//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: A whole new world // by PhantomBlaze //------------------------------// "Whoa... that was quite the nap I took. Wait, I didn't take a nap. I thought I tried to... kill myself..." A young man woke up in a hospital bed. Confused and dazed, he tried to wonder what had happened to him. "I had tried to kill myself, that's right. My life had just gotten way too out of hand for my own comfort. I guess I chose the easy way out instead of pushing my way through it. Huh, I guess it didn't work though. I'm still alive..." It was then he heard another voice call out to him, "Let's see if you're awake yet...," It was then a nurse with light pinkish hair, and yet, she was snow white, "Oh, you're awake, that's good. How are you feeling today young man?" The young man was still dazed, and couldn't answer. The nurse smiled and nodded, "I see you're still confused, so I'll give you time to rest up. I'll be back later." "Wait, I need... some answers. How am I still... alive...?" The young man asked. "Well, we found you collapsed somewhere downtown. You had a weak pulse, and were on the verge of death. Luckily, we were able to get your pulse back to normal. Although, we found a dangerous amount of bleach in your system. Were you... attempting to kill yourself?" "...," The young man didn't answer, and the nurse nodded. "I see, well, I can tell you not to give up on the world just yet young man. Just give it one more chance. You probably lived because there's still a chance that it'll turn for the best. I'm not making you take therapy that's for sure. But I'm sure something will come up," The nurse looked at her clipboard with a confused look. "Is there a problem nurse?" "There's zero information in you. No medical records, or even a birth certificate." "Huh?" The young man sat up in surprise, "Wait, I think my wallet has my ID. That should at least have my name." "Well, your clothes are in that bag over there. I'll get them for you," She handed the young man the pair pants that he had on, and he began searching for his wallet. "There you are," He took out his wallet, and then his ID before handing it to the nurse. "Hm, Orion? No last name, but at least I know your first name. You're 18? Oh, then where are your parents?" "Parents?" The truth is, I've never had any parents before. I'm an orphan..., so I've never had any real parents before... "Are you an... orphan?" Orion nodded, "Oh... uh... wow, is that you tried to kill yourself?" "Well, not exactly... It's something much more than that. Something that I probably shouldn't bother her with... "Orion... hm, what school do you attend?" "North Side High..." "I've never heard of that school before." "Huh?" "Oh, your memory must be foggy. Judging by your looks and how you act, you probably attend Canterlot High School. I'll call the principal there so she can check on you." Canterlot High School? What kind of weird school name is that? I've never heard of such a school. I know for sure that's not my school. However, I don't want to cause drama, so I'm just going to go with it. But instead, I'll say I transferred from somewhere else, and haven't registered to the school because I was an orphan. "Well, I actually transfered to CHS just recently, but I couldn't register without a legal parent or guardian so..." "I see, may I know the name of your orphanage?" "I honestly don't remember. I ran away from that horrible place. It's been so long since I've been to my orphanage..." "Hm, Orion, do you think you can wait here a second?" "It's not like I can going anywhere... sorry, I wasn't trying to be smart..." "No, it's fine. Wait here," The nurse then left, leaving Orion confused. "Where am I if I'm not in Tennessee? What happened?" Orion looked around somewhat worried. It was then he felt himself get drowsy before falling back asleep. He awoke again above the clouds. He looked around confused again, "Where am I now?" "Why, you're in heaven Orion" A calm, soothing voice answered. "Who's there?" "It does not matter who I am. I'm just here to answer your questions in where you are and what happened to you." "Okay, where am I? I know for sure I'm not in Tennessee..." "You are correct there Orion. You are not on Earth anymore...," The voice fell silent before speaking again, "Well, you were successful in your suicide. However, I felt that you should give the world another chance. Not more so Earth, but a whole new world that's similar, yet different. Haven't you already seen the difference?" "Now that you mention it, the nurse looked extremely pale for a healthy human being, yet she looked to be in top shape..." "You are in the human world of Equestria..." "Equestria? That place full of ponies?" "Yes, you've heard of it?" "Yeah, from the show. I don't know much about it, but I do know it's filled with ponies..." "Well, this is the human