//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: Resistance: Remain Human 
// by Hurgusburgus 
//------------------------------//

Winter.

Bloody nice weather. Snag in particular was enjoying the snow. Fred had crafted a pair of skis for the Leaper. Why he did that is beyond my understanding, but Snag was ambling around the hills nonetheless on the skis. Tag had chosen to hibernate for some reason and was sleeping in a hollowed-out nest under a tree. The Yanks had caught a nasty case of cold, despite our best efforts at making the cave warmer. They couldn’t stay here any longer. Ted and Jen had gotten rather moody, too. Fred, well… He doesn’t say much nowadays. This cave must be getting to him.

One day, they decided to leave the forest and head into the town. Can't say I blame them for doing that. Bill was on his last legs. But I didn't go with them. My Chimeran me was giving me more trouble with every passing day and I had to fight it every moment. I couldn't sleep, even though I was ready to fall over dead.

"Are you sure, James? The forest's nasty this time of year." Fred looked at me concernedly.
"Don't worry, Fred. I'll be fine. I just need some time alone. You go on. I might drop by sometime." Jen, Ted and others had already assembled, dressed in crudely-fashioned pelts.
“I suppose you can take care of yourself, James. Make sure you don’t burn the cave down, eh?” I chuckled at that.
“No worries, Fred. Someone has to take care of this place while you’re away, right?” He shrugs noncommittally.
“I suppose. Well, best we get going, then.” He waved at me one last time, ushering others with him. I waved back.
“Stay safe, pardner! Achoo!” Bill called to me, pulling the pelt around his shoulders a tad tighter. Others muttered their farewells to me as well.

I looked around, my eyes lazily drifting over the cave walls. For the time being, it was all mine. I was alone with my thoughts. Well, not quite alone. The insidious consciousness in my head was still pestering me. Blasted thing. A low growl built at the back of my throat.

Just go away and die, damn you!

Twilight raised her head, hearing somepony knocking on the library’s door. When she went to open it, she got the surprise of her life. The mishmash group of humans and Chimera were standing there. Fred was kneeling down, waving at her amiably.
“Hello, Twilight Sparkle! Nice to meet you again.”
“F-Fred? What happened? Is something wrong?”
“Well, our American friends have gotten rather ill from the cold. We can’t stay at the cave, for the time being, at least. And that place’s getting rather oppressive, even if I say so myself. Could you help us out?”
“I-I can’t take all of you in here. There’s not enough room. But I’m sure that Applejack could help. The Apple Family have an empty barn that they aren't using, seeing as it’s winter.” Alice muttered happily at that.
“Anything’s better’n a damned cave.” She sniffed noisily.

Bill muttered a quiet thanks, sipping from the steaming mug in his hands. Applejack smiled at him, assuring him that it was nothing, and then turned to Jen.
“So, James stayed behind?”
“Aye, that he did. He’s been in a troubled mood ever since we arrived. And he doesn’t ever tell what’s bothering him.” Fred’s voice floated through the half-open window.
“Frankly, I’m rather unnerved. I mean, I had my own troubles accepting my current body. I had problems controlling myself, but James…” Fred shrugged helplessly. “He’s close to going insane. If he snaps, there’s no telling what he’ll do.” Twilight frowned worriedly.
“I’ll have to send a letter to Princess Celestia in that case. She always knows what to do.” Alice scratched her head absent-mindedly.
“Gosh, I hope that she can help him. Ah’d really hate t’see him gettin’ put down like a rabid dog.”

