//------------------------------// // A Place to Call my Own // Story: Subject 27 // by Phyrexian //------------------------------// Chapter 72 - A Place to Call my Own         The Abyss. My eternal resting place. I find comfort in knowing that there’s at least something waiting for me on the other side. Whomever’s soul I take ends up here. Each one on their own voyage to the ominous purple glow that Friend calls the Black City; my so called home away from home. Under some circumstances, I break the rules for my own cause. I claimed the soul of the Don for my own, and I aim to make him pay for the suffering he caused me and someone that was... once close to me.         “You’ve angered the Abyss by doing this.” Arkis says, circling the imprisoned Don. “I hope it’s worth it.”         “I’ve given the Abyss plenty of souls during my contract, it can part with one.” The Don is bound and gagged, limply hanging in chains. “Now, Don. You are my bitch, for the rest of eternity; I’ll see to it that you’ll experience the pain you inflicted onto others!” The Don flinches as I step forward, I peer deep into his eyes and see a primal fear. “Arkis, time flows faster here in the Abyss, correct?”         “Yes.”         “How much faster?” “Here’s a point of reference for you. One Equis day equals one thousand Abyss days.” He sighs before stepping away from the Don. “I won’t partake in... this.” More fun for me then. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He says as he walks away, leaving me alone with my new playmate. “You hear that Don? Just tonight, you and I will be enjoying each others company. Five. Hundred. Days. Just you and I.” With that said, let tonight’s event begin. His cries of anguish and screams of terror filled my ears with such joy, a symphony of bliss. - - - The first thing I feel as I wake up is the sun’s warmth on my face. Last night was awesome to say the least. I feel like a new horror, clear head and an even clearer conscience. “Hmmm, good mornin’.” Cloud says, nuzzling my chest. “You sleep well?” She asks with half lidded eyes. “Like the dead. You?” “That makes two of us.” Cloud squirms in my arms, worming her way so her head rests next to mine. “You talk in your sleep, did you know that?” “Do I?” “Mhmm.” “What kind of things do I talk about while I slumber?” Cloud happily smiles before letting out a long yawn. “I don’t know. I got up in the middle of the night because nature called. When I got back you were quietly laughing.” “Must’ve been a good dream or something.” I assure you, it was no mere dream. “Yeah, I was probably in it.” A seductive grin flashes across Cloud’s muzzle. “Or was Fade there too?” Oh my. That’s... Oh my. “Ha! You’re blushing again, I must be right.” No, but that would be one pleasant dream though. “Yeah, you caught me.” I say, waving a hand in the air, hoping to dismiss this topic. “Hey Cloud.” “Hmm?” “I’ve really missed you.” “I missed you too, 27.” We lay there, cuddling for a little while longer before getting up. Cloud decides to go gather some berries for breakfast for everyone, and I take a quick swim in the lake. It doesn't really feel natural for me to be swimming, let alone doing anything without my scales out. Last night, when I tried to retract my scales and failed the first time, did set off alarms in my head. But I pushed my worries away while I swam. By the time I finished, I see Cloud talking to a half-asleep Colt. “Morning Colt, sleep well? Cloud asks, her arms full of berries. “Yeah, what exactly happened last night? I remember fish, then something about changelings, and then I blacked out.” He says as he rubs the side of his head. “You don’t remember the argument that happened last night?” She asks with her head cocked. “Not really, every once in awhile I don’t remember certain parts of days, like the first time Daimon took over.” “Oh, I see... Maybe it’s for the better.” “I don’t know, something seems off though...” “Don’t think too hard on it, you might hurt yourself.” I say while walking out of the lake. “Hey, you would think hard on it too if your memory had random holes in it.” “Do you forget who you’re talking to?” “No, but there are days I can’t remember anything from. I would suggest magic being involved but it doesn’t work on me.” Yeah, lucky you. “Don’t force it, it will only make things worse. If any of those memories do manage to come back, they’ll return of their own accord.” I grab a handful of berries from Cloud, she smiles at me while I eat them one by one. “Fine, but if anything else goes missing I’m gonna start asking questi-. Hey Girls!” He shouts as he sees the four mares sleepily walk out from the tent. “Do you remember what happened last ni-?” “No!” They all say in unison, a bit louder than they meant to. “Okay then... Anything wrong girls?” They all shake their heads and sit down next to him. “Who’s hungry?” Cloud asks, each of the girls raises a hoof into the air. Cloud flies over to each one of them and dispenses the fruit that she’s