Chapter 1: The Angel's End
Work. Oh how I dreaded the thing. A word to the wise, there's a reason smart parents tell their kids to do what they love...what they have a passion for. It's because no matter what you do for a living, you're going to come home feeling exhausted and mentally fried. No matter what, it's going to suck. Doing something you love just makes it suck less. I was so lucky.
I was a tattoo artist who played one-man shows in my spare time. It's not the most popular choice if you want a mansion or something but hey, it pays the bills and I like doing it. That and the fact that it offset my few guilty pleasures. These included liking flowers and sparkly rainbows, sappy romance comedies, and My Little Pony. Yep, I'm a closet brony. Needless to say this was a secret so deep in the closet, it was better hidden than my Christmas presents (which I still hadn't found). I'm all for the whole "love and tolerate" mantra, and most of my friends would agree. All the same, teenagers who have just hit eighteen and adults who are having a midlife crisis tend not to want the business of a guy who watches a children's show, no matter how many tattoos he has. Thankfully after a few years, I had saved enough from my two career choices to open up my own tattoo parlor in the outskirts of Fremont in California. It was a great town to be so long as you didn't have kids, and there was always something to do. This also brought about all kinds like-minded people for me, and before I knew it I had great, trustworthy friends and a fully-staffed tattoo shop.
Even with all that being the case, I was still burned out by the end of the day. I loved what I did, - both of what I did - but I was still well ready for bed at the end of the day.
"Yo Koa, you out?" said Mike, a good friend and the manager of my shop.
I nodded and waved. "Yeah, I'm out for now. I'll be just hanging by The Bird if you guys need me. Please...don't need me."
He chuckled and slapped my hand in a high five as I headed out the shop, heading towards a rocky beach near my house.
The day was nice, so I just walked the whole way there, deciding to leave my car at home. I got to the beach in only a few minutes, and took a deep breath of the salty sea air I loved so much. I chuckled as I walked up to the rocky beach and sat by myself in the cool surf.
My friends and I were some of the only people who actually came to this beach that we'd affectionately named "The Bird" because of a big rock that looked like - you guessed it - a bird (the animal, not the sign-language). We didn't come here because of the beach itself...because of the rocks and strong current, it was too dangerous to go in unless you were ready to swim hard and fast, or else get pulled out to sea. No, we came here because of the quiet.
All the haoles ("Haole"[pronounced "how-lee"] is "white" in hawiian. Fucked up, I know...but still funny) always wanted to go in the water, so they all kept to the resort beaches and the ones with the least amount of danger. Safe for kids no doubt, but this also made them crowded as hell. I liked this particular beach because it was nearly always empty, save for myself and a few other people. When I was here, I could just relax in the warm sea breeze and let my thoughts wander to a great many things. It was a place of peace...and of revelations. Some of my greatest ideas had come to me on this beach, I had my first kiss on this beach, and...she had her funeral here.
As my mind started to race to dark thoughts, I pushed them away and just relaxed in the late afternoon. To the west, there was a drizzle oversea, and this caused a rainbow to appear over the city I called home. As un-manly as it was, I always loved the rainbow. It was a thing of beauty that was not created by men, and it had been around since ancient times. It was, in itself, an artifact of old times. Rainbows held more meaning to me than that, though. From my hidden pleasure of My Little Pony, Rainbow Dash was always my favorite. As a matter of fact, I had gotten her tattooed on my right arm, although you'd have to be looking for her to see her. Kinda stupid for a tattoo, I know...but it's my body. Sometimes when I'd fall asleep on the beach, I'd have dreams that she'd come see me and we'd just play and laugh. Laughter...that wasn't something I did much anymore.
Ever since she died - my wife - I'd lost my will to laugh. Sure I chuckled and even giggled from time to time (don't judge me), but I no longer was able to have that loud, body-shaking laughter that would leave you winded and hurting, but also happy beyond belief. That also was part of the reason I watched MLP. While I never had that kind of laugh, it's one of the only things that's gotten me close.
While laying on that beach thinking about my past and my future, I was watching as the sun slowly slid towards the horizon and the moon came out from behind me. Deciding that it was probably about that time to head on home, I grabbed my beach shoes and walked back up towards town. Mother nature apparently had a sense of humor that night, as the city started to rumble and shake with a small earthquake. I chuckled again...this quake wasn't big enough to do any real damage, but I knew for a fact all the tourists were flipping out in their rooms. Serves them right.