version of said world. You will live your second life here. Perhaps you'll make some friends that will change your suicidal thoughts. Like Nurse Redheart...." "Was that her name?" "Yes, now go. I'll contact you again soon enough..." Orion soon felt himself wake up to see Nurse Redheart walk back in his room. Orion looked up at her a little dazed, "Oh, were you asleep Orion?" "Yes..." "Did I disturb you?" "It's fine, just a little power nap." "Well, you're free to go. Just gotta get your paperwork. By the way, you're my kid now." "Okay. Wait huh?! You... adopted me?" Orion sat up slowly as she saw Nurse Redheart slowly take a seat beside him, "But, how?" "Well, I didn't really adopt you. I sort of filed your papers out to make you my son. It's like adopting by default..." "Is that how it works?" "Look, don't mind the details. If you have nowhere else to go, and if you're this suicidal, then I need to help you myself rather than having a psychiatrist do it. Orion, I'll get your other papers done, and I'll take you home. I'll help you get situated before the school year starts." "Uh, but I..." "Orion, just rest while I get your papers ready, okay?" "Uh..." "I'll be back again...," Nurse Redheart left leaving Orion sitting in confusion. "Well, let's see if I can talk to this goddess again...," Orion laid back, and slowly went to sleep. He soon found himself back in the same cloudy place as before, and then, "So, how do you feel about Nurse Redheart adopting you?" "Well, she seems nice. I mean, I've only ever had one real motherly figure in my life, and she'll be the second one. I just hope Nurse Redheart will be just as good as her..." "I think you'll many more on your adventure in this world. Trust me Orion, this life, will be better for you. Not only that, I also think that you'll make other people's lives better." "How is that possible? How can I make other people's lives better?" "Only time will tell young one. Now go, I'll talk to you soon again." Orion felt himself wake up, but not in a hospital bed, but in a car, "Huh?" He looked beside him to see Nurse Redheart driving him home, "What happened?" "You really like sleeping. Well, after an hour, I was finally able to get you discharged. Now, I'll bring you to my home to get you situated. We'll get some new clothes for you later, but for now, I'll let you get more rest. You like you need it since you keep falling asleep for so long..." Huh, so being in that cloudy place for a few minutes could mean longer here in the real world... "Nurse Redheart..." "Nope, I'm your mom now, so call me 'Mom' now Orion." "O-Oh, sure... uh, Mom... how is Canterlot High?" "Uh, well, it's a lively school. However...," She paused before continuing, "There's some... supernatural occurrences at said school." "How is that going to help with my depression, and social anxiety?" "Don't worry about it honey. I promise you that the school will help with both. Trust me, that school used to be one of those high schools that had social groups that had to meet a certain status quo. Now, everyone are each other's friends now. Nerds with jocks, preppy kids with the skaters etc." "I don't know... Mom. What if it just makes it worse?" "I doubt it would. You'll meet some great people there that will definitely help with your depression and anxiety." Okay I was still skeptical, but knowing that I have absolutely zero knowledge of this world. I do know one of the characters from the MLP series. I think it was... Rainbow... Flash? Dash? I think it was definitely Rainbow Dash. That's really the only one I remember. She was on youtube for death battle. "Okay... Mom..." "Do you feel weird calling me your mom?" "Y-Yeah... I mean, I feel as if you would be a great mom. I just don't know how to feel about it. You're nice and pretty, but I just don't know. I'm still confused about all this..." Nurse Redheart began smiling warmly at Orion as she place her hand on his, "I want to make sure that you lose that depression you have so that you can live a happy life. I want you to be happy. Besides, you're the first kid I've ever had?" "Huh? Haven't you and your husband/boyfriend had a baby yet?" Blushing slightly, she looked down as the car stopped at stoplight, "Uh, I'm single actually..." "O-Oh... s-sorry..." Nurse Redheart squeezed Orion's hand, causing him to look at her in confusion, "It's fine. As long as I can take care of you." "..." I honestly couldn't say anything. I just feel like there's more to Ms. Redheart than she's letting on. Perhaps... she's in her own state of depression... Once they had arrived at her house, Orion was surprised to see such a small house. She's a nurse. Surely she should a slightly bigger house... "It's only 2 bedrooms, and only one bathroom. Sorry it's so small..." This just proves my point. Could she really be depressed as well? Maybe she had a previous relationship that