//------------------------------// // The Victims Sage: The Heart of the Victims. // Story: Tales from Tinies. // by MrAquino //------------------------------// “What do you mean, she's not well?” Commander Zimmerman asked one of his soldiers with a subdued anger, looking up from the papers he was going through while in his tent. “It happened around suppertime, sir.” The soldier replied. “She had gotten to some of the berries in her serving, and the next thing we know, she's nauseous to the point where she can't move.” “Bring me to her. Now.” “Yes, sir.” Multiple soldiers led by Lieutenant Cortez were already bringing Ivy medicinal leaves by the time Zimmerman and his subordinate arrived. Though because of the size of the leaves, the young alicorn had to grind them to bits herself. Zimmerman would've rushed forward to the filly’s side if the soldier hadn't held him back. “I wouldn't, sir. The team asked not to be disturbed.” “...is anyone else suffering these symptoms?” “Lieutenant Oderasak is going through the rations now just in case, but we're certain it's not that. We always have our berries crushed for easy storage, but Ivy's were whole. Lieutenant Sanada says they must've been fresh, wild.” “Which means someone approved them for her consumption. Who?” “Oh dear,” a man in a sweater vest said insincerely while standing behind the two soldiers. “I could've sworn those were edible blackberries…” The two turned around to face him, but it was just Zimmerman, anger laid bare on his face, who approached him, grabbed him by the shirt, and lifted him off the ground. “Careful, Commander. I know you're upset, but you still need my mind for strategy meetings.” “Do I!? Your mind just poisoned a valuable member of ours, and now we're wasting resources getting her healthy again! Call me a fool, but that brain isn't looking so valuable right now…” “An honest mistake, Commander! I know me and my colleagues had our… differences with you, regarding Ivory, but harming me won't restore her health! It will, however, deprive you of a valuable voice of reason in strategy meetings. If you'll recall, I've put in valuable insight regarding troop distribution during the Canterlot Operation. And besides that, are you still suffering from those night terrors?” ...damn him, he's right. Zimmerman thought as he dropped the expert. “If she doesn't make it… neither do you.” he said as he turned back to walk toward Ivy, but not crossing the boundary set earlier. The expert, meanwhile, brushed himself off and walked the other way. Saying to himself, though not in a voice nearly low enough, “I don't blame you for being upset about using up medicine, at least. After all, why do we even waste precious resources taking care of a kid we're not gonna use?” Zimmerman clenched his fists upon hearing that, and looked away from Ivy to hide his expression should she look his way. “...the papers from my tent.” He told his fellow soldier. “Tell Lieutenant Sanada to bring them. I'm gonna be here a while…” “Sir.” the soldier respectfully replied before running to his Lieutenant’s tent. Once he was gone, Zimmerman looked back up at Ivy with a different expression than his previous one. At that point, Ivy had taken her medicine, and caught sight of Zimmerman. The two held each other's gaze, exchanging their looks of concern and fear… Deep in the Everfree Forest was a log cabin hidden away from the eyes of the rest of the pony world. Outside this cabin, a white pegasus with a blonde mane and tail and yellow eyes was knocking down tree after tree with his axe to make firewood for his wife and child. The ponies from his old mercenary group had warned Light Pillar about the things he'd go through when he became a father. The one thing he hadn't been told to be ready for was an isolationist lifestyle. But when he found that his wife had given him not just a daughter, but a natural born alicorn, the two had to make some tough decisions. Princess Celestia would've wanted to take her under her wing, but… Well, it's not like he didn't like her, or think she means well. He just didn't think she could be trusted. The fact is, she was responsible for another alicorn, who happened to try bringing about eternal night. And in the conflict, ponies suffered. If she couldn't properly teach and guide her own sister, how could she be trusted with his daughter? It used to be that he'd look after the little one while his wife, Lavender Cloud, commuted to her job of managing ponies’ dreams, something many unicorns used to work on back in the day. A modest income, but a way of bringing in conveniences they couldn't get from the Everfree Forest. Then Nightmare Moon returned, followed shortly by Princess Luna. Since then, they've both been unemployed, roughing it with their daughter and getting everything they need from the forest. Well, almost everything they need, which is why Light was swinging so aggressively at this point in time… “We've talked about this, Ivory.” Light scolded his child. “We don't want you to feel so lonely--” “Then why can't I meet other ponies?” Ivory interrupted. “How can I be ready to meet them if I'm always here?” “It's not just that you're not ready for them.” Lavender intervened. “It's that they're not ready for you. Try to understand, alicorns are extremely special.” “Yeah, you keep telling me that. Next comes the speech about my power and how every alicorn is a princess, and how this Princess Celestia failed her sister in the past. What you never tell me is why that means I have to be stuck out here! Why can't I just say no to Celestia? Why does every alicorn automatically have to be a princess instead of just a normal pony? How can I possibly be so special if I have to live like a hermit? And most importantly, if that's gonna be the rest of my life, why was I even born an alicorn!?” Ivory had ran out of the house after that, crying her eyes out and making for a stump she liked to sit on while she looked up at the stars. Her parents were standing in the front doorway of the cabin about to chase after her and console her, but Lavender stopped her husband. “Maybe we should let her calm down first.” She was already walking back inside, but Light was walking the other way, and continued on towards his daughter in spite of his wife taking notice. “Light!” “Light!!” “Light!” Snapping back to reality, he had dropped his axe and turned to face his wife. Lavender Cloud was always a lovely sight with her purple coat and the messy, short magenta mane she passed onto her daughter, along with the eyes and long tail of the same color. Seeing her usually put him at ease, but not when she was upset, exposed to the dangers of Everfree, or without Ivory when she wasn't there with him. Right now, she was all three. “Lavender, what happened?” he asked. She usually didn't join him out here for firewood harvests, and neither would ever leave Ivory unattended. “We have a situation.” she responded. “…tell me Ivory’s alright.” “She's fine, just… you had better come see this.” With that, Lavender and her husband walked back to their cabin. A massive, two story mansion, far bigger than a log cabin needed to be. Hard work, but Light insisted on nothing but the best for his family. Especially considering the… “trials” they'd have to face. “Ivory found them scavenging for food.” Lavender explained as she and her husband walked into the kitchen. “Mice?” her husband replied. “Not like any I've ever seen…” Ivory answered while staring intently at the inside of the bucket with a puzzled look on her face. Having stoked her father's curiosity, Light looked in the bucket himself, and found five strange bipedal creatures huddled together as far away from Ivory's face as possible. A family, from the looks of it. “They're probably native to Everfree.” Light explained, turning to his wife. “This place has all sorts of strange creatures.” “I don't think so.” Lavender replied. “Everfree’s rough, it produces a lot of dangerous monsters. These things seem… too soft.” “Plus, most Everfree monsters can't talk.” Ivory spoke up, earning a puzzled look from each of her parents. “...they spoke?” Light asked Lavender. “No, they… they've been silent this whole time.” “No they haven't.” Ivory insisted. “They've been talking to each other. They're very scared. The two bigger ones keep telling them everything's gonna be alright.” The two pony parents turned their attention to Ivory, about to explain to her how that's not what happened, until they noticed the creatures staring at their daughter even more scared. “Maybe she's…” Lavender started to ask before Light peered into the bucket again. “Is she right?” he asked them. “Can you speak?” Rather than respond immediately, they huddled together and discussed something before the