Chapter Twenty-Two
“Calm down. I'm here for a reason.”
“Can't say he's looking too good.”
“He's going to be okay isn't he? Isn't he?!”
“Please! I need room to work.”
Drifting away. You felt as if you were hopping islands; islands of ashes and smoldered soot. You were hopping them for your very life, to desperately stay afloat from whatever would drag you down. Floods of voices all rang out around you, testing your concentration.
The representation was as clear as daylight and you weren't a fool to see that this was a battle within your own subconscious to remain alive to see another day. Whatever was happening outside was trivial at this point. It was all right here, right now.
Every once in awhile, you'd feel like you were finding it easier and easier to stay afloat. At a point you felt like you would break free of the this endless cycle and be brought back to wherever the hell you were at.
Just as soon as you were going to take that final leap, however, tendrils wrapped around your spirit, and dragged you back down. You were kicking and screaming, begging to be released from the hold now placed upon you.
The darkness was finally beginning to overtake you, and you gave one cry, hoping that you had righted the wrongs you had caused.
“Not so easily, I would think.”
Everything receded, and you were left alone once again. You could feel something, something tickling your exposed skin. It was like a peaceful breeze, which was considerably strange after what you had just been through.
You suddenly felt stretched, like you were a rubbing band being pulled to your limits. Anymore and you would break surely from the contortion you were experiencing. Couldn't anything be uneventful? Even death?
You gasped and opened your eyes. You coughed and sputtered, spitting grass out of your mouth and looking around cautiously without lifting your head.
This wasn't any place you had seen before, which could only spell bad news for you usually. You didn't want to move in fear of alerting something around you. Already the fallout of your encounter with the hellspawn was shaping your very way of thinking.
“There's no need to be cautious here, human.”
Before you could do anything, you felt yourself being lifted from your spot on the ground and onto your feet, revealing the area around you to be quite high in elevation, for you were standing in a clearing in between several mountains.
You turned around and felt a wave of perspective hit you like a bludgeon. Before you was a huge basin, lush green grass below filled the area to the brim, the beauty of it all was humbling, but what really got you was the landmark that showed you that you had seen it all before.
There it was, Canterlot, still on the side of a lone mountain within the center of it all. It made you breathless to look at it from here and if it wasn't for the figure standing amidst the backdrop, you might just have forgotten about your predicament.
Celestia shot a side glance to you and smiled slyly before returning her attention to the sight that had had you so captivated.
“It is nice to see you, human. I wish the circumstances were a bit less macabre, but what is done has been done.”
“What do you mean?” You asked.
“Why don't you first take a look at yourself. One who focuses on the world around them too often does not see how it degrades themselves ever so slowly.”
“What?” You looked down at yourself and nearly gasped. You were devoid of all injury, not a single scratch. Even your clothes seemed to be untouched. “What did you do?”
Celestia's smile turned to a sad melancholic expression. “I could explain it all, human, I really could. The corruption has left my mind with a considerable amount of knowledge regarding the nature of your arrival and the state of those that had plotted behind the scenes of it all.”
“Then please do, It's not like I'm going anywhere.” You wanted answers, you wanted them now.
She seemed reluctant at first, not initially answering to your insistence on the matter. “Then sit with me human. They will have to be patient for a bit longer, it seems.”
“Who's 'they'?” You asked, wondering exactly who she was referring to.
“Well that all depends on your choice in the coming matter, but that will wait.” She gestured once more for you to join her.
“Great...” Now you were really itching for understanding. This would either leave you confused or angry, or perhaps both. You finally walked up to her side where she sighed and sat down.
“Won't you sit? We might very well be here for a prolonged amount of time.” She genuinely looked considerate and signaled for you to hunker down on the ground with a wave of her large feathered wing.
You didn't want to, but what were you going to say to the princess, especially in a time like this? So you plopped right on the ground awkwardly, creasing your lips together in slight dissatisfaction.
“Your abrasiveness is noted, if only lightly.” She almost sounded amused by your behavior. Her features soon changed from slightly diverted to a much more thoughtful look. “If only I knew where to begin. So much has come into my understanding that it's hard to put into thoughts so soon.”
“Well, take your time.” In reality, you were burning for answers, waiting impatiently for her to share with you whatever she had to say.
