//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven - Severed // Story: Summer Bound // by Windsocks //------------------------------// Shawn’s voice rang out louder than the rain, “Ken?” he asked. A look of pure confusion stretched across his aged face, with a little bit of anger thrown into the mix. Rightly so, I deserved to be the one on the receiving end of this cold expression. Time once again -like it always did- skipped forwards deeper into the future. I didn’t have to be told that I was gone for years. Right in front of me was living proof of that very fact. His hair was already starting to gray, his eyes no longer held that fiery spark of determination. The two dull blue orbs sat there fixated on my form, sending an unwanted chill down my spine. In truth, it really hurt me to see him like this. My friend once immature, now nearing the end of his life. Could I even call him the same person anymore? Was he really the Shawn I new? It was so much to take in that I couldn’t even move, let alone respond to him. I must have come off as rude just standing there as he asked the question again, this time with a bit more force present. “Is that really you Ken?” The question hung in the air, like mist caught in the morning sun’s rays. It was as if time itself had stopped flowing, every single sense I had was locked onto this man. It was at that moment I knew what I had to do. Even if I might be stuck in this world, I couldn’t pull myself to tell him. He was no longer the person who I grew up with. Turning to face him I replied, “Who’s Ken?” Memories flashed through my head as I gave him a small smile. Times of old when we were in our bicycle gang, riding down the street to get some Popeye cigarettes at the general store. Times when we got in trouble for skipping class to hit on the chicks. The smile on Shawn’s face disappeared as he shook his head, “Sorry,” he claimed, his voice dry and raspy, “I’m… I’m really sorry. I thought you were someone I once knew.” As he turned away I let a small tear escape my eyelids as I whispered, “I thought you were someone I once knew too.” Every step he took away from me punched me in the gut. Not only for the sake of Shawn but from the realization that not only him changed over the years. My parents -probably long gone- were whisked away from the sands of time. Eddie and Brian, no doubt have a home and family of their own. I was the man that stayed still, the one that was left behind. Yet, no matter how much I tried I couldn’t stop my emotions from surfacing. Tears started to flow from my face, little sobs broke out of the prison my lips created. I didn’t even get to say goodbye, just a silly little outing with my friends on a boat and now I’ll never have the chance to go back. The strings holding me back here were severed. The knife that cut the links masqueraded as something so beautiful. The pain that came with it was more than anything I could ever imagine. Yet, strangely enough, I didn’t want to leave this place. I wanted to stay here where I belonged, where I grew up, and most importantly where I fit in. Even now, I could start clean and make my way up again, but I knew that was not to be. Whether it be today, tomorrow or next month I was bound to go back to Equestria. To the place where I was shunned upon by the ponies for a problem that I unintentionally created. The rain continues to fall at its own pace. The color of this world started to wash away. My friends were the only ones keeping me here, but I owed them enough to keep myself away. Bringing my problems to them would only set them back in their new lives. Another crack of lightning arced across the sky catching my attention. Looking up I come to see something that made my heart stop. The night sky was cracked in half by a large rift. Without even knowing it my body found itself running up to the nearest person, “do you see that thing up there! Why isn’t everyone panicking!” I yelled. “Where the hell have you been these past three years? Under a rock?” The man retorted as he pushed passed me and down the city street mumbling something under his breath. “Three years?” I asked myself. Had the general public already gotten used to it? Was the media portraying this huge ‘rift’ like thing as something harmless? So many questions spun around my head. Figuring out what was happening with the sky was now my number one priority. Asking people would take to long if I had to keep explaining myself. So instead I turned around on the sidewalk and made my way over to the nearest news stand. Rushing under the awning to escape the rain, I pick up the first magazine with the ‘rift’ on the front page. “5 cool facts about the Tear,” Read the title. So, they were calling the ‘rift’ the ‘tear’. I wonder if they know more about this phenomena then I do? If so, then it would be my top priority to figure out what they do know. Any information could help out Equestria as well, even though they don’t have this huge tear. Maybe they were connected somehow? As I flipped through the pages of the magazine my mind stumbled upon the most important question. Was this happening because of my teleports? Was all this happening because of me? As much as it made sense, I didn’t want to believe it. How could I -someone so normal- be the cause of something so surreal. The thought itself was nauseating, but nevertheless, I continued to swift though the magazine. Sadly, as I rushed through the articles there was nothing that I already knew. Which was both a good and a bad thing. Good because the article stated that it first