tallest one, presumably the father, stepped forward. “Please… we just wanna go home…” After the initial shock, the two pony parents agreed to hear out the two human parents in the living room. Ivory was left to look after the children, an older teen and two preteen twins, a boy and a girl. There… wasn't much conversation between the youths. Meanwhile, the pony adults had explained who and where they were, and afterwards the human adults had explained their situation. The father was named Nick Chambers, the mother was named Sophia, the eldest son was Jonathan, and the twins were Luke and Leia. ...Sophia had explained that her husband was a Star Wars fan, but when the ponies asked what Star Wars was, the human parents decided to drop it. They further explained that they were sitting down for movie night, waiting for a news report on the vanishing to go off, when they were all enveloped in a white light and found themselves in the ponies’ kitchen. “'Vanishing’?” Lavender asked. “What's that?” “That's what you ask about?” Light questioned his wife. “I'm more curious about what TV is supposed to stand for, and how it gives out news and these ‘movies’.” He then turned back to the human parents. “Is it some magic altar? Is that why you gather around it, for worship?” “Light, please.” Lavender told her husband before returning to the miniature creatures. “I apologize for him. It's just… we're kinda out of the way, and all of a sudden, new creatures. We're just as rattled as you. …well, half as rattled.” Sophia managed to chuckle a bit, a little more at ease after seeing the couple's antics. “It's fine. In all honesty, he's not far off. Anyway, back to the vanishing. In our world, people have been mysteriously disappearing at random. Scientists have been baffled, religions have their own theories… no one's been getting any answers. I'd say we just found out where we've all been going, but… well, it doesn't look like anyone else is here.” After a while, Light walked into the kitchen to tell Ivory to join them, and to bring the children. Desperate for new developments (and to escape the awkward situation), they all agreed, though the human kids were all more than a little nervous riding Ivory. “OK, here's what we decided.” Light said. “To maintain our secrecy out here, we can't let these… 'people’ leave here for now.” “Are you serious!?” Jonathan asked with equal parts concern and anger. “Please!” Leia cried. “We won't tell anyone you're here! Honest!” “Honestly…” Light continued, holding his compassionate gaze on Leia, still riding on Ivory's back. “Letting them stay is the best thing we can do for them, anyway. Even if we were to let them go, that would mean letting Everfree decide their fate.” “He's right, Leia.” Nick spoke up. “We're surrounded by the ‘Everfree Forest’ out here, and these ponies, Light Pillar and Lavender Cloud, just got done explaining how dangerous it is. They even showed us a view outside from the window, and the trees by themselves are absolutely huge. We wouldn't last out there.” “...'ponies’?” Jonathan asked. “‘Everfree Forest’? ‘Light Pillar’? ‘Lavender Charm’?” “Their words, not mine.” Nick replied. “Like ‘Nick Chambers’ is such a common name.” Light said defensively. “What makes a chamber so special when it's nicked? And what's with the shared last name thing?” “Honey, please.” Lavender interrupted before it went any further. She then addressed the children. “They've been talking about how other… 'people’ have been disappearing from their world, which means we can probably find a lot more in other places. I'm gonna head for Canterlot tomorrow and see what I can learn. In the meantime, this family of people will be staying with us.” “'Family of people’?” Jonathan asked. “You do know we're called--” “Jonathan, enough.” Sophia begged her son. “Time and a place, and I'd prefer when we're not as likely to offend the family generous to not crush us under their hooves, let alone let us stay here.” “It's fine, don't worry.” Lavender said with a chuckle. “Uh… why don't the rest of you kids get acquainted with Light, and Ivory, how about you and I step outside for a bit? You're not in trouble, I've just… got something I'd like to ask of you before I leave tomorrow.” “Uh… OK.” Ivory said as she walked out with her mom. She took a seat on her stump so she could stargaze, and her mom took a seat next to her. “Listen… I haven't forgotten about the other night. I'm sorry I wasn't there to comfort you with your father, I just… thought you could use some space.” “It's okay. I understand.” “Good. Um… I know you were asking to make friends with ponies, but… while I'm gone, maybe you could… be there for these kids.” Ivory responded with a sigh, showing disapproval at the idea. “I don't know what you said to each other in there, but they seem like good people.” “No, I agree, it's just…” Ivory said before turning to her mother. “Exactly how much longer am I gonna be stuck out here?” This time, Lavender responded with a sigh. “Ivory, it's perfectly normal for you to want to see the world. Take in the sights, enjoy new experiences… it's what made the decision to live out here so tough.” “Ugh, that's not what I was talking about! I could care less about experiences and looking at things. I just want to see what I can do to make this world better! You and Dad are always telling me about how powerful and special alicorns are. I figure, if you're gonna get this much power, you might as well do something with it. Yeah, there's world domination, but that's a lot of work and responsibility, plus the laments of the innocent get on your nerves faster than Tinderwolf howls.” Lavender chuckled a bit. “I think that right there's why you were born an alicorn. But didn't you say you wanted a normal life?” “‘Helping others’ doesn't have to mean ‘princess’. But that's beside the point. The point is, this all feels like an excuse to keep hiding me from Equestria. Is it that hard to make a cloak that'll hide these?” Ivory suggested, gesturing towards her wings. “Honestly, not really.” Lavender said. “But it's still a big risk. Listen, I know things have been tough, but contrary to how it looks, we don't plan on keeping you here forever. One day, you'll reach an age where nopony can tell you what's right and what's wrong. Instead, you'll have to decide for yourself, and then stand for your choice. When that day comes, you can see Equestria for yourself. Alright?” Ivory turned to the ground, a bit dejected upon hearing that she still had to wait before taking her first look outside of the nest. But ultimately, she knew her mother was right. “...alright.” Lavender smiled a bit before turning back to the house. “And in the meantime, just because you can't meet anypony for a while doesn't excuse you from learning how to act around others…” Ivory looked back to the house herself, then returned her gaze to her mother. “You said you wanted to help. Well, those creatures are in a world bigger and stranger than they've probably ever imagined. Something tells me they could use a lot of help right now. Can I count on you for that?” “Yeah.” Ivory responded as she made for the front door herself. “Don't worry, I can handle it.” It was genuine. Her mother was right about one thing, she had always wanted friends. And now, opportunity seemed to have knocked. “And one more thing, young lady.” Lavender said. As Ivory turned to ask what it was, her mother lowered her horn to her, setting her head awash with the same glow that enveloped it. “That should keep the nightmares, and my replacement, out of there until I get back.” Lavender explained as she walked back in the house. “Oh, Ivory!” Light called as the ladies walked in. “The kids are in your room! Feel free to check on them, get yourself acquainted! Now, help me decide. Do I wanna learn about satellites or lightsabers next?” “You don't think they messed anything up, do you?” Ivory asked Lavender. “Nothing you couldn't have done to it yourself…” Lavender responded sarcastically, but still with an amused smile, as she started preparing her bag with provisions for her journey, including defenses for both Everfree and Canterlot's darker sides... When Ivory reached her room, it was exactly like she left it. Clean, despite her mother's remarks earlier, but mainly because she had started cracking down on her about cleaning it more often. The only things out of place were a couple of makeshift dolls made from small logs and sticks, shaped like ponies and sat down on their haunches. They were left at the table already, but the positions were a bit wrong. Soon, she saw why. “Dolls, Luke?” Jonathan asked from the floor. “Seriously?” “When they're the only toys here and they're 30 feet tall? Absolutely.” Luke responded as he