As I came to my house, I noticed that my mailbox had fallen over...again. I picked it up and stuck it in the ground, promising myself that I'd replace it for probably the millionth time. Eh...procrastination is all good so long as it's a mailbox...or that meeting I was supposed to have with my weird uncle. As I mused about how strange things had become in the past year, I opened up the door to my little two bedroom beach house and stepped in. I was happy that the only thing that had broken was an empty bottle of tequila that had been on the counter, so I quickly swept up the broken glass and threw it away before heading upstairs.
I showered quickly and shaved before leaning over to a picture on the mirror and kissing it. The picture contained the last photo I had of us. I remembered the entire day so vividly, as it was my birthday and we were at a place called the "Mystery Spot". I'd seen the place so many times as a kid growing up that it was kind of boring, but Kayla loved it. There was a reason that this was the last picture we took...and that reason was called lymphoma. Kay was always kinda obsessed with tanning, and one day was diagnosed with malignant melanoma after we went to the doctor when we found a weird purple bump on her arm. After that, Kay wasn't much for photos anymore, and neither was I. She passed on not six months after her diagnosis...and we'd only been married a year. I remembered lashing out at Mike one time when he remarked that at least we hadn't been married that long. Mike was never one for thinking before he spoke, but I wasn't able to let that one slide...not so soon anyway.
I forgave him later on, but it still hurts to this day.
One of the tattoos I had was a pair of devil wings I'd gotten on my back, made to look like they were breaking through the flesh on my back. I was young (well younger...) and stupid...don't ask. Anyhow, Kay used to remark that I was her little demon, and so one day she got a pair of gold angel wings on her back to match. Around my friends, we were known as "heaven and hell" and as messed up as it is, I took it as a title of endearment. Kay was my angel, and while I didn't want her to leave me, I guess heaven was calling her home. It wasn't as bad as it once was...but I would always miss her.
I was brought out of my reverie by the feeling of all my hair standing on end...as if there was static in the air. This was followed by a loud popping sound, like electricity arcing between two points. I rushed around my house to the source of the sound, only to find it was my bedroom. I noticed my hair had fallen flat again, and there was no more noise, so I cautiously opened the door and turned on the light. What I saw next had me really confused, as laying in my bed was a young girl, probably my age or a little younger. She had softly tanned skin and what I assumed was rainbow-dyed hair.
The next thing I noticed was that she was completely naked...
Though this was a stranger in my house, I covered my eyes and looked away, grabbing the comforter and throwing it over her. She must have been a light sleeper because this woke her up, so I turned to look at her. Instead of having a panicked or worried expression, she blearily sat up and rubbed her eyes before yawning cutely. Her expression changed to innocent confusion as she looked at me.
"Wh-who are you?" she asked softly, her eyes widening a bit.
I frowned and threw the comforter back over her, which had fallen off when she sat up. "Please keep yourself covered, girl. As for who I am, I'm Koamalu and this is my house. Who are you?"
She grabbed the blanket and hugged it against her, closing her eyes and apparently thinking. She was like that for a few silent moments before she opened her eyes and had an even more confused expression. "I...I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? You can't remember your own name?" I asked, getting a little nervous. If she was a crazy naked chick, that's one thing. I didn't know if I was ready to deal with an amnesiac though.
She shook her head and sighed a little sadly. "N-no. I got nothing. I can't remember anything about anything...at all."
I decided to stop the incessant questioning, as odds were I was probably going to make her cry or something, so instead I turned around and rummaged through my closet, finding a small pair of shorts and an old shirt of mine. I tossed the clothes at her and started to walk out. "Put those on miss...whoever you are. When you’re dressed, come meet me in the living room and we'll figure this out." I took a deep breath and started to walk downstairs, but she then called out to me before I could leave.
"Umm...Koa..mayloo?" she said softly.
I facepalmed and shook my head. "Koh-ah-mah-loo. Just call me Koa. Anyway, what do you need?" I could hear her stand up and abruptly fall over. 'Great...she's drunk too.' I averted my eyes from ogling her and instead focused on her hair as I walked over. I helped her up and sat her back on the bed, covering her again with the loose comforter "Okay, what is it miss rainbow?"