started to appear on the day I left. Which could only mean that I was indeed the cause of the rift? Bad because it was now my responsibility to try and stop it. Which lead me to another crossroad. Do I go to the government and try and convince them that I’m the one that's causing this? Or do I try and solve it myself? The obvious answers would be to alert the government, seeing that they could probably do more extensive tests. But something was telling me that was not the way to go. Usually, if you want to get to the end of something you have to first go back to the beginning. Which meant that I would have to visit Oaklyn lake once again. “You either buy it or get out,” The store clerk commented, rousing me from my thoughts. Shaking my head, I placed the magazine back on the rack and make my way back onto the sidewalk. Many obstacles still laid ahead of me. How was I going to get to Oaklyn lake? What do I do when I get there? Taking another step forwards, I come to see that those questions would have to wait. My trip here to earth was at an end as I looked at my transparent leg. I wanted to fight it, to stay here and fix the 'tear' problem. But there was nothing I could do, this was something out of my control. Continuing to walk down the sidewalk I slowly faded out of existence before fading back into my new room. Just like all the times prior, while multiple hours passed on earth, not so much as a second passed here. Opening up the door to my room I step out into the hallway. Looking both ways up and down the corridor, I make my way back to the castle labs. Since it was still late in the evening most of the science ponies were still working at their desks. My phone was also in the same place floating harmlessly where it did last time. It almost felt like I wasn’t in control of my life anymore, as if this entire experience was just one long vivid dream. “And here I thought that you were all out of surprises,” Came a familiar feminine voice from behind. Turning around I come to see River Breeze smiling up at me. She looked pretty worn out, no doubt from the journey she had to make to get here. “I tend to surprise myself from time to time as well,” I state truthfully as I turn my attention back towards the phone. River Breeze walks up next to me and looks towards the phone, “That's what I like about you, surprises keep you on your toes. They make sure you don’t go soft in the noggin.” I let a small chuckle escape my lips, “So did you figure out anything since last time we met? Seems like things just keep getting worse to me.” “Quite a lot actually, seems that the weather is not getting its power from you, but from a secondary source. And before you say the obvious, I’ll have you know I already looked into the matter. Your device here has nothing to do with it. I’ve already done some tests when I first arrived, it seems that the device is reacting to the magical energy not generating it.” River Breeze lectured. I rubbed my temples with my hands, this was starting to get way out of my league. Yet, maybe River Breeze knows where to start looking for the solution. “So, if it isn’t my phone then what is it?” I ask. River Breeze just shrugs, “I have no idea, but I do know how we can figure out.” “I’m all ears,” I reply. “Since your ‘phone’ as you just called it is reacting to the change in magical energy. We may be able to use it to get a better understanding on what is causing all of this. For all we know, you may not even be involved at all.” River Breeze relayed. Looking over to her I shake my head, “I know I’m the cause.” “How can you say that with such certainty?” “Because it’s happening in my world too. Theirs this massive ‘rift’ like thing splitting the sky in half. After seeing it I read up on it, apparently, it started to appear the day I first teleported.” River Breeze was speechless at my response. She looked like she was battling her thoughts when I continued. “I have a strong feeling that we have to start looking not here but on earth. I think the answers to this problem lies in Oaklyn lake.” This seemed to snap River Breeze out of her stupor, “How do you think you’re going to manage that? These teleports of yours are random.” “That's what I used to think, but not moments ago I managed to seamlessly teleport just by remembering a memory of mine.” River Breeze looked at me like I was completely crazy. “A coincidence that's all, I hardly think memories alone would trigger you to teleport.” With that, she leads me out of the lab and into the castles hallway. We continued to chat back and forth between ourselves as we made our way further into the castle. “So you plan to go back to Oaklyn lake where this all started?” “Yes, as soon as Celestia awakens in a couple hours I’ll inform her of my intentions. Even if I can’t teleport back willingly, maybe she can find a way around it. If you really think using my phone is the right way to find the solution go ahead, but I’m going to go with my gut.” I started turning the next corner. River nods to my statement as we continue down the hallway till we reached the main dining area. Since it was already starting to get late into the night not many patrons lingered about. The room held an empty tables and chairs. “Nothing like a late-night snack to get the juices flowing,” River commented as she wandered up to one of the ponies running this place. To be honest I didn’t even know the castles diner ran around the clock. It was then that a question popped into my head, “Are you going to be staying up as well to study?” “Isn’t that the only way to