climbed onto a doll’s shoulder. “Don't worry, I won't start playing tea party.” “So… what exactly do you guys do for fun?” Ivory asked as she arrived. “I'm guessing not dolls, judging by your conversation.” “No, we had dolls back on Earth.” Jonathan responded, shifting as he adjusted to the sensation of Ivory's magic lifting him to the table. “It was just mainly a girl thing.” “You're just scared you might like it!” Leia called from the other doll's shoulder. “Well, anyway…” Jonathan further explained. “Most of our entertainment was electricity based, but I'm guessing that's not an option.” He then began looking around. “There's gotta be something here. You have anything but dolls in that to--” “OW! LEIA!!” Luke cried out as he began hanging from his doll's shoulder, having been knocked off by the jutted out arm of his sister's. “Oh, and Miss Spruce knocks back Mrs. Oak with a shoulder jab!” Leia shouted. “How will she counter, do you think?” “I'll show you how she counters!” Luke shouted as he ran for the other shoulder. “Isn't that a little dangerous for you guys?” Ivory asked. “Nah.” Jonathan said as he took a seat. “I fell from the counter before you found us. It stung a lot all over, but nothing was broken. Personally, I say enjoy the show for now, unless you've got a problem with your dolls used li-- hey, HEY!” The table shook a bit, and after Jonathan fell off, he found out why as he landed on a third doll that was under the table, now levitated by Ivory, who was shooting a devilish look at the dueling twins. Soon it was an all out brawl between the toys controlled by Luke, Leia, and Ivory, with Jonathan shouting constant demands to let him off the log. The first doll war had officially begun. Over the course of a week, Ivory and her father had grown very close to this new family. Light was incredibly curious about the human world, and the parents were the same about Equestria. Though he was out of the loop for a while by this point, he had plenty of stories to share with the humans thanks to his old life as a mercenary. Ivory often played with the twins, sometimes dragging the older members of the human family in the mix, along with her own father. Though they were together for only a short time, it was quickly getting to the point where though you saw two species and two couples, you could only see one family. Eventually, Lavender returned, not so eager to share what she learned with her husband. “Lavender!” Light greeted his wife, whispering as if not to disturb something, and escorted her into the kitchen. “Great to see you're back! Be careful, Ivory's playing hide and seek with the Chambers family.” “That's… great. Glad to hear Ivory's found some friends…” Lavender said. “You sound like you've been having fun with them yourself.” “Well, yeah, but… I'm still faithful to you, if that's what you're asking.” “You'd better be…” Lavender said with a chuckle, but still distracted. “OK, what's wrong?” “...I've learned more about what's happened to our guests. I was right, their species is everywhere. Nopony’s found a way to send them back, and it doesn't look like it'll ever happen.” “That will be rough news to break to the little guys… I mean, it's been great having them, but--” “There's more. I've heard of a new… trend that's scattered throughout all Equestria regarding the… well, everypony's been calling them ‘tinies’. Ponies… well, they've been… eating them.” “WHA--” Light stopped himself mid-exclamation. Still forgetting about Ivory's game, he didn't wanna have to explain why he made it to the little family that's been living with them. “...how could they!? Just… how could they!?” “I've heard a lot of reasons. One of the most popular is protection and a feeling of closeness.” “Have they lost their minds!? Do they even know what happens to food when they eat it!?” “Yes, and apparently, tinies are immune to that. There's some sort of spell on them. It makes them immune to pretty much anything we do to them, including… putting them in 'storage’. Bizarrely, it also gives each of them a unique flavor, and some other effect that makes anything they do inside us feel really good.” “...and the tinies? How do they feel about this?” “They live in fear, Light. They're hunted to the point where the princesses felt the need to establish ‘safe zones’ for them, where nopony is allowed in unless invited or on business with the tinies. I even hear there's an illegal trade on these guys, capturing and selling them like slaves.” “This from the same ponies that celebrate friendship and live in harmony with most every living being we come across!? Yeah, there's dragons and changelings, but they always attack us first!” Light let out a sigh to try and cool off. “...how do we tell them?” “Tell them? Light, they'll never trust us again if we do. They'll think we told them because we wanna… try it, and that the part about the spell keeping them safe was a lie to get them in our bellies.” “And if we don't, and they find out, we've lied to them. No, it's better to be straightforward with them so they know we mean well.” “...yeah, you're right.” “After the game, of course. We'll let them ha--” “HELP!!!” The cry prompted Light and Lavender to rush into the living room, where they found the Chambers family hanging from the chandelier, higher than they've ever fallen from. To make matters worse, Luke was hanging above a lit candle. “What happened!?” Light asked, panic plain in his voice. “Luke was hiding between the floorboards and slipped!” Jonathan explained. “We came to help and you can figure out the rest, now help us!!” As if on cue, Luke fell from the chandelier over the flame, and Leia leapt after him. In the rush, Light flew for the girl since she was higher up, Lavender went for the boy, and they did the only thing that they could think of in the heat of the moment. At first, all the tinies were relieved and a bit amused by the method used to catch the children. Including the twins, though Leia was also grossed out. What they didn't know was that when they hit the ponies’ tongues, something in them sparked. Suddenly, the twins were being tossed around the couple's mouths, licked and mashed against the teeth and walls of the mouth. Thinking that they were playing, the twins just giggled while being tossed around by the tongues, though their parents and sibling were getting more worried. Once they swallowed, they all shared in the horror. A horror that was multiplied when the ponies turned to the remaining family. Frantically, they tried scrambling up the chandelier, desperate to escape. But when Light hit the chandelier, Sophia and Jonathan fell towards Lavender's open maw. Filled with nothing but an instinct to save his family, Nick leapt for them, only to get caught by Light's lips in a position where he could only watch his family fall in the unicorn’s mouth as he himself was slurped up like a noodle by the pegasus. The ponies enjoyed tasting more tinies, but this time allowed themselves to savor the feeling of them going down the esophagus as they swallowed. It felt like a warm bite of pie filling the tube as they went down, only their squirms also made it feel like the pie was massaging them from the inside. When they arrived in the stomach, any part of the wall they touched gave the most pleasurable tingling experiences. They felt incredible… until they came to their senses. Suddenly, they noticed the sounds of horrified breathing, sobbing, and weeping. When they realized what they must have put that family through, they exchanged an expression of shock and regret. Both of which only grew when they realized something. Not all of the sobbing and weeping was coming from their stomachs. Slowly, they both turned towards the stairs, and saw Ivory crying at the base. Suddenly, she ran out, and made her way deep into the forest. “Ivory!” they both cried as they ran outside to see where she went, but she had already lost them. “She must have seen everything.” Light told Lavender. “Well, everything after us catching the twins, at the very least...” “We've gotta find her.” Lavender said. “I came back early, so my spell should still be in effect. I'll try and use it to track her, you take to the skies and see if you can find her. And Light?” “Yeah?” Lavender then looked at her stomach with a guilty expression on her face. “We're telling them.” “Absolutely.” Light responded, looking guiltily at his own stomach. “And once we're all safe, I'm sharing the methods I've heard to get them out. Don't worry, we won't be inducing vomiting or… taking care of business.” “Well, at least there's that. I just hope we'll be forgiven…” “Ivory’s our daughter, I'm sure she'll hear us out at least. But the Chambers family… well, let's just hope they'll stick around for