“I guess I can start off with saying that you're not really here with me.” She said bluntly.
“I... what?” Well it started off just as well as you might expect.
“What I mean to say is that you are still back in Canterlot castle, about in the same condition as you were in before falling into dormancy.”
“But how am I here, then?” Nothing was making sense.
“Like I said, you aren't. Your spirit is with me, but your body still remains in Canterlot. At least that one does.”
“I'm really lost now.” You scratched your head, trying to wrap your head around this exposition.
“I am not doing too well in my explanation, it seems. I apologize.” She took a deep breath and started again. “You are the owner of two separate, yet identical bodies.”
“How can that be? I'm just one person!” What she spoke of seemed impossible, but the sheer nature of such a thing didn't seem as blasphemous considering where you were at and how you had supposedly gotten here.
“The creatures... these... hellspawn, spent their time in between worlds, never truly in one or the other. They needed someone to open the way, but for such an incursion to happen in between two separate realities, one would have to leave their shell before making the jump.”
“You're saying that the hellspawn provided me with a body?”
“No. Your spirit took care of that when it chained through... the well. A rather formidable feat for a lonely soul to create its own body in a detached reality. Perhaps that was why you were the one to be put through such ingress?”
You brought a shaking hand up to your face, wondering if what you were doing was real or rather just as aeriform as Celestia had described your current state.
“They had been watching you for a long time it seemed. They must have saw something in you to be their key. What bothers me is why they did not flood into your world as well. There had to be a reason they did not want a quarrel with you. Your race must be far more intimidating then my little ponies to cause such hesitation within a monstrous foe like these creatures.”
“You could say that.” She was right. Compared to these colorful ponies, your people were considerably more adequate when coming to homeland security. You weren't sure just how an invasion of earth would have went, but you assumed the hellspawn would have had their hands full trying to take down a much more militarized world.
“Let's not digress, however.” Celestia said after a long moment of contemplation. “If you haven't already realized, you still have a body very much so in your own world, and now comes a very important decision for you, human.”
You almost didn't want to hear what she was about say, you were actually scared.
“There is still a way back to your own world, and I believe I know how to get you there.”
You almost flinched at the revelation. You should have been overjoyed to hear that you could return back to your own life, but surprisingly, you just felt conflicted.
Celestia watched you with a concerned eye for a second before continuing. “I am not particularly sure if your body back in your world would very well still be habitable. From what I've learned, you took quite a fall to cross worlds. The journey back could very well be suicide for yourself.”
“I see...” You suddenly felt bitter. What kind of solution was that? It would be nice to be back to your old ridiculously austere life for once, but was it really worth such a risk?
“Another thing...” The princess added suddenly. “To perform such a feat and return your spirit to your original body in your home world, well I'm afraid that would mean letting the one you've resided in since your arrival here... fail.”
“I'd have to die to even get a chance, and even then there's no guarantee I'd make the trip.” Whatever choice you made, it would be permanent and substantial. You were just a human, and you would never wish such a weighty decision to be put on anyone.
What were you leaving if you decided to stay here? Family? A chance at a normal life? A chance to find decent girl to settle down with? What if you decided to make the trip back? A world you had nearly ruined? Friends you didn't even deserve? When you put it in that perspective it all seemed pretty clear. You didn't deserve to live in this world, and you were almost ready to make your decision.
Just as you were about to open your mouth to voice your choice, Celestia suddenly began speaking in a surprisingly airy tone. “I think you're forgetting somepony; somepony that loves you.”
Again, she was right. The thought of how Twilight would feel about your sudden 'departure' never occurred to you, and that made you almost frustrated with yourself for not being considerate.
All you did was bring hell itself to her doorstep and yet she stilled showered you in concern and genuine affection. You really didn't feel worthy to be the object of her inclination, yet you couldn't help but experience a bit of a rush from thinking about such matters regarding you and her.
“If the look on your face says anything...” Celestia commented slyly “... I'd say you might just be obligated to remain here.”
“I don't... know.” You began to mull over it all. Was she worth staying for, even after all this? Did you even have the right to remain here? Celestia apparently seemed to think so since she was giving you the choice. The way she had worded that, it almost sounded like she wanted you to stay, for Twilight's sake.
