conversation when Alex stood up, "Alright let's let these fine ladies get back to work. Now we have to find you a place to stay."

I nodded my head and turned towards the door, when Fluttershy spoke up.

"He could stay with me." Her tone was a lot more... confident than before.

Alex and I simultaneously turned and said, "What?"

Her voice was louder than before, it was still only slightly above a whisper, "I have an extra room and it would be a lot more convenient for him."

Alex thought this over and finally asked, "Is that fine Jack?"

I threw him a grin, "Splendid!"

"Okay then, why don't I show you around the rest of town and we can get lunch back at my place."

I gave him a nod and waved a goodbye towards the two mares.

We walked out back into the sunlight. As we walked back to Alex's house he pointed out various buildings and named them. I listened and made a mental map of the town. Alex walked freely and loosely, out of force of habit I walked along taking in every sound, sight, and smell assessing the chance of being attacked.

We made it to his house at around noon. He went to the kitchen and grabbed out bread and some cheese. He looked up at me, "Grilled cheese sandwich sound fine?"

"Yup, sounds great."

I watched Alex prepare the food, as I sat there I noticed differences between me and him. He always seemed sociable and at peace. I wondered how he does it. Didn't he carry the burdens of his past? Am I just unable to move on?

"Hey Al, I got a question for you."

He turned his head slightly, "Yeah?"

I thought about what exactly I was going to say, "How can you be so peaceful?"

He turned his head back down to the food, "I don't understand what you mean."

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see it, "I've seen shit man, I know you did too. How can you act like it never happened?"

The food was done and he handed me mine. He studied me closely. Finally Alex turned and left the room, I stood up from my chair to follow, but he came back holding a small rectangle in his hand.

I watched as he unfolded the rectangle in a series of well practiced motions. It soon was the size of a laptop, I realised that it was in fact a laptop as he unfolded the top and powered it on.

I remained quiet as he did a few things that I couldn't see. After awhile he motioned for me to move closer to him. As I came into view of the screen, I saw that he was on Skype.

I wondered what the hell was going on when the face of a woman appeared on the screen. Her smile promptly faded on seeing me, instead it twisted into one of confusion. Her vision shifted from me back to Alex.

"Alex, what's going on?" Her voice reminded me quite a bit of Applejack.

"Hey Ann, this is Jack." I gave a nod and a smile to her.

She studied me for a bit before looking back at Alex, "I'm confused, how did he get there?"

Alex sighed, "Jack is in the same position as me." 

She looked back at me now with understanding, "So you mean..."

I gave her a short nod.

Ann's face showed something new now, something I hadn't seen in a while, "Does that mean you can find a way back home?"

Alex turned and looked out the window, "Maybe..."

I looked out the window and saw what he was watching, in the distance there was a rainbow trail flying in the sky, it twisted and turned in spectacular and interesting ways.

I turned and walked out of the kitchen, I headed towards the front door.

Alex watched me and looked back at the computer screen.

I opened the front door and sat under a tree not far from the house. I watched a lone cloud lazily chug its way across the sky.

Alex had his family that gave him hope, that let him know the difference of right and wrong.

What did I have?

What do I have to survive for?

What do I have that gives me hope to keep on living?

Why do I stay alive and hurt innocent people?

Why?

I watched the lone cloud, and I wondered, 'What does he live for?'

I continued to watch it until I noticed that there was someone running towards the house.

I got up and made my way there. As soon as I was within hearing distance, the distinct sound of yelling reached me.

"Halp! Halp! Alex!" I knew the voice belonged to Applejack.

When I got to the door, it opened to reveal Alex and a very worried Applejack.

Before I could say anything Alex turned towards me, "Jack we need your help."

Applejack looked at me and seemed to decide whether or not that was true, finally she nodded her head.

I looked back at Alex, "What is it?"

Before Alex opened his mouth Applejack cut in, "Applebloom, was playing with her friends in the orchard, but when I went looking for them they weren't there. Ah think they went into the forest!"

Alex had told me about the animals in the Everfree. I knew what kind of danger they were in.

I turned to run out when Alex grabbed my hand and turned me towards him.

"Look, kid, I'm top notch when it comes to business and being able to trick myself or others long enough to get the job do enough to get the job done, but a fight like this...” He looked away, almost in shame. “Look, I pride myself on being a good judge of a man or pony. Just...” Alex looked away, worried, for a moment, then with a small nod as if to himself his expression became absolutely sure, “Take this.” I felt something press into my palm, “Get those kids back safe." He looked me in the eye, his expression begging, pleading, "Get my little girl back safe."

I looked down and realised that he had given me Zandacor. She had been the only one I had trusted for so long. This blade, so much a part of me, yet I was so willing to entrust her to these strangers. These ponies and this person, who knew next to nothing about me, who knew I was a monster, far more profoundly than any wild animal I might encounter in the forest, trusted me. Me. I would be damned to hell again before I betrayed their trust. 


I looked up and nodded, "Alright, Applejack lead me to where you last saw them."

Together we turned and ran out of the house.