Ivory's sake.” Meanwhile, Ivory was running deeper and deeper into the woods. She'd expected to be sad, mournful of her lost friends. Instead, all she felt was angry at her parents. My only friends… the only friends I made out here… and they ATE them!? Are they really that desperate to keep me lonely? I thought I could trust them! And anyway, what kind of monster swallows another creature alive!? Suddenly, a large snake with four heads got the jump on Ivory, ready to enjoy the coming meal. Apparently that kind… The young alicorn backed away from the monster into a corner, filled with regret, though unsure why. At first, she thought she wished her parents were here, but remembering what just happened, she immediately took that back. She curled up and closed her eyes, waiting for the end. The only wishes she could hold onto were her wish to have not been born an alicorn so she could've lived a normal life, and her wish that she could've known why she was born an alicorn, other than to eventually provide royal nutrients to a monster after a life of isolation… While her eyes were closed, however, the monster's heads fell into some nearby bushes, and a human with a black beard had landed some distance away, near some nerdy looking humans hiding in a different bush than where the heads landed. “Well, that may have been a cub,” Zimmerman told the experts. “but still, even the hydra’s underbelly is known to be tougher than a pony's hide. So unless that thing gets back up, we can consider the field test a success.” The experts celebrated upon hearing the news. “This is really happening! We can finally fight back against these things!” As for Zimmerman, he simply looked at the control handle in his hand. Yeah… dreams come true… “Uh, guys?” one of the experts spoke up, pointing to the crying filly. “It may be too soon to discuss this.” “Oh, her?” Zimmerman asked, looking where the expert was pointing. “Yeah, I saw her while I was taking down our little buddy here. Think I accidentally saved her. Anyway, I don't think she saw us, and we're too far away for her to hear us. Her parents should be close by, they can come get her.” “Like we care!” A different expert spoke up. “Come on, let's get going! We've gotta start discussing how to bring in new recruits, and mass production!” All his comrades concurred, but while the rest of them ran off in a singular direction, Zimmerman stared at the filly. “Zimmerman!” one of the experts called. “The nearest safe zone is that way!” “Yeah, I know, just… I think I see some salvageable materials in that hydra corpse. I won't be long.” “Alright, just don't get caught by you know who!” The expert then ran off, leaving Zimmerman to stare at the lone alicorn. After all they've done? Forget it. Not to mention, she'll probably swallow you if you do decide to help, and the fact is you're too important to lose at this point! And it was all true. Zimmerman had every reason and motivation to leave that filly to be claimed by either her parents or another resident of Everfree. He had already turned back to join the experts… …but then decided to turn back again, and approach the alicorn. Ever since the first tasting, Zimmerman had rarely felt anything other than rage for the ponies. Today, he was only angry at himself. Could he leave a pony to this fate? Absolutely. Could he leave a human to this fate? Depends on the human. But what he could never, ever do, is leave a child like this. “Hey.” he greeted her as he landed in plain view. “You alright? Nothing broken?” Oblivious to all that transpired, she was certainly surprised to see anyone out here, let alone another creature like the Chambers family. “I-I’m… fine… Oh!” Then she had a thought. If he's one of them, and he's out here, then maybe he knows the Chambers. I doubt can them out of my parents, but… maybe I can keep him from them. I owe my friends that much... “Are you familiar with the Chambers, by any chance? They're… well, just like you, but well...” “I assume you mean human, though you'd most likely recognize the term ‘tiny’ instead…” There was a visible disgust on his face as he said the word “tiny”. “I've… only been calling them 'people’ so far. But I was wondering what the word was for just one of you guys. I take it 'human’ is better to use?” I hope so. It's way more fun to say than just ‘tiny’. “Yeah, that's definitely better. Anyway, sorry to say I'm not familiar with them. The question is, how are you familiar with them?” He had no idea friendships were forming between ponies and humans, focusing only on his revenge and humanity's comeback. The idea of any relationship between them other than belly-stuffer and stuffed-belly was completely alien to him at this point. “U-um… Well…” Before she could explain any further, she gasped in surprise as she noticed the monster laid dead before her. Zimmerman looked to see what spooked her. “Oh, him? I wouldn't worry about it. If what I did worked…” He then leaned over to inspect his work. “...yeah, he's not getting back up.” “What you did? You mean… you hurt it?” Zimmerman looked back to the alicorn. There was a little fear in her eyes, yes, but mostly curiosity. I suppose there's no harm in showing her. As far as anyone that she tells is concerned, I'm Tinkerbell. Besides, if she gets hungry, I can always test how fast this thing can really go… “Yeah. I killed it. Wanna see how? I promise, I won't do to you what I did to that thing.” “Definitely.” Ivory responded, now fully invested. The deadliness was a little morbid to her, but she was way too interested in finding out how something so small could do something like that. “Well, the deadly part is thanks to these blades. A bit generic, I know. I mean, why don't any of the other medieval weapons get any love?” Ezekiel was fully aware he was talking about lethal weapons, but didn't wanna scare the filly too much. So he acted more laid back to put her at ease. It seemed to be working, she chuckled at his joke at least. “But the real reason I was able to do it… was this.” With that, Ezekiel grappled onto a nearby tree, and boosted himself up to where he was twice as high as Ivory was tall. In midair, he grappled onto a tree behind Ivory, and boosted forward, making sure to grapple onto yet another tree so he could swing around it for a u-turn. Ivory was mesmerized, to say the least. He looked like he was dancing through the air, leaving a trail of vapors wherever he went, until he attached each of his hooks to a different tree, and hung there at Ivory's eye level as if sitting on a swing set. She couldn't help but giggle. “Now, I'm gonna cut you a deal.” Zimmerman said. “I'll land on your nose, but only if you promise not to eat me. Got it?” Suddenly, Ivory became offended, catching Ezekiel off guard. “I am not my-- ...sorry, I… it's a long story. Go ahead, please.” She's averse to the idea of eating humans? …that family she mentioned. Could they have been her… friends? I know if I found one of them I could hide behind, you couldn't pay me to leave them alone… After musing to himself in his own head, Ezekiel boosted vertically, and leaned himself to steer through the air so he could land on the filly's muzzle, feet first and with bent knees. She couldn't help but stifle another chuckle, his landing was very ticklish. “So, you have any parents out here, maybe in a… nearby village outside the forest?” Ezekiel felt disdain at the idea of returning to Ponyville. He was nowhere near ready to return to ground zero. If she was from there, he'd take her as far as the edge, but that's it. Ivory’s expression had turned sour, but… “...yeah, we live in the forest. I… kinda ran off when my parents… ate my friends. I know, stupid idea. But just… who does that!?” I like this girl… “Alright. Sad to say I don't know where they are, but if you remember the way back home, I can watch your back to make sure nothing like our multi-headed friend here gets you if you want.” “Aren't you afraid of… meeting my parents?” “You saw that little treetop dance, right? I can always make a run for it.” “...if you say so.” Ivory said, getting back up. “I'll be riding on your back. More space.” Ezekiel said as he grappled onto a nearby tree, and boosted into the air… only for Ivory to grab hold of him with her magic. Ezekiel responded to this by grappling onto another tree, and boosting out of the mystical field so he could land on her back himself. “Nothing personal. Just wanted to see if that would work. By the way, you got anything I can call you?” “Ivory. Ivory Charm.” “Well then, nice to meet you Ivy. My name's Ezekiel Zimmerman. Most call me Zimmerman, but something tells me you'd like just Ezekiel better for now. So, what exactly did happen with your parents and friends?” Ivory told him everything