She seemed to get a shock or something, as she twitched at what I called her. "Wh-what did you call me?"
I gestured to the mirror across the room. "Rainbow...like your hair. Anyhow, what did you need?" I asked, getting a little annoyed.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts I guess and looked up at me. For the first time I saw her eye color. She had an unnaturally vivid shade of rose which caught me off guard. Luckily before I could say or do anything stupid, she replied.
"Umm...I don't know how to put these on. Can you help me? Please?" she asked in an innocently sweet voice.
She must have one hell of a case of amnesia if she can't even remember how to put on clothes, either that or this is the worst come-on I've ever had used on me. All the same I figured it couldn't hurt. If it came down to it, I'd just tell her to get out...but for now I'd humor her. With this in mind I motioned for her to turn around, which she did and I sat behind her. I grabbed the shirt and prepared to pull it over her head when I noticed something on her back.
It was a pair of beautiful cyan feathered wings.
This brought a tear to my eye as I remembered my Kay, but what happened next completely dumbfounded me. As I leaned to the side to grab the shirt that I'd dropped in shock, I noticed another marking on her left hip.
It was Rainbow Dash's cutie mark.
At this point I was floored. My mind started coming up with the most weird thing I'd ever thought: that this naked, innocent girl was Rainbow Dash. The logical part of my mind was still there, telling me this wasn't possible...and yet things made an odd amount of sense. Unnatural-colored eyes, rainbow hair, and tattoos of wings and the cutie mark.
"R-Rainbow Dash?" I mumbled to myself.
The girl turned her head and stared at me with her mouth wide open. "I...I know that name." She closed her eyes and almost seemed to be in pain as her face strained in thought. After a minute her eyes shot open with the same shocked expression. "Thats my name!"
I decided to push a little further. "Do you remember anything else?"
She turned around and stared at me before nodding. "I remember everything else. I know who I am...I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest pegasus in all of Equestria!" I had to turn my eyes away as she puffed out her naked chest with pride. She then slumped a little and her face took on a somber expression. "Well...at least I was."
I started to play into the whole thing until my brain got control again. This is impossible...Rainbow Dash is a cartoon! I might not be a physicist, but I know this can't be possible. Still...if this girl is really as damaged as she seems to be, she's going to need some help. I hated to admit it, but I had a weakness for those in need, and I couldn't just turn her away. Crazy or not, she needed help, so at least for the time being I would humor her. I then grabbed her firmly by the shoulders and turned her back around so that I wouldn't be tempted to stare at her chest.
I motioned with my hand. "Arms up." She complied and I pulled the shirt down over her body, taking care to be as gentle as possible. Now that she was clothed enough so that I couldn't see anything, I pulled her up with me. "Okay then, now hold on to my shoulders." She did as I asked and I held the shorts open down low, looking away to give her privacy. "Okay, one leg in each hole." She wobbled a bit when she stood on one leg, but did as I asked while holding on to me.
She fell against me as she put the other leg in and blushed nervously. "Umm...s-sorry."
I shrugged. "It's okay. I'm just glad you have clothes on now."
She raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of clothes, why do I have to wear them?"
'See? She's Rainbow Dash!' "Shut up, brain..." I mumbled to myself. I then turned my attention to the girl in front of me and said, "Well, I don't know how it is with ponies, but humans are quite a bit more modest. As a matter of fact, if you walk outside without clothes on, you'll probably get arrested."
"Why?" she asked innocently.
I scratched the back of my head in nervousness. "Well, because the only person who should see you without clothes is someone you plan on being intimate with..."
Her cheeks lit up a bright red and she turned away. "Oh...so then that's why you were all..."
I nodded. "Yeah. Not to say you're not attractive or anything, you're very attractive. Umm...I mean..." 'Where the fuck was I going with that?' I sighed and lowered my head in embarrassment. "I'm just going to shut up now."
She giggled and grinned at me. "Well, um...thanks Koa."
I then sat us both down on the bed and looked at her right in the eyes. "Okay then, do you have any idea how you got here? Do you remember that?"
She closed her eyes and strained in thought for a few minutes. Suddenly her eyes shot open in shock and her mouth dropped open.
"I died."