didn't go so well. Or maybe her parents abandoned her... like they did me... "It's fine. It's not like we're sleeping in the same room." "Well, the other bedroom is empty. So you'll have to sleep in my room until I get you a bed." "Oh..." Damn, that's just so inconvenient. Oh well, I don't think it'll take too long. I'll just find a job, and buy a futon. "Well, you can go ahead and take a rest on my bed for now. I'll make some dinner, and call you down soon." "Uh... I should sleep on your bed. I'll just sleep on the couch for today." "No please, I insist." I really don't want to continue this any longer... "Okay Mom...," I entered the house after leaving car to see the kitchen not far from the living room. There was a small table near the kitchen which I assumed was the dining room. In the living room, I saw a 50 inch television set, with two large speakers on the side with leather chairs and couches that matched the house design. I then saw a hallway that led to the rooms. "My bedroom is the first door on the left. Bathroom is next to it just in case you need to fix yourself up." "Okay, thank you..." "Anytime sweetie. Now go on and rest." Orion nodded as he began walking towards the hallway. The hallway had pictures of what seemed to be Ms. Redheart's family. "So she has a sister who's also in the medical field. I guess it runs in the family...," Orion continued walking as he stopped in front if the door. He took a deep breath, and stepped through. He saw exactly what he expected. A room full of minor decor was seen. A few picture frames, a dresser, and that's pretty much it. There had seemed to be a queen sized bed, and a standard sized closet. "I shouldn't have expected much, yet this is exactly what I expected from her...," Orion looked behind him as he looked at his feet, "How have I not taken off my shoes yet?" Orion slipped his shoes off, and took his shoes to the front. But he stopped, when he saw Ms. Redheart. "What is she doing?" She was just standing in the kitchen, staring out the back door, "Is there something out there?" She heard him. and tried around quickly. "Oh, uh, sorry about that. I just space out sometimes..." "Oh, okay. Do you need any help cooking. I would offer any help if you need it." "No, you should rest up while you can. We have to go out and buy you some new clothes. I assume those are the only clothes you have, correct?" "Yeah, shouldn't I wash these too? I can help with that of you can't." "No, no, I'll handle that too. We'll wash your clothes when we get you some new ones." "Oh, alright, I'll head off to bed now," Orion walked back into the room, snd collapsed on the bed. He awoke to find himself back in the clouds, "Whoa, are you just going to have this happen randomly?" "Well, I had to talk to you. Otherwise, I'll do it once your asleep," The goddess answered. "Alright, but why did you need to talk to me?" "Because, this is where your new life truly begins." "Hasn't it already begun?" "Tomorrow, you'll meet a new friend. You may not realize it at first, but that person will become your friend in due time." "How do you kow that?" "I just know. Just trust me. This person will be your friend, and be the first step to helping your depression." "I thought being adopted was the first step?" "I didn't expect that to happen really. However, I did hear you when you talked about Ms. Redheart. You're correct though, she does have your same problem." "Depression?" "Yes, but I won't go too far into it. I'll only tell you that she's helping you because she didn't receive any help at your age. Her depression was t as bad as it was years ago, but it's still pretty bad. I want you to help her while she helps you." "Uh, I'll try. Can you help me on how?" "Be her son. She's rather young, and has lived a rough life. It would benefit her well if you be the best son ever. Just don't too overboard." "Overboard?" "You probably don't know what I mean about. Just don't worry about it." "Okay...?" "Just uh, don't be dense..." "Huh? What's that suppose to-," Before he could finish, he felt himself wake up slowly. His eyes adjusting on his mother with tears in her eyes. "Oh my gosh...," She then buried her face into Orion's chest, "I thought you were gone. You had no pulse or anything. You weren't responding or anything. I was so worried..." "Y-you were...?" "Of course! You're my son!" Orion couldn't think of anything to soothe her, so all he did was wrap her around in a warm embrace. "I'm sorry for worrying you mom. I didn't even notice any of that. I promise that I'll try not to do that again..." "Thank you..., and don't be sorry. There was nothing you could do," She broke free from his embrace, and looked at him deeply, "Now come on. Your dinner is ready...," Orion nodded back as they walked off to eat dinner. All the while Orion thought about who the goddess meant about meeting someone tomorrow.