about what happened the past few days, as well as how she and her family came to live out here. But the further along she got, the more she went from simply describing what happened, to upset, to rage. “Sorry, it's just… I've never even heard of ponies swallowing anything alive before! I thought we were vegetarian! And now, the only friends I've ever made are probably rotting away in my parent's bellies right now…” Should I tell her about…? …no. Best not to give her false hope. Just as Ezekiel decided that, he looked up and saw the sorrow on Ivory’s face. ...maybe if I emphasise that she shouldn't get her hopes up… “Listen, there's a chance your friends are still alive.” “Thanks, but don't say it if you don't mean it. I'm in no mood for false hope.” “Good, because I already planned on making it clear that it was slim. I'd heard in the villages that there's this spell put on us from the moment we arrive in Equestria. It keeps us from being harmed by anything the larger denizens of this world do to us. Including, but not limited to, digestion, crushing, and suffocation. But it's just a rumor, I've never seen it in action. I wanted to believe they'd never hurt us, but...” Suddenly, he had flashbacks to the first tasting. Ponies chasing down humans, forcing them down their gullets… Then he remembered hearing about the need for “safe zones”, and the struggle they've been facing to survive as the ponies apathetically went through their day to day lives, more likely to eat a struggling human than help them. “...I just can't. I don't know what to believe anymore…” “Well, at least you're being honest. ...seriously though, why would my parents do this? Why would anypony do this!?” “According to the rumor, the spell gives us each a unique flavor, and makes anything we do on the inside feel--” At this point, Ezekiel forced himself to stop. He had an idea as to how the ponies felt with someone inside if the rumors were true, he just didn't wanna describe it to a minor. “...really good. Apparently, we're so addictive that after the first taste, a pony will briefly lose their mind and gobble up any nearby human like a fat guy brought to a pizza buffet.” Ivory then recalled how her parents acted when she saw them. After they had caught the entire Chambers family, they seemed to exchange a look of regret. As if they had only just then realized they had done something wrong. Sounds like how somepony would react if they were under a trance like that. Maybe the rumors were right… “Well, even if it is all true,” Ezekiel continued. “it still doesn't excuse how humanity's been treated.” He went on to explain the plight of humanity. The struggle to stay out of the bellies of ponies that can't control themselves, the segregation caused by the solution of the princesses who were too afraid to teach their subjects basic self control, and the snatchers and their illegal slavery trade. Ivory was devastated to hear all this. A week ago, she and her mother were contemplating how unfortunate the Chambers family must've been. Turns out, finding their way to her home was the best thing that could've happened to those people, all things considered. “I… I'm so--” “Don't. You've treated me with respect, and I can tell you treated your friends the same way. Out of all the ponies in Equestria, you're the last one who should apologize.” Ivory was blushing at the compliments. “Well, you've all been so nice… Which reminds me, why did you approach me back then? I think it's obvious you're no fan of ponies.” “I wasn't gonna abandon a child. But you're right, present company excluded, I'm no pony lover. After all they've done… I thought they'd be our friends!” “Is that why you made that thing?” Now Ezekiel was blushing, unsure of how Ivory would take the news that he was organizing a rebellion against her species. “Uh… you se--” “It's OK.” Ivory interrupted. “I'd be angry too, after all you guys have been through. In fact, I might be that angry right now…” She went on to explain how and why she came to live in the Everfree Forest. “I didn't wanna believe Celestia and Luna were really that bad, but after what you've told me… I think my parents might've been right to take me out here, at least.” “Same here, kid…” Ezekiel said as the pair drew closer to Ivory's house. Except something was unusual. “Is there… normally that much smoke?” “No, there isn't!” Ivory said in a panic as she rushed towards the source, unintentionally knocking Ezekiel off. Fortunately, he was able to grapple onto the back of her head and reel himself to her back so he could fire some anchors in to keep himself tethered. “Sorry about this! But I have to hold on!” “About wha--” Ivory shouted before looking on her own back to see what Zimmerman had done. “Oh! Honestly, I didn't feel it! Still don't! Those things are so small they feel like bug bites, if that!” Mental note for later. This could be a handy thing to remember for when we engage in combat with the ponies. Soon, they arrived at the mansion, engulfed in a pillar of flames. A storm had begun moving in, but the rain was doing nothing to stop the flames. “My mom must've knocked down a candle when she… forget it, we have to see if they're in--” Unfortunately, the building collapsed before the two could get close. “Uh… OK. For what it's worth,” Ezekiel said, noticing the horrified expression on Ivory's face. “they were never gonna be here. Their daughter is out there in the woods alone, as far as they know. They'd be out there looking for her.” “Yeah… I guess you're right…” Ivory replied, still processing the loss of her home. “But then again… I never would've guessed they'd even try to eat the only friends we'd ever made out here…” You have a point there, kid. I know all about expecting better from someone only to be disappointed… Zimmerman thought, though he dare not say it out loud. “GO!!” The both of them heard the cry, and Ivory rushed towards it, dragging Ezekiel by the cables. She recognized the voice immediately. It was her father. Soon, they came across him and her mother, hanging off the edge of a cliff. “Hurry!” Lavender shouted. “Before that thing comes back!” They must've been jumped by a monster like Ivy. Shame I wasn't here to see at least one of them as the prey for a change… Zimmerman had decided once again not to share his thoughts out of respect for Ivory, but when he saw her face, he was surprised to see that she must've been having similar thoughts. “Don't worry about us, just go!” Light shouted in a different direction than the pair. They haven't seen us yet? They both thought, before hearing a struggle to their right. It was a family of five, the parents holding back the children. “Ponyville's not that far, just keep heading north!” Lavender shouted. “You'll find a tiny village there! Now go!” So the rumors were true… Ezekiel thought, fully realising just how many deaths the ponies weren't responsible for. Ivory could only think of how she ran out without even considering that her parents could be trusted. She remembered why she was filled with regret when that hydra showed up. Because after everything her parents did for her, she should've known better than to distrust them. The sudden slight crumbling of the cliff that the two ponies were holding onto signaled the human family's cue to leave. The children still wanted to do what they could, as did the parents, even if it meant just being there. But the parents knew, there was nothing that could be done, except to get to safety. As thankful as Ivory was that her friends were safe, she had to rush to help her family. “Ivory!” Lavender cried as she was grabbed by her daughter. “Mom, I'm sorry!” Ivory shouted as she tried pulling up her mother. “I should've trusted you and Dad from the begi--” “Don't worry about that right now!” Lavender responded. “Your father's wings are broken, go help him!” “I'M TRYING, DAMN IT!!” They both looked to see Ezekiel digging his heels into the ground, the machine on his back glowing orange from the heat and the rain evaporating upon contact, as he tried reeling in the pegasus with his cables. Lavender looked to her daughter for answers. “He's a friend, now come on!” she shouted as she kept pulling her mother up. She was almost up, and even Ezekiel seemed to be helping a little, but suddenly, there was a loud crumbling sound behind them. “Uh, Ivy?” Zimmerman asked just before the chunk of cliff they were all on fell apart beneath their feet and hooves in a landslide. Naturally, he and the ponies tumbled down, rolling towards a steep dropoff above some raging rapids. Eventually, he was able to right himself by gas boosting into the air, and saw that the ponies were now sliding down on their bellies. Lavender was facing Ivory, casting a spell on her