study?” River questioned with a smirk upon her face. Turning back ahead she made her order to the worker. Once she was done, I myself ordered a small sandwich. Well… I didn’t really order it myself per-say, River did, what with this language barrier still up and all. Since both of our meals could be eaten on the go, we planned to leave right when they arrived. But, until then we sat at one of the many vacant chairs. “So, I take it that you also study your phenomena at night as well,” River stated more than asked. I nod, “I and Luna just started to. This way I can not only help Celestia with her day but put my knowledge to use as well. To be honest, I don’t think those science ponies really know what they’re doing.” River Breeze lets out a little chuckle, “I know how you feel, those science ponies seem to look at everything ‘but’ the problem at hoof. Nevertheless, sometimes on the off chance that they look at the right thing. They can be very useful, not to mention they’re an excellent safety net.” “I guess, either way, they don’t really like me that much. I can only really trust one of them with my findings,” I state as the waiter comes by and hoofs us our meal. River gives him the required bits and we both start to head back to the lab. “And even then, she’s only using me as a tool to further her studies. At least you’re not out to use me,” I comment with a little chuckle. “What can I say I’m a humble mare,” River claims in a joking tone. The rest of the walk to the lab was uneventful, as all we did was exchange some small talk and ate our respective meals. When we finally came up to the lab and opened the doors we came to see Luna was already there circling my phone suspended in the air. The moment the doors opened, her ears swiveled towards the source. “You’re late Ken,” Luna commented as she continued to look at my phone float. “Just getting a snack with River here. Can’t work on an empty stomach now can I.” If Luna heard me, she made no attempt to reply as she charged up her horn and cast an unknown spell at the phone. Just like spells did to me, the spell liquefied before it even reached its destination. Seeing her failed attempt, she let out an annoyed huff. “This device of yours seems like a dead end. No matter what I do, it always resists.” “Looks like I’m not the only one thinking my phone is a red herring,” I comment with a smug smile as I nudge River. Rolling her eyes in response, she walks up to the phone and circles it. “Like I told you before, while it may not be the cause. We can still use it to figure out what is.” “But what happens if what is causing it, isn’t even on this planet? You’re just wasting your time with it,” I sate walking up next to Luna as all three of us just stare at the device. “I think I have an idea,” River claims. “And that would be?” I question turning my attention to her. Shuffling on her hooves River speaks her mind, “I want you to get closer to the device. If possible, I want you to come into contact with it.” “Are you crazy! Celestia told me that anyone who goes near that thing will be killed!” “That’s my sister for you, always trying to protect others. What exactly did she say to you?” Luna out of all ponies spoke out. “She told me that anyone that got within a three feet radius would be killed by the resulting shock.” “Did it ever occur to you that she may be withholding some information in order to save you from getting hurt?” Luna continued on from my statement. The library flashed through my memory as well as the infirmary. Was she really lying to me? Shaking my head, I look back at the phone. “So, you’re sure that I won't be incinerated the moment I come into contact with that thing?” “Well I can’t say I’m one-hundred percent certain, but it's pretty close.” River commented. “How close,” I ask. “Fifty-eight percent.” “You’re calling that ‘pretty’ close?!” I yell back. River Breeze nods, “It’s above fifty percent is it not? You have a more likely chance of surviving this encounter than not.” “Gee, that sure makes me feel a lot safer now. Thanks,” I retort as I look back towards the phone. “So, what exactly do you gain from seeing me touch the device.” “A good laugh,” Luna commented, but quickly shut it when both I and River gave her the stink eye. Looking back at River, I motioned her to ‘actually’ answer my question. “If what I’m thinking is true then you should be able to absorb the power the ‘phone’ is emitting. If you can, then maybe what you said is possible. Maybe you can truly travel between worlds at will, rather than have it been set off randomly.” Even I had to admit this was pretty cool, maybe by touching this phone, I would be the next Dr. Manhattan. I always dreamt of having a superpower. Who knew, that I would have to risk my life in order to have a 50-50 shot at it. Letting out a large breath I gave in, “Fine, but if I die I’m blaming Luna.” “Why me?!” She exclaimed. “Because I don’t like you,” and with that said I walked forward towards my phone and reached out. When my hand came into contact with the phone a little spark came out of the phone and into my hand. At first, it didn’t feel like anything and then in an instant, it all changed. My hand became numb and when I looked towards it, it was starting to be engulfed in blue electricity. Milliseconds later my body felt like it was on fire. I tried to yank my hand away but my body wouldn’t respond. Before I could scream out for help, my phone shot another bolt of electricity through my arm tossing me across the lab and into one of the marble walls, effectively knocking me out.