Even with this knowledge it was hard to lean in any direction definitively. So many risks to be taken one way, a life of asking yourself 'what if?' for the other. There was nothing to compare your situation to in anyway, and that wasn't going to help you at all.
“Your mind wrestles with your heart, both sides wanting something from both choices. It is a difficult decision I wouldn't have wished upon you, but alas you deserve the chance to choose your own destiny for once.”
“There's literally no right or wrong answer to this. This is practically mental torture!” You brought your hands up to your forehead.
“Perhaps it isn't a matter to be over thought about? I dare say you might be better off making a choice as soon as possible and not looking back.” Celestia stood up now and began to make rounds around your contemplating figure.
“Nothing can be that simple.” You stated after a moment. She was saying that you shouldn't think that much about a life altering decision! Some princess!
“It can be if you let it be.” She was sounding quite cunning, maybe she was actually on to something?
“I make a choice and don't think anything of it?” You looked at her expectantly, making sure you were understanding what she was trying to imply.
“If you'll take my word for it.” She smiled warmly, pleased with your openness.
“It's really all I got at this moment.” You stood up to join her.
“Well then, my most gracious guest, what is your choice?” She gave you a wink. “Might I remind you a certain pony's very heart is on the line?”
“Alright, I get it.” You shrugged her words off jokingly. You took a step back and took a deep breath, your head dropping slightly, you suddenly brought it up, one last question forming in your mind.
“If I go through with this, where will you be?”
Celestia seemed a bit surprised by the last minute question. “Out of the way, that's all you need to know. I won't be coming back until I know for sure I won't be a blight upon the land.”
“You don't seem all that bad now.” You commented.
“How I act is quite contrary to how I am currently feeling. Believe me when I say everypony would be better off without my presence for a while.”
“I... alright.” You weren't going to try to sway her. If she didn't feel her presence was needed in Equestria for now, then she was most likely right.
“Now, I'll ask again: what is your choice?”
You just looked at her, and nodded. She began to beam, deciphering the meaning of your gesture.
“You are quite the human. I think your race would be very proud of you and what you managed to accomplish. You've also managed to impress me with your willingness to sacrifice yourself for the sake of ponykind. I never expected such an act from a foreign body. If it means anything, I think you made the right choice.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the sentiment.” You were beginning to feel nervous and doubts were crossing your mind. Whatever Celestia was going to do, she had better do it quick, then.
“This is goodbye for now, human.” Her horn softly began to glow, she was still smiling as you felt a sensation surround you.
“Whoa-” In the blink of an eye, the world around you returned to a dark black, but you could feel yourself being twisted and contorted once more.
*********
You remained in what seemed like the void for a long time, you could sometimes hear voices, but they were muffled, as if you were trying to listen from underwater. You thrashed about in the darkness in an attempt to hear it all better.
Darkness finally receded, you began to notice the phenomenon was actually you simply opening your eyes. Everything was blurry, but the sound of a light wind and voices echoing off the side of buildings indicated that you were outside at the moment.
You were laying on something soft, probably some sort of makeshift bed. Whoever was considerate enough to do such a thing to you, you would be sure to thank them.
“So he awakes from his long slumber.” A figure showed up in your vision, but you couldn't distinguish who it was due to your impaired sight.
“Blink a few times, you should be fine after that. You've been out for a few days.”
“Hey! I need your help over here!” Another voiced called out from behind the figure.
“I'll be right back, never a dull moment for me it seems. Blink like I told you!” With that, the figure receded from your vision and you were left alone again.
You began to blink, disappointed to see that change in sight was not instantaneous. You continued to blink in the hope that it would get better, and it did.... marginally.
“Keep at it, they are just having an awful time adjusting to the light is all.” The figure was back now and you could feel his eyes watching you anxiously as you kept at it.
Eventually, you could focus once more on the world around you and you looked down at your hands. Scabs and cuts seemed to be almost healed everywhere on your palms.
You looked below you to find yourself sitting on a mattress on the cobbled street. Your assumption had been correct and you finally looked to see who had been talking to you since your recompense.
Your jaw nearly dropped to see that it was in fact the doctor you had met on your first day in Equestria. He laughed at your dumbfounded look.
“Don't act so surprised. When they said that the human that had helped save Equestria was in need of medical attention, I came personally. It's a pleasure to see you again.”