head while giving her a warm smile. Ivory returned it with a look of fear and confusion. Meanwhile, Light had leapt up into the air, and kicked down a loose branch. It just missed his wife, but was able to catch his daughter. Ezekiel had to grapple on himself. Once he was on, he saw where they were falling. There were rocks protruding upwards from the river. Ivy and him would survive, but the parents… No, you don't. Ezekiel thought as he grappled onto the ponies and planted his feet firmly on the log. He tried reeling them in, but the wood he was standing on gave before the distance closed by any meaningful amount. “What are you doing!?” Ivory cried. “What did it look like, I'm--” Ezekiel was about to say, until he saw that she wasn't asking him. Light and Lavender were holding the wires in their mouths, and with an understanding look on each of their faces, they let go. Not long after, they all went falling off into the river. Ezekiel was attached to the branch due to how deeply his feet were buried, there was no letting go for him. Ivory, on the other hand, could only watch her parents fall towards the rocks before she and Zimmerman made impact. SPLASH!!! Neither of them could see what was happening around them until they surfaced from the currents tossing them around. When Ezekiel regained his senses, he noticed a tree near some shore. His gear was soaked, but fortunately, the electronics were waterproofed, and none of the components required ignition. “Hang on!” he shouted above the raging waters as he grappled onto the tree and reeled them onto dry land. When Ivory got off the log, all she could do was break down and sob into the beach sands. In one day, she lost her friends, her home, and her family. From things and ponies she was sure would be there her whole life, to people she had too short a time with, it was all gone. Even after Ezekiel freed himself from the branch, all he could do as he watched the massive filly cry was feel a well of what could only be guilt rise from his chest. Not just for his perceived failure, but for his past grudges. He still believed he was right to stand against humanity's subjugation, but all this time he had been holding the ponies accountable for murders they didn't commit. Including Ivory's parents… “Some wise man or other is reputed to have said, though understand I'm paraphrasing here, that humanity required an enemy greater than itself just to survive.” Walking forward to console her was all he could do, even if it did nothing to atone for the past… “Well it's obvious to me the guy didn't have a clue what he was talking about.” “Look. There's nothing you could've done for them, you understand? You're a kid. You're weak.” Ivory was quick to assume where he was getting at, and didn't wanna hear it. She would've crushed him under her hoof, but he stopped it with his arm. If any other pony had done that to any other human, they would've been crushed into the dirt. But Ivory was a kid, and Ezekiel had trained his physical body to peak condition. “I'm worse.” Ezekiel's words suddenly caught Ivory's attention, enough for her to stop applying pressure. “You could throw any excuse you want, shock, indecision, whatever.” Ivory had removed her hoof to get a view of Ezekiel, who was ducking his head to hide his face. “But when push came to shove, when I saw those two ponies hanging from the cliff, I was just too spiteful to immediately jump in despite having the ability to help.” Suddenly, he shot his face up to the alicorn, grief plain to see, and the rain doing nothing to hide the tears streaking down his face. “YOUR PARENTS DIED BECAUSE I'M A DAMN BIGOT!!!” Unable to look at her any longer, Ezekiel turned away again, not bothering to hide his own sobs. “I'm sorry…” Ivory, her own tears still fresh on her face, was certainly surprised to hear any of this from Ezekiel. Hearing someone that hated the ponies so much talk like that, it reminded her of another night not long ago. The stars shone brightly in the clearing where Ivory's log mansion was located. As she stared up in the night sky, she liked to imagine what other worlds were out there. It was her favorite escape from her wooden prison. She could hear her mother calling for her father. I just wanna be alone right now… she thought. “Ivory--” her father was about to start when she interrupted. “Why do you hate them?” “Huh?” “Other ponies, the princesses. Why do you hate them?” “...we don't, Ivory. We just don't trust them with you.” “But why? Were their mistakes that bad?” Light sighed in response. “It's not just that. We're not keeping you from them just because they've made mistakes, and most definitely not because we hate them. …it’s because we've been given something incredibly special, and to put it at risk, even a relatively safe one, is too much of a gamble to even consider.” Ivory had begun to look at her dad, interested in what he had to say at this point. “We're not bigots, we're not doing this because we hate anypony. We're doing all that we can because we love you.” All of a sudden, Light looked away, as if he was gonna confess an embarrassing secret. “...but I'll admit, even trusting ourselves is hard sometimes. Nopony knows how to prepare to be a parent, but raising an alicorn? It's unheard of. Neither your mother nor I really know what to do, we just do what we can. I'm sorry if that's not enough, but… I-it’s just…” Light looked forward towards the stump again, but was surprised to not see his daughter there. Frantically, he looked side to side, until he heard her voice at his knees. “Come on. Let's head in.” Satisfied that his daughter was okay, he smiled at her, and they walked back home… …but then Ivory was back in the rain, on the shore, and staring at the crying 3 inch tall human. Ezekiel… that's not true. Whatever you thought of my parents, at the time, I thought the same thing. But we both were doing all we could. Either we're both to blame, or neither of us are. Gingerly, she used her wing’s feathers to pick him up, and held him up to her face. “I can't forgive you, Ezekiel.” He simply responded by wiping the tears from his face, and giving her a stern expression and an understanding nod. He knew what comes next, and was ready for it, especially if it made her feel better. He found himself zooming towards her face… …only to be pressed into the fur between her eyes by her feathers, as if in a hug. “There's nothing there to forgive.” Suddenly, she started crying again, holding him tighter. He was certainly shocked, but eventually found himself leaning into the child. The two of them remained there for a while, letting their emotions out on each other… The next day… In a human village near the border of Ponyville, the experts who helped Zimmerman develop his gear were scanning the border of Everfree Forest, looking for signs of their leader. Finally, they saw him under a patch of tall grass, and started running towards him. “Where the hell were you!?” one of them demanded. “Do you have any idea how anxiously we waited!?” “Sorry.” Zimmerman responded. “I was caught up in something.” “What ‘something’?” “Come see.” He led them through a bush, and when they arrived on the other side, they started hyperventilating and fell on their rear ends. “This is Ivory Charm. It's a long story as to how we met, but here's what you need to know. One, she's never eaten a human and won't for a while. Two, it will happen eventually if only to make sure she doesn't lose her mind should one of us hit her tongue by accident. The rumors were true, we're safe in there. And three, her parents are dead and she has no other known relatives, so I've agreed to take care of her.” Their reaction was mostly the obvious one. “Have you lost your mind!? She's the enemy!” But there were others trying to be the voice of reason. “We have an opportunity here. We have one of them fighting for us, and I hear alicorns are the most powerful variety.” “Ahem!” Zimmerman's outburst quieted them all. “She's not an asset, she's a child. We're taking care of her, not using her for our own selfish needs. That said, if her sympathy for our circumstance wasn't enough, she's been through her own unfortunate events. As far as I'm concerned, she's one of us. But I didn't bring you to meet her so I could send you shopping for toys. I brought you to meet her to tell you that our mission has changed. We're no longer out for vengeance, but we still have a message to send to ponykind. From now on, our long term goal is to make sure no creature of Equestria has to live in fear. Obviously, humanity will take priority for now, but we have to be sympathetic for others as well.” Now all of them were voicing the same objection. The ponies had to pay, and humanity was gonna be back on top