//------------------------------// // Purpose // Story: Integration Is Pointless // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// You could have saved us. We're all dead because of you. It's all your fault. Why didn't you warn us? They murdered us while you hid. Coward. Monster! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU KILLED US ALL! Everywhere I turned there were more ponies screaming at me in pain and terror. All or them had horrific wounds covering them as they chased me through the cars of the train. "I'm sorry! I know I should have warned you but I was scared!" As their shrieking and wailing got louder and louder I stumble onward. I eventually tripped and fell, only to be surrounded by the mass of ponies. The worst were the foals. I could barely stand to look at their mutilated bodies as they closed in and began tearing me to shreds. --------------------------------- I woke up gasping and panting and went to reach up to wipe my forehead when I realized I couldn't move my arms or legs. After a momentary panic I realized that Verdant had wrapped herself around me in her sleep and was now hugging my head as she slept. I breathed deeply as I tried to calm down. It was all okay, it was just a nightmare. I squirmed a bit in the full body hug I found myself in which only caused Verdant to murmur and squeeze me a bit tighter for a second. Well, this isn't so bad. >Oddly comfortable.< ~Yeah... you know, I wonder if this is what it feels like to get swallowed whole.~ .... >... Uh, I didn't realize you were into that.< ~What do you mean?~ >You know, the entire "getting swallowed alive" thing. I mean, you do you and all but just... weird.< ~I-I'm not! I'm not into that! I swear! I was just commenting on what I imagined it was like!~ So you've been fantasizing about Verdant swallowing us whole like a snake does its prey the whole time? Oh gross... I just realized that because you're technically me, there's a part of me that gets turned on by that. Eww. >I mean, hey, no judgement and all... but that's pretty out there.< ~I'm not into that stuff! I swear!~ You sounded pretty okay with the issue of being swallowed whole. ~I didn't--~ >Oh you're nasty bro! Verdant is like a kid or something! Oh that's just wrong.< Wait... how old is she? She does act a bit immature but... how old is she really. ~I swear I... forget it, you guys are the worst.~ I laughed as I sensed him sulking in the background of my consciousness. Wait, am I becoming self aware? Or am I developing some ESP powers. Psychokinesis would be awesome! Verdant shifted a bit and nuzzled the side of my head a few times before going back to sleep. Sheesh, I hope she doesn't accidentally choke me to death like one of those big snakes that lived in the sewers. I realized it was still late and decided I should at least try to get some more sleep. Who knows what tomorrow will bring! --------------------------- I woke up when Verdant woke up. Mainly because as she yawned she accidentally bit me. "Ow." "Oopsss! Sssorry!" "No prob. Well, I better be going, thanks for everything Verdant!" I managed to slip out of her embrace and started gathering my things. As I threw my backpack over my shoulder Verdant said, "Wait, you're leaving right now?" "Well, yeah. I want to reach Featherborrow before dusk." "But... but... can't you sssstay for another day?" "Well... I just figured it was about time to continue on my journey. You know, see the world, find my purpose." "What if your purpossse isss to ssstay here?" "I guess I'll figure it out as I--" She slithered in front of the exit and glared at me. "No! I won't let you!" >Well then, I suggest you fight your way out. She wants to get in your way, bowl her over.< ~Just run, you can easily outpace her.~ As I weighed my options I looked Verdant right in the eye and... I understood. She wasn't just a lamia or a pony, she was a scared child who didn't want to be alone again. I walked over to her as she blocked the doorway lip quivering and eyes watering and knelt down in front of her. "I know you don't want to be alone again, but I promise I'll visit you." "H-how do I know you'll remember! Or what if you get lossst!" I placed my hands on her shoulders and gave her a small smile. "Verdant, how could I forget the amazing lamia who took me to her waterfall home and almost choked the life out of me with her snuggles." She giggled a bit before looking downcast. "I just wissssh you would sssstay for at least a day." "If I stayed for another day would you trust me to come visit some time?" She looked me in the eyes, hope lighting up her expression. "If you tail ssswear!" I nodded and she held the tip of her tail out to me. I met it with my pinkie finger which she curled her tail around. "I swear." She started beaming as she pounced on me, nuzzling and hugging and laughing and crying all at the same time. "So what do you want to do first?" "We can go ssswiming and tell eachother ssstoriesss and sssnuggle and you can read to me and then I'll read to you and we can make some food and..." "How about we start with swimming and go from there?" ------------------------------------ To say I was exhausted by the time evening rolled around was an understatement, and I wasn't the only one. As Verdant coiled up in her nest I carefully flopped down right in the middle like last night. "I'm heckin' tired!" "Yeah, sssso am I." She yawned which made me yawn and then we just passed out from exhaustion. ------------------------------ "Sssso how sssoon until you visssit again?" "I dunno, but probably pretty soon." She sniffed as she hugged me, and honestly, I was a bit sad too. "Bye Jack, I'll missss you." "I'll miss you too." I waved goodbye as I set off towards the north, the sun at my right. Verdant waved back before the trees swallowed her up. Well then, I guess it's next stop Featherborrow. ~Cheer up, you'll see her again.~ >Yeah, now you have a hideout in the middle of the forest.< And once again, you think of things entirely differently. ~Yeah, he thinks everyone is expendable.~ >And you think all problems can be solved my smiling and hugging.< Stop fighting you two, you're being annoying. ~He's just grumpy because we spent a whole day having fun!~ >You're just upset you didn't get to be swallowed whole by Verdant.< Oh... burn. ~Again! Gyaah! You guys are the worst!~