“You.. too.” You looked past him to see a collection of ponies in similar dilemma's as you, there beds laying out on the side of the street or right on it like yours. The majority were residents of Canterlot, leading you to believe that you in the main section of the city.
“It's been a bit hectic since I've arrived. Luckily, I'm not the only medical expert to pop in. In fact, there's a psychiatric specialist talking to one of your friends right now. The sight of you in comatose was a bit too much for her, I presume.”
“Can I get up and see her?” You asked the doctor.
He nodded, but added a last minute comment. “At least you aren't pulling the same thing like back at the tent...”
You slowly got off you resting spot and stood up, nearly falling over. Your legs hadn't supported your weight for quite a bit of time and for the first few moments, you feared that you would be force to lean against the buildings.
“You going to be okay there?” The doctor asked you with a concerned eye.
“I think so.” You took a few steps forward. They were wobbly, but at least you could support your own weight.
“Well then! Follow me, if you would be so kind.” He immediately turned and began heading off down the cobbled street, causing you to nearly follow over trying to keep up with him.
Ponies groaned in pain as you and the doctor passed what seemed like an endless amount of victims while crossing the streets. You hadn't thought that the hellspawn had gotten to so many so dramatically, yet here it was. Just another reason for you to hold some guilt over yourself.
“Whoa! Look who's awake!” Suddenly, another familiar face jumped right in front of you from the side of the street, readjusting her stetson from the quick movement.
“Didn't think ya'd be up so soon, the way you were lookin'.” Applejack gave you a nod of the head and was soon following you and the doctor, explaining to you the current events.
“Twilight eventually did recover after her little episode. You can guess how she reacted when you weren't there and when we told her exactly what had happened.” Applejack gave an awkward laugh. “Uhh... we've yet to find everypony that's gone missing, that includes the captain of the guard, who just happens to be Twilight's brother, and several other sub-officers outside of the fella that was helpin' us. We all assume they’re somewhere in the castle, but nopony's gone in there since they got you and your guard friend out.”
“Luna's been meaning to search out the place, but she's been so busy issuing orders down here to the remnants of the guard that were present in Canterlot at the time. Apparently Celestia's gone missing, and not even Luna is aware of wherever she is. A bit strange if you ask me.”
“Yeah...” You answered.
“You're going to go see her, aren't you? I don't know where the others are right now, but I reckon' everypony knows where Twilight's at.”
“You caught me.” You shrugged carelessly.
“That's great news.” She smiled softly.
“How so?”
“What I'm trying to get at is that she needs you, sugarcube. She isn't too well with the knowledge that her brother is still missing and seeing you all laid out on a mattress trying to recuperate. You'll be the best thing that's happened to her since we got out of the castle.” She gave you a playful shove with her hoof.
“Really?” Were you ready for such a meeting? You suspected that there would be a considerable amount of... endearment. It wasn't something you were used to even with your own kind, and that made you realize just how horrifying this was for you.
“Of course! She's downright smitten with you! You should know that!”
“Oh what's this? Somepony loves the human here, eh?” The doctor asked after hearing Applejack. “What did I say back there? I knew it...”
You just grumbled and the doctor chuckled lightly in response. “Knew you were looking at them...”
You stopped in front of a large building that had once served as high estate for a rather lavish pony. Several guards were chatting in front of it about recent events not too unlike the ones Applejack had been telling you. One guard broke from the group after catching sight of you.
“Here he is!” Static Ward called out, pointing at you for all the guards to see.
“This is the human, huh? Stands on two legs, just like you said...” One of the guards sized you up while you stood awkwardly, awaiting either approval or dismissal.
“Ah come on! You're scaring the thing!” Static slapped the guard on the back, trying to get his attention off of you.
“My bad!” The guard scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“Don't let it happen again.” Static warned him before trotting up to you. “Heading in there, human? That's where most of the talking has been going down for those who've been having a hard time getting a grasp on the situation.” His face eventually lit up. “Oh! Your friend is in there, huh? I think I remember seeing her pass by with one of those doctors. She was all teary eyed and junk.”
“That's the idea.” You said.
“Well I won't keep you all waiting. Just wanted to say... good on you, human.” The captain gave you a nod and backed off, gesturing for you to head inside the estate.