collected. “I’m not much of a gatherer, but at least this will tide you over until we reach the house.” I begin deconstruction of the camp; the tent is first to be broken down and put away. Alright, Trixie, need any hel-, guess not.” Colt says, turning around to see Trixie quickly dismantling the tent in no time at all. “Soooo, we ready to go then?” Colt asks. “Yeah, 27 and I got up early so we can get everything packed up. I’m ready, how about you 27?” “Been ready, would’ve liked it if we left at dawn; but someone likes to sleep in.” I say looking at Colt. “Oh, I-I’m sorry.” Fluttershy squeaks. “No, not you, Colt.” I reply as I get dressed. “Eh, I like my sleep, just as you like swimming nude for Cloud.” “The human and horror body is a beautiful thing, Colt. Only insecure people would have issues seeing beauty.” “Touche. Ready to go?” With that said, the crew climbed onto my back after I was done with my routine stretching. Cloud and Belle take the lead. I feel a little sluggish at first, but after my stiff muscles loosen and warm up, I even out to a steady run. Every once in awhile, I would hit a bump in the path, causing Colt to hit his bum leg against my side, causing him minor discomfort. Colt and the girls went back to playing cards, Cloud and Belle talk amongst themselves, every now and again looking back at Colt and I then snickering to themselves. I zone out as I run, not talking much, if at all. They day wore on as the sun rose high into the sky. Just as the sun approached its zenith, when we’d normally have lunch, I decided to keep moving. We started to near the edge of the forest, the terrain starts to go uphill as we near the forest sitting in front of a mountain. I slow down from a sprinting to a more steady jog. Cloud and Belle turn hard right, into a hidden, overgrown path leading straight into the woods. I shoot the pylons on my right arm into the ground, banking hard into the turn. The weight on my back shifts to the side, but Tail catches them before they topple over. The path is overgrown with foliage, loose gravel and densely packed trees block out the sun’s light; but a few rays of light manage to break through the canopy of leaves and penetrate to the forest floor below. I jump over a fallen tree on the path, Colt’s leg hits my side again, generating another bolt of pain. Cloud and Belle disappear as they break through the tree line, shortly after I burst through it and collapse on the ground exhausted; ejecting everyone off my back and tumbling to the ground. “FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU!” Colt screams as he lands on his leg. “Everypony alright?” Cloud asks, flying over to the girls to make sure they’re okay. “B-Besides Colt and myself, I’m sure everyone is al-alright.” I pant heavily as I lay here on the ground. “Gotta love our luck, where’s Belle?” I kinda need the medical kit right now. “C-Cloud, just give him a h-healing potion.” I moan as I roll over onto my back. “Or some morphine and duct tape, either or will do the job.” “One moment please, there’s so much stuff packed into my bags it’s hard to find anything.” Cloud rummages through her saddlebags, eventually finding a vial. “This it 27?” “Is it green with bits floating in it?” Laying there, breathing heavily. I enjoy the fresh mountain air. But something doesn’t seem right, I’m picking up the scent of wet dog, and it’s fresh. “Yes.” “Then yeah. Poison is the y-yellowish reddish vial, and the blue one, don’t w-want to know what that is.” Cloud flies over to Colt, uncorking the vial and shoving it in his hands. “Hey 27, is the blue one a ‘stamina’ potion? If you get my drift.” Colt chuckles. “No, no, ‘stamina’ is m-more of a golden c-color.” “Poison is a yellow, ‘stamina’ is golden, there must be so many bedroom related deaths from that, who the hell makes those same color!?” “P-Poison is more of a brown if anything. The b-blue one is there as a just in case sort of thing.” “Not that potions class isn’t fun Snape, but can your assistant help me up?” Colt wraps an arm around Cloud, with a few powerful flaps of her wings. she manage to get you up on your feet. “Who’s Snape?” Belle asks, hovering overhead. “A potions teacher from a fantasy book series in our world, it was seven books long that turned into eight movies. One of the most popular series ever made.” Colt says, getting to his feet with the aid of Cloud. “Thanks.” “Y-You might enjoy it Belle. I’ve got the b-books and m-movies on my PDA if you c-care to read and or w-watch ‘em.” “Same here, which movie you like best? I personally like the last two and the first.” “D-Don’t know, can’t remember a-any of them.” The scent is all over the place, I wonder if there’s just a pack of dogs that roam around here or something. “Fair enough, we can watch some later tonight, or make a pillow fort. Whichever we have the means to do.” I lift my head off the ground, sniffing the air as the wind kicks up. “Anyone else smell that?” I ask, breathing in deep through my nose. “Smell