of the food chain. But then Zimmerman started walking closer to them. And the more he towered over them, the quieter they grew. “This is how it is. You think the ponies will take subjugation? We do it your way, it's war until one or both species are dead. If that's what this rebellion is gonna lead to, then I want no part of it. Hell, take your machine if you want it. But I am not gonna be responsible for genocide. So are we gonna head back into the village and discuss further strategy, or am I gonna watch you make sure this gear doesn't fall into the wrong hands?” Begrudgingly, they all walked back to the village. The fact that they didn't demand their device back signaled their agreement. “You're gonna have to stay here.” Ezekiel said as he turned to the filly. “No ponies allowed, and word of a new alicorn is certainly gonna spread. But don't wander off, we'll be right back. And, uh... don't worry, I remember your request. We'll find the Chambers, if not here then another day. Understand?” “...thank you.” Ivory responded. “You heard what this group would be if the two of us hadn't met. Thank you.” Ezekiel said before walking towards the village, leaving Ivory to wait. Not long after, they were back, and ready to head into Everfree on their way to the next village. As the forest opened up in front of her to guide her, her adoptive father, and the experts associated with him to the world she'd never seen before, her mother's words found their way into her mind. “One day, you'll reach an age where nopony can tell you what's right and what's wrong. Instead, you'll have to decide for yourself, and then stand for your choice. When that day comes, you can see Equestria for yourself. Alright?” “...alright.” Ivory said to herself as she walked forward to offer her new family a ride. “Sir.” one of the soldiers addressed Zimmerman as his Commander looked over the schematics for a new device to be used in the next mission. “They say Ivy will pull through after a night's rest.” “Very good. Carry on.” Though he kept his attention on the papers, he was sincerely glad to hear she was alright. Now he could really focus on the schematics instead of futilely trying to distract himself. “They also said you can approach her, if you want.” Now the schematics could wait. Zimmerman looked up to his subordinate, about to ask if he was sure, but then turned his gaze to his daughter, smiling as if she was waiting for him, though still very sick. He handed the papers to his subordinate after standing up. “These are confidential, so without looking at them, return them to my sleeping bag. That will be all, soldier.” “Sir.” he said before running off to his superior's tent. Meanwhile, Ezekiel walked toward Ivory. “Hey. The soldiers say you're on the mend.” he said compassionately. “That you only need a good night's rest.” “Y-yeah…” Ivy responded weakly. “That's what they said, but…” “Hm?” “I'm having trouble sleeping. This is gonna sound silly, but… I'm worried about monsters.” “We talked about this, you're surrounded by the camp. If anything approaches, we'll have it handled long before they reach you.” “No, that's not it. I… I heard some of the soldiers talking about… monsters that kill you from the inside… they burst from your stomach, and...” Ezekiel sighed. He knew what she was talking about. Damn you, Ridley Scott… “Listen, those were just movies. Works of fiction, nothing more. After number 2, none of them were even any good.” “Still… Everfree's home to a lot of monsters… you don't think…” Ezekiel then signaled his men to be dismissed. He knew what he had to do, and didn't want them too close. “Tell me, how easy is it for you to move?” Ivy then began groaning hard, trying to stand up… and ultimately failing. “Yeah, I'm stuck here.” “Well then, how about this? I sleep in there…” Ezekiel said, pointing to her belly. “...and make sure to neutralize anything that tries popping out?” Ivy couldn't believe her ears. “What? B-bu--” “Yes Ivy, I'm sure. It's time. Besides, it's the perfect opportunity. You said you can't move in your condition? Then you can't get the jump on anyone here.” “S-sti--” “And… to be perfectly honest… it's the perfect opportunity for me, too. I've never been swallowed, and I think I need to get used to it as well.” “But I've never done this before! What if I… can't get you out?” “It’s okay, Ivy. I have faith in you. Besides that, I want this. Actually, I've kinda waited for it. Because if I'm gonna have a first time, there's nopony I'd rather have it with.” He then shot Ivy a genuine smile. Eventually, she gave into his warm expression. “Just… let me know if you want out, okay?” she asked. “Don't worry about it. Just let me get this off first.” he responded as he began removing his ODM gear. “Didn't you say you were gonna stop any monsters?” “You really think I need a weapon for that?” Ezekiel retorted as the harness fell off. “Alright, bottoms up.” “...thank you. Really.” Ivory said as she lowered her open mouth to Ezekiel, rolling out her smooth, orange tongue to hover like a carpet just above the dirt. Not touching it, but still low enough for Ezekiel to climb on. “What else is a father for?” Ezekiel said as he climbed onto the smooth, wet muscle. As he touched it, Ivy experienced a massive burst of flavor. She was able to contain herself from jerking him in and tossing him around in her mouth, but also immediately understood why her parents acted the way they did. Ezekiel was slowly carried to the inside of Ivy's mouth, passing under her teeth and watching the outside world become framed by her lips. She was taking great care, and he was aware of it. Once her mouth was closed, she began tilting her head back significantly faster, as if to get it over with. “Wait!” Ezekiel shouted, and Ivy was already ready to spit her father out. “Savor me. Get as much of my taste as possible, so you won't be tempted by the other soldiers.” Ivy was surprised by her father's request, but agreed with a slow nod, aware of what it would be like for him if she talked. She folded her tongue back, allowing Ezekiel to slide off, then gently pushed him toward her teeth. Once he was against the wall of enamel, she started softly licking him, coating him in saliva. Afterwards, her tongue picked him up, and started slowly sliding him side to side, occasionally wrapping around him to rub him from all sides. Though shamed to admit it, she was definitely enjoying this. What she didn't know is that, surprisingly, so was Ezekiel. The spell had apparently either given him night vision, or made him glow in a pony's mouth, he couldn't tell which. Either way, he wasn't blind in Ivy's mouth. The tongue felt warm and overall smooth, though still with a roughness that could barely be felt, and it carried him in a powerful yet gentle caress. Even the saliva felt good on his skin, like warm water that’s been shampooed. Eventually though, this exchange could only end one way. And soon, Ezekiel found himself going that one way feet first. He expected to be crushed and contorted by throat muscles, but Ivy's throat opened wide for him, delivered him to the proper tube, and closed above him gently. The muscles carrying him down didn't even feel tight, at least not how he expected. It felt more like being gently hugged by someone very large and very strong. Occasionally, they did push hard, but even that felt more like a spa massage than anything else. And all accompanied by the calming noises of her daughter's heartbeat and breathing, even after they were accelerated out of her fear. Ezekiel fought back not out of instinct, not out of discomfort, but because he knew how human struggles felt to ponies, and wanted Ivy to be as satisfied with her first experience as possible. Suffice to say… she was. Her face contorted into all sorts of combinations of pleasure and regret. Expressions that were beginning to scare the other soldiers looking on from a distance. They'd been told this day would come, they just didn't know what would come next. But deep down, they knew the truth. They'd been with Ivy long enough. They could trust her. Eventually, Ezekiel was deposited in his little journey's destination. His daughter's stomach. The environment constantly shifted, briefly shaking when he first entered, but quickly calming down as Ivy made a belch that Ezekiel allowed himself to chuckle at. Those cheeks must be so red... The area was lit even more than normal by the glowing stomach acids. It was warm and steamy, much like a sauna. Even the enzymes felt not too dissimilar from the saliva. His only complaint had been one he'd had throughout. The smell wasn't too pleasant. But it was miniscule compared to the surprising amount of enjoyable factors. His favorite part was also one he'd had