Once inside, the place looked just like a makeshift medical hospital would for this part of town. It was surprising to think that there wasn't any kind of medical facility in Canterlot, but you supposed that came with the assumption that nothing truly as devastating as the hellspawn were going to be upon them so aggressively.
Within here you could see many ponies that didn't look all that stable talking to one another or to a professional that was willing to listen. An air of distress and anguish loomed over the building like there was still death just around the corner.
The majority remained in the bottom floor, where the social workers, psychiatrists, or any other kind soul could assist with the most at once. You assumed Twilight would be down here somewhere, but you were told by one aide that she was on the upper floors, simply talking to a single pony.
“Well, we better get going on up there.” Applejack sighed. She took a few steps up the large staircase to the upper pavilion. You and the doctor followed up after her, the doctor making playful comments about your relationship all along the way.
When you got up to the next area it was a lot less crowded and it felt more... content then the chaos that was going on down below. Yet that same feeling of anguish remained, and it was all the more morbid and depressing in such a more idle environment.
There was many rooms that more than likely contained traumatized or disturbed individuals that had witnessed the unadulterated horrors that had befallen the land first hand. Some ponies waiting outside the door, hoping their loved one would recover after some time to take it all in.
“It seems we might be having to ask around once again.” The doctor commented.
“You'd be wrong with that assumption, partner.” Applejack suddenly ran right by the both of you down towards the far end of the pavilion. You could just barely make out the rest of your companions besides Twilight waiting outside of a small door.
When Applejack met up with them, their faces lit up, but they lit up even more once she had gestured to you who was following after her with the doctor by your side.
“I didn't think y’all would just be waiting around here.” Applejack said, surprised.
“You're the one that ditched us.” Rainbow responded grumpily.
“I know, but...”
“Can you be a bit more considerate?” Rarity interrupted. “Poor Twilight is in there all by herself being mopey, refusing to talk to anypony!”
“That's a bit... concerning.” The doctor commented, looking up at you.
“They brought her here, but then she refused to talk. Not even I could seem to get her to open up, it's beginning to stress me beyond all else.” Rarity suddenly looked exhausted.
“Yeah well, that's pretty much it.” Rainbow finished. “We've all been trying to figure out who would try to talk to her this time.
“Well I think we got a volunteer.” The doctor chimed in slyly, nudging you slightly.
“I can try.” It was the most honest answer you had anymore.
“Be our guest. Might just be useless like all the other tries.” Rainbow gestured to Rarity, who opened the door slightly with her magic.
“Don't want to keep the mare waiting, eh?” The doctor nudged you once more, this time towards the door.
You glared at him before slipping through the door. He just smiled and shooed you off with a hoof. This doctor clearly thought this was funny, or maybe was just eager to know that you were a blithering idiot when it came to these things.
Rarity shut the door, leaving you on the other side of the door. You turned around and found a painfully bare room. Nothing but white walls accompanying a plain wooden floor. No furniture or carpet adorned any inch of the small space, not even a place to sleep, just bare floor and wall.
You could see Twilight's back. She was looking out the lone window opposite of the door you had come through. She didn't respond or react to you entering, which was already making you grow tense.
You took a single step, and was met with a rather cold statement.
“I told you already: I don't want to talk, Rarity.”
You held your breath and continued to step forward, edging closer and closer towards the asocial unicorn. You never remembered being so slow in your life.
“Stop, Please. I don't want to talk about him or my brother.”
This was becoming more difficult, you just wanted to get to her already. Just a few more steps and you'd be there...
You touched her back and she reeled around, furious. “I DON'T WANT TO-” Her eyes were glistening from anger and pain.
“I... I...” Almost instantly she broke down into sobbing after realizing it was you she had been yelling at.
You knelt down where Twilight quickly jumped into your reluctant arms. “I never meant to hurt you... I never meant to put you through all of that...”
“It's okay. It wasn't your fault.” You patted her gently on the back while she looked up at you with watery eyes.
“I shouldn't have lost control...”
“It's the only reason any of us are still here.” It was surprisingly easy to respond and comfort Twilight. Perhaps because it was all true?
“Why do you have to make so much sense?” She sniffled and looked back down, trying to hide the change of expression on her face.
“Would you rather I lie?” Was this actually working?