what?” Trixie asks, walking out of the bush along with Fluttershy, both covered in dirt and leaves. Whatever kind of dogs, or even wolves might be, they’re closing in. “Cloud, you said there’s a cave behind the house?” I struggle to get up onto my feet. My body not cooperating with me at all. “Yeah? What’s wrong 27?” I turn my back to the group, facing the treeline with my armor already growing back. “Take them to the cave, now.” “Dude, what are you pulling? Better not be a pit full of lotion in that cave, freakin’ Buffalo Bill.” “We’re not alone, you’re in no condition to fight; you’d be better off hiding with the girls right now.” Yeah, I can definitely smell them, it’s just a scouting party hiding in the trees. “Hey, I will be fine, just give me a stick to lean on. The potion helped a lot, but balance is still a bitch.” With a snap of my fingers, I summon Friend’s cane. “Use this.” I toss Colt the cane. He manages to catch it and I can tell that he feels the same dreadful sensation I felt the first time I handled it. “Instant pimp cane, nice trick. What happens if you snap your fingers when looking at Cloud?” Colt asks, getting to his feet. “Don’t know, don’t want to try it. That was Friend’s doing, I don’t like to use his powers more than I need to.” Cloud leads the girls behind the house. Colt limps to my side and I take a defensive stance. Colt tries to take an offensive stance but ends up just taking on a gangster lean. Another breeze sways the trees, our guests left as quickly as they came. I slumped my shoulders down and remove my scales. “Okay, they’re gone.” I say with a sigh of relief. “Okay, now where did Cloud take them?” I turn around, and walk to the back of the house with Colt in tow. “It’s safe now, they’re gone.’ I call out as we approach the mouth of the cave. “What was the threat anyways man? And give a cripple some time to catch up man!” “I don’t know, it smelt like wet dog. There wasn’t that many, at least four.” Tail grabs Colt when he’s in range, yanking him past me and placing Colt next to the cave “Huh, normally dogs love me.” “I doubt they were your typical dog; but they’re gone, for now.” “Okay, how deep in the cave did Cloud lead them?” I facepalm, seeing them standing there in the entrance. “Ummm, we’re right here.” Colt looks to see Belle facehoofing. “Sorry, brain failed me again.” He admits. But when doesn’t his brain fail him? “Come on everypony, let’s go check out the house!” We all turn to see Cloud already at the back door of the house. “Might as well assess the damage to the house while it’s still daylight.” The outside of the house looks intact. It’s got grey stone walls with minimal moss coverage. Heavy double wooden doors in the front and a single side door looking just as heavy as the front ones. The windows aren’t shattered, but might need some work. A black slanted roof with a few bare spots where shingles use to be. Three chimneys jutting out from the roof, all and all it looks like a cozy little mountain home. “Yup.” I take the lead, Colt limps behind me with the girls on his side. Cloud pushes the door open; it’s hinges are rusty, they squeal as the door is opened for the first time in months. Cloud lazily flies into the house, disappearing into the darkness. I walk in behind her, and am instantly attacked by a thick cloud dust that Cloud kicked up with her wings. After my coughing fit, I see a large kitchen/living room joined together with hardwood floors. I begin my exploration of the house. I notice that a fine layer of dust blankets everything inside. I walk through the living room, turning right to head down the hallway, on my left and right there are two doors, and a single door at the end of the hallway. The two doors on the left lead to the same room; the large living quarters that PRHL told me about. The first door on my right is a large bathroom, with a shower-tub in it. I open the last door at the end of the hallway, revealing a supply closet filled with miscellaneous things. On a side note, I might turn this into a study or library of sorts. Last, but not least is the last door, opening it reveals the master bedroom with Cloud in it. She shows me the master bath, and the walk in closet. “I betcha Fade is already brimming with ideas for these rooms.” She says, opening both the windows in the room, and the one in the bathroom. “You’re probably right. That large room on the left, I have an idea for it.” “The crew’s quarters? What about it?” “Well, I was thinking about dividing it into two smaller rooms, one for the baby, and one for you.” Cloud’s face lights up like a goddamn christmas tree after she hears this. “Didn’t we talk about you living with us?” She nods so fast I’m afraid she might snap her neck. “Then what’s all the hubbub about then?” “I get my own room! And to top it off, it’d be right next to the babies’ room! I’m going to be the best big sister ever!” Now I understand why she’s excited. “Ohhh, I can’t wait!” “Best big sister, eh?” “The best!” “I bet you will, I bet you will.” “How’d you guys find this place? Not bad, a bit dusty, but not bad.” Colt calls out from the living room. “One of the few perks of working for the Family. Had my pick of hideouts to choose from.” Cloud hollers back. Cloud begins to hover, thus kicking up more dust. “T-This dust *achoo!