throughout. Though he was at the mercy of another being, that being was one that he trusted, loved, and knew loved him back. He had heard in the villages that some humans actually asked to be eaten. Today, he knew why. And Ivy began to understand why ponies enjoyed eating humans so much. At least on the taste and feeling side. But she hadn't forgotten that she swallowed a living being with feelings. “Are you okay in there?” Ivy asked, her voice booming around him. “Was I too rough?” “I'm fine. You did great.” Ezekiel explained. “It was… surprisingly pleasant, to say the least. …is any of this coming through, or…?” “Loud and clear. ...it’s alright, everyone! You're safe! Don't have to worry about me sneaking a bite! ...yes, Johnny, you can come close. Uh, I think he wants to talk to you. Left side.” Zimmerman approached the left stomach wall, able to tell based on his entry point and the direction of Ivy's voice. “I'm here. Am I coming through to you?” “A little muffled, but I can make you out sir. Should I be worried about your safety?” “We've known for a while now that we're safe in here. But, uh… I'm gonna be in here a while. Be sure to secure my tent.” “Sure thing, sir. …uh, do we have to worry about…” Zimmerman looked around his daughter's stomach. It slowly churned around him, but her heart settled and her breathing slowed. He could tell, she was at peace. “...no, I don't think we do. Now, my tent. There's classified information in there, soldier.” “Sir!” Able to tell that the soldier had left, Ezekiel walked back to the center of his daughter's stomach. “So Ivy, ready for bed yet?” “Yeah, I am sleepy, but…” He could hear her heartbeat quicken and her breathing shorten again. She isn't letting this monster thing go. Hmm… Suddenly, he saw the chewed up remains of one of her berries. He then had an idea. A very disgusting idea. “Hang on. Something isn't right…” “What?” Ivy asked, concerned. He slowly walked over to the half digested blob, and suddenly began wrestling with it in the enzymes. “You were right! There was something in here! It's putting up a fight, but not a very good one!” Emotionally, this may freak her out more. Assuming she buys it, if she doesn't then no harm done. But if I'm doing this right… Ivy wasn't buying it. Ezekiel's performance was convincing, but she knew what he was really trying to do, and it was working. The more active he was, the more relaxed she got. “Dad, you--oh…” she tried to protest in an effort to get him to take her seriously, but his plan was being very effective. “Ooh! Someone's a dirty fighter! Good thing I'm dirtier!” Just a little more, and… As Ivy slipped into unconsciousness, her thoughts turned to the process of her eating her dad. She now understood the real reason ponies loved eating humans. The taste, the feelings, those were all side benefits. If the two loved and trusted each other, that's where the joy is. Her father may be continuing his show of strength, but right now he was safe and protected, and she was closer to him than ever. That exchange of closeness, there is no feeling more delicious… Meanwhile, Ezekiel heard his daughter's breathing and pulse slow to what he knew was REM sleep, and cast aside his “opponent” to finish being digested, and walked off to the nearest wall so he could lean on it and go to sleep himself. “Good job…” he jokingly addressed it as he walked off, exhausted, and giving the mush a half hearted thumbs up. “Maybe go a little easier next time…” As he collapsed into the nearest shifting crease in the muscle and let consciousness slip as it massaged him to sleep, he pondered what it must have been like for other humans in similar situations. While it still wasn't nearly enough to forgive humanity being made into second class citizens, he did start having trouble comprehending why some humans still hated the idea of being eaten. Maybe instinct? Maybe fear? Maybe spite? Or maybe because it wasn't with a pony they were as close to as he was with Ivy. All he did know, is that if they'd only let go of these inhibitions, coexistence would be a whole lot more possible… Slowly, Zimmerman opened his eyes to find himself still in Everfree, but so far from camp that when he found it, it was barely in view. Suddenly, he heard the noises of what could only be ODM gear, and looked up to see his squad flying through the treetops. Among them was a human soldier he didn't know… …until he recognized the short magenta hair. He assumed that the eyes were the same. At least it's not my normal nightmare. Ezekiel thought. Must've had more of a moment with Ivy than I thought. He then drew one of his swords and began pointing it at himself. Still, can't afford this one. Luna can't find out about u-- “You really don't have to worry about that.” He immediately turned around to see two more soldiers he didn't recognize, a man and a woman. The man had blonde hair, and the crest was different on his uniform. It had the typical shield, but rather than the wings, it had a compass with a sunrise filling in as the top half. The woman had hair similar to Ivy's, and her crest’s replacement for the wings was a light purple swirl. Zimmerman had seen those marks before, and was trying to recall them… until it hit him. He saw them on the flanks of two ponies he failed to save. “We thought it would make you more comfortable if we came to you like this.” Lavender explained. “If you'd like, we can tower over you like normal.” “Do what you want, makes no difference to me…” Zimmerman responded with a bitter indifference that surprised the couple. He didn't like being pandered to because of his size. Nice discrimination is still discrimination. “Uh, OK. In any case,” Light said, still in his human form alongside his wife. “we're here to explain some things, to give you a proper thanks, and... to ask something of you.” “Not to sound too rude, but I should believe that I'm not talking to my own imagination because…?” “Come on.” Lavender said. “You've been in Equestria long enough, do you still really believe dreams are that simple? Anyway, you don't have to off yourself. I used to regularly safeguard Ivy's dreams from Luna using my spells. Currently, she's safeguarded by an extra strong dose I gave her before…” Lavender was a bit uncomfortable talking about it. “...befo--” And Zimmerman was more than uncomfortable hearing about it. “Good to hear you're still watching out for her.” he interrupted. “But what does that have to do with my dreams?” “Well, that's just it.” Light answered. “This isn't your dream.” “I'm surprised nopony found out yet…” Lavender explained. “but apparently it's another effect of the spell. This is your magic, not mine. Apparently, when a pony swallows one of you, then they both fall asleep, if one or both of them dreams, they share a dreamscape. And if two dreams compete, the more positive one usually wins out. It's all very complicated, but the short version is--” “I'm not dreaming this… Ivy is.” “Fast learner. And good thing her dream won out, too. I've seen your normal dream, and… yikes.” “In any case,” Light interjected. “We both wanted to thank you for looking out for our daughter. It's good to know she's in good hands.” Ezekiel rubbed the back of his head and looked away, feeling both guilt and embarrassment. “It's nothing, really. I mean, it's only fair, since--” “That wasn't your fault, or Ivory's.” Lavender interrupted. “Giving everything for your kids is what parents do. If you don't already know, you'll learn soon enough I'm sure.” “Which brings us to what we wanted to ask you.” Light said before exchanging a warm smile with Lavender. “We're pretty sure you'd do it anyway, but we wanted to ask regardless. Please continue to look after our daughter.” Ezekiel was surprised by their kindness, to say the least. He still held himself accountable for what happened, and didn't think himself worth what was, in his mind, forgiveness. He simply responded by stowing his blades, and giving the Wings’ salute, with a solemn nod alongside. The two parents kept their warm smiles, but still returned his salute. “...well?” Light asked, looking up at the soldiers still flying around the treetops. “What are you waiting for? Because we know what she's waiting for…” Ezekiel looked where he was looking, gave the parents another nod, and grapple and boosted himself into the treetops to join his daughter and “squadmates”. “Come on, soldier.” Ezekiel addressed “Ivy”. “It's a whole new world out there.” “Sir, yes sir.” she responded as she flew among the treetops with her family. Meanwhile, the parents just looked on, happy to see that their daughter was in such good care. “And you're sure he'll see it in time?” Light asked his wife as they faded away. “Like I said… he's a fast learner.”