I bolted upright, a rage-filled roar already leaving my throat. I flipped, starting to decimate a nearby trunk of wood, punching it until my fists were sore and bleeding. The only things I heard were my own ragged breathing and the fading echoes of my roar. Jesus, that was a nightmare that put everything else I’ve witnessed to shame. I… I just dreamt of slaughtering everyone I called a friend. No guns, just my claws and fangs. Bloody hell, it was getting worse.
“Bad dreams?” A soft, calm voice interrupted my addled musings. I looked over to the other side of the crackling fire, mood growing a bit more darker at seeing Celestia.
“What do you want?” I grumble, still angry with myself.
“Your friends tell me you are ill.” She calmly responded.
“So? Why do you care?” Her smile quickly fades, and she takes on a more concerned expression.
“I only wish to help you, nothing else.”
“Well, guess what. I don’t want your help or need it.”
“But-“
“Look here, lady! My troubles are mine and mine alone to deal with! I don’t need others to lug my emotional luggage for me! Capisce?” I was nearly shouting by this point and vented my anger on a nearby branch. The piece of firewood shattered and Celestia flinched. I couldn’t bear to see the hurt expression on her face so I turned away, rubbing my face sullenly. Mother of God, I was really going nuts.
“James… Why do you push me away so? I hold no ill intent towards you or your friends. I am deeply concerned for you, as are they.” She stood up, slowly walking in front of me, holding my gaze firmly.
“I… I…” Nice one, brain.
“Let me tell you something, James. To Fred, you all are like family. He is constantly worrying about you. To him, you are like his own son.”
Christ… I’d never thought to look at it that way. Now I could understand why he was so reluctant to leave me alone. Who’d have thought, eh?
“Sorry…” I muttered shamefully.
“There is nothing to be sorry about. I know that you have been fighting your own mind all this time. It is difficult to fight an enemy you cannot lash back out at, no?” She smiled at me gracefully and I already felt better.
“I guess I’ll have to accept that offer of yours, m’lady.” She chuckled briefly at that.
“Oh, there is no need for that. You can call me Celestia. Or just Princess. I find it refreshing being addressed as an equal. Well then, if you are willing to accept my help, I suppose I should tell you more about what I am going to do.”
“Cut my head open so you can slice up my brain?” Shut up, brain! Oh, and Celestia seems queasy now. Way to go, brain.
“What? No! A simple – well, not simple – spell that is designed to combat possession and withdraw invasive personalities and consciousnesses and trap them inside an inanimate object for storage where they cannot cause any further harm, like in your case.”
“Spells?” I voiced my scepticism.
“Indeed. My magic is strong and I am adept at casting various spells and enchantments.”
“I don’t believe that. Magic is the stuff of fairytales.” She conjured a ball of flame, leaving it hanging mid-air. She also left me speechless as she froze the fireball, turning it to ice, and then evaporating it in a cloud of steam.
“I believe that makes your argument invalid.” She announced, somewhat smug, amusedly eyeing me. I was fairly aware of my jaw hanging open.
“Christ Almighty…”
“If you are quite done with being a pessimist, James, let me perform the spell.” Her eyes shone brightly, a soft golden glow enveloping her horn. Oooh err, by gum, that was a bit scar-*SKADOOSH*

Ow.

I say again.

OWFORTHELOVEOFFUCKINGJESUSITHURTS

…

This is boring.

Celestia recoiled at the small, slavering sentience trapped in a garnet she’d brought along with her for this occasion. She’d never seen anything quite like this. The Chimera kept demanding she let it hear the song again. She had no idea what it meant by that and she didn’t intend to set it free, either. There was only one thing for it.
The small gemstone shattered against the wall. The death of the snarling soul left her rather unnerved. To think that James had fought it every waking moment told her volumes of his mental endurance. Said Hybrid was still knocked out cold, though.

I woke up, slightly unsteady as I got my bearings again. The fire was still crackling strongly. Celestia was drinking tea. Upon noticing I was awake, she smiled graciously.
“Ah! Good to see you’re finally awake, James. How do you feel?”
“I…” I tried to respond, but paused. My mind was silent. It was like my head had been trapped in a slowly-constricting vice. It felt so good, not having to tolerate the raving beast in my mind! I was finally once more the uncontested lord and master of my mind and body.
“I take it I was successful, then.”
“Thanks. I really mean it.” I answered her, grateful. I wasn’t sure how long I would’ve lasted before succumbing to that damned thing. “And, uh… Sorry. About trying to eat you.” I mumbled quietly.
“Do not worry. I am at fault for that. I overreacted when I saw you and your friends.”
“Eh. So, where do we go from here?”
“Well, I suppose you can join the others at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I need some time alone. As I said, I have a lot of emotional luggage and I have to sort it all out. So I won’t be going anywhere right now.” She looks a bit saddened at that, but nods nevertheless.
“I understand.” She stands up, smiling warmly.
“It’s nothing personal. I just need some me time.”
“We all do, James. We all do.” She responds, a tone of understanding in her voice. Then she turns around, walking away. Again, I am alone.

If I am being even a little bit honest, staying alone was really boring.