* killing me! O-Open some damn windows, would you?!” I yell with a runny nose. “You’re telling me!” Pinkie Pie says in between bouts of sneezing, oddly enough she sneezes confetti. “Oh my, so much cleaning needs to be done.” Fluttershy whispers as she gently dusts the room with a napkin. With everyone sneezing, Colt and Belle open the windows in the front of the house while Cloud and I do the same in the back of the house. “Belle, can you use magic to dust this place? Even Trixie is sneezing herself silly.” Colt says while pointing to Trixie who’s in the midst of sneezing fit, squeaking each time. “I can’t, I’m still drained from earlier, maybe you can help me recharge.” Belle replies with a wink. “Belle, not the time for innuendos.” Belle bursts out in laughter from Colt’s reply. “Everypony cover their eyes and hold your breath! Dust storm comin’ through!” Cloud shouts, giving everyone in the house fair warning before taking off. I quickly jump out the window as Cloud effortlessly dusts the master bedroom first. With gusto, she conjures a mighty dust devil and herds it through the rest of the house before chasing it out the front door. I peek my head back in through the window to see practically no dust. Cloud triumphantly lands in the living room with her chest puffed out. Unknown to her, she’s no longer a white pegasus, but a light brown dustbunny. “Damn, that’s impressive.” I mutter to myself, mentally golf clapping for Cloud as I jump back through the window. “Uh, Cloud, you got a lil’ something here.” Pinkie Pie says pointing all over herself. “Where?” Cloud tries to brush off her cheek with her dust covered hoof. “Did I get it?” “Here, let me get it!” Pinkie Pie shouts, bouncing over to Cloud, and in a blur of pink, Cloud is now dust free; only to have her fur puff up, making her a very fluffy pony. “Thanks Pinkie...” Cloud says sarcastically. I walk down to rejoin the group, and the first thing I see is a cotton balled Cloud. I almost burst into hysterical laughter, but I bite my tongue and settle with snickering to myself. - - -         “Soooo, fluffy... I want’s it, I needs it!” Friend chimes in with a creepy tone.         “No, please no.” The last thing I need is Friend going on another creep run and start petting anything small and adorable.         “But Lad, I want’s it! I needs it!”         “Calm yourself Friend! Please, you’re scaring PRHL.” I don’t think I’ve ever introduced Friend and PRHL, probably for the better that I don’t.         “Nobody cares about Baby Swiss! I want to... pet the cotton ball of fluff!”         “Friend, settle down, there’s no need to be scaring everyone.” Fade quietly replies.         “No need? No NEED?! I. Well. I guess you’re right about that. Carry on.” Thank you, Fade!         “I’m sure that when Stella, Fizz, or Lizz comes to visit, that 27 will let you out.”         “For reals? No foolin’?” Not even the dead will know peace from this evil.         “If it gets you to settle down, then I’ll think about it.”         “Oh boy oh boy!” - - -         “Pfft, you look like a cotton ball puffed up like that.” Trixie adds in between her fit of laughter.         “I feel like one too...” Cloud flaps her wings, only worsening her puffiness.         “Cloud, you look so soft.” Fluttershy says as she hugs Cloud.         “Jeez Fluttershy, you’re really soft! What shampoo do you use?” Cloud gladly returns the hug and squeezes Fluttershy.         “J-Just regular shampoo, why?”         “Yeah, I used it before, it’s nothing special. Maybe she’s just a soft pony.” Colt ponders the thought for a moment before quickly walking over and hugging Cloud and Fluttershy. “Yep, she’s soft.”         “You must tell me your secret Fluttershy! All I want to do is hug you some more.”         “O-Oh my.” She says, blushing as the both of them continue to hug her.         “Whelp, plumbing is going to need some work, joy. Power isn’t working, but I saw some power cables connecting to the house leading into the cave; cable could’ve just snagged or been cut in there. Other than that, just some minor work needed to be done on the house. In all honesty, you ponies build things to last; I’m impressed.” There could be something as simple as the power not being on, or something as severe as needing to lay some new piping. I’m hoping for the former.         “Doesn’t matter, got Flutter-hugs.” Colt says as he squeezes her, earning himself a squeak.         “Hey Cloud, anyone mention that you resemble a dust bunny right now?” I pat her on the head, not wanting to be left out on the fun.         “We already pointed that out, now we are onto the next topic.” Belle states, poking Fluttershy randomly.         “Good job on the dusting Cloud, looks like you’ve got the majority of it.”         “Yeah, and look what it got me? I’m a stupid ball of fluff now...” She pouts.         “At least you started a hug-fest, hugs are nice.” Colt states as Pinkie Pie and Trixie join in.         “Colt, how’s the leg doing? Hopefully the healing potion you’ve downed helped.”         “I don’t feel any pain from my leg, but I don’t think a broken bone would heal that fast, even with Compassion working on it. I give it a day or two.” Colt replies as he breaks away from the hug-fest.         “You should let it heal naturally, instead of using magical methods; would give the bone proper time to heal and strengthen.”         “Y-Yes Colt, he’s right.” Fluttershy adds.         “Normally I would agree with you Shy, but with all the stuff that has happened since I came here I need to be ready for anything. Whether it be Celestia or some random creature that wants to see what human tastes like.”         “Well, you could just ask me.” Belle states with a smirk. Colt facepalms, Fluttershy blushes, and Pinkie Pie and Trixie start laughing their flanks off.         “I’ve taught you well, Belle.” Cloud adds in with her own smirk.         “Right-O then, I’ve obviously missed a lot while I was away on my ventures.”         “Yeah, you missed all of us rut-.” Colt quickly silences Belle before she has the chance to embarrass him any further.         “And did you partake in these events too, Cloud, while I was away?” The fluff ball of Cloud tries to shake her head no, but her fluffy state voids out her answer.         “No! Belle wouldn’t let me.” She pouts. Colt looks down at Belle who’s bearing a sheepish grin.         “Belle, Cloud, would either of you like to explain this?” Colt asks in a strict tone.         “No goes!” Cloud blurts out, her hoof already on her snout. Belle is late to her nose and sighs.         “Well, you see, when she broke in that night and she stayed in my room she kinda... tried to get with me.” She says awkwardly.         “Cloud, your turn.” Colt states, turning his gaze to meet her’s.         “I’m still trying.” She hastily replied with her tongue sticking out at Belle.         “Cloud, she doesn’t swing that way, now would you kindly stop your advances?” Belle nods in agreement at his statement.         “She’s never said the word ‘no’ yet.” Oh Cloud, what am I going to do with you?         “No.” Belle says quickly.         “Riiiight.” She emphasizing on the single word.         “Cloud, go after some other mare.” Colt advises. I honestly don’t see why he’s taking the higher ground of all times. He’s allowed to have four mares, but Cloud is forbidden to flirt with Belle? Ain’t cool, yo.         “I have, and did. But a changeling is uncharted territory for me. Plus somepony as cute as Belle, how could I sit idly by and not give chase?” Colt, Belle, and Pinkie Pie all facepalm.         “O-Oh my...” Fluttershy gasps.         “You of all ponies should know how I am, Belle.” These are some dangerous waters we’re treading, and if we continued, someone is going to be burned.         “Cloud, there’s a time and place for everything, right now is neither of them.” I simply state.         “Fine...” She sighs.         “And if you find your way into our room tonight, prepare for the most unpleasant pillow fight of your life.” Pinkie Pie pulls a pillow out of nowhere and audibly cocks it like a shotgun.         “Just the worst possible thing to say.” I facepalm this time, and hard, then Tail facepalms me again.         “How so?”         “You’re just adding fuel to the fire.”         “In what way?”         “Because now I really want to come into your room tonight.” Cloud teases.         “Okie dokie lokie...” Pinkie Pie deadpans.         “I’m running on a near empty tank of gas right now, anyone else hungry?” My stomach loudly grumbles.         “Trixie could use some lunch.”         “ME too!” Pinkie Pie shouts in agreement.         “What about you Belle?” She simply nods in agreement.         “Lunch it is.”         “Alright, I’ll go forage up something from the woods, might grab a few herbs while I’m out. Colt, stay here with the girls while I’m out, I doubt those dog-like creatures will come near, but one can’t be too careful in uncharted areas.”         “No problem. I think I can handle some dogs, even with a bum leg. Plus we have Fluttershy, they don’t stand a chance.” I take my leave, and Tail closes the door behind me.         “So... What do you girls want to do while we wait?”         “I’m going to try to defluffinate myself. So I’ll be back in a minute.” Cloud trots off down the hallway, going into the first door on her left.         “Need any help?” Colt shouts down the hall.         “I guess I might, mind giving me a hoof, Belle?” She replies.         “No problem!” Belle says, “this should be good.” She quickly adds before sending Pinkie Pie down the hall in her place. Credits Editor frieD195 Co-Author Some Guy Who Writes aka Itsmyfuneral (Author of The Darkness Within Us All).