“Only if it made me feel better...” She said shyly.
“I got nothing then.”
“I knew you'd say that...”
You gave a quiet laugh and looked around gracelessly. You weren't really sure what to say next after this. So you stayed there, the unicorn in your arms. She was content in your embrace, but you on the other hand weren't too comfortable with the contact being made.
“I hope he's okay...” Twilight eventually mumbled.
“Uh.. who?” It was probably best to play dumb right now and have her talk as much as possible. It would be easier this way.
“He's still in the castle... they haven't found anypony since this ended...” She looked like she was going to have another outburst again.
“I'm so sorry. I'm sure they'll find him and all the others when they get the chance.” You mustered up the most genuine look of concern you could regarding Shining Armor's absence.
“It's not your fault. It's not anypony's fault but those...” She began to grit her teeth in obvious resentment.
“I know, I know.” The more uncomfortable you grew, the more complacent Twilight was becoming. You were afraid you were going to fall right over with the amount of weight she was putting on your bent legs.
“Uhh... Twilight...” You began, but she seemed to be lost in the moment, perfect. You were already beginning to buckle, and with one last attempt at breaking Twilight's trance, you fell back, taking the unicorn with you.
You landed roughly on your back, Twilight gave a surprised yelp as she was pulled back onto you. You quickly began to panic and apologize quickly, and Twilight did the same thing, but only for a moment.
Suddenly her eyes seemed to show a spark of effectuation.
“Is everything... okay?” You asked. You wanted out, you wanted out desperately right now.
“Maybe...” She murmured, suddenly leaning in.
You had no control at this point and were unable to prevent what was about to happen. She quickly pecked your lips just for an instant before pulling away and hopping off of you to retreat back to the window embarrassingly.
You could feel your own face growing warm from embarrassment. It hadn't felt any different than a kiss from a human girl, that may have been what was causing you to nearly breakdown the same way Twilight was before you.
“I'm s-sorry! I t-tho-thought that since you were there, I-I'd...”
“It's... it's fine.” You sat up brought a hand over your lips. You tried your best to look composed before the unicorn, giving her a no doubt stupid grin.
“D-does that mean that you...?”
“That I.... what?” You asked her. You honestly didn't know at the moment; euphoria was washing over you like a storm.
She didn't say anything, but instead jumped right back into you, kissing you deeply. You were still nervous, but you didn't pull back, it was just too invigorating to feel the sensation.
You eventually broke contact, you were gasping for air. Twilight on the other hand seemed unaffected besides the look of pure joy on her face.
“I never thought... you'd care enough to..”
“Me neither... actually.” You laughed slightly before pulling her in for a hug.
“Can anything be normal again?” She asked after a moment.
“With me around? I doubt it.”
“I think I'd prefer that then...”
It was then that you knew that Celestia had been right about all of this. You had made the right choice staying here. This... this was a new kind of happiness, a new home.
For once in your life, you felt sublime.
***************
“...Yes, what is it?”
“It's about the missing man.”
“Oh really now? Why don't you tell me all about, Harper.”
“Well chief, we followed the direction the witness said he saw the man run off in. We ended up in a burned up field. A bit strange this time of year, the air wasn't even that dry.”
“What are you getting at, Lieutenant?”
“Well, there was a well in the middle of the field...”
“..and?”
“Well, one of the privates was joking about tossing a coin down the thing when he caught sight of a body at the bottom of the well. We managed to retrieve the corpse around an hour later with some rope and a volunteer from the surrounding area.”
“Did the description match?”
“...Yes sir, it did. There was something strange about the whole thing though...”
“Like what?”
“Well the doctor on sight said that the body had sustained no damage at all, meaning that he couldn't have fallen into the well or anything like that. He just looks like he's sleeping, really.”
“How the hell did he get down there, then?”
“We're not sure, sir. There was no equipment on the body, just some change in his pocket.”
“What is this world coming to?”
“Call off the search now?”
“Might as well.”
“Still the damn weirdest thing I've seen in my life, the poor guy.”
“I'd say all that shit about how he's in a better place, but I'm so damn sick of these deaths now.”
“I'll let the family know, sir.”
“You do that, Lieutenant.”
“I really do hope he's in a better place now.”
“Drop it and get this done.”
“Right away, sir.”